Management of National eID Infrastructure as a State-Critical Asset and Public-private Partnership: Learning from the Case of Estonia

Abstract In the management of national electronic identity (eID) infrastructure, cooperation between public and private parties becomes more important, as mutual dependencies provision e-services key infrastructure (PKI) continuously increases. Yet, it is not clear which factors affect public-private collaboration in eID field, existing studies do provide insight into this particular matter. Therefore, we aim to identify that partnership (PPP) field eID. We also describe feasible formats help improve two sectors, based on insights from case Estonia. service study, conducted twelve qualitative interviews with high-level experts representing several sector. By conducting a thematic analysis interviews, identified five for successful PPP i.e., engagement, joint understanding, two-way communication, role division, process orientation. Furthermore, generalize our results by discussing, how far found can be used stakeholders manage state-critical information technology (IT) components similar such mobile phone services, data transmission services digital signature services.