Vol. 2 No. 4 (2026): Agust
Articles

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THROUGH DATA INTEROPERABILITY TO STRENGTHEN TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC TRUST

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  • Joao da Silva Belo
Joao da Silva Belo
Universidade Nacional de Timor Lorosa'e

Published 2026-08-30

Keywords

  • digital transformation,
  • public administration,
  • data interoperability,
  • transparency,
  • accountability,
  • public trust,
  • data governance
    • ...More
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Abstract

This study systematically examines how data interoperability enables digital transformation in public administration to strengthen transparency, accountability, and sustainable public trust. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following PRISMA 2020 and PRISMA-S principles. Scopus was used as the primary database, with complementary citation searching. Relevant studies were identified through title, abstract, and keyword searches and synthesized using thematic and mechanism-oriented analysis. The findings reveal three central patterns: digital transformation often remains fragmented because of legacy systems, organizational silos, inconsistent standards, and limited institutional coordination; data interoperability functions as a socio-technical and institutional capability rather than merely a technical connection; and interoperability requires data quality, shared standards, governance, stewardship, and institutional capacity. Interoperable data can strengthen transparency through improved information accessibility and consistency and accountability through traceability, monitoring, and auditability. However, public trust is not an automatic outcome of digitalization but depends on information quality, service quality, responsiveness, inclusiveness, transparency, and institutional performance. The study’s novelty lies in positioning governed data interoperability as the connective mechanism linking digital transformation with governance outcomes. It contributes an integrated framework for theory, policy, and future empirical research.

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