Abstract Book of the 8th International Conference on Advanced Research in Social Sciences Studies
Year: 2025
DOI:
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Forces of Change: Institutional Isomorphism and Actor Roles in Rural Municipal Digital Transformation
Marcel Patalon
ABSTRACT:
This study investigates digital transformation in rural municipalities through the lens of institutional isomorphism. It focuses on how coercive, mimetic, and normative forces shape organizational adaptation. Drawing on five focus group discussions with 35 municipal digital transformation leaders from South Westphalia, Germany, the research explores how institutional pressures and key actors influence digital transformation outcomes. The findings highlight distinct roles played by actors who hinder, enable, or drive digital transformation. Hindering actors include municipal administrations constrained by limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural resistance. Enabling actors, such as inter-municipal networks, professional associations, and technology providers, promote capacity building and facilitate knowledge sharing. Driving actors, including national and regional governments, exert coercive pressures through legislation and conditional funding. Mimetic behaviors, such as benchmarking against urban municipalities, encourage the replication of successful strategies, while normative forces promote best-practice alignment through professional standards and shared norms. The study emphasizes the need for collaborative strategies that balance institutional mandates with local capacities. By providing actionable insights, this research supports policymakers and public sector leaders in fostering multi-actor engagement and promoting adaptive governance. Addressing both institutional forces and contextual constraints can bridge the rural digital divide and advance sustainable digital transformation in rural municipalities.
keywords: digital governance, institutional theory, organizational change, public sector innovation, local government