Jeffrey W. Seifert

Bio: Jeffrey W. Seifert is an academic researcher from Congressional Research Service. The author has contributed to research in topics: Homeland security & Emergency management. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 18 publications receiving 338 citations.

The Promise of All Things E? Expectations and Challenges of Emergent Electronic Government

Abstract: The ambiguous nature of electronic government (e-government) has resulted in hype and confusion, with little systematic consideration of the expectations and limitations of taking government online. This paper seeks to examine the role of e-government in the United States as an evolving process that manifests itself in three distinct sectors: government-to-government, government-to-business, and government-to-citizen. Using this typology as an organizing principle, we show how information technology has the potential to enhance government accessibility and citizen participation. We also show how the move toward a market-focused conceptualization of government information and service delivery raises the potential for blurring citizen and consumer roles, possibly at the cost of a robust, informed, and engaged citizenry.

Using E-Government to Reinforce Government–Citizen Relationships

Abstract: A comparison of the United States and China shows that electronic government (e-government) can be used to enhance citizens' access to government as much as government's access to citizens. Both countries are using e-government initiatives as vehicles to improve internal efficiencies and provide better services to their citizens. However, in the case of the United States, e-government also represents an opportunity to infuse business principles into the government – citizen relationship (results-oriented government). In the case of China, e-government represents a means to bring subnational levels of government under greater scrutiny and control of the central government, as it reinforces monopoly control over the government–citizen relationship (transparency with security). Further comparative analysis along three dimensions suggests that although technology can play an important role in fostering the redistribution of power and encouraging interactions between governments and citizens, the notion of government reform carries many different connotations.

Considering E-Government from the U.S. Federal Perspective

Abstract: Regardless of how e-government may be understood, a reasoned discussion of its meaning or definition serves a very important function. As e-government becomes an integral part of the execution of governmental responsibilities throughout the U.S. federalist system, a common understanding of e-government provides the foundation for future policy analysis and debate that will inevitably follow. In the E-Government Act of 2003, Congress has provided a definition of e-government owing much to many years of information technology development and application, as well as related policy discussions and creation, and includes some common themes that capture the evolutionary nature of e-govern-ment. However, while detailed, this statutory definition belies its contextual depth as reflected in practice. Because e-government exists outside of statute, competing definitions result, reflecting the contextual complexity and fluid nature of e-government, and suggesting it may be appropriate to accept a family of ...

The effects of e-government on trust and confidence in government

Abstract: Arguments that e-government may improve citizen trust in government have not been sufficiently tested. We are interested in exploring the potential for e-government to influence citizen attitudes about government, across various population groups, including those with limited technology access and skill. This paper surveys literature relevant to e-government and its effect on civic trust, and summarizes our previous research on citizen attitudes on e-government. We propose further research using an Internet-based experiment that will expose a random sample of respondents to government web sites that are chosen to represent best practices for different types of sites. Surveys administered before and after exposure to the sites will measure any significant changes in attitudes about government in general, as well as perceptions of e-government. Oversampling of low-income and minority respondents will allow us to explore any differential impact across demographic groups.

The Effects of E-Government on Trust and Confidence in Government

Abstract: Trust in government has been declining for more than three decades now E-government has been proposed as a way to increase citizen trust in government and improve citizen evaluations of government generally Using two-stage models to analyze recent Pew survey data, this research explores the relationship between e-government use, attitudes about e-government, and trust in government There is a statistically significant relationship between trust and use of a local government Web site, as well as other positive assessments of federal and local governments The evidence suggests that e-government can increase process-based trust by improving interactions with citizens and perceptions of responsiveness The findings are theoretically important for reconciling the conflicting research on the effects of e-government and for understanding variations by level of government Citizen attitudes toward government, including trust, are core concerns for democratic governance and public administration

E‐government adoption: architecture and barriers

Abstract: Purpose – To provide an integrated architecture framework for e‐government that represents the alignment of IT infrastructure with business process management in public sector organisations and classify the barriers that might complicate the implementation of the proposed architecture framework. The study will help IT practitioners in the public sector learn how to use and manage information technologies to revitalise business processes, improve decision‐making, and gain a competitive advantage from the adoption of e‐government. The proposed architecture framework for e‐government adoption will reduce confusion surrounding e‐government infrastructure in the public sector through understanding the implementation processes, identifying requirements of information and communications technology tools, highlighting the importance of the organisational management resources and the impact of barriers.Design/methodology/approach – A range of earlier studies have been critically examined and analysed to provide an...

Learning Analytics: Ethical Issues and Dilemmas

Abstract: The field of learning analytics has the potential to enable higher education institutions to increase their understanding of their students’ learning needs and to use that understanding to positively influence student learning and progression. Analysis of data relating to students and their engagement with their learning is the foundation of this process. There is an inherent assumption linked to learning analytics that knowledge of a learner’s behavior is advantageous for the individual, instructor, and educational provider. It seems intuitively obvious that a greater understanding of a student cohort and the learning designs and interventions they best respond to would benefit students and, in turn, the institution’s retention and success rate. Yet collection of data and their use face a number of ethical challenges, including location and interpretation of data; informed consent, privacy, and deidentification of data; and classification and management of data. Approaches taken to understand the opportu...