Dawit Demissie

Benchmarking e-government: A comparison of frameworks for computing e-government index and ranking

Abstract Countries are often benchmarked and ranked according to economic, human, and technological development. Benchmarking and ranking tools, such as the United Nations e-Government index (UNDPEPA, 2002), are used by decision makers when devising information and communication policies and allocating resources to implement those policies. Despite their widespread use, current benchmarking and ranking tools have limitations. For instance, they do not differentiate between static websites and highly integrated and interactive portals. In this paper, the strengths and limitations of six frameworks for computing e-Government indexes are assessed using both hypothetical data and data collected from 582 e-Government websites sponsored by 53 African countries. The frameworks compared include Wests (2007a) foundational work and several variations designed to address its limitations. The alternative frameworks respond, in part, to the need for continuous assessment and reconsideration of generally recognized and regularly used frameworks.

An analysis of African e-Government service websites ☆

Abstract In most African countries, compared to any other part of the world, the use of information and communication technologies such as those necessary to provide e-Government services is minimal. The continent was once labeled a “technological desert.” The contributing factors, among others, are lack of infrastructure, low literacy rates, low economic development, and a variety of cultural factors. Despite these obstacles, most African countries have made noticeable progress during the last couple of decades. Almost all African governments now have some presence on the Web, including fully fledged e-Government web portals, albeit in small numbers. However, the current status of e-Government services in African countries is not well documented in detail. We present results of a comprehensive analysis of 582 e-Government service websites with respect to the type of websites, the services and features available, as well as the level of development of e-Government services. We also compute e-Government indexes, produce e-Government rankings, and compare our rankings to previous ones. A clear picture that emerges from our analysis and results is that although progress has been made, there is a long way to go, to bridge not only the North–South divide when it comes to e-Government services but also among the various sub-regions. In addition, recommendations for future researchers regarding e-Government services in Africa are made.

A comparative study of Contents of e-Government service websites of Middle East and North African (MENA) countries

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have historical ties and MENA countries share similarities with respect to socio-cultural characteristics, national economics (mainly based on natural resources such as oil), religious beliefs (predominantly Muslim), national languages (mainly Arabic), form of governance, and affiliation to regional organizations such as the Arab League. Few comparative e-government researchers have addressed e-government services and contents of e-government Websites within the context of MENA countries. This chapter fills in this gap by presenting e-governance as a desired outcome of diffusion of the Internet among MENA countries. It presents comparisons with respect to types of Websites and services, service-oriented features, online executable services, stages of development of e-government service, and e-government rankings of Websites hosted by MENA governments. Results of our analyses suggest that the similarities in e-governance among MENA countries span a number of variables including the stages of development of e-government services provided through Websites. Our recommendations, grounded in careful examination of 230 Websites of 18 MENA nations, could assist them in the provision of better e-government services to their citizens.

Toward a common framework for computing e-government index

Benchmarking and rankings are common practices to gauge the status or standing and assess the progress of entities such as institutions and countries with respect to a characteristic or variable. Countries are often ranked with respect to, among other things, their economic, human, and technological development. Benchmarking tools such as the e-Government index serve as useful tools for policy makers. Given the importance any benchmarking and ranking is given when devising policies regarding information and communication technologies and allocating resources to implement those technologies by institutions and countries, an objective framework to produce the rankings is paramount. A ranking is as good as the frameworks used to produce it. Despite their wider use, some of the current procedures used for e-Government index computation have limitations. For instance, they do not differentiate between websites that provide static information and fully fledged portals. This paper compares four frameworks, points out their limitations and strengths, and proposes ways to address their limitations.

A Tale of Two Continents: Contents of African and Asian E-Government Websites

The digital divide is often discussed from the perspective of North and South and haves and have-nots. This is true of comparative studies on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and e-government. As a result, there is less research on the South-South digital divide and/or cross-national comparative studies that focus mainly on developing countries. This paper addresses this gap by comparing contents of African and Asian e-government service websites. Based on analyses of 582 African and 939 Asian e-government service websites, we present comparisons of the contents of websites from the two continents with respect to the type of site, type of service, features, online executable services, level/stage of development of e-government service, and e-government index. Overall, e-government service websites from the two continents have similar contents, save a few differences.

The State of the Art of E-Government Services in Africa: An Analysis of Relevant Websites

The rate of adoption of information and communication technologies such as those necessary to provide e-government services by African countries is slow due to several factors such as infrastructure, literacy, economic development, and culture. Despite the obstacles, most African countries have made noticeable progress over the last couple of decades. Almost all African governments now have some presence on the Web including fully fledged egovernment web portals, albeit in small numbers. However, the state of the art of e-government services in African countries is not well documented in detail. We present results of a comprehensive analysis of 468 e-government service websites with respect to the type of websites, services & features available, as well as the level of development of e-government services. We also compute e-government indexes, produce egovernment rankings, and compare our rankings to previous ones. Recommendations for future researchers regarding frameworks used for computing e-government indexes are made.

The Effect of Information Quality and Satisfaction on a Parent’s Behavioral Intention to Use a Learning Community Management System

Abstract Web-based Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications offer benefits in managing interactions between stakeholders. As a result, schools are increasingly adopting them. Consequently, a holistic picture of the factors that contribute to ICT adoption and use in such settings is needed. Since DeLone and McLean (1992) showed the effect of information and system quality on user satisfaction and, in turn, on information system use, researchers have investigated these effects. Most such studies have been conducted in North America and Europe, however. Addressing this deficiency in application, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of parents of children at Queens College in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to determine the effects of information quality and user satisfaction on their behavioral intention to use a learning community management system (LCMS) in a K–12 educational setting. The results of our analyses confirmed that those factors had significant effect, with satisfaction being the most influential determinant. The implications for educational policymakers and software/system vendors are discussed.