Intent vs Impact: Ramifications of Digitization on Administrative Burden

In this study, we explore the effects of digitalization on administrative burdens in the context of a developing country by examining Bangladesh's birth registration system through qualitative methods. Our findings revealed three types of impacts on the top of burden reduction effects: amplification, continuation, and production. Digitalization can lead to an <i>amplified</i> experience of the older burden, or simply sometimes, the same burden might <i>continue</i>. In other instances, new sources of burden might crop up (<i>production</i>). To mitigate these effects, it is crucial to continually monitor the digitalization process, upgrade digital systems, and provide flexible guidelines to reduce administrative burdens genuinely.

本研究以发展中国家为研究语境，采用质性研究方法对孟加拉国出生登记系统展开调研，探讨数字化对行政负担的影响效应。研究结果显示，除减负效应外，数字化还存在三类影响：放大效应、延续效应与催生效应。数字化可能会<i>加剧</i>原有行政负担，有时仅会使原有负担<i>持续存在</i>；在其他情形下，还可能<i>催生</i>新的行政负担来源。为缓解此类效应，持续监测数字化进程、升级数字系统并制定灵活指导规范以切实降低行政负担，至关重要。