Exit the E-government Ivory Tower: A Training Strategy -- A Case Study from Austria

The national Austrian e-government curriculum aims to train government and public administration staff at all organisational levels, so the training plan needs to be developed on the basis of the national e-government aims and adapted according to the target groups, the contents and teaching modalities. This paper presents the implementation of the e-government curriculum in Austria that began in 2006 and continues today. Based on a case study approach, the paper looks at the issues important in the implementation of a nationwide e-government strategy and training programme. The Austrian e-government curriculum is considered in terms of its strengths and the aims achieved, but also the limitations, weaknesses and mistakes made. It concludes that countries wanting to implement a nation-wide e-government strategy, regardless of whether they are an emerging nation or a highly-advanced country, need to support their e-government strategy with an e-government training plan.