Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Articles
DOI: 10.14254/1795-6889.2026.22-1.9
Submitted: 2026-04-29
Published: 2026-04-29

Digital government and quality of life: Unpacking the human-centred mechanisms of e-government development

TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany; Sumy State University, Ukraine
Silesian University of Technology, Poland
University of Kalisz, Poland
University of Debrecen, Hungary
human-centred digitalisation digital government quality of life e-government development online public services digital infrastructure

Abstract

Digital systems are increasingly embedded in everyday life, shaping access to services, institutional interactions, and ultimately human well-being. This study aims to examine how digital government development influences quality of life and to identify the human-centred mechanisms (online services, digital infrastructure, and human capital)  through which these effects occur. The analysis is based on a cross-country panel dataset of 76 countries over 2012–2024 (446 observations), using two-way fixed effects models with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors, mechanism decomposition, and a Mundlak approach. The results show that e-government development has a strong positive effect on quality of life in the contemporaneous specification (β = 106.45; p < 0.001), while the lagged effect is weaker (β = 25.96; p = 0.075), indicating predominantly immediate impacts. A 0.1 increase in EGDI is associated with an increase of approximately 10.6 points in the Quality of Life Index. Mechanism analysis reveals that online services (β ≈ 31–38; p < 0.001) and digital infrastructure (β ≈ 60–67; p < 0.01) are the primary drivers, whereas human capital is not statistically significant. The Mundlak decomposition confirms that both within-country improvements (β = 122.68; p < 0.05) and between-country differences (β = 62.74; p < 0.001) significantly contribute to quality of life.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

  1. Al-Ashoor, A., Lilik, F. & Nagy, S. (2025). A Systematic Analysis of Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic and Genetic Algorithms in Tumor Classification. Applied Sciences, 15(9), 5186, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15095186 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app15095186
  2. Alouani, A., Mohamed, M., & Karoui, C. (2025). The Swedish economy is doing well thanks to innovation: An analysis from ARDL approach. Montenegrin Journal of Economics, 21(1), 119–132. https://doi.org/10.14254/1800-5845/2025.21-1.9
  3. Androniceanu, A., & Streimikiene, D. (2025). Reinventing public managers in the digital age: competencies and innovative governance models across the European Union. Administratie si Management Public, 45, 69-90. https://doi.org/10.24818/amp/2025.45-04 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/amp/2025.45-04
  4. Bartuseviciene, I., & Butkus, M. (2024). The effect of digital governance to stimulate the antifragile capabilities of public sector organizations. Economics and Sociology, 17(3), 41-61. doi:10.14254/2071-789X.2024/17-3/3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789X.2024/17-3/3
  5. Batizani, D. (2024). Navigating retirement: emerging and challenging smart financial strategies for the aging adults. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 12(1), 70–85. https://doi.org/10.37335/ijek.v12i1.215 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37335/ijek.v12i1.215
  6. Budiyanto, A., Lubis, I., Pamungkas, I. B., & Maulana, A. E. (2025). Technology acceptance model, trust, and financial behavior in shaping consumer well-being: Insights from fintech adoption in urban Indonesia. Innovative Marketing, 21(2), 197–210. https://doi.org/10.21511/im.21(2).2025.16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21511/im.21(2).2025.16
  7. Burrell, D. N., Wansi, T., Morin, S. L., Rahim, E., Tessema, D. B., Alemu, B. A., Harris, N., & Conley, L. (2025). Harnessing Behavioral Economics, Green Promotions, and Financial Incentives as Catalysts for Sustainable Practices. Green Transition and Sustainable Development, 1(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.61093/gtsd.1(1).1-16.2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/gtsd.1(1).1-16.2025
  8. Chen, M., Yamaoka, Y., Sartamorn, S., & Oe, H. (2024). A study on how to enhance the well-being of young professionals confronting internal overcompetition in China: Prospect of reducing the stress of Nei Juan. Health Economics and Management Review, 5(1), 15-31. https://doi.org/10.61093/hem.2024.1-02 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/hem.2024.1-02
