E-GOV PresentationJuly 17, 2008

Dr. Elaine KamarckJohn F. Kennedy School of Government

Harvard University

Internet users per 100 people; regional averages and selected countries: 2007

Source: International Telecommunications Union Statistics

Internet users per 100 inhabitants in South American countries: 2002 & 2007

Source: International Telecommunications Union Statistics

Drivers of E-Gov in U.S.

• Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996• Framework for Global Electronic Commerce• Govt Paperwork Elimination Act of 1998• National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year

1999• Presidential Memorandum on Electronic Govt• Electronic Signatures in Global & Natl Commerce

Act of 2000• President’s Management Agenda

Source: Abramson and Morin (2003)

Where are we in the IT revolution?

• This depends on the country• Some countries are in the first stage• Few are in the third• Bureaucrats around the world are

conservative.

Mean number of government websites per nation by region: 2000

Source: Norris (2001)

What are the levels of E-gov?

What are some applications of E-gov?

Online Services Provided by U.S. Federal Websites

Source: Abramson and Morin (2003)

Percentage of individuals who used the Internet for interactions with public authorities: 2007

Source: OECD; The Future of the Internet Economy, A Statistical Profile (2008)

Key Characteristics of Effective Govt Websites

1. Effective online information and services2. Coherent organization for structure and

content3. Usability and help features4. Accessibility for those with disabilities or

technical illiterates5. Legitimacy features to ensure user

confidence

Prospects and Challenges in E-Procurement Management

Prospects• Cost savings• Time savings• More vendor choices• Increased efficiency• Better reporting system• Increased buyer capacity• Reduced paperwork• Employee empowerment• Control over spending and

employee compliance

Challenges• Technical complexity• Potential initial costs• Relationships with online

vendors• Relationships with

independent ASPs.

Adapted from Neef (2001), e-Procurement: From Strategy to Implementation

Benefits of E-government

Beneficiaries Type of Benefit

Business Citizens Government

Direct Financial Benefits

Reducing Burden: administrative simplification

Reducing Burden: administrative simplification

Realising Efficiency Savings: freeing resources for

public and pr ivate innovation

Direct Non-financial Benefits

Meeting Public Expectations : improving customer satisfaction and equity; meeting security and privacy concerns ; transparency

and choice

Programme Benefits (Direct & Indirect)

Improving Policy Effectiveness: Achieving over all policy and programme outcomes

Good Governance Benefits

(Indirect for society )

Supporting Growth and Legitimacy : Good governance contributes to a sound business environment and democratic legitimacy; promotion of the information economy; supporting

public sector reform; creating business opportunities

Source: OECD: E-government Economics Project( 2005)

Direct cost savings to government

• Phone or postal transactions cost from 5 to 10 times more than an online transaction

• Face to face interactions cost from 50 to 100 times more than an online transaction

Source: EzGov Ltd estimations based on average call time of 2 minutes, UK postal costs and costs for e-mail response to online queries

Impact of E-gov projects

• California’s Buy Online procurement system saves US$ 9.7 million/yr

• Singapore’s tax e-filing saves SG$ 20 million/yr• MyFlorida.com search engine reduced call

centre calls by 1% and saves US$1.5 million/yr• UK e-tendering saved GBP 13 million over 4

years and reduced supplier costs by GBP 37 million

Source: OECD; E-government for Better Government (2005)

Barriers to e-govt

• Usage rates by citizens impacted by:– Accessibility issues: the “digital divide”– Data privacy/security concerns

• Government concerns– Bureaucrats worried about lost jobs– E-gov solutions require long time horizons– Cash economies limit extent of online transactions

The “digital divide” household internet access by income: 2007

Source: OECD; The Future of the Internet Economy, A Statistical Profile (2008)

Internet usage in developed and developing countries

Source: International Telecommunications Union Statistics

Electronic Democracy

• Registering to vote online• Receiving voting forms online• Voting online (Arizona)• Mobilizing grass-roots campaigns

(moveon.org)• Communicating with candidates/parties• Agenda setting (Minnesota, Britain)

Five Ways to Improve Govt Websites

1. Emphasize customer service2. Organize services by event rather than

department3. Allow for customization4. Reorganize the diversity of portal audiences5. Include features that enhance the legitimacy

of the portal

Source: Abramson and Morin (2003)

Internet users per 100 people; regional averages and selected countries: 2007

Source: International Telecommunications Union Statistics