Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A socio-technical perspective on e-government issues in developing countries: a scientometrics approach

  • Published:
Scientometrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Many researchers have analyzed e-government literature as a whole or a specific area to focus on statistical methodologies, lessons learnt, or problem related to the area. However, no investigation from socio-technical perspective on e-government issues, in developing countries (DCs), has been carried out. Utilizing scientometrics approach, we analyzed and synthesized e-government (EG) literature that deals with the issues/topics in developing countries from the lens of socio-technical theory (STT). 145 articles from 7 core e-government journals published during the last decade were selected and reviewed for analyzing e-government literature related to developing countries. The growth pattern of e-government literature showed that e-government studies pertaining developing countries issues/topics have rapidly increased during the last decade; covering a range of topics/issues studied from socio-technical aspects. We found that e-government literature in developing countries has somewhat adopted a balanced approach and is moving away from a merely theoretical or conceptual bases toward an empirical foundation; however, the literature lacked depth and balance in terms of issues/topics discussed and methodologies applied. In the light of the findings, strengths, limitations, and future directions for e-government research in developing countries are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdel, N. H., Zaied, F. A., Khairalla, W., & Al-Rashed, (2007). Assessing e-readiness in the Arab countries: Perceptions towards ICT environment in public organizations in the State of Kuwait. Electronic Journal of E-government, 5(5), 77–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al Nag, E. (2009). Computerization and e-government implementation in Jordan: Challenges, obstacles and successes. Government Information Quarterly, 26(4), 577–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alavi, M., & Carlson, P. (1992). A review of MIS research and disciplinary development. Journal of Management Information Systems, 8(4), 45–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Shehry, A., Rogerson, S., Ben Fairweather, N., & Prior, M. (2009). The key organizational issues affecting e-government adoption in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Electronic Government Research, 5(4), 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bostrom, R. P., & Heinen, J. S. (1977). MIS problems and failures: A socio-technical perspective part II: The application of socio-technical theory. MIS Quarterly, 1(4), 11–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouaziz, F. (2008). Public administration presence on the web: A cultural explanation. Electronic Journal of E-government, 6(6), 11–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Claver, E., Gonzalez, R., & Llopis, J. (2000). An analysis of research in information systems (1981–1997). Information & Management, 37, 181–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damodaran, L., Nicholls, J., Henney, A., et al. (2005). The contribution of sociotechnical systems thinking to the effective adoption of e-government and the enhancement of democracy. The Electronic Journal of e-Government, 3(1), 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dastidar, P. G., & Ramachandran, S. (2005). Engineering research in ocean sector: An international profile. Scientometrics, 65(2), 199–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawes, S. S. (2009). Governance in the digital age: A research and action framework for an uncertain future”. Government Information Quarterly, 26, 257–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dzazali, S., Sulaiman, A., & Zolait, A. H. (2009). Information security landscape and maturity level: Case study of Malaysian Public Service (MPS) organizations. Government Information Quarterly, 26(4), 584–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Solla Price, D. J. (1965). Networks of scientific papers. Science, 149(3683), 510–515.

  • de Solla Price, D. J. (1976). A general theory of bibliometric and other cumulative advantage processes. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 27(5–6), 292–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donohue, J. M., & Fox, J. B. (2000). A multi-method evaluation of journals in the decision and management sciences by US academics. OMEGA, 28(1), 17–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dos Santos, E. M., & Reinhard, N. (2007). Setting interoperability standards for e-government: An exploratory case study. Electronic Government, an International Journal (EG), 4(4), 379–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang, Z. (2002). E-government in digital era: Concept, practice and development. International Journal of the Computer, 10(2), 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Murillo, M. (2010). The effect of internet access on government corruption. Electronic Government, an International Journal (EG), 7(1), 22–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gronlund, A., & Horan, T. (2005). Introducing e-gov: History, definitions and issues. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 15(1) (Article 39), 713–729.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, S., & Ives, B. (1982). Knowledge utilization among MIS researchers. MIS Quarterly, 20(3), 61–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heeks, R. (2003). Success and failure rates of egovernment in developing/transitional countries: Overview, e-Government for Development. University of Manchester, available at www.egov4dev.org/sfoverview.htm

