Factors influencing the implementation of E-Government projects: a case of digital villages in Dagoreti South sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

In the 21st century, most organizations including governments have come to appreciate the significance of embracing ICT in all operations. This technology advancement has encouraged governmental organizations and affiliations to reconsider the running of their processes and operations. In order to be successful and come up with systems that are future oriented, the managerial process of most governments are currently being done via electronic platforms. Therefore, globally governments are adopting electronic ways in service delivery in order to promote the provision of services to citizens regardless of where they reside and time that they want to access such services. The purpose of this research was to determine factors influencing the implementation of e-government projects in Digital Villages (Pasha Centres) in Dagoreti South Sub-County, Kenya. In this study, both empirical and theoretical literature review was done whereby different studies and three theories that relate to the implementation of e-government projects were reviewed. In this study, a descriptive research design was used and the target population consisted of 90 respondents from departments represented in the selected Pasha Centres in Dagoreti South Sub-County. From this population, a sample of 48 respondents was picked using stratified sampling technique. Questionnaires were used to collect facts after they were reviewed by experts to ensure validity. A pilot study was conducted three weeks before the actual research and reliability was tested using the test-retest method. After the actual research study, the collected data was analysed using the arithmetic mean as a measure of mean and the standard deviation as a measure of deviation. The statistical package SPSS was used to do data analysis and the results were tabulated in tables. Study findings showed that technological factors had the most significant influence on the implementation of e-government projects (mean of 4.33) followed by political factors (mean of 3.89), organizational factors (mean of 3.79) and finally social factors (mean of 3.42). Political factors like funding influence the quality, budget and schedule of projects. The study findings also revealed that technological factor such as e-government portal and access and system integration had an influence on e-government projects’ schedule, budget and the level of satisfaction. Further, the results showed organisational factors such as training had the most significant influence on stakeholders’ level of satisfaction and projects’ schedule. From the research findings, it was recommended that adequate and relevant project management training needs to be offered to project managers and any other individuals that are involved in the implementation process. Additionally, all training needs should be identified immediately after the initiation phase of project and offered appropriately. Additionally, it was recommended that project managers and all the involved stakeholders should do realistic planning and allocation of finances to projects in order to limit the probability of projects stalling or going beyond the set timeline.