However the study also indicates that the e-government program faces different challenges, and many of them will need to be overcome before it can successfully achieve the expected results. These challenges include lack of resources, poor human resource capacity, and lack of infrastructure and institutional resistance and many others. Finally, the study provides recommendations that would most likely benefit the program.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF E-GOVERNMENT
Information and communication are an integral part of human society. In many cultures today, information retrieval and display – recording of wisdom and history – is still using the expression, through drama, painting, singing or dancing. Writing the appearance of change that dramatically, and the invention of the printing press allowed communications on a large scale, through newspapers and magazines. It rose from modern technological innovations beyond the scope and speed of communications, culminating, at the moment, with digital technology.
Before the latest technologies of information and communication technologies and the emergence of public service delivery in many countries were both inefficient and ineffective. For example, it included the problems that bedeviled the public service institutions, like the absence of citizens in policy-making and decision-making process, and undue delay in the delivery of services and the absence of chronic insufficient information at the right time that was necessary in the decision-making process.
Initially, countries attempted to overcome these problems through decentralization of development planning and implementation, but with little achievement.1
Therefore, by the means of information and communication technology input to solve some of these problems and to ensure the effective implementation of public services to citizens. Especially the emergence of the new world order, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability, as well as the rapid improvement in the information and communications technology, which has contributed to the rise of the phenomenon of e-governance, which has become a catalyst for organizational change, a network and cooperation. Thus, e-government is the means by which the public administration develops new relationships with local communities through the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
The strategic goal of electronic management is to support and simplify governance for all parties, Government and citizens and businesses. The use of information and communication technology can connect all three parties and support processes and activities. In other words, the e-governance means to support and stimulate good governance. Thus, the electronic management objectives are similar to the goals of good governance. And good governance can be seen as the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to better manage a country’s affairs at all levels. Can be given more goals for judging process e-mail when it is described goals for e-democracy and e-government separately. The main objectives of the two e-democracy are: to provide citizens access to information and knowledge about the political process, about the service and about the options available; and to enable the transition from passive to obtain information for the active participation of citizens. With regard to e-government can distinguish between the objectives of the operations focused internally (Operations) and the objectives of services focused externally. External goal of e-government is to meet the people’s needs and expectations satisfoctorily on the side of the front office, by simplifying the interaction with the various online services.
Figure 1:Research framework
E-government model
The three main target groups that can be discerned in the governance concepts are the government and the citizens and businesses. And the use of abbreviations such as B2B (business) and B2C (consumer sector), as is the case in e-commerce concepts, to describe briefly any of the major groups which are interacting. And it presents the most common interactions and e governance, G2C, G2B and G2G diagram in Figure 2.
Gartner, an international consultancy firm, has formulated a four-phase e- governance model. This can serve as a reference for governments to position where a project fits into the overall evolution of an e-governance strategy.2
Form does not mean that all institutions must pass through all stages and at the same time. On the contrary, in developed countries, government institutions are in one, two or three phase. Differences can be huge: the IRS can be in the third stage, while the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology can be in the start of one stage. It all depends on where the benefits are higher.
Four stages
In the first stage, the e-government means to be found on the Internet, and provide the public (G2C and G2B) with relevant information. Coordination of the first government sites is similar to those brochures or prospectus.
In the second phase, the stimulating interaction is between the government and the public (G2C and G2B) with different applications. People can ask questions via e-mail, through the use of search engines, or download forms and documents.
In the third phase, the complexity of technology is growing, and the customer (G2C and G2B) is also of a higher value. This could be the completion of transactions without going to the office.
In the fourth stage, all information systems and the integration of the public can get G2C and G2B services in single combat. Departments have to work together in a smooth and seamless manner.
Questions OF THE STUDY
• What is the current situation of the e-government in Yemen?
• What are the challenges facing the application of E-government of Yemen?
The Study Methodology
This study aims to examine the implementation of e-government in Yemen and how it has affected the order of the United Nations Survey and good governance in general. Data sources for this study are primary and secondary: It includes primary sources of targeted interviews with government officials and employees of the IT department, as well as ordinary citizens in Yemen. Also used various government publications, and other relevant literature such as reports by policy makers. Interviews used open-ended questionnaires to generate debate and expand the relevant data collection.
The study also includes secondary sources of data, surveys of the United Nations, magazines, newspapers and the Internet. The qualitative data analysis method, did not complete statistical data. Attempts were made to establish relationships between the mentioned questions and the data collected.
