Introduction
Mobile or handheld devices have changed the way people live and conduct business. This is a feature of mobile computing which was once a dream because of its intricacies and complexities. With the advancement of technology, particularly nano-technology, this is now a reality and has aided many disciplines, to include science, medicine, and now governance.
We all know mobile device is very effective and now an important part of ordinary living. People cannot proceed with ordinary chores without a cellular phone in their hands. The introduction of the smart phone has made computing ordinary part of life. Communication is so easy and fast that mobile technology, mobile communication in particular, is the most important phenomenon that has occurred these past years.
Improving government services by means of mobile phones and handheld devices is indeed revolutionary but commendable. The question is how effective is this method to bring the government to the heart of the people and how can this be measured and assessed of its effectiveness. This is one of the highlights of this essay – to know the efficiency and effectiveness of what is now called m-Government, or governance with the application of smart phones, websites and other wireless technology known as smart objects.
There have been studies about mobile technology adapted to various areas in business, education, and other disciplines. But empirical studies regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of mobile technology, particularly smart phones, adapted to government functionalities cannot be readily obtained.
Governments, however, have been enthusiastic in adapting smart phones to their daily governance, probably to improve governance and fast-track services for their constituents. One of these is the government of United Arab Emirates. The UAE is fully committed to the adoption of m-Government, precisely to improve their service and enhance government-people interaction.
The objectives of this study are:
- To know the meaning and function/s of m-Government.
- To understand how this can be applied.
- To know the advantages and disadvantages of m-Government.
- To investigate the importance of smart phones and its application and use on m-Government.
Literature Review
The term m-Government refers to the use of electronic and handheld devices to improve government services. Handheld devices are covered in the general subject of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Citizens can use their mobile phones to access government services, or through the government website which is connected online or the Internet. This form of government-citizen interaction has been used by many countries to provide immediate delivery of government services. (Gasmelseid 88)
The UAE government is trying to improve its services by way of providing an extension of e-Government platforms through mobile technology. The platforms include electronic document interchange by means of e-learning, e-business and other similar applications to enhance e-government or m-Government. M-government is the term that refers to the use of mobile devices to access to e-government. These terms are interrelated. Mobile technology refers to cellular phones and other handheld devices used for effective communication.
The primary objective of m-Government is to improve and enhance government services by cutting process costs, connecting with the appropriate office in government and attaining empowerment within “the government architecture” (Gasmelseid 88).
Some people aim for shortcutting but the term shortcutting does not mean changing the process but it means avoiding the long-process of attaining government service. Through this technological process, the relationship between the government and the citizens is improved. But one thing should be clarified, it does not mean that the promised benefits are there and can be perfectly attained.
Failure in leadership and weak infrastructure results in poor m-Government. Successful implementation of m-government depends not only on availability of resources but on having “the necessary implementation-oriented paradigms that describe the growth and evolution of e-governments” (Gasmelseid 88).
UAE’s m-Government Initiatives
An increasing growth is seen in the mobile technology, with 14 million mobile devices entering UAE, m-Government will become fully operational this year and is accessible by ordinary citizens; all government offices and departments can be accessed by way of smart phones.
ICT use is a significant step of the government toward heightened sustainable economic development and its dream of serving every Emirati who should feel the gains of the advancement of the economy. Through m-Government, fast communication between people and government is made possible. This also helps in improving the image of the government as ordinary citizens can ask questions through their mobile phones.
The Five Phases of m-Government Implementation
Implementation of m-Government has five phases. The first is on publication of information. Government posts information through its website or through other means of advertising and mobile phone users respond by way of their smart phones. An interaction ensues – this is the second phase. Government personnel (or website administrator) also interact.
The third phase may consist of instructions from the website, or actions that the individual should take. This would depend on the type of request or information the individual needs. The mobile user may be asked to fill up some forms. The fourth phase consists of a full integration and the fifth is participation. Here, the individual is empowered by participating in government, although by just asking questions or giving suggestions. (Maranny 35)
The Smart Phones
Smart phones, or smart objects, know their environment and perceive the world around them through sensors and other wireless technology composed of complicated circuits and integrated circuits, which are features of nano technology. Smart phones provide awareness services to users in areas where wireless technology is available, which are called smart environments. (Siegemund, Floerkemeier and Vogt 69)
Through smart phones, users can retrieve data from a remote location as long as there is signal. Interaction between smart object can be conducted anywhere. Smart phones can connect to the Internet and to government websites which provide services. The UAE website is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That is a big help for the citizens and a big boost in terms of reputation for the government.
Remote interactions can be attained when a smart phone user is in proximity of a wireless object, or smart object. When not in proximity, the user can use the Internet to have a wider proximity. An interaction stub incorporated in the smart phone can provide a remote interaction. The user can write text messages, or SMS, through interaction stubs. Smart devices other than cell phones, which can interact with smart objects, include personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops and tablets.
