Political science / political sociology

Yagufarova A.S., Hannanova T.R.

The Bashkir state agrarian university, Russia

Informations technology in government body

Local governments are the tier of government that is closest to the people. They are responsible for delivering services to constituent communities, using people, processes, systems, and information to meet their service delivery, planning, management accountability, and compliance obligations in an efficient and effective manner[1].

The rapid adoption of new technologies has changed the way local governments interact with their constituents. They use paper and email in their interactions, provide self-service processes through the Web, capture information through various data-capture devices, and support the operation with financial, property, asset, and community service systems. There are numerous challenges the organizations face in managing the critical data that these processes (both structured and unstructured) capture and produce[1].

Electronic government forms the foundation for digital or electronic service (e-Service) and depends upon a sound technology infrastructure. However, e-Service is not a technical exercise, but rather an attempt to improve the political and social environment and to drive a fundamental change in the ways in which functions are performed. The introduction of ICT in order to automate public sector functions and introduce e-Service will not automatically create a better or more open government - unless it is based on policies to promote the effective utilization of technology. e-Service initiatives inevitably need to take into consideration issues such as new models of policy formulation; alternative forms of citizenship; different patterns and trends of relationship and power; new solutions for economic development; and alternative approaches for connecting people to the political process. [3]

The continuous advances in technological development have led to a flood of information and are creating a dynamic environment that constantly transforms the way we do things. Successful organizations recognize the strategic value of managing their information and information resources continuously to support efficiency and effectiveness, and for survival as well as for competitive advantage. They realize that the mere access to or availability of information is not sufficient, but rather having the right information at the right time in the right format. They embrace technology to achieve this and to support new values like innovation and the ability to adapt to challenges[1].

Local government operates in the same environment as other enterprises and is furthermore obliged to be an efficient, frontline, development agency constantly seeking the best way of delivering services to all its residents and to put 'people first' in the way it runs its administration[1].

e-Government programmes and their implicit public sector reform agendas carry with them an even more fundamental issue, which is that of the role of government itself. Beyond the modernisation and efficiency priorities, the issue of the future role of government – and of the definition of public interest remains open to debate[2].

Records management best practices[1]:

· Simplify managing and finding information: In a paper environment, only one person at a time can work on customer files.

· Reduce physical storage: Paper-based documents must be stored in appropriate secure storage locations, usually onsite, with staff often requiring their own local storage of copies of the documents they need to work on. In addition, remote archive storage is also needed so that physical files are available for the time specified by their retention schedules.

· Secure information from inappropriate access or misuse: Physical files are extremely difficult to secure from inappropriate copying, theft, or misuse.

· Protect information from natural and other disasters: In the event of a disaster such as fire, flood, cyclone, or act of war, the records of an organization can be damaged, lost, or destroyed.

· Remove time-consuming paper processes: Processing applications or requests that require more than one person in a decision-making process is time consuming when working in a paper-only environment.

· View all information, physical and electronic, in its business context: With an enterprise records management system, all electronic information is captured, regardless of its source, and managed in a unified way.

Information in local governments often goes through multiple processes and steps from the point of its creation or capture and throughout its lifecycle. Where there is a lack of integration or automation of these processes, there are also often associated risks, inefficiencies, and unnecessary costs. With the establishment of workflows through an electronic document and records management system, governments can achieve business process optimization[1].

Literature :

1. Business transformation in local and regional governments. http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/4AA2-3053ENW.pdf

2. e-Government and State Reform: Policy Dilemmas for Europe. Manuel Baptista, GOPA-Cartermill. Brussels, Belgium

3. The Effectiveness of e-Service in Local Government: A Case. Mehdi Asgarkhani. Faculty of Commerce, C.P.I.T., Christchurch, New Zealand