Institutional Configuration and Governance Capacity for E-Government Development in Asia–Pacific Economies

This study examines how institutional structure and coordination capacity shape e-government development in Asia–Pacific economies. Using panel data for 12 countries from 2003 to 2024 and United Nations E-Government Development Index data, the study estimates fixed-effects, random-effects, and high-dimensional fixed-effects models. The results show that institutional design conditions the role of governance quality rather than determining it uniformly. In the high-dimensional fixed-effects specification, the interaction between hybrid governance structures and government effectiveness is positive and statistically significant, indicating larger EGDI gains from improved administrative effectiveness under hybrid arrangements. The interaction between hybrid structures and regulatory quality is also positive and significant. By contrast, centralized structures have a negative direct association with EGDI in fixed-effects models, although their interaction with high governance quality becomes positive in the high-dimensional fixed-effects specification. These findings suggest that digital transformation depends on the alignment between institutional structure and governance capacity. Policy implications emphasize combining strategic central direction with decentralized flexibility, strengthening administrative coordination, and investing in human capital.