Digital Transformation in Vietnam and the Issue of Developing Digital Human Resources in State Governance

Abstract

Digital transformation is becoming a trend for countries; it is not simply about applying technology to the organization and operation of state agencies, but also a comprehensive change in mindset, operating models, and methods of state governance, providing efficient services, creating new value, and promoting sustainable development. This change is reflected in the shift of state governance from a physical to a digital environment, creating a need for the development of digital human resources to perform public duties in the digital environment (developing digital civil servants), and is a necessary solution to achieve the goal of digital transformation in state governance. This study develops a theoretical framework on digital transformation and the development of digital human resources in state governance (digital knowledge and skills of civil servants; digital work capacity of civil servants). The theoretical model consists of two independent scales/variables: “Digital knowledge and skills of civil servants” (KS) and “Digital working capacity of civil servants” (WC), and one independent scale/variable: “State governance in the context of digital transformation” (SG). Based on this theoretical framework and model, this study surveys the opinions of 360 local government leaders at the commune level to collect information and conduct empirical analysis and evaluation of the digital capacity of civil servants and its impact on state governance in the context of digital transformation in Vietnam. Based on the conclusions of this empirical research, the author discusses policy solutions for developing digital human resources in state governance to meet the requirements of digital transformation in Vietnam.