Designing Socio Technological Models for Enhancing Digital Trust and Transparency in E Government Systems

Abstract

The rapid digital transformation of public administration has led to the widespread adoption of electronic government systems across the world. E government systems enable governments to deliver services, share information, and interact with citizens through digital platforms. These systems have significantly improved administrative efficiency, reduced bureaucratic delays, and enhanced access to public services. However, the success of e government initiatives depends heavily on citizens’ trust in digital platforms and the transparency of governmental processes. Without sufficient trust in digital systems and confidence in the integrity of government institutions, citizens may be reluctant to engage with electronic governance services. Digital trust refers to citizens’ confidence that digital systems operate securely, reliably, and ethically while protecting personal data and ensuring fairness in administrative processes. Transparency refers to the openness of government processes, the accessibility of information, and the ability of citizens to understand how decisions are made within digital governance frameworks. Socio technological models that integrate technological infrastructure with social and institutional factors can play an important role in strengthening trust and transparency in e government systems. This study aims to design and evaluate a socio technological model for enhancing digital trust and transparency in e government systems. The research develops a conceptual framework that examines the relationships between technological reliability, institutional transparency, citizen participation, and digital trust in e government services. Data were collected from citizens, public administrators, and information technology professionals involved in digital governance initiatives. Structural Equation Modeling using Smart Partial Least Squares was employed to analyze the relationships between constructs. The results indicate that technological reliability, institutional transparency, and citizen participation significantly influence digital trust in e government systems. The findings highlight the importance of integrating technological capabilities with social and governance mechanisms to strengthen public confidence in digital public administration. The study contributes to research on digital governance by providing empirical insights into the socio technological factors that shape trust and transparency in e government systems