Civil servants shun e-government

Despite moves by the public sector to offer e-citizen services, civil servants are still reluctant to conduct government transactions online, according to research released yesterday.

A study from industry vendor LogicaCMG found that nine out of 10 public sector employees use online services for information gathering such as research, and sourcing addresses and contact numbers.

But only 14 per cent are actually prepared to make e-transactions such as bill payments or claims for child support.

The survey of public sector employees showed that online services are most commonly used for sourcing contact details (67 per cent), conducting research on government departments (51 per cent) and filling in forms such as tax returns (37 per cent).

One in 10 respondents felt that it was appropriate to make complaints online, but only seven per cent indicated that they would be happy giving credit card details or making financial transactions online.

In contrast, 97 per cent of public sector employees stated that they already use commercial sector online services for transactions such as banking or purchasing.

This highlights a higher level of trust with sensitive information towards private sector organisations.

"The results show that the divide between the take-up of private and public sector online services is narrowing, but the government still has some way to go," said Sara Nicholls, sales and marketing director for the public sector at LogicaCMG.

"Increasing confidence in government online services will be key in increasing the take-up of core e-citizen services, both transaction based, such as paying council tax, and non-transaction based, such as filling in tax forms."

See also:

Pay rate recovery threatens e-gov work

Public sector could lose contractors lured back to private sector by better pay  11 Jun 2004

Slap on the wrist for government websites

Flagship sites fail the needs of users and do nothing to bolster confidence in e-government, says report  30 Oct 2003

E-government eases home buying process

Massive reduction promised in waiting time for environmental search results  29 Aug 2003

E-government concerns unite professions

Chief executives and personnel officers take active interest in e-government  24 Jun 2003

Preparing the way for e-government

As 2005 approaches, local authorities must make sure they provide the skills and training needed for delivering e-government technology.  06 Mar 2003

The e-government conundrum

E-government has not yet achieved a fundamental organisational change because senior management still see it purely as an electronic issue.  12 Jul 2002

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