European Journal of ePractice

New Business Models for Public Services

Vassilia — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:18:05 +0000

Publication Date:

15 October 2012

Volume Number:

Introduction (Homepage):

At the start of this decade, Europe’s Digital Agenda for Europe signalled the continent’s openness to the potential innovation of new business models (European Commission, 2010a). Aligned with this, in an era in which ICT was seen as simultaneously “help[ing] the public sector develop innovative ways of delivering its services to citizens while unleashing efficiencies and driving down costs” (European Commission, 2010b), the Union’s 2015 eGovernment action plan concentrated on empowering both citizens and businesses.

In recent years, central and local governments all over the world have begun to finance and operate eGovernment initiatives using a range of new forms of collaboration. The underlying reasons for these changes have included tightened budgets, the need for increased accountability, and demands for more efficient and faster public services. The potential benefits offered by these kinds of models include more adaptive government, growth and employment, faster learning and innovation and improved quality of the services delivered.

Author(s):

dewhitehouse@gm...

patrick.wauters

PDF Version:

Journal_Volume 18.pdf

Articles

Digital Strategies for Government and Business

Vassilia — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:55:35 +0000

Publication Date:

4 September 2012

Volume Number:

Introduction (Homepage):

Taking a strategic view of ICT has never been more important than now. Most governments would say they do, but do they really? What does it take to transform government by ICT? Or, should the ambitions be lowered? What can realistically be achieved and what cannot? Whether you are a policy maker, strategist, researcher, or consultant, in this special edition of the European Journal of ePractice, we called on you to share your experiences with high-level digital strategies.

Author(s):

trondau

PDF Version:

Journal_Volume 17.pdf

Articles

eGovernance & Social Media

Vassilia — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:15:09 +0000

Publication Date:

16 July 2012

Volume Number:

Introduction (Homepage):

The effective use of social media is indeed a difficult process for enterprises and civil organisations, but for governments and public sector entities the challenges seem even more daunting.

The effective use of social media is indeed a difficult process for enterprises and civil organisations, but for governments and public sector entities the challenges seem even more daunting. One of the reasons for this is the difficulties of changing organisational work practices and structures that are generally quite entrenched in long-standing public organisations.

Author(s):

J.Millard

GwendolynCarpenter

PDF Version:

Journal_Volume 16-Final.pdf

Articles

Policy lessons from a decade of eGovernment, eHealth & eInclusion

eurodyn1 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:42:10 +0000

Publication Date:

14 March 2012

Volume Number:

Introduction (Homepage):

Over the past decade, many Information Society strategies have emerged in Europe, such as eEurope (1999), i2010 (2005) and Digital Agenda for Europe (2010). eGovernment, eHealth and eInclusion are the three policy sub-domains comprising the societal public services pillar which is the backbone of all such strategic frameworks. Given the emphasis that the new overarching EU2020 Strategy places on tackling grand societal challenges and turning them into economic opportunities, the relevance of these three domains is greater today than in the past.

Author(s):

ccodagnone@rso.it

Zoi Konstantinou

PDF Version:

Journal_Volume_15_FINAL_upd5.pdf

Articles

Surviving in the Digital eID World

Vassilia — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:14:46 +0000

Publication Date:

29 February 2012

Volume Number:

Introduction (Homepage):

A person’s digital identity can be defined as the collection of all digital information about or related to the person. Social interaction, shopping, entertainment, Government services – are all increasingly performed through digital means, and all depend on, create and use digital identity information. Requirements for identity information range from unique identification of a real identity with high certainty to full anonymity.

While identity information is definitely the property of the individual, the information is increasingly shared across social networks, commercial services and Government, with or without the individual’s consent. How can we, as individuals, survive in the digital identity world while still being able to utilise our identity information as an asset to our own advantage in a controlled way? How can society - through legal measures, culture and technology - contribute to an environment where privacy and ownership to personal information are respected?