  • Heeks, R., & Bailur, S. (2007). Analyzing e-government research: Perspectives, philosophies, theories, methods, and practice. Government Information Quarterly, 24(2), 243–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helbig, N., Gil-García, J. R., & Ferro, E. (2009). Understanding the complexity of electronic government: Implications from the digital divide literature. Government Information Quarterly, 26(1), 89–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaeger, P. T., & Thompson, K. M. (2003). E-government around the world: Lessons, challenges, and future directions. Government Information Quarterly, 20(4), 389–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonas, D. K. (2000). Building state information highways: Lessons for public and private sector leaders. Government Information Quarterly, 17(1), 43–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan, G. F., Moon, J., Rho, J. J., & Zo, H. (2010). Civil conflict, digital divide, and e-government service adoption: A Conflict Theory Approach. Paper presented at e-Democracy, e-Government and e-Society Conference, June, 28–30, Paris, WASET.

  • Kling, R., & Lamb, R. (1999). IT and organizational change in digital economies: A sociotechnical approach. Computer and Society, 29(3), 17–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Layne, K., & Lee, J. (2001). Developing fully function e-government: A four stage model. Government Information Quarterly, 18(1), 122–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maumbe, B. M., Owei, V., & Alexander, H. (2008). Questioning the pace and pathway of e-government development in Africa: A case study of South Africa’s Cape Gateway project. Government Information Quarterly, 25(4), 757–777.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ndou, V. (2004). E-government for developing countries: Opportunities and challenges. Electronic Journal on Information Systems in Developing Countries, 18(1), 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ngulube, P. (2004). Implications of technological advances for access to the cultural heritage of selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Government Information Quarterly, 21(2), 143–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nord, J. H., & Nord, G. D. (1995). MIS research: Journal status assessment and analysis. Information and Management, 29(1), 29–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norris, D. F., & Moon, M. C. (2005). Advancing e-government at the grassroots: Tortoise or hare. Public Administration Review, 65(1), 64–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pouris, A., & Pouris, A. (2010). Scientometrics of a pandemic: HIV/AIDS research in South Africa and the World. Scientometrics, 1–12. doi:10.1007/s11192-010-0277-6

  • Sæbo, O., Rose, J., & Flak, L. S. (2008). The shape of eParticipation: Characterizing an emerging research area. Government Information Quarterly, 25(3), 400–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholl, H. J. (2009). Profiling the EG research community and its core. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 5693, 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A. K., & Sahu, R. (2008). Integrating Internet, telephones, and call centers for delivering better quality e-governance to all citizens. Government Information Quarterly, 25(3), 477–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sombatsompop, N., Markpin, T., Yochai, W., & Saechiew, M. (2005). An evaluation of research performance for different subject categories using Impact Factor Point Average (IFPA) index: Thailand case study. Scientometrics, 65(3), 293–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoica, V., & Ilas, A. (2009). Romanian urban e-government. Digital services and digital democracy in 165 cities. Electronic Journal of E-government, 7(2), 171–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trist, E. L., & Bamforth, K. W. (1951). Some social and psychological consequences of the longwall methods of coal-getting. Human Relations, 14, 3–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Horn, R. L. (1973). Empirical studies of management information systems. Data Base, 5(4/5), 172–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y. S. (2003). The adoption of electronic tax filing systems: An empirical study. Government Information Quarterly, 20(4), 333–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yildiz, M. (2007). E-government research: Reviewing the literature limitations, and ways forward. Government Information Quarterly, 24(3), 646–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, J. J., & Zhao, S. Y. (2010). Opportunities and threats: A security assessment of state e-government websites. Government Information Quarterly, 27(1), 49–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Media and Communication, YeungNam University, 214-1, Dae-dong, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

    Gohar Feroz Khan

  2. Information Management and Marketing, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Junghoon Moon

  3. Department of Media and Communication, YeungNam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea

    Han Woo Park

  4. School of Innovation, Global Information and Telecommunication Program, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea

    Bobby Swar

  5. Department of Management Science, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

    Jae Jeung Rho

Authors
  1. Gohar Feroz Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Junghoon Moon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Han Woo Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bobby Swar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jae Jeung Rho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Junghoon Moon.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Khan, G.F., Moon, J., Park, H.W. et al. A socio-technical perspective on e-government issues in developing countries: a scientometrics approach. Scientometrics 87, 267–286 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-010-0322-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-010-0322-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation