Introduction
E-Government is an important aspect of the government where the users and civilians are encouraged to use online government websites to find convenience as well as efficiency in dealing with the government. However, numerous individuals are still unsure of their interaction with the government agencies through such mediums. There are numerous factors which may contribute to the promotion or hindrance of e-Government usage in a country. Thus, this article attempts to understand the different studies that have already been conducted on the topic and also decipher any aspects which have previously remained unexplained or improperly covered in those studies. The information revealed would enable the government to understand various unexplained aspects regarding the e-Government usage in any area or country.
Part 1
Understanding Citizen’s Continued Intention to Use a Government Website: a Composite View of Technology Acceptance Model and Computer Self-Efficacy
The Research Problem/Question or Hypothesis
The most fundamental component of the modern world is the information and communication technology. The research problem highlighted in this paper includes the analysis of the fundamental factors which influence the initial usage and continuation of usage of these e-government websites by the citizens. The paper analyzes the question in great detail to understand what determines the continued usage of the government websites.
Research Purpose
The purpose of this research is determining the factors which contribute to the continued utilization of e-government websites, making the government websites more accessible and successful. Identifying these elements would allow the government and other agencies in understanding how the online traffic can be increased and success can be encouraged.
Type of Design
The study involved the questionnaire distribution to 614 country wide citizens in Thailand. Each of these participants had a minimum of Bachelor’s degree and had utilized the services of online government websites. The questionnaires had been designed in English and translated to and back from the Thai.
Threats to Validity and If and How They Are Addressed
The threats to the validity of this research was the translation of the questionnaire. For this reason, there may have been numerous differences between the initial and final versions of the questionnaires. Such issues were addressed by ensuring that the translated versions were completely similar to one another. Other than this, there were also issues of dual meanings of the words utilized in the question phrasing. Those words were removed to ensure that the message remained clear and concise.
Evaluation of Findings and Their Implications
The report results found that to determine the trends and tendencies which contribute to the initial and continued usage of the e-government websites, the computer self-efficacy and the Technology Application Model can be applied in the research process. The computer self–efficacy of the citizen was directly correlated with the continued usage of such websites. In addition to that, ease of usage was also a contributing factor to the continued usage by the individuals.
E-Health in the Public Sector: An Empirical Analysis of the Acceptance of Germany’s Electronic Health Card
The Research Problem/Questions or Hypothesis
The article deals with the issue of how the electronic health card which was introduced in Germany was accepted and utilized by the physicians. The lack of transparency in the introduction of the Electronic Health Care (eHC) was a contributing problem to the difficulty in its acceptance.
Research Purpose
The purpose of the research is to identify the factors which contribute to the physician’s reluctance to accept the newly introduced eHCs in the country.
Type of Design and Elements of Design
The research design includes references from the literature review and the application of the Technology Acceptance Model. An online questionnaire or a digital standardized survey was utilized to gather statistical data. 2411 physicians were chosen randomly, and 502 responses were collected.
Threats to Validity
The threat to the validity of this study is found in the fact that the testing phase of the project has given the potential users minimum experience regarding the technology. Therefore, observations based on actions and usage would be invalid. Empirical measurement restricts the usage scope and, therefore, is not highly accurate either. Therefore, the attitude of acceptance is focused in the study.
Evaluation of Findings and their Implications
The study contributed to the identification of factors which caused the acceptance as well as determined that the hypothesis that it presented could not be rejected.
E-Government and Technology Acceptance: The Case of the Implementation of Section 508 Guidelines for Websites
The Research Problem/Questions or Hypothesis
The majority of the individuals tend to prefer communicating directly and in person with government institutions and services. That implies that even citizens with high-speed internet connection and knowledge are reluctant to accept the e-government technology.
Research Purpose
Section 508 is analyzed as a source of proper implementation of e-Government websites, and determining the factors which may promote or hinder its application in the government.
Type of Design and Elements of Design
Five data collection models were utilized to obtain useful data regarding the study. A review of legal and policy documents was also carried out to gather relevant information. Questionnaires were distributed, and accessibility of the websites was also tested. The Technology Acceptance model was also applied in this study.
