Evaluating Readiness for E-Governance Adoption in a Philippine Local Government Unit

Abstract

Driven by global digitalization trends and national mandates, this study assessed a Philippine local government unit's (LGU’s) preparedness for e-governance adoption using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. Employing a quantitative descriptive-comparative design, this research evaluated the technological, operational, and economic readiness of the LGU while identifying its e-governance adoption challenges. Respondents were stratified randomly sampled 200 LGU permanent and casual employees. Data were collected using a structured survey questionnaire validated by experts, with reliability confirmed via Cronbach’s alpha. Statistical tools for data analysis include frequency and percentage, weighted mean, one-way analysis of variance, and t-test. The findings indicate that the LGU is highly prepared across all dimensions (technological, organizational, and economic). Moreover, the study revealed significant variations in readiness based on age, sex, and employment status, though professional factors like tenure and education showed no meaningful differences. Despite the perceived high readiness in e-governance, the study identified challenges in its digital transformation, primarily due to limited funding for infrastructure, intermittent internet and power supply, and a lack of clear institutional policies. Based on these findings, the researchers proposed strategies to further enhance readiness in e-governance digital transformation. The study concludes that while a strong digital foundation exists, bridging infrastructure and policy gaps is vital for sustainability. This research contributes by providing an empirical, multidimensional baseline for localized e-governance, demonstrating that successful transformation requires the strategic alignment of technological capacity with equitable organizational policies.