Implementation of Transnationally Mandated Resilient Digital Public Goods - Learnings from COVID-19 Pandemic

Digital transformation is rapidly progressing across the world. Digital public goods are meant to be adopted transnationally, promoting countries to achieve sustainable development goals. However achieving a resilient digital implementation requires more than adopting a digital public good. In this study we explore the process of implementing a resilient digital implementation based on digital public goods. The study is based on empirical data from implementing digital systems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka and several other countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Analysis of empirical data reveals several key factors that need to be incorporated into implementing a resilient digital system. These include agile governance and development, in-country capacity, transnationally mandated networks of support, and flexible free and open-source software platforms. The paper argues that building resilient digital public goods implementations required a socio-technical rather than a technology-centric approach. The paper contributes to the information systems domain by enhancing empirical-based contributions to the theoretical body of knowledge on resilience. In addition, it contributes to policy and development studies by generating recommendations on practices around achieving a resilient digital implementation.