e-GOVERNMENT IN FINLAND - ePractice.eu
e-GOVERNMENT IN FINLAND - ePractice.eu
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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