Factors for LGN usage by staff officers of divisional secretariats in Colombo district

Abstract

Lanka Government Network (LGN) is the common infrastructure and the link that provides secure and reliable connections between government entities and e-government initiatives. E-mails and VoIP phones are the main facilities provided by Lanka government Network. It is obvious that the Colombo district is the pioneer of e-government implementation in Sri Lankan divisional administration due to its superior leadership and readiness to practice e-government initiatives. Though ICTA has provided LGN facilities, some observations and survey reports reveal that these facilities have not been fully utilized. The technology acceptance of the staff officers is determined for the purposes of this study through the usage of Lanka Government Network. The main objective of this research is to determine the present usage level and the difficulties in usage of LGN e-mails and VoIP phones. The research is focused on strategies for motivating LGN usage. In the Literature review the relationship among ICT usage, Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness and the skills and knowledge of the officers has been discussed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Information was gathered using questionnaires and interviews, from a sample of sixty staff officers covering each divisional secretariat of the Colombo District. Questionnaires were distributed to forty five subjects to determine the usage level, ease of use, frequency usage and reasons for not using e-mails and VoIP phones. Fifteen officers were interviewed separately to find out the reasons why they have never used the above facilities and their requirements by way of facilities and training. It was concluded that the low usage of VoIP phones indicates that it is not a satisfactory device for communication. It was felt by the majority of the staff officers that it would be easier to use the LGN e-mails. Most of the officers are qualified in ICDL. The staff officers feel positively about the Ease of Use of LGN e-mails, but frequency usage of LGN e-mails and VoIP phones are at a disheartening rate.