Information Systems Management in E-Government - Assignment Example

?Running Head: INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT Information Systems Management in E-Government Date of Submission Information Systems Management in E-Government Section 1: Problem Assessment 1. What are the recent targets set for UK online government? Online governance in UK is not a simple unitary process; it is a multidimensional information and communication technology (ICT) framework which has to be adjusted with the existing complex government structure. This structure consists of various organisations with their respective targets. For example, the National Health Service (NHS) aims to have “access to a far wider, and more detailed suite of digital mapping” (The Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2011). Further, according to HM Government and Ordnance Survey (2011), the initiative of Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PMSA) is targeted to create “a common location data framework for joining up policy and providing services” and achieve “better planning to meet e-governance targets and initiatives”. Moreover, there are the Local Government Authorities (LGAs) which are to be extensively inter-networked with the help of ICT integration (The Audit Commission, 2002). 2. Can these targets be achieved? The targets cannot be achieved until it is understood that governance in UK is done through different organisations; hence e-governance will call for extensive coordination of various electronic data and processes. 3. What are the types of problems that are being encountered? The inability of the local authorities to sufficiently specify their requirements is a serious problem. “Around one fifth of authorities (are) reporting that they found it difficult or fairly difficult to specify their requirements in e-government contracts.” (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister et al, 2003, p. 30) Lack of understanding of e-governance is another type of problem. Moreover, there are “a number of accounts of technologies that were delivered late, mis-specified, failed to provide the required functionality and were slow or costly” (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister et al, 2003, p. 16). 4. What are some of the problems involved in private and public IT projects? Wrong selection of technologies is a major problem. In private sector, scarcity of understanding and process education continues to be a debacle (Kelle & Akbulut, 2005; Jankowicz, 2000). Moreover, lack of political will and socio-technical policy framework may lead to serious concerns in public sector IT projects (Bellamy & Taylor, 1998). 5. What is the impact of technology on business? Technology is designed to simplify the business processes and provide decision support. In the business of e-governance, public interactions through advanced technology interfaces would provide greater participation and understanding. (Guo, Fang, & Winston, 2006) 6. What are some of the real world problems of large IT projects? Software programming error or inadequacy can be a major risk for large IT projects. For example, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has revealed concerns about creating optimum software for the purpose of digital mapping and related data analysis (The Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2011). Technological integration in the context of “change management” is another significant problem, as we have seen in the case of Groupware Technologies (Orlikowski & Hofman, 1997, p. 11). Inter-organisational exchange of critical electronic data is another run time problem in large IT projects. (Bigdeli, Kamal, & deCesare, 2011) Section 2: Analysis 1. How can the technologies used in UK E-Government be expanded and developed? The technologies which are being utilized for the purpose of creating a common platform for UK E-Government are organised inside the Electronic Government Interoperability Framework (eGIF) (Cabinet Office, Office of the E-Envoy, 2001). In expanding this system, we need “a comprehensive framework to examine the factors affecting Electronic Information Sharing (EIS) among government bodies at the local level” (Bigdeli, Kamal, & deCesare, 2011). At the basic level, technologies like Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) have been implemented. In furtherance, the framework for more interactivity and interoperability has been constructed using Unified Modelling Language (UML), Extensible Markup Language (XML) and XML Schema Definition Language (XSDL). UML is implemented to provide property address, location and extent of information through data structures package. XML mainly serves the purpose of defining address types. In order to increase interactivity, style sheet transformation based on XML through XSL is deployed. XSDL provides high level programming. (Cabinet Office, Office of the E-Envoy, 2001) In expanding and developing these technologies, inter-organisation information system (IOIS) should be considered as the prime area of research (Bigdeli, Kamal, & deCesare, 2011). Integration of information by ensuring more interoperability technologies athwart the organisations can provide far better e-governance (Pardo & Tayi, 2007). 