The Role of Governance, Cooperation, and eService Use in Current eGovernment Stage Models

With a classical literature review of research on public sector reform, IT governance, and eGovernment, this article aims to identify the role of governance and cooperation in the public sector's implementation and actual use of citizen eServices. Thirty-four eGovernment stage models with 11 overarching stages and five metacharacteristics are identified, mapped, and reviewed for their focus, strengths, and weaknesses. Results highlight two gaps in current research: one, that the role of governance and cooperation in ensuring the successful supply and use of online eServices is not addressed, and two, that current models address only supply-side, technological, and organisational issues.