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2006 | Book

e-Gov Research Quality Improvements Since 2003: More Rigor, but Research (Perhaps) Redefined Read chapter Read first chapter

Electronic Government

5th International Conference, EGOV 2006, Kraków, Poland, September 4-8, 2006. Proceedings

Editors: Maria A. Wimmer, Hans J. Scholl, Åke Grönlund, Kim Viborg Andersen

Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Book Series : Lecture Notes in Computer Science

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Table of Contents

Frontmatter

Research Review and Outlook

e-Gov Research Quality Improvements Since 2003: More Rigor, but Research (Perhaps) Redefined
Abstract
This paper follows up on an earlier study [1] by assessing the nature of 80 papers from EGOV 05 in terms of rigor and relevance criteria. Both studies use the same method and makes comparison between the results. We find that however still focusing overwhelmingly on descriptions and little on theory testing and creation, paper quality appears much better in that references to literature have increased grossly, there are very few dubious claims, philosophical research and theoretical arguments are virtually extinct, and the number of case stories is vastly reduced. However, the number of product descriptions is more than doubled to just over 30 %. The reasons for this are discussed, and as most of these papers are based on EU research funding we propose that an important reason may be the funding mechanism where researchers are employed as helpers in product development rather than critical scrutiny and analysis.
Åke Grönlund, Annika Andersson
Is E-Government Research a Flash in the Pan or Here for the Long Shot?
Abstract
It has been questioned whether or not Electronic Government Research (EGR) qualifies as a legitimate discipline. This paper proposes that EGR might even want to avoid developing into a traditional discipline and restricting itself to a narrow set of accepted procedures. Rather EGR might best be served by drawing upon multiple disciplines spanning the whole spectrum of hard-pure, hard-applied, soft-pure, and soft-applied sciences. In so doing, EGR might best thrive as a multi-, inter-, or even as a transdiscipline.
Hans Jochen Scholl
The E-Government Melting Pot: Lacking New Public Management and Innovation Flavor?
Abstract
The paper argues that e-government literature has by large not infused New Public Management (NPM) literature or innovation studies on e-government. Rather, e-government literature has used relative simple frameworks and observations from the NPM and innovation studies and applied them in studies of e-government implementation. Based on a literature review of 60 peer and double blind reviewed scientific studies, this paper argues that the domain has only been subject to research for about half a decade and that the domain is still unexplored in many aspects. One major absence is a lack of cross referencing of studies and limited number of cumulative studies on whether e-government can aid NPM or fuel innovation. However, the good news is that the literature review demonstrates that researchers entering the domain mainly base their research on empirical studies.
Møyfrid Kårstad Sannarnes, Helle Zinner Henriksen, Kim Viborg Andersen
The Organisation and Coordination of European e-Government Research for the EU in 2010
Abstract
The objective of this study – the first of its kind – was to validate and further analyze the specific e-Government research challenges and opportunities for the enlarged European Union that had been identified in previous research. The study reveals some important indications for future EU organisation and coordination of e-Government research activities.
The study outlined the fact that the organisation of EU e-Government research should be better linked along the value chain of research (between basic/theoretical, applied, development and review research). The results of the study also indicate that links between eGovernment research and policy should be made more explicit. E-Government research innovations are positioned in a political environment, where research results could bring innovative eGovernment implementation which would support public value as its ultimate goal, through increased efficiency and effectiveness.
In addition, the results of the study highlight a number of organisational research challenges such as: the need for more cooperation, collaboration and networking between stakeholders; the opportunity to build synergies in research across public sectors in a truly interdisciplinary way and between different public stakeholders (i.e. along with e-Health, e-Learning, etc.) and the private sector.
Jaro Berce, Annaflavia Bianchi, Clara Centeno, David Osimo, Jeremy Millard, Jamal Shahin
What Role Has Scandinavian IS Tradition in eGovernment Implementations
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to take part in the discussions on how the Scandinavian IS research tradition in information system research may contribute to eGovernment developments and implementations. Although this tradition does not represent a coherent set of principles and methods for system development, they share some common ideas and goals related to user involvement, participatory design and democracy at the work place. Even if some of the most basic ideas are inherent in our understanding of the IS field to day, many of the lessons from the past may have been forgotten. Some do also claim that the dominant understanding of eGovernment is primarily based on efficiency, customer orientation and competition. I will argue that advanced development and use of ICT also can support ideals and goals similar to those of the Scandinavian approaches to IS; we should not least have a greater focus on studying the consequences of various approaches to system design, implementation and use.
Arild Jansen
Maximizing Knowledge for Program Evaluation: Critical Issues and Practical Challenges of ICT Strategies
Abstract
Policy makers and public managers want and need to know how well government programs perform, but few have the information to accurately and continuously evaluate them. Performance measurement and performance-based decisions can be improved by more sophisticated information systems designed to support analysis and decision making. However, such systems demand close and continuing involvement of program staff, attention to programmatic context, and much better understanding of business processes and the data they generate. Through the example of the prototype Homeless Information Management System, this paper highlights how challenging these issues are and how attention to them can lead to useful and usable performance analysis and evaluation systems.
Sharon S. Dawes, Theresa A. Pardo

