Global E-Government and the Role of Trust: A Cross Country Analysis

In today’s global economy, a country’s level of e-government, or the use of the Internet and other communication technologies to provide government services, has emerged as an important policy tool for government. Recent studies indicate that the use of e-government is growing throughout the world (Mossberger, Tolbert, and Stansbury, 2003 and Larsen & Rainie, 2002). Formally defined as “the delivery of government information and services online via the Internet or other digital means” (West 2000, paragraph 7), e-government offers many benefits to its major stakeholders. Implemented properly, it can be a cost effective method to deliver public services which can result in significant gains for the national economy. Through the Internet a government can provide information and allow citizens, businesses, and other governments to make a wide variety of transactions and to participate in various forums. E-government initiatives foster competitiveness by ensuring the integration of countries into the global community. A country that engages in e-government signals to the international community that it is open, transparent, and efficient, and creates an environment conducive to its users ABSTRACT