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DIGITAL STATE AT THE LEADING EDGE The impact of information technology (IT) on government in the last five years has been profound. Using the governments of Canada and Ontario (both recognized as international leaders in the use of IT) as case studies, Digital State at the Leading Edge is the first attempt to take a comprehensive view of the influence of IT on the whole of govern- ment, including areas such as political campaigning, public consulta- tion, service delivery, knowledge management, and procurement. Using the concepts of channel choice, procurement market analysis, organizational integration, and digital leadership, this study explores the inter-relationships among various aspects of the application of IT to government and politics. The authors seek to understand how IT is transforming government and what the nature of that transformation is. In the process, they offer an explanation of Canada’s relative suc- cess, and conclude with practical advice to politicians and public ser- vants about how to manage IT in government more effectively. Based on original research undertaken over the last five years, the findings of this innovative study will be of particular interest to those studying or working in the fields of public administration, political science, and information technology. sandford borins is Professor of Public Management at the University of Toronto. kenneth kernaghan is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Brock University. david brown is a senior associate at the Public Policy Forum in Ottawa, and a doctoral candidate in the Department of Political Science at Carleton University. nick bontis is an associate professor at the DeGroote School of Busi- ness at McMaster University. perri 6 is a professor in the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University. FRED THOMPSON is Grace and Elmer Goudy Professor of Public Manage- ment and Policy in the Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University. The Institute of Public Administration of Canada Series in Public Management and Governance Editor: Donald Savoie This series is sponsored by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada as part of its commitment to encourage research on issue in Canadian public administration, public sector management, and pub- lic policy. It also seeks to foster wider knowledge and understanding among practitioners, academics, and the general public. For a list of book published in the series, see page 447. Sandford Borins, Kenneth Kernaghan, David Brown, Nick Bontis, Perri 6, Fred Thompson Digital State at the Leading Edge UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS Toronto Buffalo London www.utppublishing.com © University of Toronto Press Incorporated 2007 Toronto Buffalo London Printed in Canada ISBN-13: 978-0-8020-9118-5 (cloth) ISBN-10: 0-8020-9118-0 (cloth) ISBN-13: 978-0-8020-9490-2 (paper) ISBN-10: 0-8020-9490-2 (paper) Printed on acid-free paper Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Digital state at the leading edge / Sandford Borins ... [et al.]. (Institute of Public Administration of Canada series in public management governance) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-8020-9118-5 (bound) ISBN-13: 978-0-8020-9490-2 (pbk.) ISBN-10: 0-8020-9118-0 (bound) ISBN-10: 0-8020-9490-2 (pbk.) 1. Internet in public administration – Canada. 2. Information technology – Government policy – Canada. 3. Internet in public administration. 4. Information technology – Government policy. I. Borins, Sandford F., 1949– II. Series. JL86.A8D44 2006 351.710285 C2006-904921-1 University of Toronto Press acknowledges the financial assistance to its publishing program of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. University of Toronto Press acknowledges the financial support for its publishing activities of the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program (BPIDP). To the memory of Joseph Galimberti, Executive Director, Institute of Public Administration of Canada, from 1975 to 2006 This page intentionally left blank .