Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Panel: Examining Government Innovations in Big Data and Smart Communities in Asia and the United States

(Innovations in Science and Technology)

The design and adoption of new Information Technologies (ICT) by public organizations has become ubiquitous within modern administrative environments. In recent years, the move toward adopting highly integrated and robust information networks and systems has enabled public organizations to acquire large amounts of information that is both more highly granular and greater in scope than at any time in history. This move toward the use of so-called big data will accelerate as ICT becomes more nuanced and sophisticated and as governments increasing use sensors and social surveillance technologies to continually update information systems. This growing use of sensors, integrated network technologies, and big data assets has become the focus of many governments as they seek to develop smarter communities, cities, and regions that are more efficient and effective in the production and provision of public services. As public organizations adopt these newer and more sophisticated systems, they often face a variety of socio-technical considerations and challenges related to both the public context and the ICT systems. While many experts believe that the collection and use of big data assets will lead to better government decision-making and coordination, such practices inevitability bring many normative considerations regarding the role of privacy rights of individuals and social groups. This panel seeks to explore how public organizations in different local and regional contexts adopt and use these sophisticated ICT systems and big data assets to facilitate administrative efficiencies and improved service delivery. More specifically, it will seek to examine how governments in Asia and the United States seek to be innovative in regards to their use of ICT and how such governments much also consider the associated social implications.