Research on Digital Automation in the Public Sector – Now defended

On 10 June 2026, Evrim Güner defended her doctoral thesis at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University. Her dissertation explores how Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is adopted, scaled, and governed in public organizations. During the final phase of her doctoral studies, she worked as a researcher at the University of Borås and within the Tech Borås environment.

In her dissertation, Evrim Güner examines how public organizations use Robotic Process Automation to automate administrative processes and how capabilities around automation develop over time. The research highlights how governance arrangements evolve as organizations seek to scale and sustain automation efforts.

The findings show that automation is more than a technological solution. Its successful adoption depends on organizational structures, processes, and collaborative practices that are shaped by context.

Governance and Organizational Context

The research demonstrates that governance arrangements need to be aligned with factors such as process complexity, the maturity of automation initiatives, and the broader institutional context. The dissertation provides insights into how governance structures evolve as automation becomes increasingly embedded in organizational routines and practices.

“Organizations do not simply adopt automation as a technology. Over time, they develop capabilities, practices, and forms of governance around it. Exploring how these evolve has been a central theme throughout my research,” says Evrim Güner.

Research Connected to Tech Borås

During the final year of her doctoral studies, Evrim Güner was active within the Tech Borås environment, where digital innovation, automation, and governance constitute important research themes. The environment provided opportunities for collaboration and continued engagement with questions closely related to those explored in the dissertation.

Building on this work, her future research focuses on AI governance and the organizational capabilities needed to develop, coordinate, and responsibly integrate intelligent systems into organizational practice.

About the Dissertation

The public defense took place on 10 June 2026 at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University.

The dissertation, From Routine Capability to Governance: Exploring the Adoption of Robotic Process Automation in Public Organizations, is available in full text through DiVA.

From Routine Capability to Governance : Exploring the Adoption of Robotic Process Automation in Public Organizations