Threats to Validity
Although the research provides valuable insights into the issue, the questionnaires may not be answered truthfully or accurately, which could distort the result of the study.
Evaluation of Findings and their Implications
The government of the US relies heavily on the online existence of their websites. The study of the Technology Acceptance Model and the section 508 guidelines imply that the government incorporates such data and information into the promotion of e-Government usage with the public.
The Role of National Culture on Citizen Adoption of Government Services: An Empirical Study
The Research Problem/Questions or Hypothesis
Numerous governments around the world face the issue of adoption of e-Government websites at all levels of the public. This paper dealt with the cultural, social and organizational perspectives that may affect the adoption of e-Government in different companies by the private citizens.
Research Purpose
The purpose of the research revolves around the highlighting of the issues and factors which either promote or hinder the use of e-Government in the citizens of a country.
Type of Design and Elements of Design
The research design included elements of the culture such as uncertainty avoidance and power distance, along with perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. These factors affect the attitude of the users and their intentions to use government. 197 questionnaires were obtained from 265 students that were usable for the study.
Threats to Validity
Evaluation of Findings and their Implications
The research yielded results regarding the provision of a checklist for the government agents. The cultural and technological factors were scrutinized. It was emphasized that the government needed to provide adequate training to relieve the stress and anxiety that the public perceived in association with the e-Government initiatives.
Towards an Understanding of the Factors Influencing the Accepting and Diffusion of e-Government Services
The Research Problem/Questions or Hypothesis
The paper attempted to explain the issue of identifying such factors which would enable governments to be able to attract larger audience to use their e-Government services.
Research Purpose
The purpose of the research is to understand the factors which contribute positively or negatively to the e-Government use.
Type of Design and Elements of Design
A case study presented by the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) was used to understand the electronic communication between the e-Government and businesses or individuals. A two-part questionnaire was also submitted to understand the demography and independent variables. 200 companies participated in the research.
Threats to Validity
Uncompleted questionnaires were a threat to the accuracy of the research and were therefore, rejected.
Evaluation of Findings and their Implications
The paper attempted to explain the Technology Acceptance Model and Diffusion of Innovations model to understand an empirical test based theory. The behavior of the users from this study can be better understood and thus responded to with more precision and effectiveness.
Part 2: Literature Review
The incessant technological growth has been affecting the society yielding effective transformative phases. Consequently, it has enhanced the government to focus all over the world to deliver the information and services to its stakeholders efficiently. Most importantly, the concerns of improving the capabilities of service delivery along with accountability and transparency are assumed to be served by the implementation of Technology Acceptance Model in association with the e-Government services. The study of Wangpipatwong, et al. (2008) affirms that the acceptance of technology is related to the citizens’ perceptions about the effectiveness of the e-Government services. Their perceptions enhance or affect the continuance intention towards the information and services. The study has adopted the element of self-efficacy among the users along with the TAM model. However, the users having no or less knowledge of technology have not participated in the research that serves as the limitation of this study as it remained focused on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use.
According to the study of Jaeger & Matteson (2009), the effectiveness of e-Government services has significant relevance with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). For facilitating the end-users, several aspects of routine life have been transformed into technologically advanced service levels. More specifically, the intended purpose has been catered with specified approaches. The accessibility of the e-Government websites has been ensured to all the individuals of the society, particularly to the persons with disabilities under the implication of “Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act”. However, the study seems to be less focused on the issues of level of technology maturity among the citizen users. It affects the efficacy of the intended e-Government services among the users who may have lacked in computer self-efficacy.
The study of Al-Hujran, et al. (2011) deals with the essential elements of e-Government in association with fulfilling the needs of the common people. According to Al-Hujran, et al. (2011) e-Government services must be transparent having accountability of the public governance along with the delivery of information and services. Only technology implementation is not desirable, but it involves the critical aspects of cultural, social, and organizational perspectives at all the levels. The study evaluates the citizens’ intentions to use the e-Government services through the collaboration of TAM and the Hofstede’s dimensions of national cultural. The study yields the outcomes that the extent of uncertainty avoidance and power distance affects the effectiveness of e-Government services among the people. However, the study lacks in determining the long-term impacts of e-Government services on people and their perceived usefulness.
