E-governance Projects In India Research Articles

Effectiveness of strategy implementation and e-governance performance

E-governance projects generally face many planning and implementation related challenges. It is well acknowledged that the complexities involved ask for adequate strategic planning before launching these projects. However, it is observed that many times even the well-planned e-governance projects may not perform as per expectations due to ineffective strategy implementation. This could perhaps be one of the causes of the unsatisfactory performance of e-governance projects, particularly in the context of developing countries, as reported by some studies. The article attempts to analyze the effectiveness of strategy implementation and performance of e-governance based on a study of a few agriculture related e-governance projects in India. Suitable measures and hypotheses have been conceptualized for studying the effectiveness of strategy implementation and e-governance performance. The empirical support is provided by a survey of operational level officers involved in the implementation of projects. The analysis has brought out four constituents of the construct ‘effectiveness of strategy implementation’ which has been revealed as a predictor of ‘performance of e-governance'. The study findings are expected to contribute in terms of giving more thrust to identified factors of strategy implementation while planning for e-governance initiatives. The findings may also trigger corrective actions in several such ongoing projects which are struggling to deliver the intended outcomes. Overall, the research based interventions by practitioners may lead to better performance of e-governance projects for the benefit of society at large.

Adaptability among e-Governance Projects in India: Extending the Adaptive Capacity Wheel Framework

Adaptability among e-Governance Projects in India: Extending the Adaptive Capacity Wheel Framework

Adaptability among e-governance projects in India: extending the adaptive capacity wheel framework

Lack of adaptability has been identified as a major roadblock in the success of e-Governance projects. The current research explores existing literature from strategic management and e-Governance to reconceptualise adaptability which is operationalised as adaptive capacity building based on the adaptive capacity wheel framework. We analyse adaptive capacity across four major e-Governance G2C projects in India by utilising secondary data sources and interpretive qualitative analysis across four case studies. Indicators of adaptive capacity were identified and further developed to present an expansive operationalisation of the dimensions of adaptive capacity. It is posited that adaptive capacity comprises multiple capabilities: ability to conceptualise a problem across multiple stakeholders, ability to learn, ability to sense and monitor the projects, ability to reconfigure, and ability to control costs of the project. We also cross-compare our results through a fuzzy AHP approach. The study contributes to both theory and practice by presenting an integrative approach to adaptability in an e-Governance context.

Paradoxes of Intermediation in Aadhaar: Human Making of a Digital Infrastructure

E-governance projects in India are often purported to minimise the role of human intermediaries. They rely on machines to curtail corruption and bring more efficiency to service delivery. However, studies have found human intermediation and its affordances to be crucial, especially in developing countries where social endowment gaps pose considerable barriers to the effective use of information and communication technologies. Human intermediation in technological infrastructure is thus invisible yet inevitable. I unravel this paradox of intermediation by examining the everyday practices of two sets of intermediaries in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan associated with everyday workings of Aadhaar, India’s digital biometric identity infrastructure. Looking at biometric technologies as ‘situated practice’, I draw on the notion of ‘infrastructuring’ to argue that the discretionary practices of human intermediaries in fact stabilise the technological system, anchoring it to a human infrastructure. So, as disruptive technologies such as Aadhaar are implemented, their effective usage will invariably rely on the potential agency of human intermediaries and their collaborative work practices.

Analysing the Influence of Improved Situation, Capability Level of Actors and Flexible Process Workflow on Public Value of E-Governance Projects in India

An emerging approach for assessing performance of public services is based on public value. Many existing studies have, however, measured public value in the context of online services. In India, most of the public services are still not fully e-governed. Due to the absence of an end-to-end IT-enabled service delivery mechanism, physical presence of citizens is still required to avail public services in many cases. A citizen during his visit to a public organization faces a ‘Situation’, interacts with ‘Actors’ and follows a ‘Process’ or a set of processes. It is conceptualized that citizens’ perception based on situation—actor—process (S–A–P)-related variables is expected to influence public value. In this article, S–A–P-related variables and their likely relationship with public value have been analysed based on a service of housing department of Delhi Development Authority. The study also aims to identify dominant actors who may be playing a critical role in the process of service delivery. It is expected that such actors may influence the service delivery time due to their dominance over the process. A dominance matrix showing ranking of different actors involved in the process of selected service has been presented by using an Interpretive Ranking Process method. The study is expected to benefit planners and implementers in terms of improved public value and delivery of public services on time.

Management and financing of e-Government projects in India: Does financing strategy add value?

