IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i3p1320-d1333107.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Digital Transformation Framework for Smart Municipalities

Author

Listed:
  • Anthea van der Hoogen

    (Department of Computing Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6001, South Africa)

  • Ifeoluwapo Fashoro

    (Department of Computing Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6001, South Africa)

  • Andre P. Calitz

    (Department of Computing Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6001, South Africa)

  • Lamla Luke

    (Department of Computing Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6001, South Africa)

Abstract

Smart cities, as defined by Sustainable Development Goal 11, strive to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Digital technologies addresses urbanisation concerns, such as rising energy use, pollution, waste disposal, and social inequities. The Internet of Things (IoT) and data-driven technologies are essential drivers, with a focus on infrastructure and decision-making in smart cities and municipalities. Digital Transformation (DT) is a prerequisite for becoming a Smart Municipality. The research objective of this paper is to investigate the role of digital technologies in improving urban processes, focusing on Smart City dimensions for municipalities, namely smart governance, environment, living, and technology. Municipalities in South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Cape, used digital adoption to boost productivity and skill development. However, the need for standardised DT principles presents problems for transitioning municipalities into data-driven organisations. The paper also examines the global energy issue and how smart cities can contribute to energy solutions. Finally, the paper addresses the following research question: ‘How can lessons learned from the Eastern Cape Municipalities digital adoption be scaled to other developing nations facing similar challenges in energy management and urban planning?’ Using a survey method, it provides guidelines in the DT framework, offering empirical insights into Smart Municipality digitalisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthea van der Hoogen & Ifeoluwapo Fashoro & Andre P. Calitz & Lamla Luke, 2024. "A Digital Transformation Framework for Smart Municipalities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-28, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:3:p:1320-:d:1333107
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/3/1320/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/3/1320/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Appio, Francesco Paolo & Lima, Marcos & Paroutis, Sotirios, 2019. "Understanding Smart Cities: Innovation ecosystems, technological advancements, and societal challenges," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 1-14.
    2. Nancy Odendaal, 2021. "Everyday urbanisms and the importance of place: Exploring the elements of the emancipatory smart city," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 58(3), pages 639-654, February.
    3. Gautam Ahuja & Curba Morris Lampert, 2001. "Entrepreneurship in the large corporation: a longitudinal study of how established firms create breakthrough inventions," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(6‐7), pages 521-543, June.
    4. Appio, Francesco Paolo & Lima, Marcos & Paroutis, Sotirios, 2019. "Understanding Smart Cities: Innovation ecosystems, technological advancements, and societal challenges," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 1-14.
    5. Clara Benevolo & Renata Paola Dameri & Beatrice D’Auria, 2016. "Smart Mobility in Smart City," Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organization, in: Teresina Torre & Alessio Maria Braccini & Riccardo Spinelli (ed.), Empowering Organizations, edition 1, pages 13-28, Springer.
    6. Sestino, Andrea & Prete, Maria Irene & Piper, Luigi & Guido, Gianluigi, 2020. "Internet of Things and Big Data as enablers for business digitalization strategies," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    7. Vito Albino & Umberto Berardi & Rosa Maria Dangelico, 2015. "Smart Cities: Definitions, Dimensions, Performance, and Initiatives," Journal of Urban Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 3-21, January.
    8. Sahu, Aditya Kumar & Padhy, R.K. & Dhir, Amandeep, 2020. "Envisioning the future of behavioral decision-making: A systematic literature review of behavioral reasoning theory," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 145-159.
