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Digital tools are increasingly being used in welfare programmes to reduce corruption and increase transparency. Banerjee et al. (2020, E‐governance, accountability, and leakage in public programmes: experimental evidence from a financial management reform in India. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics. https://doi.org/10.1257/app.20180302) evaluate the effectiveness of one such intervention. In a later section of their paper, they use a Two‐Way Fixed Effects (TWFE) specification to examine the consequences of the nationwide scale of an electronic funds management system in India's workfare programme, and report that it reduced expenditures by 19%. The present paper extends its analysis by (a) exploiting the recent literature that disaggregates the TWFE coefficient in the presence of staggered treatment timing to pinpoint sources of identifying variation and (b) attempting to uncover heterogeneity in treatment effects. We find that certain problematic comparisons have a large weight in the TWFE coefficient. Further, an event study analysis of the six constituent and valid comparisons shows that there is no support for parallel trends, so lag coefficients cannot be vested with causal interpretation. Our results imply that large‐scale evaluations, because of the very diversity they encompass, need to explicitly account for the factors that are responsible for programme effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest in experiments conducted by researchers and policymakers as a team. The attraction of these 'embedded experiments' is that they seem to facilitate speedy translation of research into policy. This approach, however, can trivialise public policy and compromise the independence of the researchers. It is also a fountain of ethical dilemmas including consent issues, conflicts of interest and compensation norms. The perils of embedded experiments, and possible safeguards, are discussed with the help of a case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scholarly article examines the pivotal role of digital administration in enhancing political rationality and governance in contemporary political systems. As governments worldwide increasingly adopt digital technologies, this study explores how these tools reshape decision-making processes, citizen engagement, and overall political efficacy. Through a comprehensive analysis of theoretical frameworks, existing literature, and case studies, the research investigates the impact of digital administration on transparency, accountability, and participatory governance. Findings suggest that while digital administration offers significant potential for improving political rationality and governance, it also presents challenges related to the digital divide, cybersecurity, and privacy concerns. The article concludes with policy recommendations and future prospects for the integration of emerging technologies into political governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technology, including advancements in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and data analytics, has the potential to revolutionize tackling the problem of carbon dioxide emissions and achieving sustainable development. The paper aims at checking the nature of the impact of digital technology development on carbon dioxide reduction for the EU countries in 2013–2020. The study applies the following methods: entropy methods, panel‐corrected standard error, and feasible generalized least squares. The digital technology development index enabled the classification of all the EU countries into two distinct groups: High Digital Technology Development and Moderate/Lower Digital Technology Development. The findings confirm that digital technology development has a significant impact on decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. In the first stage, the growth of digital technology causes a faster decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. However, beyond a certain threshold, the further improvement of digital technology results in diminishing marginal benefits of CO2 emissions reduction. Thus, the EU government should catalyze the extension of digital technologies among all sectors and levels. In addition, it requires enhancing digital literacy of the society and local authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On a worldwide scale, information and communication technologies are undergoing fundamental shifts, and research has been done to investigate the mechanisms between e-government and e-governance in light of these informational and technological shifts. There have been many discussions about different e-governance case studies, and the distinctions between e-governance and e-government, as well as their respective benefits, have been aptly investigated from the point of view of government implementation. This current paper also focuses on deploying an e-governance mechanism and addressing the difficulties and constraints involved. Finally, practical problems regarding the adoption of e-governance have been addressed by online administration and Internet legislation. Future research has to focus on legitimate challenges and how they statistically relate to e-governance and artificial intelligence in various public and commercial institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducts a systematic review of Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (DEEs), focusing