Title: Strategy, competition and investment: explaining the global divide in e-government implementation with policy variables

Authors: Girish J. Gulati, David J. Yates

Addresses: Global Studies Department, Bentley University, 175 Forest Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452, USA. ' Computer Information Systems Department, Bentley University, 175 Forest Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452, USA

Abstract: The rapid development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has created an environment for citizens to have greater access to their government and to make citizen-to-government contact more inclusive. Previous research does not examine the impact of national public policy initiatives that expand and improve e-government services. This study examines the global divide in e-government implementation by analysing the impact of national policies on the United Nations| Web Measure Index in 174 countries. A multiple regression analysis shows that e-governance is more extensive in countries that have a regulatory authority for telecommunications, encourage competition in their telecommunication industries and invest more financially in the development of ICTs.

Keywords: e-governance; electronic governance; financial investment; global information; information society; national strategies; national policies; political freedom; telecommunications; competition; world wide web; internet; globalisation; regulation; UN; United Nations; web measure index; global divides; policy variables; ICT; information technology; communications technology; citizens; government access; citizen-government contact; public policy; multiple regression analysis; regulatory authorities; telecommunication industries; electronic government; e-government.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2011.039833

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2011 Vol.8 No.2/3, pp.124 - 143

Published online: 21 Apr 2011 *

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