Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Three patterns to understand e‐government: the case of Colombia

Three patterns to understand e‐government: the case of Colombia Purpose – E‐government initiatives are becoming common worldwide, but conceptual elements to understand their development, implementation and consequences are still lacking. Drawing on a contextualisation of e‐government in the information society and traditions in public policy, the aim of this paper is to offer three different patterns for thinking about e‐government. The paper's inter‐disciplinary and reflexive approach, as well as referencing a particular case (Colombian e‐government initiative Gobierno en Línea ), seeks to unsettle the taken‐for‐granted aspects of the policy discourse of e‐government in ways that can illuminate practice. Design/methodology/approach – From policy‐making and information systems, the authors review two dominant views on the information society to contextualise three patterns to think about e‐government. The first pattern (idealist) focuses on adopting a “vision” or “best practice” for government's use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The second pattern (strategic) emphasises the shaping of designs and uses of such technologies by different stakeholder groups. The third pattern (power‐based) conceives of any e‐government initiative as being the by‐product of power relations in a context, leading to different ways of thinking about e‐government (traditions). Analysis can then generate opportunities for the use of power by individuals and governments. The authors study these patterns in the Colombian e‐government initiative ( Gobierno en Línea ) by analysing relevant government policy strategic documents during the period 1997 to 2007 and validating these via a semi‐structured interview with the director of this initiative. Findings – By using these patterns the authors are able to illuminate the complexity of e‐government initiatives, and how each pattern contributes a different way of understanding. In the Colombian case we find that these patterns are intertwined and require us to go deeper in thinking about the context of relations between individuals and their governments. Practical implications – For public sector managers (and in particular for those in developing countries), the definition of these patterns can help them to assess critically the opportunities and limitations of the projects on e‐government in which they are involved. The findings also raise issues that can inform implementation strategies. Originality/value – The paper presents an alternative and inter‐disciplinary perspective to the study of e‐government that unsettles taken‐for‐granted assumptions about it. Rather than accepting its idealist rhetoric uncritically, the paper provides individuals (citizens, researchers, policy makers) with ways to identify assumptions, strengths and weaknesses of our ways of thinking about it. The paper also opens opportunities to investigate contextual traditions that shape e‐government policy, implementation and use. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Public Sector Management Emerald Publishing

Three patterns to understand e‐government: the case of Colombia

Download PDF
23 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/emerald-publishing/three-patterns-to-understand-e-government-the-case-of-colombia-9KPRFX6knE
Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0951-3558
DOI
10.1108/09513550910982887
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – E‐government initiatives are becoming common worldwide, but conceptual elements to understand their development, implementation and consequences are still lacking. Drawing on a contextualisation of e‐government in the information society and traditions in public policy, the aim of this paper is to offer three different patterns for thinking about e‐government. The paper's inter‐disciplinary and reflexive approach, as well as referencing a particular case (Colombian e‐government initiative Gobierno en Línea ), seeks to unsettle the taken‐for‐granted aspects of the policy discourse of e‐government in ways that can illuminate practice. Design/methodology/approach – From policy‐making and information systems, the authors review two dominant views on the information society to contextualise three patterns to think about e‐government. The first pattern (idealist) focuses on adopting a “vision” or “best practice” for government's use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The second pattern (strategic) emphasises the shaping of designs and uses of such technologies by different stakeholder groups. The third pattern (power‐based) conceives of any e‐government initiative as being the by‐product of power relations in a context, leading to different ways of thinking about e‐government (traditions). Analysis can then generate opportunities for the use of power by individuals and governments. The authors study these patterns in the Colombian e‐government initiative ( Gobierno en Línea ) by analysing relevant government policy strategic documents during the period 1997 to 2007 and validating these via a semi‐structured interview with the director of this initiative. Findings – By using these patterns the authors are able to illuminate the complexity of e‐government initiatives, and how each pattern contributes a different way of understanding. In the Colombian case we find that these patterns are intertwined and require us to go deeper in thinking about the context of relations between individuals and their governments. Practical implications – For public sector managers (and in particular for those in developing countries), the definition of these patterns can help them to assess critically the opportunities and limitations of the projects on e‐government in which they are involved. The findings also raise issues that can inform implementation strategies. Originality/value – The paper presents an alternative and inter‐disciplinary perspective to the study of e‐government that unsettles taken‐for‐granted assumptions about it. Rather than accepting its idealist rhetoric uncritically, the paper provides individuals (citizens, researchers, policy makers) with ways to identify assumptions, strengths and weaknesses of our ways of thinking about it. The paper also opens opportunities to investigate contextual traditions that shape e‐government policy, implementation and use.

