Although the study found that only around 20 of 173 governments had no on-line presence, the fact that governments were embracing the Internet did not mean that e-government investments were providing value for money.
"While sweeping vision can propel digital development, a too-grandiose approach may result in failures or expensive white elephants," the report said. "Because of a high rate of failure of e-government projects, bricks-and-mortar public services need to be maintained even as digital applications are increasing."
The report also warned that e-government investment was not necessarily reaching a broad section of the population. It said that on-line issues such as security and privacy can discourage disadvantaged groups who do not have access to computers, such as women and the poor. It also noted that even among those with computer access, less than 20 percent engage in on-line communication with a government.
The United Kingdom received the highest rating in terms of "e-participation," or the process of opening itself up most to interaction with its citizens. It was followed by the United States, Canada, Chile and Estonia in the top five places. Ireland was ranked joint twelfth with Argentina and Sweden.
"Many governments turn to Internet-based services as a way to cut red tape, or to spread digital infrastructure," Jose Antonio Ocampo, UN under secretary general for economic and social affairs, said in a statement. "But we also see the Internet as a means of advancing and consolidating transparency and democracy into the overall practice of public administration."
The other category was "e-readiness," or the extent to which the government provides services and products on-line, combined with telecom infrastructure and public education. The top five countries in terms of e-readiness are the United States, Sweden, Australia, Denmark and the UK.
The study comes only weeks after research company Gartner said that Europe's governments need to prove that they are delivering value for money in their e-government investments. In its report, Gartner said that the governments of Western Europe will spend USD67.8 billion on e-government and information technology in 2003 but said that with this kind of expenditure, there will be pressure to show that it has been worthwhile.
Ireland's Minister for the Information Society Mary Hanafin has faced criticism this year over costly delays to 57 or Ireland's 154 e-government projects, at a time when crucial public services such as hospitals and schools have faced budget cutbacks.
Quelle: Electric News, 06.11.2003
