Accelerating digital transformation in norwegian municipalities: A low-code approach

Abstract

This thesis investigates the potential of Low-code development for expediting digital transformation in Norwegian municipalities, given the growing demand for digitalization and the "One Digital Public Sector" strategy. Low-code development is a promising approach for addressing the increasing need for software development and the global scarcity of developers by reducing time to market, facilitating rapid transformation, and enhancing agility. Current research primarily focuses on platform providers and the history of Low-code, with limited insights into effectively leveraging this approach, particularly within non-business sectors such as local governments. Our study addresses this gap by examining the practical application of Low-code in Norwegian municipalities.

To thoroughly assess the potential of Low-code development, we employed a multi-method research approach. We first conducted a systematic review of the literature, to inform on current status and guide the design of the study. The next steps of our approach included semi-structured, qualitative interviews with Low-code experts and representatives from various municipalities, the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology for creating a Low-code portal (artifact), and evaluation interviews with municipal employees and Low-code experts to assess the artifact's quality, utility, efficiency, and privacy concerns. This provided valuable insights into the challenges, opportunities, and best practices associated with Low-code adoption in the public sector.

The interviews with different municipalities revealed that Low-code technology has been positively received in general, with larger municipalities leading the adoption of the technology. Smaller municipalities, however, face challenges such as limited IT expertise, resources, and time constraints. We identified inter-municipal IT collaborations as a potential solution to these challenges, facilitating Low-code adoption. The Low-code artifact we developed focused on managing liquor license applications within the Nordre Follo Municipality. The solution proved to be highly effective, demonstrating the potential of Low-code applications within municipal environments. Stakeholder feedback aligned with our assessment, further underscoring the promising role of Low-code in Norwegian municipalities.

The key findings of this thesis suggest that Low-code development can effectively support digital transformation in Norwegian municipalities. Additionally, Low-code platforms can yield substantial improvements in task automation, user experience, and productivity, contributing to the successful digital transformation of Norwegian municipalities.

In summary, this thesis highlights the value of Low-code as an emerging technology for promoting digitalization and digital transformation within Norwegian municipalities. By examining the experiences and perspectives of Low-code experts and various municipalities, our research offers valuable insights that can inform decision-making in both the public and private sectors and contribute to future research on Low-code development and digital transformation. Our study demonstrates that Low-code development has the potential to play an important role in accelerating digital transformation within Norwegian municipalities, enabling them to better address the evolving needs of their citizens while overcoming challenges posed by a rapidly changing digital landscape.