E-Government Systems: Centralized Approach

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a potential benefit of a centralized approach?

It requires more resources

It makes it cheaper, faster, and easier to undertake organization-wide activities (correct)

It leads to decentralization of information systems

It increases the need for manual processes

What is a constraint to centralized approaches?

The lack of need for changes to the organization's information systems architecture

The support of public managers

The availability of more resources

The need for new hardware and software (correct)

What is a challenge in centralization due to differences in objectives and values?

The need for less hardware and software

The need for more data fields and formats

The resistance from public managers who perceive themselves as potential resource losers (correct)

The need for more technology and skills

What does centralization of data mean for staff?

It becomes 'the organization's data' Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of central planning and operation?

Compatible technology and skills Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of a centralized system in terms of resources?

It makes exchange of hardware, software, and staff between organizational systems and units easier and less costly Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential cost reduction strategy through centralization?

Avoidance of duplication Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of centralization in terms of procurement and planning?

It becomes easier to plan and procure resources Signup and view all the answers

What are the four key resources required for a centralized approach in the public sector?

Money, time, people, and skills Signup and view all the answers

Why may senior staff in the public sector be less likely to support IT-based systems?

They lack the necessary skills and training Signup and view all the answers

What can restrict the potential for centralized approaches to e-government?

Existing division of responsibilities between functional units Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of a centralized approach to e-government?

Reduced duplication of efforts Signup and view all the answers

Why may skills and awareness not be utilized in a public sector organization?

They are not in the right place within the organization Signup and view all the answers

What can be a constraint to implementing a centralized approach in the public sector?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What was traditionally divided between four agencies in the US government?

Responsibility for IT-based systems Signup and view all the answers

What can be a result of a decentralized approach to e-government?

Duplication of efforts and waste of resources Signup and view all the answers

Who typically develops e-government systems in a centralized approach?

A team from the central IT unit or external contractors Signup and view all the answers

What guides the content and timing of individual projects in a centralized approach?

E-government strategy Signup and view all the answers

Who delivers training and technical support in a centralized approach?

External providers or specialist staff from the central IT unit Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of a centralized approach to e-government systems?

Opportunities for reducing costs Signup and view all the answers

What is achieved by having a single version of any particular e-government system for the whole organization?

Avoidance of duplication and wasted effort Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of capturing client details once for use on a single, shared database?

Avoidance of duplication and single authoritative source of digital information Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of making amendments to a single set of data in a centralized approach?

Only one set of amendments needs to be made Signup and view all the answers

What represents the single authoritative source of digital information in the organization?

A shared database Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Responsibilities in a Centralized Approach

In a centralized approach, e-government systems are typically developed by a team from the central IT unit or by external contractors under central IT unit control.
The content and timing of individual projects are drawn from an e-government strategy that guides procurement.
Training is planned and prioritized organization-wide to fit in with e-government plans, and may be delivered by external providers or specialist staff from the central IT unit.

Potential Benefits of a Centralized Approach

Avoidance of duplication: having a single version of e-government systems and storing data once and only once, eliminating wasted effort, capacity, and inconsistent data.
Example: only one accounting application needs to be developed for the whole agency, and each client's details are captured once for use on a single, shared database.
Sharing resources: a well-planned centralized system allows all staff to access data, making it cheaper, faster, and easier to undertake organization-wide activities.

Constraints to Centralized Approaches

Information, Technology, and Process Constraints

Barriers to centralization arise when decentralized information systems are already in place, requiring changes to the organization's information systems architecture.

Objectives and Values Constraints

Centralization means changes in flows of resources, which can be resisted by public managers who perceive themselves as potential resource losers.
Staff may resist surrendering control over data, making it a particular problem in the public sector where fighting over limited resources is common.

Staffing and Skills, and Other Resources Constraints

Centralized approaches require commitment of four key resources: money, time, people, and skills, which are often in short supply in the public sector.
Financial constraints, busy staff, lack of confidence or capabilities, and skills and awareness gaps can make centralized approaches impossible.

Management Systems and Structures Constraints

Existing division of responsibilities between different functional units within a public sector organization or different agencies within government can constrain centralized approaches.
Example: in the US, responsibility for IT-based systems was traditionally divided between four agencies, restricting both the potential for and effectiveness of centralized approaches to e-government.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the centralized approach to e-government systems, including development, content, and training. It explores the role of the central IT unit and external contractors in implementing e-government strategies.