How do managers structure e-government projects and address challenges of risks, lack of technical expertise, and mitigation of strategic error for preventing loss of investments? Our aim was to compare the traditional finance approach and the strategy-driven, innovative financing approaches under the PPP model, to examine their managerial value-addition. We found that e-government projects require a carefully crafted structuring strategy and that innovative financing is more suitable in facilitating flexible decision making, building core capabilities, managing and sharing project risks, providing funds needed for growth and innovation, and customising tailor-made project governance strategy. Based on our findings, we develop five theoretical propositions.

Measuring public value of e-governance projects in India: citizens’ perspective

PurposeMost of the existing studies in e-governance context have attempted to measure public value of projects in terms of quality of services provided, cost effectiveness of public organizations and extent to which public organizations are able to meet their social objectives. However, it is also important to explore variables influencing public value to pursue for attaining high public value from such projects. This paper aims to attempt to explore such variables based on Situation-Actor-Process (S-A-P) framework. In India, physical presence of citizens is still required at many public centers established for delivering a variety of government services. A citizen at the time of his visit to a public service center faces a situation, deals with different actors and is subjected to a set of processes. At the end of the service cycle, the citizen develops a perception about public value of the e-governance project. The paper aims at exploring the likely influence of “Improved Situation”, “Capability Level of Actors” and “Flexible Process Workflow” on “Public Value” of e-governance projects.Design/methodology/approachOn the basis of a review of literature, variables likely to be influencing public value have been identified in terms of situation, actors and processes. A questionnaire was designed, and a survey conducted to measure public value and S-A-P-related variables in the context of two e-governance projects, namely, Passport Seva Project and Driving License Project in India. Survey data have been analyzed to study the influence of S-A-P-related variables on the public value of e-governance projects. Learning issues have been synthesized in terms of implications for practitioners as well as researchers for enhancing public value of e-governance projects.FindingsThe study has revealed that a citizen-centric e-governance project with observed high value of conceptualized S-A-P variables is expected to be characterized by high public value. The analysis has also reflected upon a need for an in-depth study to explore empirically validated linkages between S-A-P variables and public value of e-governance projects.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on a pilot study in the context of two citizen-centric e-governance projects. It is required to study more such projects for the purpose of validating the proposed framework and arriving at generalized findings.Practical implicationsThe study results are expected to sensitize practitioners to keep in view conceptualized variables related to situation, actors and processes while planning for citizen-centric e-governance projects. This may result in improved situation at the public service centers, better performance of employees and more flexible processes which may further help to increase the public value of such projects.Practical implicationsE-governance projects can perform a vital role in improving public value. In the context of India, a key objective of e-governance projects is to improve the service delivery of citizen-centric projects. The findings of the pilot study, based on the select two citizen-centric e-governance projects in India, reflect upon the likely relationship between public value and S-A-P variables. Thrust on improving situational aspects, as conceptualized in this study, is expected to improve comfort level of citizens while taking benefit of IT enabled services of government organizations. Better capability of actors at public organizations is likely to build trust and confidence among citizens toward these services. Adoption of flexible processes by public organizations is expected to ensure seamless delivery of services to citizens through alternate options. Enhanced delivery of services satisfies the need for improved public value and create positive attitude among society toward public organizations. It contributes to satisfaction level of citizens in terms of saving of time, money and efforts.Originality/valueA review of literature has revealed a few studies undertaken in recent past with focus on measurement of public value in e-governance context. This paper is based on a novel idea of exploring the likely relationship between conceptualized S-A-P-related variables and public value of citizen-centric e-governance projects. Recommendations based on learning issues are expected to trigger suitable interventions to generate high public value from such projects.

Public Service Delivery System and E-Governance Projects in India: An Overview

Public services are considered to be an important notion of governance system. Governance can be used in several contexts such as corporate governance, international governance, national governance and local governance. Providing effective public services with minimum cost in all of these levels is always a dilemma in the part of government. E-governance is one of resolving innovative project of the government to strengthen public service delivery system. This paper will examine the e-governance initiatives in India, its role in efficient public service delivery. The paper will also evaluate its scope, performance, challenge and prospects. The study is based on secondary data sources. The data have been collected from various published and unpublished data sources like publications of government of India, annual reports of Electronics and Information of various years; various study reports, websites of Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India etc. The paper concluded that the e-governance project reached every citizen at the grass root level and provided them with information, access to different government services there by ensuring inclusive growth so that the gains from increased national income are shared by all sections society.

