Exploring civil servant resistance to M-government: a story of transition and opportunities in Turkey

Ronan J. De Kervenoael, Mark J. Palmer, N. Meltem Cakici

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputChapter

Abstract

The concept of mobility, related to technology in particular, has evolved dramatically over the last two decades including: (i) hardware ranging from walkmans to Ipods, laptops to netbooks, PDAs to 3G mobile phone; (ii) software supporting multiple audio and video formats driven by ubiquitous mobile wireless access, WiMax, automations such as radio frequency ID tracking and location aware services. Against the background of increasing budget deficit, along with the imperative for efficiency gains, leveraging ICT and mobility promises for work related tasks, in a public administration context, in emerging markets, point to multiple possible paths. M-government transition involve both technological changes and adoption to deliver government services differently (e.g. 24/7, error free, anywhere to the same standards) but also the design of digital strategies including possibly competing m-government models, the re-shaping of cultural practices, the creation of m-policies and legislations, the structuring of m-services architecture, and progress regarding m-governance. While many emerging countries are already offering e-government services and are gearing-up for further m-government activities, little is actually known about the resistance that is encountered, as a reflection of civil servants' current standing, before any further macro-strategies are deployed. Drawing on the resistance and mobility literature, this chapter investigates how civil servants' behaviors, in an emerging country technological environment, through their everyday practice, react and resist the influence of m-government transition. The findings points to four main type of resistance namely: i) functional resistance; ii) ideological resistance; iii) market driven resistance and iv) geographical resistance. Policy implication are discussed in the specific context of emerging markets. © 2011, IGI Global.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMobile information communication technologies adoption in developing countries
Subtitle of host publicationeffects and implications
EditorsAhmed G. Abdel-Wahab, Ahmed A.A. El-Masry
PublisherIGI Global
Pages134-159
Number of pages26
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-6169-2820-9
ISBN (Print)1-6169-2818-2, 978-1-6169-2818-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2010

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