Ten misunderstandings about maturity models: Did the E-government Research Community Got it All Wrong?

In this paper, we take the initial steps of re-formulating the research agenda on maturity models within the government context. Critiques on maturity models in government digitalization has been collected via a systematic review of academic literature. Synthesis of the articles (n=47) has resulted in a list of ten objections and critique of maturity models. The author team of this paper has been heavily involved in pioneering and leading research on maturity models. Standing on the shoulders of this track-record, we have coined a possible response on how maturity models might still have an important role to play in theorizing about why, how and where government progresses in their use of digital technologies. Also, we argue that maturity models have an important role to play for practice in their navigation in a yet more multifaceted technological dependent government