Introduction
This article will review a book by authors, Alexi Pavlichev and G. David Garson with title Digital Government; Principles and best practices. The article will also review a book section of Portals and Policy: Implications of Electronic Access to U.S. Federal Government Information and Services by Patricia Diamond Fletcher.
Summary
Review and evaluate
According to Fletcher (2004), three variables that led to the development of federal portal include top level support, an enabling policy environment, and the necessary diffusion of technology. The author is concerned with the benefits of portals in the government and other users in development of portal. The author bases her evidence on what the U.S president stated and not from the government users. Considering her evidence, the user will conclude benefits of portal and not examine policy framework. In addition, the author’s references are out-dated considering she wrote the book in 2004, yet there are documents cited fourteen years ago. Digital government, contrary to what most people have thought, allows easy access to government data and information from any bureau to the citizens. The citizens are provided with 24/7 access to this information from the comfort of their homes, offices or any other location through online interactive transactions. Secondly, the e-government promises reduction in transaction costs with record 90% cost savings on transactions. This is a benefit that has been realized though not in the stated value but the cut on transaction cost has been realized in many government institutions with e-government. Another promise, although not established to being beneficial, is the social aspect. The use of e-government increases interaction between the government agencies and the citizens during transactions and hence creating efficiency in most government operations including policy, regulations and even voting.
According to Garson (2004), issues of privacy are considered to be the challenges that face e-government implementation. The author has used government in general for evidence as the only source yet there are users of the portals who have enough information. Although this is the case, the case study used is an excellent method to collect evidence from respondents. The author’s interpretation of evidence is a bit appropriate and leads the reader to a clear conclusion of e-governance form. The author’s references are not as out-dated as for Fletcher. The author has tried to make his point of e-governance principles and best practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I agree with the authors arguments in this source to the fact that there are powerful promises to the use of e-government for government activities and transactions. It is evident in the current society that with rapid assimilation of information technology in all aspects, the government operations and transactions will become efficient. Furthermore, the benefits cited in this book are realistic and achievable. Fletcher has discussed the benefits of portal, leaving out policy frameworks. She has not considered government users in giving full evidence of usage of portal. Garson, too, has discussed the portal giving the issues of privacy yet not discussing other issues since the key of all issues facing e-governance is security. Issues of e-government should be looked at again. These articles were written in 2004, when e-government did not feature in the world immensely as today. Everybody is on Internet including the government which was lacking behind then.
References
Fletcher, P. D. (2004). Portals and Policy: Implications of Electronic Access to U.S. Federal Government Information and Services. U.S.A.: Idea Group Inc.
Garson, A. P. (2004). Digital Government: Principles and best practices. U.S.A. and U.K.: Idea Group Publishing.