The government’s approach to sustained development has been entailing the reliance of information technology. In this regard, the study of Mahadeo (2009), also discusses the use of the electronic system of tax filing and payment along with the implementation of TAM and DOI (Diffusion of Innovations) model. The study evaluates the preceding research been conducted to evaluate the acceptance of e-Government services among the users. It affirms that the e-Government acceptance is not affected by the civic mindedness attribute of the users. However, the study results seem partial as just the business sector was surveyed for the interpretations of the findings.
Besides, the health sector has also been technologically revolutionized that makes e-Health be an integral element of e-Government. The study of Wirtz, et al. (2011) presents the acceptance of e-Health Card services among the patients in Germany. The study reflects the significant attitude of users towards the system along with comprehending the attributes of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, the study lacks in promoting the users’ involvement in the implementation of the services. The trust of the users in the implemented system was not focused on the patients’ readiness of the technical maturity was not assessed.
Part 3
Research Question
Q: what is the significance of computer self-efficacy while dealing with the technology acceptance model e-government?
Research Objective
The study analyzes the significance of computer self-efficacy among the citizen users of e-government along with the implementation of Technology Acceptance Model. The execution of e-government system and services yields effective outcomes if the target users are facilitated at all the levels. It seems critical that the government policy makers must analyze the citizen users’ interests towards the technology. The target audience must have technology readiness that is revealed from their computer self-efficacy. Therefore, before the implementation of e-government paradigm, a thorough analysis of end-users’ readiness needs to be conducted to enhance the effectiveness of the services.
Research Approach
Sampling Techniques
The questionnaire will be internet-based having closed-ended questions with one open-ended question at the end. The random sampling technique will be used on 'n' number of units selected from the target population of size N in a way that every sample size can be considered.
Data Collection Method
The collection of data will be carried out using concurrent mixed method strategy. It assists the validation of different forms of data regarding transforming the data to compare or for addressing different responses to the questions. Besides, the collected data will also be compared to the findings of the previous researches conducted in this regard for attaining credibility and authenticity.
Methods of Data Analysis
Thematic data analysis technique will be used that will evaluate the collected data from the questionnaire responses by generating themes that summarize the piece of text. The process entails the systemized methodology of the data along with the disclosure of preceding steps outcomes. Additionally, the underlying patterns and the obvious aspects of the data structure are also facilitated.
Strengths of the Selected Methodology
The selected mixed method approach facilitates the researcher by providing multiple ways of exploring a particular research problem. The selected methodology serves the research objectives from the theoretical perspectives along with the individuals’ responses to the use of e-Government services. For evaluating the social, cultural, and other relevant aspects of their perceived use of the e-Government, the evaluation of the theoretical perspectives are facilitated at different levels. It also assists in generalizing the qualitative data collection, yielding the research position in the form of a transformative framework (Bryman & Bell, 2015). Besides, the end-users should not be regarded as homogenous as the above-discussed articles have not considered the diversity of users. These aspects are well-catered by the use of mixed method approach rather than using a particular qualitative method or a quantitative method of research.
References
Al-Hujran, O., Al-dalahmeh, M., & Aloudat, A. (2011). The Role of National Culture on Citizen Adoption of eGovernment Services: An Empirical Study. Electronic Journal of E-Government , 9 (2), 93-106.
Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2015). Business Research Methods. London: Oxford University Press.
Jaeger, P., & Matteson, M. (2009). e-Government and Technology Acceptance: The Case of the Implementation of Section 508 Guidelines for Websites. Electronic Journal of E-Government, 7 (1), 87-98.
Mahadeo, J. D. (2009). Towards an Understanding of the Factors Influencing the Acceptance and Diffusion of e-Government Services. Electronic Journal Of E-Government, 7 (4), 391-401.
Wangpipatwong, S., Chutimaskul, W., & Papasratorn, B. (2008). Understanding citizen’s continuance intention to use e-government website: A composite view of technology acceptance model and computer self-efficacy. The Electronic Journal of e-government, 6 (1), 55-64.
Wirtz, B. W., Moryl, L., & Ullrich, S. (2012). Ehealth in the Public Sector: An Empirical Analysis Of The Acceptance Of Germany's Electronic Health Card. Public Administration, 90 (3), 642-663.
