Smart Governance for Better Living: Empirical Analysis of Public Services and Digital Transformation Impact on Urban Quality of Live

The primary objective of this article is to assess the relationship between urban quality of life and Smart Governance in 19 major Polish cities aspiring to become Smart Cities. The Smart Governance analysis encompasses five dimensions: overall assessment of municipal service quality, availability of e-services, transparency of administrative procedures, transparency of decision-making processes, and anti-corruption measures undertaken by municipal authorities. The research employed a diagnostic survey method administered to a representative sample of 1,863 residents. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to determine the relationships between public service quality and its determinants. The findings indicate that e-service availability and corruption prevention constitute the most significant factors influencing public service quality. While transparency and public accessibility of information regarding municipal decisions exert a more moderate influence on residents’ satisfaction, they nonetheless demonstrate a strong association with respondents’ perceptions of municipal services. These findings offer valuable insights for developing economies seeking to enhance Smart Governance mechanisms and improve residents’ quality of life.