  9. Crăciun, M.A., Dudian, M., and Lazăr, D.A. (2025). Nudging digital transformation: behavioral economics approaches to e-government adoption in the European Union with implications for Romania. Administratie si Management Public, 44, 60-74. https://doi.org/10.24818/amp/2025.44-04
  10. Crowley, R. W., & Mujtaba B. G. (2026). Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Public Governance: The Transformation of Black Entertainment and Athletic Excellence in the United States. Public Governance, Regulation and Law, 2(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.61093/pgrl.2(1).1-19.2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/pgrl.2(1).1-19.2026
  11. Darmawati, D., Mediawati, E., & Dewi, A. R. S. (2025). Bibliometric analysis of digital financial reporting: a comprehensive review of research trends and emerging topics. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 26(1), 49–68. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2025.23054 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2025.23054
  12. European Commission. (2021). 2030 digital compass: The European way for the digital decade (COM(2021) 118 final). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52021DC0118
  13. European Commission. (2023). Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030. Shaping Europe’s digital future. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/digital-decade-policy-programme-2030
  14. Filipova, M., Djakona, A., & Haram, V. (2025). Determinants of Government Expenditures in the Baltic States. Financial Markets, Institutions and Risks, 9(2), 66-89. https://doi.org/10.61093/fmir.9(2).66-89.2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/fmir.9(2).66-89.2025
  15. Gariba, M. I., Rehman, F. U., Prokop, V., & Giglio, C. (2024). Be digital to be sustainable! The mediating role of sustainable supply chain practices in triggering the effects of digitalisation on Sustainable Development Goals in the European Union. Oeconomia Copernicana, 15(4), 1383-1425. https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.3026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.3026
  16. Guemmou, A. (2024). The Significance of Digital Transformation in Enhancing the Battle Versus Corruption. Business Ethics and Leadership, 8(4), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.61093/bel.8(4).1-15.2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/bel.8(4).1-15.2024
  17. Gupta, A., Mishra, S., Behera, D. K., & Abhilash, A. (2025). Harnessing financial advice and literacy for financial well-being in the digital age. Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 22(1), 299–310. https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.22(1).2025.23 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.22(1).2025.23
  18. Hakobyan, N., Sotnyk, I., Chortok, Y., Bagratyan, B., & Khachatryan, A. (2025). Business Ethics in National Security Strategy on Employment and Subjective Well-Being. Business Ethics and Leadership, 9(3), 41-55. https://doi.org/10.61093/bel.9(3).41-55.2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/bel.9(3).41-55.2025
  19. Hong, Q., Jiao, X., Qiu, X., & Xu, A. (2024). Investigating the impact of time allocation on family well-being in China. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 25(5), 981–1005. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2024.22252 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2024.22252
  20. Huseynov, A., Balsalobre-Lorente, D., Hamidova, L., & Samedova, E. (2025). Challenges and opportunities of digital economy development: Case of Azerbaijan. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 23(2), 265–276. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.23(2).2025.18 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.23(2).2025.18
  21. Iordache, R., Cioca, V., Mihaila, D.(2025). Digitalization in the world of work - benefits and new risks for employees' mental health. Polish Journal of Management Studies, 32(2), 111-124. https://doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2025.32.2.07. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2025.32.2.07
  22. Jarzębowski, S., Bozhenko, V., Didorenko, K., Tkachenko, O., Blyznyukov, A., Melnyk, M., & Cieslik, J. (2024). The Impact of Digitalisation on the Competitiveness of European Countries. SocioEconomic Challenges, 8(3), 238-261. https://doi.org/10.61093/sec.8(3).238-261.2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/sec.8(3).238-261.2024
