This study examines the factors influencing the adoption of digital government platforms by public officials in Chile, within the context of the State's digital transformation. Based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), the model incorporates job satisfaction as an organizational outcome variable. A quantitative approach was employed using partial least squares structural equation modelling, based on data collected from 298 public employees. The results show that effort expectancy and social influence significantly affect intention to use, whereas performance expectancy does not. Effective use of the platforms is mainly explained by the intention to use and facilitating conditions, and is modestly associated with job satisfaction. These findings suggest that the organizational context and institutional resources are more decisive than perceived usefulness in contexts where the adoption of digital government platforms is strongly influenced by institutional mandates. The application of the UTAUT model in the Latin American public sector context highlights the importance of considering technical, human and cultural factors in digital transformation policies. It is recommended that future research include additional variables and explore longitudinal or comparative designs.
Points to practitioners
Institutional mandates and regulatory pressures influence the adoption of digital platforms in local governments.
The successful implementation of digital government platforms depends on facilitating conditions such as infrastructure, training and technical support.
The use of digital government platforms may positively influence job satisfaction, highlighting the importance of employee experience.
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