Diplomatic Practice Between Tradition and Innovation - Literature review Example

Socio-cultural norms

One of the main tasks of diplomacy is to form relationships with government and citizens within states with various cultures and traditions (Langholtz & Stout, 2004) Development of communication technologies should be done in a manner that accommodates users from countries that use different languages (Melissen & Fernandez, 2011). Such technologies should combine various languages to facilitate the ability of different users to read and understand instructions contained in the manuals. Certain communities approach changes with fear, especially where ICTs are concerned mainly due to transparency as well as exposure (Nowotny, 2011). This way, promotion of growth by MFA ministers is discouraged.

Dettori and Persico (2011) observed that human beings are social beings and therefore integrating new technologies that would facilitate their modes of communication from one place to another is manageable. Some influential top political leaders hinder organisational changes in MFAs hence ministers are forced to abide by the laws and wait for permission to improve technologies in the organization (Baxter & Stewart, 2008).

Implementation of ICT at diplomatic and foreign ministry level is not possible without support and engagement from the society and prevailing culture (Hicks, 2011). It can be depicted that social engagement of innovation is not easy specifically in the environment preferring traditional and conservative infrastructures (Malone, 2008). Furthermore, some countries due to high-level security concerns do not prefer online and wireless based networks. Social inclusion can only be improved through effective engagement and information (Archetti, 2010). Additionally, since the digital ICT infrastructure shares a common language, working norms and data sharing culture, therefore personnel from different culture and languages may resist such implementation (Cooper, Heine & Thakur, 2013).

For the diplomats working in different parts of the world, it is very difficult to communicate through a shared language base thus Development of multi-lingual ICT infrastructure and network can turn out as costly for the government ministries(Stauffacher, 2005). Therefore, they try to avoid training cost of their diplomats and officials. Other than the officials, many of the uneducated citizens also come out as resisting force and consider digital networks as against the security and privacy of their confidential information (Potter, 2002). For this purpose, ministry needs to ensure additional security measures to reduce the influence of such thinking and norms.

2.8.5. Political, legal, and economic

At times, a country’s foreign ministry heads could show interest in implementing such tools in diplomatic functions; however, lack sufficient funding jeopardizes the project. Different countries’ economies impact the capacities of such counties to incorporate new technologies in their MFAs (Cooper, Hocking & Maley, 2008). Severe restrictions put in place by some countries bar other countries from establishing new technologies as well. Foreign policies made could be controlled by heads of state, who make decisions regarding the kinds of technologies that the organization is to incorporate (Brousseau, Marzouki & Meadel, 2012).

On the other side, several economic, legal and economic factors can affect the implementation of ICT in the ministry of foreign affairs. Shortage of skilled staff to use the advanced ICT services and lack of funds appear as vital components (Czosseck & Geers, 2009). High tech ICT technologies also require high-level skills to use these efficiently. Inability of the diplomats and officials at lower level to use these tools and services can impede the delivery of service across different missions quite complex, demanding and difficult (Bjola & Holmes, 2015). For example a super infrastructure based wireless network is not possible without initial heavy cost funding. This is the main reason why many of the developing states avoid implementing high cost ICT infrastructure despite knowing that this is one time expense with lifetime benefits relative to the physical diplomacy structure (Hurn, 2016). Other than this, inadequate resourcing, cultural barriers and conflict of interest also contribute adversely in the successful ICT implementation (Ndimbwa & Emanuel, 2013).

Support secure Mobile and desktop computing

With increased wireless connectivity, diplomats and foreign affair officers are much concerned about the security of their data and information. Modern ICTs are aimed to offer ubiquitous access in the form of secure mobile and desktop computing to their individuals (Gupta, Chaturvedi & Joshi, 2004). Central identity and access management system can be used to restrict the authorized access only to the high-level diplomats. Security of sensitive data is now not an issue for the people(Copeland, 2014). Emergency and security information can easily be shared with the desired diplomats and officials through digital signatures, encryption keys and other security components(Kiso, 2010). Security should be taken to the highest level. Departments must capitalize on the secure mobile applications(Kurbalija, 1999). Diplomatic rivals including both state and non-state actors can make attempts to hack the government systems and steal the private and confidential information of the country (Moghadam, 2014). Security solutions should be designed using innovative solutions after setting mind ahead of the hackers, fraudsters and cyber saboteurs. At present range of secure services are available that offer secure voice and teleconferencing services to the diplomats (Weiss, 2013). VPNs can be used for connecting mobile devices and desktops ultimately making it safe from the intentional attacks (Kear, 2001).

