E-government, short for electronic government, refers to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to provide public services to citizens and other persons in a country or region. It involves the application of ICTs to government functions and procedures with the aim of enhancing access to and delivery of government information and services to the public, other agencies, and other government entities. Some of the key features of e-government include:
-
Simplification, implementation, and support of processes: E-government aims to simplify, implement, and support processes for information, communication, and transaction within and between state, municipal, and other official institutions and between these institutions and citizens or companies and organizations through the use of digital information and communication technologies.
-
Improvement of government operations: E-government initiatives aim to bring about improvements in government operations that may include effectiveness, efficiency, service quality, or transformation.
-
Service delivery: E-government initiatives serve citizens, businesses, and federal and state government employees by delivering high-quality services more efficiently at a lower price.
E-government can take many forms, from online government services to the exchange of information and services electronically with citizens. It can also involve the use of innovative approaches leveraging ICTs, such as mobile delivery of public services, cloud computing, and open data initiatives.
