Digital citizen empowerment: A systematic literature review of theories and development models

Abstract

Governments worldwide invest heavily in digital initiatives to develop information societies with connected and actively engaged citizens, but problems like lacking sustained engagement and quality of participation still plague them. We undertook a systematised literature review on the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases, covering dispersed literature surrounding Digital Citizen Empowerment (DCE) from the past two decades.Categorising the literature under four thematic categories or strategies of DCE: Digital Activism (DA), Multichannel Service Delivery (MCSD), Participatory Budgeting (PB), and Deliberative Governance (DG) critical comparative analysis is done. A conceptual model of DCE, covering how theories from different interdisciplinary areas of political, social, and information science influence the development of information societies and DCE is presented. Action points in our conceptual model are mapped to policy objectives targeting improved delivery of empowering policy goals by practitioners, and future research opportunities in the context of DCE are discussed.

El gobierno electrónico y su eficacia en la mejora de los servicios públicos: revisión sistemática

“…Este proceso de utilizar las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación para gestionar y llegar a los grupos desfavorecidos está cerrando la brecha digital que se percibe en las naciones en desarrollo (Sharma et al, 2022). Tal es así que la desigualdad digital entre regiones es considerada como uno de los temas más apremiantes para garantizar el desarrollo sostenible del e-gobierno en cuanto a los servicios prestados a los ciudadanos (Deineko et al, 2022).…”

Blockchain-Based Welfare Distribution Model for Digital Inclusivity

“…For example, public institutions may address the large-scale mechanisms of digital and social exclusion through wealth redistribution using social welfare support services (Mariën, Prodnik 2014). While it is arguably in the economic interest of the government to invest directly or indirectly in technological infrastructures that enable the digital empowerment of its citizens (Sharma et al 2022), macro-level policies lack the individualistic approach needed to reach marginalised groups in society (Madon et al 2009).…”

Effects of social media empowerment on COVID-19 preventive behaviors in China

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has become a critical source of interpersonal interactions because it enables individuals to connect with others to establish a power base for executing joint actions (Leong et al ., 2019). It has also helped disadvantaged individuals gain access to resources and enhance their capabilities (Tan et al ., 2021; Leong et al ., 2016; Sharma et al ., 2022). The opportunities provided by social media can empower individuals by granting them more control over their lives, reducing their feelings of loneliness and enhancing their beliefs in their own capabilities to cope with the challenges of daily life under these conditions (Wijaya et al ., 2018).…”