This book has reviewed the e-government hype: the enormous expectations that were held regarding the potential contributions to governments by new, web-based technologies. In the last decade of the twentieth century these new... more
This book has reviewed the e-government hype: the enormous expectations that were held regarding the potential contributions to governments by new, web-based technologies. In the last decade of the twentieth century these new technologies, particularly the Internet, were hyped in many ways and advocated as new forms of organizing government.
Het doel van dit document is om de relaties tussen verschillende vormen van participatie en overheidsdienstverlening te verkennen om zo gericht keuzen te kunnen maken over de bijdrage van e-participatie aan geïntegreerde, persoonsgerichte... more
Het doel van dit document is om de relaties tussen verschillende vormen van participatie en overheidsdienstverlening te verkennen om zo gericht keuzen te kunnen maken over de bijdrage van e-participatie aan geïntegreerde, persoonsgerichte dienstverlening.
Abstract This report presents a first analysis of the results of empirical research into the impact of digitization on political accountability in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York State. The report focuses on presenting the... more
Abstract This report presents a first analysis of the results of empirical research into the impact of digitization on political accountability in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York State. The report focuses on presenting the empirical findings and these data still require further analysis.
Do young people participate in politics? Some claim that young people are not as much involved in politics as their parents were, others argue that young people are interested in politics but in a different way than previous generations.... more
Do young people participate in politics? Some claim that young people are not as much involved in politics as their parents were, others argue that young people are interested in politics but in a different way than previous generations. The Internet is said to play an important role in 'new politics'. This raises the question whether the Internet triggers new forms of political participation by young people.
Abstract: Government 2.0 is often presented as a means to reinforce the relation between state and citizens in an information age. The promise of Government 2.0 is impressive but its potential has not or hardly been realized yet in... more
Abstract: Government 2.0 is often presented as a means to reinforce the relation between state and citizens in an information age. The promise of Government 2.0 is impressive but its potential has not or hardly been realized yet in practice. This paper uses insights from various disciplines to understand Government 2.0 as an institutional transformation.
Abstract: The development of access to documents and open meetings provisions by the Council of Ministers of the European Union shows an interesting pattern: before 1992 no formal transparency provisions existed, between 1992 and 2006... more
Abstract: The development of access to documents and open meetings provisions by the Council of Ministers of the European Union shows an interesting pattern: before 1992 no formal transparency provisions existed, between 1992 and 2006 formal transparency provisions dramatically increased and since 2006 this increase has come to a halt. This paper aims to enhance our understanding of these shifts by conducting a historical institutional analysis of policy change.
Abstract The Internet creates interesting opportunities for citizens to call public organizations to account. Government Web sites provide information and facilitate debates on public sector performance. An explorative study in the... more
Abstract The Internet creates interesting opportunities for citizens to call public organizations to account. Government Web sites provide information and facilitate debates on public sector performance. An explorative study in the Netherlands indicates that citizens make little use of the opportunities to call public organizations to account. Openness, however, does have a direct effect:'public eyes' stimulate government organizations to score better on performance indicators and comply with formal rules.
'OPEN is an Internet-based application whereby residents of Seoul can track the process of such things as permit applications from any Internet enabled computer.
Abstract This paper starts with the observation that liberal and discursive perspectives on democracy have been dominant in our analyses of the future of democracy. The author argues that there is a need for a better understanding of... more
Abstract This paper starts with the observation that liberal and discursive perspectives on democracy have been dominant in our analyses of the future of democracy. The author argues that there is a need for a better understanding of democracy as a participatory practice. This paper develops a rather provocative perspective on the future of participatory democracy and argues that new technologies increasingly enable citizens to organize their own forms of public value production in a „do-it-yourselfstate‟.
Abstract How can we understand the unique form that government transparency takes in a specific situation? This paper contributes to the (growing) literature on transparency by developing a model for studying the complex dynamics of... more
Abstract How can we understand the unique form that government transparency takes in a specific situation? This paper contributes to the (growing) literature on transparency by developing a model for studying the complex dynamics of government transparency. The focus of the analysis lies on the meso-level: the transparency of policy fields and government institutions. A model is developed that consists of a threefold analysis: a strategic, a cognitive and an institutional analysis.
