Issues and challenges: cloud computing e-Government in developing

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Naif Al Mudawi, Natalia Beloff, Martin White

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 (IJACSA) International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications,
Vol. 11, No. 4, 2020

Issues and Challenges: Cloud Computing

e-Government in Developing Countries
Naif Al Mudawi1, Natalia Beloff2, Martin White3
Dept. of Computer Science, University Najran1
Dept.of Informatics, University of Sussex
Brighton, United Kingdom1, 2, 3

Abstract—Cloud computing has become essential for IT perspective, seeking to take advantage of potential
resources that can be delivered as a service over the Internet. implications around the development of e-government
Many e-government services that are used worldwide provide accessibility and services, are beneficial to citizens [7]. Thus,
communities with relatively complex applications and services. limitations in exploiting the benefits of ICT, by governments,
Governments are still facing many challenges in their could result in missing out on opportunities to deliver online
implementation of e-government services in general, including services and affect the adoption of e-government by the
Saudi Arabia, such as poor IT infrastructure, lack of finance, public.
and insufficient data security. This research paper investigates
the challenges of e-government cloud service models in One of the other issues faced in developing countries is the
developing countries. This paper finds that governments in lack of attention to the preservation of information on e-
developing countries are influenced by how the top management government sites [12]. E-government sites should be
deals with the attention to the adoption of cloud computing. constantly updated by procedural and policy changes;
Further, organisational readiness levels of technologies, such as therefore, interactive features and mechanisms on the site
IT infrastructure, internet availability and social trust of the must be tested on a regular basis, allowing the user to access
adoption of new technology as cloud computing, still present offered services without any problems. This paper will
limitations for e-government cloud services adoption. Based on contribute to understanding and identifying the challenges
the findings of the critical review, this paper identifies the issues facing some government systems in developing countries, so ،
and challenges affecting the adoption of cloud computing in e-
the IS research can be able to identify any suitable solutions to
government such as IT infrastructure, internet availability, and
trust adopted new technologies thereby highlighting benefits of
these issues facing government systems.
cloud computing-based e-government services. Furthermore, we This paper is organised as follows:
propose recommendations for developing IT systems focused on
trust when adopting cloud computing in e-government services  A review of the concept of e-government.
(CCEGov).
 The paper then presents factors that influence adoption
Keywords—Challenges; issue; privacy; security; social; e- of e-government.
governance services; citizen  We then propose that cloud computing has the potential
I. INTRODUCTION to offer benefits to both implementation of efficient e-
government services and to users of those services.
Recently, given the growing populations in developed
countries, both economies and life expectancies have been  We then explore the challenges affecting the adoption
improving. Further to this, governments should have improved of cloud computing in e-government services and how
online service systems [1]. This is described as the interchange this research aims to overcome those challenges.
by electronic means of data related to online services to make
 And, finally, we draw some conclusions and suggest
the delivery of e-government more efficient and effective [8].
future work.
Implementing online service systems, however, is a challenge
at local, national and international levels, and this is especially II. BACKGROUND
so in developing countries.
Electronic Government (e-Government) has been defined
Previous studies have provided some important obstacles by many researchers. According to [9], e-government is
in e-government, that impact the government in providing defined as a method to provide government online services
online services platform for citizens more effectively in the through the use of ICT to citizens, organisations and other
public sector [5]. e-Government systems in developing stakeholders. E-government is seen as one of the best methods
countries exhibit many direct and indirect variables available, from a range of online and evolving public services
influencing the adoption of new technologies, such as cloud over the Internet, and defines the use of the Internet to provide
computing, culture, social, facilitating conditions, lack of government information and services to citizens [10]. E-
resources and limitation of experience [6]. Other research Government essentially involves exploiting and promoting the
studies on e-government show consistent views that the Internet to provide information and services to citizens and
adoption of the latest ideas, taken from a technology organisations so as to increase their reliance on ICT.

