Beyond e-government: reconsidering the GovTech paradigm in stimulating R&D and innovation in the context of the twin transition

NEW TRENDS IN CONTEMPORARY ECONOMICS, BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Reframing E-Government Research in Qatar: A Systematic Review of Digital Governance and Institutional Transformation

The development of e-government research in Qatar within the broader context of digital transformation under the Qatar National Vision 2030 is examined, revealing a strong dominance of technology adoption-oriented studies grounded in models such as the Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology.

GovTech in Europe between public- and privateness—A Delphi-based research agenda

GovTech is emerging as a policy-relevant frame at the intersection of digital government, public procurement, and startup innovation. Yet research remains fragmented and often disconnected from the institutional conditions that shape implementable solutions. This paper develops a stakeholder-validated, dimensional publicness theory informed research agenda for GovTech in the European context using a multiround agenda-setting Delphi study with experts from public administrations, industry, and academia. Synthesizing qualitative inputs and quantitative prioritization, we identify thematic clusters and topic areas, formulate exemplary research questions, and provide rationales that connect each area to concrete governance and implementation challenges. To assess dynamism, we additionally examine perceived relevance trends across two measurement points (2023 and 2025), highlighting where urgency is increasing and where research sequencing is needed. The resulting agenda informs scholarship by clarifying GovTech as a hybrid, regulation-shaped domain and offers entry points for empirical and design-oriented research on ecosystem formation, procurement, regulation, and strategic scaling.

India's Startup Ecosystem in Transition: A Critical Narrative Review of Policy, Innovation and Socio-Economic Transformation

India's startup ecosystem has shifted from a small set of technology clusters shaped by post-liberalisation software capabilities and transnational networks into a large, policy-recognised entrepreneurial system spanning finance, digital platforms, incubation, public procurement and emerging deep-technology sectors. This critical narrative review examines how policy, innovation and socio-economic change have interacted in that evolution, while distinguishing ecosystem scale from demonstrated economic additionality. Literature published from 1 January 1991 to 15 June 2026 was identified through multidisciplinary and economics-oriented scholarly sources, supplemented by Indian institutional materials and citation searching. Evidence was appraised for design quality, representativeness, causal identification, measurement validity and consistency across settings. The synthesis identifies five linked transitions: the formation of metropolitan technology clusters; the institutionalisation of venture capital and startup support; the consolidation of Startup India as a national policy architecture; the rise of digital public infrastructure, FinTech and science-based ventures; and the growing emphasis on inclusion, regional diffusion and deep-technology commercialisation. The strongest evidence supports the conclusion that India's ecosystem has become denser, more connected and more institutionally supported, with wider access to formal recognition, incubators, public capital instruments and innovation networks. Evidence is weaker on whether these changes have caused durable productivity growth, high-quality net employment, equitable capital allocation or sustained venture survival. Administrative counts of recognised startups, reported jobs, patents and supported firms are useful indicators of programme reach but cannot by themselves establish causal socio-economic transformation. Persistent tensions include metropolitan concentration despite national diffusion, patenting without assured commercialisation, financing growth without clear additionality, and greater formal female participation without evidence of equal ownership or investment outcomes. Future research should prioritise longitudinal linked administrative data, quasi-experimental policy evaluation, spatial and gender-sensitive capital analysis, and cohort studies of deep-technology commercialisation. India's next ecosystem phase is therefore likely to depend less on maximising startup counts than on improving survival, innovation quality, productive scaling and inclusive value creation.

Reforming State-Owned Enterprises in Developing Countries: A Conceptual Framework for Enhancing Performance and Economic Contribution

This study examines the drivers, challenges, and outcomes of digital transformation within organizations, with a particular focus on the African context. Drawing on dynamic capabilities theory and the resource-based view, the research explores how organizations leverage digital technologies to enhance performance and competitiveness. Using empirical data, the study identifies key drivers of digital transformation, including leadership commitment, customer-centric innovation, and technological readiness. It also highlights significant challenges, such as skills gaps, infrastructural limitations, and governance issues. The findings reveal that successful digital transformation requires a holistic approach that integrates technological, organizational, and human factors. The study contributes to existing literature by providing context-specific insights and offers practical recommendations for managers and policymakers. The paper concludes by proposing a conceptual framework to guide digital transformation in emerging markets and suggests avenues for future research.

From Innovation to Implementation: A Governance Framework for Africa's Digital Transformation

. Digital innovations associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), including Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), have significantly transformed societies and economies. These technologies offer opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, digital transformation, local value addition, and reduced inequality. This paper argues that Africa’s effective participation in the 4IR depends not only on adopting technology but also on strong governance, sound regulatory frameworks, strategic policy implementation, cross-sector collaboration, targeted investment, and skills development. Drawing on professional experience within Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, including involvement in national ICT and AI strategy working groups, the study examines key drivers of digital innovation. The findings reveal that while advocacy and policy development are important, they are insufficient without context-specific and adaptive implementation frameworks. The paper highlights the importance of evidence-based approaches to assess the impact of emerging technologies. It concludes that scalable innovation, effective governance, and practical implementation mechanisms are essential for positioning Africa as a competitive and sustainable digital economy.