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Introduction – towards polycentricity? The quest for legitimacy and trust in digital governance

Matthew Dylag et al.

Information, Communication & Society2026https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2025.2552374article
AJG 2ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

This Special Issue reflects on how polycentric governance impacts trust and legitimacy in the field of digital governance. We do so along four dimensions: governance, actors, values, and tools. With regard to governance, we not only show that positions on how to govern the digital realm are dispersed, but that perspectives on what aspects of the digital realm should be governed in the first place are diffuse. With regard to actors, we show that a great range of actors are actively involved in digital governance, with overlapping domains of authority and diverse expertise. With regard to values, we show that the reasons and normative goals for digital governance vary, leading to challenges in its governability. With regard to tools, we show that a variety of laws, regulations, private rules, norms, standards, and technologies are used to govern technologies. Taken together, these four dimensions allow us to critically assess the implications of polycentricity for digital governance, with polycentricity not being a panacea for all governance challenges.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2025.2552374

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@article{matthew2026,
  title        = {{Introduction – towards polycentricity? The quest for legitimacy and trust in digital governance}},
  author       = {Matthew Dylag et al.},
  journal      = {Information, Communication & Society},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2025.2552374},
}

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Introduction – towards polycentricity? The quest for legitimacy and trust in digital governance

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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