Participation and Democracy

The Citizens in E-Participation
Abstract
Recent advances in GIS and the Internet have improved the technical possibilities for supporting the public participation through e-Participation systems – e.g. Public Participation GIS. On the other hand there has been too much focus on many technical aspects of public participation with reduced focus on the citizens. Equal opportunities to express their opinions and an open debate between people are the basic foundation for democracy. Therefore the design of participatory processes must take outset in the citizens and their knowledge and commitment concerning the issue to be debated. The current paper presents the results of a survey among actively involved citizens in Northern Jutland County. Our analysis shows a high degree of involvement among middle-age well-educated males with a higher education and income above average. It seems that contrary to the planner’s vision of an open debate among all citizens, the result of a PPGIS service is a debate among a rather limited group.
Henning Sten Hansen, Kristian Hegner Reinau
From Market Squares to Homepages: A Survey of Swiss MPs’ Interactivity
Abstract
As is the case in many democratic countries, MPs in Switzerland are close to their constituencies and have adapted to the various new means of mass communication as these emerged over the last century: from newspapers to the Internet, via radio and television. Today, a large majority of Swiss MPs have both an e-mail address and a homepage. This paper explores the use of the Internet by the Swiss MPs for their relationship with citizens almost two years prior to the next national elections for the Federal Parliament (2007). It is based on a quantitative and qualitative survey of all the personal homepages of the members of the lower and upper houses conducted in 2005. Particular attention is paid to interactive means of communication (such as e-mail, forums, blogs, online polls, chats, etc.) that are made available in order to foster online dialogue between politicians and citizens. Based on this data, on a few European comparisons, and on some focused observations of particular sites, the paper identifies the new challenges and opportunities that Swiss MPs must face to better interact with their electorate.
Jean-Loup Chappelet, Kristian Pierre Kilchenmann
‘Mind the Gap’: e-Government and e-Democracy
Abstract
It is claimed that Internet technology offers governments the opportunity to engage citizens online and bridge the growing gap between citizens and the state. In the current climate of citizen disengagement this is a potentially important prospect. Academic studies into e-government tend to follow a well-trodden path of technology acceptance, citizens’ willingness and ability to use public services online and the digital divide. Where issues of e-democracy are considered, studies generally highlight opportunities rather than measuring any actual changes in citizen behaviour. This study examines citizens’ perceptions, attitudes and behaviour, seeking specifically to expose whether citizens feel that e-government enhances democratic participation and brings them closer to government and the machinery of the state. In this paper we present the results of the pilot study which suggest that citizens perceive some moderate value in using e-government as a means of keeping themselves informed and communicating with the state, but little value in e-government as a tool of democratic participation.
Ailsa Kolsaker, Liz Lee-Kelley
To Be or Not to Be Active: Exploring Practices of e-Participation
Abstract
This paper discusses the interplay of participation and non-participation within institutional and public practices of electronically mediated policy-making in the local public sector. The aim is to contribute to practice-centred development of situated theoretical conceptualisation in the research domain. Applying a dialectical analysis, including also examples and processes of dissociation detected in ethnographic studies of actual use and design of these technologies, suggests a re-specification of the conceptual basis of e-participation.
Annelie Ekelin
e-Participation Behind Closed Doors: Online Evaluation of Teaching Performance
Abstract
Student involvement in the governance processes has in the case analyzed in this paper incorporated the internet for facilitating qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the teachers’ performances in class. The asynchrony evaluation ensures access, transparency, and accountability at the IT University challenging neo-institutional hypothesis on isomorphism.
Kim Viborg Andersen

