HARNESSING RISKS PERCEPTION THEORY FOR THE UNDERSTANDING OF BARRIERS TO E-GOVERNMENT

Abstract

The term e-government means the employment of the Internet and the world-wide-web for delivering government information and services to the citizens. It refers to the use by government agencies of information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing) that have the ability to transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government. Nevertheless, the implementation of e-government has not been smooth-sailing. Managerial hiccups and barriers seem to hamper the proper implementation of e-government. Accordingly, the risks perception theory stands out as being appropriate to explain such barriers. This theoretical paper outlines the application of risks perception theory for the understanding of the barriers to the implementation of e-government in any particular jurisdiction. Factors such as leadership failures, financial inhibitors, and workplace and organizational inflexibility could potentially impede the full potential of the engagement of e-government services by the government, businesses and the citizens. Adopting library-based research method, and document analysis of secondary data from textbooks, government reports, government websites, journal articles and newspaper reports, this paper traces the development of e-government in selected jurisdictions in the world which adopt e-government in its delivery of information and services. Generally, this paper highlights the employment of risks perception theory in the understanding of the barriers to e-government initiatives. The paper aspires to contribute to the body of knowledge on the study of e-government services.