Impact of Digital Transformation on Smart Government in UAE: Empirical Paper

Digital transformation offers immense potential for creating smart governments that are more efficient, responsive, effective, and citizen-centric. However, overcoming challenges and addressing concerns are crucial for maximizing its benefits and ensuring inclusivity. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a global leader in embracing digital transformation, particularly in the context of building a smart government. Therefore, this study aims to explore the multifaceted impact of digital transformation on smart government initiatives in the UAE. The study adopted a quantitative transversal survey method. The adopted sample size comprises 323 employees and citizens across the United Arab Emirates. The results show that there is a significant relationship between security-privacy and digital transformation in smart government; the digital skills of public employees have a significant influence on smart government. Additionally, digital awareness has a significant positive effect on smart government. The study recommended that government should offer digital skills development resources to employees, engage citizens in policy formulation, and promote trustworthiness through digital literacy and education. These measures will help citizens understand the benefits and risks of digital technologies, make informed choices, and ensure that governments are using them effectively.