Eficiência pública através da Transformação Digital: caso da Secretaria Municipal da Educação de Curitiba

Abstract

This article examines how digital transformation (DT) enhances efficiency in public administration, with a focus on the Municipal Department of Education in Curitiba. It distinguishes digitization, understood as the mere conversion of analog processes, from DT, which entails the strategic deployment of technologies to redesign operational models and strengthen decision-making. Within public administration, this shift represents a transition from e-Government to “Digital-Era Governance,” characterized by transparency and citizen engagement. The analysis is situated in the Brazilian context, supported by regulatory frameworks such as the Digital Government Act (Law No. 14,129/2021), which aims to increase efficiency, and the General Data Protection Law (LGPD), which safeguards privacy. Nevertheless, implementation faces persistent challenges, including bureaucratic culture, unequal digital access, and disparities in municipal capacities. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative single-case study, drawing on semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and participant observation. The case investigates a Business Intelligence (BI) dashboard designed to monitor educational indicators, enabling detailed assessments of student proficiency and attendance. The findings illustrate how data-driven tools can enhance both administrative management and pedagogical outcomes. The study concludes that, despite structural obstacles, DT constitutes an inevitable and essential pathway for the modernization and efficiency of public services.