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According to [11], the definition of e-Government is the D. Social Influence

relationship of communication between governments and Social factors have created challenges in the embracement
clients (companies, other governments and citizens) through of e-government in developing countries around the world.
the Internet. In order to use the benefit of online services These factors include people’s education and income and are a
provided by governments, it is essential to reduce the gap significant challenge to citizens adopting e-government in a
between governments and stakeholders by improving growing country [13]. Most citizens lack education and skills
communication and allowing optimal use of the online in operating and accessing online services from the
services. governmental portal websites [21]. Additionally, citizens are
III. CHALLENGES OF E-GOVERNMENT inflicted with low salary, which deters them from affording
computer accessories and the Internet to access government
E-Government plays a crucial role in processing portal websites.
information for the management of citizens and businesses by
the government [12]. An e-government initiative may include E. Lack of Awareness
a citizen-centric portal, online income tax, land and property A lack of awareness of the existence of e-government in
system, e-learning, e-social services, government to employee developing countries hampers the adoption of e-government
portal and integrated financial management systems [13]. e- technology in various aspects of government operation [22].
Government has been associated with numerous challenges The majority of citizens tend to use manual means of
that make it difficult to be implemented in developing accessing government services since they are unaware of e-
countries. government [23]. Therefore, a lack of awareness deters the
embracement of e-government in developing nations.
A. ICT Infrastructure
An inadequate ICT infrastructure is one of the major IV. CHALLENGES OF ADOPTING CLOUD COMPUTING
barriers against implementing e-government in developing IN E-GOVERNMENT
countries. The government of a developing nation lacks the Cloud computing has been utilised to improve
resources of establishing ICT infrastructure that is vital for the communication and delivery of services in businesses and
e-government [14]. The resources required for the governments around the world [24]. Governments globally are
implementation of e-government include digital technology, moving with the advancement of technology, which has led
Internet network coverage and communication tools. The low them to invest in cloud computing in e-government systems.
availability of network coverage in developing countries However, the adoption of cloud computing in e-government
restricts people from accessing e-government [19]. The has faced numerous challenges, which makes it a debatable
Internet network is an essential factor for the utilisation of issue for its establishment in a nation.
services provided on e-government websites and applications.
A. Privacy Risk
B. Security and Privacy
Privacy is one of the risks facing cloud computing in e-
Privacy and security are critical elements of concern in the government. Cloud computing does not have the aspects of
establishment of e-government in countries around the world storing and processing of information at the local organisation,
[16]. However, these elements can be a barrier to the whereby it is conducted by a third party [25]. The involvement
implementation of e-government in developing countries. The of a third party in storing information exposes cloud
developed countries lack a proper strategy to assure their computing information to unauthorised and unwanted users
citizens that their information is protected from an being able to access citizens' confidentiality [26].
unauthorised third party [25]. Subsequently, citizens in Additionally, the third party has a tendency to store cloud
developing countries have little confidence in the privacy and computing information in various areas, which makes people
security of their data in the e-government portal and website lose confidence in its ability to maintain privacy [19].
applications [18]. Therefore, the government should create Therefore, the vulnerability of cloud computing compromises
policies that promote security and privacy in e-government, the rights of people to maintain the privacy of their sensitive
which will promote and instil privacy and safety confidence to information utilised in e-government systems. The integration
the citizens. of cloud computing with e-government systems translates to
C. Senior Management abundant sensitive information is contained within the
technology [3]. That is, stored information tends to be delicate
Senior management of the governmental institutions has
and sensitive, making it unsuitable to fall into the hands of a
contributed to the difficulty of implementing e-government. E-
malicious party.
government is not effective in developing countries because
departmental managers are not committed to implementing its B. Technology Readiness
establishment in government [19]. Social culture hinders the Cloud computing is readily available to be integrated into
management of ICT to advocate the utilisation of information e-government [15]. However, governments must lease cloud
and technology in the delivery of services in developing services from a cloud computing provider as a third party [27].
countries [20]. Organisational culture in developing countries The failure of a provider to form a consensus with a
is characterised by corruption and cronyism, which makes it government in adopting the technology or use in e-
challenging for government to implement management ICT in government services, means that a government may not access
various departments.