Innovative Tool for New and Change Government of India: E- Governance

In 21st century, E-Governance is becoming ruling king as it may reduce corruption, cut red tapism and reach directly to citizens providing political support focused administrative leadership, reengineering process. In the Present Scenario, Information and communication technology is gaining its importance day by day. IT is becoming Government’s driving force by providing services. IT has discovered new ways for improving the Government’s strategies and policies also rules and regulations for providing services to the public. It introduced electronic modes for government for changes and renewal in its processes and policies. This mode becomes the key word for the government in improving its processes. E-governance plays a role of catalyst and channel for E- business in business community. As far as E-governance projects are concerned, government is changing its role from an ‘Implementer’ to a ‘Faciliatator’ and ‘Regulator’. Government will encourage private sector participation in E-governance projects and more projects based on public private participation (PPP) model should came in near future to achieve long term sustainability and the future for Egovernance looks. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the E-governance in India and initiatives made by the government for implementing the e-governance projects in India and also examined the challenges faced by government in implementing e-governance projects in India. Keywords: Government, Governance, E-Government, E-Governance, E-Governance projects, challenges.

Opportunities and Challenges in Implementing e-Democracy in India

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an enabler of implementing e-Governance projects in India. e-Governance is the interaction between the citizens and government in a digital manner enabling transparency, faster data availability and participation of citizens in the activities of Government. India being a democratic, sovereign nation has implemented various e-Governance projects. While moving towards e-Democracy that is enabling citizens to vote online during elections, knowing the candidates prior to the voting process, citizen participation in Government decisions, we face plenty of challenges at the implementation stage. The current study is a secondary research done by analysing the various e-Democracy projects across the globe. The opportunities and challenges faced by various nations are assessed and suggestions are being provided for one of the largest democracies in the world for the successful implementation of e-Democracy for better citizen participation.

Planning and implementation of e-governance projects: a SAP-LAP based gap analysis

This paper attempts to study the conventional planning and implementation framework and examine its suitability for handling the dynamic context of e-governance. The SAP-LAP framework is used to conduct a qualitative gap analysis. Illustrative empirical evidence is drawn from independent surveys of government officials and intended beneficiaries pertaining to select agriculture related e-governance projects in India. Learning issues have been synthesised to bring out strategic recommendations for refining the conventional framework to suit the context of e-governance. The gap analysis has led to conceptualisation of two research frameworks, which need to be validated empirically. Cross case analysis of a few ongoing projects, based on interpretation of the validated frameworks, is expected to provide the necessary foundation for further research for evolving an adaptive strategic framework for improving the performance of e-governance projects.

Sustainability of e-governance projects in India

Sustainability of e-governance projects in India

Multi-perspective analysis of e-governance performance: a study of select agriculture related projects in India

There is a general lack of empirically founded measures for cross-analysing the performance of e-governance initiatives from the perspective of key stakeholders. This study attempts to fill such gap by proposing a construct based on commonly applicable performance aspects across key actor groups belonging to select agriculture related e-governance projects in India. An analysis, based on the proposed construct, reveals that the performance of e-governance is perceived differently by the three actor types. The study has implications for both researchers and practitioners.

Results from a Study of Impact of E-Government Projects in India

Paper presents the results of a study to assess the impact on cost of access of Government services by citizens in manual and computerized modes. The assessment was done for six different types of services in 3 states in India. The difference between manual and computerized delivery of a service is seen as the impact of computerization. The assessment is based on surveys of nearly 300 clients (citizes/businesses) located in 16 different locations in a state. The results indicate a positive impact on travel costs and waiting time in all services. However, the impact on bribery is seen to be significant in some projects and absent in others.

Hurdles in rural e-government projects in India: lessons for developing countries

Rural Electronic Government (e-government) projects are aimed at providing government services and information to rural public. The e-government initiatives have not been very successful in developing countries because of several inherent constraints. We study ten typical rural e-government projects in India and analyse the operational, economic and personnel hurdles faced in implementing them along with their progression. Based on the implementation experiences of these projects, a list of recommendations is provided for successful execution of e-government projects. These recommendations will be useful for managing e-government projects in the developing world.

E-government evaluation: a framework and case study

Abstract The importance of measuring the performance of e-government cannot be overemphasized. In this paper, a flexible framework is suggested to choose an appropriate strategy to measure the tangible and intangible benefits of e-government. An Indian case study of NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation) has been taken up for analysis and placement into the framework. The results obtained suggest that to have a proper evaluation of tangible and intangible benefits of e-government, the projects should be in a mature stage with proper information systems in place. All of the e-government projects in India are still in a nascent stage; hence, proper information flow for calculating ‘return on e-government’ considering tangible and intangible benefits cannot be fully ascertained.