The Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic-Government

The Advantages of Electronic-Government

The ultimate goal of the e-government is to be able to offer an increased portfolio of public services to citizens in an efficient and cost effective manner. It allows for government transparency because it allows the public to be informed about what the government is working on as well as the policies they are trying to implement.

The main advantage while implementing electronic government will be to improve the efficiency of the current system( Paper based system). That would in return same money and time. The introduction would also facilitate better communications between governments and businesses.

For example: E-procurement facilitates G2G and B2B communication; this will permit smaller business to compete for government contracts as well as larger business. hence the advantage of creating an open market and stronger economy. Business and citizens can obtain information at a faster speed and it is possible at any time of the day.

The society is moving towards the mobile connections and the ability of an e-government service to be accessible to citizens irrespective of location throughout the country brings the next and potentially biggest benefit of an e-government service as we live in what is now termed as the Knowledge era.

The anticipated benefits of e-government include efficiency, improved services, better accessibility of public services, and more transparency and accountability.

The Disadvantages of Electronic-Government

The main disadvantage concerning e-government is the lack of equality in public access to the internet, reliability of information on the web, and hidden agendas of government groups that could influence and bias public opinions.

Potential implications of implementing and designing e-government, include disinter-mediation of the government and citizens, impacts on economic, social and political factors, vulnerability to cyber attacks and disturbance to the status quo in these areas.

Hyper-surveillance: Once the government begins to develop and become more sophisticated, the citizens will be forced to interact electronically with the government on a larger scale. E.g This could potentially lead to a lack of privacy for civilians as their government obtains more and more information on them.

Cost: Although large amount of money is spent on the development and implementation of e-government the outcomes and effects of trial internet-based governments are often difficult to gauge or unsatisfactory.

Inaccessibility: An e-government site that provides web based access and support often does not offer the potential to reach many users including those who live in the remote areas, have low literacy levels and exist on poverty line incomes.

Electronic Government in General

Definitions of E-Government.

e-Government basically refers to the use of information and communication technology to provide and improve government services, transactions and interactions with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government.
Like all European countries show e-Government initiatives, mainly related to the improvement of governance at the national level. OR
Is a general term describing the use of technologies to facilitate the operation of government and the disbursement of government information and services. 
From the researcher's point of view; it deals heavily with Internet applications to aid in governments.

Botswana e-Government

The Botswana E-government aims at improving the communications and information flow between the citizens and the Government. Since Botswana is a third world country moving up the ladder, this will enable Botswana citizens even visitors a convenient access to the government on-line services and information.

The ability to receive reliable information services and information over the Internet enhances the ability of citizens to fully utilize and benefit from government services. This aids in the nation reaching  the vision 2016 which states;
"Vision 2016 is Botswana's strategy to propel its socio-economic and political development into a competitive, winning and prosperous nation. Seven key goals have been developed to achieve this. The vision reflects the aspirations of Botswana about their long-term future and is a result of extensive consultations with a wide spectrum of individuals and institutions in the country".

Coat of Arms 

This allows easy and speedy retrieval of relevant information and related services. Information from all ministries and authorities is presented fro various target audiences; parents,children,youth, investors, businesses etc. like for example; If a person does not know which ministry is in charge of a specific service, he/she will be able to access the service intuitively.