Academic Bibliography

 Search 200 years of publications by Ghent University researchers.
Advanced search
1 file | 1.14 MB
Add to list
  1. Search results
  2. Decentralization in the digital era :...

Decentralization in the digital era : the interplay between digitalization and local governance implications in Flanders

Inke Torfs (UGent) and Lieselot Danneels (UGent)
(2025) INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC POLICY. 7(3).
Author
Organization
Abstract
Decentralization, driven by the promise of improved governance, has gained prominence on policy agendas and in policy research. Yet, its practical implications for local governments remain underexplored. Concurrently, digitalization is gaining traction as a promising strategy to empower local governments, though its potential role in supporting decentralization processes is not fully understood. This research adopts a socio-technical perspective. It integrates Technology Affordances and Constraints Theory with a typology of technological perceptions to explore how digitalization can empower local governments in implementing decentralization. Empirically, the research is grounded in 36 focus groups involving nearly 250 participants and 11 expert interviews within nine Flemish local governments. Findings indicate that: (1) local governments primarily associate decentralization with an increased demand for capacity; (2) they recognize digitalization’s potential specifically in enhancing administrative and policy capacities; yet (3) they predominantly perceive digital technologies through a narrow tool view. Overall, the findings reveal a persistent tendency among local governments to approach digitalization as a “magic bullet”, often overlooking its broader socio-technical context. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of digitalization and decentralization and offer practical implications for policymakers seeking to strengthen both processes.
Keywords
decentralization, digitalization, digital technology, local governments, Flanders, multiple case study

Downloads

  • Download
    irpp-5604.pdf
    • full text (Published version)
    • |
    • open access
    • |
    • PDF
    • |
    • 1.14 MB

Citation

Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:

MLA
Torfs, Inke, and Lieselot Danneels. “Decentralization in the Digital Era : The Interplay between Digitalization and Local Governance Implications in Flanders.” INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC POLICY, vol. 7, no. 3, 2025, doi:10.4000/157ay.
APA
Torfs, I., & Danneels, L. (2025). Decentralization in the digital era : the interplay between digitalization and local governance implications in Flanders. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC POLICY, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.4000/157ay
Chicago author-date
Torfs, Inke, and Lieselot Danneels. 2025. “Decentralization in the Digital Era : The Interplay between Digitalization and Local Governance Implications in Flanders.” INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC POLICY 7 (3). https://doi.org/10.4000/157ay.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Torfs, Inke, and Lieselot Danneels. 2025. “Decentralization in the Digital Era : The Interplay between Digitalization and Local Governance Implications in Flanders.” INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC POLICY 7 (3). doi:10.4000/157ay.
Vancouver
1.
Torfs I, Danneels L. Decentralization in the digital era : the interplay between digitalization and local governance implications in Flanders. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC POLICY. 2025;7(3).
IEEE
[1]
I. Torfs and L. Danneels, “Decentralization in the digital era : the interplay between digitalization and local governance implications in Flanders,” INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC POLICY, vol. 7, no. 3, 2025.
@article{01KBEYWE410H3NG0WZRQSJ9AY6,
  abstract     = {{Decentralization, driven by the promise of improved governance, has gained prominence on policy agendas and in policy research. Yet, its practical implications for local governments remain underexplored. Concurrently, digitalization is gaining traction as a promising strategy to empower local governments, though its potential role in supporting decentralization processes is not fully understood. This research adopts a socio-technical perspective. It integrates Technology Affordances and Constraints Theory with a typology of technological perceptions to explore how digitalization can empower local governments in implementing decentralization. Empirically, the research is grounded in 36 focus groups involving nearly 250 participants and 11 expert interviews within nine Flemish local governments. Findings indicate that: (1) local governments primarily associate decentralization with an increased demand for capacity; (2) they recognize digitalization’s potential specifically in enhancing administrative and policy capacities; yet (3) they predominantly perceive digital technologies through a narrow tool view. Overall, the findings reveal a persistent tendency among local governments to approach digitalization as a “magic bullet”, often overlooking its broader socio-technical context. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of digitalization and decentralization and offer practical implications for policymakers seeking to strengthen both processes.}},
  author       = {{Torfs, Inke and Danneels, Lieselot}},
  issn         = {{2679-3873}},
  journal      = {{INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC POLICY}},
  keywords     = {{decentralization,digitalization,digital technology,local governments,Flanders,multiple case study}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{34}},
  title        = {{Decentralization in the digital era : the interplay between digitalization and local governance implications in Flanders}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.4000/157ay}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}
Altmetric
View in Altmetric