E-Government and the Influence of Power in the Development of Information Infrastructure

Abstract

Information infrastructures are important for implementing e-government solutions for enterprise activities and for society in general, thus being essential for global IT solutions. Few studies have been published on this theme, despite its importance. Infrastructure development can be affected by many organizational and cultural aspects. This study analyses the development of an information infrastructure with special attention to the influence of power. This infrastructure was implemented by the State of São Paulo in Brazil, its first attempt ever at e-government implementation. The infrastructure's institutionalization and further development was influenced by powerful or empowered agents that used it as a controlling or empowering tool. Hanseth 's infrastructure theory is the theoretical basis employed to study the process, complemented with an adaptation of the circuits of power framework that was used to study the effects of power upon this infrastructure's development. The study is aimed at expanding Hanseth's infrastructure theory by showing that certain organizational, social and cultural aspects can affect information infrastructure development, and also complementing his theory by unveiling the role of power in information infrastructure development.

KEYWORDS:

• Information Infrastructure
• Power
• Circuits of Power
• Systems Implementation
• e-Government

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leila L. Humes

Leila Lage Humes, Ph.D., teaches and is manager of the training programs for IT staff in the Office of Information Technology Coordination at the School of Economics, Administration and Accounting at the University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Nicolau Reinhard

Nicolau Reinhard, Ph.D., is professor of management at the School of Economics, Administration and Accounting of the University of São Paulo, Brazil. His research interests and publications are related to Management of the IT function, the use of IT in Public Administration and Information Systems Implementation. Dr. Reinhard has a degree in Engineering, a PhD in Management, and, besides his academic career, has held executive and consulting positions in IT management in private and public organizations.