Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
2.2 transformation from e-Government
to e-Governance
Information and communication technologies provide new ways for government
to provide information and services, which is commonly called e-government.
E-government emphasizes “the use of multiple information and communication
technologies (ICTs) such as broadband, e-mail, fiber optics, text messaging, 4G,
search engines, teleconferencing and WiFi to more rapidly deliver information and
services to citizens, businesses and other governments” (Bhatnagar, 2004; Carter &
Bélanger, 2005; Chadwick, 2006; Heeks, 1999; Hernon, Cullen, & Relyea, 2006;
Ho, 2002; Holden, Norris, & Fletcher, 2003; Homberg, 2008; Milakovich, 2012,
p. 10; Roucheleau, 2006, 2007; West, 2005). Milakovich (2012) viewed the devel-
opment of e-government as several stages: presence, interaction, transaction, and
transformation.
In the past decade, ICTs were gradually introduced by governments to better
involve citizens. E-mails and online chatting are used by the public to contact gov-
ernments; listservs are being used to distribute the latest news or updates; bulletin
boards and discussion forums are designed to collect public opinions; online sur-
veys and polls are being conducted to obtain public feedback toward government
performance; social media such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter enable citizens
to actively connect with the government; and e-petitioning allows the public to
raise issues to gain the government's attention. The combination of ICTs and citi-
zen participation creates e-participation, enabling citizens to play a better role in
government running.
The rise of e-participation motivates the transformation from e-government
to e-governance, which is more than just providing information and services.
E-governance, meaning “electronic governance,” is usage of ICTs at various levels
of the public sectors and beyond for the purposes of enhancing governance (Bedi,
Singh, & Srivastava, 2001; Holmes, 2001; Okot-Uma & London, 2000; Palvia &
Sharma, 2007). It emphasizes a citizen-centric approach, “providing citizens with
the ability to choose the manner in which they wish to interact with their govern-
ment” (Milakovich, 2012, p. 17; Oliver & Sanders, 2004). The benefits and oppor-
tunities brought about by digital governance have been discussed by Milakovich
(2012), such as enhancing direct access to a wider range of government services,
attracting better participation, integrating operations inside the government, reduc-
ing costs and layers of organizational processes, and improving effectiveness, trust,
and quality of services.
At the far end of the e-participation continuum, political participation includes
activities “such as contacting political officials, attending a rally, or signing a petition”
(Tolbert & McNeal, 2003, p. 177). Weber and Berman (2001) (see also Tolbert &
McNeal, 2003) found that those individuals who engaged in Internet activities
such as using e-mail and chat rooms were more likely to be engaged in a variety of
political activities.
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