    9. Ju, Jingrui & Liu, Luning & Feng, Yuqiang, 2018. "Citizen-centered big data analysis-driven governance intelligence framework for smart cities," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(10), pages 881-896.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Gabrielli do Livramento Gonçalves & Walter Leal Filho & Samara da Silva Neiva & André Borchardt Deggau & Manoela de Oliveira Veras & Flávio Ceci & Maurício Andrade de Lima & José Baltazar Salgueirinho, 2021. "The Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on Smart and Sustainable Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Junjie Liu & Xiaomeng Liu & Jiaoping Yang, 2024. "TOE Configuration Analysis of Smart City Construction in China Under the Concept of Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Maria Vincenza Ciasullo & Orlando Troisi & Mara Grimaldi & Daniele Leone, 2020. "Multi-level governance for sustainable innovation in smart communities: an ecosystems approach," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 1167-1195, December.
    4. Oleg Golubchikov & Mary J. Thornbush, 2022. "Smart Cities as Hybrid Spaces of Governance: Beyond the Hard/Soft Dichotomy in Cyber-Urbanization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-12, August.
    5. Renata Biadacz & Marek Biadacz, 2021. "Implementation of “Smart” Solutions and An Attempt to Measure Them: A Case Study of Czestochowa, Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-28, September.
    6. Richard Hu, 2019. "The State of Smart Cities in China: The Case of Shenzhen," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-18, November.
    7. El Barachi, May & Salim, Taghreed Abu & Nyadzayo, Munyaradzi W. & Mathew, Sujith & Badewi, Amgad & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph, 2022. "The relationship between citizen readiness and the intention to continuously use smart city services: Mediating effects of satisfaction and discomfort," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    8. Kusumastuti, Ratih Dyah & Nurmala, N. & Rouli, Juliana & Herdiansyah, Herdis, 2022. "Analyzing the factors that influence the seeking and sharing of information on the smart city digital platform: Empirical evidence from Indonesia," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    9. Ben Zhang & Lei Ma & Zheng Liu, 2020. "Literature Trend Identification of Sustainable Technology Innovation: A Bibliometric Study Based on Co-Citation and Main Path Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-20, October.
    10. Fang Zhao & Catherine Prentice & Joseph Wallis & Arvind Patel & Marie-France Waxin, 2020. "An integrative study of the implications of the rise of coworking spaces in smart cities," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 8(2), pages 467-486, December.
    11. Sha, Kritika & Taeihagh, Araz & De Jong, Martin, 2024. "Governing disruptive technologies for inclusive development in cities: A systematic literature review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    12. Adalberto Santos-Júnior & Fernando Almeida-García & Paulo Morgado & Luiz Mendes-Filho, 2020. "Residents’ Quality of Life in Smart Tourism Destinations: A Theoretical Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-24, October.
    13. Marchesani, Filippo & Masciarelli, Francesca & Bikfalvi, Andrea, 2023. "Smart city as a hub for talent and innovative companies: Exploring the (dis) advantages of digital technology implementation in cities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    14. Xuanwei Chen & Mingwang Cheng & Xue Yang & Zhen Chu & Kaifeng Duan, 2023. "Smart Cities Are More Populous: Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-22, October.
    15. Rasa Apanaviciene & Andrius Vanagas & Paris A. Fokaides, 2020. "Smart Building Integration into a Smart City (SBISC): Development of a New Evaluation Framework," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-19, May.
    16. Joanna Wyrwa & Magdalena ZaraÅ› & Katarzyna Wolak, 2021. "Smart Solutions in Cities during the Covid-19 Pandemic," Virtual Economics, The London Academy of Science and Business, vol. 4(2), pages 88-103, April.
    17. Clement, Dr. Jessica & Crutzen, Prof. Nathalie, 2021. "How Local Policy Priorities Set the Smart City Agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    18. Jules Muvuna & Tuleen Boutaleb & Slobodan B. Mickovski & Keith Baker & Ghoreyshi Seyed Mohammad & Mario Cools & Wissal Selmi, 2020. "Information Integration in a Smart City System—A Case Study on Air Pollution Removal by Green Infrastructure through a Vehicle Smart Routing System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-14, June.
    19. Sam Preston & Muhammad Usman Mazhar & Richard Bull, 2020. "Citizen Engagement for Co-Creating Low Carbon Smart Cities: Practical Lessons from Nottingham City Council in the UK," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-21, December.
    20. Syed Asad Abbas Bokhari & Myeong Seunghwan, 2024. "How Do Institutional and Technological Innovations Influence the Smart City Governance? Focused on Stakeholder Satisfaction and Crime Rate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-21, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:3:p:1320-:d:1333107. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.