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。研究结果表明，在减轻行政负担的效应之外，还存在三类影响：<i>放大</i>效应、<i>延续</i>效应与<i>催生</i>效应。数字化可能会使既往存在的行政负担被<i>放大</i>，或是有时原有负担会<i>延续</i>；在其他场景下，还可能催生新的行政负担来源（即<i>催生</i>效应）。为缓解此类效应，持续监测数字化进程、升级数字系统，并制定灵活的指导准则以切实减轻行政负担，至关重要。