E-government and Open Data Boosting Economic Growth: A New Index

Abstract

The current crisis affecting the European countries reveals how arduous it is to boost growth and competitiveness while preserving the EU social welfare model, fighting inequalities and boosting public confidence in central and local institutions. In a world increasingly connected and influenced by intangibles, it is reasonable to think that among the many drivers that have contributed to GDP growth, and thus to the improvement of the economic situation, institutional communication, particularly that which exploits digital channels, might play a key role in contributing to economic growth and regaining the trust of citizens and markets. In this context the relationship between e-government and economic growth becomes a relevant issue that should be analysed. The purpose of this paper is therefore to define an empirical dataset, which could be used to verify the possible relationship between economic growth and e-government, by creating a new index: the @PPR, Digital Private-Public Relations. Through the @PPR index the size of public relations can be given a value, and be defined as “the management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and the public’s on whom its success or failure depends” (Cutlip, 1994). A first comparison is presented here and deals with Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.