Public Documents Digitization: Towards Efficiency and Reduction of Municipal Expenses

Abstract

Objective To examine the association between four dimensions of document digitization and staff perceptions regarding resource use, goal achievement, and the quality of spending in a Peruvian municipality. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental study was conducted. All 125 administrative staff members were invited to participate; 95 completed an online questionnaire consisting of 90 items (response rate: 76.0%). A multiple linear regression model was estimated, and HC3 standard errors were used for inference regarding the coefficients. Results The model had an R 2 of 0.763. After mutual adjustment, the dimensions of legal risks of digitization (p = 0.010) and digital transformation and knowledge management (p = 0.015) showed positive associations with the outcome. The digital transformation of administrative documents (p = 0.920) did not show an additional statistically significant association. The association with document security was positive but not conclusive (p = 0.059). Conclusion The findings identify associations between dimensions of digitization and perceptions of resource management within a single institution. The cross-sectional design does not allow for the establishment of causality, and the questionnaire does not quantify actual savings. The assessment of potential cost reductions requires accounting records and administrative indicators measured over time.