eGovernment in Europe’s regions. Approaches and progress in IST strategy, organisation and services, and the role of regional actors

Abstract:

This book seeks to widen the debate on eGovernment and to increase the ability of regional public administrations to initiate, develop, organise and manage their eGovernment projects. It moves from the principle that regional and local administrations are closest to the citizen, and has selected five regions from Germany, Spain, Belgium, Italy, and the UK considered to be among the most active and forward thinking in Europe.

The study follows five main theme lines in each of the regions. Theme one concentrates on the ICT/IST strategies and the launch of eGovernment projects in the regions. The new organisational structures, the impact of government services provided on-line, legal and technical aspects and the development of qualified human resources are addressed in theme two. Quality, innovative approach and citizen orientation are examined in theme three which also looks at examples of best practice in the respective regions. Theme four explores the role of the regions in ICT and eGovernment in the national and European context. Theme five looks at the achievements in the regions to present a form of benchmarking, and highlights those representing best practice in areas such as ICT strategy, eServices, organisational changes and means of communication.

The work will interest students, scholars and practitioners engaged in Public Administration with particular interest to those involved in eGovernment and eCommerce.

Alexander Heichlinger is Lecturer and Project Leader at the European Centre for the Regions (ECR), Barcelona, Spain.