Abstract
The ability of public sector organisations to innovate has become increasingly vital in the rapidly evolving digital era, particularly in developing countries like South Africa, where public service delivery faces unique challenges and opportunities. While substantial investments have been made in digital infrastructure, the full potential of these initiatives often remains unrealised, highlighting the critical importance of organisational culture in enabling or hindering innovation. Consequently, this study investigated the role of digital organisational culture in fostering innovation within the South African public sector. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, the research used quantitative surveys to assess perceptions of digital organisational culture and innovation across a diverse sample of public sector employees. The initial quantitative phase was followed by qualitative interviews, which delved deeper into the patterns and themes emerging from the survey data. Guided by the Competing Values Framework (CVF), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), the study reveals that leadership support, digital literacy, infrastructure, and communication practices significantly influence innovation outcomes. While enablers such as continuous learning and collaborative leadership enhance digital readiness, barriers like resource constraints and resistance to change hinder progress. The findings confirm that digital transformation is not solely technological, but deeply cultural, requiring behavioural shifts, inclusive strategies, and sustained leadership engagement. The study proposes a strategic model to embed digital culture in public institutions, offering actionable insights for policymakers and public sector leaders to drive sustainable innovation and improve organisational adaptability in response to evolving societal needs. Future research is encouraged to undertake comparative studies across different contexts, conduct longitudinal analyses of cultural change, and examine the impact of external factors such as national policy and public-private partnerships on digital innovation.