Burgernet is ontwikkeld als een systeem om via voice en text mail berichten burgers te betrekken bij het opsporen van personen en goederen (zie: www. burgernet. nl). In toenemende mate gebruiken politiekorpsen ook Twitterberichten om... more
Burgernet is ontwikkeld als een systeem om via voice en text mail berichten burgers te betrekken bij het opsporen van personen en goederen (zie: www. burgernet. nl). In toenemende mate gebruiken politiekorpsen ook Twitterberichten om burgers te bereiken en te betrekken bij de opsporing. Wat levert dit op?
This paper analyzes the relation between publishing performance results on the Internet, stakeholder accountability and the effectiveness and legitimacy of public service organizations. On the basis of empirical research of websites in... more
This paper analyzes the relation between publishing performance results on the Internet, stakeholder accountability and the effectiveness and legitimacy of public service organizations. On the basis of empirical research of websites in the Netherlands, I conclude that education and health care organizations are stimulated to score better on performance indicators. These organizations feel the 'public eyes' on them and are stimulated to improve their behavior.
Maatschappelijke controle in de publieke sector betreft bijsturing van beleid van het openbaar bestuur en articuliere organisaties met publieke taken door burgers, maatschappelijke groeperingen en media op basis van een verificatie van... more
Maatschappelijke controle in de publieke sector betreft bijsturing van beleid van het openbaar bestuur en articuliere organisaties met publieke taken door burgers, maatschappelijke groeperingen en media op basis van een verificatie van voorgaande besluiten en handelingen. Maatschappelijke controle in de publieke sector is niet afhankelijk van Internet, maar Internet lijkt deze vorm van controle wel eenvoudiger te maken.
This project outline sets out a research program about open government in the European Union. The objective is to define and conceptualize a broad research domain and to formulate a coherent set of overarching research questions. This... more
This project outline sets out a research program about open government in the European Union. The objective is to define and conceptualize a broad research domain and to formulate a coherent set of overarching research questions. This framework forms the basis for subsequent definitions of research projects which will fit within this broader domain and which will build upon these conceptualizations.
Anyone travelling to Europe these days comes across not only barriers but also an increasing amount of technology. Bona fide travellers are offered high-tech initiatives (such as iris scans) in the hope that the desire for safety can... more
Anyone travelling to Europe these days comes across not only barriers but also an increasing amount of technology. Bona fide travellers are offered high-tech initiatives (such as iris scans) in the hope that the desire for safety can still be combined with freedom of movement for all citizens. As a result, the borders of Europe are changing into an 'e-Border'. Behind the scenes, various government services are drawing up risk profiles for all kinds of aliens.
Abstract. This chapter summarizes empirical findings on the influence of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on organisational, professional, political, legal, and administrative accountability. ICTs enforce and challenge... more
Abstract. This chapter summarizes empirical findings on the influence of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on organisational, professional, political, legal, and administrative accountability. ICTs enforce and challenge these traditional accountability arrangements and call for new forms of accountability. Both local accountability practices and linkages between government practices and the (accountability) environment are affected.
Abstract: Many important forms of public participation take place in interactions between citizens. Studying these interactions is crucial for understanding e‐governance, defined as steering in the public domain. The new forms of public... more
Abstract: Many important forms of public participation take place in interactions between citizens. Studying these interactions is crucial for understanding e‐governance, defined as steering in the public domain. The new forms of public participation can be labelled Citizens2Citizens interactions (C2C).
Abstract Electronic records of government organizations are becoming increasingly important for accountability. Managing electronic records, however, proves to be difficult since information and communication technologies confront... more
Abstract Electronic records of government organizations are becoming increasingly important for accountability. Managing electronic records, however, proves to be difficult since information and communication technologies confront organizations with various opportunities and risks. In this paper the findings of an international expert survey on electronic records management are presented.
