Title: Conceptual systemigram model: impact of electronic governance on sustainable development

Authors: Nasrin Khansari; Matthias Finger; Ali Mostashari; Mo Mansouri

Addresses: School of Systems and Enterprises, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, USA ' College of Management of Technology, Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne, Lousanne, Switzerland ' School of Systems and Enterprises, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, USA ' School of Systems and Enterprises, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, USA

Abstract: This paper explores the influence of electronic governance (e-governance) on sustainable development. Using a soft systems methodology, it maps the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the decision-making process. The paper further discusses the role of information technologies as a way for residents to contribute to this decision-making process, and explores the mechanisms by which information sharing can help to overcome bounded rationality problems within urban governance. E-governance mechanisms can increase policy effectiveness, accountability, transparency and ownership within urban systems. The resulting conceptual systemigram model shows how communication and collaboration within an urban system can result in more effective governance structures and practices and the improvement of sustainable development process.

Keywords: urban governance; e-governance; sustainable development; bounded rationality; decision making process; systemigram model; sustainability; electronic governance; soft systems methodology; SSM; information and communication technology; information technology; ICT; policy effectiveness; accountability; transparency; ownership.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSE.2016.080317

International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2016 Vol.7 No.4, pp.258 - 276

Received: 01 Aug 2015
Accepted: 18 Mar 2016
Published online: 14 Nov 2016 *

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