Strategies for ICT Use in the Public Sector in the Least Developed Countries: A Cross-Country Analysis

The adoption and effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) has the potential to yield significant benefits in the least developed countries (LDCs), which are recognized as the most vulnerable in the international community. The aim of this study was to investigate strategies to advance the use of ICT in the public sector in LDCs, with the aim of improving services and outcomes for government and citizens. A multi-level framework for analysis was developed, consistent with a structuration-type theoretical approach. A meta-analysis of data gathered in a UN study of egovernment readiness was performed, focussing on the developing countries that have greatly improved their relative positions recently. In general, the findings support the multi-level approach. At the national level, a low level of economic development, poor infrastructure and political unrest are inhibitors of public sector ICT progress. At a base level, access by individuals and organizations to ICT tools and IT-related education is necessary for e-government to be feasible. Some strategies were observed to be linked to progress with e-government across a number of developing countries: leadership and willingness to initiate change within the government sector, an incremental, step-by-step approach to development, and some sensitivity to local and cultural needs.