Improving mechanisms for digital transformation of public administration at the regional level: problems and prospects

Background. In the context of global challenges, rising citizen expectations, and rapid technological development, digital transformation is becoming a key strategic factor in enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of public administration in the Russian Federation. At the same time, regions face serious systemic barriers that hinder the effective implementation of digital initiatives. Purpose. A comprehensive study of the mechanisms for the digital transformation of public administration at the regional level, identification of systemic barriers hindering its effective implementation, and development of promising directions for their improvement. Materials and methods. The study employed methods of systemic and comprehensive analysis, content analysis of scientific literature, statistical and factor analysis of digital transformation ratings data for Russian regions, SWOT analysis, and expert assessment methods. The empirical base consisted of official documents from the Government of the Russian Federation, data from the Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation, and results of regional digital transformation leaders' ratings for 2024-2025. Results. Significant heterogeneity in the development of digitalization across Russian regions was identified, forming a serious "digital divide." Key systemic problems were determined: insufficient standardization of IT systems (leading to solution fragmentation), acute shortage of qualified personnel (53% of organizations note as the main barrier), imperfect legislative framework, and territorial digital inequality. The evolution of concepts from the "e-government" model to the "digital government" paradigm was traced, with emphasis on socio-technical theory and the "government as a platform" model. Three interconnected improvement vectors were proposed: implementation of a platform approach for seamless data and service integration; development of the "smart regions" concept for intelligent urban environment management; transition to a citizen-centric model of public service delivery. Implementation of the proposed measures will enhance the efficiency and transparency of public administration, creating conditions for sustainable socio-economic development of regions.