Abstract

This review paper presents a conceptual analysis of the historical and institutional transition of public administration from colonial bureaucratic systems to contemporary digital governance frameworks. It traces the evolution of administrative thought and practice by examining how colonial governance structures emphasized centralized authority, rigid hierarchies, rule-bound procedures, and limited citizen participation, primarily serving extractive and control-oriented objectives. The paper situates these features within classical bureaucratic theory and highlights their enduring influence on post-colonial administrative systems, particularly in developing states.
Building on this historical foundation, the study explores the gradual shift toward administrative reforms driven by New Public Management, New Public Service, and governance-based paradigms that prioritize efficiency, accountability, transparency, and citizen engagement. The review then critically examines the emergence of digital governance as a transformative phase in public administration, characterized by the integration of information and communication technologies, data-driven decision-making, e-government platforms, and digitally enabled service delivery models. Particular attention is paid to how digital governance reconfigures state–citizen relations, administrative accountability, and policy implementation processes.
The paper also discusses key structural, institutional, and socio-political challenges associated with this transition, including legacy bureaucratic inertia, digital divides, capacity constraints, data governance concerns, and ethical implications of algorithmic decision-making. By synthesizing theoretical perspectives and empirical insights from global and post-colonial contexts, the review contributes a coherent conceptual framework for understanding public administration’s ongoing transformation. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions and policy implications for building resilient, inclusive, and accountable digital governance systems.