E-Government

E-government studies the use of information and communication technologies to deliver public services and transform governance.

Scope

It covers digital service delivery, the institutional effects of technology in government, digital divides, and the success and failure of e-government projects.

Core questions

• How does technology change government and services?
• How can digital services be delivered effectively?
• Why do e-government projects succeed or fail?
• How does digitalization affect institutions and citizens?

Key concepts

• Digital service delivery
• Institutional change
• Digital divide
• Open government
• Project failure
• Digital transformation

Key theories

The virtual state

Fountain analysed how technology reshapes government institutions, mediated by existing structures.

E-government project risk

Heeks analysed why many e-government-for-development projects fail and how to reduce risk.

History

E-government scholarship grew with the internet, analysing the institutional effects of technology (Fountain) and the implementation challenges of digital government (Heeks).

Debates

Transformation or reinforcement?

Whether technology transforms government or is absorbed by existing institutional arrangements.

Key figures

• Jane Fountain
• Richard Heeks

Seminal works

• fountain-2001
• heeks-2003

Frequently asked questions

What is e-government?

The use of information and communication technologies, especially the internet, to deliver public services and reshape governance.