The School of Economics, Management and Political Science at the University of Minho (EEG) is proud to announce that Sofia Abreu, a PhD student in Administrative Sciences, presented her doctoral thesis entitled “Digital Transformation and E-Government in Municipalities in Portugal” on 30 June 2026.

In the author’s own words:

“The process of digital transformation in public administration has gained increased relevance in recent decades, bringing to the fore concepts such as digital transformation and e-government, which consists of using information technologies to deliver public services in an accessible and efficient manner. In this context, the main objectives of this study are to measure the degree of virtuality in Portuguese municipalities and to identify the factors that influence it. To this end, two research questions were formulated: 1) Where do municipalities stand in the virtual organisation model for local government? and 2) What factors increase the degree of virtuality in these municipalities?

To answer these questions, the analysis draws on the perspectives of the Theory of Diffusion of Innovations and Institutionalism, as well as on a questionnaire-based survey conducted in Portuguese municipalities. Based on the data obtained from this survey, supplemented by secondary data, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models were estimated, enabling the identification and quantification of the main determinants of the degree of municipal virtuality.

The results reveal varying levels of digitalisation and highlight internal factors (leadership and experience), socio-economic factors (internet usage) and political factors (political orientation and citizen participation) that influence it. These findings offer relevant insights for public policy and digital governance practices, providing an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by local governments in Portugal.

The study also contributes to the literature on e-government, offering useful guidance for public managers committed to strengthening links and communication with society, thereby promoting a more efficient, effective, innovative and forward-looking public administration.”

The doctoral thesis was supervised by Professors Filipe Araújo and Miguel Rodrigues, from the Department of Political Science at the School of Economics, Management and Political Science, University of Minho.