Insights on the Definition of an Agenda for ICT Development in Municipal Governments: A Reference Model

摘要

In this paper is studied the situation regarding the usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in local e-governments. The methodology consists of a model based on successful case studies in different municipalities around the world and the study of different administrative regulations of information Technologies. This reference model is intended to be used as a primary tool to generate the foundation of the agenda for ICT development in municipal governments. Therefore it can also be used as a support and as an orderly tool for the implementation of municipal work plans in ICT. Through the use of the proposed model the local governments may generate standardization and interoperability between governmental offices, but also becoming an integrated toolto generate a full perspective from three different angles; the citizens or users of municipal services, the designer and implementers, and the relation between regulations and norms with the particular situation of each municipality. The present paper is part of a broader research in which the following is analyzed: first, the needs for ICT implementation in a municipality, second, the availability of information technology services, and third, the degree of application of Information Technologies in the municipal government for exercising e-government. For the study, the following variables are considered: the particularities of each municipality from the user's point of view, the implementer's perspective, the administration of Information Technology norms and the conditions presented in the municipality to access to the available technology. From this analysis a series of indicators are obtained. Such pointers are useful to determine the access that the citizens have to technology, services and web applications. This research also includes a proposal for managing the current local government priorities, through a comparative analysis with a reference indicator that will show the main areas that should be addressed when generating the particular agenda for ICT development in each municipality.