Designing Government Services

A Review of Quality Dimensions in e-Government Services
Abstract
This paper presents a synthetic summary of the literature in the area of quality of e-government services, as a basis for the future construction of a relevant model and ontology. We include 18 different approaches concerning quality of service for public sector in general and e-government more specifically. Using as a criterion the focus of each approach on organizational issues or the front end of the service we classified them in introvert and extrovert ones. As a result of the review we were able to organize the main components influencing quality of e-government services in the following four key areas: service, content, system and organization.
Xenia Papadomichelaki, Babis Magoutas, Christos Halaris, Dimitris Apostolou, Gregoris Mentzas
Is It Only About Internet Access? An Empirical Test of a Multi-dimensional Digital Divide
Abstract
Scholars from different disciplines have recently studied a phenomenon called “the digital divide”. Since many of the new government information technology initiatives are based on Internet technologies and require the use of the Internet by citizens, understanding the digital divide (and consequently, the potential demand) is important for e-government scholars. For some researchers, the divide is not a problem and Internet access is the only relevant determinant of Internet use (access divide). For other researchers, the divide is rooted in more fundamental social differences and opportunities (multi-dimensional divide). Using data from the Piedmont region in Italy, this paper tests these two competing views of the digital divide. Overall, the models based on a multi-dimensional view have greater explanatory power and provide evidence about the relevance of multiple factors affecting both Internet access and Internet use. For instance, females use the Internet for a smaller number of activities than males. Individuals with more formal education and who can speak English use the Internet more. Finally, individuals with more experience using a PC and the Internet itself also use the Internet to perform a broader range of activities.
J. Ramon Gil-Garcia, Natalie C. Helbig, Enrico Ferro
Hidden Negative Social Effects of Poor e-Government Services Design
Abstract
Poor usability in e-government, preventing universal adoption, has social, economic and political effects. Some effects can be observed by analysts directly from the results produced by the system itself. However, there exists effects that may be hidden from the analyst direct view-point. One of those effects is the expert intermediation. This phenomenon is launched as a direct consequence of the system design, and originates a “new elite” within the society. It also generates negative externalities for citizens, and creates an artificial digital divide, which is far from the democratic and egalitarian goals of e-government. In this paper we faced the phenomenon, analyzing possible causes and solutions.
Enrique Stanziola, Mauricio Minuto Espil, Luis Landoni, Santiago Montoya
Designing Government Portal Navigation Around Citizens’ Needs
Abstract
Improving the usability of government portal sites requires a focus shift from system to user in both research and design. Empirical studies into user behavior are needed to support decisions on navigation, labeling and search systems. This paper presents such a study. Through scenario based interviews data were collected on citizens’ information seeking needs and search strategies. Additionally, server logs files were analyzed. The results demonstrated the complexity of the search task from a user perspective, and provided suggestions for user friendly portal design. On the basis of the results it was recommended that portal sites’ navigation systems should be context-rich, and labeling systems should be adapted to citizens’ colloquial speech.
Rob Klaassen, Joyce Karreman, Thea van der Geest
Municipalities on the Web: User-Friendliness of Government Information on the Internet
Abstract
Municipal websites are highly visible manifestations of e-government developments. Though the content and functionality of these websites are rapidly expanding, the usability of municipal websites is as yet underexposed. This paper reports on the results of a scenario-based evaluation of 15 Dutch municipal websites. Despite the often positive scores of the websites in national checklist-based rankings, an overwhelming number of usability problems was found with each scenario. A qualitative description is given of two important categories of user problems: navigation and perspective-taking. Both problem categories suggest that a strict HCI perspective on website evaluation may not suffice: it is the interplay between context, content and interface that will be crucial for the optimization of municipal websites.
Menno de Jong, Leo Lentz
“Open Choice”: Improving Public Sector Performance with Process Reorganization Methodology
Abstract
E-Government is not yet harnessed to New Public Management so as to act as a driver for the modernization of public services. To change this situation, a comprehensive framework for modernization processes based on Business Process Reorganization is proposed. It combines a modularization of operative processes in public administration with a fresh look at the institutional framework in which such processes are executed. This framework supports the creation of new networked forms of service production and delivery.
Martin Brüggemeier, Angela Dovifat, Klaus Lenk
Organising Municipal e-Government Systems: A Multi-facet Taxonomy of e-Services for Citizens and Businesses
Abstract
As various e-Government initiatives are being realised throughout the world, policy makers and technology providers start to understand the importance of local administration e-Government systems. Municipalities are often the closest Point of Service for the European citizens and enterprises, having access to all the necessary information and usually providing the final service – a fact that makes their e-Services Portals a very important link in the e-Government chain. After attempting a positioning of municipality systems in the taxonomy of e-government systems, the present paper analyses the set of services that a Municipality Portal should be able to offer, focusing on eEurope – related capabilities. Based on this service directory, a multi-faceted classification mechanism is proposed, leading to an extendible taxonomy of e-Services to be offered by Municipality e-Government systems. A set of facets is analysed for each service, allowing for classification of services based on their main purpose, nature, orientation, means of provision, and various functional characteristics. Through populating, viewing and querying this multi-faceted classification, the design, development, deployment and impact assessment of e-Government systems for Municipalities can be systematically addressed.
Yannis Charalabidis, Dimitris Askounis, George Gionis, Fenareti Lampathaki, Kostas Metaxiotis

