Revolutionizing Governments in the Digital Age

Blockchain technology is rapidly evolving, and increasingly presenting new opportunities for organizations in this digital age. This transformative and innovative technology has seized the attention of both corporate and public decision makers as well as digital leaders across the world. Blockchain offers the potential to positively disrupt the value chains of several industries, providing solutions which involve trust, immutability and decentralization of information.

The Digital Divide: are we ready to breach the chasm?

Friedman in his 2005 epic book “The World is Flat” argues that convergence of personal computer with fiber-optic micro cable, along with the rise of work flow software, will have a flattening effect on world commerce and trade. It will create a level playing field, where developing economies will be able to compete with developed economies on even terms, leveraging converged Information & Communication Technology (ICT). However critic of Friedman, including noble prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz were critical of Friedman’s book. In “Making Globalization Work” Stiglitz writes: “Friedman is right that there have been dramatic changes in the global economy and global landscape; in some directions, the world is much flatter than it has ever been, with those in various parts of the world being more connected than they have ever been, but the world is not flat. Not only is the world not flat: in many ways it has been getting less flat.” The reason for this is the worldwide “Digital Divide” that is being manifested by the rapid deployment of ICT. The digital divide is an inequality or gap between groups, broadly construed, in terms of access, use and knowledge of ICT. Not only is this divide widening between developed and developing economies, but is also manifest within a developed economy like US. This divide is visible within the US population when one analyses usage of ICT against factors such as education and income levels, age, sex and race.

Strategic Sourcing of IT Services by the US Government – Budgets and Trends

Strategic Sourcing, largely beneficial, has always evoked cautionary reactions from the US Government and public at large. Currently US Government is caught between cutting budget spends and gaining greater efficiencies for public service. Strategic sourcing can not only help the US Government deliver better public services but also gain significant cost savings year on year. This paper attempts at breaking the taboo of outsourcing by showing that if properly managed, strategic sourcing can result in great cost savings while increasing cost and process efficiencies.