  23. Khatami, F., Ferraris, A., Palmucci, D. N., & Dabić, M. (2024). Impact Analysis of the Digital Entrepreneurial Ecosystem to Improve the Tourism Industry and Social Sustainability. Journal of Tourism and Services, 15(29), 176-205. https://doi.org/10.29036/jots.v15i29.831 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29036/jots.v15i29.831
  24. Kiseľáková, D., Košíková, M., Miškufová, M., & Loumová, V. (2024). Driving factors of the digital economy – how countries can manage their digital development. Polish Journal of Management Studies, 29(2), 311–327. https://doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2024.29.2.16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2024.29.2.16
  25. Kovac, N., Żmija, K., Roy, J. K., Kusa, R., & Duda, J. (2024). Digital divide and digitalization in Europe: A bibliometric analysis. Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, 19(2), 463-520. https://doi.org/10.24136/eq.2899 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24136/eq.2899
  26. Kowalska, M., & Nguyen, T. H. N. (2025). Social influence as a determinant of mobile application acceptance across generations: A Polish perspective. Human Technology, 21(3), 731–747. https://doi.org/10.14254/1795-6889.2025.21-3.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/1795-6889.2025.21-3.11
  27. Kuanaliyev, A., Taubayev, A., Kunyazov, Y., Ernazarov, T., Mussipova, L., & Saduakassova, A. (2024). Digital and economic transformation in the public administration system. Montenegrin Journal of Economics, 20(3), 63–78. https://doi.org/10.14254/1800-5845/2024.20-3.5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/1800-5845/2024.20-4.18
  28. Kuzior, A., & Sira, M. (2025). Sustainable Digital Economy Transformation Through Intelligent Automation: A Multi-Environmental Framework for Strategic Decision-Making. Sustainability, 17(17), 7723. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177723 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177723
  29. Kuzior, A., Vasylieva, T., Kuzmenko, O., Koibichuk, V., & Brożek, P. (2022). Global Digital Convergence: Impact of Cybersecurity, Business Transparency, Economic Transformation, and AML Efficiency. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(4), 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8040195 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8040195
  30. Makarenko, I., Steiner, B., Yuhai, K., & Makarovych, V. (2025). The role of sector-specific SDG policies, governance quality and finance for SDG progress. Economics and Sociology, 18(4), 11-39. doi:10.14254/2071-789X.2025/18-4/1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789X.2025/18-4/1
  31. Mardosaite, V., Jasinskas, E. and Romeika, G., 2024. The Transformation of Digital Innovative Services in Retail Trade Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Amfiteatru Economic, 26(67), 885–902. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2024/67/885. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2024/67/885
  32. Mtengwane, G. (2024). Experiences and challenges of digital transformation in the informal business sector in a rural South African town. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 12(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.37335/ijek.v12i2.195 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37335/ijek.v12i2.195
  33. Mujtaba, B. G. (2025). Workplace Well-Being and Health in a Fast-Paced Era: How Education, Experience, and Mindfulness Shape Stress Management. Health Economics and Management Review, 6(2), 108-119. https://doi.org/10.61093/hem.2025.2-08 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/hem.2025.2-08
  34. Ntuli, F., Ntshangase, B. A., & Msosa, S. K. (2025). Innovative Financial Management Reforms: A Catalyst of Good Governance in the South African Public Sector. Financial Markets, Institutions and Risks, 9(4), 16-29. https://doi.org/10.61093/fmir.9(4).16-29.2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/fmir.9(4).16-29.2025
  35. Numbeo. (n.d.). Quality of Life. Cost of Living. https://www.numbeo.com/quality-of-life/
  36. Oe, H., & Yamaoka, Y. (2025). Modern and Historical Concepts of Welfare in Japan: A Theoretical Framework for Strengthening Resilience to Socioeconomic Challenges. SocioEconomic Challenges, 9(2), 114-127. https://doi.org/10.61093/sec.9(2).114-127.2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/sec.9(2).114-127.2025
