Digital Transformation and Human Resources Planning in Public Administration: Insights from the Spanish Experience

Celso Cancela Outeda; Óscar Briones Gamarra

doi:10.15290/bsp.2026.31.01.11

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Digital Transformation and Human Resources Planning in Public Administration: Insights from the Spanish Experience

Białostockie Studia Prawnicze

Volume 31 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)

By: Celso Cancela Outeda and Óscar Briones Gamarra

Open Access

|Apr 2026

Abstract

Digital transformation is reshaping public administration, especially in human resource management. This article explores how it redefines organisational values, skills, and roles, highlighting job evaluation as crucial for adapting to new digital demands. It also addresses HR planning challenges, stressing the need to anticipate future profiles and build a culture that embraces technological innovation to create a more agile and efficient administration.

References

Acemoglu, D., & Robinson, J. A. (2012). Why nations fail: The origins of power, prosperity, and poverty. Crown Business.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Albi, E., González, J., & López, G. (1997). Gestión pública. Fundamentos, técnicas y casos. Ariel Economía.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Alles, M. A. (2007). Gestión por competencias. El diccionario. Granica.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
AMC. (2002). Acuerdo Marco Europeo sobre el teletrabajo. https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=521&langId=en&agreementId=1106
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ayata, Z. (2024). European Union contracts in digital environments. In Ramiro Troitiño, D., E-governance in the European Union: Strategies, tools, and implementation (pp. 173–185). Springer Nature Switzerland.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ballart, X. & Ramió, C. (2000). Ciencia de la Administración. Tirant lo Blanch.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Barzelay, M. (2006). O estudo do desenvolvemento de estratexias nas organizacións gobernamentais; como integrar a xestión estratéxica e as teorías de prácticas sociais. Revista Galega de Administración Pública,, 1(2), 9–25.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bohlander, G., & Scott, S. (2007). Administración de recursos humanos. Thomson Learning.:
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bontis, N., Dragonetti, N. C., Jacobsen, K., & Roos, G. (1999). The knowledge toolbox: A review of tools available to measure and manage intangible resources. European Management Journal, 17(4), 391–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263–2373(99)00019–5
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bouzas Lorenzo, R. (2011). Sector público: Los recursos humanos en las administraciones públicas en España. In R. Gutiérrez & M. Martínez (Eds.), Gestión de recursos humanos. Contexto y políticas ( 259–278).. Thomson–Civitas 2011.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bouzas Lorenzo, R., & García Arias, C. (2007, 10–14 July). Detection of regional administration employee training needs in Spain: Developing an innovative methodology [Conference presentation]. IAAS 27th International Congress of Administrative Sciences. Abu Dhabi. CD-ROM.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
CEBEP. (2005). Informe de la Comisión para el estudio y preparación del EBEP. Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública – Ministerio de Administraciones Públicas.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
CES. (2007). Dictamen del Consejo Económico y Social sobre el Proyecto de real decreto por el que se regula el teletrabajo en la Administración General del Estado. Mimeografiado.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Colley, L., & Price, R. (2010). Where have all the workers gone? Exploring public sector work-force planning. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 69, 202–213. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467–8500.2010.00676.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cortés Abad, O. (2020). La Administración tras el coronabreak. Políticas para ¿un nuevo paradigma administrativo? Gestión y Análisis de Políticas Públicas, 24, 6–23. https://doi.org/10.24965/gapp.i24.10811
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cortés Carreres, J. V. (2001). Manual práctico de gestión de recursos humanos en la administración local. Dykinson.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cotten, A. (2007). Seven steps of effective workforce planning. IBM Center for the Business of Government.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Criado, J.I., Fernández B, D., Olías de Lima G, M.B. (2004). Construyendo la e-Administración Local. Madrid. EuroGestion Pública.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Criado Grande, J. I. (2016). Las administraciones públicas en la era del gobierno abierto. Gobernanza inteligente para un cambio de paradigma en la gestión pública. Revista de Estudios Políticos, 173, 245–275. https://doi.org/10.18042/cepc/rep.173.07
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cuenca Cervera, J. (2010). Manual de dirección y gestión de recursos humanos en los gobiernos locales. INAP.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cuenca Cervera, J. (2018). Instrumentos de planificación de recursos humanos y selección: ¿Cambio de paradigma? Revista Vasca de Gestión de Personas y Organizaciones Públicas, Extra 2, 52–65.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
De la Guardia, C. (2005). La historia en la era digital. Ayer. Revista de Historia Contemporánea, (58), 41–54. https://doi.org/10.55509/ayer/58–2005-03
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dixit R. (2023), “HR Trends for 2023: Future of Human Resource Management” Accessed online 25/6/23: https://www.selecthub.com/hris/hr-trends/#7
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dolan, S., Shuler, R., & Valle, R. (2007). La gestión de los recursos humanos. McGraw-Hill. Easton, D. (1965). A systems analysis of political life. John Wiley & Sons.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