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and utilise cloud computing services if the cloud provider country. The scalability of cloud computing makes it suitable
declines to offer the services of their technology. for it to be integrated into e-government systems of
developing countries [31]. Cloud computing technology is
C. Reliability suitable to be adopted in the dynamics that are occurring in the
A government would be concerned about a reliable e- growth of businesses in developing countries.
government-based cloud technology to invest in the various
services-oriented organisations [17]. The cloud relies on a B. Flexibility
high quality successful system in government operations The adoption of cloud computing in e-government makes
relying on the e-government portal and applications [28]. A it flexible in the government's system. Therefore, cloud-based
system failure based on cloud services results in the stoppage e-government can be utilised at different levels and sectors in
of numerous services that are crucial in the running of government [22]. Cloud computing has different models that
government operations in both public and private sectors [22]. enable ICT experts to configure it according to business
Therefore, it may lead to massive loss of financial transactions expectations and organisations [32]. Businesses in the private
that are generated through operations that occur on e- sector may employ a cloud hybrid computing model, which
government websites and applications [22]. Additionally, has a significant benefit to an organisation as businesses gain
system failure inflicts distrust in the users of cloud computing the leverage that is experienced by public and private models.
integrated into e-government.
C. Cost Reduction
D. Security Concerns The establishment of e-government requires a high
Security is a fundamental issue in requiring the financial investment of the system in the country. It involves
establishment of cloud-based e-government in countries the purchase of ICT equipment and software essential for the
around the world [4]. Security deficiencies in cloud computing proper delivery of services to citizens and businesses [13].
technology exposes e-government to confidentiality and Additionally, a government will need to hire ICT
integrity risks of sensitive information; inadequate security in professionals who will handle and maintain -government
cloud-based e-government inflicts distrust by users of e- system [21]. The incorporation of cloud technology will
government [23]. Therefore, the government should consider provide a positive opportunity incurred in the establishment of
selecting a cloud computing provider who has established the e-government system.
high-security measures that protect operations integrated
within the technology. D. Pay as you use
Cloud computing technology advocates the use of pay as
E. Trust in the Internet you go pricing, which enables a government to save a massive
Governments have minimal trust in the storage of amount of money [18]. Additionally, the investment of cloud
confidential and classified information on the Internet. computing enables e-government managers to eliminate the
Government tends to take control of everything concerning the cost of power, storage facilities and space of operation [33].
affairs of their citizens through directly protecting sensitive Therefore, cloud computing is a cost-saving technology that
information [14]. However, the provision of cloud services by minimises investment incurred in e-government.
a third party impedes them from control of their sensitive
information [21]. Additionally, government does not have the E. Systems Integration
power and mandate to control activities that occur in the cloud The integration of cloud computing with e-government
[2]. Therefore, most governments around the world tend to eases the management of the system. Cloud computing
have little trust in the storage of data using Internet eradicates the need for intensive management in an e-
mechanisms. government portal and applications [25]. Cloud computing has
the aspect of self-service demand, stimulated through the
V. BENEFITS OF ADOPTING CLOUD COMPUTING presence of a secure interface that allows authorising
IN E-GOVERNMENT individuals to access e-government information and services
Cloud computing has recently been merged with e- [19]. A government is aided by cloud providers in the
government system of countries around the world [19]. This management of cloud security in e-government. The service
innovative technology has a considerable number of benefits provider has a mass of resources, which are employed to
that make it a vital asset to the provision of information and enhance security in the e-government systems.
services to citizens and business [29]. The benefits generated VI. DISCUSSION
from adopting cloud computing include flexibility, efficiency,
availability, reliability, system integration and numerous Government agencies have been looking forward to the
others benefits of adopting cloud computing in the organisation’s
system. This paper highlights that the organisational readiness
A. Scalability levels in terms of IT infrastructures and senior management
Cloud computing has high scalability aspects that make it supports and influences the adoption of cloud computing.
easily integrated into the e-government systems. The Accordingly, when encouraging government agency adoption
technology is regarded to be scalable so it can be configured of cloud computing, senior management should highlight how
with IT resources such as servers and hard drives [30]. the organisation’s system can benefit from the positive
Therefore, the government can integrate cloud-based e- outcomes of the adoption of cloud computing. In addition,
government with various essential operations that occur in the senior management may need to pay attention to

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