E-Government and Opportunities for Participation

2010 ◽  
pp. 56-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ramon Gil-Garcia ◽  
Fernando González Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Administrative Reform ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Government Web Sites ◽  
Mexican State ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
Powerful Strategy

Electronic government has been considered a powerful strategy for administrative reform. Identified benefits from e-government are numerous and range from efficiency and effectiveness to transparency and democratic participation. However, only a few studies focus on the potential of information technologies (IT) to promote citizen participation in government affairs. This participation could be conceptualized in many different ways, from the possibility of submitting a request or question to actively participating in decision-making and voting online. In some developing countries, opportunities for citizen participation are still very limited and information technologies have the potential to expand these communication channels. Based on an analysis of the 32 state portals in Mexico, this chapter proposes an index of citizen participation opportunities, ranks the portals according to this index, and explores some of the determinants of the availability of these participation opportunities through the case of the Mexican state of Michoacán. We argue that assessing the different channels for citizen participation available through e-government Web sites is an important first step for understanding the relationships between government and citizens. Citizen initiated contacts and participation cannot exist if communication channels are limited or nonexistent.

An Exploratory Study of Electronic Government and State Portals in Mexico

2011 ◽  
pp. 116-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Felipe Luna-Reyes ◽  
J. Ramón Gil-Garcia ◽  
Jennifer S. Rojas-Bandera
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
State Government ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Government Web Sites ◽  
Mexican State ◽  
Mexican Government ◽  
Information And Communication

Many governments have embraced the information revolution by developing information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve services to citizens. In Mexico, the number of government Web sites has increased from none in 1994 to about 2,800 in 2005. However, there is relatively little research about Mexican government portals. This chapter preliminarily evaluates the quality and functionality of four state government portals in Mexico. It also analyzes their evolution from 2002 to 2005 and uncovers some general trends. In general, Mexican state government portals seem to be mainly information catalogs with some transactional capabilities. However, the observed portals show a pattern of transitioning to a more user-centered design and integrating more electronic services. In addition, Mexican state portals show an increasing concern for transparency and citizen participation.

Government and Inter-Organizational Collaboration as Strategies for Administrative Reform in Mexico

2013 ◽  
pp. 79-101
Author(s):  
Luis F. Luna-Reyes ◽  
J. Ramon Gil-Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Administrative Reform ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Public Servants ◽  
Sector Reform ◽  
Reform Strategy ◽  
The World ◽  
Mexican Government

The use of Information Technologies in government as a strategy for public sector reform has increased in the last few years. Governments around the world are attempting to obtain the benefits of what is now called “electronic government.” However, Information Technologies are only one component of what should be a much more complex reform strategy involving changes in organizational characteristics, institutional arrangements, and contextual factors. Based on a survey of public servants from the federal Mexican government and using institutional theory as the analytical lense, this chapter presents descriptive results about the characteristics, objectives, results, and success of inter-organizational electronic government initiatives. Overall, the projects were considered successful, and some of these aspects could be considered important for administrative reform efforts. The areas identified with the greatest success were (1) improvement in the quality of service, (2) creation of a more transparent government, and (3) creation of the necessary infrastructure for the use of Information Technologies. In contrast, the areas with room for improvement were (1) fostering citizen participation, (2) cost reduction, and (3) increased agency productivity.

Public Administrators' Acceptance of the Practice of Digital Democracy

2008 ◽  
pp. 854-872
Author(s):  
Chan-Gon Kim ◽  
Marc Holzer
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Public Administrators ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Digital Democracy ◽  
Government Web Sites ◽  
System Characteristics

The Internet provides a new digital opportunity for realizing democracy in public administration, and this study raises a central question: What factors determine public officials’ acceptance of the practice of digital democracy on government Web sites? We focused on online policy forums among many practices of digital democracy. To gauge public officials’ behavioral intentions to use online policy forums on government Web sites, we examined individual and organizational factors, as well as system characteristics. We administered a survey questionnaire to Korean public officials and analyzed a total of 895 responses. Path analysis indicates that three causal variables are important in predicting public officials’ intentions to use online policy forums: perceived usefulness, attitudes toward citizen participation, and information quality. We discuss implications of this study for practices and theories of digital democracy.

