Determining Digital Maturity in Metropolitan Municipalities: The Example of Sakarya and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipalities

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 18 Sayı: 1, 245 - 262

Selçuk Nam

https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.1497166

Öz

Digital transformation in municipalities is vital for improving service delivery, increasing operational efficiency and encouraging citizen participation. This study aims to determine the factors that determine the digital maturity levels of institutions and the effects of these factors by focusing on the digital transformation process of Sakarya and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipalities. In this research, case study design was used to investigate digital maturity in an in-depth and holistic way in the institutional context and to analyze the case of metropolitan municipalities in a real-world context. Data on municipalities' digital initiatives, policies and online platforms were obtained from semi-structured interviews, documents and observation notes. Data were analyzed and interpreted using single-case and cross-case analysis techniques using MAXQDA qualitative analysis software. While both municipalities have made significant progress in their digital transformation efforts, there are significant gaps and areas for improvement. Research findings point to vital factors influencing digital maturity, including leadership commitment, organizational culture, technical infrastructure, data management and citizen engagement. Holistic and comprehensive models that evaluate various dimensions such as technological infrastructure, digital services, data management, and cyber security provide a suitable framework for understanding digital maturity components in municipalities. Each element, from appropriate technological infrastructure and data governance practices to user-friendly e-government services and competent workforce, is critical to raising digital maturity. Municipalities can overcome the complexities of digital transformation through comprehensive digital strategies, user-centered design, and collaboration with stakeholders.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Metropolitan Municipalities, Digital Maturity, Digital Transformation

Büyükşehir Belediyelerinde Dijital Olgunluğun Belirlenmesi: Sakarya ve Kocaeli Büyükşehir Belediyeleri Örneği

Öz

Belediyelerdeki dijital dönüşüm, hizmet sunumunun iyileştirilmesi, operasyonel verimliliğin artırılması ve vatandaş katılımının teşvik edilmesi açısından hayati öneme sahiptir. Bu çalışma, Sakarya ve Kocaeli Büyükşehir Belediyelerinin dijital dönüşüm sürecine odaklanarak, kurumların dijital olgunluk düzeylerini belirleyen faktörleri ve bu faktörlerin etkilerini tespit etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu araştırmada, dijital olgunluğu kurumsal bağlamda derinlemesine ve bütünsel bir şekilde araştırmak ve büyükşehir belediyeleri örneğini gerçek dünya bağlamında analiz etmek için vaka çalışması tasarımı kullanılmıştır. Belediyelerin dijital girişimlerine, politikalarına ve çevrimiçi platformlarına ait veriler yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelerden, belgelerden ve gözlem notlarından elde edilmiştir. Veriler MAXQDA nitel analiz yazılımı kullanılarak tek vaka ve çapraz durum analizi teknikleri ile analiz edilmiş ve yorumlanmıştır. Her iki belediye de dijital dönüşüm çabalarında önemli ilerlemeler kaydetmiş olsa da, iyileştirilmesi gereken önemli boşluklar ve alanlar bulunmaktadır. Araştırma bulguları, liderlik bağlılığı, organizasyon kültürü, teknik altyapı, veri yönetimi ve vatandaş katılımı dahil olmak üzere dijital olgunluğu etkileyen hayati faktörlere işaret etmektedir. Teknolojik altyapı, dijital hizmetler, veri yönetimi, siber güvenlik gibi çeşitli boyutları değerlendiren bütünsel ve kapsamlı modeller, belediyelerde dijital olgunluk bileşenlerinin anlaşılması için uygun bir çerçeve sunmaktadır. Uygun teknolojik altyapı ve veri yönetimi uygulamalarından, kullanıcı dostu e-devlet hizmetlerine ve yetkin bir iş gücüne kadar her unsur, dijital olgunluğun artırılması açısından kritik öneme sahiptir. Belediyeler, kapsamlı dijital stratejiler, kullanıcı odaklı tasarım ve paydaşlarla işbirliği yoluyla dijital dönüşümün karmaşıklığının üstesinden gelebilirler.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Büyükşehir Belediyeleri, Dijital Olgunluk, Dijital Dönüşüm

Kaynakça

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