Abstract Much of the debate on transparency is normative in nature: more transparency is 'good'from the perspective of democratic accountability. After all, without information on what decisions are being taken and by whom, it will not be... more
Abstract Much of the debate on transparency is normative in nature: more transparency is 'good'from the perspective of democratic accountability. After all, without information on what decisions are being taken and by whom, it will not be possible for various accountability forums to hold actors to account. This article goes beyond the rhetoric on the need for more transparency in the political system of the EU and examines, in practice as a matter of empirical research, how much transparency there really is.
In evaluating government actions, accountability fora depend on public records. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) can—depending on how they are used—positively or negatively affect the availability of records for... more
In evaluating government actions, accountability fora depend on public records. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) can—depending on how they are used—positively or negatively affect the availability of records for accountability.
Abstract The trend towards horizontalization in government prompts a debate on safeguarding public accountability. This article contributes to the debate by presenting categories of horizontalization in government, types of horizontal... more
Abstract The trend towards horizontalization in government prompts a debate on safeguarding public accountability. This article contributes to the debate by presenting categories of horizontalization in government, types of horizontal accountability and criteria for judging the appropriateness of arrangements for public accountability. Accountability arrangements must meet the requirements of the democratic constitutional state to provide adequate checks and balances.
This paper explores the question which consequences the use of geographical information systems (GISs) may have for public accountability. Empirical data from a Delphi-survey were used for this exploration. Respondents were asked to... more
This paper explores the question which consequences the use of geographical information systems (GISs) may have for public accountability. Empirical data from a Delphi-survey were used for this exploration. Respondents were asked to reflect on the consequences of GISs for the availability of data for accountability. Based on their answers four hypotheses were formulated. The use of a GIS leads to an increased focus on up-to-date data at the expense of historical data. Important data for accountability will sometimes not be retained.
ABSTRACT This paper evaluates the influence of market conditions–(semi) competitive versus monopolistic markets–on (the effects of) citizen accountability on public sector organisations. Empirical material from case studies in education,... more
ABSTRACT This paper evaluates the influence of market conditions–(semi) competitive versus monopolistic markets–on (the effects of) citizen accountability on public sector organisations. Empirical material from case studies in education, healthcare, social security and land registry in the Netherlands is presented. The cases are analyzed in terms of types of citizen accountability and effects on policies of public sector organizations.
This paper analyzes the relation between publishing public performance results on the Internet, stakeholder accountability, and the effectiveness and legitimacy of Dutch public service organizations. The empirical research focuses on Web... more
This paper analyzes the relation between publishing public performance results on the Internet, stakeholder accountability, and the effectiveness and legitimacy of Dutch public service organizations. The empirical research focuses on Web sites with performance results of schools and hospitals. These results are published on the Internet by 'third parties'(government organizations, associations of public service organizations, and newspapers).
Empirical research provides evidence that electronic communication does not change government agencies into post-bureaucratic organizations. Structuration Theory is used to explore the interaction between e-mail use, communication... more
Empirical research provides evidence that electronic communication does not change government agencies into post-bureaucratic organizations. Structuration Theory is used to explore the interaction between e-mail use, communication patterns of civil servants, and two bureaucratic characteristics: formalization and hierarchy. Previous research suggested that the use of e-mail leads to less formalization and less hierarchy, but empirical research in three bureaucratic organizations in the Netherlands leads to different conclusions.
The Permanent Study Group on Informatization in Public Administration, a study group within the European Group for Public Administration, celebrated its twentieth birthday in September 2006. Two decades of research on ICTs in Public... more
The Permanent Study Group on Informatization in Public Administration, a study group within the European Group for Public Administration, celebrated its twentieth birthday in September 2006. Two decades of research on ICTs in Public Administration by the members of this group have resulted in a broad range of empirical findings, theories and perspectives on changes in the various domains of government.
This article deals with the relationship between records management and accountability. Anticipating accountability processes is presented as a key concept. Analyses of business processes and information requirements of accountability... more
This article deals with the relationship between records management and accountability. Anticipating accountability processes is presented as a key concept. Analyses of business processes and information requirements of accountability forums are presented as a basis for records management which provides for accountability.