Citizen Consultaions via Government Web Sites

2011 ◽  
pp. 163-168
Author(s):  
M. Holzer ◽  
R. W. Schwester
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Government Web Sites ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Traditional Structures

Cynicism toward government is largely a function of trust and social capital (Berman 1997; Putnam 2000). The relationship between government and its citizens has been strained. First, some citizens cynically feel as though government officials abuse their powers in the interest of self-aggrandizement; second, citizens often feel disconnected from government; third, government service delivery is frequently portrayed as inadequate. Administrative strategies to reverse these perceptions typically emphasize the benefits of government and improved service delivery. Some go further, offering individuals a means of influencing public policy and government decision-making, as opposed to traditional structures and cultures of policymaking that minimize citizen input. The Internet is a potentially powerful means for citizen consultation, and may help cultivate a governmental landscape in which information is more accessible, people feel more connected to government, and citizens are better able to participate in political and decision-making processes. This article examines the Internet as a consultative medium, whereby emphasis is placed on government efforts to use Web-based applications as a means of promoting meaningful citizen participation.

Citizen Consultaions via Government Web Sites

2011 ◽  
pp. 2867-2874
Author(s):  
Mark Holzer ◽  
Richard W. Schwester
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Government Web Sites ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Traditional Structures

Cynicism toward government is largely a function of trust and social capital (Berman 1997; Putnam 2000). The relationship between government and its citizens has been strained. First, some citizens cynically feel as though government officials abuse their powers in the interest of self-aggrandizement; second, citizens often feel disconnected from government; third, government service delivery is frequently portrayed as inadequate. Administrative strategies to reverse these perceptions typically emphasize the benefits of government and improved service delivery. Some go further, offering individuals a means of influencing public policy and government decision-making, as opposed to traditional structures and cultures of policymaking that minimize citizen input. The Internet is a potentially powerful means for citizen consultation, and may help cultivate a governmental landscape in which information is more accessible, people feel more connected to government, and citizens are better able to participate in political and decision-making processes. This article examines the Internet as a consultative medium, whereby emphasis is placed on government efforts to use Web-based applications as a means of promoting meaningful citizen participation.

Designing a CRM-Based E-Government Usability Services Framework

2011 ◽  
pp. 57-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Relationship Management ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Government Information ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Government Web Sites ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

The “electronic government” movement has swept across most countries in the last decade. This movement represents a new paradigm for public services. As we know, traditional public services may be improved in many ways by the Internet. According to the literature reviewed, we found many studies were only focused on how to technically establish Web sites that allow citizens appropriate access to government information. However, few studies paid attention to the relationship management among the different e-government stakeholders. Therefore, the objective of this chapter is to integrate the relationship management among the three groups of stakeholders: the government itself, its citizens and employees. In this chapter, we will examine the literature regarding to the underlying rationale of a successful e-government. Also, an evaluation system for the usability of government Web sites that support relationship management among citizens, government employees and public services are developed and empirically tested.

Leading-Edge Information Technologies and American Local Governments

2003 ◽  
pp. 139-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald F. Norris
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Future Trends ◽  
Edge Information ◽  
Form Of Government ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
Us Cities

In this study, I examine the adoption, penetration and impacts of the adoption of leading-edge information technologies in American local governments. I also discuss future trends with respect to these technologies. Data for this study come from three nationwide surveys of information technology in local governments and a series of case studies in US cities about the adoption of leading-edge information technologies. My principal findings are that American local governments have adopted a range of these technologies and can be expected to do so in coming years. This is especially true of the adoption of electronic government. Local government characteristics associated with adoption include principally local government size as measured by population. Other characteristics include type and form of government, region of the country, and metropolitan status. Additionally, local governments adopt leading-edge information technologies for both general reasons (e.g., to improve efficiency and effectiveness) and to solve specific problems (e.g., the adoption of automated fingerprint identification systems to solve crimes).