European Commission. (2010). Informe sobre la sociedad de la información europea para el crecimiento y el empleo. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/HTML/?uri=LEGISSUM:c11328
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
European Commission. (2021). 2030 Digital Compass: The European way for the Digital Decade (COM/2021/118 final). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52021DC0118
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
European Union. (1993). Crecimiento, competitividad, empleo. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4e6ecfb6–471e-4108–9c7d-90cb1c3096af/language-es
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ferretti, F. (2022). A single European data space and data act for the digital single market: On datafication and the viability of a PSD2-like access regime for the platform economy. European Journal. Legal Studies, 14, 173–218.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Giovanola, B. (2023). Justice, emotions, socially disruptive technologies. Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, 26(1), 104–119.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
González-Cacheda, B., Briones-Gamarra, Ó., & Varela-Álvarez, E. J. (2024). Atención telefónica y calidad percibida en los servicios de atención primaria en España. Cuadernos de Gobierno y Administración Pública, 11(2), e97055. https://doi.org/10.5209/cgap.97055
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gorriti Bontigui, M., & Jiménez Asensio, R. (2018, 25 September). Mantener o transformar (gestión inteligente de vacantes en el empleo público del futuro). Ensayo y Política. https://rafaeljimenezasensio.com/2018/09/25/mantener-o-transformar-gestion-inteligente-de-vacantes-en-el-empleo-publico-del-futuro/
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hamuľák, O. (2016). National sovereignty in the European Union: View from the Czech perspective. Springer.Herrero, R. (1995). Los instrumentos de planificación. La oferta de empleo público. In B. Olías de Lima (Ed.), La gestión de recursos humanos en el ámbito público, 143–160 Complutense.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hill, L. A. (2019). Leading digital transformation (HBS No. 420–043). Harvard Business School Publishing.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kerikmäe, T., Troitiño, D. R., & Shumilo, O. (2019). An idol or an ideal? A case study of Estonian e-governance: Public perceptions, myths and misbeliefs. Acta Baltica Historiae et Philosophiae Scientiarum, 7(1), 71–80.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Knies, E., Boselie, P., Gould-Williams, J., & Vandenabeele. W. (2018). Strategic human resource management and public sector performance: Context matters. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 35(14):1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2017.1407088
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lohman, M. C. (2005). A survey of factors influencing the engagement of two professional groups in informal workplace learning activities. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 16(4), 501–527.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lohman, M. C. (2009). A survey of factors influencing the engagement of information technology professionals in informal learning activities. Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, 25(1), 43–53.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
López, A., Uquillas, G., Jácome, I., & Pérez, F. (2025). La transformación digital en la administración pública: evolución y tendencias de investigación. Perspectivas Sociales y Administrativas, 3(1), 17–36. https://doi.org/10.61347/psa.v3i1.74
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lupi, A., Nolan-Flecha, N., & Handlos Thomassen, N. (2024). Size and composition of public employment: Data sources, methods and gaps. Towards improved internationally comparable data on public employment. OECD Working Papers on Public Governance, 76. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/32c747be-en
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Maatsch, A. (2024). Parliamentary adjustment during a crisis: Interplay of digitalization and domestic context factors. Internet of Things, 27, 101316.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mahou Lago, X. M., & Bouzas Lorenzo, R. (2012). Atención al usuario y comunicación en los portales web de salud autonómicos en España. Gestión y Análisis de Políticas Públicas, 8, 99–113. https://doi.org/10.24965/gapp.v0i8.10005
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
March, J. G., & Olsen, J. P. (1976). Ambiguity and choice in organizations. Universitetsforlaget.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mayntz, R. (1985). Sociología de la administración pública. Alianza Universidad.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mazur, V., & Ramiro Troitiño, D. (2024). The members of the EU and e-governance, analysis, and institutional support. In Ramiro Troitiño, D. (Ed.), E-governance in the European Union: Strategies, tools, and implementation (pp. 39–55). Springer Nature Switzerland.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ministerio de Política Territorial y Función Pública (MPTFP). (2021). Orientaciones para el cambio en materia de selección en la Administración General del Estado. https://funcionpublica.hacienda.gob.es/dam/es/portalsefp/secretaria-general-funcion-publica/Actualidad/2021/05/orientacionescambio.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mokrá, L. (2023). Digitally sovereign individuals: the right to disconnect as a new challenge for European legislation in the context of building the EU digital market. In Troitiño, David & Kerikmäe, Tanel & Hamulak, Ondrej. (Eds.). Digital development of the European Union: An interdisciplinary perspective (pp. 189–197). Springer International Publishing.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mondy, R. W., & Noe, R. M. (2005). Human resource management (9th ed.). Prentice Hall.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Niskanen, W. A. (1971). Bureaucracy and representative government. Routledge.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
OECD. (2009). Government at a glance 2009. OECD Publishing.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
OECD. (2022). Panorama de las administraciones públicas 2021. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/1c258f55-es