Legal Dimensions in E-Government

Time Model for Managing the Dynamic of Normative System
Abstract
An important need is arising in the eGovernment era: to produce updated law corpora in order to improve democracy and justice in the European new enlarged system. This article intends to propose a formal model for managing the dynamic of the norms in the time with twofold objectives: provide a set of rule for designing a legal information system able to produce in automatic way the law in force; guarantee the main principles of the theory of law such as coherence of the normative system, certness of the legislative order, knowness of the law in force.
Monica Palmirani, Raffaella Brighi
Semantic Portal for Legislative Information
Abstract
Semantic portals enabled by Semantic Web technologies have been suggested to provide a point of access to an integrated body of information about some domain. In the area of e-Government there are multiple possible domains for semantic portals, one of them being legislative work. In this paper we propose a semantic portal based on a rich metadata repository to support the retrieval of legislative information. The portal provides process oriented semantic browsing capabilities. A prototype of the portal has been implemented for the retrieval of Finnish legislative information.
Matti Järvenpää, Maiju Virtanen, Airi Salminen
The x-Leges System: Peer-to-Peer for Legislative Document Exchange
Abstract
Among the recent initiatives in the context of the Italian e-Leges program, which concerns the exploitation of IT technologies for the life-cycle management of laws and related documents, there is the design and implementation of a cooperative system supporting the processes underlying the drafting and the publication of laws. In this paper we describe the architecture of such a system, referred to as x-Leges, highlighting its peer-to-peer architecture. The x-Leges system guarantees (i) autonomy of all involved organizations, (ii) the reuse of information stored in legacy systems and (iii) efficient process support and analysis.
Luca De Santis, Caterina Lupo, Carlo Marchetti, Massimo Mecella

Procurement and Governance Issues in Networked Governments

Flexibility of Information Architecture in e-Government Chains
Abstract
How can the flexibility of an information architecture in e-government chains – defined as a set of multi-rational agreements – be achieved, if one acknowledges the fact that the use of ICT may automate the status quo between organizations which work together in a policy chain? Research shows that flexibility cannot only be achieved by looking at technological requirements and agreements. Also other agreements should be considered which express other (political, legal and economic) design rationalities and values. Moreover, flexibility is also influenced by the structure and dynamics of the power and trustworthiness of the relationships between the organizations involved.
Victor Bekkers
Local Networking for e-Services: A UK Case Study
Abstract
This paper deals with the networking at local level for e-government policies. Focusing on the case of the e-government local partnership in the County of Surrey in the United Kingdom, I analyse the characteristics and the development through time of the networking activity, using the theoretical framework provided by the literature on policy networks. By analysing data collected from primary sources, including focused interviews, I show the changes occurred in the partnership networking for local e-government policy, and point out some independent variables for explaining them. I conclude suggesting new directions of research on the topic.
Rony Medaglia
Why E-government Usage Lags Behind: Explaining the Gap Between Potential and Actual Usage of Electronic Public Services in the Netherlands
Abstract
Most of the EU-15 countries illustrate a gap between potential usage and actual usage of electronic public services. Using a model of four successive kinds of access to digital technologies a number of explanations are sought. They are tested in the case of current Dutch electronic governmental service usage. Motivational access indicates that there is a part of the Dutch population that doesn’t have sufficient motivation for using computers and the Internet. It also appears that even in the Netherlands, a top country regarding Internet and broadband connections, physical access cannot be taken for granted. Insufficient digital skills produce serious problems as well. But the most striking facts are found in the context of usage access. Here we have observed a lack of user orientation in Dutch e-government services. It appears that the Dutch government doesn’t know what citizens want, how they use ICT en what the consequences for citizens are.
Alexander van Deursen, Jan van Dijk, Wolfgang Ebbers
Limits of Public Procurement: Information Systems Acquisition
Abstract
In this paper, we identify the tensions that exist inherently in the public procurement process as it applies to the acquisitions of larger information systems. The tensions are a result of government organizations trying to acquire the best information system possible while at the same time having to adhere to public procurement regulations. Based on case analysis of two information system acquisitions in a Norwegian municipality, we uncover three tensions inherent to the procurement process. Our findings reveal that municipalities employ a variety of strategies to deal with these tensions. However, in doing so, new tensions are created. The findings have implications for development of e-Government as these tensions needs to be taken into account when procuring new systems.
Carl Erik Moe, Anne Cathrine Risvand, Maung K. Sein

