Why is True E-Government still difficult to be achieved?

The objective of this paper is to present a framework to understand the complex and ambiguous phenomenon of Electronic Government (eGovernment) and the different existing models that allow to understand it. Then, the paper discusses the main difficulties in achieving true eGovernment and a way to overcome them. In fact, sometimes the simple use of ICT, especially of innovative form, such as the use of interoperability frameworks or the provisioning of services in the PA (PA) gave for granted the label of eGovernment. This gave the impression, or even the illusion, of an authentic quality improvement (in efficiency and effectiveness) in the exercise of government functions by different public entities. Actually, in most cases, and in the best hypotheses, what happened was only an enhancement in the provisioning of public services, rather than a true improvement of government activities. The paper discusses this misunderstanding and gives hints to achieve true eGovernment functions.