The research work entitled E-Government: A Study on Preparedness of the Bangladesh Civil Service was carried out as part of the research initiatives of the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Center (BPA TC). We acknowledge our unlimited indebtedness to the advisors of the research work for their precious guidance and direction throughout the study. We are equally grateful to other members of the research team for their active support and cooperation.
We express our thanks and gratitude to the respected faculty members of BP A TC including the honorable Rector of the Center for their valuable contributions to the research work. For the purpose of the research, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 222 members of the Bangladesh Civil Service. Members of the Civil Service of Bangladesh have considerable level of awareness of the concept of e-government; when 86.5% of respondents belong to the groups of 'moderate' and 'high' levels of awareness.
A comparative examination of the level of ability, awareness and attitude factors shows a mixed state of officials' readiness for e-government. Ensure the use of available ICT at all levels of civil servants; with special emphasis on higher levels.
INTRODUCTION
PREAMBLE
In order to translate this new social contract into public value, one of the important requirements is the readiness of the public managers, which we will examine in the case of Bangladesh. Such a transformation of government is only possible if the public management system is prepared and people are able to control, transfer and properly use information and resources in a vertical and horizontal manner as the networked government structure evolves with complexity, and where e-participation of various actors is becoming an important requirement for good governance. Proposed research is an attempt to examine the supply-side readiness, particularly in the groups of entry-level, middle-level and senior-level public managers in Bangladesh to provide insight into the level of aptitude, awareness and attitude of the public servants.
An important goal of e-government in the public sector is to promote the involvement of people and other stakeholders in the making and implementation of public policy (Clark: 2003). In the absence of an implementation plan, the use of e-government policies will be limited to those who have the necessary resources and skills, creating an e-elite group within the public management system that will reinforce the digital divide (Basu, 2004). But public managers, as providers of cost-effective and quality services, must have the required e-readiness.
DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS E-Government
Singapore has created a position where a successful e-government system has been implemented, e-government has brought major monetary savings to the government, it is a country that is maximizing its technology and the public in Singapore is well wired and up to date with awareness of what technology has to offer (Ke & Wei 2004). Lodge (2003) expresses that e-government is a powerful idea that has no political meaning whatsoever; it is an information server for the community.
Readiness
- STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
- RATIONALE
- METHODOLOGY
- Data Sources
- Selection of Respondents, Sample Size and Sampling Technique
- Scopes and Limitations
Bangladesh is facing a crisis of governance as governance systems in Bangladesh become increasingly unresponsive and irrelevant to the needs and concerns of the vast majority of the population. The recent research findings highlight the critical success factors of the e-government system ranging from effective strategies, government leadership and knowledge willingness of public managers in the context of developing countries. The broad objective of the study is to study supply-side preparedness, especially at different levels (entry level, mid-level and senior level) of public managers, to provide insights into their status in terms of ICT capability, awareness and attitude towards towards e-government in Bangladesh. .
Once the project is handed over to the relevant agencies, the management and sustainability of the systems seems to be a major issue. On the other hand, survey results provide primary data for the purpose of the research. For the purpose of the research, a survey was conducted among members of the Bangladesh civil service working in ministries, departments and various agencies across the country.
A total of two hundred and twenty-two officers of three levels (entry/junior level, mid level and senior level) belonging to the BCS constitute the respondents of the survey. Questionnaire survey was one of the main instruments of the study to collect primary data regarding the IT education and IT operational skills of the respondents, the availability of ICT around them, the use of ICT, their awareness, perception and attitude vis-à-vis e-governance, etc. Since the focus of this study is on the issue of preparedness of the e-governance supply side in terms of their ability and willingness to use available technologies, other issues such as process reengineering, preparedness on the demand side, etc.
Furthermore, the research process of the survey only deals with the views of the officials interviewed. Their supervisors or other colleagues were not consulted, which is also a limitation of the study. Leaders with visions put e-government on the agenda, and crews in the next deck make it happen immediately.
