A Critical Analysis of M-Government Evaluation Models at National and Local Municipal Levels

The importance of m-Government models lies in their offering a basis to measure and guide m-Government. There is still no agreement on how to assess a government online. Most of the m-Government models are not based on research, nor are they validated. In most countries, m-Government has not reached higher stages of growth. Several scholars have shown a confusing picture of m-Government. What is lacking is an in-depth analysis of m-Government models. Responding to the need for such an analysis, this study identifies the strengths and weaknesses of major national and local m-Government evaluation models. The common limitations of most models are focusing on the government and not the citizen, missing qualitative measures, constructing the e-equivalent of a bureaucratic administration, and defining general criteria without sufficient validations. In addition, this study has found that the metrics defined for national m-Government are not suitable for municipalities, and most of the existing studies have focused on national m-Governments even though local ones are closer to citizens. There is a need for developing a good theoretical model for both national and local municipal m-Government.