Understanding the “e‐petitioner”

Cruickshank, Peter; Smith, Colin

Abstract

Purpose: This article considers the ways in which large-scale e-participation projects can be evaluated. It argues that existing evaluation approaches can be improved upon by taking a closer look at the characteristics of the users of such systems, by estimating their self-efficacy.
Design/methodology/approach: Literature review is followed by the development of relevant research questions, and an assessment of points at which relevant and useful data can be collected in a petitioning process.
Findings: Data relating to self-efficacy, while not simple to collect, can add much to the evaluation process, and has the potential to result in more effective projects and systems.
Research limitations: The findings are specific to one project, EuroPetition, which will allow the co-ordination and submission of cross-border pan-European petitions.
Originality/value: The article represents the first attempt to integrate perspectives derived from social cognitive theory to the evaluation of a large e-participation project. Self efficacy is discussed in terms of both computer self-efficacy and political self-efficacy.

Citation

Cruickshank, P., & Smith, C. (2011). Understanding the “e‐petitioner”. Transforming government: people, process and policy, 5(4), 319-329. https://doi.org/10.1108/17506161111173577

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Aug 2, 2011
• Deposit Date: Mar 21, 2011
• Print ISSN: 1750-6166
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 319-329
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/17506161111173577
• Keywords: e-petitions; edemocracy; eparticipation; europetition; international teledemocracy
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/4175
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17506161111173577