History of Information Communication Technology in Yemen:
1. Computers
The first computer was used in southern Yemen in 1956 in Aden Refinery Company and was the type of ICL. In the capital city of Sana’a, the first computer was used in 1975 to equip the General Census of Population data. And in 2000, counting the
bodies in the Republic of Yemen amounted to about 36600 computers and according to estimates in July 2005 the number rose to 250,000 computers around 40,000 personal computer equivalent to 12.5 per 1,000 citizens. In 2000, the number of those who were able to use a computer was about 1.2%, while the figure rose in 2005 to about 3.4%.
2. Fixed Telephone Penetration
Yemen has ranked second in terms of the rate of increase in the introduction of fixed-line telephones to most of the regions of the Republic. It was up to the government to introduce fixed-line initiatives without any financial compensation.
Table 3.1 shows fixed telephone penetration in Yemen from 2003 to 2014
Year 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2014 Compound annual growth rate
Yemen 3.64 4.48 4.82 4.49 4.61 4.68 4.79 2.52
Source: ESCWA, based on ITU ICT Indicators Database, 2015.
Note: Compound annual growth rate for the period 2003-2014.
3. Mobile telephone penetration
Mobile phone services have grown rapidly since 2005, in line with developments in the spread of mobile services iPhone 3G. During the period 2007-2011, 100 per cent penetration rates in most Arab countries had exceeded. Nations in recent years Fastest Yemen to check high in terms of mobile phone use among citizens and that the incursion rate as a result of the emergence of many competing companies, including MTN and Saba Phone and Y Telecom.
Table 3.2. Mobile phone penetration rates in Yemen, 2003-2014
Year 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2014 Compound annual growth rate
Yemen 3.54 11.31 20.53 37.40 50.07 69.01 70.06 31.18
Source: ESCWA, based on ITU ICT Indicators Database, 2003-2015.
3. Internet
It has Experienced a rapid increase of Internet services in the Arab region as a result of the growing demand for Internet access services, broadband, both fixed and mobile, in particular because of the proliferation of third and fourth generation services on one hand, the acquisition of the users of so-called smart phones, on the other. Yemen was not immune to this deployment. In recent years, it has seen a steady increase in the proportion and number of Internet users.
Table 3.3. Growth rates and the spread of Internet services users 2008-2016
Year Number of Internet User Penetration (% of Pop.) Total population Non-Users (Internetless) 1 Year user Change Population
2008 1,538,034 6.9 % 22,322,699 20,784,665 41.5 % 450,809
2009 2,286,241 10 % 22,954,226 20,667,985 48.6 % 627,368
2010 2,913,609 12.4 % 23,591,972 20,678,363 27.4 % 627,368
2011 3,612,218 14.9 % 24,234,940 20,622,722 24 % 698,609
2012 4,341,176 17.4 % 24,882,792 20,541,616 20.2 % 728,958
2013 5.106,643 20% 25,533,217 20,426,574 17.6 % 765,467
2014 5,904,419 22.6 % 26,183,676 20,279,257 15.6 % 797,776
2015 6,441,112 24 % 26,832,215 20,391,103 9.1 % 536,693
2016 6,773,228 24.7 % 27,477,600 20,704,372 5.2 % 332,117
* estimate for July 1, 2016
Source: Internet Live Stats (www.InternetLiveStats.com)
Elaboration of data by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Bank, and United Nations Population Division.
Objectives of National Program for Information Technology (E-government)
The program is aimed at the following:
1. The definition of the importance of information technology in people’s lives and to achieve its development.
2. Highlight the importance and the role of complementary employment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in promoting development efforts in various fields.
3. Raise the efficiency of the performance of government agencies, and to improve its dealings with citizens and companies, and reduce the time of administrative procedures and processes in the government apparatus, and to reduce the cost of procedures and administrative processes.
4. Open the channels of communication and continue at the local level on one hand, and on the outer level the other hand to catch up with the rapid developments in this area up to the digital society.
5. Find the necessary infrastructure to encourage business investment, and to encourage individuals and institutions of the state and the business sector on the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and benefit from the advantages.
Stages of the implementation of the National Program (e-government)
Phase I: Presentation of Information
Dissemination of public information on a website and the development of printable forms. This is called the communication system of one party.
Phase II: Mutual Communication
Sites allow inquiries for information and fill out forms and models. This is so-called mutual, two-way communication system.
Phase III: Mutual Benefit and Value
Web sites allow for the exchange of the best benefit between government entities with citizens and specific data and first-hand information for mutual benefit.
Phase IV: Service Integration Benefit
Unified Portal for e-government system is used and incorporated into the government services according to the needs and tasks.