These new smart devices have higher installed memory which allows users to download and upload larger contents or documents and images. The server contents that are requested by the client or user should be adaptable by the receiver. There are adaptation methods that should be met by both server and user. The elements to be adapted in the process are data that may or may not include other media such as images, audio and video. (Adzic, Kalva and Furht 383)
Advantages and Disadvantages of m-Government
As pointed out in the above paragraphs, the application of m-Government for the UAE government has advantages and disadvantages. Government service to Emirates will be fast tracked and the government’s reputation is enhanced. The citizens will no longer go to the government office concerned where they need services but instead they only have to access to government websites. This is economical for the citizens. On the other hand, respective government offices will be decongested of people asking for service.
Disadvantages point to security. G2C and SMS come in handy for hackers. Mobile phones have little security to boast of while hackers are always ready to do their “craft”. What about Internet connection? The UAE has high penetration of Internet, as revealed by Director General Mohammed Al Ghanim (“Emiratis 24/7: 1st Edition of UAE m-Government Guidelines Ready for Review” par. 4). So, with this application m-Government will provide a big advantage in terms of downloading and uploading of data and images for users.
Investigation
This third part of the essay concerns about the effectiveness of smart phones. The questions that need to be answered here are:
- Why should the UAE government adapt m-Government in its services to the people?
- Is government infrastructure ready and prepared for m-Government?
- How secure is the connection between smart phones and government websites?
- What are the problems users might encounter in the application of m-Government?
The efficiency and effectiveness of smart phones have been tested by users themselves. But empirically, there’s not much that can be taken from the connectivity and how reliable are the data. There were some studies however that determined how server, clients, and adaptation systems were doing. Investigations suggested that server-based functions should be improved. On the other hand, there are devices that do not have capabilities to access to the Internet through smart objects in a smart environment, and this needs help from the government.
The first question deals with the question why. Why should the UAE government adapt m-Government?
The UAE government prepared for this. UAE leadership wanted to fast track government service and that through this system every Emirati who needs help will surely have it. The administration also knew that m-Government is the answer to the nation’s dream of having fast and immediate delivery of services.
Another question is: Are the people and government ready for m-Government? The readiness aspect refers to the device, whether most of the Emirates, if not all, who need government service are ready for m-Government and have smart phones that can access smart objects. As mentioned earlier, there was an entry of about 14 million cellular phones, mostly smart phones which can access government websites.
It seems the government of the UAE has been preparing for this. A special team from the telecommunications department was formed to provide a smooth transition, but the technology is all set. What is really needed is a go with all the agencies, public and private, to collaborate to make the implementation of m-Government effective and serviceable to the people.
From this point, this paper sought the opinion of some personalities who were knowledgeable about smart environment, their uses, and m-Government application for the UAE. According to Mohammed Al Ghanim, a high telecommunications official of the government, major stakeholders have shown their enthusiasm and cooperation in the initial activities and processes of the smart application.
People and government were ready to accept m-Government. Public forums and conferences were held and the people have been very enthusiastic about it. Awards are also being readied to motivate employees and government agencies into making m-Government a primary tool for governance and government service. (Al Bustani par. 6)
The platform and the infrastructure as a whole have been set. The government agency responsible published the guidelines for the different government departments to follow in their m-Government application. Of course, this initial move is a transition but everyone seems acceptable to the change for better service to the people.
The full m-Government application will be completed within two years, i.e. for the national level. The move was also in collaboration with the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai which have experiences in e-government applications. (“Emirates 24/7: 1st Edition of UAE m-Government Guidelines Ready for Review” pars. 3-5)
When it comes to readiness, this paper cannot question the leadership and people of the UAE. Their enthusiasm and joy in having a major government project come into fruition cannot be undermined. The top leadership of the government and government officials, along with the people of the UAE, all showed their support for m-Government application. It really appeared they were ready for this.
Works Cited
Adzic, Velibor, Hari Kalva and Borko Furht. “A Survey of Multimedia Content Adaptation for Mobile Devices.” Multimedia Tools and Applications. 51.1 (2011): 379-396, Springer. Web.
Al Bustani, Hareth. First Guidelines for UAE’s 24/7 m-Government Produced. 2013. Web.
Emirates 24/7: 1st Edition of UAE m-Government Guidelines Ready for Review 2013. Web.
Gasmelseid, Tagelsir. “A Multiagent Service-Oriented Modeling of E-Government Initiatives.” International Journal of Electronic Government Research. 3.3 (2007): 87-106, IGI Publishing. Web.
Maranny, Eyla Alivia 2011, Stage Maturity Model of m-Government (SMM m-Gov). PDF file. Web.
Siegemund, Frank, Christian Floerkemeier, and Harald Vogt. “The value of handhelds in smart environments.” Personal and Ubiquitous Computing. 9.2 (2005): 69-80, Springer Verlag London. Web.