Report download - IBM's Institute for Business Value identifies six major shifts
Mandate to collaborate
By Steve Bond, Public Sector General Manager, IBM Australia and New Zealand,
There's no doubt we live in changing times. A recent report published by IBM's Institute for Business Value identified six major shifts in society that will significantly impact the ability of governments across the world to fulfil constituent needs.
The study, titled “Government 2020 and the Perpetual Collaboration Mandate,” is based upon interviews and working sessions conducted with public sector leaders in 11 countries including Australia, and highlights the growing global impact of rapid changes in demographics, globalisation, environmental concerns, societal relationships, social stability and the expanding impact of technology.
It finds that although these trends vary in influence in different countries, collaboration will be key if governments are to effectively meet citizen needs over the next 12 years. Specifically, the report cites four key approaches that government organisations should consider to manage these shifts.
The first is public and private collaboration, through new alliances and global collaborative ventures that keep pace with changes in global society. Then there's personalised interaction and services, in which the use of new technologies enables governments to provide convenience, increased efficiency, security and privacy in delivering services ranging from healthcare to social services. Thirdly, governments must place a greater focus on knowledge creation and sharing, to help transcend the multigenerational nature of the workforce, and stimulate greater product and services innovation. The final approach is about providing value to constituents - governments need to fully understand how they can create value, and look beyond the traditional realms of service delivery.
The study cites numerous examples of best-practice in these areas, ranging from the Canadian Government's “one-stop” integrated multichannel service center for citizens, to the use of RFID technology in Stockholm, Sweden, to tackle traffic congestion and air pollution.
Of course Australia faces its own unique set of challenges for the future, including infrastructure, the environment, healthcare and skills, but one thing is clear - more connectedness and cooperation is needed than ever before: across agencies, across societies, across borders, and with more constituencies. Only then can we confront the challenges that lie ahead, and secure a long term future for Australia and its people.
A copy of 'Government 2020 and the perpetual collaboration' mandate can be accessed by clicking here.
[Wed 23/07/2008 11:40:09]
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