An analysis of e‐Participation research: moving from theoretical to pragmatic viewpoint

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the research conducted in the area of electronic participation (e‐Participation).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates and assesses both theoretical and pragmatic findings published in the normative literature.

Findings

The synthesis of the research findings exemplifies that the foremost dominant research studies to e‐Participation advocated and conducted by several researchers are: theoretical perspective on e‐Participation; e‐Participation technological solutions; governance models in public administration; policy making lifecycle models; and location‐based e‐Participation services. Analysis of these research studies has identified a literature void requiring a new stream of research mainly focusing on developing a ubiquitous platform that allows citizens to be involved in government policy‐making processes (PMPs).

Research limitations/implications

The combination of theoretical conceptions, analysis of the normative literature and empirical findings presented in this paper illustrates the start of research on e‐Participation. However, the theoretical and empirical findings accumulated accentuate that one of the reasons that make citizens de‐motivated in participating in the policy making, is the ignorance of relevant policies and PMPs in government sector. Therefore, it is suggested that the more the citizens find connections between their anticipated activities and relevant policies, the more they become pro‐active to be involved in government PMPs.

Originality/value

The prime significance and uniqueness of the research presented in this paper lies in proposing a platform that allows citizens to participate in government PMPs regardless of their current locations and time. This has been achieved by analysing and synthesising existing research studies theorised in the normative literature. The proposed platform aims to provide context aware knowledge provision with regards to policy making. That is citizens using this platform will be alerted to relevant policies and PMPs when they are moving around physical places according to their as‐usual life pattern at the work, commerce, education, etc.

Citation

Mustafa Kamal, M. (2009), "An analysis of e‐Participation research: moving from theoretical to pragmatic viewpoint", Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, Vol. 3 No. 4, pp. 340-354. https://doi.org/10.1108/17506160910997865