Inter-governmental Collaborative Networks for Digital Government Innovation Transfer – Structure, Membership, Operations

Abstract

Digital government refers to the transformation of government organizations and their relationships with citizens, business and each other through digital technology. It entails digital innovation in processes, services, organizations, policies, etc. which are increasingly developed and tested in one country and transferred, after adaptation, to other countries. The process of innovation transfer and the underlying information and knowledge sharing increasing take place through networks. The aim of this study is to identify various forms of such networks, their structures, membership criteria and modes of operation. The study relies on the analysis of literature on innovation transfer, collaborative networks and inter-governmental collaboration, and a survey of existing inter-governmental networks for digital government innovation transfer. The key finding is that such networks are a growing form of international collaboration and an instrument in global economy.