Electronic government (or e-government) is the application of information and communication technology (ICT) to government functions and procedures with the purpose of increasing efficiency, transparency and citizen participation.
Basically, implementation of e-government would save money and time. Most significantly it could empower governments as well as citizens by increased inclusion and also participation as they can benefit from better access to information and services, and open up more opportunities for their voices to be heard by decision makers.
Weiterlesen: E-government promotes empowerment and inclusion in society
E-government refers to the use by government agencies of information technologies 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 [1].
E-government is more about government the process of reform and resulting benefits than about the technology. The resulting benefits can include: increased efficiency in governments’ functions; greater trust between government and citizens from increased transparency; empowerment of citizens through access to information; and contributions to overall economic growth etc. on the other hand, corruption as the misuse of public power, office or authority for private benefit through bribery, extortion, influence peddling, nepotism, fraud, speed money or embezzlement. Corruption is principally a governance issue, a failure of institutions and a lack of capacity to manage society by means of a framework of social, judicial, political and economic checks and balances [2].
Weiterlesen: Theoretical Discussion: Relationship between E-government and Corruption
E-government global trends: integrated services, open data, e-participation and digital technologies
The 2016 United Nations E-Government Survey reports a positive global trend towards higher levels of e-government development. Countries in all regions are increasingly embracing innovation and utilizing ICTs to deliver services, increase transparency and engage people in decision-making processes.
The E-Government Development Index (EGDI) is based on three components: provision of online services, telecommunication connectivity, and human capacity. According to the 2016 survey, the list of countries leading in E-Government development is ranked as follows:
Filing taxes online makes compliance easier and less of an obstacle to firms' operation and growth
Many developing countries face significant challenges associated with collecting taxes and tendering public contracts. High tax compliance costs due to cumbersome regulations and harassment by tax officials deter investment, encourage tax evasion, and undermine economic growth. The public procurement of goods and services is often rife with collusive practices and corruption, resulting in the misallocation or waste of resources and poor quality infrastructure. One possible solution is to adopt electronic government (e-government) systems that automate and simplify interactions between government and the private sector.
Government organisations from around the world are harnessing the power of technology to deliver better services and enable a higher level of engagement with citizens.
Ideas such as e-government, which improves efficiency through automated paper-based processes, and Government 2.0, which sees agencies increase engagement through social media, have helped to revolutionise the way government organisations work with their citizens.