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Reinventing Public Managers In The Digital Age: Competencies And Innovative Governance Models Across The European Union

Author

Listed:
  • Armenia ANDRONICEANU

    (Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Faculty of Administration and Public Management, Bucharest, Romania)

  • Dalia ŠTREIMIKIENE

    (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Faculty of Business Management, Sauletekio 11, 10223, Vilnius, Lithuania)

Abstract

The digital revolution is reshaping public administration across the European Union, demanding new forms of leadership and innovation. The Public Manager 5.0 represents this new generation of leaders — professionals who blend technology, ethics, and empathy to create smarter and more inclusive governance. Through initiatives such as eEstonia, AuroraAI in Finland, or MindLab in Denmark, EU states are proving that digital transformation is not only about efficiency but about building trust, transparency, and public value in the digital age. This research aims to explore and compare the evolution of digital maturity of public administration and the public manager in the digital age in a few selected member states of the European Union (EU). The other objectives were to design the competency profile of the public manager 5.0, to present the main changes recommended to the EU countries for increasing the digital transformation of their public administrations and innovative governance, and to set up the steps needed for the Romanian public administration to move on in the digital context. The methodology is based on a comparative documentary analysis of digital transformation practices in selected EU countries, as well as the EU's strategies in the field of digital governance. The empirical study was conducted based on the international databases: OECD Digital Government Index (DGI), United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2024 and Eurostat. The results indicate significant differences between countries in terms of digital maturity, managerial culture, and public competencies adopted by public managers. The conclusion emphasizes the need for an integrated reform of managerial competencies in European public administration, focusing on digital, ethical, innovative, and sustainable public management.

Suggested Citation

  • Armenia ANDRONICEANU & Dalia ŠTREIMIKIENE, 2025. "Reinventing Public Managers In The Digital Age: Competencies And Innovative Governance Models Across The European Union," REVISTA ADMINISTRATIE SI MANAGEMENT PUBLIC, Faculty of Administration and Public Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 2025(45), pages 69-90.
    • Handle: RePEc:rom:rampas:v:2025:y:2025:i:45:p:69-90
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/amp/2025.45-04
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eliška Čičmancová & Jakub Soviar, 2024. "Leadership and communication in sustainable management of local governments – a perspective of Slovak mayors," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 12(1), pages 223-239, September.
    2. Olena Strapchuk & Michalis Koniordos & Svitlana Strapchuk & Vitalii Nitsenko, 2025. "Sustainable business models in the digital transformation of higher education: Evidence from Ukraine," Transformations and Sustainability, Centre for Productivity and Sustainability Analysis, vol. 1(2), pages 87-99.
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    JEL classification:

    • H1 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training

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