Digital Public Management in the VUCA Era: A Systematic Review of Trends and Challenges

Abstract

The VUCA era (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) demands the public sector to transform rapidly, adaptively, and innovatively. Digital transformation in public management not only involves the adoption of technology but also a paradigm shift in governance, leadership, and public service delivery. This study aims to systematically analyze the trends, challenges, and impacts of digital transformation on public governance in the VUCA era. The research employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach by examining 45 scientific articles indexed in Scopus, DOAJ, and Google Scholar published between 2018 and 2024. The findings reveal three main focuses in studies of digital transformation in the public sector: (1) digital governance innovation and transparency, (2) adaptive leadership and strengthening of digital human resource capacity, and (3) risk management in complex and uncertain government environments. The major challenges lie in cross-agency system integration, bureaucratic cultural resistance, and ethical as well as data security issues. This study recommends the “Adaptive Digital Public Management” model, which emphasizes collaboration, organizational resilience, and data-driven innovation as the foundation for robust public governance in the VUCA era.