Determining the types of internet plus government platform usage behaviour in selected cities of China

Abstract

Purpose Although internet plus government platforms (IPGPs) are being increasingly used by citizens around the world, questions emerge regarding the public adoption, utilization and use of IPGPs. This study aims to explore the determinants of citizens’ differentiated IPGPs usage behaviors. Design/methodology/approach An analytical framework has been built upon the rational choice theory and the cultural dimension theory. The present study draws on a survey of 866 citizens from Guangzhou, Wuhan and Chengdu. Findings The empirical findings suggest that the perceived functional benefits and personalization features both significantly affect citizens’ informational, service and participatory uses of IPGPs, to varying degrees. Furthermore, long-term orientation plays a moderating role in the relationship between perceived functional benefits and the service use of IPGPs. Originality/value The findings demonstrate that the public’s rational choice of a new digitalized service channel depends on to what extent and to what degree the absolute and relative benefits they consider important compare to other possible channels. Users also consider how the new service channel satisfies their personalized demands of digitalized services. Also, users’ long-term orientation can affect their rational choices by adjusting the perceived functional benefits of the channel when that channel is used for service transactions.

Factors influencing public engagement in government TikTok during the COVID-19 crisis

“…As social media becomes the chosen medium for accessing information, governments have widely adopted its use to facilitate public engagement (Wang et al , 2021; Zhang and Xiao, 2017). For example, prior to the 2011 earthquake in Japan, no central government agencies had established Twitter accounts.…”