Title

Explaining the Variation in the E-Government Characteristics of Municipal Websites: An Analysis of E-Content, E-Participation, and Social Media Features in Municipal Websites in Canada

Author

Jordan Dolson, Western University

Date of Award

7-1-2010

Degree Type

Major Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration

Program

Political Science

Supervisor

Young, Robert

Geographical Areas

Canada

Abstract

This paper examines the variation of specific e-Government features in Canadian municipalities and it assesses the quality of municipal websites by evaluating their ability to meet criteria in the three areas of e-Content, e-Participation, and social media capacity. An e-Government Index was developed to evaluate website quality with respect to the three areas and a study of medium-sized Canadian municipalities – excluding those in Quebec – was conducted. The findings reveal that as a whole, medium-sized municipalities in Canada are more successful at developing the e-Content features of their websites compared to the e-Participation features, demonstrating that they are better at delivering information than they are at engaging citizens in online participation, and there is little use of social media in most municipalities.

Recommended Citation

Dolson, Jordan, "Explaining the Variation in the E-Government Characteristics of Municipal Websites: An Analysis of E-Content, E-Participation, and Social Media Features in Municipal Websites in Canada" (2010). MPA Major Research Papers. 82.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/lgp-mrps/82