Can ICT Create Public Value in Africa? Efficiency Assessment Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Approach

Abstract

Recently, researchers and international bodies have recognized the potential of ICT in public service value creation. Many countries have implemented ICT to transform public services and create public value. Citizens are increasingly demanding public value from their governments, the notion being similar to return on investment from private sectors. However, little research has been conducted on ICT and public value creation. This article adopts public value framework to interrogate ICT public value creation. Using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and cluster analysis, data for 53 African countries were analyzed. The findings indicate that for a period from 2010 to 2019, ICT has efficiently transformed public values in Africa by 14%, 35%, and 63% in countries of clusters 1, 2, and 3, respectively. More compelling, the findings indicate that the highest performer of ICT efficiency among the clusters’ best performers have low human development. This is consistent with the public value theory, which predicts doing more with less. The current study has theoretical and methodological implications.