ICT in Norwegian local government - empowering the politicians?

Author: Hanssen, Gro Sandkjaer

Source: Local Government Studies, Volume 33, Number 3, June 2007 , pp. 355-382(28)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Information and communication technology is often presented as having a built-in potential to reduce the information gap between the politicians and administration in local government. This assumption is discussed in the article, by analysing two surveys among politicians in Norwegian local government. The findings show that municipal politicians to a large extent utilise ICT in finding information for decision-making purposes. They also, to a certain degree, consider their ability to control the administration to be enhanced, even if we also find that access to digital monitoring systems can be limited. Furthermore, the findings show variation due to hierarchical seniority (mayor v. rank-and-file politicians), age and education. Thus, our observations, based on data of local politicians' own experiences, indicate that ICT contributes to reduce the possibilities of the administration manipulating the politicians in local government.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03003930701289562

Affiliations: 1: Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research, Oslo, Norway

Publication date: 2007-06-01