On Contradictions in the Assessment of Information and Their Impact on E-government Services

Abstract

Purpose/thesis: The article analyzes the contradictions and inconsistencies in the assessment of infor­mation and information architectures in Polish e-government and e-health services and platforms. The thesis is that the nature and role of information and the relations between information structures, information media and information systems are not properly understood by legislators and public institutions commissioning IT systems. This leads to difficulties in implementing e-government and e-health systems and platforms and a low rate of use of their services by the citizens and entrepreneurs Approach/methods: In order to prove this thesis a number of systems and platforms were examined. The systems chosen for analysis are these having the highest number of users and were expected to fulfill the needs both of the citizens and public institutions. Results and conclusions: The examples analyzed show that there is a need to design, develop and introduce totally different e-government services. These new services should correspond with im­material information structures and systems, not trying to reflect and ‘computerize’ the 19th century paper-oriented administration. The goal of implementing IT in public institutions should be the assistance in fulfilling their main func­tions – serving the users. The improper understanding of information architectures results in additional burdens for all parties involved, instead of bringing improvements in the quality of public services. Originality/value: In author’s opinion the relation between information structures and the rules of building information and IT systems in public administration is not understood properly. The results are the difficulties and problems in implementing and using the IT systems of public administration. On the other hand, formulating sound foundations for IT systems of public administration seems to be outside the main area of interest of the information studies. The article tries to bridge the gap between these two areas.