Throughout the world, e-government has become a key element of modernization and government reform programs. E-government has put a spell on public administration from Singapore to Uruguay and from the United States to Hong Kong. This... more
Throughout the world, e-government has become a key element of modernization and government reform programs. E-government has put a spell on public administration from Singapore to Uruguay and from the United States to Hong Kong. This worldwide movement is interesting from the perspective of information science and public administration science. For example, an interesting aspect of the worldwide e-government movement is the remarkable similarity between the e-government programs.
New technological opportunities and increasing demands make it imperative for government agencies to make the information they gather available to citizens. How should they go about this? This paper presents a conceptual framework for... more
New technological opportunities and increasing demands make it imperative for government agencies to make the information they gather available to citizens. How should they go about this? This paper presents a conceptual framework for analyzing the strategic options open to agencies which have information that could be relevant to citizens. The conceptual framework is constructed on the basis of the literature and tested in a case study.
There are several indications that the (long-term) memory of electronic government is in danger and that this decline in organizational memory may have important negative effects on accountability. Case study research in the Netherlands,... more
There are several indications that the (long-term) memory of electronic government is in danger and that this decline in organizational memory may have important negative effects on accountability. Case study research in the Netherlands, however, highlights the positive effects of the use of information and communication technologies for parliamentary and legal accountability.
Does enhanced transparency, through the Internet, boost the legitimacy of the EU? In this paper we present a critical perspective on the assumptions underlying the relation between transparency and legitimacy. We reconstruct three... more
Does enhanced transparency, through the Internet, boost the legitimacy of the EU? In this paper we present a critical perspective on the assumptions underlying the relation between transparency and legitimacy. We reconstruct three assumptions from EU policy documents-transparency strengthens input legitimacy, output legitimacy and social legitimacy-and then highlight several weaknesses.
This paper addresses the question whether the use of e-mail enhances or threatens work satisfaction. The results of qualitative and explorative research at the Head Quarters of the Dutch Royal Navy are presented. Interviews with employees... more
This paper addresses the question whether the use of e-mail enhances or threatens work satisfaction. The results of qualitative and explorative research at the Head Quarters of the Dutch Royal Navy are presented. Interviews with employees were used as a method to investigate the use of e-mail and its effect on work satisfaction. The (preliminary) conclusion of this research is that the use of e-mail enhances work satisfaction.
Many new aspects of politics today are concerned with long-term transformations such as the decline of political ideologies and 'big narratives', the globalisation of culture and economy and the progressive individualisation of society.... more
Many new aspects of politics today are concerned with long-term transformations such as the decline of political ideologies and 'big narratives', the globalisation of culture and economy and the progressive individualisation of society. These transformations together have enlarged the scope for the widespread diffusion of more narrow, customised,'liquid'and differentiated representations of politics and forms of political participation.
In trying to get the kitten to imitate the red queen, Lewis Carroll's Alice found that when she entered the fantasy world through the looking glass, things did not work quite the same way as in her familiar world. She had to modify her... more
In trying to get the kitten to imitate the red queen, Lewis Carroll's Alice found that when she entered the fantasy world through the looking glass, things did not work quite the same way as in her familiar world. She had to modify her behaviour in order to get along in the similar, but not quite the same, looking glass world.
Abstract. Publishing information about school performance on the Internet is currently a 'hype'around the world. Many countries publish this information because they believe that this will benefit schools and parents. The assumption is... more
Abstract. Publishing information about school performance on the Internet is currently a 'hype'around the world. Many countries publish this information because they believe that this will benefit schools and parents. The assumption is that parents will use this information to assess the performance of schools and consequently choose a school on the basis of this information. Changes in school choice would then form a strong signal to schools to improve performance, with the net result being a better school system.
Toepassing van biotechnologie bij dieren roept morele dilemma's op en vraagt om maatschappelijke afspraken. Welke toepassing is onder welke omstandigheden geoorloofd? De technologische en ethische complexiteit van biotechnologie... more
Toepassing van biotechnologie bij dieren roept morele dilemma's op en vraagt om maatschappelijke afspraken. Welke toepassing is onder welke omstandigheden geoorloofd? De technologische en ethische complexiteit van biotechnologie bemoeilijkt echter het maken van dergelijke afspraken. De minister van Landbouw heeft met het Besluit biotechnologie bij dieren een arrangement gecreëerd om maatschappelijk leren over biotechnologie mogelijk te maken. Heeft dit gewerkt?