Evaluation and Assessment

Digital Capability Assessment for eGovernment: A Multi-dimensional Approach
Abstract
Capability assessment can play an important role in the digital government domain in at least two ways: one is to provide a basis for judging whether agencies are ready to initiate some digital government innovation, and the other is to judge the impact of a digital government initiative in terms of improved capabilities. The problems of how to assess and enhance organizational capability are therefore central to virtually all efforts to improve government performance, particularly in the area of information technology innovation. This paper describes the approach used in developing a set of toolkits for use in assessing capability, with examples from versions developed for use in justice information integration projects and state-level digital preservation planning in the US. The paper includes the theoretical rationale for the design of the toolkits, methods for their use, and implications for use in practice.
Anthony M. Cresswell, Theresa A. Pardo, Donna S. Canestraro
Assessing the Intangible Value of G2G Endeavours
Abstract
This paper was elaborated in order to measure the variation of the intellectual capital in public organisations involved in Government-to-Government (G2G) endeavours. Consequently, this study aims to assess the intangible outcomes of G2G projects within Public Administration. A heuristic frame was then developed to evaluate the impact of G2G endeavours on the components of the intellectual capital of a public agency. Applying this heuristic frame to thirty G2G endeavours in Brazil, it was concluded that a successful G2G undertaking has a positive impact on the intellectual capital of a public agency associated with it. Lastly, in addition to the research limitations, some conclusions and recommendations are set forth for public managers, practitioners and academics, so as to allow them to grasp the potential of using the intellectual capital theory to assess e-government initiatives.
Luiz Antonio Joia
Evaluation of E-Government Systems: Project Assessment vs Development Assessment
Abstract
Most reported literature on evaluation of e-government systems tend to focus on narrow aspects of project design and implementation. The larger context of development and related issues are not used for assessment. This paper presents a case for evaluation of e-government projects by using development theory as propounded by Amartya Sen. A single e-government system, the Bhoomi system of Karnataka, India, is used as a case, and it is evaluated using both a project assessment approach and a development assessment approach. The two approaches lead to different conclusions, providing insights as to the value of each.
Rahul De’
ROI Analysis in e-Government Assessment Trials: The Case of Sistema Piemonte
Abstract
Assessing the returns of public investments in information and communication technologies (ICT) poses important practical and research challenges. Scholars and practitioners that have embarked in ICT assessment activities have encountered many difficulties which, to a large extent, have remained pending issues. This paper reviews the exiting literature on public return on investment (ROI) and presents an assessment conducted on an Italian circuit of eGovernment services. The paper intends to share the experience gained from our study with the rest of research community. Also, it proposes a perspective on public ROI that differs from a strictly bottom line approach to stimulate a debate on the role of such evaluation activities in the process of eGovernment implementation.
Tommaso Carratta, Lucy Dadayan, Enrico Ferro
IT Auditing in E-Government
Abstract
We first motivate the need for innovative IT auditing approaches for E-Government. Then we define the requirements and propose an own IT auditing concept for E-Government projects. It is based on established risk management procedures, project management concepts for multidisciplinary projects, and on past experience. Finally, we validate our proposed approach against the requirements.
Reinhard Riedl, Manuel Juen
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Electronic Government
Editors
Maria A. Wimmer
Hans J. Scholl
Åke Grönlund
Kim Viborg Andersen
Copyright Year
2006
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Electronic ISBN
978-3-540-37687-3
Print ISBN
978-3-540-37686-6
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/11823100

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