Fad or Investment in the Future: An Analysis of the Demand of e‑Services in Danish Municipalities

Abstract

The Internet has created a new window for citizens to interact with the pubic sector through the means of electronic services (e‑services). Municipalities throughout the Western world are competing to offer as many e‑services as possible and several studies have explored the contents and nature of e‑services for citizens. Most of these studies have dealt with the possibilities and reach of e‑services. The present study applies a demand perspective focusing on which e‑services citizens actually use. The use of e‑services during the period May 2004 to October 2004 is analyzed based on log‑files from the largest Danish provider of municipal e‑services. The study fuels a discussion of whether or not the offerings of municipal offering of e‑services are driven by technology fads or if they are exponents of an investment in the future that aim at improving the quality of life of citizens.