The Importance of Professionalism: A Quantitative and Qualitative Look at Why Some U.S. Counties Do More on the Web than Others

Abstract

Recent research indicates that many local governments are doing little to provide information and services to their citizens via the Internet, so more needs to be known about the underlying reasons for governments' adoption of web technology. A two-stage research project, statistical analysis followed by qualitative investigation, of a stratified random sample of American counties reveals the importance of advocacy by motivated individuals, both appointed and elected. The findings from both stages of this research underscore the importance of motivated professionals who choose to actively promote web technologies.

Keywords:

• professionalism
• web use
• adoption
• local government