Impact of National Culture on E-Government Development

Abstract

E-government has become a growth engine for government. Despite splendid progress in information and communication technologies, e-government is developing at a slow pace. This study aims to examine the cultural factors responsible for e-government development. Drawing from customer focus theory and cultural theory, the study explores the relationship between the dimensions of national culture and e-government development. The study uses panel data of e-government development and per capita GDP from 2008 to 2018 of 78 countries to examine the relationship. The result shows that cultural dimensions and per capita GDP are significant predictors of e-government development. Per capita GDP, when examined with cultural dimensions, namely power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation, shows interactive effects on e-government development. This study contributes to the literature of e-government, the customer focus theory, and cultural theory. The paper also presents the practical implications of findings that are relevant to the policymakers and governments.