Developments in e-Government: A comparative analysis between Ireland and The Netherlands

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DEVELOPMENTS IN E-GOVERNMENTDEVELOPMENTS IN E-GOVERNMENT

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

BETWEEN IRELAND AND THE NETHERLANDS

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

BETWEEN IRELAND AND THE NETHERLANDS

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ContentContent

• Introduction

• Goal and Scope– Research Question– Sub Questions– Scope

• Methodology

• Findings & Results

• Discussion and Conclusions

• EU i2010 E-Government Action Plan

• Lessons Learned

• Time for questions

• Introduction


• Methodology




• Lessons Learned


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News of the day (22 oct.)News of the day (22 oct.)

EU: New eGovernment website launched

• providing information on the Commission’s general policy lines in this area and on the various EU programmes supporting eGovernment development

• http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/egovernment/index.htm

EU: New eGovernment website launched

• providing information on the Commission’s general policy lines in this area and on the various EU programmes supporting eGovernment development

• http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/egovernment/index.htm

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IntroductionIntroduction

• Definition E-Government

• What is E-Government

• History of E-Government

• Definition E-Government

• What is E-Government

• History of E-Government

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Definition E-GovernmentDefinition E-Government

E-government Refers to the federal government’s use of information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing) to exchange information and services with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government (source: whitehouse.gov)

E-government Refers to the federal government’s use of information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing) to exchange information and services with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government (source: whitehouse.gov)

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What is E-GovernmentWhat is E-Government

• Communication government and citizens

• Communication government and businesses

• Communication between government departments

• Communication government and citizens

• Communication government and businesses

• Communication between government departments

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History of E-GovernmentHistory of E-Government

Yr. Netherlands Ireland

1994 The National Action Programme on Electronic Highways

Launch Strategic Management Initiative

1998 The Electronic Government Action Programme

1999 The Dutch Digital Delta Action Plan on implementing the Information Society in Ireland.Information Society Fund

2000 Lisbon Strategy

2000 Better Government for Citizens and Business (2002)

Launch Reach

2001 Launch OASIS

2003 eGovernment - More than an automation of Government Services

2004 eCabinet

2005 DigiD CitizensDigiD Companies

Live Reachservices

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ContentContent

• Introduction


• Methodology




• Lessons Learned


• Introduction


• Methodology




• Lessons Learned


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Goal - Research QuestionGoal - Research Question

In our paper, we compare the developments and integration of services in E-government in Ireland and The Netherlands. We are looking at problems that were encountered by both countries, and how they were dealt with.

Based on these findings, we will try to formulate an advice on how to make further improvements to E-Government facilities in the near future for both countries.

Therefore, our research question is:

What are the differences between The Netherlands and Ireland in E-Government measured by use and sophistication, and how can these E-Government ‘missions’ be improved?

In our paper, we compare the developments and integration of services in E-government in Ireland and The Netherlands. We are looking at problems that were encountered by both countries, and how they were dealt with.

Based on these findings, we will try to formulate an advice on how to make further improvements to E-Government facilities in the near future for both countries.

Therefore, our research question is:

What are the differences between The Netherlands and Ireland in E-Government measured by use and sophistication, and how can these E-Government ‘missions’ be improved?

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Goal - Sub QuestionsGoal - Sub Questions

To find out how the Service Brokers were doing, we had to find answers to some other questions:

• How does the government succeed in using the potential of ICT to improve the communication with citizens?

• What kind of innovative E-Government projects are currently under development? Is this a succes-factor?

• Which problems did both governments encounter in their development of E-Government services, and creating a broad interest within the population?

To find out how the Service Brokers were doing, we had to find answers to some other questions:

• How does the government succeed in using the potential of ICT to improve the communication with citizens?

• What kind of innovative E-Government projects are currently under development? Is this a succes-factor?

• Which problems did both governments encounter in their development of E-Government services, and creating a broad interest within the population?

