Removing Barriers to the Implementation of E-Government: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This study aimed to identify, classify, and synthesize the principal barriers to e-government implementation and the strategies proposed to eliminate or reduce them. This systematic review examined Persian- and English-language studies published between 2000 and 2025. Relevant publications were identified through searches of Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Emerald Insight, ProQuest, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, the Scientific Information Database, Magiran, Noormags, and IranDoc. Search terms addressed e-government, digital government, implementation, adoption, barriers, challenges, readiness, and facilitating strategies. After duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, full-text assessment, and methodological appraisal, 42 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Data were extracted using a researcher-developed form covering study characteristics, implementation barriers, proposed solutions, and principal conclusions. The findings were analyzed through qualitative thematic synthesis and constant comparison. The synthesis showed that e-government implementation barriers formed an interconnected socio-technical and institutional system rather than a set of isolated problems. Technological and infrastructural deficiencies were the most recurrent barriers, followed by organizational and managerial weaknesses, limited human-resource competencies, incomplete legal and regulatory frameworks, cultural resistance, financial constraints, security and privacy concerns, political and institutional instability, digital inequality, and insufficient citizen participation. The findings further indicated that infrastructure investment alone was insufficient because weak leadership, fragmented governance, poor data quality, inadequate employee readiness, and low public trust frequently prevented technological resources from producing sustainable outcomes. The most consistently proposed solutions included interoperable digital infrastructure, administrative process redesign, accountable leadership, workforce development, comprehensive legislation, stronger cybersecurity and privacy protection, sustainable financing, citizen-centered service design, public awareness, and inclusive access. Successful e-government implementation requires a coordinated, context-sensitive strategy that integrates technological modernization with organizational reform, legal development, data governance, employee capacity building, public trust, and digital inclusion.