Towards an evaluation framework for eParticipation

Abstract

PurposeThe paper demonstrates the use of a range of perspectives and methods to evaluate eParticipation initiatives. We argue that there is a need for coherent evaluation frameworks employing such perspectives and methods, the better to understand current eParticipation applications and learn from these experiences. ApproachA case study 2 of eParticipation evaluation for four local authority led projects from the 'top down' stream of the UK Local e-Democracy National Project is presented. Research implicationsWe argue that further research is needed in two main areas; first, on the applicability of eParticipation tools to particular contexts, and second, to integrate fieldwork methods to assess social acceptance of eParticipation and represent the diversity of views obtained from citizens, community groups and other stakeholders. Practical implicationsThe paper describes the application of the framework, demonstrates the importance of a multi-method approach, and outlines some barriers to using it. OriginalityThe described framework is a basis for further development since eParticipation evaluation is in its infancy despite strong advocacy of evaluation in e-government research and practice literature.Classification: case study

Predicting Citizens Acceptance of Government-led e-Participation Initiatives through Social Media: A Theoretical Model

“…In this sense, approaching the phenomenon of citizens' involvement in e-Participation through social media initiatives in a multi-disciplinary way, as is done in this study, seems to be a rational decision. Pioneer scholars stress the necessity of a multi-disciplinary approach, in which e-Participation domain can greatly benefit from other disciplines [35,36,60]. However, few researchers have adopted multiple perspectives when studying e-Participation topics.…”

“…Several previous studies demonstrate that the success of e-Participation could not be attained only through providing technical tools [57,61], and that the solely availability of various e-Participation tools does not necessarily guarantees citizens' interest and engagement in such initiatives [35,36,42,55,61]. In this sense, more concern should be put around what is beyond the development and offering of eParticipation tools [42].…”

“…The proposed model will be helpful for discovering whether citizens accept to engage in e-Participation through social media initiatives, being a sound starting base on which to build a more comprehensive view of citizens' acceptance and adoption in the context of e-Participation. The model also helps academics to address citizen needs in order to conduct further studies on how to lower barriers that may prevent greater citizen participation [30,35,36,44].…”

“…social media users behavior [5,15]. Interestingly, e-Participation is also, by nature, a voluntary activity of citizens who can freely decide to participate or not [17,24,36,55]. The suitability of TPB for the current study is further discussed in Section 4.…”

“…The concept of e-Participation has introduced a new perspective on the usage of digital technologies in the public sector, which primarily seeks to reinforce citizens interaction with policy makers (governments and politicians) and to enhance citizens participation in policy-and government-decision making processes [36,55]. Paradoxically, the main problem to solve in e-Participation initiatives is the actual participation of citizens [37,55], since a low level of citizens acceptance and engagement is often recognized in the majority of e-Participation initiatives [35,37,55,57].…”