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ScopeScope

E-Government is about a lot of different systems, applications, and services. We had to create an understanding about what we wanted to explore, in order to have a valid research.

The constrictions we put on research are as followed:

• We narrowed the subject of E-Government to the delivery of services to citizens and government departments. We did not look at the business area, because that would be to broad.

• E-Government services are very broad, which is why it is hard to make direct comparisons between them. To make a generalization, we only considered the Public Service Brokers: Reach and DigiD.

E-Government is about a lot of different systems, applications, and services. We had to create an understanding about what we wanted to explore, in order to have a valid research.

The constrictions we put on research are as followed:

• We narrowed the subject of E-Government to the delivery of services to citizens and government departments. We did not look at the business area, because that would be to broad.

• E-Government services are very broad, which is why it is hard to make direct comparisons between them. To make a generalization, we only considered the Public Service Brokers: Reach and DigiD.

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ContentContent

• Introduction


• Methodology




• Lessons Learned


• Introduction


• Methodology




• Lessons Learned


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MethodologyMethodology

In the Netherlands we looked at DigiD and in Ireland we regarded Reach (services). These services function as Service Brokers; they try to bring E-Government services together.

In Dublin, we visited Reach, and the ministry of Taoiseach.

Before our visit to Dublin we did a lot of research about E-Government in Ireland, The Netherlands and Europe. Statistics and other information was gathered and stored.

In the Netherlands we looked at DigiD and in Ireland we regarded Reach (services). These services function as Service Brokers; they try to bring E-Government services together.

In Dublin, we visited Reach, and the ministry of Taoiseach.

Before our visit to Dublin we did a lot of research about E-Government in Ireland, The Netherlands and Europe. Statistics and other information was gathered and stored.

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ContentContent

• Introduction


• Methodology




• Lessons Learned


• Introduction


• Methodology




• Lessons Learned


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Findings & Results Findings & Results

Several interesting findings:

• Ireland started earlier with their E-Government development;

• The Dutch government has since then been ‘catching up’.

Right now, the Irish and the Dutch governments have about the same number of E-Government Services deployed.

Several interesting findings:

• Ireland started earlier with their E-Government development;

• The Dutch government has since then been ‘catching up’.

Right now, the Irish and the Dutch governments have about the same number of E-Government Services deployed.

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Online SophisticationOnline Sophistication

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Online SophisticationOnline Sophistication

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Findings & Results – continuedFindings & Results – continued

Therefore, we found it strange to hear about the fact that Reach Services is not as well integrated and has far less users than the counterpart of DigiD in The Netherlands:

• Reach has been unable to acquire a large user group; about 300.000 users at the current time (around 20% of the population).

• DigiD has about 6.000.000 registrations, which is about one third of the Dutch population (around 55% of the population).

E-Government in Ireland has thus far not been as successful as it has been in The Netherlands.

Therefore, we found it strange to hear about the fact that Reach Services is not as well integrated and has far less users than the counterpart of DigiD in The Netherlands:

• Reach has been unable to acquire a large user group; about 300.000 users at the current time (around 20% of the population).

• DigiD has about 6.000.000 registrations, which is about one third of the Dutch population (around 55% of the population).

E-Government in Ireland has thus far not been as successful as it has been in The Netherlands.

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Comparison between supply and use of online public

services for citizens



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Findings & Results – continuedFindings & Results – continued

What is/are the reason(s) for this observable fact?

As we looked for an explanation, we used the Holistic Measurement model, which is based on indicators necessary to successfully put E-Government services into operation.

(borrowed from CapGemini)

With this model in mind, we talked to a representative at Reach Services in Ireland, and a coworker at DigiD Nederland.

This led to some interesting conclusions…

What is/are the reason(s) for this observable fact?

As we looked for an explanation, we used the Holistic Measurement model, which is based on indicators necessary to successfully put E-Government services into operation.

(borrowed from CapGemini)

With this model in mind, we talked to a representative at Reach Services in Ireland, and a coworker at DigiD Nederland.

