E-Government and Civic Engagement: How is Citizens' Use of City Web Sites Related with Civic Involvement and Political Behaviors?

The current study examined content-specific relationships of citizens' use of city Web sites with civic engagement. A Web-based, volunteer survey of 1,966 citizen users of city Web sites found that surveillance, practical services, and direct democracy features functioned as important conditions for citizens' real-world civic engagement. Results indicated that citizens' use of practical services and direct democracy features of city Web sites were associated with citizens' civic involvement and political behaviors. The findings suggest that the relationships between citizens' use of city Web sites and civic engagement differ according to the purpose for which citizens use the sites. The results of the current study exhibit an indication that city Web sites can promote civic engagement among citizens. Notes This study examines the potential of city Web sites as a civic engagement enhancer. As a public communicator, a city Web site provides local government information, public services, and opportunities for citizens' direct public and political participations—a proper conduit for civic engagement. ***p < .001; **p < .01; *p < .05. ***p < .001; **p < .01; *p < .05.