2. What are some emerging technologies? And how can they be implemented in UK E-Government? In this subsection, we will focus on the two most important issues: (i) information transference and (ii) security. (i) In UK, there are various government organisations which should be integrated through IOIS. This is quite impossible without high speed and voluminous information and data transference. Digital advances span over emerging ubiquitous technologies like High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSPDA) and Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) which buttress the evolution of the 21st century mobile televisions. Further, Wibro technology can be regarded as another form of mobile Internet which offers merged communication, data services, and broadcasting. “These developments are amongst the most recent moves towards ubiquitous computing (ubi-comp). Ubi-comp can overcome traditional problems of citizen access and computer efficacy since the central percept of ubi-comp is that computer chips can be embedded into the structural fabric of our lives.” (Al-Hakim, 2007, p. 110) (ii) Next, there is the important consideration of security. Optimum control and continuous surveillance are the keys of effective security. Radio frequency identifier (RFID) can be regarded as an important technique that can help the governments attain better security benchmarks. RFID tags, planted on a target under surveillance (human being, vehicle, goods, etc.), can amply help in tracking it. “When a surveilled target passes a reader (say an individual attempting to enter or leave a designated security area), it will send a pulse of electromagnetic energy or radio wave that briefly activates the tag.” (Al-Hakim, 2007, p. 110) At this point, the tag would relay data regarding the trespasser to the relevant authorities or the police department. This sort of system can provide better security to protect equipments and infrastructure and thus help in e-commerce, banking, counter terrorism and confidentiality of government data. UK has a wonderful telecommunications infrastructure in the country which can immensely help in implementing HSPDA, DMB, Wibro and ubi-comp. This will increase interoperability between the organisations like NHS, the police department, the LGAs, HMSO, DCLG, etc. Utilisation of RFID is already increasing in the country. This can ensure physical protection of the information systems infrastructure and increase security. Implementation of the emerging technologies can help in increasing the speed and output of the system. Section 3: Recommendations Improvement of the Three Service Areas of UK E-Government 1. How can local e-government services be improved for 16-21 year olds? i. The case example of Republic of Korea (ROK) is very contextual here. Today youths in ROK have developed strong anti-American feelings. In order to convince them, the US embassy in ROK is coordinating through social media and fostering confidence building activities. (Seo & Thorson, 2010) In UK E-Government too, the government agencies can take a similar approach. By collaborating with social media the e-government can easily reach the youths, especially the ethnic minorities and immigrants, and build confidence. ii. The NHS can launch extensive awareness programmes on AIDS, substance abuse, terrorism, etc. through the schools and colleges and provide useful information to the young minds. iii. The portals used in e-governance should be adapted with the specific needs of the 16-21 year age group. Easy navigation and faster loading of web pages are necessary to attract the young minds. iv. Collaborating with social media, interactivity between the government agencies and the youngsters can be increased. Websites like Facebook provide facilities such as broadcasting, e-polling, etc. Using them the UK E-Government can play not only an informative role but also an analytical one. 2. How can local e-government services can be improved for the over 65s who are not widely computer literate? i. First, the LGAs must understand the holistic needs of this age group. Hence, a prelude to local e-government services improvement in this milieu is to embark on a result oriented research and analysis project that would cater with e-governance and gerontology literatures, case examples and related conclusions. ii. Projects like PSMA can provide considerable demographic data aided with maps. LGAs must analyse them, understand the situation of the older citizens area-wise and start addressing their problems by rapid information sharing and related professional/nursing intervention. iii. Senior citizens who are not sufficiently computer savvy should be inducted in process education and training programmes addressing the use of computers and Internet. This can be done through community centres, NGOs, etc. Training the health workers to educate the senior citizens about the use of e-governance can help the government reach those older adults who have mobility problems. iv. “Interestingly, mobility and preference for human contact do not register as significant factors determining use of e-government.” Further, “specific policy recommendations for meeting senior citizens’ e-government needs” are also necessary (Chen and Dorsey, 2009) 3. How can local e-government services be improved for those with disabilities such as the blind, etc.? i. “There is a growing awareness and concern with accessibility at all levels of society. This has previously related to the accessibility of buildings and traditional media. However, this is now being extended to include the accessibility of online information and services made available through web sites.” (Frontend, 2005) Hence we must prepare standards and guidelines for the public sector websites in the UK context. ii. In developing those standards and guidelines, data generated with the help of PSMA and Ordnance Survey can provide area specific information so that services can be further refined with the help of trained support staffs. iii. Following is the list of the most important access difficulties: a. Ocular impairment: restricted vision, colour blindness or low vision. b. Cognitive inabilities: difficulties in reading, remembering, etc. c. Low standing technology: sluggish connections or older software versions d. Hearing difficulties e. Motor impairment: incapability to use a mouse or