  37. Pakhnenko, O., Yarovenko, H., Semenog, A., Mordan, Y., & Tarasenko, O. (2025). Uncovering patterns of digital transformation of European economies using self-organizing maps. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 23(3), 581–596. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.23(3).2025.42 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.23(3).2025.42
  38. Pálffy, Z. (2024). A vállalati beágyazottság fenntarthatósági aspektusai – elméleti megközelítés. Comitatus Önkormányzati Szemle, 34(249), 49–64. https://doi.org/10.59809/Comitatus.2024.34-249.49 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59809/Comitatus.2024.34-249.49
  39. Palffy Zs. & Ablonczy-Mihalyka L. (2024). Varying Levels of Trust across Multi-Level Governance: A Sustainability Perspective. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 114, 1045–1050. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET24114175
  40. Palffy Zs., Ablonczy-Mihalyka L. & Kecskés P. (2023). A Sustainable Model of Corporate Embeddedness: Navigating through a Fuzzy Concept. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 107, 163–168. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET23107028
  41. Paraschiv, D.M., Muhammad, A., Petrariu, I.R., Gheorghe, M., Dieaconescu, R.I. and Istudor, M., 2024. Shaping Europe’s Digital and Sustainable Future: Analysis of the Digital Economy and Society Index in the Pre- and Post-Pandemic Period. Amfiteatru Economic, 26(Special Issue No. 18), 1012-1030. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2024/S18/1012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2024/S18/1012
  42. Pisică, A. I., & Zaharia, R. M. (2025). What Artificial Intelligence Means to Us – Students’ Insights. European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 17(1), 142–152. https://doi.org/10.24818/ejis.2025.09 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/ejis.2025.09
  43. Prati, G. (2024). Impact of episodes of regime transformation on subjective wellbeing: A panel event study. Economics and Sociology, 17(1), 11-22. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789X.2024/17-1/1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789X.2024/17-1/1
  44. Razavi, N., & Sierpinski, G. (2024). An attempt to determine the impact of the implementation of autonomous vehicles on a larger scale on the planning of city transport systems. Journal of Sustainable Development of Transport and Logistics, 9(1), 96-120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/jsdtl.2024.9-1.8
  45. Ruthvika, J., & Hedau, A. (2025). Digital Inclusion and Economic Equity: Evaluating the Role of Business Analytics in Overcoming Socioeconomic Challenges. SocioEconomic Challenges, 9(4), 150-164. https://doi.org/10.61093/sec.9(4).150-164.2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/sec.9(4).150-164.2025
  46. Samarkhanov, A., Junusbekova, G., Kenzhin, Z., & Yesmagambetov, D. (2025). The impact of socio-economic and political factors on the development of e-government in developed and developing countries. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 23(4), 554–565. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.23(4).2025.38 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.23(4).2025.38
  47. Soussou, K., & Hamrouni, R. (2025). Behavioral Insights of Business Leadership: Exploring Determinants of Intention and Adoption of Digital Financial Services. Business Ethics and Leadership, 9(4), 135-162. https://doi.org/10.61093/bel.9(4).135-162.2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/bel.9(4).135-162.2025
  48. Stănescu, R.-D. (2024). The Endeavor to Develop the Public Administration: Innovation as an Alternative Approach for Future Advancements. European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 16(2), 144–154. https://doi.org/10.24818/ejis.2024.16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/ejis.2024.16
  49. Sułkowski, Ł., Wójcik-Chodorowska, J., Jarosz, K., & Jung-Konstanty, S. (2025). Public value management, deinstitutionalization, and personalized social services in local communities. Journal of International Studies, 18(2), 50-74. doi:10.14254/2071-8330.2025/18-2/3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2025/18-2/3
  50. Szcześniak, J., & Gorzelańczyk, P. (2024). Analysis of the use of logistics-telematics systems for cost reduction in a transport company. Journal of Sustainable Development of Transport and Logistics, 9(1), 6–18. https://doi.org/10.14254/jsdtl.2024.9-1.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/jsdtl.2024.9-1.1
  51. Tossekbayev, K., Dinits, R., & Rekun, Y. (2025). Digitalization in Healthcare Industry: Is There a Nexus with the Population’s Life Expectancy?. Health Economics and Management Review, 6(1), 72-95. https://doi.org/10.61093/hem.2025.1-05 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/hem.2025.1-05