on their organization, development, and impact within the Greek Chamber of Commerce. Utilizing the Webster and Watson (2002) methodology, the review examines a broad range of literature to design and analyze a DEE framework. The study emphasizes the significance of innovation and digital collaboration in fostering entrepreneurship. The review identifies key themes including technological platforms, e-governance, and user satisfaction. Findings indicate that DEEs play a crucial role in enhancing business development through digital means. The study aims to bridge the knowledge gap in DEE literature and provide a practical foundation for similar initiatives. The research underscores the need for digital transformation in business ecosystems to support extroversion, innovation, and targeted entrepreneurial actions, advocating for cultural, structural, and systemic changes within chambers of commerce to better serve businesses and foster long-term relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Policy & Internet is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Policy & Internet is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Blockchain (BCn) revolution across the world leads the global transformation by altering the existing structure and introducing the accessible and decentralized paradigm. This technology facilitates access to resources and redefines conventional frameworks, empowering people and communities globally. Motivated by these attention‐seeking potentiality of BCn features, in this article, we examine the challenges, advancements, and emerging prospects of the BCn revolution in Bangladesh. With a specific focus on BCn implications for sustainability and smart development, this study addresses the urgent need to understand how BCn can facilitate sustainable development in rapidly evolving countries like Bangladesh. The goal of this research is to draw attention to the successful revolution of BCn in the world and use this knowledge to extract best practices and cutting‐edge strategies for sustainable transformation of Bangladesh. The contribution of this study covers the underlying concepts of the BCn technology, showing the revolutionary state of BCn across the world, applications of BCn for sustainability, assessment of its current usage, and highlighting the BCn implementation problems. Furthermore, this study serves as a gateway to a transparent, decentralized future that fosters inclusive national progress and aligns with sustainable development goals. This study also strives to inspire individuals to use this transformational technology for the collective benefit of society by highlighting BCn's potential to empower communities while driving positive change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of local IT companies in driving digital progress in Ukrainian communities, highlighting the critical relationship between IT companies’ business leadership and regional digital transformation. The relevance of this topic is particularly significant given Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to digitally transform its regions in the context of post-war recovery and economic rebuilding. Local IT companies are pivotal in fostering economic growth and bridging the digital divide by promoting innovation, infrastructure, and digital services, especially in underserved areas. The methodology used in this study involved the development of an econometric model to evaluate the correlation between two integral indices. The Digital Transformation Index integrally reflects the region’s overall progress on the digital transformation path (institutional capacity, Internet development, ASC development, paperless mode, digital education, regional business cards, penetration of basic services, and sectoral digital transformation). IT Business Leadership Index is proposed to be described in this study by the following indicators: the number of operating local IT companies, their employees and recruited employees, and the volume of products sold, produced and added by local IT companies. Regression, correlation, canonical analysis (to determine the interdependencies between sets of factors, to define the canonical roots of the studied indices), and factor analysis (to build an integral indicator of IT companies’ business leadership under the influence of digital transformation), were used to determine the statistical dependencies between these indicators. The data across Ukraine’s regions were gathered from official government sources, covering 2020‒2022. The findings revealed a strong correlation between active IT company leadership and higher levels of digital progress in regions like Kyiv and Kharkiv. These areas have advanced in implementing digital services such as e-governance and digital education platforms. However, disparities were observed, with regions like Zaporizhia and Donetsk lagging behind due to weaker IT infrastructure and limited access to skilled labor. The analysis highlighted that not all factors contributed equally, with variables like production costs showing weaker correlations. This suggests the need for targeted policies and investments to ensure equitable digital transformation across all regions. This study underscores the importance of strengthening local IT ecosystems. It suggests that a multifaceted approach – encompassing policy support, infrastructure development, and education – is essential for achieving widespread and sustainable digital progress in Ukraine.

