Swiss municipalities: Digitization still challenging
Digitization is a major challenge for municipalities. The digital transformation must always be driven forward. Numerous topics are to be addressed in the process. This is shown by a new survey of Swiss municipalities.
Digital transformation in the public sector does not cover the same topics as in the private sector. In addition to the digitization of business processes, the focus is on the development of digital tools for the population. This can facilitate and expand their interactions with local authorities. However, municipalities have limited resources to deal with new developments.
State of digitization surveyed in Swiss municipalities
A digitization survey was recently conducted among Swiss municipalities. It was developed in collaboration with the Swiss Association of Municipalities (SGV), the Myni Gmeind association and the TransferPlus AG opinion research institute. The survey analyzes which topics are currently occupying the municipalities. In the area of digitization, the survey asks about motives and factors for digitization activities. The survey also shows where there is still a need and which measures have already been implemented. It also asks whether digitization is seen as an opportunity or a risk and whether the municipalities see themselves as "pioneers" or "laggards. The questions as to whether digitization is coordinated across the board and whether there is a digitization strategy are also answered.
The results of the survey help the SGV and the Myni Gmeind association, as well as the cantons and the federal government, to provide targeted support for the municipalities in their digital transformation. There are digital solutions for all of these challenges. That is why Myni Gmeind offers support together with several partners.
Results show: Digitization is an opportunity for communities
736 municipalities throughout Switzerland took part in the survey (= 34 % response rate, comparable to 2022). The majority of responses to the survey from the municipalities came from municipal/city clerks (> 60%), 13% from municipal/city presidents. The evaluation shows that around 75% of the municipalities fundamentally see digitization as an opportunity. This is still a positive assessment, although it is stagnating at a high level.
In the area of digitization, only one-third of the municipalities see themselves as "pioneers"; two-thirds see themselves more as "laggards". The municipalities that see themselves as "pioneers" occupy a position (person or committee) for cross-departmental coordination. Of these municipalities, one in three has already defined an overarching digitization strategy. Among the municipalities that define themselves as "laggards," only 14 percent have an effective digitization strategy.
The motivations for digitization (in %) are the same as in previous years:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Increase efficiency | 77 | 73 | 79 |
Improvement services | 70 | 73 |
|
Strengthening communication with population | 64 | 63 |
|
Enabling flexible & attractive forms of work | 47 | 49 | 34 |
Fulfillment requirements cantons and federal government | 49 | 39 | 45 |
Promoting innovative and flexible culture | 43 | 44 |
|
New participation opportunities for residents | 43 | 39 |
|
Hardly any cost savings due to digitization
It is interesting to note that, from the point of view of the Swiss municipalities, the benefits of digitization are not associated with a reduction in costs. Currently, the digitization of administrative processes (49%) and the acquisition of digital tools, including for IT security, are in the foreground. However, digital transformation (developing the culture of employees) is also important for the municipalities. From the perspective of the municipalities, the political will and the provision of sufficient financial and human resources are central to this. Digitization projects are predominantly budgeted on a topic or area basis. The communities see a need for support from third parties in the following areas:
- IT security (data protection, data security and cyber attacks)
- Digitization of administrative processes (eGovernment)
- Further training in administration on digitization topics
- Digital services for the population and the economy
- Digitization of process management in administration
Conclusion: Digitization remains a focal point of community development
Digital transformation has arrived at the management level of municipal administrations. The focus is now more on the human and financial resources required for the transformation, but this is viewed rather skeptically. When it comes to creating the technical prerequisites, the measures focus on the digitization of administrative processes, IT security and digital services for the population and the economy. Thus, the topic of "digitization" remains a focal point in the current development of the municipality.
Source: www.mynigmeind.ch
