An extended TOE framework for local government technology adoption for citizen participation: insights for city digital twins for collaborative planning
David Adade, Walter Timo de Vries
Purpose – This study aims to understand and explain factors that influence how, when and under which
conditions local governments adopt digital technologies for citizen collaboration. It discusses what these
findings mean for city digital twin adoption.
Design/methodology/approach – This research uses the systematic literature review following the
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) process to collect and
evaluate evidence needed to answer the research questions. It uses the technology–organisation–
environment (TOE) framework and proposes an additional dimension: “stakeholders” as the analytical
framework.
Findings – Critical influential factors identified include the technology dimension: security and privacy;
organisation dimension: top management support; environment dimension: political influence; and
stakeholders’ dimension: technological experience.
Research limitations/implications – This research extends the TOE framework and
comprehensively analyses those factors which relate to citizens but significantly impact local
government’s decision to adopt digital tools for collaboration purposes. This research posits that in the
context of local government technology adoption for collaboration, both the organisation and
stakeholders’ dimensions are critical.
Social implications – This research contributes to the government-citizen discourse and provides a
constructive understanding of technological transformation in collaborative planning. The findings
are helpful for local governments, researchers and geospatial industries as they offer a critical
understanding of digital technology adoption, particularly city digital twins, for collaborative
planning.
Originality/value – This study extends the TOE framework to include aspects relating to citizens. It
provides a nuanced understanding of the influential factors and intricacies of technology adoption by local
governments for citizen collaboration. It also discusses relevant issues of city digital twins’ adoption by local
governments for citizen participation.
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