Information Society Principles: Towards e-Governance

This course explains the foundational components of e-Governance and their interaction in an information society. It starts with an introduction to information society and how it has established the environment for e-governance development. Then, the main building blocks of e-governance, their aims, initiatives, and enablers are introduced, and how they are related to external subjects and domains. As the nature of the course is interdisciplinary, it entails an intersection of multiple domains by explaining political, legal, social, economic, and IT layers impacting e-governance implementation. The course is primarily online. However, to cover the various topics, e-governance experts, policymakers, and practitioners will share their insights and experience with students in-person during a mandatory seminar week November 6th – 10th in Tallinn, Estonia, at the Mektory Innovation Hub (Raja 15). The week will also include field visits to government authorities and private companies in the e-governance field. To summarize, the course curriculum is built on the practical and theoretical knowledge gained from various e-governance projects and initiatives in Estonia and worldwide.

NB! This course will take place in autumn semester 2025/2026 which starts on 1st of September and ends on 25th of January (you can find that information under Start date section). TalTech's timetables for Autumn semester 2025 will be published at the end of June via tunniplaan.taltech.ee. Switch the page to English and use "Search" and "Open detailed search" to find your course. NB! Some courses are taught by several lecturers during the same semester. Make sure that the course name and lecturer/teacher infromation of your course match with the information given in the Course Catalogue.

After completing this course, the student:

• is aware of principles of information society;
• has an overview of the strategies and policies for governing the development of the information society and ICT and its association to Government work routines;
• has an overview of various ICT policies, e-governance components and related acts;
• is able to plan the prepare the foundation for implementing the main principles of the information society and electronic state into government work routines.

Final assessment can consist of one test/assignment or several smaller assignments completed during the whole course. After declaring a course the student can re-sit the exam/assessment once. Assessment can be graded or non-graded. For specific information about the assessment process please get in touch with the contact person of this course. For specific information about grade transfer please contact your home university

bachelor degree

• Course web page: https://moodle.taltech.ee/course/view.php?id=30640
• ÜHeeks, R., & Bailur, S. (2007). Analyzing e-government research: Perspectives, philosophies, theories, methods, and practice. Government information quarterly, 24(2), 243-265.
• Layne, K., & Lee, J. (2001). Developing fully functional E-government: A four stage model. Government information quarterly, 18(2), 122-136.
• Gil-Garcia, J. R., Dawes, S. S., & Pardo, T. A. (2018). Digital government and public management research: finding the crossroads.
• Gil-García, J. R., & Pardo, T. A. (2005). E-government success factors: Mapping practical tools to theoretical foundations. Government information quarterly, 22(2), 187-216.
• Mergel, I., Edelmann, N., & Haug, N. (2019). Defining digital transformation: Results from expert interviews. Government Information Quarterly, 36(4), 101385.
• Scholl, H. J. (2013, September). Electronic government research: topical directions and preferences. In International Conference on Electronic Government (pp. 1-13). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
• Scholl, H. J. (2020). Digital Government: Looking Back and Ahead on a Fascinating Domain of Research and Practice. Digital Government: Research and Practice, 1(1), 1-12.
• Bekkers, V., & Homburg, V. (2007). The myths of e-government: Looking beyond the assumptions of a new and better government. The Information Society, 23(5), 373-382.

lectures, exercises