Chapter 1 - Brunel University

Chapter 2: Literature Review
businesses, employees and other stakeholders: Tian and Tainfield, (2003) define e -
government from four different viewpoints : (a) Information Technology (IT), (b)
government service, (c) government efficiency and (d) political view. In addition,
(as has already been stated), the definition of e-government varies according to the
goals, culture and values of a community.
The following Table 2.1 illustrates different classifications of e-government, for
both broad and narrow perspectives.
Table 2.1:
E-government Perspectives
Perspective References
Information Technology Lambrinoudakis et al., (2003)
Process Bonham et al., (2001)
Benefits Whitson and Davis, (2001); Katzen, (2000)
Citizen Focus Burn and Robins, (2003)
Single Point Access Ke and Wei, (2004); UNDPEPA/ASPA, (2002)
Phenomenon Riley, (2001)
Definitions related to the above-mentioned e-government perspectives are illustrated
in the following Tables.
Table 2.2:
Definitions Focusing on the Use of Information Technology
Definitions/Description – Information Technology Characteristics References
―E-government refers to the use of IT by government
agencies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet,
and mobile computing) that have the ability to transform
relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of
government. These technologies can serve a variety of
different ends: better delivery of government services to
citizens, improved interactions with business and
industry, citizen empowerment through access to
information, or more efficient government management.
The resulting benefits can be less corruption, increased
transparency, greater convenience, revenue growth,
and/or cost reductions‖.
―E-government is the term used to reflect the use of ICT
in public administration in an attempt to ease access to
governmental information and services for citizens,
business and government agencies‖. Furthermore, there
is always a target to improve the quality of the services
and to provide greater opportunities for participating in
democratic institutions and processes‖.
―E-government encompasses applications of various
technologies to provide citizens and organisations with
more convenient access to government information and
services; and to provide delivery of public services to
citizens, business partners and suppliers, and those
working in the public sector.‖
Focus is on utilising IT
to deliver government
services, improve
interactions and
effective management.
Focus is on ICT usage
for providing access to
government
information.
Focus is on
Information
Technology to provide
citizens with
government
information and
services.
World Bank
Group, (2004)
Lambrinoudakis
et al., (2003)
Turban et al.,
(2002)
Shafi Al-Shafi 19