E-Government Anti-Corruption Strategies: Recommendations for Implementation of an E-Records Management System

Abstract

The use of e-government as a tool to reduce government corruption is dependent on strategic implementation of a government records management system. Government records are a major resource, and proper records management facilitates transparency, accountability, and the efficient conduct of government operations. Good records management is essential to good governance and good e-governance is dependent on good e-records management. Good e-records management can be integrated with knowledge management to increase efficiency of government operations and to provide Information and Communication Technology (ICT) supported opportunities for transparency and accountability. E-governance applications that facilitate increased efficiency, transparency and accountability can be used to implement anti-corruption strategies.

Many countries experience high levels of corruption. Corruption, defined as the abuse of public power for personal gain, has social and moral costs, and impedes economic growth. E-governance applications have the potential ability to impede the drivers of corruption, but e-government is merely an administrative tool. The appropriate use of this tool depends on the strategic implementation of e-government taking into consideration certain factors influencing the success of anti-corruption e-governance applications.

In this paper, I examine and analyze the literature on e-government, e-records management and corruption and I make recommendations for the successful application of e-government to corruption reduction. Themes explored in the relevant literature include: types of corruption, and suitability of anti-corruption strategy to corruption type; leadership, strategic planning and stakeholder buy-in; legislation; policy development; and institutional culture; and the role of records management professionals. My analysis of the relevant literature yields recommendations for the successful use of e-government to reduce corruption.

Keywords: e-government, anti-corruption, e-records management, information