Integration of all the enterprise applications into mobile devices

. IT applications supporting sand streamlining the administrative applications into the mobile devices through development of a ministry app store. These applications may be accessed by visiting the ministry store at anytime and anywhere but only be the authorized individuals (Bollier, 2002). Gateway to application store can be routed through the official website requiring a password or user ID or digital signature from the user and actors trying to access these applications(Innovation Diplomacy, 2013). Applications may include HR-related apps, financial service apps, data storage, backup-up apps and Office Suite. On the other hand, currently different governments have started offering mobile apps for filling their passport and visa application procedures to the citizens. However, integration of application at employee level is also necessary for complete and successful integration. Additionally, compatibility of these enterprise applications must be ensured prior its deployment. These must be capable of functioning on wide ranging mobile devices (European Union, 2015).

The goal of e-diplomacy cannot be achieved successful without considering the optimized access to the regional devices. At present, some of the diplomatic ministries are offering mobile telephony and mobility services to the staff members who are equipped with the ministries mobile phone. However, future needs to move ahead in providing seamless access to all organizational personnel the accessibility towards the enterprise applications using their own mobile phone (Misnitries of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, 2013).

Interaction with the citizens

A country’s foreign affairs ministry’s key function is to offer excellent services to the country’s citizen’s abroad. For example, “To have a distinguished foreign policy for the State of Qatar at both regional and international levels, and care for the interests of citizens abroad” (MOFAQ), is the mission statement for Qatar’s foreign affairs ministry. Presently, the consular affairs have put a lot of efforts towards technology utilization.(Armstrong, 1999). One among the key functions of a country’s foreign ministry/embassy’s consular departments happens to be communication with citizens, protection as well as taking care of the interests of citizens in the foreign land. In the meantime, ICT can facilitate as well as enhance the tasks of the consular affairs. Tools like social media, online services, websites, as well as applications enable embassies to get in touch with citizens quickly and effectively (International Treaties& Diplomacy, 2009).

The foreign affairs ministry can now work together with foreign countries through sharing of information with different embassies as well as people via online communities. All that the organisation will do is to develop some communities as well as a website in order to effectively connect with people (Sandre, 2015). The foreign affairs ministry will be able to convey its policies to people with the assistance of the website and the online communities.

Utilize social media

The social media is regarded as the key driver in the development of e-diplomacy (Hare, 2016). Ambassadors and other foreign office officials use this medium to communicate with citizens all around the globe. Moreover, they offer assistance in matters where citizens need their help. Some of the most commonly used platforms of the social media are Facebook; Twitter; Linked-in; Instagram; and YouTube(Slavik, 2004). The invention of Web 2.0 technology was the main force behind the development of all these platforms (Kopper, 2013 ). Diplomats and the governors have been powered by the social media hence enabling ease in communication, transparency, efficiency and better engagement. Some refers to it as social-media diplomacy, digital diplomacy, or Twiplomacy.(Kunstein, 2013). No matter the name given to it, it is known as e-diplomacy (Sandre Andreas, 2012).At the moment, there are more than eighty ministries of foreign affairs all over the globe that run official pages and accounts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. One of the key elements in promotion of e-diplomacy via social media is that people can directly interact with government officials; they can present their own opinion, or ask them about government’s agenda (Permyakova, RIAC).

Promoting and image building

Strong connection with the people will help the ministry of foreign affairs in building its good image and reputation among the people (Wiseman, 2011). Communicating effectively with the people will facilitate the firm in promoting its different functions and policies. Embassies use internet as a tool for cultural exchange and promoting the home country, it offers various readings, documents, videos and other sources for promoting cultural exchange (Permyakova, RIAC). E-diplomacy also allows extra medium for publicity as by utilising ICT tools diplomats can reach a larger public and therefore can influence the audience directly and promote the home country which can enhance bilateral relations between the home and the host country (Marshall, 2015). Bilateralism includes political, economic, and cultural relations between two independent states and it contrasts with unilateralism as well as multilateralism in terms of how the relations are conducted and the number of parties involved (Thompson)