Digital transformation in Turkish public administration: National Development Plans (8th-12th)

ABSTRACT Digital Transformation in Turkish Public Administration: National Development Plans (8th–12th) In the contemporary era, digital transformation has emerged as a foundational dynamic restructuring public administration on a global scale. This thesis offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of digital transformation within public administration in Türkiye, through the lens of five national development plans spanning the period from 2001 to 2028. Positioned within the framework of five-year development plans, this study analytically examines how key concepts—such as research and development (R&D), information and communication technologies (ICT), science, technology and innovation, e-government, digitalization, and the digital state—have been constructed, redefined, and embedded within an institutional structure in the context of these plans. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, the study employs a multidimensional approach that includes document analysis, content analysis, descriptive examination, and comparative evaluation. Digital transformation policies and initiatives presented in the development plans are systematically analyzed through triangulation with relevant legal frameworks, academic literature, and Eurostat data. Major digital public initiatives are examined in parallel with each development plan and are presented descriptively, taking into account the periods in which they were implemented. The findings indicate a clear evolution in the policy content—from an initial emphasis on infrastructure development toward a more integrated and citizen-oriented model of digital governance that incorporates principles of environmental sustainability and green transformation. The integration of national policy content analysis with international comparative frameworks provides a holistic perspective on Türkiye's digital transformation trajectory, encompassing both planning and implementation dimensions. This research focuses exclusively on development plans issued by the central government. Due to the limited availability of empirical data regarding implementation outcomes, the scope and interpretation of the findings are framed within this constraint. Nevertheless, the study aims to provide a robust analytical foundation for examining digitalization in the public sector and to guide the development of future digital public policies. Keywords: Public Administration, Development Plans, Digital Transformation.