Digital Inclusion and Electronic Government

2013 ◽  
pp. 1192-1218
Author(s):  
Helena Pereira da Silva ◽  
Lídia de Jesus Oliveira Loureiro da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Information Retrieval ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Government Web Sites ◽  
The Status ◽  
Professional Information

This chapter presents the results of the search carried out in the Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) database, with the aim of shedding light on the status of the connection between digital inclusion and electronic government. The theme is the leitmotif of the authors’ research projects. The method of search is detailed, and the strategies used are presented. The search took place at two different times: in August 2006 and in October 2008. The results of each survey are presented separately, with the purpose of comparison and to emphasize the differences between one and the other. Two aspects were the focus of the analysis of the retrieved items: the process of information retrieval and the objective and questions of research. In the 2006 survey, the points that stand out are: that researchers need to be competent in information retrieval from bibliographic databases; the new role of public libraries and librarians, with respect to electronic government; and the importance of formulating national policy on information and electronic government. The second study highlighted again: the need for informational competence on the part of researchers for the retrieval of information; the concept of Information Asymmetry, as a new component in the relationship between digital inclusion and electronic government; the importance of the architecture of information in government Web sites and the role of professional information; and electronic citizenship or cyber-citizenship. This study showed that “digital inclusion” and “electronic government” is a “kaleidoscopic” topic because it reveals many other facets, according to the evolution of the use and non-use of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies), particularly access to and use of information on the Internet. However, one idea seems central and permeates all considerations of this relationship: that the implementation of electronic government and its success go far beyond technology deployment. The effectiveness of electronic government depends on many more issues involving the participation of citizens. This participation depends on issues related to the provision of information and care with the architecture of information for government Web sites, in addition to training information for citizens.

The Utilization of Online Policy Forums on Government Web sites and the Practice of Digital Democracy

2008 ◽  
pp. 268-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan-Gon Kim ◽  
Marc Holzer
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Central Question ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Digital Democracy ◽  
Government Web Sites ◽  
System Characteristics

The Internet provides a new digital opportunity for realizing democracy in public administration, and this study raises a central question: What factors determine public officials’ acceptance of the practice of digital democracy on government Web sites? We focused on online policy forums among many practices of digital democracy. To gauge public officials’ behavioral intentions to use online policy forums on government Web sites, we examined individual and organizational factors, as well as system characteristics. We administered a survey questionnaire to Korean public officials and analyzed a total of 895 responses. Path analysis indicates that three causal variables are important in predicting public officials’ intentions to use online policy forums: perceived usefulness, attitudes toward citizen participation, and information quality. We discuss implications of this study for practices and theories of digital democracy.

scholarly journals Proposing an Index for Cross-District Comparison for Citizen e-Services Provision

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2S11) ◽  
pp. 3601-3605
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Government Information ◽  
Related Services ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Service Areas ◽  
Administrative Procedures ◽  
The Government

E-Government, the short form of Electronic Government, essentially points to the use of information technologies (typically the Internet) to facilitate the delivery of government information and services, restructure administrative procedures, and enhance citizen participation. E-participation implies “ICT-supported participation in processes involved in government and governance”. E-participation is firmly identified with E-government and E-administration interest. Egovernment estimation techniques are not another subject in logical writing. Various international organizations create indices for cross-district comparisons. the new approach introduced to propose a new index called Citizen e-Services Provision Index (CePI). CePI is nothing but composite measure of the quality and capacity of the government in providing ICT related services to its citizens and the level of participation of the citizens in these facilities. This index is a count of how much effort government is keeping in implementing e-governance services, in what areas it is implementing and how well the citizens are participating in these services. We consider four parts of a native for which administrations must be given by the legislature — social, economic, physical and personal. Great administrations by the legislature for these four angles and the e-Participation of the residents in every one of those administrations will plainly infer a decent personal satisfaction of natives and subsequently a high CePI esteem. This paper studies various service areas of implementation of each of these aspects, e-Participation in the services, and a method to calculate the CePI

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