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E-Government implementation for inter-organizational information sharing: a holistic information systems approach for developing countries
Author(s)
Ruhode, Ephias
Date Issued
2013
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Governments throughout the world are increasingly under pressure to transform in
response to rapid changes in the global economy. They are faced with new and
challenging situations as the social world, the economy, demography and technology
keep changing. While literature reports some degree of success towards e-government
implementation in the developed world, there is lack of empirical research on successes
of e-government and information sharing practices of government agencies in
developing countries. Designers of e-government solutions in all countries face
challenges that are unique to their specific sociocultural, economic, geographic,
environmental, political, and technical context. However, the peculiarity of e-government
challenges is more evident in developing countries than in developed ones.
This research is motivated by the need to investigate an e-government phenomenon in
a developing country context like Zimbabwe which is characterised by complex
dynamics rooted in politics, economy and social setting. Emphasis is placed on the
political nature and the complex institutional environments in which e-government
develops and recognition is given to the key concepts of e-government which involve
the technological and social aspects.
This study has been scoped empirically to explore e-government implementation efforts
at government level then a case study of the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality’s e-
Administration dimension of e-government, with focus on information sharing. Tourism
is an example that e-government’s parameters do not stop at the boundaries of the
public sector. The research first conducted a document study of all policies and
programmes initiated by the government of Zimbabwe towards public sector
modernisation using ICTs. Secondly, in order to identify the status of e-government and
information sharing as well as government’s vision in the same, interviews were
conducted with the Ministry of ICT’s administration. Thirdly, a case study of the Ministry
of Tourism and Hospitality was conducted to establish the extent and tools of
information sharing between the ministry and other line ministries, departments and other institutions nationally and internationally. Data from the case were analysed using
the Activity-Driven Needs Analysis (ADNA). Research findings from all activities have
been discussed and further developed in two solutions-oriented focus group meetings
with senior managers at both ministries of ICT and tourism in the area of crossgovernment
information sharing, and in feedback sessions with research participants.
Literature review, analysis of ICT policy documents and case study analysis were
insights which underpinned the development of an e-government framework for
developing countries. The emphasis of the framework is for e-government designers to
place importance on political and institutional factors ahead of any other determinant.
Consistent with ADNA and the critical realist perspective, the aim is not to influence
these political and institutional factors, but to understand their modus operandi and
hence to construct an e-government solution which recognizes the dictates of all
stakeholders.
response to rapid changes in the global economy. They are faced with new and
challenging situations as the social world, the economy, demography and technology
keep changing. While literature reports some degree of success towards e-government
implementation in the developed world, there is lack of empirical research on successes
of e-government and information sharing practices of government agencies in
developing countries. Designers of e-government solutions in all countries face
challenges that are unique to their specific sociocultural, economic, geographic,
environmental, political, and technical context. However, the peculiarity of e-government
challenges is more evident in developing countries than in developed ones.
This research is motivated by the need to investigate an e-government phenomenon in
a developing country context like Zimbabwe which is characterised by complex
dynamics rooted in politics, economy and social setting. Emphasis is placed on the
political nature and the complex institutional environments in which e-government
develops and recognition is given to the key concepts of e-government which involve
the technological and social aspects.
This study has been scoped empirically to explore e-government implementation efforts
at government level then a case study of the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality’s e-
Administration dimension of e-government, with focus on information sharing. Tourism
is an example that e-government’s parameters do not stop at the boundaries of the
public sector. The research first conducted a document study of all policies and
programmes initiated by the government of Zimbabwe towards public sector
modernisation using ICTs. Secondly, in order to identify the status of e-government and
information sharing as well as government’s vision in the same, interviews were
conducted with the Ministry of ICT’s administration. Thirdly, a case study of the Ministry
of Tourism and Hospitality was conducted to establish the extent and tools of
information sharing between the ministry and other line ministries, departments and other institutions nationally and internationally. Data from the case were analysed using
the Activity-Driven Needs Analysis (ADNA). Research findings from all activities have
been discussed and further developed in two solutions-oriented focus group meetings
with senior managers at both ministries of ICT and tourism in the area of crossgovernment
information sharing, and in feedback sessions with research participants.
Literature review, analysis of ICT policy documents and case study analysis were
insights which underpinned the development of an e-government framework for
developing countries. The emphasis of the framework is for e-government designers to
place importance on political and institutional factors ahead of any other determinant.
Consistent with ADNA and the critical realist perspective, the aim is not to influence
these political and institutional factors, but to understand their modus operandi and
hence to construct an e-government solution which recognizes the dictates of all
stakeholders.
Additional information
Thesis (DTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013
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