Personal identity management as a socio-technical network

Abstract

This paper describes a framework which has proven useful in unpacking the socio-technical nature of personal identity management and in understanding how the introduction of the national identity card in the UK has been ‘configured’ among diverse agencies. The current paper provides an update to developments in the area and evaluates the developing discourse emerging from government circles. The issue is assuming a much larger role within e-government rollout generally and is seen as critical to effective service transformation. This means that the issue is being expanded outside of debate about the introduction of an identity card and is involving a greater range of stakeholders. We use this particular case to help understand a number of thematic and emergent elements surrounding personal identity management which we expect will frame attempts at organisational resolution in this area in the future.

Keywords:

• personal identity management
• national identity card
• socio-technical network

Notes

Note our use of the term should not be confused with the limited sense in which it is applied in biometric systems.