This led to some interesting conclusions…

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Findings & Results - continuedFindings & Results - continued

Technical cause:

• Despite the economic growth, and developments in the area of ICT, the Internet penetration is still very low in Ireland. Only about 52% of the population has an internet connection, of which 26% have a broadband connection.

In the Netherlands, 86% of the population has an internet connection, of which 85% is a broadband connection.

Technical cause:

• Despite the economic growth, and developments in the area of ICT, the Internet penetration is still very low in Ireland. Only about 52% of the population has an internet connection, of which 26% have a broadband connection.

In the Netherlands, 86% of the population has an internet connection, of which 85% is a broadband connection.

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Cultural cause:

• The Irish people have always been suspicious regarding their government. This is probably caused by the political disturbances in the last and for last century.

• The Irish population is therefore resilient in their communication with the government and not anxious to use new government services.

Cultural cause:

• The Irish people have always been suspicious regarding their government. This is probably caused by the political disturbances in the last and for last century.

• The Irish population is therefore resilient in their communication with the government and not anxious to use new government services.

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Probable Organizational Cause:

• There is no ‘Killer-application’ which has been able to convince the Irish citizens to use the E-Government services on a large basis. The car-tax service, enrolled by Revenue (Irelands tax collecting agency) has been very successful, but is a stand-alone service which has no connection with Reach Services.

In The Netherlands, businesses are for example obliged to do all their tax reports online. This is not the same in Ireland. Although we didn’t consider the business area of E-Government, we think this has been a great enforcer of the number of users.

Dutch students are also obliged to use DigiD to login to their accounts at IB-Groep: the organization which regulates government funding for studies (student grants).

Probable Organizational Cause:

• There is no ‘Killer-application’ which has been able to convince the Irish citizens to use the E-Government services on a large basis. The car-tax service, enrolled by Revenue (Irelands tax collecting agency) has been very successful, but is a stand-alone service which has no connection with Reach Services.

In The Netherlands, businesses are for example obliged to do all their tax reports online. This is not the same in Ireland. Although we didn’t consider the business area of E-Government, we think this has been a great enforcer of the number of users.

Dutch students are also obliged to use DigiD to login to their accounts at IB-Groep: the organization which regulates government funding for studies (student grants).

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Discussion and ConclusionsDiscussion and Conclusions

With our findings, we try to give an advice on how the Irish government can overcome the encountered problems, and increase the usage of their E-Government services in the near future.

The cultural problem will probably not easily go away. Although we’re not sociologists, we think that a so-called ‘Killer service’ (like the car-tax service) will have a big pull-effect on Irish citizens.

We believe this car-tax service should be governed by Reach (or at least create some sort of strategic cooperation). Besides that, a new service to remove a lot of bureaucracy can be launched:

We advice a (obliged?) passport or permits service, because every citizen has an advantage with it. It means reduced standing in line for something you don’t want to stand in line for.

With our findings, we try to give an advice on how the Irish government can overcome the encountered problems, and increase the usage of their E-Government services in the near future.

The cultural problem will probably not easily go away. Although we’re not sociologists, we think that a so-called ‘Killer service’ (like the car-tax service) will have a big pull-effect on Irish citizens.

We believe this car-tax service should be governed by Reach (or at least create some sort of strategic cooperation). Besides that, a new service to remove a lot of bureaucracy can be launched:

We advice a (obliged?) passport or permits service, because every citizen has an advantage with it. It means reduced standing in line for something you don’t want to stand in line for.

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Discussion and ConclusionsDiscussion and Conclusions

Besides that, the Irish government should actively encourage and support citizens taking up (broadband) internet connections.

They could create a coalition of interested parties. There are plenty of modern and interested providers in Ireland. As we believe, an increase in internet penetration will benefit the whole Irish population.

The common key success factor in leapfrogging countries can be attributed to the centralized political sponsorship of E-Government programs that have been implemented with great success the last two years.

