KMAN Publication Inc. AI and Tech in Behavioral and Social Sciences In Press 2026 08 05 The Role of Digital Human Capital in the Relationship between Smart Technologies and Public Value Creation in Iran's Public Sector The Role of Digital Human Capital in the Relationship between Smart Technologies and Public Value Creation in Iran's Public Sector EN Journal Article <p>Digital transformation has become one of the most important trends in public governance over the past decade. Governments are striving to enhance the quality of public services, transparency, and citizen satisfaction by utilizing smart technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and decision support systems. However, global experiences and findings in Iran indicate that the mere introduction of technology does not guarantee public value creation; rather, the success of smart government depends on the interaction between technology, digital human capital, social trust, and transformational leadership. This study aims to explain the mediating role of digital human capital in the relationship between smart technologies and public value creation, as well as to examine the moderating role of social trust and transformational leadership in this relationship. This article is based on the data, conceptual model, and findings of the dissertation "Designing a Public Value Creation Model in the Public Sector Based on Smart Technology." The results showed that smart technologies lead to public value creation only when they are embedded in the context of digital human capital, social trust, and transformational leadership.</p>