Therefore, whether their skills, awareness, perception and attitude are in place - are some of the preliminary questions to initiate, implement and maintain e-government.
CHAPTER III
READINESS STATUS OF THE BANGLADESH CIVIL SERVICE
- ICT Training Needs
- Attitude
Maximum individual score calculated = 26 Low Level of Aptitude = Score 1-5 Moderate Level of Aptitude = Score 6-15 High Level of Aptitude = Score 16-26. Distributions of individual scores show that 4 7 .2% of the IT literate officers fall into the 'Low level of aptitude'. This means that they are not able to manage three types of applications at a job skill level and have a low level of IT aptitude.
Around 38% of IT-literate officers (21.6% of total respondents) show a 'moderate level of aptitude', members of this group have an equivalent ability to manage at least three types of computer applications, and for each type they have no less than a 'working' level of skill. These officers are expected to be able to self-inflate their current level of competence, as well as to be progressively proficient with further technological applications and changes in their official activities. Fifteen percent of the 'IT literate' (8.6% of the total respondents) staff have a 'high level of aptitude'.
Officers, within this group, have an equivalent ability to handle a minimum of 4-5 types of applications, and have an 'excellent' skill level for each type. The study shows that about 30.2% of the sample population currently have a level of ability to manage electronic government technological applications. Among them, 8.6% of the total respondents have an advanced level of IT skills, which can contribute to the introduction of e-government.
The result of the calculation, given in the table above, shows that the respondents of the sample possess a considerable level of awareness about the concept of e-government, i.e., about the events in its respective environments. Essentially, the 'low awareness' group consists of junior and mid-level officers. It is evident; therefore, compared to high-level civil servants, junior-level officials show a lower level of awareness.
Conversely, it shows that the higher the level of officers, the higher the awareness of e-government. They show a lower level of readiness in terms of technological skills (aptitude) compared to their levels of awareness and attitude. However, with the observation of a lower level of technological skills among officers, - a smooth implementation of e-Governance applications requires a comprehensive training program for civil servants that will effectively address issues of awareness, mindset, motivational and cultural aspects consistent with e-Governance objectives and focus in general.
CHAPTER IV
FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
STUDY FINDINGS
Nearly 52% of IT-literate respondents indicate that they do not consider their own skills sufficient to carry out daily work. Prepare a comprehensive 'ICT User Skills Framework' to be used by public services, in particular public sector training institutions, in relation to ICT training. Streamline the upskilling programs provided by the public training institutes/academies in line with the proposed 'ICT User Skills Framework'.
Save the existing technologies from the setback of underutilization by undertaking various efforts such as: increasing the awareness, aptitude, perception and attitude of the civil servants towards diverse use of ICT in public administration, automating office procedures and workflows, etc. Strengthen R&D with specific allocations and mandates among the public offices, especially in the public sector training institutions. In contrast, the broad scope of the field generates a diversity of demands for future research.
A thorough study of the organizational aspects will facilitate administrative rearrangements for the integration of new technologies in the public administration, restructuring of processes and procedures, integration of back offices, creation of front offices, creation of online services, etc. Identification of the training needs, motivation issues and preparation of a comprehensive training plan for civil servants is needed to prepare the public workforce for e-governance. Cross-perspective studies on the demand side are necessary to ensure the ease and interests of citizens in the provision of e-government services and bring them close to public administration.
As an emerging concept, e-government has become trendy since the mid-1990s worldwide, with various moves by governments to incorporate information and communication technologies into public sector management and the process of providing services to citizens. This study finds that in terms of readiness, members of the Bangladesh civil service show significant preferences for e-government in terms of their interest and adaptability to new technologies; G 8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit From the global digital divide to the global digital opportunity. 1989), Public Administration Efficiency Study Report, Vol.
Jeremy Millard Reorganizing the Back-office and Changing the Public Administration", Referaat aangebied in die e-Govlndia International Workshop, Chandigarh, Indië.
