E-Governance and Developing Countries

8/13/2019 E-Governance and Developing Countries

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E-GOVERNANCE ANDDEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Introduction and Examples

Michiel Backus


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Background

E-governance is more than just a government websiteon the internet. But..What is it exactly?

What are the benefits of e-governance?What can governments do to make it work?

E-governance will become more and more present

around the world in the next few years. Most countriesare in the early stages of e-governance. Europe, USAand in other Westernised countries such as Australiaand Singapore have made a good start


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This report explains:

What is meant by e-governance. It starts with a definition ofe-governance, then presents a general e-governancemodel and several case studies and examples.

Technology aspects are also discussed, followed by aSWOT analysis on e-governance in developing countries.

Finally, a description is given of what steps have to betaken to set up a policy on e-governance and howimplementation projects can be selected.


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What is E-governance?Defining E-governance

E-democracy refers to the processes and structuresthat encompass all forms of electronic interactionbetween the Government ( elected ) and the citizen(electorate).

E-government is a form of e-business in governanceand refers to the processes and structures needed todeliver electronic services to the public (citizens andbusinesses), collaborate with business partners andto conduct electronic transactions within anorganisational entity.


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In this report e-governance is defined as the application ofelectronic means in the interaction between governmentand citizens and government and businesses, as well asinternal government operations to simplify and improvedemocratic, government and business aspects ofgovernance.


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Objectives

The two main objectives of e-democracy are1. To provide citizens with access to information and

knowledge about the political process, services andchoices available.

2. To make possible the transition from passive informationaccess to active citizen participation by:

Informing , Representing, Encouraging, Consultingand Involving the citizens.

It can be concluded that e-governance is more than just aGovernment

website on the Internet. Political, social, economic and


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E-governance Model

The three main target groups that can be distinguishedin e-governance concepts are government, citizens andbusinesses/interest groups. The external strategic

objectives focus on citizens and businesses and interestgroups, the internal objectives focus on governmentitself.


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Gartner, an international e-business research consultancyfirm,

has formulated a four-phase e-governance model.This e-governance model can serve as a reference for

governmentsto position where a project fits in the overall evolution of an e-governance strategy.

Phase Information

Increasing value to Citizen /Business

Increasing complexity

Phase Interaction

Phase Transaction

Phase Transformation


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Phase 1: Information Being present on the webProviding the external public (G2C and G2B) with relevantinformation. The value to the public is that governmentinformation is publicly accessible; processes are describedand thus become more transparent, which improvesdemocracy and service.

Phase 2: InteractionThe interaction between government and the public (G2Cand G2B) is stimulated with various applications. Peoplecan ask questions via e-mail, use search engines forinformation and are able to download all sorts of forms and


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Phase 3: Transaction The complexity of the technology is increasing, butcustomer (G2C and G2B) value will also be higher.Internal (G2G) processes have to be redesigned toprovide good service.Complete transactions can be done without going toan office.

Phase 4: Transformation All information systems are integrated and the publiccan get G2C and G2B services at one (virtual)

counter. One single point of contact for all services isthe ultimate goal.


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Impact of Technology

24/7 Service model: systems and processes have to beadapted to a completely new service model. intakeprocesses are made self-service and even in the middleof the night a citizen should get animmediate(automated)response about the status of theapplication. Also E-mails should be seen as importantmeans of communication.

Need for content: websites consist of content thatgovernments will have to collect, produce and constantlykeep updated. the content managers for eachdepartment will be in charge of keeping this information

up to date.


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Security: as government moves its core processes tothe internet like any system it becomes more vulnerableto external attacks. these attacks can be prevented byusing tools such as anti-virus software, encryptiontechnology or authentic identification tools.

Privacy: with government having access to detailedinformation about clients and business which issometimes shared among other offices the privacy ofthese citizens and businesses can be in danger.therefore the government is responsible for theutilisation and protection of private information.


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IT Department: With the implementation of e-governance IT is becoming more and more important ingovernment operations. The need for a professional ITdepartment will inevitable increase, not only duringimplementation, but also for maintenance of software,hardware and infrastructure.

Human Resources: Effective Use of ICTs in anorganisation requires training as people should feelcomfortable with the tools they use. Maintainingtechnological infrastructure requires IT skilled resourceswhich means government will have to compete with the

private sector for skilled IT technicians.


