Integrating information and communication technologies (ICTs) into governance processes can greatly enhance the delivery of public services to all citizens. ICT integration will not only improve the performance of governance systems, it will also transform relationships amongst stakeholders, thereby influencing policymaking processes and regulatory frameworks. In the developing world, however, the potential of ICTs for effective governance remains largely unexplored and unexploited. This book presents the context, theory, and current thinking on the interaction between ICTs and local governance, particularly in Africa. It discusses the shift from OC governmentOCO to OC e-governance, OCO describes the role of local-level authorities, and presents the benefits and limitations of introducing ICTs in government operations. Case studies from Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda describe local governance/ICTs projects executed by civil society organizations, academic institutions, and government authorities. Drawing from the findings in these case studies and from the introductory research and original conceptual framework, the book presents a series of conclusions and recommendation on the future of effective ICTs use for better governance and improved economic development at the local level. This book will be of interest to professionals, practitioners, and policy advisors at local and national government levels in developing countries (particularly in Africa); international organizations staff, bilateral aid agencies, international financial institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector; researchers, academics, students, and professors of public administration and governance in Africa and throughout the world."

As the field of public administration has been changing due to globalization, government reforms, and increasing governance practices within intergovernmental networks, research and teaching in public administration also adapted itself to these changes. Public policy research and instruction has become transformed and has diffused into other countries with the help of international organizations and other agents of change and transfer. Research in this field is seen as an opportunity for a definitive shift from traditional models of public administration in the sense that policies may be better designed, articulated, and governed through a collaborative approach, while service provision could be enhanced in terms of proximity, representativeness, and innovativeness. The Handbook of Research on Global Challenges for Improving Public Services and Government Operations provides comprehensive approaches to the study of public administration and public policy from a comparative perspective and includes sound theories and concepts for understanding opportunities and challenges governments face when seeking to improve public services and government operations. The book is a compilation of selective high-quality chapters covering cases, experiences, and practical recommendations on topics related to public administration, public policy, social policy, public management, and public affairs. This book is ideal for policymakers, students, and researchers in the field of public administration, public policy, governance, public management, public affairs, citizen engagement, and administrative sciences and management along with practitioners, stakeholders, and academicians interested in the best practices of various countries in public administration and policy.

With case studies from nine African countries this book provides a rich understanding of the status of e-governance in Africa, assesses the effects of information and communications technologies (ICTs) on local governance, and offers a roadmap for policymakers, decision-makers, and practitioners to implement and evaluate their own e-local governance projects. With governance high on the agenda in Africa, many governments are using ICTs to introduce innovations in their structure, practices, and capacities as well as in the ways they use human capital and deliver services to citizens. However, the potential for e-governance in Africa remains largely unexploited. Progress requires infrastructure improvement, the enactment of appropriate laws and policies, and capacity and content development. This book addresses the lack of evidence on ICTs in local governance in Africa and provides an important collection of studies and analyses on the transformative potential of ICT.

Discover how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is transforming local governance in this insightful book. By exploring case studies and innovative ICT solutions, the book highlights the potential for digital tools to enhance democratic processes, improve transparency, and foster citizen engagement at the local level.

The present book contains the proceedings of two conferences held at the World Computer Congress 2010 in Brisbane, Australia (September 20–23) organised by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP). In the first part, the reader can find the proceedings of the 9th Human Choice and Computers International C- ference (HCC9) organised by the IFIP Technical Committee TC9 on the Relationship Between ICT and Society. The HCC9 part is subdivided into four tracks: Ethics and ICT Governance, Virtual Technologies and Social Shaping, Surveillance and Privacy, and ICT and Sustainable Development. The second part consists of papers given at the Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Conference (CIP) organized by the IFIP Technical Committee TC11 on Security and Privacy Protection in Information Processing Systems. The two parts of the book are introduced by the respective Conference Chairs. Chapter 1 introduces HCC9, providing a short summary of the HCC conference series, which started in 1974, and explaining the overview of HCC9, detailing the rationale behind each of the tracks in this conference. The details related to the papers of each track are discussed by the Track Chairs in the respective introductions to the specific tracks of HCC9 (Chaps. 2, 10, 16 and 22). Finally, Chap. 22 introduces the CIP part.

ICTs, Citizens and Governance: After the Hype! aims to help researchers and practitioners to understand hypes about ICT and government without becoming cynical. Hypes can be functional in triggering processes of change, but one should be able to distinguish a 'trigger' from a realistic set of expectations. This book combines an analysis of the discourse (in terms of hypes) with an analysis of practices (in terms of stable routines and relational patterns). The relation between the discourse and resulting changing is complex, situational and interpretable in multiple ways but certainly merits our attention.