Governments are being transformed at every level due to advances in technology and innovative programs that open vast opportunities for delivery of public services, interact with citizens and business, and promote democracy. It is essential that those responsible for operating these services are well trained to provide the leadership needed for successful application of e-Services. This is the second volume in the Global e-Governance Series and focuses on Advancing e-Governance Through Innovation and Leadership by presenting original articles by international experts, National Case Studies and CIO Training Course materials.

The International Academy of Chief Information Officers (IAC) is very pleased to be a sponsor of a book in this series published by IOS Press of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The objectives of the Academy are to study various issues and to pursue the universality of knowledge to advance applied theory in the field of CIO. These include: (1) establishing academic and professional standards based on its research on social phenomenon relating to ICT by elucidating the gradual process of its causes and effects, social and technical inter-relationships, (2) facilitating the exchange of information and knowledge among academic members, professionals and others; and (3) introducing a global standard of a CIO model by uniting academic resources with practical case studies to strengthen and enhance international competitiveness in the ICT industry in the Information Age.

The main purposes of the IAC (www.iacthailand.org) are to foster the learning and development of CIOs in several economies with its activities including academic research and organization of policy dialogues in the field of CIO development. Among its activities are organizing workshops, conventions and symposia, lectures and seminars; conducting academic research projects and surveys, issuing publications such as journals and proceedings; cooperation with related academies whenever possible to exchange resources and carry out joint research projects; undertaking global projects, and offering opportunities to young and top scholarly researchers to actively engage in the field of CIOs, including postgraduate students.

Chapters have been prepared by experts from a number of countries and are intended to provide details on the diverse experiences in e-Governance leadership in several countries. They include presentations on: Public Private Partnership in Bridging e-Services Implementation in Remote Area; Best Practices and a Framework for Success in Rural and Municipal e-Government Initiatives in Developing Countries; Open City Portal in Promoting e-Participation; Building Inclusive e-Government in a Municipality in Peru; Leadership Needed for e-Governance and the Knowledge Economy; Japan e-Government; Planning for Implementing of IT Governance and CIO in Indonesia; China Style and Contents of Government in Steering e-Government Construction and Implementation; Thailand e-Government, Another Step Forward; Taiwan CIO Role and Responsibility; and European History of Information Society, Shifts from Governments to Governance.

Authoritative national case studies are presented in Section II, describing the experiences of Thailand and Japan in their implementation of e-Governance programs, special national reports. Section III presents extensive materials prepared as part of the IAC-APEC GCIO Training program and Model GCIO Council. These are practical instructional manuals that can be used by those seeking to learn more about how to introduce and implement e-Governance programs at the national and/or municipal levels.

This book will serve as a research tool for those examining current economic developments, such as the financial crisis and how the consequences may impact the advancement of e-Government programs, including requirements for professional staff and experts to operate e-Services. Several chapters also address issues involved in promoting “Green ICT”. A number of potential benefits have been examined by several international organizations and national governments in which could become a significant component. Consequently there are several practical dimensions to Advancing e-Government Through Innovation and Leadership.

Editors: Jirapon Tubtimhin and Russell Pipe,

jirapon.tubtimhin@nectec.or.th, grpipe@gmail.com