In this essay the consequences of the transparency of physical risks through the Internet are explored by posing three questions: do citizens in the Netherlands use risk maps to find out what risks there are in their neighbourhoods, does... more
In this essay the consequences of the transparency of physical risks through the Internet are explored by posing three questions: do citizens in the Netherlands use risk maps to find out what risks there are in their neighbourhoods, does this enhance their involvement in the management of risks, and, do risk maps on the Internet and citizen involvement improve the quality of risk management?
Enforcements agencies increasingly publicise the results of their inspections on the Internet. This information is meant to support consumer choice and an important underlying assumption is that transparency stimulates compliance. In this... more
Enforcements agencies increasingly publicise the results of their inspections on the Internet. This information is meant to support consumer choice and an important underlying assumption is that transparency stimulates compliance. In this essay a critical analysis offorms of transparency in different enforcement domains (food safety, environmental inspections, work safety) will be presented to expose naive assumptions about the effects of transparency.
Government organizations all around the world use e-mail as a medium for internal and external communication. One could easily argue that many governments could not function properly without the use of e-mail. Communication research has... more
Government organizations all around the world use e-mail as a medium for internal and external communication. One could easily argue that many governments could not function properly without the use of e-mail. Communication research has led to interesting insights in the effects of the use of e-mail on organizations (for an overview: Van den Hooff, 1997). One of the most significant findings is that the use of e-mail may lead to other connections between people in organizations (Sproull & Kiesler, 1991).
Abstract This paper analyzes the transfer of a new form of community-oriented policing system based on modern ICTs from the Netherlands to Denmark. While the national police forces of the Netherlands widely implemented this new... more
Abstract This paper analyzes the transfer of a new form of community-oriented policing system based on modern ICTs from the Netherlands to Denmark. While the national police forces of the Netherlands widely implemented this new technology, in particular web technology and mobile phones, for citizen-involvement, a Danish local experiment based on the Dutch experiences never came further than one police district.
The organization of government has been heavily influenced by the ideas of Max Weber about bureaucratic organizations. Political leaders can use bureaucracies as instruments to develop and implement policies. These instruments... more
The organization of government has been heavily influenced by the ideas of Max Weber about bureaucratic organizations. Political leaders can use bureaucracies as instruments to develop and implement policies. These instruments should-according to the design principles of Max Weber-obey their principals and thus civil servants are lied to the will of democratically elected leaders. Government bureaucracies, therefore, have centralized structures and are characterized by formalization in order to promote accountability.
Abstract: Transparency of government inspections enables citizens to pressure companies and public organizations into behaving according to their demands. This paper reports an empirical study into the effects of the increased... more
Abstract: Transparency of government inspections enables citizens to pressure companies and public organizations into behaving according to their demands. This paper reports an empirical study into the effects of the increased transparency of inspection services on civic competence. Civic competence is defined as a citizen's ability to accomplish public tasks.
Page 1. E-mail in Government: From Bureaucratic to Post-Bureaucratic Organizations? Paper to be presented at the Bi-annual European Conference on ICT, the Knowledge Society and Changes in Work The Hague, June 2005 Albert Jacob Meijer... more
Page 1. E-mail in Government: From Bureaucratic to Post-Bureaucratic Organizations? Paper to be presented at the Bi-annual European Conference on ICT, the Knowledge Society and Changes in Work The Hague, June 2005 Albert Jacob Meijer Utrecht School of Governance Bijlhouwerstraat 6 3511 ZC Utrecht The Netherlands a.meijer@usg.uu.nl Ph. ++ (31) 30 2538101 Fax ++ (31) 30 2537200 1 Page 2. E-mail in Government: From Bureaucratic to Post-Bureaucratic Organizations? 1.
