IT Governance in E-Government Implementations in the Caribbean: Key Characteristics and Mechanisms

Abstract

There have been sustained calls related to the need for countries to improve public service delivery as well as the methods by which governments interface with citizens. E-government strategies have been proposed and developed with the aim of transforming the operations and effectiveness of public bodies. As a grouping of small island states, the Caribbean region is faced with unique institutional and structural challenges to the adoption and implementation of these measures. The results of various e-government strategies have been varied across the board. It is recognized that a key component in the implementation and further development of e-government initiatives entails the supporting IT governance framework. This paper offers a critical assessment of e-government strategies across the Caribbean focusing on the challenges, success factors and opportunities for implementation. The study explores the challenges and opportunities for advancing in and beyond e-government to c-government and more generally, in utilising emerging technologies and innovations, facilitated by IT governance mechanisms, towards improved public governance.