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E-governance in DevelopmentCase 1: Ghana - National Clearinghouse Ghana

In Ghana there was a number of institutions andcompanies developing electronic information systems,catering to varied information needs of different categoriesof users.Problem:

Very limited exchange of information among theinstitutions and between the information providers andthe potential consumers.The awareness of the existence of electronic informationis very limited.There are no cross-linkages between the informationsystems either, since most of them are not available inelectronic form.


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Development objectives

The project is to contribute to national development in anumber of ways. The primary development objectives are:

To provide better co-ordination of the information facilitiesdeveloped in government and private institutions.

To improve and increase the exchange of information

between the institutions.

To provide better means of access to the information.


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Case 2: Tanzania ICT for Improved District Governance

The study revealed that most of the functions that arecarried out by the district commissioner's office involvemanual processes and are in greater extent ineffective andinefficient. As a result the following weaknesses emerged:Problem:

Limited transparency: Limited free flow of informationwhich leads to processes, sections /institutions andinformation not to be directly accessible to thoseconcerned with them, and less information is provided tounderstand and monitor them.


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Handicapped strategic vision : Impaired broad and long-term perspective on the good society, good governanceand human development, as well as sense of what isneeded for such development.

Limited resource utilisation : Due to absence ofcomputerised Management Information Systemresources are not managed or used


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Development Objectives

In order to bring good governance in the Kinondoni Districtinformation to aid in decision making must be gathered.This can be done by using ICTsSpecific objectives:

Improve efficiency and effectiveness in capturing andprocessing information obtained from the selectedareas.Facilitate utilisation of the information system outputs forgood governance.Examine sustainability of the entire process in view ofthe fees charged on service rendered to beneficiaries.

Provide training for district staff in computerisedinformation collection, processing, and dissemination


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Project objectives:Databases on health, education, birth/death andmarriage will be created at district level to facilitate goodgovernance.

A skilled human resource base with ICT competencies incollection, processing, management and disseminationof sector information.Enhanced awareness within government and among thegeneral public on the use of information for decision-making and the application of ICTs to good governance.


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Challenges for DevelopmentWhat is E-governance?

The use of a range of Information and CommunicationTechnologies (ICTs) to improve the effectiveness,efficiency, service delivery and to promote democracy.- Internet,- Local Area Networks (LANs),- Mobile Phones etc.


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Aspects of E-governance

PoliticalSocialEconomic

Technological


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Political Aspects:Formulating Strategiesand Policies

Laws and LegislationDecision-MakingFundingInternational Affairs

Political Stability

Social Aspects:Level ofEducation/Literacy

EmploymentIncomeDigital DivideRich vs. Poor

IT Skills


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Economic Aspects :FundingCost-Savings

Business ModelsE-CommerceSpin-Offs of E-Governance

Technological Aspects:SoftwareHardware

InfrastructureTelecomIT Trained PersonnelMaintenanceSafety and Security


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Factors for Success

Is it necessary?Is it feasible?

Are people for or against?

Is the government trusted?Is there a stable economic climate?


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Implementing E-governance Approach

The first steps towards e-governance solutions, and thedelivery of services, must combine short -term results

and long

term goals.


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E-governance Model

The short- term results can be seen as small stepping-stones towards the overall goal.- Aspects are implemented one at a time.

The long-term results is the ambition level of thegovernment regarding democracy, government andbusiness aspects of e-governance.

The model also assumes that all necessaryinfrastructures, such as telecommunications and Internetaccess is available


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Thinking big is required to set the overall vision and objectivesof

e-governance. Starting small is essential to create instant

success


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Scaling fast is only possible with a profound strategythat secures that all necessary resources are availablein time, that bottlenecks are known and taken care of,and that project planning and phasing is aligned with theoverall vision and objectives.


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Vision: E-governance Policy

What is the goal that should be achieved with e-governance implementations?

What focus point is taken:- customer satisfaction?- internal efficiency?- increased democracy?


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Strategy: Framework for Action

Consists of plans that translate the vision into practicalprojects.- budgets must be available.

- time consuming legal transformations should beinitiated andquick results must be achieved and communicated togovernments customers.

Because the vision can be complex it may not be easyto realize in a short period. A strategy often consists ofseveral phases, each with their specific goals and

related projects.


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Projects: Action

In complex situations it is normal to test a project (partly)in a pilot. If the pilot is successful, by meeting the setobjectives, the implementation will be expanded. If notsuccessful, adjustments have to be made, or theimplementation must be cancelled. To be able tomeasure the success it is important to define projectsthat are:

- SMART: simple, measurable, accountable, realistic andtime-related.


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Evaluation

Documents

E-Governance and Developing Countries