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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose and validate a public value-based framework for evaluating the performance of electronic government (e-government), leading to the identification of the critical factors in creating public value through e-government in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive review of the related literatures is conducted for developing a public value-based framework. A survey of e-government users is conducted, and the survey data are analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings This study shows that information quality, e-services functionalities, user orientation, efficiency and openness of public organisations, equity, citizens’ self-development, trust, and environmental sustainability are the critical public values of e-government in developing countries. It reveals that the use of the public value concept is effective in evaluating the performance of e-government in developing countries. Practical implications This study provides a comprehensive investigation of the e-government performance for better understanding the value of e-government in developing countries. The findings can guide the development of e-government in developing countries. Originality/value This is the first study in testing and validating a public value-based framework for evaluating the performance of e-government in developing countries. It demonstrates how the concept of public value can be adopted for evaluating the performance of e-government.

Purpose -This paper aims to present a case study on the public value of the e-Sri Lanka program. Four major dimensions of public value creation through e-government including the delivery of public services, the achievement of outcomes, the development of trust, and the effectiveness of public organizations are considered in evaluating the performance of the e-Sri Lanka program. The progress of e-Sri Lanka program is evaluated, and the potential areas for improvement in the development of e-government in Sri Lanka are identified. Design/methodology/approach -Existing methodologies for evaluating the public value of e-government have been critically analyzed. The need for extending existing methodologies for better assessing the performance of e-government is discussed. Consequently, an extended conceptual framework is developed for evaluating the public value of e-government. Various national survey data in Sri Lanka on e-government development are used for conducting the empirical analysis on the performance of the e-Sri Lanka program. Findings -The study reveals that the public value of e-government in Sri Lanka is unsatisfactory in all the dimensions of public value generation. It shows that the proposed framework is effective in facilitating the identification of public value of e-government in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the study shows that the lack of e-services, the security threat to public information in public organizations, the low adoption of information and communication technologies in government, and the low uptake of available e-government initiatives are the key reasons for such a poor performance in e-government. Practical implications -The proposed framework can be used for evaluating the public value of e-government. It provides individual governments with an effective means for better understanding the impact of their e-government efforts on their citizens and societies, leading to better policies and strategies being made for the continuous development of e-government. Originality/value -The proposed framework would be the first approach in examining the public value of e-government by considering all the dimensions of public value creation. It is the first in-depth study of public value creation through e-government in Sri Lanka. Such a study is significant to Sri Lanka giving that its e-government development is at a crucial stage supported by various international aid organizations.

This paper presents an empirical study of the performance of e-government in Sri Lanka from the perspective of citizens within a public value based conceptual framework. The delivery of quality public services, the effectiveness of public organizations, and the achievement of socially desirable outcomes through e-government are considered using the data from several national surveys. The study reveals that e-government in Sri Lanka has not been able to create satisfactory levels of public value due to the weaknesses in both the supply and demand sides of e-government including poor web presence of government, lack of e-services, poor information infrastructure, low information technology readiness of citizens, and low up-take of e-government initiatives. It suggests that the government can improve the public value of e-government by accelerating the development of e-services projects, developing the information and communication technology infrastructure, and taking necessary steps to enhance citizens’ information technology readiness.

This chapter aims to investigate the critical factors for evaluating the public value of e-government in Sri Lanka. A comprehensive review of the relevant literature on the scope of e-government, the sources of public value creation, and the kinds of public value is conducted for developing the theoretical framework of the study. Using the qualitative data collected from Sri Lanka, a thematic analysis is performed for identifying the critical factors for evaluating the public value of e-government. The analysis reveals that the quality of public information online, functionalities of electronic services, provision of information and services through e-enabled counters, user orientation of public service delivery, improving organisational efficiency, openness and responsiveness, enhancing trust, ensuring confidentiality of citizens' information, achieving social equity, and environmental sustainability are critical for evaluating the public value of e-government.