  52. Ugulava G. (2026). Two Faces of Decline in Public Governance: Accountability Erosion and Rent-Seeking. Public Governance, Regulation and Law, 2(1), 20-32. https://doi.org/10.61093/pgrl.2(1).20-32.2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/pgrl.2(1).20-32.2026
  53. Una, G., Allen, R., Pattanayak, S., & Suc, G. (2020). Digital solutions for direct cash transfers in emergencies: Special series on fiscal policies to respond to COVID-19. International Monetary Fund. https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/covid19-special-notes/en-special-series-on-covid-19-digital-solutions-for-direct-cash-transfers-in-emergencies.pdf
  54. Valaskova, K., Juracka, D., Nagy, M., & Chaudhuri, S. (2025a). Digital readiness across the European Union: A multidimensional empirical assessment of structural determinants, intra-regional disparities, and strategic implications in the era of Industry 5.0. Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, 20(3), 1035-1086. https://doi.org/10.24136/eq.3886 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24136/eq.3886
  55. Valaskova, K., Nagy, M., Figura, M., & Rousek, P. (2025b). Res publica digitalis: The uneven digital transformation of the European public sector and the impact of policy disparities on governance, service efficiency, and socioeconomic inclusion. Oeconomia Copernicana, 16(3), 1177-1260. https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.3866 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.3866
  56. Vasylieva, T., Kasperowicz, R., Tiutiunyk, I., & Lukács, E. (2023). Transparency and trust in the public sector: Targets and benchmarks to ensure macroeconomic stability. Journal of International Studies, 16(4), 117-135. doi:10.14254/2071- 8330.2023/16-4/8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2023/16-4/8
  57. Wojciechowski, A., & Korjonen‐Kuusipuro, K. (2025). Social impact of data bias in artificial intelligence models. Human Technology, 21(2), 246–250. https://doi.org/10.14254/1795-6889.2025.21-2.0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/1795-6889.2025.21-2.0
  58. World Bank. (n.d.-a). E-Government Development Index (EGDI). World Bank Data360. https://data360.worldbank.org/en/dataset/UN_EGDI
  59. World Bank. (n.d.-b). World Bank Open Data. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator
  60. World Bank. (2021). World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives. Washington, DC: World Bank. doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-1600-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1600-0
  61. World Bank. (2022). GovTech Maturity Index, 2022 Update: Trends in Public Sector Digital Transformation. Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions Insight - Governance. World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/38499
  62. Yarovenko, H., Kuzior, A., Norek, T., & Lopatka, A. (2024). The future of artificial intelligence: Fear, hope or indifference?. Human Technology, 20(3), 611–639. https://doi.org/10.14254/1795-6889.2024.20-3.10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/1795-6889.2024.20-3.10
  63. Yarovenko, H., Ohol, D., Ashirbekova, L., & Popp, J. (2025). Digital transformation and economic development in Europe: Classical and machineoriented approaches. Journal of International Studies, 18(4), 256-284. doi:10.14254/2071-8330.2025/18-4/13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2025/18-4/13
  64. Zahorodnia, K., Tverdovska, Z., Yarovenko, H., & Shubenko, M. (2026). Transformational Interlinkages between Ukraine’s Economic and Demographics Potential: Implications for Public Governance Based on the Analysis of Migration, Public Health, and Citizens’ Well-Being Shifts. Public Governance, Regulation and Law, 2(1), 80-129. https://doi.org/10.61093/pgrl.2(1).80-129.2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/pgrl.2(1).80-129.2026
  65. Zámek, D., & Zakharkina, Z. (2024). Research Trends in the Impact of Digitization and Transparency on National Security: Bibliometric Analysis. Financial Markets, Institutions and Risks, 8(1), 173-188. https://doi.org/10.61093/fmir.8(1).173-188.2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/fmir.8(1).173-188.2024

How to Cite

Vasylieva, T., Krawczyk, D., Rącka, I., & Fenyves, V. (2026). Digital government and quality of life: Unpacking the human-centred mechanisms of e-government development. Human Technology, 22(1), 178–197. https://doi.org/10.14254/1795-6889.2026.22-1.9