Testing Structuration Theory in E-Government System Assimilation: Mediating Role of Pakistani Cotton Ginners’ Absorption Capacity

Abstract

Electronic Government (e-government) is a significant and vital application of the information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enable functional relations and communication with key government stakeholders. Governments have launched E-Government system for the basic objective of delivery and transfer of electronic information as well as services to their targeted citizens and for enhancing interaction with businesses and commerce. Therefore, assimilation and integration of E-Government systems in organizations is a strategic need. However, existing literature on E-Government system assimilation and meta-structures of organization (signification, domination, and legitimization) is limited. Therefore, in this paper, based upon structuration theory, we have developed a theoretical model with the aim to investigate the effect of organizational meta-structures of signification, domination, and legitimization on E-Government system assimilation with mediating effect of E-government absorption capacity. To test the proposed model, data collected from 292 ginning firms listed in the Pakistan Cotton Ginning Association (PCGA). The results confirm the direct relation between organizational meta structures and E-Government system assimilation and also support the mediating relationship of E-Government absorption capacity between the E-Government system assimilation and organizational meta structures. Moreover, the theoretical and managerial implications along with limitations and direction for future research also have been discussed in this study.