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5,105
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The purpose of this study is to take an empirical test with the hypotheses that have been discussed theoretically and conceptually in relation to the effects of local government IT on e-citizen participation. The empirical analysis is conducted on data from 234 local governments in Korea. For the further analysis, we grouped the data by cities(Si), counties(Gun), and districts(Gu) and employed path analysis for the empirical analysis.
With regard to 234 local governments, we found out several significant results as followings. First, information investment positively influences on information infrastructure. It is necessary to make a ongoing information investment that meets demands on public services and information securities. Second, information infrastructure gives a positive effect on information education of local civil servants, and then information education of local civil servants positively affects application of information. Third, application of information didn't statistically show any significance on e-citizen participation.
For cities(Si), counties(Gun), and districts(Gu), we found that information investment in cities(Si) has a direct influence on e-citizen participation. In the case of counties(Gun), however, information infrastructure has a direct relationship with e-citizen participation. This result may be caused by differences of total amount of budget and number of staffs related to IT between cities and counties. As for districts(Gu), while application of information statistically shows a direct effect, information investment and infrastructure have a indirect effect on e-citizen participation.
To develop e-citizen participation using information system in local governments, it is essential to extend IT education for local citizens; to redesign program related to homepage and electronic public service process for user-friendliness; to grasp local citizens' IT education demands; to give local civil servants information education for their prompt dealing with electronic pubic service.
