Abstract:

Public managers often face the contradiction of balancing equity and efficiency， and technical means are often regarded as an effective tool for resolving tensions. The development of digital government optimizes government services， while the elderly face the digital divide of having no access to the Internet. Administrative burdens that happen during this process require our attention. Through in-depth interviews with grassroots officials and old-age allowance recipients in City Z， the generation and transferring of administrative burdens during the government’s digitalization drive is examined， particularly regarding the digital divide for the elderly. Research has found that digital means have not fully achieved their value goals， and the technological impact alone has not reached the deep layers of organizational structures， resulting in administrative burdens generated and transferred between the elderly and officials. As a result， administrative burdens are being exacerbated. In response to these issues， in promoting digital transformation in public welfare policies， it is necessary to handle the relationship between value logic and tool logic， reduce administrative burdens， and promote social fairness.

Key words: digital government, equity, administrative efficiency, administrative burden