Localizing the digital: implementation frictions and digital governance in inland China

This article examines the localization of digital governance technologies in inland China, with a focus on Guizhou Province, which houses China's first big data pilot zone. Despite the centralization efforts of the Xi Jinping administration, local agents are pivotal in policy implementation, particularly in regions far from political and economic hubs. Combining studies of policy implementation and concerns about the materiality of information technology, this research problematizes the localization process of digital governance. It introduces the analytical framework termed the "frame of locality" to emphasize the dynamic interplay between national digital governance policies and local socio-economic and cultural contexts, indicating that the resolution of implementation frictions in various ways is crucial for policy execution. With the case of Guizhou, the research uncovers an inherent contradiction: the local transformation of digital governance can be hindered by its own implementation processes, thus challenging the notion of re-centralizing social governance through digital technologies. This can both challenge centrally-designed sociotechnical visions and provide opportunities for more inclusive local resource allocation and for policymakers to reassess and adjust to local conditions. The study contributes to the broader understanding of China's digitization efforts by highlighting the significance of local contingent dynamics in accomplishing centrally planned objectives.