keyboard Hence, the LGAs should arrange for assistive technologies like screen reader, screen magnifier, etc. for people with visual impairments. Joysticks, special pointing devises, voice instruction programmes, etc. should be provided for the persons with motor impairments. Trained caregivers should be appointed to assist pesons with cognitive problems. Steps for Actions 1. What should be done to improve or develop the above situation in specific ways? i. The e-government must effectively coordinate with the social media to interact with the youths. Technologies like e-polling, broadcasting, forum posting, etc. can be utilised to understand their perspective on different issues and cognitive behaviour. ii. Computer literacy drive for the senior citizens should be initiated. The NHS and Ordnance Survey can help the E-Envoy in this direction. Awareness and education on e-government services and the topic ‘how to use them’ can be imparted by professional/medical/social interventions. iii. User accessibility problems should be fully understood before addressing them. Feedback from the public sector portals from the users with disabilities should be collected, documented and analysed to develop better websites. iv. Ultimately interface design is most important. The user should be supported through prompts. The web pages should be consistent and versatile. Facilities to redo or undo user side actions should be provided to obtain user confidence. There should be faster ways to do common tasks. An informative sitemap should accompany every public sector web portal. Section 4: Conclusion Implication of the findings indicates that the government has to take several measures so that the UK E-Government can properly evolve in time. “Local e-government is a hugely complex change programme that takes in almost every aspect of local government and almost everyone involved.”(Office of the Deputy Prime Minister et al, 2003, p. 45) Hence, the existing services should be re-thought, inter-organisational integration should be initiated and local government agenda should be modified if needed. The UK E-Government project is an ambitious one, but the staffs and developers are enthusiastic along with the interested users from the different walks of life. Moreover, there are important lessons to be learned from the international experiences. Deductions suggest that interface design is the most important area of focus. Consistency of the web pages, analysis of user actions and incorporation of suitable short cut methods must be ensured as apart of the government policy. Use of emerging technologies would enhance security, interactivity and data transfer rates and volumes. The government must further utilise ubi-comp to create user friendly interoperability over the highly adaptive platform of UML and XML. Process education for the users (particularly those who are aged or have some sort of disabilities) and the LGA staffs is also a key area for research and development. List of References Al-Hakim, L. (2007). Global E-Government: Theory, Applications and Benchmarking. Hershey: IGI Global. Bellamy, C., & Taylor, J. (1998). Governing in the Information Age. Buckingham: Open University Press. Bigdeli, Z., Kamal, M., & deCesare, S. (2011). Inter-organisational electronic information sharing in local G2G settings: A socio-technical issue. In: ECIS 2011 Proceedings. Helsinki, Finland 9-11 June 2011. Atlanta: AISeL. Cabinet Office, Office of the E-Envoy. (2001). UK Online - Information Architecture - BS7666 Address and Geographic Location Structures Fragment. London: HMSO. Chen, Y.-C., & Dorsey, A. (2009). E-Government for current and future senior citizens. Available: IGI Global: http://www.irma-international.org/viewtitle/21467/ Frontend. (2005). Accessibility and Usability for e-Government - Frontend - User Experience Design Consultancy. Available: http://www.frontend.com/accessibility/accessibility-usability-for-e-government.html#_Toc106090255 Guo, Z., Fang, F., & Winston, A. (2006). Supply chain information sharing in a macro prediction market. Decision Support Systems , 42, pp. 1944-1958. HM Government, Ordnance Survey. (2011). Benefits of being a member of the Public Sector Mapping Agreement. Available: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/public-sector/mapping-agreement/benefits.html Jankowicz, A. (2000). Business Research Project. London: Business Press. Kelle, P., & Akbulut, A. (2005). The role of ERP tools in supply chain information sharing, cooperation, and cost optimization. International Journal of Production, 93 , pp. 41-52. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies University of Newcastle upon Tyne. (2003). Local E-Government: Process Evaluation of the Implementation of Electronic Local Government in England. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Orlikowski, W., & Hofman, D. (1997). An improvisational model for change management: The case of Groupware Technologies. Sloan Management Review, Winter , pp. 11-21. Pardo, T., & Tayi, G. (2007). Interorganizational information integration: A key enabler for digital government. Government Information Quaterly, 24 , pp. 691-715. Seo, H., & Thorson, S. (2010). Evaluating social networking in public diplomacy. In: C. Reddick, ed. 2010. Politics, Democracy, and E-Government: Participation and Service Delivery (pp. 243-259). San Antonio: University of Texas. The Audit Commission. (2002). Message beyond the Medium: Improving Local Government Services through E-Government. London: Author. The Health and Social Care Information Centre. (2011). Digital Mapping Information | Population Geography | The NHS Information Centre. Available: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/services/population-geography-information/geographical-information/digital-mapping-information Read More