Information Technology and Government Research: A Brief History

Abstract

Governments have been using computers since the early 1950s and academics have been writing about government’s use of computers for almost as long. This paper explores this literature and examines the evolution of research into and thinking about the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in government and public administration over the past 50 years. Questions asked include to what extent the technology of the time influenced this research, how themes and topic of interest have changed over this period and what lessons for future research can be drawn from a better knowledge of the past.