Integration and Scaling in an E-Government Project

Abstract

Purpose: Scaling is an important concern in the management of Information Systems projects. E-Government projects are no exception to the challenges of scaling. The problem is more severe because of a large and diverse population of target users and more crucial because of vulnerability of the target population in case of failure of such initiatives (in projects like public distribution system of food). In spite of a significant awareness of its importance among implementers, scaling still remains a challenge. This paper examines this important issue. Design/Methodology/Approach: The case study method has been used to demonstrate the relationship between integration and scaling of e-Government projects. This study employs analytic generalization from field case as a method to theorize a broad framework for integration of ICT projects. The context of this study is an e-Government project in West Bengal, India. The selection of the case involved theoretical sampling apart from considerations for possibility of access to the project and its appropriateness with respect to the topic under study. Findings: Five different levels of integration in e-Government projects viz., Interface, Data, Electronic communication, Application and Knowledge have been identified. Further it has been demonstrated that each of these integration mechanisms impacts scaling of e-Government projects. Also the nature of impact has been identified. Originality/Value: This paper demonstrates the impact of integration on scaling of e-Government projects. It analyses the phenomenon of integration in terms of five different levels. All the levels of integration impact scaling of e-Government projects in different ways.