Citizen E-Participation at the Local Level: Perceptions, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Digital Public Administration of Međimurje County

Abstract

This study explores the relationships between digital competencies, patterns of use, and attitudes toward digitalization in the context of local public administration, with a particular focus on Međimurje County. The analysis includes digital skills, use of the e-Citizens system, readiness for e-participation, beliefs about its democratic potential, the perceived importance of di-gitalization, evaluation of investments in digitalization, assessment of the current level of e-participation, support for further digitalization, and views on the future role of e-participation. These variables are examined in relation to the perceived importance and quality of e- -government, its actual use, and levels of e-participation on social media. The results indicate consistent positive associations between more frequent use of the e-Citizens system, higher readiness for e-participation, stronger beliefs in its democratic potential, and more positive attitudes toward digitalization, and higher perceived importance and quality of e-government dimensions. Digital skills show weaker, more selective associations, primarily with more basic dimensions, whereas associations with more advanced dimensions, such as digital democracy, are limited or absent. The use of e-government is most strongly associated with the e-Citizens system and readiness for e-participation, particularly at lower and intermediate levels of maturity and orientation dimensions, whereas associations with more advanced participatory dimensions are less frequent. Levels of e-consultations and e-decision-making. The findings point to the importance of participatory orientations, usage experience, and perceptions of digitalization in shaping attitudes toward e-government, while also highlighting limitations in developing more advanced dimensions of e-participation at the local level.