E-Government Models

The idea of transparency carries with it the ease of government access and requires that the public have ample time to review and comment on proposed or revised regulations. The most effective way to handle this requirement is through an e-government model. The strategic objective of e-government is to support and simplify governance for all parties; government, citizens and businesses. Making use of the internet allows for larger a population to have access to regulations from anywhere in the world. A presence in the country of interest is not needed and essentially speeds up the process for regulatory changes. However simply having regulations published on the internet is not enough.

The forum for discussion is very important. There must be an outlet for regulators and the regulated to have an exchange of information. In order for transparency to work regulators need to be able to access the comments offered in a manor that is most beneficial and efficient to the process. Having electronic versions can allow regulators to sort through the comments according to demographics or specific search criteria that will guide them more effectively on their decision making process.

The offering of a “complete” web portal for the federal government will make the most efficient use of one's time. The complete portals offer a central governmental site that links to all ministerial/ departmental sites. To further streamline regulatory searches all of the sub-sites or ministerial/departmental sites should be similar in lay-out to ensure ease of navigation and understanding.

Access should be all encompassing; users should have access to all declassified documents as well as applications for licensing. Links should be established that will direct users to downloadable versions of the applications, if not the ability to apply directly on line. This is the perfect way to systematically sort the high amounts of applications that are submitted. The entire system can be automated without the need for endless lines and mountains of paperwork. Inspectors would not need to intervene unless the system detected an abnormality in the application.

Generally speaking, the external objectives of e-government are to satisfactorily fulfill the public's needs and expectations on the front-office side, by simplifying their interaction with various online services. The use of ICT's in government operations facilitates speedy, transparent, accountable, efficient and effective interaction with the public, citizens, business and other agencies. (E-governance and Developing Nations, 3)

Internal Strategic objects would be to facilitate a speedy, transparent, accountable, efficient and effective process for performing government administration activities. Significant cost savings (per transaction) in government operations can be the result. (E-governance and Developing Nations, 3)

Since the 1990s, Finland has been a leader in exploiting information and communication technology (ICT) to reinvent its economy and to reform its public administration. It has created its own path to achieving e-government based on proactive services, data sharing, open government, protection of privacy and a common vision of an information society, while preserving the fundamental values of Finnish society. It is also committed to using e-government to reform the delivery of public services, ensuring both quality and increased efficiency. 

The organizational model for e-government in Finland today is based on central guidance and decentralized responsibilities and implementation. The development of e-government is marked by the relation between the central administration's role in promoting e-government and the local and regional governments' role as the primary service providers. A third set of actors, independent central agencies under parliamentary authority, also provide important services. Input from the private and non-profit sectors, in the form of the Information Society Advisory Board (ISAB) has further helped define Finland 's e-government strategy.