The impact issue and development of e-governance on shortening the terms of public service provision is urgent for ensuring the efficiency of government agencies. The public service delivery terms affect the effectiveness of the state's public policy and is directly related to citizen engagement in digital e-governance. The article aims to determine the effectiveness of e-governance and calculate the relationship with the terms of public service delivery by using correlation analysis. The article analyses the impact of e-governance on reducing the public service delivery terms among a sample of developed countries that have the highest level of digital public administration. The research employed a correlation analysis method between the E-government Development Index and the average term of providing various public services in the ten most developed countries in the field of e-government. The main principles of the formation and development of e-governance are described, and the efficiency of which, according to the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), is 0.95 and 0.97 in developed countries. The main empirical aspects of the proportionality between e-governance and a 25% reduction in public service delivery terms were studied, which is a positive result. The obtained results were interpreted, where a correlation analysis was performed with a resulting inclination of 2.03, which indicates a close relationship between electronic services and the citizen engagement. Further prospects for the development of e-governance are outlined with the aim of reducing bureaucratic processes and potential opportunities to shorten public service delivery terms through the use of digital technologies.

Purpose – The paper explores how local authorities, particularly under the Open Government Partnership (OGP), respond to e-governance challenges in Georgia. Design/methodology/approach – A weighted scoring system is adopted to assess e-governance in six OGP local authorities (Akhaltsikhe, Khoni, Kutaisi, Ozurgeti, Rustavi, and Tbilisi) in four areas, including access to information, digital service delivery, data management, and citizen engagement. Moreover, website analysis with a focus on transparency and citizen engagement supplements the evaluation. Findings – The findings illustrate that the six local authorities have made certain accomplishments in e-governance and taken steps towards open government; however, these efforts lack coordination and systematic planning. Tbilisi embraces open governance principles with comprehensive action plans, strong transparency commitment, and engaging digital platforms. Kutaisi demonstrates notable progress with user-friendly digital platforms and a streamlined open data portal, emphasizing transparency. Rustavi shows significant development in digital service delivery and citizen engagement and a reputation as a transparent local government. Akhaltsikhe faces challenges in electronic service delivery and citizen engagement. Ozurgeti also encounters obstacles in information disclosure and electronic service delivery, while Khoni lags in information accessibility and citizen engagement. Originality/value – This research is novel in studying the level of e-government among OGP local members in Georgia by a scoring system. The analysis will empower the government to proactively modify and adjust the situation on a regional scale, aligning with the challenges inherent in the country’s unique experiences.

Sharing data is critical to accelerating research and business innovation, automating processes, and getting everyone involved. However, data integrity, security, and lack of traceability of data exchange platforms are the biggest issues facing public administrations, preventing them from sharing data. Blockchain technology enables the exchange of digital information between different entities. It represents an immutable ledger in which user transactions are recorded and cannot be modified, deleted, or destroyed. This innovation guarantees the fidelity and security of data records and builds trust without the need for a trusted third party. In this document, we propose a new architecture for the system of the Moroccan Ministry of Justice: a filesharing system based on Blockchain technology, IPFS, and smart contracts to manage data in a decentralized, trusted, and secured environment exchange. This system architecture’s aim is to exceed the traditional centralized data-sharing platform’s problems and guarantee the persistency, auditability, scalability, and traceability of data, as well as the elimination of the third party. In this way, the new architecture proposed will be an outstanding revolution for the Ministry of Justice and so on for the E-governance In Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-governance has become as a crucial dimension of contemporary public administration in delivering government services to citizens electronically with the aid of information and communication technology. It also increases the efficiency of the management, by improving the citizens' democracy and participation regarding other impactful topics in governance. By adopting a systematic review approach, the researcher utilizes secondary data from more than 150 available sources, comprising literature, policy documents, case studies, and other relevant literature. In this report 70 research papers published between the years 2015 and 2024 were used to provide updated information to the readers. The researchers analyzed the current status, prospects, and challenges of e-governance in Bangladesh under the vision of 'Digital Bangladesh'. Egovernance intends to form a technically progressive nation with technologically effective, efficient, and social economic services providing transparency of process with the help of ICT integration. The research findings reveal that obstacles like the digital divide, infrastructure gaps, digital literacy, data privacy, resistance to change, and regulatory constraints deter the implementation of e-governance. However, this paper contributes to the existing literature with the identification of how e-governance should be governed for the sake of development in Bangladesh. The analysis calls for many comprehensive policy reforms, enhanced cyber security measures, capacity building, and bridging of the digital divide. It will then be much easier to realize the dream of a fully digital Bangladesh and facilitate economic growth, innovations, and the improvement of public service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the digital infrastructure supporting decisions is an important factor in the preparation phase of any environmental policy action, and this quality can greatly reduce the level of transaction costs. However, the development of a solution for Coaseian bargaining raises several unsolved technical problems to be able to efficiently decrease external costs. Here, we show the recommended structure of an information and communication technology (ICT)-based software infrastructure that aims to guide relevant stakeholders to achieve environmental deals and enhance green innovations. After reviewing the existing methods, practical solutions, and economics of transaction costs, we selected the design process of a new platform. We identified the functionality modules of the ICT infrastructure with descriptions of the features. Our results demonstrated that the establishment of an ICT-based e-governance system featuring participatory modeling could efficiently reduce transaction costs based on the widely used typology of them. We found that our platform could improve the involvement of any group of stakeholders through collaboration. Furthermore, we elaborate on the assessment of risks and evaluate the potential to avoid serious risks during the implementation or operation of the system. We anticipate our paper to be an initial step in the implementation of an innovative platform for the interested parties of environmental policy actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) has brought rapid communication transformation from analogue to digital. The digital divide poses a greater threat towards community service and rural development, with the government failing to provide effective and efficient communication strategies for service delivery to rural communities. The study found that the North-West province needs to communicate more adequately with its communities, failing to achieve its objective towards its rural communities. Thus individuals within the development communication process are agents of change, not just recipients of a development initiative but active participants and contributors of knowledge and information. Theoretically, the study pegged on, Information Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) which refers to “theories of Change”, not only implying the designation of technologies and diffusion but a multifaceted, dynamic, and contentious socio-economic and technological process. This study employed qualitative techniques and purposive sampling to gather data, through interviews and questionnaires, for both communication directors and community members. Thematic analysis was employed to reach the conclusion of the study. The study recommends that the use of smartphones and M-technology in all provincial departments would enhance their service deliveries and that the introduction of digital platforms such as the North-West Service Delivery App and the introduction of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are essential for effective and efficient socio-economic and technological development of the rural communities within the province. The study will provide insight and add to the current discourse on the importance of ICT adoption for rural development.

