Adopting agile in government: a comparative case study

Abstract

This study examines the adoption of agile in public administrations through the lens of Scandinavian institutionalism and translation theory. By conducting interviews in 19 German public administrations, we investigate how agile is translated into public settings and how they address associated challenges. Our findings reveal three translation modes: agile stripped down to a cultural concept, agile as governance to foster cross-functional collaboration, and agile as methodology, adhering closely to its original values and principles. As such, our study contributes to a better understanding of and theoretical advancements surrounding agile in government.