e-GOVERNMENT IN FINLAND - ePractice.eu

180. Broad targets without a plan on how to achieve them are not particularly useful and can be
counter-productive if too unrealistic. The government’s ambivalence towards the use of precise,
measurable targets, however, should be viewed in light of the new public management reforms of the
1990s, which abolished the very strict numerical targets of the MoF. Rather than return to a situation where
the MoF is responsible for “operationalising” overall targets, it could be useful to negotiate concrete
objectives with agencies input, establishing targets only in areas where there are bottlenecks.
181. More specific, short-term targets that build on each other and are negotiated with ministries and
agencies, or developed in consultation, can be used as a tool to advance action, secure leadership buy-in
and improve accountability. Recent experience with targets (the 1998 resolution), however, was based, in
part, on the need to push through a controversial measure (the electronic ID card), which may explain, in
part, the low take-up and as yet low level of related services (see Box 3.4, section 4.3.2 “Types of
Barriers” and the case study on the Finnish smart card in Part 7.2).
182. Within the framework of the national vision and goals, performance measures can serve as
indicators to fill the gap and improve accountability (see Part 4.6, “Monitoring and evaluation of egovernment”).
The targets for placing forms online, also part of the 1998 resolution, have relied on
voluntary compliance.
183. To develop realistic goals and build consensus, targets need to be developed with input at all
levels. While they should reflect political priorities, targets imposed from above without consideration of
operational realities or actual desires of citizens are not likely to succeed (see Part 2.1). The Finnish
government has tried to address this danger, in part through the use of advisory boards to help identify
possible targets and to build consensus around how to achieve them.
184. Because of its extensive representation, the Information Society Advisory Board has produced
useful reports that integrate many levels and views on the information society, including e-government
issues. Its consultative role permits it to undertake in-depth analysis and to identify and propose solutions
to challenges, problems, dilemmas and contradictions through legislation, co-ordinated funding and other
co-ordination and co-operation mechanisms. By focusing on problem areas, the ISAB Programme of
Action to Promote Online Government more clearly identifies problems and areas of action.
Key Points - 29
x Finnish e-government goals are comprehensive, but because they tend to be general, it is
difficult to know when they have been attained. As a result, they do not seem to have been a
strong driver for e-government action or accountability.
x Specific goals have been used where there was less consensus on the desired outcome or
path, with mixed results.
x Specific, achievable targets, developed with agency input, could make clearer to ministries
and agencies what needs to be achieved and to marshal the resources and willpower to
achieve it.
4.1.4 E-Europe goals
185. The European Commission has played an important role in identifying the actual and potential
benefits of the information society and in acting as a stimulus to ensure that all members continue to
advance in this area. The eEurope programme is a political initiative aimed at “bringing every citizen,
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