ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
E-governance integration has become a strategic priority for governments seeking to improve interoperability, service delivery, and organizational efficiency through digital transformation. Despite significant investments in digital technologies, empirical evidence remains limited regarding how Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) factors contribute to e-governance integration through the development of digital capability, particularly within the public sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study examines the mediating role of digital capability in the relationship between TOE factors and e-governance integration in the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 236 MOEI employees involved in digital transformation and e-governance activities across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the measurement model, structural relationships, and proposed mediation effects. The findings indicate that organizational and environmental factors have significant positive effects on digital capability, whereas technology factors do not significantly affect digital capability. Furthermore, digital capability has a significant positive effect on e-governance integration and significantly mediates the relationships between organizational factors and e-governance integration, as well as between environmental factors and e-governance integration. However, digital capability does not significantly mediate the relationship between technology factors and e-governance integration. These findings extend the TOE framework by demonstrating that digital capability functions as a critical organizational mechanism through which organizational and environmental conditions are translated into stronger e-governance integration. The study offers practical implications for public-sector organizations by emphasizing the importance of organizational readiness, leadership commitment, workforce digital competencies, and supportive institutional environments for strengthening sustainable e-governance integration.
Albannai, N. A., Raziq, M. M., Malik, M., Scott-Kennel, J., & Igoe, J. (2024). Unraveling the role of digital leadership in developing digital dynamic capabilities for the digital transformation of firms. Benchmarking: An International Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-10-2023-0756
Ali, O., Shrestha, A., Osmanaj, V., & Muhammed, S. (2021). Cloud computing technology adoption: An evaluation of key factors in local governments. Information Technology & People, 34(2), 666–703.
Alzarooni, A. I., Alhashmi, S. M., Lataifeh, M., & Rice, J. (2024). Navigating digital transformation in the UAE: Benefits, challenges, and future directions in the public sector. Computers, 13(11), 281.
Atobishi, T., Moh’d Abu Bakir, S., & Nosratabadi, S. (2024). How do digital capabilities affect organizational performance in the public sector? The mediating role of organizational agility. Administrative Sciences, 14(2), 37.
Benbya, H., Nan, N., Tanriverdi, H., & Yoo, Y. (2020). Complexity and information systems research in the emerging digital world. MIS Quarterly, 44(1), 1–17.
Benitez, J., Ray, G., & Henseler, J. (2018). Impact of information technology infrastructure flexibility on mergers and acquisitions. MIS Quarterly, 42(1), 25–43.
Campmas, A., Iacob, N., & Simonelli, F. (2022). How can interoperability stimulate the use of digital public services? An analysis of national interoperability frameworks and e-government in the European Union. Data & Policy, 4, e19.
Cardoso, R. L., Neto, J. A., & Silva, F. Q. (2023). Digital transformation and public organizations: A systematic literature review. Government Information Quarterly, 40(1), 101712.
Civelek, M., Kraj?ík, V., & Klju?nikov, A. (2023). The impacts of dynamic capabilities on SMEs' digital transformation process: The resource-based view perspective. Oeconomia Copernicana, 14(4), 1367–1392.
David, A., Yigitcanlar, T., Li, R. Y. M., Corchado, J. M., Cheong, P. H., Mossberger, K., & Mehmood, R. (2023). Understanding local government digital technology adoption strategies: A PRISMA review. Sustainability, 15(12), 9645.
Entsie, E., Aidoo, F. K. F., & Vaz, A. (2025). Systematic review of cloud computing adoption in the public sector: Insights from the TOE framework and DOI theory. Multidisciplinary Reviews.
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50.
Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage Publications.
Hakimi, M., Ghafory, H., & Fazil, A. W. (2024). Enterprise architecture in e-government: A study of integration challenges and strategic opportunities. International Journal of Software Engineering and Computer Science, 4(2), 440–452.
Jafari, P., Van Looy, A., & Helbin, T. (2025). About the interplay between technological resources and institutional factors for realizing digital work: A public sector long-term view. Journal of Advances in Management Research.
Kibria, M. G., & Hong, P. (2024). E-government in Asian countries: A conceptual framework for sustainable development. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 18(4), 616–637.
Kocak, S., & Pawlowski, J. (2023). Digital organizational culture: A qualitative study on the identification and impact of the characteristics of a digital culture in the craft sector. SN Computer Science, 4(6), 819.
Lubis, N. W. (2022). Resource based view (RBV) in improving company strategic capacity. Research Horizon, 2(6), 587–596.
Manana, T., & Mawela, T. (2022). Digital skills of public sector employees for digital transformation. In 2022 International Conference on Innovation and Intelligence for Informatics, Computing, and Technologies (3ICT) (pp. 144–150). IEEE.
Motamedimoghadam, M., Mira da Silva, M., & Amaral, M. (2025). Organizational capabilities for digital innovation: A systematic literature review. European Journal of Innovation Management, 28(7), 3024–3048.
Qi, P., Xu, C., & Wang, Q. (2023). What determines the digital transformation of SRDI enterprises? A study of the TOE framework-based configuration. Sustainability, 15(18), 13607.
Suradi, A. (2025). A theoretical extension of Technology Organization Environment (TOE) in e-government: A systematic literature review and theory evaluation. Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 5(1), 29–36.
Tangi, L., Janssen, M., Benedetti, M., & Noci, G. (2021). Digital government transformation: A structural equation modelling analysis of driving and impeding factors. International Journal of Information Management, 60, 102356.
Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509–533.
Tornatzky, L. G., & Fleischer, M. (1990). The processes of technological innovation. Lexington Books.
Ushaka Adie, B., Tate, M., & Valentine, E. (2024). Digital leadership in the public sector: a scoping review and outlook. International Review of Public Administration, 29(1), 42-58.
Alshamsi, I. A., & Ahmed, W. N. K. W. (2026). Digital Capability as a Mediator between Technology–Organization–Environment Factors and E-Governance Integration: Evidence from the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 16(10), 494–510.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode