E-Government for Better Performance: Promises, Realities, and Challenges

Abstract

As elected officials and citizens demand accountability and results from e-government programs, it is important to assess whether e-government has fulfilled its promises and to outline the challenges lying ahead. Based on the literature, government reports, and other secondary data, this article evaluates the impact of e-government on service accessibility, efficiency, economy, effectiveness, and other end-outcomes. It reveals that although some e-government programs have demonstrated efficiency and economy gains, many are still struggling to make a business case. Effectiveness and other end-outcomes are even more difficult to achieve. This paper also examines the national characteristics that affect different countries' e-government developments and the managerial challenges that public managers face. Political and social rights are considered important for further promoting e-government. Resource, top leadership support, strategic planning, and collaboration, among others, are emphasized for e-government success.

Keywords:

• e-government
• performance
• productivity

Notes

1. Other institutional driving forces for e-government in the United States include the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, the Government Paperwork Elimination Act of 1998, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999, the Presidential Memorandum on Electronic Government in 1999, and the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000.

13. Anderson, K. (1999). Reengineering public sector organizations using information technology. In Heeks.

16. Loader, 1997.

30. The number 100 denotes the ideal situation.

45. Lee, J., Keum, J., and Rho, S. Corruption and governance. SECoPA 2003, Savannah, Georgia, Oct 12–14, 2003.

50. Five cities in non OECD member countries of 12 high level cities are Hong Kong SAR (Hong Kong SAR), Singapore (Singapore), Shanghai (China), Jerusalem (Israel), and Macao SAR (Macao SAR). Although they are not OECD members, most have developed economies.

65. In the (2000) South Korean Census, 50.2% of the south Korean population are male and 49.8% are female.