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e-GOVERNMENT IN FINLAND - ePractice.eu

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1 E-<strong>GOVERNMENT</strong> STRUCTURE AND CONTEXT<br />

7. Identifying the structure and context for e-government can help to understand the directions taken<br />

and the responsibilities ultimately attributed and point towards possible solutions for addressing egovernment<br />

challenges. This chapter defines the scope of this study in terms of the main actors in the<br />

central government and their relationship with one another.<br />

1.1 The e-government administrative structure and key players<br />

8. In Finland, out of a labour force of almost 2.3 million, the public sector accounts for about 28%<br />

(i.e. 643 000 employees) of which about 23% (i.e. 145 000 people) are in the central administration. 1 These<br />

employees work for one of 13 ministries or 111 agencies. (For additional background on Finland’s political<br />

and administrative system, see Appendix 1).<br />

9. While this report focuses on the role of the central administration, it is important not to forget the<br />

many other actors that make up the Finnish government. These include the regional and local offices of the<br />

central government. In addition, as most public services are provided at the local level, regional and local<br />

governments are key service partners. Municipalities and municipal unions account for 77% of all public<br />

sector employees.<br />

10. The importance of regional and local government for implementing e-government shapes the<br />

context for the actions of the central administration. At the national level, the Association of Finnish Local<br />

and Regional Authorities (AFLRA) plays a major role in representing the interests and perspective of local<br />

government partners.<br />

11. In Finland’s central administration, a number of different actors share co-ordination<br />

responsibilities. In addition to putting their own services online, certain ministries are also responsible for<br />

promoting the exchange of ideas and initiatives among ministries and agencies and for ensuring coherent<br />

government action by providing general instructions and guidelines. Central actors responsible for<br />

budgeting, public administration reform and the promotion of the information society all have an important<br />

and direct impact on e-government in Finland. They are the primary focus of this study.<br />

1 Statistics Finland, 2002, www.hel.fi/tietokeskus/en/Trends202/labourmarket.html<br />

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