An empirical analysis of digital strategies and behaviours in Korea’s public sector think tanks: an institutional organizational theory perspective

Original

An empirical analysis of digital strategies and behaviours in Korea’s public sector think tanks: an institutional organizational theory perspective

Taejun Lee, Sanghun Sul, Eunseong Kang

Abstract

This study examines how Korean public-sector think tanks deploy digital strategies through institutional organizational theory (IOT), providing practical insights for digital innovation and governance capacity. The findings show that coercive isomorphism has strengthened data governance, while evidence of decoupling emerges as formal structures for data use and AI adoption satisfy external expectations, whereas substantive implementation remains limited. The results further indicate that think tanks construct distinct institutional logics to reinforce organizational legitimacy in a digital environment. Although advanced digital tools have been adopted, weak system integration and fragmented practices generate symptoms of hyper-management.