Contextual Determinants of Theoretical Effectiveness in E-Government Adoption: A Systematic Review Across Development Stages

Abstract

This systematic review synthesizes 40 empirical studies employing 19 theoretical frameworks to examine how theoretical effectiveness in explaining e-government adoption varies across development contexts and implementation stages. The analysis demonstrates that no single framework exhibits universal explanatory superiority; instead, theoretical performance is strongly contingent upon contextual conditions. In developing countries with nascent digital infrastructure, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) dominate explanatory power. Specifically, extended UTAUT models consistently account for 60% or more of the variance in behavioral intention, identifying transparency as a key predictor. Conversely, in developed contexts characterized by mature institutional and technological environments, individual-level acceptance frameworks prove insufficient. In these settings, organizational and policy-oriented theories—such as Dynamic Capability Theory, Institutional Theory, and Policy Implementation Frameworks—more effectively capture the dynamics of organizational transformation. These findings suggest that future research should adopt a contingency approach, selecting theoretical lenses that align with the specific maturity level of the e-government ecosystem.