Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping Review

Abstract BackgroundPublic sector organizations increasingly adopt information systems (ISs) to improve economic efficiency, service quality and overall adaptability. These projects represent substantial financial investments, making their success critical for organizational pe...

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Main Authors: Arja Lemmettylä, Ulla-Mari Kinnunen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-06-01
Series:JMIR Human Factors
Online Access:https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e71575
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author Arja Lemmettylä
Ulla-Mari Kinnunen
author_facet Arja Lemmettylä
Ulla-Mari Kinnunen
author_sort Arja Lemmettylä
collection DOAJ
description Abstract BackgroundPublic sector organizations increasingly adopt information systems (ISs) to improve economic efficiency, service quality and overall adaptability. These projects represent substantial financial investments, making their success critical for organizational performance and societal impact. ObjectiveThis scoping review aimed to identify the driving and restraining forces influencing IS implementation in public sector organizations and to explore strategies that support successful change processes. MethodsA total of 25 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed using Lewin’s change theory to categorize and interpret driving and restraining forces. In addition, the narrative emerging from previous research on IS implementation was examined to explore how previous research portrays the success of IS implementation processes. ResultsThe findings highlight that IS implementation is influenced by 6 domains: organizational practices and challenges, technological factors and barriers, management practices and issues, change project factors and challenges, end user factors and concerns, as well as institutional factors and barriers. Key driving forces include leadership support, stakeholder involvement and system usability, while restraining forces encompass user resistance, technical challenges, and organizational silos. ConclusionsDespite the challenges, IS implementation offers significant opportunities for improving public sector operations and societal outcomes. Addressing restraining forces and leveraging driving forces is essential for achieving sustainable digital transformation. This study provides actionable insights for future IS implementation in the public sector.
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spelling doaj-art-64678eec61a44587a61fa18548bfbc5d2025-08-20T03:30:44ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Human Factors2292-94952025-06-0112e71575e7157510.2196/71575Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping ReviewArja Lemmettylähttp://orcid.org/0009-0001-4802-9457Ulla-Mari Kinnunenhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3610-3998 Abstract BackgroundPublic sector organizations increasingly adopt information systems (ISs) to improve economic efficiency, service quality and overall adaptability. These projects represent substantial financial investments, making their success critical for organizational performance and societal impact. ObjectiveThis scoping review aimed to identify the driving and restraining forces influencing IS implementation in public sector organizations and to explore strategies that support successful change processes. MethodsA total of 25 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed using Lewin’s change theory to categorize and interpret driving and restraining forces. In addition, the narrative emerging from previous research on IS implementation was examined to explore how previous research portrays the success of IS implementation processes. ResultsThe findings highlight that IS implementation is influenced by 6 domains: organizational practices and challenges, technological factors and barriers, management practices and issues, change project factors and challenges, end user factors and concerns, as well as institutional factors and barriers. Key driving forces include leadership support, stakeholder involvement and system usability, while restraining forces encompass user resistance, technical challenges, and organizational silos. ConclusionsDespite the challenges, IS implementation offers significant opportunities for improving public sector operations and societal outcomes. Addressing restraining forces and leveraging driving forces is essential for achieving sustainable digital transformation. This study provides actionable insights for future IS implementation in the public sector.https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e71575
spellingShingle Arja Lemmettylä
Ulla-Mari Kinnunen
Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping Review
JMIR Human Factors
title Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping Review
title_full Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping Review
title_fullStr Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping Review
title_short Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping Review
title_sort driving and restraining forces in the implementation of information systems in the public sector scoping review
url https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e71575
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