E-Government: An Overview

Abstract

Information technology has fundamentally altered many aspects of daily life, including interactions with the government. The role of the Internet continues to increase as more citizens use it to find pertinent information, purchase goods and services, and participate in virtual communities. By capitalizing on the Internet revolution, governments can create new channels of communication and new methods for participation via e-government. The changing environment, coupled with citizen and business demands, encourages government involvement in e-government initiatives and related uses of information technologies. Clearly, the role of information technology in the public sector has changed rapidly over the past decade. The computer systems that were once a luxury investment for wealthy states and local governments are now supporting almost every function of local government. In virtually all local governments across the nation, information-technology investments are becoming an increasingly important area of attention for elected officials and administrative leadership alike.