Jan Huntgeburth

Evaluating a Cloud Service Relationship Theory

This chapter presents an empirical evaluation of the cloud service relationship theory based on a large scale survey. First, the context in which the cloud service relationship was evaluated is introduced and an explanation is given why PLS-SEM was chosen as a statistical method. Second, a comprehensive scale development study is presented that was very valuable for developing reliable and valid measurement instruments. Third, transparent record is provided on the sampling strategy and how the survey was administered. Fourth, the results of both measurement model and structural model evaluation are presented. Fifth, the findings are discussed in the light of the extant knowledge about IS and the theoretical contribution of the study is carved out. Last but not least, implications for practice are provided and limitations of the empirical evaluation are debated.

Developing a Cloud Service Relationship Theory

This chapter develops a cloud service relationship theory that explains and predicts how uncertainties arise and how they can be mitigated in cloud service relationships. In the first part, the relevance and boundary assumption of the theory are explained. Next, based on well-established theoretical lenses, an abstract understanding of user behavior in cloud service relationships is developed. Building on these more abstract constructs and their relationships, empirically testable hypotheses are derived. By the end of this chapter, a summary of the essential elements of the theory is provided.

A Research Framework for Theorizing

Every IS researcher applies implicitly (by experience) methods of discovery—so-called heuristics—to advance theorizing about the adoption, the utilization and the success of emerging IT innovations. Heuristics represent experience-based theory-building practices of IS researchers that aim for creating new insights on phenomena. Taking positivist cloud innovation research as an empirical sample, this chapter inductively explores previous cloud research with respect to the heuristics applied and subsequently evaluates—based on positivists’ epistemological assumptions—the potential of these heuristics for advancing theorizing and producing scientific progress. The developed research framework can be used as a tool by researchers for better carving out the behavioral changes induced by emerging IT innovations, for critically assessing own research projects, and for developing new perspectives on IT innovation phenomena.

Lesson Learned and Outlook

This textbook aims to equip the reader with a fundamental understanding of how information and communication technology (ICT) is influencing the processes of managing and leading political institutions and administrations in the digital era. In times of social media, the internet and all-encompassing digitized communication channels, designing and conducting political agendas has changed fundamentally.

Legal Aspects of Digital Service Delivery

Open image in new window nThe rise of the internet in almost all domains of personal and business life means that the public sector is also becoming increasingly involved in digital process management. Hence, a legal basis for digital government is necessary. In this chapter, the most fundamental aspects of this young and developing field are outlined. Regulation of digital government services and delivery is globally very heterogeneous. With a focus on Europe and particularly Germany, “e-government legislation” initiatives are introduced and contrasted with the respective parallel developments in the United States of America. Secure and private communication and storage of information has been identified as one of the key drivers of digital government initiatives. Hence, legal regulations relating to encryption, data protection, and privacy stand in the foreground of this chapter. Finally, the domain of e-inclusion – the inclusion of citizens with disabilities – is addressed in the remainder of the chapter.

Impact of Digital Governments

Open image in new window nThe informational power and connectivity of the internet provides new opportunities for government to promote digital democracy and modernize public service delivery. In this chapter, we discuss how digital government has the potential to change government. On the one hand, we discuss how digital government enables more direct democratic elements in representative democracies and how these opportunities will put pressure on government to let citizens participate in decision-making. On the other hand, we discuss how digital government provides new opportunities for public service delivery and how it has the potential to transform the public administration towards a more citizen-oriented and transparent public service provider.

Introduction to Digital Government

Open image in new window nThe goal of this chapter is to provide a general idea of the characteristics, scope, goals, current status, and future prospects of digital government. Digital government is defined as the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), in particular the internet, to transform the relationship between government and society in a positive manner. Two coexisting reform paradigms of digital government – the participatory and the managerial approach – are briefly introduced. Both paradigms aim to improve the relationship between government and society in such a way that government is perceived as more responsive, accessible, transparent, responsible, participatory, efficient, and effective than before. Moreover, digital government models aiming to explain, predict, and prescribe how digital government develops are presented. Finally, an overview about the target audience, structure, and learning goals of this textbook is given.

Online One-Stop Government

Open image in new window nThe concept of online one-stop government is aimed at simplifying access to governmental services. It implies a strong adoption of interoperability standards or standards for process integration amongst public administrations so that they are able to share data and integrate activities while complying with data privacy standards. The aim of this chapter is to outline the most important aspects of integrating digital public services into one-stop portals with a single access platform, where citizens and businesses can access the services they require based on a life-events approach. Network externalities, prototypical theoretical concepts, and research on determinants of adoption are introduced and discussed.

The Digital Divide

Open image in new window nDespite the undoubted potential of the internet to improve public service provision and citizen engagement, the digital divide phenomenon remains one of the main barriers to migrating administrative and political processes to the internet. This chapter elaborates why the digital divide is an important issue for policy-makers in social welfare states. Moreover, a digital divide framework is presented which highlights the multidimensional nature of the phenomenon. On the basis of this framework, current European activities to bridge the digital divide are discussed. Finally, the consequences of the digital divide for digital government are analyzed.