Mind the Gap - A qualitative study framing the critical drivers for disruptive technology implementation in Swedish public agencies

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the critical drivers for disruptive technology (DT) implementation, and how these can be used to form a framework for Swedish public agencies. The critical drivers for DT implementation were empirically studied through the examination of artificial intelligence (AI) implementation, a contemporary DT. Primary data was collected through a qualitative approach from a sample of ten cases. The interviewees were employees at Swedish public agencies and had experience from their AI operation. In addition, secondary data was obtained from a report written by The Agency for Digital Governance. The study found 39 critical drivers for DT implementation in Swedish public agencies. These findings were categorized into seven areas; competence, technology, people, external environment, strategy, process and organizational culture. The areas, in turn, partly overlapped with Scott Morton's framework for DT implementation in the private sector. However, considering the differences between public and private organizations, the study concludes that Scott Morton's framework should be restructured to apt the public agency context. Hence, the study presents a new framework, emphasizing the need of DT competence, during implementation. The developed framework contributes with guidance for managers and aims to diminish uncertainty and challenges of DT implementation in Swedish public agencies.