| Different countries are seeking to enhance performance of government services and increase the participation of citizens in public systems through the application of ICT in public administration, viz. Electronic-government (EG). However, the implementation of EG with clear vision, mission, and objectives, and development of mature services requires a huge investment. The value of this huge investment can only be realized when the full potentials of EG are achieved. The full potential of EG can only be achieved when all stakeholders, especially citizens, will adopt and make full use of the EG system.;This research has set as its objective the discovery of the critical factors that enable citizens, the prime users of EG, to adopt the system at different stages of service maturity. It has also aimed to identify the effect of controlling variables on the relationships between endogenous and exogenous variables and to postulate differences in critical factors, if any, at different levels of service maturity of EG.;To accomplish the objectives, this research has explained the related concepts and theories; revealed and synchronized literature on ICT, in general, and EG, in particular; and developed a research framework grounded on a strong theoretical and literature review background. The empirical study was conducted in Canada, which is a leader in providing mature EG services and also in terms of adoption of EG services. The respondents are the residents of Ontario, Canada, who have experience in using Canadian EG systems. Various statistical techniques, including structural equation modeling (SEM), were used to analyze the data.;Our findings are based on perceptions of citizens (or users) about Canadian EG. We have obtained mixed results; some of these results were expected and some, although not obvious, are interesting. Finally, we propose that (1) Attitude to use, measured by perceived awareness (PA), (2) Ability to use, measured by perceived ability to use (PATU), and (3) Adherence (Reasoning) to use, measured by perceived functional benefit (PFB) are the critical factors for adoption of EG at the static stage. We find that (1) Attitude to use, measured by PA, (2) Ability to use, measured by PATU, (3) Assurance (Reliability) to use, measured by perceived trust (PT) and perceived information quality (PIQ), and (4) Adherence (Reasoning) to use, measured by perceived image (PI) are the critical factors for adoption of EG at the interaction stage. For adoption of EG at the transactional stage, we propose that (1) Ability to use, measured by PATU and (2) Assurance to use, measured by perceived security (PS) are the critical factors. We also observe that controlling variables age level, education level, and family income level have different degrees of effect on the relationships of endogenous and exogenous variables.;The findings of this research, i.e., the Canadian adoption experience, is a valuable asset for other developed and for developing countries that are struggling to implement a successful EG system in their own country. Academicians, practitioners, researchers, policy-makers, and the United Nations can also benefit from this research and its findings. |
