ICT Infrastructure Readiness and Stakeholder Trust in E-Government Systems: Evidence from Local Government Authorities

Abstract

This paper examines ICT Infrastructure readiness and stakeholder trust in E-Government systems, highlighting the factors shaping the effectiveness of e-government service provision and their impact on e-government system adoption. The study employed a descriptive research design and was conducted in two regions, namely Kilimanjaro and Tanga. Data were collected through questionnaires and key informant interviews using a cross-sectional descriptive design from 248 respondents selected through stratified random sampling from a target population of 487 Local Government Authority (LGA) employees, including Information Technology Officers, Procurement Officers, and Human Resource Officers. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The findings reveal that although ICT infrastructure was reported to be in place in most LGAs, nearly half of respondents perceived its quality and functionality as poor, a situation that continues to affect e-government service provision. The study concludes that while ICT infrastructure is widely established, strategic efforts are needed to improve its quality and address factors that limit the provision of e-government services. The findings indicate that ICT infrastructure readiness and stakeholder trust are critical determinants of e-government system adoption in Local Government Authorities. These insights offer valuable implications for local government ICT policy and E-government system adoption frameworks in Tanzania.