E-Government Readiness
Based on the e-government readiness index is a composite index which consists of measuring Web Index and communications infrastructure and human capital index in the polls. It provides a comparative ranking of the countries of the world. States that do not have an online presence, during the period of the study, where they will be compared to Yemen with some neighboring countries and some developed countries.
Table 3.13 Comparative E-Government Rankings 2008-2016
Country 2008 rank 2010 rank 2012 rank 2014 rank 2016 rank
Bahrain 42 13 36 18 24
UAE 32 49 28 32 29
Kuwait 57 50 63 49 40
Qatar 53 62 48 44 48
Saudi Arabia 70 58 41 36 44
Oman 84 82 64 48 66
Jordon 50 51 98 79 91
Lebanon 74 93 87 89 73
Syria 119 133 128 135 137
Egypt 79 86 107 80 108
Sudan 161 157 165 154 161
Yemen 164 164 167 150 174
Source: UN E-Government survey 2008-2016
The following figure, is derived from statistics of each table, and speaks on the state of e-readiness and the direction of the Arab region as well as the State of India.
Government usage:
Table 3.14: Government usage
2014 2015 Change
Importance of ICTs to Government Vision 146 142 +4
Government Online Service Index 134 97 +37
Government Success in ICT Promotion 134 137 -3
Source: The UN, Global E-governance Readiness Report 2014-2015
The substrate using the government assesses the leadership and the government’s success in developing and implementing strategies for the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Indicators for E-government Readiness in Yemen
In a United Nations report, which is one of the main references for this search, e-government index contains three indicators: Online services sector index, telecommunication infrastructure index and human capital index.
Table 3.15 shows the e-government index for Yemen from 2008 until 2016 in the field of Internet services, communications infrastructure and human capital. Online services index assesses the ability to provide services to citizens and the number of services provided by the government to the citizens, as well as the private sector. It also measures the onli
ne presence of national websites, along with those from the ministries of health and education, and finance. The previous studies suggest the availability of government websites. The services offered through these sites are weak or almost non-existent.
Table 3.15: E-government readiness indices in Yemen from 2008-2016
Year Online Services Tel Infrastructure Human Capital
2008 0.0736 0.0286 0.05446
2010 0.0476 0.0298 0.05739
2012 0.1765 0.1011 0.4642
2014 0.3071 0.1249 0.3840
2016 0.1449 0.1465 0.3829
Source:
E-Government Challenges in Yemen
After reviewing the infrastructure for Information Communication Technology and rankings that are obtained by Yemen between some of the countries, each assessment addressed is by the international reports of the e-government project in most countries of the world. The subsequent points will be addressed about the challenges facing the application of the Yemeni government project and ways to address these challenges.
Implementation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) for being very difficult projects. It is noticed that many projects showed notable failure. However, the e-government programme is not a step in the preparation for challenges only. It is also difficult to implement successfully. The danger of the basic failure is to exhaust the financial resources of the state without access to the desired results. In the survey of Success and Failure Rates of E-government by Heeks (2003) [28], only 15 percent of E-government projects in developing countries are successful, 35 percent are total failures and 50 percent partial failures [28; 29; 30].
The challenges which are faced by the implementation and deployment of E-government in Yemen and revealed two kinds of challenges [33]: Organizational challenges, which refer to the challenges are revealed by the participants. These include barriers, resistance due to fear of losing jobs, leadership commitment, E-government ownership, and training of all government employees, and Technical Challenges of E-government, such as building a national infrastructure, training IT professionals, security, and Internet infrastructure.
In another study, which was examined by Ali Abdullah in 2012 [34] examined to assess and solve for the development of e-government in Yemen and pointed out to the current reality characteristics of the index of e-government development in Yemen. The sub-indices highlight the many challenges facing the e-government task at the present stage. The absence of a budget, changes in priorities are such challenges. The project has a low priority and lack of qualified human resources to manage and implement the project. They pointed out that the Yemeni government should focus on improving services online through the rebuilding of the national gateway to be able to give citizens the necessary services. The government must integrate the needs of citizens in the e-government strategy and the development of services for the citizens to achieve the maximum benefits from the promises of their own e-government.
Similarly, al-Hashimi 2013 [31] considered the users’ awareness of e-government in Yemen has revealed the results of the questionnaire responses that only 30% of citizens are aware of these services of e-government, only 22% of the feasibility of these services, and 48% will not benefit from them. This suggests that it is a good topic to discuss.
In addition, there is a study of the impact of culture on e-readiness in terms of electronic community Yemen Aryani government [35] The results of the gender gap in e-readiness in Yemen because of the culture in which males display more opportunities in the areas of education, employment, income and experience in the computer and in the use of Internet and e-government that influence the adoption and use.