Organizational Readiness for E-governance:A Study of Public Agencies in the United Arab Emirates

In order to make public services accessible to a wide range of end users around the clock (i.e., smart services), Smart Government (SG) utilizes advanced Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Using ICT enables people not only to apply for services, retrieve information or download forms and applications, but also to receive the final product and services through smart phones and remote-controlled devices. The present study aims at assessing employees’ perceived organizational readiness to implement smart government within their agencies. One thousand and five hundred surveys were developed and administered to a randomly-selected sample of employees and managers working in public agencies. Statistical analyses reveal that public agencies have relatively suitable environment to implement smart government but major challenges persist. The most serious challenges are the availability of accessible Internet for clients and employees, underdeveloped legal infrastructure, clients’ literacy in information technology, and inadequate funding. These findings are discussed and recommendations are outlined for decision makers and researchers.