The goal of the European Union to consolidate the digital sovereignty of the region by 2030, within the framework of the Digital Decade of Europe policy program, imposes the responsibility of Member States to contribute through the development of technical and human e-governance infrastructure, being necessary to prepare the body of public servants in public administration to support and use new technologies, both in front-office and back– office relationships. Considering the essential role that human capital plays in national digital development and the achievement of the union’s objectives, this research aims to explore the impact of Romanian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) on the development of digital skills among public servants through the Advanced Digital Skills Training Program for 30,000 executive public servants and 2,500 managerial public servants. This program is managed by the National Agency for Civil Servants (NACS), a central public administration institution responsible for the management of the public service and public servants in Romania. National Agency for Public Servants is also the beneficiary and responsible for the implementation of the specific investment from the NRRP. The study aims to investigate the types of training used to identify and propose blended approaches of formal and informal digital education that enhance the initial training, testing, and certification services offered by the NACS program.

In the last two decades, India's system of agricultural land management has been transitioning from paper to digital records. In effecting this shift, engineers and bureaucrats in the city of Bangalore, India's "Silicon Valley," have tacitly and invisibly shifted the responsibility for maintaining data from the state to individuals. Moreover, the new digital databases of land records have fragmented offices and dispersed data across new sites and actors. Under these transformed conditions, people can access services only through what I call citizen labor. That is, when digitization is applied to land and property—which are quintessential sites for the making and unmaking of citizenship—people are interpellated into laboring on their own data. This shows that the digitization of government extracts a form of labor, one whose benefits accrue to groups and organizations beyond the laboring individual. As a result, people have an increasingly degraded experience of substantive citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The involvement of multiple stakeholders complicates urban land governance. The e-Land Administration System (e-LAS) is expected to help decision-makers cope with this challenge. The aim of this research is to explore the mechanism through which e-LAS promotes efficient cross-sectoral collaborative land governance (CSCLG) and to test its effectiveness in a Chinese city through an empirical case study. The results of interview and documentary analysis show that the mechanism encompasses three parts: the technical tools of e-LAS, the subgoals of CSCLG, and CSCLG's technical requirements on e-LAS. These technical tools work together to speed up the process of inputting and outputting information, building relationships, facilitating communication, and assisting collaborative decision-making among both internal and external stakeholders. However, our study of the e-LAS in the case city reveals that specific technical tools for collaborative decision-making are not well-developed, suggesting that China is still in the early stage of implementing functional e-LAS for CSCLG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is a developing country. The Indian government has adopted Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide the benefits of several schemes and different services to the public. The purpose of using ICT is to render several benefits and services effectively and quickly. In India, all the state governments are more concerned about the same. The government can easily reach out to the people with the use of e-Governance and ICT. The main purpose behind the implementation of e-governance is to provide transparent, quick, interactive, and effective services through governance to the common man at all levels. Therefore, India has implemented a National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) to accelerate the delivery of different government services to Indian residents at their neighboring or convenient places. Hence, under the NeGP an important decision was made by the government to start telecenters commonly known as Common Service Centers (CSC) in India to be established in PPP Mode (Public-Private Partnership mode). The Common Service Centers are run by local entrepreneurs with the support of the government named Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLE). The key aim of this study is to find out the different factors that motivate rural entrepreneurs to start CSCs. This study will assist the government as well as non-government agencies to motivate the youth of the village and women to start the telecentres to provide government services and successful e-governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study determined the factors influencing the attitude of farmers towards e-governance. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule from one hundred and twenty-five (125) farmers from Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur district in Bangladesh. Forty-one statements were used to assess the attitude of the farmers using a Likert-type scale. Data were analysed using percentages, means, standard deviations, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings revealed that a significant proportion (68.0%) of the respondents had moderately to highly favourable attitudes towards e-governance. The top-ranked attitude statement was ‘e-governance programs help to disseminate emergency disaster forecasting’ (mean =3.784). The significant key factors influencing farmers’ attitudes towards e-governance were knowledge of e-governance (beta coefficient =0.770), educational qualification (beta coefficient =0.151), age (beta coefficient =-0.116), and organisational participation (beta coefficient =0.084). Specialized training programs to improve farmers’ familiarity with e-governance, customized extension services for different educational backgrounds and age groups, and promotion of organisational engagement through cooperatives could be essential to foster farmers’ attitudes and thereby adopt e-governance.

