Web Services, IT integration and value generation in eGovernment: an exploratory case study

The IT value generation process in the public sector is still far from being well-understood and managed, both at the scientific level and in established practices. This paper investigates the enabling role of Web services technology in IT integration processes and its effects on IT value generation in the public sector. We advance the hypothesis that a higher degree of IT integration, enabled by the adoption of Web services technology, could lead to increased effectiveness in IT conversion, ultimately enhancing the value of IT investments. We offer a preliminary investigation into this issue based on an exploratory case study, drawing on an IT integration project implemented by the Italian City of Genoa. Our hypothesis would be rejected by the theory of IT conversion effectiveness, but confirmed if we extend the IT conversion process theory to the public sector, where it produces significant advantages in terms of IT value generation. The integration project investigated would not generate significant growth in the legacy IT asset portfolio, but would contribute to value generation. Our conclusions highlight pending issues and proposals for future research.