Achieving smart working in the public sector: an investigation of public servants’ willingness to embrace smart working arrangements

The Coronavirus pandemic resulted in major transformations of work arrangements in the public sector. Smart working has been embraced as the main solution enabling public services’ continuity. However, there is limited agreement on the factors that make smart working attractive. Drawing on data collected among Italian public servants (n = 2,499), the article investigates the relationship between digital readiness and smart working acceptance. The former enhances the public servants’ acceptance of smart working. Role clarity mediates this relationship, softening the willingness to embrace smart working. Tailored management initiatives are required to cope with the public servants’ resistance to smart working.