ICT For Governance Research Articles

ICT and Institutional Transformations in the Global South

At a juncture where various streams questioning the role of ICT in democratic governance have joined, this paper explores how a traditional South Asian institution – the Guthi – is rejuvenated, if not resuscitated, by ICT, especially – but not only – by the Communication aspect, prompted by a cataclysmic event, and also propelled towards global normative priorities. The case came to attention after the major earthquake of 2015 in Nepal. The Guthi, the traditional institution of cooperative self-governance prevalent primarily amongst the Newars of Kathmandu Valley, was in serious decline and the earthquake laid bare the void it had left behind. Leveraging on ICT and following their traditions, the communities put forward the case for their participation in rebuilding efforts. Especially this, but also those possibilities in general, “spun off” new iterations of the Guthi: neo-Guthis, sub-Guthis, and quasi-Guthis. We argue that much of the criticism that is levelled against the Guthi today ignores these and solely focuses on the ancient, guthis. As we put forth, it was the reaction to the demand of the time as well as utilizing the tools available, and even adapting the organization(s) to do so, that enabled the rejuvenation of an indigenous institution.

INTERFAZ ENTRE CIUDADANÍA Y GOBIERNO EN LA PLANEACIÓN DE CIUDADES INTELIGENTES

The main objective is to identify, review and analyze the main components and characteristics of the most used digital platforms in the world aimed at serving as Intelligent Operations Centers (IOCs) and that serve as interface or citizen link channels with the main decision makers government officials in charge of urban and regional planning. In order to identify and analyze which components and services a digital platform for IOC operates and manages, it was proposed to review the five most used platforms today successfully around the world based on the review of its parameters-based computing architecture: services offered, specific domain interfaces and interaction interfaces. The IOC platform was determined in relation to its greater interactivity with citizen participation. It is concluded that the implementation of ICT in electronic governance must start from the same development from local technologies, and not simply adopt the technologies of other countries. Keywords: Interface, ICT, Electronic Government, City, Citizenship.

Smart Village and Sustainability. Southern Moravia Case Study

Abstract The paper is aimed at an attempt to define a smart village in the Czech conditions. It argues that the principles of smart villages are very similar to the concept of sustainability. The analysis deals with preventing rural exclusion, promoting digital technologies for the management of the rural infrastructure, teleworking in rural areas and using ICT for participation and governance. This approach is documented in the case of the South-Moravian Region. It was concluded that it was not so much coverage or accessibility of digital technology that was the main barrier of more intensive use of the smart village concept but rather the lower qualification level and conservatism of rural population is. It is suggested that more attention should be paid to increasing the digital literacy of rural people.

Investigating the ICT usage on Transparency in the Governance Processes at the Local Level in Southwestern Nigeria

This article discusses the nexus between ICT and transparency in local governance in Southwestern Nigeria. There appears to be little or no attempt at investigating the role of ICT usage in transparency in local governance in Southwestern Nigeria. This article takes this as a point of departure. The article relies on primary data sourced through mixed approach method of administering of questionnaire on local council ICT officers, registered voters, local community and youth leaders and key informant interview of officers of ICT non-governmental organisations. For the Quantitative design, 418 respondents were administered with questionnaire while 18 key informants were purposively interviewed. Data were analysed using SPSS; correlation co-efficient analysis using tables, while the interview responses were presented using content analysis. Results showed a positive correlation of +0.421 between ICT and transparency in local governance. The study concludes that local governance will better be enhanced through relevant ICT tools in rural communities. This article discusses the nexus between ICT and transparency in local governance in Southwestern Nigeria. There appears to be little or no attempt at investigating the role of ICT usage in transparency in local governance in Southwestern Nigeria. This article takes this as a point of departure. The article relies on primary data sourced through mixed approach method of administering of questionnaire on local council ICT officers, registered voters, local community and youth leaders and key informant interview of officers of ICT non-governmental organisations. For the Quantitative design, 418 respondents were administered with questionnaire while 18 key informants were purposively interviewed. Data were analysed using SPSS; correlation co-efficient analysis using tables, while the interview responses were presented using content analysis. Results showed a positive correlation of +0.421 between ICT and transparency in local governance. The study concludes that local governance will better be enhanced through relevant ICT tools in rural communities.

