Policymaking in time of Covid-19: how the rise of techno-institutional inertia impacts the design and delivery of ICT-mediated policies

Abstract

The paper theorizes the emergence of techno-institutional inertia within public organizations. Specifically, it analyses the impact of techno-institutional inertia on policymaking in emergency time. The paper extends the literature on inertia in organizations to shed light on the inertia triggered by both human actors and technology. Techno-institutional inertia provides useful instruments to better understand how imbrications between technology, policies, and institutions shape the design and the delivery of public policies. The paper builds on the findings from a case study of the Peruvian public sector, analyzing the techno-institutional inertia which shaped the provision of public services to contrast the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The paper offers valuable insights for policymakers who aim to adopt ICT-based policies in contexts characterized by scarcity of time and resources.