A Innovation in Public Policy-Making through Blockchain: A Transformation in Digital Government

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management and Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.

2 Prof., Department of Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.

3 Associate Prof., Department of Public Policy, Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

4 Assistant Prof., Department of Public Management, Faculty of Management, University of Velayat, Iranshahr, Iran.

10.22059/jipa.2025.397374.3725

Abstract

Objective
Digital government represents a strategic approach for enhancing transparency, citizen participation, and efficiency in the delivery of public services. With the rise of public expectations and evolving digital standards, blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative innovation. Its defining features—decentralization, high security, transparency, and immutability of data—position blockchain as a key driver of both digital government and innovation in public policymaking. However, its application in developing countries faces multiple obstacles. In Iran, despite ongoing efforts to advance digital governance, the integration of blockchain into public policymaking remains limited. This study aims to address this gap by systematically identifying the benefits, barriers, and infrastructural requirements for blockchain adoption in the Iranian public sector, using the Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) framework.
Methods
The research adopted a mixed-methods design, beginning with a qualitative phase followed by a quantitative assessment. Data for the qualitative phase were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 13 experts in blockchain technology and public policy, including IT managers and university faculty members. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework, employing an inductive approach in which themes emerged from the data without reliance on predefined theories. Thematic coding resulted in the extraction of 221 basic codes, consolidated into 30 organizing themes and 10 global themes. These themes informed the design of a structured questionnaire for the quantitative phase. The questionnaire, based on a four-point Likert scale, was evaluated through IPA. Finally, the results were validated by a panel of experts in public policy, IT, and blockchain to ensure prioritization of the most critical factors.
Results
The thematic analysis highlighted ten overarching domains, including transparency, trust-building, decentralization, security, efficiency, economic and geopolitical implications, innovation, challenges, and infrastructural requirements. The IPA results revealed significant mismatches between importance and performance. Key elements such as transparency, data security, and corruption reduction were rated highly important but demonstrated weak performance due to technical, organizational, and political constraints. Conversely, areas such as public access to information and the implementation of smart contracts were identified as high-performing strengths. Other components, including the decentralization of power and international collaboration, though in early stages of development, were recognized for their substantial strategic potential. Collectively, these findings show both the promise of blockchain and the barriers to its full realization in Iran’s public sector.
Conclusion
Blockchain is not merely a technological innovation but a powerful instrument for transforming public policymaking in the context of digital government. The study demonstrates that blockchain can substantially improve transparency, data security, and anti-corruption mechanisms. Yet, challenges remain: technical limitations, a shortage of specialized professionals, organizational resistance, and legal and regulatory gaps all impede full-scale adoption. Policy implications include the urgent need for coherent policy design, robust technical infrastructure, and enhanced cross-sector collaboration. Despite the barriers, blockchain holds significant strategic potential to strengthen governance quality, efficiency, and transparency in Iran and other developing countries, offering a pathway for innovation in public policy and the advancement of digital government.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
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Journal of Public Administration
Volume 17, Issue 4
2025
Pages 872-903

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