From the Editor's Desk - 35(2); Common Service Centres in India

Security is a fundamental pillar for the stability and development of societies worldwide. EGovernance policy, which involves the use of digital tools and technologies in government operations, has emerged as a critical strategy for addressing modern security challenges. This study investigates the effect of E-Governance policy on security in Nigeria. The sample was drawn from 806 personnel of the Police Intelligence Department (FID), comprising the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) located at the force headquarters in FCT, Abuja. Multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistics were employed to achieve the study’s objectives. The major findings reveal that digital incidence reporting systems (DIRS) have a significant positive relationship with security; digital forensic tools (DFT) have a significant positive relationship with security; and CCTV surveillance systems have a significant positive relationship with security. The study concludes that if the Nigerian government focuses on providing digital incidence reporting systems, digital forensic tools, and CCTV surveillance systems, it will lead to an improved security situation in the country. It is recommended that the government at all levels allocate sufficient resources for the procurement, maintenance, and upgrade of these digital tools and systems. Additionally, the study recommends that the Nigerian government partner with international organizations and experts to provide specialized training and certification programs for Nigerian security personnel. Furthermore, the government should establish continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the performance and impact of digital incidence reporting systems, digital forensic tools, and CCTV surveillance.

Purpose: This systematic review examines extant literature to understand the relationship between e-governance initiatives and citizen participation. Design/Methodology/Approach: We conducted a systematic review of 72 articles published in interdisciplinary journals indexed in the Web of Science database between 1900 and 2024. This review examined various forms of e-governance, including digital platforms, official websites, mobile apps, social media, and open data portals Findings: This review revealed the evolution of e-governance from basic online services to sophisticated digital governance utilizing AI and data science. While e-governance initiatives hold promise for increased citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in policymaking, several factors influence their success, including technological infrastructure, digital literacy, trust in government, and legal frameworks. This study identified gaps in the current knowledge base, particularly regarding the long-term sustainability and impact of these initiatives. Implications/Originality/Value: These findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary research to better understand and evaluate the effectiveness of citizen-empowering e-governance initiatives. This study provides a structured overview of existing knowledge, pinpoints open research questions, and suggests a unified model for future research in this area.

Abstract Blockchain (BCn) revolution across the world leads the global transformation by altering the existing structure and introducing the accessible and decentralized paradigm. This technology facilitates access to resources and redefines conventional frameworks, empowering people and communities globally. Motivated by these attention‐seeking potentiality of BCn features, in this article, we examine the challenges, advancements, and emerging prospects of the BCn revolution in Bangladesh. With a specific focus on BCn implications for sustainability and smart development, this study addresses the urgent need to understand how BCn can facilitate sustainable development in rapidly evolving countries like Bangladesh. The goal of this research is to draw attention to the successful revolution of BCn in the world and use this knowledge to extract best practices and cutting‐edge strategies for sustainable transformation of Bangladesh. The contribution of this study covers the underlying concepts of the BCn technology, showing the revolutionary state of BCn across the world, applications of BCn for sustainability, assessment of its current usage, and highlighting the BCn implementation problems. Furthermore, this study serves as a gateway to a transparent, decentralized future that fosters inclusive national progress and aligns with sustainable development goals. This study also strives to inspire individuals to use this transformational technology for the collective benefit of society by highlighting BCn's potential to empower communities while driving positive change.