Question

Compare and contrast the hard and hybrid socio-technical approaches for developing eGovernment systems. Consider the implications on the process (assess, analyze, design, construct and implement) of introducing eGovernment and the skill requirements for system developers.

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION - UNDERSTANDING E- GOVERNMENT

Electronic government or e- government is the application of coomunication and information technologies to government functions and procedure with the purpose of increasing efficiency, transparency and public participation. In electronic government system government operations are supported by web based services, it involves the use of technology specially the internet, to facilitates the communication between the government and its citizens. E- government promotes and improves stakeholder contribution to national and community development, as well as deepen the governance process.

Key Point to understand e government are as follows

• e- government is not the same as e-business.
• e-government system can be managed by hard or hydrid approaches.
• e- government is the use of information technology by the public sector organization.
• Most e-government fails due to poor implementation and management.

Approaches to Develop and Manage e-government system are as follows

• The management of e-government systems involves managing data, technology, people and processes.
• There are three possible approaches to e-government management: centralized, decentralized, and hybrid.
• Centralized, top-down approaches may be efficient but can be unworkable or ineffective.
• Decentralized approaches may match organizational realities but be high cost and/or low scope
• Hybrid approaches may be effective by compromising between central and local or by dividing responsibilities between central and local.
• Ultimately, resources, values and politics determine how e-government is managed in particular organizations.

Here we need to compare and contrast the hard and hybrid socio- technical approaches in developing e-government.

The hybrid socio-technical approach in developing e government indicates that a wide range of e-government services is being made available in both online (through Webbased portals) and offline (through physical administrative service centers with backend computer support) settings. Here we are related to developing hybrid egovernment projects leveraging both online and offline channels to maximize their impact. Three case studies based on ongoing projects initiated by various government branches in the Shanghai area are presented. The first case study focuses on Shanghai’s online portal “China Shanghai.” The second case study discusses a successful offline e-government project undertaken by the Qingpu District Government of Shanghai. The third case study is focused on a “Letters-and-Visits” (government customer relation and complaint processing) information system developed by the Xuhui District Government of Shanghai. The main findings of our studies indicate that hybrid e-government provides a convenient, timely, and implementable mechanism to bridge the digital divide. Its wide application is expected in developing countries.Hybrid approach may be effective by compromising between central and local or by dividing responsibility between central and local. a hybrid approach to e government can be feasible and provide distinct benefit.

The hard socio technical approach in developing e government when managing e-government, both social and technical (otherwise knownas soft and hard) issues will have to be dealt with.Social and technical issues both otherwise known asSoft and hard issues should be dealt to manage the system properly. Centralized to down approach maybe efficient but can be unworkable and ineffective. Decentralized approaches may match organizationalrealities but be high cost and or low scope

SKILL REQUIREMENT FOR INTRODUCING E GOVERNANCE

The skill required for e government are not simply technical, as general manager also need broad skills to engage ICT decision making process, necessary skills include a basic technical understanding (IT literacy), but also an understanding of information management and society. According to the survey conducted by the EIPA team along the member of EPAN e government working group, their seems to be no common understanding of what skills and competences are required for e government initiative. Also based on the findings of this survey, there appears the need to identify,define and classify the different skills and competences required by e government,and also needs to assess the skill requirement for the different communities of public servants who are relevant to e government services.

The main findings of this study of skill requirement are:

1) The introduction of e-government has different impacts on civil servants and their skills; the skills and competencies need by civil servants in the context of e-government are IT skills, IM skills, IS skills and updated management skills.

2) Although the work flow is 100 percent digitalized in introduction of e-government, the main changes in skills requirement of e-government are related to IS and updated management skills during the last 10 years, and it did not imply that all of the civil servants suddenly needed IT training, however, it did imply much more flexible structures and attitudes enabling individuals and units to form new networks to find a new way of working.

3) The need for basic IT literacy exists among all communities of civil servants in the context of e-government. IM community needs both of the IM and IS skills; Service community needs both of the updated management and IS skills. Besides IT skills, IT community needs some of the IS or updated management skills such as IT vision ability, communication & coordination skills.