E-Government Services and Computer
and Internet Use in Texas

The following is an excerpt from the final report.

This research project was conceived as a way to assess factors that could influence the development and use of e-government services in the State. The Department of Information Resources (DIR) has been investigating how to deploy what many perceive to be the next generation of government services. These e-government services will be dependent on a web-based or computer network based delivery system. Consequently, who has access to computers and the Internet, how people use these technologies, their attitudes toward both, and how they feel about various privacy and security issues associated with sharing personal information on the Internet are important considerations. If an insufficient number of people use and feel comfortable with computer and Internet systems, then moving government services to e-government may be questioned. The prospect of significant numbers of people not being able to use such services is an issue and could jeopardize e-government's legitimacy.

Understanding why people do not use the Internet may indicate what resources would be required to educate many Texans about the advantages of e-government services in order to catalyze equitable use by all citizens. Understanding which e-government services are most attractive to people will help the State of Texas plan implementation of those services. Awareness of people's concerns about privacy, control over personal information, and forms of payment can help Texas structure e-government in ways that people will most support and use.

Specifically, this study examines (1) who in Texas does and does not use the Internet, (2) what sort of Internet connectivity Texans have, particularly in rural areas, (3) Texans' attitudes toward and behaviors in using computers and the Internet for various services, and (4) how people might use e-government services, (5) how much they might be willing to pay for these services, and (6) what related issues concern them. Thus broadband services in rural Texas, privacy and security matters, and the nature of Texas' digital divide are addressed in this study.

The data for this study came from a survey conducted in March-April, 2000 using telephone interviews with 1,002 respondents. Of those, 800 comprise a random sample survey of households in the state, while an additional 202 households are exclusively from rural counties.

For more information, contact TIPI Director Sharon Strover at 512-471-6667 or 512-471-5826.