Conceptualising China’s approach to ‘Internet Plus Government Services’: A content analysis of government working plans

Abstract

This study aims to discern China’s approach to the development of ‘Internet Plus Government Services’ (IPGS) through the systematic search, collection, and analysis of IPGS working plans issued by provincial-level government entities in China. Eighty-one IPGS working plans were retrieved and analysed by applying a qualitative content analysis approach. The analysis identified 16 work packages in four main themes: development of supporting infrastructure; development of IPGS platforms and applications; development of IPGS legislation, regulations, and standards; organisational change and management. A conceptual model was developed and represented by a work breakdown structure diagram. The conceptual model can be used as critical evidence for the management and coordination of IPGS projects across China and offers an important theoretical base for further research of IPGS. This paper provides a comprehensive perspective on China’s IPGS development, which certainly is not flawless and fraught with problems and challenges, and offers useful insights and lessons for the development of digital government services worldwide.