e-government and the e-readiness of npos in the western cape steve vosloo
TRANSCRIPT
e-Government and the e-Government and the e-Readiness of NPOs in thee-Readiness of NPOs in theWestern CapeWestern Cape
Steve Vosloo
IntroductionIntroduction Centre for e-Innovation, PGWC
Design & Usability Project Leader
www.capegateway.gov.za
BackgroundBackground Definitions: NPO, PGWC Context of study
– NPOs recognised as important stakeholders and intermediaries
between govt and citizens
– “Digital divide” exists
– NPOs at different levels of ICT-enablement
– e-Govt in the WC: holistic approach requires the building of
information society / knowledge economy
– What are ICT adoption levels among NPOs?
Where do you start? e-Readiness assessment
RealReal AccessAccess to ICT to ICT
Bridges.org e-readiness assessment model
Study used 7 out of 12 factors:
–Physical access
–Affordability
–Capacity and training
–Relevant content
–Integration into daily routines
–Trust in technology
–Public support and political will
Research ObjectivesResearch Objectives
Determine if location of NPO (inside/outside CT
Municipality) influences real access factors
Determine constraints to greater
ICT-enablement of NPOs
Make recommendations to PGWC regarding the
improvement of NPO e-readiness levels
Research DesignResearch Design Target pop: 2328 registered NPOs in WC
Random sample: 500 NPOs
Stratified on location: inside / outside CT Municipality
(250 / 250)
Collection method: posted questionnaire
Response: 100 NPOs
Descriptive & inferential statistical analysis
Location of respondent NPOs
Inside CT: greater annual income
66% of NPOs < 10 permanent staff
DemographicsDemographics
Research LimitationsResearch Limitations NPOs outside CT Municipality are not all equal (George
vs Bitterfontein)
NPOs inside CT Municipality are not all equal
(Khayalitsha vs Constantia)
Didn’t include informal / unregistered NPOs
Questionnaire only in English
Not all 12 real access factors considered
Findings …
Physical Access to ICTPhysical Access to ICT
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Phone Fax Email Website
Inside CT Municipality
Outside CT Municipality
Total
Based on contact details of NPOs
Physical Access to ICTPhysical Access to ICT
Based on question of access: yes/no?
4
45
96
55
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Inside CTMunicipality
Outside CTMunicipality
Location
%
No access
Access
Access status
Physical Access to ICTPhysical Access to ICT
No. of computers
16
51
162124
14
44
14
0102030405060
Insi
de
CT
Mu
nic
ipal
ity
Ou
tsid
e C
TM
un
icip
alit
y
Location
%
0-1
2
3-4
>4
Physical Access to ICTPhysical Access to ICT
Sharing email/Internet information with non-connected
stakeholders
– Much more commonplace inside CT
– How is info shared?
– Hardcopy distribution, e.g. circulating printouts, via fax or via
post (46%)
– Forwarding emails (to NPOs who don’t have WWW access)
(42%)
– Verbally, e.g. discussions, debates or telephonically (31%)
– Reports, documented research, newsletters, etc. (15%)
AffordabilityAffordability
Source of computer equipment:
– Self-funded (48%)
– SA donations (36%)
– International donations (16%)
No bank loans taken
AffordabilityAffordability Constraints to increasing computer use (in order of
importance):
– High cost of computers or other information technology
– Internet charges
– Lack of training on how to use computers
– Lack of knowledge of what computers can do for the
organisation
– Theft / insurance / cost of security
– Faulty equipment
– Computers not seen as valuable for the org.
AffordabilityAffordability
Do benefits of using computers outweigh the costs?
Yes
– Saves time & money
– “Must have”
– Internet banking
– Communication
– Electronic record keeping
– Professionalism
No
– “Not our priority”
No27%
Yes61%
Don't know12%
Capacity and TrainingCapacity and Training
Employee skill levels and use of computers
20%
18%
52%
10%
Never used a computer
Still learning basic taskson a computer
Skilled at using acomputer
Experts at using acomputer
Capacity and TrainingCapacity and Training
Does your organisation provide computer training (in-
house or outsourced)?