Journal

International Journal of Public Sector Management – Emerald Publishing

Published: Aug 28, 2009

Keywords: Online operations; Government; Information society; Public policy; Management power; Colombia

References

  • Europe and the Global Information Society: Recommendations to the European Council
    Bangemann, M.
  • Dismantling the silos: extracting new value from IT investments in public administration
    Banister, F.
  • Deep e‐government
    Banister, F.
  • On the margins of the ‘information society’: a comparative study of mediation
    Beck, E.; Madon, S.; Sahay, S.
  • Interpreting British Governance
    Bevir, M.; Rhodes, R.A.W.
  • The Social Construction of Technological Systems: New Directions in the Sociology and History of Technology
    Bijker, E.; Hughes, T.; Pinch, T. (Eds)
  • Information technology, control and power: the centralization and decentralization debate revisited
    Bloomfield, B.; Coombs, R.
  • Foucault plays Habermas: an alternative philosophical underpinning for critical systems thinking
    Brocklesby, J.; Cummings, S.
  • The Social Life of Information
    Brown, J.; Duguid, P.
  • Mapping the Dynamics of Science and Technology: Sociology of Science in the Real World
    Callon, M.; Law, J.; Rip, A.
  • The Rise of the Network Society
    Castells, M.
  • The contours of the network society
    Castells, M.
  • The Internet Galaxy: Reflections on Internet, Business and Society
    Castells, M.
  • Factors affecting the use of e‐government in the telecommunications industry in Spain
    Cegarra, J.G.; Dewhurst, F.W.; Briones‐Peñalver, A.J.
  • Systems Thinking, Systems Practice
    Checkland, P.
  • Information, Systems and Information Systems: Making Sense of the Field
    Checkland, P.; Holwell, S.
  • Learning for Action: A Short Definitive Account of Soft Systems Methodology and Its Use for Practitioners, Teachers and Students
    Checkland, P.; Poulter, J.
  • Programa Agenda de Conectividad
    ColombiaDigital
  • Green Paper on the Convergence of the Telecommunications Media and Information Technology Sectors, and the Implications for Regulation: Towards an Information Society Approach
    Commission of the European Communities
  • Beyond organisational agendas: using boundary critique to facilitate the inclusion of societal concerns in information systems planning
    Córdoba, J.; Midgley, G.
  • E‐government in practice: an analysis of web site orientation to the citizens in Spanish municipalities
    Criado, J.; Ramilo, M.C.
  • Power and resistance in the implementation of a medical management information system
    Doolin, B.
  • Okinawa Charter on Global Information Society
    DOT Force
  • Digital Era Governance: IT Corporations, the State, and E‐government
    Dunleavy, P.; Margetts, H.; Bastow, S.; Tinkler, J.
  • The politics of information and communication policy: the information superhighway
    Dutton, W.; Blumler, J.; Garnham, N.; Mansell, R.; Cornford, J.; Peltu, M.
  • The History of Sexuality Volume One: The Will to Knowledge
    Foucault, M.
  • The ethics of the concern of the self as a practice of freedom
    Foucault, M.
  • What is enlightenment?
    Foucault, M.
  • Technical change and economic growth: the case of ‘catch‐up’
    Freeman, C.
  • Re‐engineering the Corporation: A Manifesto for Business Revolution
    Hammer, M.; Champy, J.
  • Enhancing the user role in the development of technical standards for telecommunications
    Hawkins, R.
  • E‐government as a carrier of context
    Heeks, R.
  • Implementing and Managing Egovernment: An International Text
    Heeks, R.
  • eGovernment in Europe's Regions: Approaches and Progress in IST Strategy, Organisation and Services, and the Role of Regional Actors
    Heichlinger, A.
  • Strategic alignment: leveraging information technology for transforming organisations