Abstract Public participation is often regarded as a matter of contact between government and citizens. However, many important forms of public participation take place in interactions between citizens. These forms of public... more
Abstract Public participation is often regarded as a matter of contact between government and citizens. However, many important forms of public participation take place in interactions between citizens. These forms of public participations can be labeled Citizens4Citizens interactions (C4C). Citizens use the Internet to facilitate policy participation (meant to support or undermine government policies), political participation (directed at influencing political decision-making) and social participation (to increase social capital).
Dat studeren een mens kan ontwikkelen is geen uitvinding van de laatste tijd en dat dit gewaardeerd wordt evenmin, getuige de bovenstaande quote van Cicero. Ik heb meer dan zeven jaar het voorrecht genoten hoger en wetenschappelijk... more
Dat studeren een mens kan ontwikkelen is geen uitvinding van de laatste tijd en dat dit gewaardeerd wordt evenmin, getuige de bovenstaande quote van Cicero. Ik heb meer dan zeven jaar het voorrecht genoten hoger en wetenschappelijk onderwijs te volgen. Enige omzwervingen brachten mij in 2008 mijn Bachelor Geschiedenis.
Abstract The high level of fragmentation is a key problem to the further development of the field of egovernment studies. This paper argues we should not have the ambition to develop a comprehensive theory of e-government but rather a... more
Abstract The high level of fragmentation is a key problem to the further development of the field of egovernment studies. This paper argues we should not have the ambition to develop a comprehensive theory of e-government but rather a meta-theory that can function as an umbrella for positioning the various approaches.
Does the use of ICTs lead to convergence? Or are existing differences being reproduced? This paper deals with these broad questions in the domain of political accountability in two countries and applies these questions to the level of... more
Does the use of ICTs lead to convergence? Or are existing differences being reproduced? This paper deals with these broad questions in the domain of political accountability in two countries and applies these questions to the level of agency accountability and political accountability systems.
Reeds vele jaren geleden nam ik me voor geschiedenis te gaan studeren zo gauw zich de gelegenheid zou voordoen, maar het dagelijks werk en het gezin maakten dit vooralsnog onmogelijk. Pas in 1998 zette ik de eerste stap door me in te... more
Reeds vele jaren geleden nam ik me voor geschiedenis te gaan studeren zo gauw zich de gelegenheid zou voordoen, maar het dagelijks werk en het gezin maakten dit vooralsnog onmogelijk. Pas in 1998 zette ik de eerste stap door me in te schrijven voor enkele vakken in Aparte Opleidingsonderdelen. Tot 2006 volgde ik zo jaarlijks enkele vakken uit de opleiding geschiedenis. De voldoening die de studie me verschafte zette me ertoe aan om in dat jaar voltijds aan de opleiding te beginnen.
Deze rapportage is het resultaat van het eerste onderdeel van het onderzoek van de USBO (Universiteit Utrecht) naar e-participatie van expats. In dit deelonderzoek is het aanbod van e-participatie initiatieven in kaart gebracht. In totaal... more
Deze rapportage is het resultaat van het eerste onderdeel van het onderzoek van de USBO (Universiteit Utrecht) naar e-participatie van expats. In dit deelonderzoek is het aanbod van e-participatie initiatieven in kaart gebracht. In totaal zijn 139 websites geanalyseerd en beoordeeld op diverse criteria. E-participatie van expats is grofweg in te delen in drie categorieën: Sociale online communities, informatieportalen met fora en real life communities met de 'e'als uithangbord.
Doel van dit boek is om de diversiteit aan relaties tussen openbaarheid en het volgen van regels in kaart te brengen. Het boek laat zien dat er allerlei verschillende systemen van openbaarmaking bestaan met hun eigen sterke en zwakke... more
Doel van dit boek is om de diversiteit aan relaties tussen openbaarheid en het volgen van regels in kaart te brengen. Het boek laat zien dat er allerlei verschillende systemen van openbaarmaking bestaan met hun eigen sterke en zwakke punten. Belangrijker nog is dat dit boek laat zien dat de betekenis die bedrijven geven aan deze systemen contextgebonden is en afwijkt van de betekenis die deze systemen voor handhavende instanties hebben.
This book is a collection of papers from the 5th Transatlantic Dialogue in Washington DC, 2009.