Determinants of e-government implementation at the local level: an empirical model

Gonçalo Paiva Dias

doi:10.1108/oir-04-2020-0148

Abstract

PurposeThe empirical research of e-government at the local level has been the subject of many studies in the last two decades. The evidence collected by those studies constitutes a relevant opportunity toward the development of a theory of local e-government implementation. However, several synthesis efforts are needed before such a theory can be developed. The purpose of this article is to contribute to that endeavor by proposing an empirical model of the determinants of e-government implementation by local governments.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical model results from the systematic revision of 59 primary studies published in scientific journals, between 2002 and 2018. As a starting point, a conceptual map relating concepts such as readiness, diffusion, adoption, implementation and institutionalization is presented.FindingsThere is a common set of determinants that explains local e-government implementation in general, and three other sets of determinants that contribute to differentiate each one of three e-government dimensions: e-participation, e-transparency and e-services.Research limitations/implicationsBecause it was found that different determinants are associated with different e-government dimensions, future empirical studies should differentiate between those dimensions when studying local government.Originality/valueThis is the first study to attempt a synthesis effort on the determinants of e-government implementation by local governments.

Highlights

Local e-government refers to the use of “information and communication technologies to support government operations, engage citizens, and provide government services at the local level” (Dias, 2019a)
This article proposes an empirical model for the determinants of e-government implementation by local governments
The model shows that determinants related to the internal characteristics of the local government and to the specific territory constitute a substrate that is relevant to the implementation of e-government in general

Summary

Introduction

Local e-government refers to the use of “information and communication technologies to support government operations, engage citizens, and provide government services at the local level” (Dias, 2019a). Despite the obvious relevance of the subject, there is a notorious absence of secondary studies that seek to synthesize the results of those studies One reason for this state of affairs is that, due to the different scopes, approaches and methods used in the different empirical studies, synthesizing results is not an easy task. On one hand, this is the consequence of the comprehensive nature of e-government (Relyea, 2002; Yiliz, 2007; Wirtz et al, 2015), with the possibility that different determinants may exist for different dimensions of the phenomenon (e.g. disclosing of information, provision of electronic services, allowing the participation of citizens). It is related to the different research approaches used (e.g. quantitative studies, qualitative studies, mixed methods), the different methods used to collect data (e.g. website content analysis, questionnaires, interviews, secondary data), and the different techniques applied to analyse data (e.g. correlation analysis, regression analysis, structural equation modelling, inductive reasoning)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion