Toward Delivery of Effective Mobile Government: the of Oman - Case Study Example

?Toward Delivery of effective mobile government: The Case of Oman 0 Introduction Technological advancement has been enhanced in the last decade by changing climate and hence providing an absolute ground for developing newer internet applications. According to Abanumy et al, (2005) internet applications have been instrumental determined by important applications and aided by interactive information levels. Further research work of Abramson et al, (2003) illustrates the real computing technology, illustrating the networked link created within a transformed performance interface. Within the changing e-government approaches, ICT is generating substantially newer benefits including projected reforms in government entities, including defining the basic fundamentals in advancing the belief and creating positive user feedbacks. 1.1.1 History of Oman Oman, also known as the Sultan of Oman is found in the Arabian Penisnula and its modernity is equally composed of distinct wonders, including unique archaeological and historical sites. The city is also one of the fastest growing tourist destinations, and the economy is thriving. In recent years, the aspect of IT has been shaped by economic prosperity, making the country a vital hub for developing infrastructural growth. Oman has in the last years worked through various streams to achieve an ideal level of technological sustainability and this has been witnessed through a range of institutional developments. 1.1 Outline of the project environment Aladwani, (2003) explores the components of m-government and how relative derivatives have constructively helped to establish mobile computing in Oman. ITA provides an important platform for enacting IT spectrum, noting changing trends in the implementation of m-government project. The historical composition of technologically active environment, (Ali, 2003) is important and is based on applied information technologies, notably the WAN and structured intranets. Business relationships are equally recreated in Oman’s developmental framework, making an important milestone in developing modern communications. The important perspective identified by Almanthari, (2002) and Alnabhani, (2005) demonstrate that e-government systems are dependent on government planning, including developed infrastructural framework, valuably seen in telecommunications industries. Oman structural development is embraced on changing ICT levels, making strides in e-government practices, while equally defining and identifying the core constructs needed to effectively improve functional e-government systems. Alrahbi et al, (2006) explains the long term benefits explored by technological implants, and defining the functional capabilities of well developed mobile government systems, defining a comprehensive feedback generated at subsequently valued eccentric mechanisms. 1.2 The problem to be solved The m-government trend is fast moving towards attaining a highly remarkable influence on day-to-day performance, equally generating important status in Oman’s technological growth (Alwatan, 2004). The research establishes an important framework that influences mobile computing capabilities in Oman, and help to generate the effective e-government establishment within a considerable amount of justifiable Oman’s technological conduit. Thus, the projection of mobile technology and its total value within a 3-year analytical period provide a substantially huge growth rate, making an important pillar in Oman’s imitative (Aoki, 2000). The advancements comparatively witnessed in other global mainstreams demonstrate resoluteness in meeting strategic technological levels. In Attalah, (2001) the cultural norms aiding internet application are virtually leveled against the metrics applied in simplifying mobile government principles. The research component equally involve deriving specific content levels, evaluating technological infrastructure and critically analyzing the core mainstreams of advancing technological use. 1.2.1 Objectives of the Study Therefore the e-government applications seek to; i. To establish the role of e-Government initiatives and how organizational effectiveness/efficiency is achieved ii. To investigate the existing status and processes that e-Government initiatives employ in Oman and how this compare with other countries iii. To identify specific challenges hindering the implementation of effective e-Government in Oman iv. To develop a Mobile technology implementation framework that is based on e-Government platform and newer technologies. 1.2.2 Constraints E-Oman provides an important milestone needed to define important successes in IT developments in Oman. However, there are a number of challenges related to ITA working formula. i. The IT age in Oman still lacks the necessary infrastructure and this hence imply that proper projection would be difficult to embrace or otherwise attain due to such challenges ii. Using technology to attain m-government still lack the necessary skills and the roadmap to develop an enhanced ITA program require adequacy of information, including the financial resources. iii. Awareness is still lacking, and hence changing from the mechanical system of governance to e-governance require absoluteness in digitizing the ministries. 1.2.3 Importance of mobile governance Mobile governance offers technological growth and this provides better adoptions in the availability of better structures. The public sector benefits from widespread application of mobile technologies and within the country setting, mobile government is useful and it offers the major tools for developing strategic platform for enhancing performance It also offers the necessary transformation as well as the necessary output as per the core operational streamlines. Research specifications also help to establish better developments in terms of service delivery. 1.1 Breakdown of tasks The research is carried out to analysis the relevance of implementing mobile technology in Oman and this was defined by the core objectives. The ICT sector in Oman forms that stage for developing this technology and this is also better illustrated by enacting relevant framework including defining information relating political, population and economic landscapes. Mobile computing according to Aizen et al, (1980) is established primarily according to development factors including the need to develop functional communication systems. The concept hence is defined by the following operational classifications: Defining potential technological, national as well relevant variables that are vital for the development of e-government in Oman Identifying special advancements required to support the implementation of e-government processes, and realistically establishing the gateways necessary to implement other functional mobile technology constructs Create addressable e-government operational framework including a purposive benchmark that is established on possible evaluations, as well as possible undertakings at the lower levels. 1.2 Project deliverables The research provides significant input into the growing trend towards technological acquisition and the experience generated by e-government application provide particular interfaces necessary to effectively help to achieve result-oriented benefits (Aladwani, 2003). To be able to define the role of technology, e-government systems are simplified, making vital considerations for efficiency in defining notable readiness to embrace change in technology. The research work established by active government portal including the Oman’s government information portal offers notably sources for highlighting the presentation of the implementation framework. 1.3 Statement of the problem According to Alwatan, (2004), efficiency defined by Oman’s government in mobile technological has been aided by the traditional growth as well as its ability to be more responsive. Needs determination has projected huge pressure to the government to establish e-Government portals and equally made to establish transformational mechanism that would distinctly help to generate a focused environment, while at the same time reducing the amount of costs applied in fulfilling government needs. The effective measures, Aizen et al, (1980) would be substantially be generated within the framework of citizen-based development and this equally offers priorities required to complete the socio-economic values and generate clear insights into developments. The account of barriers and challenges which provide difficulties in the process of implementation are equally thought to be extensively based on notable integrations, and thus making vital studies to establish public service delivery at an optimum level. 1.4 Legal, ethical, professional and Social issues 1.4.1 Social and Ethical Issues in e-Government Effectiveness is achieved within the specific frameworks, noting the capabilities imputed in order to establish result-oriented component within the public sector. Employing mobile technology is effectively leveled against performance indicators, (Abramson et al, 2003) and the capabilities established by Oman are encapsulated into the changing business fortunes. The indicators attained in a nutshell are loaded below: i. Service value increment ii. Awareness and responsibility improvement, making services to be effectively disseminated iii. Generating better citizen involvement, hence improving deliverables in government initiatives iv. Respect is improved in terms of ethnicity, cultural variations and social values v. Self-sufficiency increment witnessed at various levels, making important considerations for change exploration at various institutions. vi. Defining functional objectives required to implement the necessary technological platforms. 1.4.2 Legal issues in e-Government E-government functionality is attained within a strategically development framework, and within a range of functional levels referred within individual government departments (Aoki, 2000) are continuously applied to achieve adequate results and equally defined by distinguished levels of efficiency. In practice, the amount of improvements generated are correlated and defined by core measures such as cost cuts, quality identification and process controls. Mobile technology therefore provides a balanced determinant including expressing notable risk and cost controls. The focus of e-Government strategy according to Atallah, (2001) is critically established on the basis of increasing employee productiveness while reducing or otherwise avoiding costs. There is well defined financial management strategy that is prioritized at subsequent operational levels in government platforms. The enactment of constant review mechanism is done within the framework aided by Abramson et al, (2003) and Ali, (2003). The concept identified in a nutshell offers specific considerations including private sector controls. Understanding the platform for operations is equally expressed in terms of management portal, making important contributions to elemental developments at the organizational levels. 0 Facilities and resources Activity Quarterly Time frame Output Year I Year II Year III 1. Establishing the technology. 2. Government introduction methodology Functional and operational Secretariat in place, and fully equipped Leadership and Management Center 2. Finalizing the Organizational Management and Training Structures of the Center Organizational structure established 3. Finalize the updates of the training modules Training modules in place 4. Establish baseline indicators Baseline situation analysis report 5. Recruitment of training staff Center training staff recruited 6. Admission of trainees and launching of training programme. Session I – Training starts. Trainees identified and admitted; Programme launched 7. Session II Training Training conducted and evaluation made 8. Advisory Council Meeting Meeting held and report produced 9. Session III: Launching technology Training conducted and evaluation made 10. Session IV: Defining technology use Training conducted and evaluation made Activity Quarterly Time frame Output Year I Year II Year III 11. Session V Training conducted and evaluation made 12.Mid- Term Evaluation/ Review MTR Report in place 13. Session VI Training conducted and evaluation made 14. Advisory Council Meeting Meeting held and report produced 15 Session VII Training conducted and evaluation made 16. Session VIII Training conducted and evaluation made 17. Session IX Training conducted and evaluation made 18 Session X Training conducted and evaluation made 19. Advisory Council Meeting Meeting held and report produced 20. End Evaluation End evaluation report Facilities and resources – budget evaluation FACILITIES AND RESOURCES YEAR I (2012/13) YEAR II (2013/14) YEAR III (20014/15) TOTAL (US $)         TRADITIONAL SERVICES         Face-to-face contact 15,000 15,000 Human delivered services. 15,000 15000 Computer technology transformation process  32,000      32000 M-SERVICE INTEGRATED         M-service integrated 20000 20000 Value-added networks 10000 10000 Personal computers (PCs) 20000 20000 Internet 50000 50000 M-SERVICE Automated user responses 36000 36000 CMA 36200 36200 Mobile handsets 312000 312000 PDAs 325000 325000 Portal devices 21355 21355 SOCIAL FACTORS User awareness 32500 32500 Pricing structure 12500 12500 System security 125400 125400 Trust 23000 23000 Usability 3252 3252 The implementation process of Mobile Technology is established on the dynamic ICT process, and within the hub, noted in a focused development portal, Aoki, (2000) agrees that growth environment is based on e-Government solutions. Advanced infrastructural framework is equally developed at various levels in order to generate evidenced method that would improve the process of knowledge sharing in the format above. 2.1 Project plan NNo Activity Definitions Sequence Labor needs Duration 11 Target setting Organizing space Operational development SMART phones Iphone Communications IPod MMS GRPS 3G June 4- June 12 Notable knowledge on operations 2 weeks 22 Market Research Applying Interviews and Questionnaires June 16 – 6 July Using qualitative and quantitative research 3 weeks 33 Staff recruitment Applying interviews and using written examination June 15- July 6 Information technology classification 3 weeks 4 Content collection Defining Mobile technology component 7 July – 8 August Defining possible interventions in mobile technology 4 weeks 44 Technology testing, application and redevelopment Process application, prototype development and recreation August 4 – August 17 IS experience and IT operations 2 weeks 55 Completing training programmes/establishing Module development and guidance operations 18-30 August Applying relevant teaching modes and experiences 2 weeks The timelines required to complete the project will be dependent on potential requirements and other resources. Resource allocation provides an important feedback, including well fashioned goal development process and which is instituted by enabling a perfectly working environment to be hugely dependent on goals and established vision. Alrashdi, (2004) and Alrahbi et al, (2004) explains that service delivery is developed by enhancing the growth composition of service delivery and this is equally subjected to notable change in policy development. Technological application involve internet-based service delivery framework, but including multimedia messaging service (MMS), Short Message Service (SMS) and the newer generation of technologies (3G) and the General Packet Radio Service (GRPS) which have interoperability mechanism. The enforcement of notable Microwave access (WiMAX) and other network technologies like Bluetooth are supplemented to effectively identify the necessary frequency applications. The operational conduits within the changing levels involve regulatory enforcement of aided digital technologies such as smart cards. The implementation strategy is offered in accordance with the electronic functionalities aiding developmental understanding of e-Government structure. 2.2 Plan discussion Successful development of e-Government practices from the research work of Attalah, (2001) is developed by mobile applications and the structural practices aid improved technologies, making important service delivery framework at various levels. MLANs applications are explosively identified by the telecommunication aspect of Oman’s capabilities and the instantaneous component is fully integrated into its systematic status. To achieve embedded connections including PDAs and wireless data transfers, broadband convergence networks are also availed to help create a positive feedback in enhanced digital media broadcasting (DMB) 3.0 Project Mode The research methodology according to Aizen et al, (1980) is achieved through well aided purposive research, and this distribution of relative research instruments provided an important platform for determining the critical level of data interpretation. The research process was explored basing on data exploitation and this was as well generated through periodic inclusion of current and future trends. Oman’s case study provided an important element for the research and was phenomenally explored within the framework of segmented policy establishment, aiding perceptions and attitudes relative to the application of e-Government strategies. The target was equally defined by core developments, including studies obtained from various sources such as questionnaires and interviews. 4.0 Conclusion e-Government technological application is provided by notable integration of newer developments. Resource availability is fundamental and is based on newer forms of developments. Basing on ICT and improved technologies, the public sector embraces the changing trends in the application of it service delivery. Oman’s case study provides an important platform for the analysis of mobile applications, including its environmental achievements. References Abanumy, A. and Mayhew, P. (2005) M-government Implications for E-government in Developing Countries: The Case of Suadi Arabia. In: Proceedings of EURO mGOV 2005: The First European Mobile Government Conference, Brighton, UK. Abramson, M. A. and Morin, T. L. (2003) E-government: A progress report. In: Abramson, M.A and Morin, T. L. E-government 2003, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc, USA. Aladwani, A.M. (2003) Key internet characteristics and e-commerce issues in Arab countries. Information Technology and People, Vol 16, pp 9-20. Ali, R. (2003) E-government and its impacts on IT Business Activities and the Potentials of Cooperation and Marketing. In: The 9th Industrialists Conference for The GCC, Muscat, Oman. Almanthari, F. (2002) ‘Developing Countries and the Need to Join E-Commerce World’, Al-Markazi, Sept – Oct, pp. 18-25. Alnabhani, L.(2005). Ministry of Education Contracts with Cisco for Wireless Network in Schools. Al-Watan, 9th May, p 11. Alrahbi, K. and Alqadoi, H. (2006). Questions with no Answers: OmanTel’, Al-Watan, 25th January, p4. Alrashdi, A. (2004). Ministry of Manpower Begins an Advanced Electronic Recruitment System’, Oman. 29th March, p 14) Alwatan, L. (2004). Effective Incubators in Knowledge Oasis Muscat. , Al-Watan, 4th April, p9. Aoki, K. (2000). Cultural differences in e-commerce: A Comparison between the US and Japan [Internet], Available from: [Accessed June,9th 2012]. Atallah, S. (2001) E-government Considerations for Arab States SURF-AS [Internet], Available from: [Accessed June,9th 2012]. Ajzen, I. and Fishbein, M. (1980) Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behavior, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Read More