e-Government and the e-Readiness of NPOs in the Western Cape

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e-Government and the e-Readiness of NPOs in
theWestern Cape

• Steve Vosloo

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Introduction

• Centre for e-Innovation, PGWC
• Design Usability Project Leader
• www.capegateway.gov.za

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Background

• Definitions NPO, PGWC
• Context of study
• NPOs recognised as important stakeholders and
  intermediaries between govt and citizens
• Digital divide exists
• NPOs at different levels of ICT-enablement
• e-Govt in the WC holistic approach requires the
  building of information society / knowledge
  economy
• What are ICT adoption levels among NPOs?
• Where do you start? e-Readiness assessment

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Real Access to ICT
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Research Objectives

• Determine if location of NPO (inside/outside CT
  Municipality) influences real access factors
• Determine constraints to greater ICT-enablement
  of NPOs
• Make recommendations to PGWC regarding the
  improvement of NPO e-readiness levels

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Research Design

• Target pop 2328 registered NPOs in WC
• Random sample 500 NPOs
• Stratified on location inside / outside CT
  Municipality (250 / 250)
• Collection method posted questionnaire
• Response 100 NPOs
• Descriptive inferential statistical analysis

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Demographics

• Location of respondent NPOs
• Inside CT greater annual income
• 66 of NPOs lt 10 permanent staff

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Research Limitations

• NPOs outside CT Municipality are not all equal
  (George vs Bitterfontein)
• NPOs inside CT Municipality are not all equal
  (Khayalitsha vs Constantia)
• Didnt include informal / unregistered NPOs
• Questionnaire only in English
• Not all 12 real access factors considered

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• Findings

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Physical Access to ICT

• Based on contact details of NPOs

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Physical Access to ICT

• Based on question of access yes/no?

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Physical Access to ICT

• No. of computers

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Physical Access to ICT

• Sharing email/Internet information with
  non-connected stakeholders
• Much more commonplace inside CT
• How is info shared?
• Hardcopy distribution, e.g. circulating
  printouts, via fax or via post (46)
• Forwarding emails (to NPOs who dont have WWW
  access) (42)
• Verbally, e.g. discussions, debates or
  telephonically (31)
• Reports, documented research, newsletters, etc.
  (15)

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Affordability

• Source of computer equipment
• Self-funded (48)
• SA donations (36)
• International donations (16)
• No bank loans taken

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Affordability

• Constraints to increasing computer use (in order
  of importance)
• High cost of computers or other information
  technology
• Internet charges
• Lack of training on how to use computers
• Lack of knowledge of what computers can do for
  the organisation
• Theft / insurance / cost of security
• Faulty equipment
• Computers not seen as valuable for the org.

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Affordability

• Do benefits of using computers outweigh the
  costs?
• Yes
• Saves time money
• Must have
• Internet banking
• Communication
• Electronic record keeping
• Professionalism
• No
• Not our priority

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Capacity and Training

• Employee skill levels and use of computers

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Capacity and Training

• Does your organisation provide computer training
  (in-house or outsourced)?

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Capacity and Training

• What type of training is given?

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Relevant Content

• Do you access Govt information on the WWW?
• Yes 52
• Most commonly visited sites
• www.gov.za
• www.sars.gov.za
• www.labour.gov.za

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Integration into Daily Routines
(Options daily, weekly, monthly, less than once
a month, never)
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Trust in Technology

• Organisations thought it safe to use a computer
  to
• Send messages to colleagues or stakeholders
• Pay an account
• File government forms
• Purchase goods or services

(Options very safe, safe, somewhat unsafe, very
unsafe)
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Public Support and Political Will

• Who should take responsibility for improving
  access to computers in your organisation?
• The organisation itself (74)
• Funders (38)
• Provincial government (36)
• Local government (24)
• Businesses (16)
• National government (15)
• Individuals (15)
• Community organisations (12)

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Public Support and Political Will

• Has the government (local, provincial, or
  national) influenced your organisation's use of
  computers?
• Yes 12
• Main influence by providing documents,
  proposals, contracts, etc. electronically (email
  or on Web)

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Public Support and Political Will

• Rank the importance of the following activities
  for the PGWC
• Make computers (and Internet access) more
  affordable
• Improve access to computers or the Internet for
  local communities
• Provide training on how to use computers
• Make the Internet safer
• Make it easier to interact with government
  online, incl. filing forms
• Make access to government information easier

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Public Support and Political Will

• Interested in working with the PGWC to provide
  input to its future technology initiatives?
• Yes 61
• Types of support/roles
• Assist in computer training communities (capacity
  facilities)
• Vocalise the needs of communities
• Liaise with communities and other NPOs
• Guinea pigs (pilots, feasibility studies, etc.)

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Conclusion

• Influence of location of NPO

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Conclusion

• Constraint 1 High cost of ICT
• TCO hardware, software ( upgrades), internet
  access, maintenance, training, theft insurance!
• Compounded by
• Post-94 non-profit economic dynamics
• IT not core function of NPOs
• Constraint 2 Lack of training
• Too expensive
• Low budget allocation
• Constraint 3 Lack of basic ICT (outside CT)

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Conclusion

• Authors Recommendations to Government
• Play a supportive role create a framework for
  self-help ICT enablement
• Reduce costs (subsidize equipment, training,
  etc.)
• Reduce Internet charges (e-rate)
• Promote e-literacy / Push ICT training
• Work with NPOs, PPPs, accredit, train the
  trainers
• Popularise ICT and its benefits

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Centre for e-Innovation Projects

• Cape Gateway Easy access to government info and
  services
• Cape Access ICT access for rural communities
• Cape Skillse-Literacy programme

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Questions???

• Steve Vosloo
• svosloo_at_pgwc.gov.za
• www.capegateway.gov.za