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Digital local agenda: bridging the digital divide

Digital local agenda: bridging the digital divide Purpose – While information communication technologies (ICTs) are essential for social and economic development in today's emerging digital society, the problem of the digital divide persists. To close this gap, the European Union has proposed eInclusive policies. However, a general belief has emerged that this issue must be dealt with at the local level. The purpose of this paper is to report on such an effort, the Digital Local Agenda (DLA). It aims to show the DLA development in Europe and provide an example of its utilization in practice through a European initiative. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains the rationale for the DLA, and examines implementation of the DLA in pilot sites in five European countries to support civil servants in small municipalities, and empower them to develop and utilize their capacities to use ICTs and reach people most in danger of eExclusion. Findings – Preliminary findings indicate that the DLA should be considered when looking for solutions to the persistent problem of digital exclusion in Europe. Implementing the DLA may improve public service provision and reduce the digital divide faced by disempowered groups. Originality/value – Given the flexible and adaptable instruments provided for in the DLA, the paper argues that the DLA is an effective and strategic approach to translate policy frameworks into solutions that practitioners can deploy to overcome the barriers of accessing eGovernment, reduce the digital divide among marginalized groups in Europe and include all stakeholders in decision making processes. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy Emerald Publishing

Digital local agenda: bridging the digital divide

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1750-6166
DOI
10.1108/17506161211267419
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – While information communication technologies (ICTs) are essential for social and economic development in today's emerging digital society, the problem of the digital divide persists. To close this gap, the European Union has proposed eInclusive policies. However, a general belief has emerged that this issue must be dealt with at the local level. The purpose of this paper is to report on such an effort, the Digital Local Agenda (DLA). It aims to show the DLA development in Europe and provide an example of its utilization in practice through a European initiative. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains the rationale for the DLA, and examines implementation of the DLA in pilot sites in five European countries to support civil servants in small municipalities, and empower them to develop and utilize their capacities to use ICTs and reach people most in danger of eExclusion. Findings – Preliminary findings indicate that the DLA should be considered when looking for solutions to the persistent problem of digital exclusion in Europe. Implementing the DLA may improve public service provision and reduce the digital divide faced by disempowered groups. Originality/value – Given the flexible and adaptable instruments provided for in the DLA, the paper argues that the DLA is an effective and strategic approach to translate policy frameworks into solutions that practitioners can deploy to overcome the barriers of accessing eGovernment, reduce the digital divide among marginalized groups in Europe and include all stakeholders in decision making processes.

Journal

Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy – Emerald Publishing

Published: Oct 5, 2012

Keywords: Civil servant empowerment; Digital divide; Digital Local Agenda (DLA); eGovernment; eInclusion; Marginalization; Europe; Decision making; Digital technology

References

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    CEMR
  • Council Resolution of 8 October 2001 on ‘e‐Inclusion’ – exploiting the opportunities of the information society for social inclusion,
    Council of the EU
  • MC‐eGov: Study on Multi‐channel Delivery Strategies and Sustainable Business Models for Public Services Addressing Socially Disadvantaged Groups
    Ecotec Research and Consulting Ltd
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    European Commission
  • i2010 – A European Information Society for Growth and Employment
    European Commission
  • i2010 eGovernment Action Plan: Accelerating eGovernment in Europe for the Benefit of All
    European Commission
  • Commission Staff Working Document – Better Access for Rural Areas to Modern ICT
    European Commission
  • A Digital Agenda for Europe
    European Commission
  • Europe 2020 – A European Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
    European Commission
  • The European eGovernment Action Plan 2011‐2015 – Harnessing ICT to Promote Smart, Sustainable & Innovative Government
    European Commission
  • The 2010 eGovernment benchmark survey
    European Commission
  • A Roadmap for Inclusive eGovernment: Towards Making All Citizens, and Especially Disadvantaged Groups Major Beneficiaries of eGovernment
    Inclusive eGovernment ad hoc Group and European Commission
  • Kyberkultura
    Lévy, P.