Title: Dealing with discretionary decision making in e-government: an open government approach

Authors: Wanchai Varavithya, Vatcharaporn Esichaikul

Addresses: School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand. ' School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

Abstract: Administrative discretion refers to matters where, under legal framework, the degree of latitude or flexibility is left to be exercised by an official when making decisions. Such powers are often viewed as a major source of poor governance and should be replaced using information technology. This paper argues that the hollowing out of administrative discretion may not always achieve good governance and suggests an |open government| approach as a means to prevent arbitrariness in discretionary decisions. The citizen consultation process and the e-government discretionary framework are introduced as a lens with which to analyse and design e-government applications.

Keywords: electronic government; open government; citizen consultation; e-government; administrative discretion; discretionary decision making.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2006.010799

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2006 Vol.3 No.4, pp.356 - 372

Published online: 04 Sep 2006 *

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