Understanding Business Models for Mobile Government

Abstract

Mobile technologies are growing rapidly in all countries, but they are particularly important for developing countries. Since more and more citizens are using cell phones and other mobile devices, it seems clear that there is an opportunity for government to provide services using related technologies, what has recently been called mobile government. Based on configuration theory, concepts from business models, and a set of individual interviews, this paper proposes a preliminary business model for mobile government, particularly using SMS (short message service) technology. The paper shows how the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the Parana State in Brazil has been using an innovative model to deliver services to citizens, which public managers can use as a model to better understand and help them begin a mobile government project using this technology. Therefore, the paper proposes a business model and tests it for the case of the DMV in the state of Parana in Brazil.