*2.3. Theoretical Framework*

Two schools of thought influenced the development of smart city scholarship, namely, the technology-driven method and the human-driven method [26]. For the smart city concept, two elements were highlighted by the seminal work of [35], which are related to this study's problems, namely, smart people and smart governance. Furthermore, the three main parties supporting the success of smart cities are the authorities, technological corporations, and citizens, as outlined by [48].

On another note, two citizen-centric ideologies were formulated by [1,36] as follows: (a) "to the people," such as authorities using technology to meet the needs of the people, and (b) "with the people," in terms of the collective thinking of the authorities, technological corporations, and the people when resolving urban issues. By combining both concepts of smart and citizen-centric cities, a basic understanding of the citizen-centric concept in smart cities could be developed.

Furthermore, to develop the concept of "citizen centricity," it was found that the understanding, types, and processes of involvement were essential aspects worthy of being studied. In addition to involvement, the literature on citizenship, other than salvaging citizens' rights as studied by [13,17], were not included in this study, as the people's responsibilities are important in building a smart city [14,56]. This issue of responsibility can be divided into the roles and characters of the people. Based on these literature findings, a theoretical framework (Figure 1) was formed. In the context of this study, a "citizen-

centric smart city" is a concept based on humanism with a focus on the participation and responsibilities of the people. *Sustainability* **2020**, *12*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 32

*Sustainability* **2020**, *12*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 32

**Figure 1.** Theoretical framework (source: authors). Smart city [35,48]; Participation [52,69,70]; Citizencentric smart city [28,71]; Citizen centricity [1,36]; Citizenship responsibilities [14,72]. **Figure 1.** Theoretical framework (source: authors). Smart city [35,48]; Participation [52,69,70]; Citizencentric smart city [28,71]; Citizen centricity [1,36]; Citizenship responsibilities [14,72]. **Figure 1.** Theoretical framework (source: authors). Smart city [35,48]; Participation [52,69,70]; Citizencentric smart city [28,71]; Citizen centricity [1,36]; Citizenship responsibilities [14,72].

### *2.4. Conceptual Framework 2.4. Conceptual Framework*

Based on the conceptualization of items through literature reviews and the verification of items by practitioners, the study's conceptual framework was formed (Figure 2). This conceptual framework consisted of a construct of a dependent variable—(DV 1) a citizen-centric smart city—and five independent variable constructs—(IV 1) understanding of participation, (IV 2) type of participation, (IV 3) process of participation, (IV 4) role of citizens, and (IV 5) attitude of citizens. This conceptual framework and the questionnaire items were recommended for testing with a five-point Likert scale (refer to [73]), with further quantitative analysis, such as a regression analysis to be conducted. Based on the conceptualization of items through literature reviews and the verification of items by practitioners, the study's conceptual framework was formed (Figure 2). This conceptual framework consisted of a construct of a dependent variable—(DV 1) a citizen-centric smart city—and five independent variable constructs—(IV 1) understanding of participation, (IV 2) type of participation, (IV 3) process of participation, (IV 4) role of citizens, and (IV 5) attitude of citizens. This conceptual framework and the questionnaire items were recommended for testing with a five-point Likert scale (refer to [73]), with further quantitative analysis, such as a regression analysis to be conducted. *2.4. Conceptual Framework* Based on the conceptualization of items through literature reviews and the verification of items by practitioners, the study's conceptual framework was formed (Figure 2). This conceptual framework consisted of a construct of a dependent variable—(DV 1) a citizen-centric smart city—and five independent variable constructs—(IV 1) understanding of participation, (IV 2) type of participation, (IV 3) process of participation, (IV 4) role of citizens, and (IV 5) attitude of citizens. This conceptual framework and the questionnaire items were recommended for testing with a five-point Likert scale (refer to [73]), with further quantitative analysis, such as a regression analysis to be conducted.

**Figure 2.** Conceptual framework for a citizen-centric smart city (source: authors). **Figure 2.** Conceptual framework for a citizen-centric smart city (source: authors).

**Figure 2.** Conceptual framework for a citizen-centric smart city (source: authors).

The authors argued that in constructing a citizen-centric smart city framework, the involvement of urban stakeholders is especially important from the people's perspective, as the citizens require an understanding of the meanings, types, and processes of participation, and the people's role and attitude in accordance to the type of citizen-centric development.