Besides that, the Irish government should actively encourage and support citizens taking up (broadband) internet connections.

They could create a coalition of interested parties. There are plenty of modern and interested providers in Ireland. As we believe, an increase in internet penetration will benefit the whole Irish population.

The common key success factor in leapfrogging countries can be attributed to the centralized political sponsorship of E-Government programs that have been implemented with great success the last two years.

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ContentContent

• Introduction


• Methodology


• Discussion and Conlusions


• Lessons Learned


• Introduction


• Methodology


• Discussion and Conlusions


• Lessons Learned


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EU i2010 E-Government Action Plan (1/2)EU i2010 E-Government Action Plan (1/2)

1. No citizen left behind

Advancing inclusion through eGovernment so that by 2010 all citizens benefit from trusted, innovative services and easy access for all;

2. Making efficiency and effectiveness a reality

Significantly contributing, by 2010, to high user satisfaction, transparency and accountability, a lighter administrative burden and efficiency gains;

3. Implementing high-impact key services for citizens and businesses

By 2010, 100% of public procurement will be available electronically, with 50% actual usage, with agreement on cooperation on further high-impact online citizen services;

1. No citizen left behind

Advancing inclusion through eGovernment so that by 2010 all citizens benefit from trusted, innovative services and easy access for all;

2. Making efficiency and effectiveness a reality

Significantly contributing, by 2010, to high user satisfaction, transparency and accountability, a lighter administrative burden and efficiency gains;

3. Implementing high-impact key services for citizens and businesses

By 2010, 100% of public procurement will be available electronically, with 50% actual usage, with agreement on cooperation on further high-impact online citizen services;

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EU i2010 E-Government Action Plan (2/2)EU i2010 E-Government Action Plan (2/2)

4. Putting key enablers in place

enabling citizens and businesses to benefit, by 2010, from convenient, secure and interoperable authenticated access across Europe to public services;

5. Strengthening participation and democratic decision-making

demonstrating, by 2010, tools for effective public debate and participation in democratic decision-making.

4. Putting key enablers in place

enabling citizens and businesses to benefit, by 2010, from convenient, secure and interoperable authenticated access across Europe to public services;

5. Strengthening participation and democratic decision-making

demonstrating, by 2010, tools for effective public debate and participation in democratic decision-making.

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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

We encountered several problems during our research.

• Too little time. As we had already suspected in advance, it would be hard to do our research in the designated time. Because of that, we had to work hard, and change two other things:

• The scope was still to broad; we had to narrow it. Because of that, not all E-Government services were regarded, but only the Public Service Brokers.

• We changed the research methods; we had neither the time nor the power to do all our research by ourselves. We used several sources to gain insight in current E-Government practices (e.g. developments / current usage / sophistication / etc.)

We encountered several problems during our research.

• Too little time. As we had already suspected in advance, it would be hard to do our research in the designated time. Because of that, we had to work hard, and change two other things:

• The scope was still to broad; we had to narrow it. Because of that, not all E-Government services were regarded, but only the Public Service Brokers.

• We changed the research methods; we had neither the time nor the power to do all our research by ourselves. We used several sources to gain insight in current E-Government practices (e.g. developments / current usage / sophistication / etc.)

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End of presentationEnd of presentation

Are there any questions?

First one is for free.

Are there any questions?

First one is for free.

VRiSBI International Research Project

Innovation and ICT - Comparing Ireland with The Netherlands

VRiSBI International Research Project

Innovation and ICT - Comparing Ireland with The Netherlands

Please visit http://studiereis2007.vrisbi.nl for the complete paper of this presentation.

Other papers and presentations are also available.

Please visit http://studiereis2007.vrisbi.nl for the complete paper of this presentation.

Other papers and presentations are also available.

Developments in e-Government: A comparative analysis between Ireland and The Netherlands

Economy & Finance

Transcript of Developments in e-Government: A comparative analysis between Ireland and The Netherlands