Page 11 - index

E-govErnmEnt

the paradox for public be accommodated via the internet. part of the fourth industrial revolution,
management – the good At the municipal level, to highlight public administration may be one of
the few repositories of good solid full-
a simple example, robots could in
the not-so-distant future do much time employment. Governments could
The effect of the fourth industrial of the maintenance work for parks possibly embrace robotisation under
revolution on the public sector may well and recreation. The fourth industrial pressure from the public to deliver
be paradoxical. The fourth industrial revolution could lead to a more effective, more for less, but this could erode its
revolution reveals questions about leaner and cheaper government. workforce and decrease the number of
governmental organisation and how Governments may be able to, as the oft- available ‘good jobs’.
the public service delivers programmes stated maxim suggests, provide more
and services to citizens. There are and better services for less. The fourth What are the likely impacts of the
opportunities for greater government industrial revolution could, thus, lead fourth industrial revolution on our
effectiveness and increased efficiency to improved policymaking and policy, institutions and democratic practices?
in service delivery. At the same time, increased effectiveness and efficiency If not managed, the fourth industrial
there will be tremendous pressure and better programmes and services for revolution has the potential to generate
on public authorities to rethink and citizens. serious political, economic and social
change the way government operates. upheavals. Governments could be
Governments may also face tremendous the paradox for public faced with non-options as private
fiscal pressure if confronted with ever- sector actors structure what is possible
increasing inequalities. Furthermore, management – potential via technological innovations without
governments’ role in society and in the sufficient public debate or restraint.
economy will once more be scrutinised. risks Institutional sclerosis and path-
dependency, may see governments
There is a narrative that sees govern- There are, however, many risks that have problems adapting, especially if
ments being able to take full advan- lurk and that challenge this optimistic the pace of change is extremely rapid.
tage of the opportunities provided by scenario. The fourth industrial revolution How will the government, in this context,
the fourth industrial revolution. Gov- could strain governments and public defend the public interest, and promote
ernments’ capacity for policy work services. Government services will and preserve the public good?
and evidence-based policy to address be needed even more, especially to
economic and social problems could address rising wealth inequalities.
The welfare state will be under heavy Ethical and moral dilemmas
increase as a result of the creation of
a new wealth of knowledge. Due to pressure due to existing trends
management reforms from the 1980s such as an ageing population, and The fourth industrial revolution gives
onward, there has been much concern new possible realities such as high rise to a number of policy-related ethical
about the policy capacity of govern- unemployment and increased welfare questions, and government will have to
ments. The fourth industrial revolution needs. Governments will still be relied participate in resolving these dilemmas.
could turn this around, making a vast upon to deliver key services such as As an example, the fourth industrial
amount of knowledge available for evi- healthcare, education and welfare. The revolution creates multiple opportunities
dence-based decision-making. demand for government services will to improve healthcare as a whole, and
be high, but public authorities may not more specifically, homecare service
Governments will also, as per current have the financial capacity to deliver the delivery. Advances in robotics and the
trends, be able to use new and evolving goods due to slow growth. As has often advent of the ‘smart home’ provide
online technologies to better serve been noted, the state has never been opportunities for people to stay in their
citizens directly. Governments could as contested as it is today, yet citizens’ home longer and still obtain the care they
deliver services effectively and at a expectations continue to grow. The need. The development of ‘smart home’
reasonable cost as a result of advances fourth industrial revolution may further technologies also offers the possibility of
in robotics. Robotics, coupled with the exacerbate this tension. providing efficient and quick emergency
Internet of Things could, for instance, services. The use of robots as nurses or
enhance healthcare and homecare Governments could, therefore, face major companions, although it raises ethical
service delivery. Frontline and service policy and service delivery challenges issues, could allow substantive cost
delivery jobs could easily be done without having the means to meet the savings from replacing human labour.
by robots, and citizens could easily demand of citizens. Furthermore, as
Beyond practical considerations,
there are important and difficult to
resolve ethical issues that need to be
considered. The literature in this field,
most importantly, has focused on the
relationship between human and robots.
The rise of robots generates a number
of ethical considerations that range from
the invasion of privacy as a result of the
‘smart home’ to the risk of attachment
to a machine for frail and elderly
individuals.

Volume 11 No. 3 of 2018 | SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW 9