Digital inclusion in public services for vulnerable groups: A systematic review for research themes and goal-action framework from the lens of public service ecosystem theory

Ensuring access to digital public services for vulnerable groups is a critical issue in digital government and digital inclusion research. Mapping the research trajectory in this domain is essential for fostering a systematic understanding among scholars and policymakers. Guided by the updated 2020 PRISMA statement, this study conducts a systematic literature review following five steps: database identification, search strategy development, article selection, data extraction, and synthesis and analysis. Three databases including Web of Science, Scopus and DGRL are searched for peer-reviewed empirical studies published from 2014 or later. Using the Public Service Ecosystem theory as a theoretical lens, this study makes two key contributions: analyzing the distribution of research themes and developing a goal-action framework. This framework not only refines the concept of digital inclusion in public services but also serves as a practical guide for stakeholders.