Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Local Power relationships: An Impact Assessment

Abstract: This paper is grounded in the empirical reality of a growing use of information- and communication technologies (ICTs) in public administrations. Generally, ICTs are being introduced in an organization in order to increase operational efficiency, quality, and transparency. But, besides these intended effects, the introduction of ICTs also leads to substantial changes in the power relationships among all involved actors. As a result of ICT-enhanced operations, some of the actors will increase their power, while others will loose some of their power. This paper therefore studies the implications of ICTs on the power relations in local administration settings. Keywords: Information- and communication technology (ICT); local administration; power relationships; stakeholder theory; state transformation; electronic governance 1.