One issue, two interpretations: unpacking the role of issue definition in e-government implementation

Current research suggests that the way in which governments interpret e-government has the potential to affect e-government implementation but lacks systematic exploration. To address this gap, this study examines the role of issue definition in affecting e-government implementation. Taking Chinese provincial-level digital public service (DPS) as a case, this study finds that Chinese provincial governments prioritize economic potential over democratic potential when defining e-government. An economic-oriented issue definition of e-government can facilitate subsequent DPS implementation, eliciting a larger number of policy documents and better performance. However, defining e-government more as a democratic issue may not exert a sufficient influence.