Gov 2.0 and beyond: Using social media for transparency, participation and collaboration

Abstract

A recent paradigm shift has broadly impacted the evolution of electronic government: Gov 2.0. This shift represents a massive change from a static web presence for the delivery of information and services to using collaborative web technologies to engage citizens, foster co-production, and encourage transparency in government. Social media are creating new pathways between citizens and government to access information and services. The author argues that by applying Diffusion of Innovation, Social Influence, and Collective Intelligence theories, one can better understand how Gov 2.0 technologies and applications are adopted and may enable transformative changes in the delivery of online government information and services. U.S. federal government initiatives adopting social media are examined. These observations demonstrate how interactions between citizens and government are changing and creating entirely new online communities that defy traditional communication reach and organizational boundaries. Challenges and barriers to achieving open government initiatives are presented. Recommendations are offered. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.