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Osborne, D. y Gaebler, T. (1994), La reinvención del gobierno. Ed. Paidós.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Parrado Díez, S. (1996). Las élites de la administración estatal (1982 – 1991): estudio y pautas de reclutamiento. Instituto Andaluz de Administración Pública.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Parrado Díez, S. (2002). Sistemas administrativos comparados. Tecnos.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pineda Nebot, C. (2019). Retos de futuro en la gestión de los recursos humanos públicos en España. Administração Pública e Gestão Social, 11(4), 1–19.,
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pittaway, J. J., & Montazemi, A. R. (2020). Know-how to lead digital transformation: The case of local governments. Government Information Quarterly, 37(4), 101474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101474
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Poulose, S., Bhattacharjee, B., & Chakravorty, A. (2024). Determinants and drivers of change for digital transformation and digitalization in human resource management: A systematic literature review and conceptual framework building.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Management Review Quarterly 75(3) 1911–1936 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301–024-00423–2
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ramió, C., & Salvador, M. (2018). La nueva gestión del empleo público: Recursos humanos e innovación de la administración. Ediciones Tibidabo.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Real Decreto-ley 28/2020, de 22 de septiembre, de trabajo a distancia [Royal Decree-Law 28/2020, of September 22, on remote work]. (2020). Boletín Oficial del Estado, (253). https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rdl/2020/09/22/28
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rek, M. (2024). E-democracy in the EU. In Ramiro Troitiño, D. (eds). E-governance in the European Union: Strategies, tools, and implementation (pp. 103–115). Springer Nature Switzerland.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rūse, I. (2014). Nordic–Baltic interaction in European Unio negotiations: Taking advantage of institutionalized cooperation. Journal of Baltic Studies, 45(2), 229–246.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Salvador, Y., Llanes, M., & Suárez, M. A. (2020). Transformación digital en la administración pública: ejes y factores esenciales. Avances, 22(4), 590–602. http://www.ciget.pinar.cu/ojs/index.php/publicaciones/article/view/573/1635/
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Salvador Serna, M. (2001). El papel de las instituciones en la gestión de las administraciones públicas. Revista del CLAD Reforma y Democracia, 20, 1–19,.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Salvador Serna, M. (2008). Nuevas tendencias en gestión de recursos humanos en las administraciones públicas: ¿Están cambiando las reglas del juego? Revista Internacional de Organizaciones, 1, 109–127.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Salvador Serna, M. (2021). Transformación digital y función pública: capacidades institucionales para afrontar nuevos retos. Documentación Administrativa, 8, 25–42. https://doi.org/10.24965/da.i8.11030
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sánchez Morón, M. (2012). La administración tras la crisis: el empleo local [Conference presentation]. XII congreso sobre recursos humanos en el sector público. Vitoria.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sancho Royo, D. (1999). Gestión de servicios públicos: estrategias de marketing y calidad. Tecnos.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Troitiño, D. R. (2022). The European Union facing the 21st century: The digital revolution. TalTech Journal of European Studies, 12(1), pp. 60–78.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Trujillo Sáez, F., & Álvarez Jiménez, D. (2021). Transformación digital de la administración pública: ¿Qué competencias necesitan los empleados públicos? Gestióny Análisis de Políticas Públicas, 27, 49–67. https://doi.org/10.24965/gapp.i27.10923
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Varela, E., Briones, O., & González, B. (2023). La gobernanza de la salud a partir de la gestión de la evidencia: análisis de la toma de decisiones sanitarias en el caso de la pandemia COVID-19 en Galicia. (2020–2022) [Special issue]. Revista Vasca de Gestión de Personas y Organizaciones Públicas, 5, 80–105. https://doi.org/10.47623/ivap-rvgp.06.2023.AB.05
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Vetter, E. W. (1972). The nature of long range manpower planning. In M. J. Matteson, R. N. Blakeney, & D. R. Domm (Eds.), Contemporary personnel management: A reader (pp. 94–103). Canfield Press.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Villoria Mendieta, M. (1997). Modernización administrativa y gobierno posburocrático. In E. Bañón & R. Carrillo (Eds.), La nueva administración pública, 77–104. Alianza.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Waterman, R. H., Jr., Peters, T. J., & Phillips, J. R. (1980). Structure is not organization. Business Horizons, 23(3), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/0007–6813(80)90027–0
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Weber, M. (2002). Economía y sociedad. Fondo de Cultura Económica.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15290/bsp.2026.31.01.11 | Journal eISSN: 2719-9452 | Journal ISSN: 1689-7404

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English, Polish

Page range: 197 - 215

Submitted on: Aug 13, 2025

Accepted on: Dec 13, 2025

Published on: Apr 15, 2026

Published by: University of Białystok

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

digitalisation,

digital competencies,

innovation,

new professional profiles,

remote working

Related subjects:

Law,

International law, foreign law, comparative law,

International law, foreign law, comparative law, other,

Political science, other

© 2026 Celso Cancela Outeda, Óscar Briones Gamarra, published by University of Białystok
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 31 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)