Crises as Drivers for Digital Innovation in the Public Sector: Insights from Covid-19

Korte, Niklas; Püchel, Lea; Brandt, Tobias

Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic, governments were required to act on and adapt to changing circumstances faster than under regular conditions. The traditional structure of the public sector in most countries is focused on stability and conservatism and is not designed for fast-moving circumstances. However, the pandemic showed that it is possible for government organizations to adapt to sudden challenges during large-scale crises. We study the dynamics of these adaptation processes using a multiple case study, focusing particularly on changes in business processes and work patterns. Our preliminary results show that the pandemic affected digital innovation processes in government organizations along several dimensions, including culture and their ability to focus on particular departments. In this ongoing study, we will further explore how these changes persist or are reversed as the pandemic decreases and how insights derived from this crisis can be leveraged to accelerate digital innovation during non-crisis times.