The digitalization of diplomacy maturity model (DD-MM): A new model for optimizing diplomatic digitalization

Authors

  • Tekin Baykız Institute of Graduate Programs, Hacı Bayram Veli University, Ankara, Turkey.
  • Şuay Nilhan Açıkalın Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Hacı Bayram Veli University, Ankara, Turkey.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp441-473

Abstract

This paper introduces the Digitalization of Diplomacy Maturity Model (DD-MM), a comprehensive framework designed to assess and enhance the digital capabilities of diplomatic institutions. The DD-MM encompasses four critical dimensions: people, digital visibility, technology and security, and policies, providing a structured approach to evaluate and advance the maturity of digital diplomacy practices. In the people dimension, the model emphasizes role definitions, change management, and specialized training programs, highlighting the need for diplomats to acquire digital literacy and competency. The digital visibility dimension focuses on the strategic use of social media and other online platforms to enhance a nation's presence and influence in the digital sphere, emphasizing engagement with a global audience and proactive digital communications management. The technology and security dimension addresses ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data management, advocating for the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies to support diplomatic activities and ensure the security of sensitive information. The policies dimension underscores the necessity for clear guidelines and regulatory frameworks to govern the use of digital tools in diplomacy, including the formulation of policies that align with international standards and promote ethical practices. The DD-MM outlines a clear pathway for continuous improvement, guiding institutions from the initial stages of digital integration to advanced levels of optimization and strategic alignment.

Keywords: Digitalization of diplomacy, maturity model, model development, digital public diplomacy.

Author Biographies

  • Tekin Baykız, Institute of Graduate Programs, Hacı Bayram Veli University, Ankara, Turkey.

    Tekin Baykız is a Ph.D. student in International Relations at Hacı Bayram Veli University in Turkey. He is also a lecturer in the Middle East Technical University in Turkey.

    Baykız holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and a Master's degree in Information Systems. His main research areas focus on diplomacy, Turkish foreign policy, and maturity models.

  • Şuay Nilhan Açıkalın, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Hacı Bayram Veli University, Ankara, Turkey.

    Şuay Nilhan Açıkalın is currently a faculty member in the department of International Relations at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University.Dr. Açıkalın graduated from the department of International Relations at Bilkent University in 2012. She received her master’s degree with the thesis “Leadership in Chaos: Angela Merkel and Euro Crisis” at the Middle East Technical University in 2015. She obtained her PhD degree in 2020 from the same university with her thesis “Political Leadership and Foreign Politics: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Angela Merkel”. She has been a guest researcher at Lancaster University in the UK. and Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin in Germany within Jean Monnet Scholarship Program. 

    She is member of advisory board of Turkish Healthy Cities Union and also National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law. She is founding member of International Science Association and she has been working as expert in Diplomacy Foundation. Dr. Açıkalın is member of Bali Democracy Forum She has constantly giving interviews to national and international media outlets such as TRTWORLD, Al Jazeera and etc.

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Published

2024-07-31

How to Cite

The digitalization of diplomacy maturity model (DD-MM): A new model for optimizing diplomatic digitalization. (2024). Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 9(2), 441-473. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp441-473