Leiden University Student Repository

Yavuz, Ömer (2026)

Lessons Learned? Accountability in Digital Governance: A Sociotechnical Perspective

Master thesis | Public Administration (MSc)

Accountability is often vaguely conceptualized and defined, also when it comes to accountability in AI in public organizations. This thesis conducts a single-case study applying a qualitative content analysis for which a coding frame derived from relevant academic literature was developed. On one side, the results contribute to accountability literature by confirming a differentiated conceptualization of accountability as a virtue and accountability as a mechanism. On the other, the results establish the objectives of the Dutch accountability regime in AI in public organizations. Accompanied with this accountability regime, the results demonstrate a proactive use of accountability in which accountability serves as a virtue, a desirable state of affairs. Derived from the results, this thesis recommends policy and decision-makers to seriously explore the reactive use of accountability and its mechanical structures with an particular emphasis on enforcement objectives.

Public administration, digital dovernance, AI, algorithms, AI governance, accountability, governance

Author

Yavuz, Ömer

Faculty

Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

Specialisation

International and European Governance

Supervisors

Huang, H.I.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en