The literature review covered English-language sources published in print and online between 1994 and 2008. Sources included EndNotes® files compiled by faculty and students at the University of Washington, InfoWorld, and traditional library databases, as well as the proceedings of selected conferences and the publication Web sites of major organizations that conduct or sponsor international DG research.

We reviewed the literature with an expectation that the growing prominence of global social, political, and economic issues has influenced the extent to which DG research takes a more global view. We analyzed the literature in two ways: first by using citations and abstracts to select 276 publications with an apparently international focus, and second, by reading and analyzing approximately 20 percent of the articles to discern the broad trends and to understand more about topics and problems addressed, countries studied, methods used, and findings and results reported.

We started with a broad definition of digital government: the use of information and technology to support and improve public policies and government operations, engage citizens, and provide comprehensive and timely government services. Accordingly, we define digital government research as attempts to illuminate and explain this phenomenon by focusing on the intersection of computer and information sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and government challenges and needs. In order to distinguish between digital government research generally and international digital government research specifically, we looked for research that was explicitly international in nature, “. . . investigating questions brought up by considering government from an inter-national perspective” and the questions which come about because of differences among countries (National Science Foundation White Paper, 2004).

We then applied these definitions to six research categories that encompass various elements of international work: comparative studies, benchmark studies, fundamental issues, regional studies, best practice studies, and transnational studies. These categories are not strictly bounded and some articles fit two or more categories. However, for simplicity, we assigned each article to the category that best fit its topic and method.

Comparative studies seek universal theories and transferable practices by studying a defined topic in a variety of cultural settings, using consistent designs and methods, with explicit points of comparison and evaluation. Some comparative studies are conducted simultaneously in multiple countries, others test or apply a framework first developed in one country to others. Some topics that have been explored by comparative methods include freedom of expression, personal privacy protection, and methods of collaboration across the public and private sectors for delivering services to citizens.

Benchmarking studies rate or rank different countries on externally observable characteristics of their digital or e-government programs. The UN E-Government Readiness Reports are a well-known example in which all nations are ranked on selected indicators of their readiness to engage in certain aspects of e-government. Rating criteria include Internet penetration and the availability of transactional and interactive services. Social inclusion factors cover topics such as provision for online consultation with citizens and availability of services in multiple languages.

Fundamental issue studies usually focus on major trends and themes associated with cross-cutting developments in technology, governance, societal needs, or government and political reform. These studies try to increase our understanding of wide-spread, if not universal, issues such as public accountability, access to information, or government’s role in the emerging virtual world. These studies, while fundamental to digital government research in general, are framed in the context of an international system.

Regional studies usually focus on major trends and themes associated with cross-cutting developments in technology, governance, societal needs, or government and political reform to address the particular or unique needs of different regions of the world.

In best practice studies investigators evaluate existing approaches or develop new models to meet particular needs that appear to be exemplary and worthy of, and feasible for, replication in other countries. These are sometimes tied to award programs to give them visibility as well as to databases of good practices, expert advice, and support for transferring effective solutions to common problems.

Transnational studies look at an issue or problem that involves either planned or unexpected interaction among two or more countries. Empirical transnational studies are quite challenging because they generally require two or more research sponsors in different countries to jointly approve and fund the work. Consequently, most studies of this kind are conceptual. Topics include such issues as personal identity, drug trafficking, border control, and migration.