The Uncertainty of Using Web 2.0 Technologies in E-Government Development. Romania's Case

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the degree in which Web 2.0 related technologies are used in the Romanian local public administration. We have mirrored, on the one hand, the positive connotation unanimously credited to ICT technologies and, on the other hand, the blames of bureaucracy and enclosure traditionally addressed to local public agencies (normally regarded as non-innovator). Starting from this apparent set, we have analyzed the modification of ICT technologies brought to the 41 City Halls which are now present virtually, focusing on the use of Web 2.0 technologies ate the year 2012 level. The importance of the analyzed web-pages derives from the width of their target audience: they are addressed, directly or indirectly (indirect estimates include minors), to approximately 7,872,986 people, which amounts to 37% of the total population of Romania. In completing this study, the used research methods were observation, desk review and open interview. The main scientific aim is to conduct the analysis of the theoretical assumptions leading up to changing technological trends in the development of the Romanian public administration, based on own elaborated knowledge's from research field, as well as an empirical testing of the Web 2.0 presence of the Romanian City Halls.