Public and private sector interests in e-government: a look at the DOE's PubSCIENCE

Abstract As the federal government offers more online services and information to an increasingly connected America, public awareness and use are increasing as well. While federal agencies take advantage of information technology to provide services and information, some representatives of the computer, software, and communications industries occasionally raise concerns over the presence of the federal government in the emerging e-commerce market and in the market for commercial information providers. This debate follows a decade-long trend toward privatization of government functions as part of the Clinton Administration’s push to reinvent government. The development of e-government is further complicated by a lack of clarity and consistency in policy and oversight. This paper explores the controversy surrounding the PubSCIENCE initiative from the Department of Energy to outline the issues involved in defining the boundaries between e-government and e-commerce in such a way that cooperation is developed and competition is avoided.