A systematic literature review of the smart city transformation process: The role and interaction of stakeholders and technology

This study describes and analyses the developmental processes of cities that aim to transform into smart cities and outlines the core scenarios within which these developmental processes take place. It concentrates on the role of and interaction between stakeholders and technology in the smart city transformation process. Knowledge and insight into these developmental processes and core scenarios are scarce and necessary, as they can contribute to a possible acceleration and increase in the effectiveness of smart city transformation strategies. As a result of a systematic literature review, this study develops a theoretical framework that describes five stages of smart city transformation as a generic developmental and iterative process with feedback. These stages are (1) smart city goal definition, (2) smart city technology innovation, (3) smart city strategy development, (4) smart city plan implementation, and (5) smart city plan evaluation. Different developments and outcomes of these five stages result in four alternative scenarios for smart city development: (a) spiralling up, (b) downward repetition, (c) corrective feedback, and (d) upward feedback. Academics can use the insights in the five developmental processes and four core scenarios as a general framework to interpret, position, and analyse specific smart city projects and processes. Practitioners can use the insights into these developmental processes and core scenarios to inform their management, steering and governance activities in the smart city processes in which they participate.