E-Government Use and Perceived Government Transparency and Service Capacity

Abstract

Many Chinese jurisdictions are establishing "service-oriented" local governments in order to make public service delivery more effective and thereby increase local government capacity. This article explores whether the use of e-government improves citizens' perceptions of their local government. The results indicate that accessing information through government Web sites improves citizens' satisfaction with government transparency. Citizens' frequent use of government Web sites, partially mediated through their perceptions of transparency, enhances their perceptions of local government capacity for service delivery. Providing public service information on government Web sites indirectly improves perceived service capacity through perceived transparency. Further development of e-government's two-way communication function will make it possible to fully reap the benefits of e-government as a reform strategy leading to service-oriented government.