Entrepreneurial Leadership in Small-Scale Smart City Transformations

Background: The smart city concept has become a central framework in contemporary urban governance; however, empirical research predominantly focuses on large metropolitan areas, while small municipalities remain comparatively underexplored. This study examines how citizens of Ivanić-Grad perceive and use smart applications and how these patterns relate to its smart city transition. Methods: A quantitative survey was conducted in 2024 on a convenience sample of 100 residents of Ivanić-Grad. The questionnaire included closed-ended questions on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness and use of smart applications, and attitudes toward further digitalization of local public services. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests of independence, and correlation analysis based on composite indices were applied. Results: The findings reveal statistically significant associations between gender and the use of smart applications (χ² = 5.76; p = 0.016) and between age and the perceived importance of smart applications (χ² = 8.42; p = 0.014). No significant association was identified between education level and application use. Composite index analysis further demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between digital engagement and the perceived importance of smart services (ρ = 0.418; p < 0.001), indicating that experiential interaction with digital services is closely linked to their perceived relevance. Conclusions: The results suggest that smart service adoption in small urban contexts is shaped less by formal educational attainment and more by behavioral engagement and perceived usefulness. The case of Ivanić-Grad highlights the importance of citizen-oriented, accessibility-focused digital leadership strategies in sustaining inclusive smart city development.