E-government systems are a part of the general process of digital transformation in the public sector: countries with efficient e-government manage to reduce the administrative burden on private citizens and businesses and to improve government performance, transparency and accountability. This article brings to light the connection between the development of e-government systems and such factors as the rule of law and control of corruption. The study relies on a path model, which was built and statistically tested by using linear regression analysis to authenticate the veracity of the model’s components. The model uses three indicators adopted from the World Bank’s Governance Indicator project – the rule of law, control of corruption, and government effectiveness. The data to measure the e-Government Development Index (EGDI) in fifteen countries was provided by the e-Government 2016 Survey conducted by the United Nations. The findings reveal a positive complementary relationship between the rule of law in a country and the development of an e-government system, which enhances the government’s effectiveness. The article describes a shift towards a more citizen-centric e-government implementation strategy, which can be recommended in particular to policy-makers in developing economies. The proposed model can be recommended as a measurement tool to assess effective governance in any given country.

The evident benefits of big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning in society have begun to influence the transition towards a data-driven public sector. Decision-making in the public sector is in an infancy phase of a revolution owing to the inclusion of these new technological innovations. Research has revealed that data-driven e-government policies improve socio-economic development in some nations. Despite the immense opportunities data-driven e-government models have for governments, similar to every system, there are ramifications. This study explores the concept of data-driven e-government as well as investigates the socio-economic implications such an e-government model can have on society. Findings of this exploratory study add insight into a field which is in its early days and still unfocused, as well as making recommendations for policymakers.