Innovations in E-Government: The Thoughts of Governors And Mayors

In Innovations in E-Government, Simon Hakim, Erwin A. Blackstone, and Michael L. Bognanno make the case that E-government is expected to make middle management of lesser value and flatten the pyramid of management in government. Improved communications, measurability of output, and the greater accountability of workers will reduce the necessary level of worker supervision and reduce the need for middle management. In turn, decisions by top management become more transparent and their accountability will also rise. Thus, as a result of improved technology, government could become leaner. Workers will be more empowered, efficient, and accountable.

Erwin A. Blackstone is professor of economics at Temple University and a senior research associate at the Center for Competitive Government at Temple University. Michael L. Bognanno is associate professor of economics at Temple University. Simon Hakim is professor of economics and director of the Center for Competitive Government at Temple University. He has co-edited more than a dozen books on crime and public safety, privatization and several on best practices of governors and mayors including The New Public Management: Lessons from Innovating Governors and Mayors (2002), and Making Government Work: Lessons from America’s Governors and Mayors (2000).