The performance of government information technology officers in e-government policy implementation.
Date
2013-02-19
Authors
Nengovhela, Nthumeni R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to investigate the performance of the Government Information
Technology Officers (GITOs) in the implementation of e-government policy during the last
decade. The CIOs in the South African public sector are referred to as GITOs, the position in
government departments that was established by a Cabinet memorandum in the year 2000. By
2001, the South African government developed an e-government policy framework which
presents the basis for implementation of e-government initiatives by several stakeholders
including the GITOs. A qualitative study was undertaken based on the case study of four national
departments to determine the performance of the GITOs in the implementation of this policy. The
literature review has pointed out several hindrances to the implementation of e-government
initiatives and critical success factors that are to be in place to ensure successful implementation.
The findings identifies the barriers for the GITOs to implement the e-government policy to
include, weak policy, lack of strategic leadership, critical ICT skills, infrastructure, uncoordinated
funding and low levels of e-readiness by departments. The analysis categorised the
factors into six themes, i.e. ICT governance framework, leadership, organisational structural
arrangement, digital divide (infrastructure and access) and integration of services and systems.
The analysis of the findings and lessons from the literature review constituted the basis for policy
recommendations in the last chapter.
Description
Keywords
Information technology, Public administration, e-government policy, ICT policy, South Africa