Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 2. Criteria for classification schemes
Transparent and simple assignment of e-
government procedures to different classes
The classes should show the value-added utility
for users of e-government (citizens and
businesses)
The classes should differentiate the potential for
increasing efficiency within administration
authorities
The class assignment should show the degree of
complexity for realization
characteristics of an e-government procedure are analyzed for assigning the procedure to
different classes. Table 2 shows the criteria for suitable classification schemes (Oberer, 2000).
Targets of the classification include the evaluation of main features of procedures and
the creation of comparable initiatives. There are two main views within the schemes: the user
view and the IT view. Within these views, there are two main features, which can be found
in every scheme:
•
User-view: The online-availability of services
•
IT-view: The possibility for information technology based on e-government proce-
dures
According to the above-mentioned views of users and information technology, a two-
dimensional classification scheme can be developed, which is shown in Figure 1 (Oberer,
2001).
Each rectangle represents one class, orientated by the corresponding state of the two
possible views. Within the user view, the following states are possible (Oberer, 2001):
•
Information: Public online access to administrational information
•
General service: Public online access to administrational information with respect to
special needs
•
Individual service: Information provision to identified persons and legal entities
•
Within the IT view, the following states are possible (Oberer, 2001):
•
Media break: Information-technology-based service provision without continuous
processing
•
No media break: Information-technology-based service provision with continuous
processing
•
Automation: Complete information-technology-based service provision and process-
ing, no human interaction necessary
The more to the right and the more upward, the less weaknesses can be found within e-
government processes. The two-dimensional classification scheme does not include a
concept for showing the dimension of the administration. No comment is made on how
efficient for the administration the evaluated e-government incentives are. E-government
incentives should improve administrational business processes as well as citizens/businesses
