Lobbying as Rhetorical Framing in the “Sharing Economy": a Case Study on the Limits and Crisis of the Evidence Based Policy Paradigm

This paper critically discusses the "sharing economy", highlighting the conceptual ambiguity and the rhetorics that characterise this emerging phenomenon and the regulatory and policy disputes that have arisen around it. The paper considers both consumption oriented platforms and platforms intermediating labour and identify a number of rhetorical narratives that are then contrasted with the available empirical evidence. It shows that the debates on the sharing economy are characterised by value disputes, uncertain facts, high stakes and the need of urgent decision; despite the lack of robust evidence, rhetorical discourses are used by powerful concentrated interests for lobbying based on a convenient framing of the policy agenda. As decisions on regulation are taken or not taken in conditions of scientific uncertainty and under the framing implemented by concentrated interests, the paper argues that the approach of policy makers and regulators to the sharing economy exemplifies vividly the crisis of the Evidence Based Policy paradigm

Measuring the Public value of e-Government: The eGEP2.0 model

After having briefly introduced the issue of measuring e-Government vis-\ue0-vis its impact evaluation, the paper provides an overview of the state of the art with regard to measurement of e-Government, addressing the debate on the relationship between 'public value' creation and e-Government, outlining some of the approaches advanced to measure the public value of ICT interventions in the public sector. In light of this discussion, the paper then proposes the eGEP-2.0 model which, building on its predecessor eGEP, overcome many of the limitations of existing frameworks, and more importantly pave the way for an effective impact assessment of e-Government initiatives, in relation to the policy-making process and related governance needed for their design and implementation. The results of the application of the eGEP-2.0 model on the Telematics and Informatics Plan (PiTER) of the Emilia Romagna Region in Italy are then presented and discussed. The paper concludes providing some reflections on the experience and outlining future research challenges

Measuring the Public Value of e-Government: Trust in Measurement Processes or Processes of Building Trust?

In the recent past several authors have addressed the issue of the 'e\u2010Government paradox' which is exemplified by the contrast between the level of investments made on deploying ICT\u2010enabled services and the little impact produced and/or demonstrated so far. To this regard, in most maturing countries, main barriers hindering the adoption of e\u2010 Government services are those related to the lack of both a structured policy measurement process and an effective stakeholders' engagement. In particular, critical success factor for e\u2010Government adoption seems to be a transparent and trustworthy policy decision\u2010making process and its key prerequisite is the definition and implementation of a well organized and fully participatory measurement framework, enhancing stakeholder trust in policy decision. Starting from these findings, the paper explores the existing relationship between measurement and trust on e\u2010Government decision\u2010 making processes, discussing which could be the possible trade\u2010off between high quality measurement of public e\u2010services and the high level of trust in policy decisions for their adoption and long term sustainability. The methodological approach underpinning the analysis is based upon a critical review of main e\u2010Government measurement frameworks, selected according to their effective capability to support policy decision\u2010making in implementing e\u2010Government strategies as well as their expected value to reinforce 'trust' with citizens and stakeholders.. As a result of the analysis a new measurement model capable of measuring the public value of e\u2010Government services is proposed. The model has been tested in a real context of usage for the measurement of the Telematics and Informatics Policies Implementation Plan (PiTER) of the Emilia\u2010Romagna Region in Italy in the period 2011\u20102013. The paper therefore discusses the main findings emerged from the concrete application of the proposed model in light of the feedback received from the public administration and the stakeholders participating to the measurement process. It then outlines its conditions of applicability in other policy contexts as well as new possible research directions

ICT for the Social and Economic Integration of Migrants into Europe

Overview and interpretation of the process of digital exclusion and inclusion and the corresponding creato of bridging or bonding social capital among immigrants and ethnic communities in EU27

A Composite Index for Benchmarking eHealth Deployment in European Acute Hospitals

Multivariate statistic analysis of ICT adoption in a representative sample of 1000 Acute european hospitals in EU27. Factor and principal component analysis to construct a composite index in support of EU policy benchmarking

Nudging lifestyles for better health outcomes : crowsourced data and persuasive technologies for behavioural change

Analysis of lifesyle induced by cultural modernisation that are producing negative outcomes (obesity, diabetes, etc) and discussion of how social media could be harnessed together with insights from behavioural sciences to induce behavioural change