Title: Comparative measurements of the digital maturity of Slovenian municipalities (v5-24067)
Head of the research group: doc. dr. Iztok Rakar
A wide range of digital services in the private sector creates expectations for the same or even more efficient digital services in the public sector. Thus, the local self-government or municipalities face the need for digital transformation (DP). However, in order to enable adequate planning, implementation and evaluation of DP, it is crucial to establish appropriate measurement and control systems that enable clarity, up-to-dateness, comparability and even competitiveness. The EU and its members prepared various measurement systems and frameworks that, based on strategic goals, best practices and the desire for comprehensive progress, define the criteria of DP or the so-called digital transformation maturity models.The DESI index is definitely among the most famous.
A similar concept is definitely necessary at the municipal level as well. For Slovenia, there is a local DESI index, a composite measure for assessing the maturity of the digital economy and society at the municipal level, which includes various indicators that reflect the state of digital dimensions in each municipality. However, since the current solution of the local DESI index includes some essential limitations (set of indicators, data sources, compatibility with the EU DESI index), it needs to be upgraded accordingly. The administrative regulation of the EU member states is diverse in the field of local self-government, but above all, its specifications have a significant impact on the way municipalities operate and, of course, on their digital transformation. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a customized model for measuring the maturity of the digital transformation of municipalities for each country, which takes into account its specificities, is coordinated with the DESI index for countries and is based on publicly available data that can be collected or to measure. By creating such a local DESI index for Slovenia, it will be possible to monitor the progress of the digital transformation at the level of municipalities and comparatively for all municipalities.
The goals of the research project focus on the development of the local DESI index, SI_LODESI, which will be the basis of the benchmarking framework for measuring the degree of digital transformation of Slovenian municipalities. The purpose of this index is to provide a detailed and customized monitoring of the progress of digital maturity based on new data, thus facilitating targeted interventions and policies to promote digital transformation in municipalities.
Duration (from/to):
11.2024 – 31.10.2025
Contracting Authority:
Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency, Ministry of Digital Transformation & Ministry of Public Administration
Financing:
Members of the project team with links to SICRIS:
Project phases and their realization
In order to achieve the objectives, the work will be carried out in several work packages, some of which will be interlinked and some of which are required to be carried out in sequence. The project will therefore be carried out in four work packages (WP):
WP-1: Analysis of the state of play on measuring digital transformation: the first step is to review and thoroughly analyse the European DESI index and other initiatives to develop indicators for assessing digital transformation at national, regional and local level. We will also look at the Slovenian local DESI. Based on the results of the literature review and sources, we will develop a conceptual model of SI_LODESI, a local DESI index adapted to the local level, taking into account Slovenian specificities. The model will be designed in such a way that SI_LODESI is conceptually compatible with the DESI index.
Methods:
– Thematic review of sources and scientific literature, focusing on websites of European and national institutions,
– comparative analysis of selected conceptual models,
– construction of the SI_LODESI conceptual model and analysis of its compatibility with DESI.
The expected outputs of this work package are:
– Thematic review of literature and resources,
– Definition and justification of the SI-LODESI conceptual model.
WP-2: Inventory and in-depth analysis of databases: the second step is the operationalisation of the conceptual model. It involves carrying out an inventory and in-depth analysis of databases containing relevant data for comparing the progress of digital transformation at local level. In particular, we will select centralised and trusted databases that are already available in various public repositories at different authorities. For data not collected at municipal level, the inventory will provide suggestions for the appropriate treatment of such indicators. On the basis of the inventory, we will adapt the conceptual model and propose a measurement model for the SI_LODESI index, which will define a set of indicators to assess the sub-dimensions and dimensions of the digital maturity evaluation.
Methods:
– Thematic review of data sources,
– construction of the SI_LODESI measurement model and compatibility analysis with the DESI index.
The expected outputs of this work package are:
– A table of data sources for relevant indicators for assessing sub-dimensions and dimensions of digital maturity,
– Definition and justification of the SI_LODESI measurement model.
WP-3: Methodology development and alignment with stakeholders: The methodology covers the data extraction methodology and the method for calculating the SI_LODESI composite index values and evaluating the dimensions and sub-dimensions of the digital maturity score. The majority of the data will be obtained from public data sources. We will work with the institutions that collect or process the data to find the optimal solution for accessing and summarising the data. Depending on the availability of data, we will identify methods to obtain primary data through content analysis and survey research. We will ensure compatibility with the DESI index when defining the methodology for calculating estimates of sub-dimensions and dimensions of the SI_LODESI index. The methodology will be coordinated with national and local stakeholders to ensure that it is tailored and reflects the real situation and needs of local communities.
Methods:
– Thematic review of literature and sources on methodologies for the preparation of composite indices,
– analysis of data sources to identify how to obtain data,
– Focus group of stakeholder representatives.
The expected outputs of this work package are:
– Definition and justification of the data model.
– Methodology for calculating estimates of sub-dimensions, dimensions and final value of the SI-LODESI composite index.
WP-4: Analysis of the state of digital transformation in Slovenian municipalities: a thorough analysis of the state of digital transformation will be carried out using the SI_LODESI method to assess and understand the current state of digital progress in Slovenian municipalities. This includes both an assessment of key areas by municipality and an analysis of the state of digital transformation for all municipalities taken together.
Method:
– SI_LODESI calculation methodology (DS-3 result).
The expected result of this work package is:
– Assessment of the state of digital maturity of Slovenian municipalities.
WP-5: Development of a tool to calculate digital maturity annually and monitor progress over time: finally, the project will develop a tool to calculate the digital maturity values of each municipality and the aggregate values for all municipalities on an annual basis. This will allow cross-comparisons between municipalities and monitoring of progress over time for individual municipalities and for all municipalities together The data generated by the tool will be a key source for monitoring the impact of digital transformation initiatives and actions and for designing future actions.
Methods:
– Web application development methods.
The expected outputs of this work package are:
– An application to compile data and display estimates of sub-dimensions, dimensions and composite values of the SI_LODESI index from all municipalities with each year.
– SI_LODESI installation and maintenance instructions.
– SI_LODESI user manual.
The expected output of this work package is:
– Implementation of the solution developed in DS-3 and fully tested in DS-4 in a web application. The proposed solution will be tested with stakeholders, presumably at a special event where stakeholders will express their views through a focus group process.