Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• ZAHRA ghafoori ¹
• seyyed Hosein kazemi ²
• Amir Houshang Nazarpouri ³
• seyyed najmmeddin Mousavi ⁴
• hojjat vahdati ⁴

¹ PhD student in Public Administration, Faculty of Economics and Management, Lorestan University, Tehran, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Faculty of Economics and Management, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics and Management, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

⁴ Professor, Faculty of Economics and Management, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

Abstract

In this qualitative study, drawing on Practice Theory (a practice-oriented approach), the barriers to digital transformation in government were examined. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the Braun and Clarke (2006) framework, and Reckwitz's (2002) Practice Theory was used as the interpretive lens for the findings. Each of the extracted sub-themes related to ongoing and routine organizational activities was labeled as a "practice." In total, 13 organizational practices were identified, and the "material," "meaningful," and "competence-related" dimensions of each were specified. The results indicate that the main challenges of digital transformation lie not in the technological domain but in how technology is perceived, interpreted, and supported by human capabilities. Therefore, successful transition to smart government requires understanding technology as a facilitative tool, redefining the perception of public service, and fostering inter-organizational dialogue. This study underscores the necessity of a discursive, institutional, and practice-based approach for sustainable transformation in the public sector.

Keywords

• Practice Theory
• Smart Government
• Practice-Based Analysis
• Affordance Theory. Digital Transformation

Main Subjects

• Management