Author(s):

jon.olnes@dnv.com

PDF Version:

Journal_Volume_14_FINAL_01.03.2012.pdf

Articles

Megatrends in eGovernment

Vassilia — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:13:58 +0000

Publication Date:

7 November 2011

Volume Number:

Introduction (Homepage):

The first government websites were launched almost 15 years ago. EGovernment initiatives have since then proliferated at all levels of government. Early views assumed the move towards eGovernment as a single linear developmental path. This notion was soon captured by suppliers in a variety of stage models.

Those early views, clearly infused by technological determinism, tended to emphasise the technological dimensions of eGovernment and suggested a rather automatic set of outcomes and benefits. Experience, and even some high profile failures, showed us that eGovernment does not actually follow a single linear path, nor are its potential benefits so predictably accomplished. Project implementation is much more difficult than expected. Problems and barriers are not primarily technological, but also organisational, political, legal, or even cultural. Moreover, successful solutions and practices are usually highly dependent on local conditions.

Author(s):

eaibar@uoc.edu

PDF Version:

European Journal epractice Volume 13 - Megatrends in eGovernment (22-11-edit).pdf

Articles

The Openness of Government

Vassilia — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:16:15 +0000

Publication Date:

17 March 2011

Volume Number:

Introduction (Homepage):

In November 1959, for TV Guide Magazine, John F. Kennedy wrote about television as - force that has changed the political scene'. He had recently experienced the first televised Presidential debates, against Richard M. Nixon, and realised that things would never be the same again. But not even he foresaw that 50 years later, that same communication technology would still be rewriting the rules of politics and government, continuing to open up yet more aspects of political life - not least by bringing the workings of parliaments around the world into our homes.

But if you regard the phenomenon that is government, and the practice of politics within that, as social systems by which human groups (like nations, municipalities, companies, or even golf clubs) organise and regulate themselves, then it is clear that communication between people in the group is the crucial factor enabling them to work. So any technology that can change the nature and pattern of communication opens up new possibilities for the conduct of those activities.

In November 1959, for TV Guide Magazine, John F. Kennedy wrote about television as 'a force that has changed the political scene'. He had recently experienced the first televised Presidential debates, against Richard M. Nixon, and realised that things would never be the same again.

Author(s):

pwaller

PDF Version:

European Journal epractice Volume 12.pdf

Articles

E-Government for the Economic Crisis

Vassilia — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:30:01 +0000

Publication Date:

1 March 2011

Volume Number:

Introduction (Homepage):

Many argue that these are the worst of times, and that we are very unfortunate to be living through the deepest financial crisis for seventy years. That's one view. Others argue, as did one of US President Barack Obama's aides a few years ago, that this crisis is too good to waste. How fortunate we are to have the chance to radically transform the ways our societies function and are governed. This other view sees the crisis as a generational opportunity for change. Venezuelan scholar, Professor Carlota Perez, in her seminal 2002 book, not only foresaw what we are now experiencing but also gave us a formula for proactive and innovative action with ICT and governance as central pillars: the need for strong policies prioritising longer-term investments in the ICT demand side (inclusion, training, take-up) coupled with government transformation based on ICT systems and new organisational models. Is the world, is Europe, living up to this challenge?

Author(s):

J.Millard

PDF Version:

European Journal epractice Volume 11_updated.pdf

Articles

Implementing eAccessibility as a service quality factor

Vassilia — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:16:57 +0000

Publication Date:

20 September 2010

Volume Number:

Introduction (Homepage):

Over the last decades Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have entered almost all aspects of our lives. The multimedial and multimodal power of ICT allows adapting systems and services to the needs of all user groups. Access has become easier due to time and location independence of ICT based services.

People with disabilities, the aging population and other groups at a disadvantage benefit most from this increased adaptability. Many ICT systems and services are assistive and inclusive for these target groups, in particular for people with disabilities, who often work with specialised Assistive Technologies (AT).

ICT and AT can be seen as universal door openers for independent participation in the information or knowledge society.

Author(s):

kmiesenberger

PDF Version:

European Journal epractice Volume 10.pdf

Articles