    Henderson, J.; Venkatraman, N.
  • Information Society Ireland: Strategy for Action
    Information Society Commission
  • Information Society Ireland: Discussion Document on IT Access for All
    Information Society Commission
  • Transformational change in the local state? Enacting e‐government in English local authorities
    McLoughlin, I.; Cornford, J.
  • Inside the Communication Revolution: Evolving Patterns of Social and Technical Interaction
    Mansell, R. (Ed.)
  • Mobilizing the Information Society: Strategies for Growth and Opportunity
    Mansell, R.; Steinmueller, W.
  • The Information Society: An Introduction
    Mattelart, A.
  • Whose Brave New World? The Information Highway and the New Economy
    Menzies, H.
  • Sistema Integral de Contratacion Electronica – Ficha de Proyecto
    Mincomunicaciones
  • Agenda de Conectividad – Gobierno en Línea y Plan de Acción 2007
    Mincomunicaciones
  • National systems of innovations, industrial clusters and constituency‐building in Scotland's electronics industry
    Molina, A.; Kinder, T.
  • Neoliberal or dirigiste? Policies for an information society
    Moore, N.
  • Confucius or capitalism? Policies for an information society
    Moore, N.
  • Designing Human Systems for New Technology: The ETHICS Method
    Mumford, E.
  • Being Digital
    Negroponte, N.
  • National Strategy
    Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
  • Local e‐Government. Process Evaluation of the Implementation of Electronic Local Government in England
    Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
  • The duality of technology: rethinking the concept of technology in organisations
    Orlikowski, W.
  • Interpreting narratives of local government change under the Conservatives and New Labour
    Orr, K.
  • Traditions of local government
    Orr, K.; Vince, R.
  • Escalation and de‐escalation of commitment: a commitment transformation analysis of an e‐government project
    Pan, G.; Pan, S.; Newman, M.; Flynn, D.
  • Structural change and assimilation of new technologies in the economic and social systems
    Perez, C.
  • Agenda de Conectividad – El Salto a Internet
    Planeacion
  • Política de Contratación Pública para un Estado Gerencial
    Planeacion
  • Proyecto de Racionalización y Automatización de Trámites
    Planeacion
  • Understanding governance: ten years on
    Rhodes, R.A.W.
  • Accounting for the contradictory organizational consequences of information technology: theoretical directions and methodological implications
    Robey, D.; Boudreau, M.
  • The internet and governance in a global context
    Rose, R.
  • Colombia's Headways and Challenges in the Use of ICT
    Santos‐Calderón, F.
  • Towards excellence in e‐governance
    Saxena, K.B.C.
  • Synthesizing e‐government stage models – a metasynthesis based on metaethnography approach
    Siau, K.; Long, Y.
  • Gobierno en Línea
    Sin, H.
  • Managing e‐transformation in the public sector: an e‐government study of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS)
    Tan, C.; Pan, S.
  • Power Shift: Knowledge, Wealth and Violence at the Edge of the 21st Century
    Toffler, A.
  • Science and Technology in Developing Countries: Strategies for the 1990s
    Unesco
  • Global E‐government Readiness Report: From E‐government to E‐inclusion
    United Nations
  • 2019 Visión Colombia II Centenario – Propuesta para Discusión – Resumen Ejecutivo
    Vision 2019
  • Interpreting Information Systems in Organisations
    Walsham, G.
  • Theories of the Information Society
    Webster, F.
  • E‐government and the transformation of service delivery and attitudes
    West, D.
  • Disconnected: Have and Have‐nots in the Information Age
    Wresch, W.
  • In the Age of the Smart Machine: The Future of Work and Power
    Zuboff, S.