Examining digital government and public service provision : the case of Finland

Abstract

Finland is one country that has long embraced technology in many aspects of her existence. To understand the present outlook of digital government and public service provision in Finland, an evaluation is necessary. This paper explores the successes and challenges of digital government in relation to public service provision through relevant reports and by focusing on policy strategies, implementations, and innovativeness. The case of Finland revealed that digital government via the egovernment framework is vital in the areas of democracy and decision-making, health care, education, integration, security, land survey and social services provision. Areas that require improvements are collaboration, coordination, partnership building between stakeholders, funding, fiscal policies, expertise, literacy, and acceptance. In addition, is addressing the problems of data deluge and ethical dilemmas (trust), and inequality questions.