[Air-L] Co-authoring an article on E-gov policy evaluation in Thailand

[Mergen]

Dear Air-L community,

𝗔𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼-𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮
𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿?
I have been writing a paper on evaluating E-gov policy implementation in
modern Thailand. It was supposed to come out as a chapter of the Handbook
of Asian Public Administration but due to technical reasons the book
project did not develop.
If someone is willing to co-author (perhaps with a slightly different title
of the paper), or recommend a relevant expert in the area, please let me
know:)
Title of a paper in progress:
𝗘-𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱: 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲?
Abstract
This paper primarily investigates the current e-government and ICT
development policy in Thailand from an actor-centered perspective. In so
doing, it attempts to review existing literature on e-government
implementation, while looking into the interaction of government
institutions and citizens. It seeks to answer questions, such as the
following. What are the key actors in driving the implementation of
e-government policies in Thailand? How do Thai citizens perceive
e-government efforts and ICT policy implementation especially in the
context of present military government power? What are some of the risk
factors typically embedded in e-government initiatives and policies
implemented in Thailand?
Some scholars (e.g. Bukht & Heeks 2018, Sagarik et al. 2018) specifically
emphasize the key role of central government institutions in driving the
e-government and ICT policy implementation pointing at its readiness to
transform toward E-government 4.0. These observations notwithstanding,
issues related to the often-omitted crucial role of citizens (e.g. Sukasame
2004) and local customers (Kawtrakul et al. 2011) in driving policy
implementation and the problem of digital divide remain across much of the
developing world (Margetts et al., 2016), Thailand included (Sagarik et al.
2018). Other issues, e.g. concentration of political power and resources at
the central government level versus capacity building of local government
institutions (Sagarik et al. 2018) and a range of other actors (Gunawong &
Gao 2017, Khampachua & Wisitpongphan 2015) should be also taken into
consideration.
The paper analyzes remaining unresolved issues related to e-government
implementation, including high-level political corruption (Mutebi 2008, as
cited in Dyussenov 2017) that persists in modern Thailand in the context of
military power. It is concluded with a summary of key remaining issues,
along with policy recommendations.

Shortly about myself: Mergen Dyussenov is currently Advisor to the Minister
of culture and sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan overseeing
anti-corruption policy formulation. Since Jan 2019, Mergen has been
teaching Public policy analysis (part-time) at the Academy of public
administration based in Astana. He completed his PhD at Lee Kuan Yew School
of public policy (NUS, Singapore) in 2019, and an MPA from Columbia
University SIPA in 2011.

Thanks, and looking for new opportunities!
Regards,
Mergen