A case for ethics frameworks to enhance mobile government implementation at South African municipalities

Abstract

Interest in mobile government is growing globally. Mobile government refers to the use of wireless and mobile technologies to deliver services to citizens, businesses, employees and other government entities. Presently, technological advancements take place despite questions on whether the existing policy and regulatory frameworks are suitable to regulate the effects of mobile government. With mobile government, municipal operations take place in virtual spaces where the consequences of such are still largely unknown and the frameworks that are apt to minimise any long-term effects on society are yet to be defined. This conceptual paper suggests that ethics frameworks should be encouraged as part of mobile government implementation in municipalities to encourage reflective municipal practices and to improve judgement as well as behaviour in mobile government decision-making. It contributes to debates on approaches to comprehensively support and guide mobile government towards positive municipal service delivery outcomes.

Keywords

• m-government
• ethics
• ethical frameworks
• municipal service delivery
• e-government
• mobile technology