ABSTRACT
This chapter examines two distinct but related measures of e-government effectiveness—namely, the online service index and the e-participation index, both reported in the 2014 e-government survey conducted by the United Nations. We analyze the impact of political structure, public sector performance, and policy initiatives on both indices in 175 countries. Our multiple regression analysis shows that there is greater e-government capability in countries that have more effective public sector governance and administration, and policies that advance the development and diffusion of ICTs. More democratic institutions and processes, however, appear to have a negative impact on e-government. These results suggest that the path to e-government leverages different strategies depending on a nation’s political structure and processes, and that authoritarian countries may be utilizing e-government so as to maintain the status quo.