65%
11%
24%
No
Yes, for newly hired employees
Yes, throughout career (as needed)
Capacity and TrainingCapacity and Training
What type of training is given?
88%
33%
12%
2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Basic computer use
Advanced computer use
Professional applications
Programming
Relevant ContentRelevant Content
Do you access Govt information on the WWW?
– Yes: 52%
– Most commonly visited sites:
– www.gov.za
– www.sars.gov.za
– www.labour.gov.za
Integration into Daily RoutinesIntegration into Daily RoutinesTask Inside CT
Municipality
Outside CT
Municipality
Typing documents Daily Daily
Book-keeping Daily Monthly
Other administrative tasks Daily Daily
Sending and receiving emails Daily Weekly
Finding information on the Internet Weekly Monthly
Internet banking Weekly Never
“Stakeholder” relations, e.g.
communicating with members or funders
Weekly Monthly
(Options: daily, weekly, monthly, less than once a month, never)
Organisations thought it safe to use a computer to:
– Send messages to colleagues or stakeholders
– Pay an account
– File government forms
– Purchase goods or services
Trust in TechnologyTrust in Technology
(Options: very safe, safe, somewhat unsafe, very unsafe)
Public Support and Political WillPublic Support and Political Will
Who should take responsibility for improving access to
computers in your organisation?
– The organisation itself (74%)
– Funders (38%)
– Provincial government (36%)
– Local government (24%)
– Businesses (16%)
– National government (15%)
– Individuals (15%)
– Community organisations (12%)
Public Support and Political WillPublic Support and Political Will
Has the government (local, provincial, or national)
influenced your organisation's use of computers?
– Yes: 12%
– Main influence: by providing documents, proposals, contracts,
etc. electronically (email or on Web)
Public Support and Political WillPublic Support and Political Will
Rank the importance of the following activities for the
PGWC:
1. Make computers (and Internet access) more affordable
2. Improve access to computers or the Internet for local
communities
3. Provide training on how to use computers
4. Make the Internet safer
5. Make it easier to interact with government online, incl. filing
forms
6. Make access to government information easier
Public Support and Political WillPublic Support and Political Will
Interested in working with the PGWC to provide input to
its future technology initiatives?
– Yes: 61%
Types of support/roles:
– Assist in computer training communities (capacity & facilities)
– Vocalise the needs of communities
– Liaise with communities and other NPOs
– “Guinea pigs” (pilots, feasibility studies, etc.)
ConclusionConclusion
Influence of location of NPO
Factor Inside CT
Municipality
Outside CT
Municipality
Annual income
ICT contact details
Email/web access
Number of computers
Sharing of information with non-
connected stakeholders
Integration into daily routines
Recommendations to PGWC Affordability Training
ConclusionConclusion
Constraint 1: High cost of ICT
– TCO: hardware, software (+ upgrades), internet access,
maintenance, training, theft & insurance!
– Compounded by:
• Post-94 non-profit economic dynamics
• IT not core function of NPOs
Constraint 2: Lack of training– Too expensive– Low budget allocation
Constraint 3: Lack of basic ICT (outside CT)
ConclusionConclusion Author’s Recommendations to Government
– Play a supportive role – create a framework for self-help ICT
enablement:
1. Reduce costs (subsidize equipment, training, etc.)
2. Reduce Internet charges (e-rate)
3. Promote e-literacy / Push ICT training• Work with NPOs, PPPs, accredit, train the trainers
4. Popularise ICT and its benefits
Centre for e-Innovation ProjectsCentre for e-Innovation Projects Cape Gateway
Easy access to government info and services
Cape Access
ICT access for rural communities
Cape Skillse-Literacy programme
Questions???Questions???
Steve Vosloo
www.capegateway.gov.za