The Design of Brazil’s Digital Transformation Policy

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The Latin American Policy Process Research Initiative (LAPPRI) seeks to deepen understanding of unique policy dynamics and challenges across Latin America. LAPPRI Research Seminars feature scholars from around the world who use policy process theories and methods to generate new insights into Latin American policymaking.

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The study examines the micro-dimensions of policy design within the digital transformation agenda across Brazilian states, with a particular focus on how governments select and combine policy instruments. The empirical analysis draws on regulatory documents published between 2019 and 2025. Findings show substantial variation in instrument configurations: while some states prioritize substantive tools—especially those tied to authority and organizational arrangements, such as digital strategies and platform architectures—others rely more heavily on procedural instruments. These distinct configurations produce different implementation styles. Substantive arrangements tend to generate more technical and operationally oriented policies, whereas procedural arrangements help build legitimacy, coordination, and adaptability. The study argues that balanced combinations of substantive and procedural instruments are essential for effective digital transformation policies.