A Comparative Analysis of Strategies for eGovernment in Developing Countries

The adoption of e-government and effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has the potential to yield significant benefits in the developing countries. This study investigates strategies to advance the use of ICT in the public sector in developing countries, with the aim of improving services and outcomes for government and citizens. A multi-level framework for analysis was developed. A meta-analysis of data gathered in a United Nations study of e-government readiness was performed, focussing on the developing countries that have greatly improved their relative positions recently. In general, the findings support the multi-level approach. At the national level, a low level of economic development, poor infrastructure and political unrest are inhibitors of public sector ICT progress. At a base level, access by individuals and organizations to ICT tools and IT-related education is necessary for e-government to be feasible. Some strategies were observed to be linked to progress with e-government across a number of developing countries, including leadership vision and willingness to initiate change within the government sector, an incremental, step-by-step approach to development, and sensitivity to local and cultural needs.