Planning for a Smart City with a Human Face in Developing India

In today’s world of increasing urban development and interconnect­edness, the role of the city as “ an engine of growth” and development is being recognized more and more. Though urban centers are associated with greater access to basic facilities and services— educational, medical, cultural, employ­ment opportunities, and greater involvement of polity in the developing econ­omies—cities often have poor infrastructure and services and sub-standard living conditions. Currently, smart cities are being hailed as the solution to all problems with the help of ICT and its enabled services around the globe, they lack clarity in totality. The smart city mission, which launched as a flagship program in India, is working in the same spirit. With the advancement of science and technology, the importance of ICT and digitization in the overall governance of towns and cities cannot be underesti­mated. The feasibility of this option in India, where a sizable proportion of the population lives in villages and below the poverty line, remains questionable. Research studies have proven that the root cause of compulsive migration to urban areas is the search for improved livelihoods, which further aggravates urban poverty. Amid this background, India needs to plan and develop cities and villages in synergy with regional and local contextual realities. On the foundation of this integra­tion, Indian cities could be built to be more liveable, sustainable, pros­perous, and inclusive smart cities “with a human face.

ICT and Online Social Movements for Good Governance in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the availability of different Internet-enabled social media has led to the emergence of online social movements advocating the principle of good governance in the affairs of the state. In view of this, this paper examined the evolution of online social movements in Nigeria, and the role of ICT in their mobilization for good governance. Resource mobilization theory was employed as the explanatory framework. The paper contends that though online social movements in Nigeria are generally in their embryonic stage, they are, nonetheless, increasingly influencing the three organs of government and shaping public policies in the country.

E-Governance in India: Definitions, Challenges and Solutions

The Government of India is transcending from traditional modus operandi of governance towards technological involvement in the process of governance. Currently, the Government of India is in the transition phase and seamlessly unleashing the power of ICT in governance. The government is spending an enormous amount of finances in deployment of e-governance, but, are these efforts are going in the appropriate direction and leads towards intended results? What do the people percept from the concept of e-governance? What is the global perspective about perception of e-governance? What are the major challenges confronting the deployment of e-governance? In this attempt the authors have made an attempt to riposte aforesaid issues. Moreover, the authors have also suggested some plausible suggestions which may help in successful and sustainable deployment of e-governance in India.

Digital Europe 2030: Designing scenarios for ICT in future governance and policy making

Abstract The article outlines a set of visionary scenarios on how the European society could develop by 2030 by using advanced ICT tools and modelling techniques and integrating them into governance processes and policy making mechanisms. These scenarios have been designed through a foresight exercise conducted by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) as part of the CROSSROAD Project, a support action of the European Commission's 7th Framework Programme. After presenting the conceptual framework and methodological approach followed, the scenario design framework developed and the resulting views of what the European Information Society might be by 2030 are presented. The article follows with a discussion of the implications of the scenarios design in terms of key areas of expected change and grand challenges to be addressed. It concludes by identifying policy challenges and proposing possible future research directions in the domain of ICT for governance and policy modelling needed to build a truly open Digital Europe twenty years from now.

E-Governance and ICT Enabled Rural Development in Developing Countries

Proactive economic policies combined with the ICT revolution of the past decade have brought about many changes in managing businesses and organizations in developing countries like India. The prowess achieved through this revolution has also led to exploitation of ICT for better governance and rural development. As a result, several ICT projects have been initiated to foster improved governance and facilitate rural development by appropriately linking public and private institutions. RASI (Rural Access to Services through Internet) is one such government-private initiative to promote e-governance and ICT enabled rural development. Our longitudinal research is to analyze the factors related to access to and usage of the services offered through this project in Erode district of the state of Tamilnadu in India. Data for this empirical research was collected through survey and interviews during two time periods (2004 and 2006). Our findings show that the project has largely deviated from its objectives due to lack of government support, non-scalable technology and ownership issues. Based on our findings, we provide a set of recommendations to policy makers and implementing agencies.

ICT and rural societies: Opportunities for growth

The application of ICT solutions for the development of rural India and other developing countries opens up a vast range of possibilities. Giving an opportunity to the vast majority of the population living in rural areas, to cross the digital divide to obtain access to information resources and services provided by ICT is the next revolution waiting to happen. Although this is a development issue, it is just not the government, non-government organizations or the rural masses that have a role to play. Private profit-making institutions can develop solutions to capture the hitherto unrecognized markets, make profits and at the same time aid the rural societies. The new technologies being developed can help surmount barriers present in providing information resources at a low cost and make applications feasible and profitable. This paper presents some cases where ICT has been effectively used for the benefit of the rural societies and analyzes the opportunities that lie in this sphere. The cases range from successful use of ICT in governance, to ICT solutions for improved profits to ICT in microfinance. A case of an initiative by a large mainstream corporation to reach out to the rural sector, help in development and realize profits mutually is also presented. The projects discussed should generate more interest and facilitate private investment in the hitherto virgin territory. A large number of hurdles still remain but creative ideas, breakthrough ICT technologies and committed organizations can usher in the next revolution in the developing world.