Priorities, policies and practice of e-government in a developing country context: ICT infrastructure and diffusion in Jamaica

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of recent research into e-government policies and initiatives undertaken by the Government of Jamaica within the context of selective intervention facilitated through financial and technical assistance. In the specific context of a developing economy it highlights the use of infrastructure building and government intervention to aid diffusion of information and communication technology (ICT) and draws attention to the differences between developed and developing countries in their approach to e-government. A case of the Jamaica Customs Department is provided to exemplify the implementation of e-government in practice. Using institutional factor analysis for IT innovation the interaction of policy and practice is analysed. Four significant themes are identified that characterise the context for e-government policy, together with the associated institutional factors. The relative importance of these factors is demonstrated with Innovation Directive, Standards and Subsidy shown to be prime. These findings contribute to both institutional factor analysis for IT innovation and to ICT adoption theory, and together signal the importance of the inclusion of policy-based intervention in a future research agenda for e-government in a developing country context.

Understanding e-government research

“…Indeed, prior research has indicated the need of leadership to encourage the creation of team when governments seek to undertake e-government initiatives (Luna-Reyes and Gil-García, 2011), because the lack of support from major public leaders may be reflected in the lack of appropriate government ICT policy formulation (Brown and Thompson, 2011).…”

Implementation of an Information and Communication Technology in a Developing Country: A Multimethod Longitudinal Study in a Bank in India

“…Much prior research on ICT implementations in developing countries has focused on broad societal issues related to the links between ICTs and development (e.g., Silva and Figueroa 2002), the role of ICTs in cross-cultural working (e.g., Walsham 2002), the influence of local practices on implementations (e.g., Bada 2002, Brown andThompson 2011, and issues related to addressing digital divides (e.g., Dewan et al 2005, Venkatesh andSykes 2013). 1 Although these works have provided insights on ICT implementations and use in developing countries, there has been limited research that focuses on the impacts of ICTs on organizational outcomes in these countries and factors that explain the link between ICT and these outcomes.…”

“…Table A1 in Online Appendix A (available as supplemental material at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/ isre.2016.0638) provides a summary of the factors (catalysts or enablers and constraints or inhibitors) that influence ICT implementations in developing countries. Typical catalysts or enablers of ICT implementations in developing countries include favorable economic and local policies (e.g., Brown and Thompson 2011, Gibbs et al 2003, Okoli et al 2010; human capital development (e.g., Chinn andFairlie 2006, Ngwenyama andMorawczynski 2009); social capital (e.g., Urquhart et al 2008); and alignment and local adaptations of technology, developers, and users (e.g., Bada 2002, Walsham andSahay 1999). These factors represent emerging catalysts that are likely to engender successful ICT implementations in developing countries.…”

In search of development in a national ICT policy

“…Studies have repeatedly stated that the developing world needs effective and prudent policies and strategies to close its divides with the rest of the globe and, imperatively, to start seeing the fruition of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) [8]. Although, African politicians and policymakers have outlined how they will bring quick development and vibrant economies, there are still significant gaps between the policy rhetoric and effective implementation [35].…”