Most hitherto research efforts were carried out by scholars who looked at electronic government (e-government) from government perspective. Many research papers were published by scholars involved already in government projects. There has been some serious research in on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) (e.g. Wood-Harper et al, 2004). These papers served largely to stress the importance of PPP as well as to suggest new theories on how to enhance this relationship. Some other research effort on the other hand focused on challenges faced by LDCs in the process of establishing e-government (e.g. Heeks, 2002, Ndou, 2004…etc.)
While most research is single case-based (e.g. Zukauskas & Kasteckiene, 2002) this chapter tries to fill the void by looking globally at how e-government and Electronic Commerce (e-commerce) can prop up one another. In the course of this study, we will introduce e-government from a new perspective and explain how its establishment can really achieve development through the encouragement of investment and the support it provides for the private sector. It is the first attempt to scrutinise the impact of e-government on e-commerce and development in LDCs.
This chapter is more than just exploring the relationship between e-government and e-commerce. It serves as an augmented guide to e-government. It introduces some new ideas for enhancing e-government. LDCs environment is kept in mind while writing the chapter. Whenever possible, reference is made in relation to opportunities and challenges attributed for LDCs.