Factors Affecting E-Government Assimilation in Developing Countries

Abstract

The Information Technology (IT) must be successfully assimilated into the organization in order to exploit its potential value and benefit for their target adopter. This paper examines the factors affecting assimilation of e-Government in Developing Countries. A conceptual framework was developed for analyzing the assimilation of e-government, in the context of IT innovation, which developed based on Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) Framework, Innovation and Diffusion Theory. In this paper, we analyze assimilation as single stage technology diffusion process. An Innovation diffusion theory is coined with TOE framework to explain how assimilation process affected by ICT expertise, ICT infrastructure, TOP management support, organizational compatibility, extend coordination, regulatory environment, and competition. Based on this framework and by utilizing data from questioner, the determinants and mechanisms of this process are identified and process of e-Government assimilation is reconstructed. Questionnaires were distributed among ITTP students at KAIST University as the main respondent, and supported by international student network. The respondents selected from Government Officer from developing countries to response the assimilation process and condition occurred in their respective country. Our research found, the environmental context plays an important role in assimilation of e-Government, followed by organization and technological factors. At the end, our research revealed TOE framework can be use as a method to analyze assimilation of e-Government and contribute a new understanding and model enhancement for academics as well as practitioners and policy maker.