Cps Assignment GRP 12

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
GROUNDED THEORY ASSIGNMENT
GROUP 12
-ANKIT AGARWAL
-RAHUL KUMAR
-SANDEEP PAL MEHROK
-SUJOY SENGUPTA
Q1: Is there a clear chain of evidence linking the findings to the data?
Ans 1: The main aim of this case is to find out the reasoning for low utilization of
government websites. A grounded theory approach is used that requires that the researcher
begins the study without preconceived conceptions and without the influence of pre-existing
theories. The integrated theory emerged naturally from the data with the categories and
their properties showing clear chain of evidence linking the findings to the data gathered
from the research.
 Government websites are built to provide information and services for all citizens.
Pertinence determines the size of the value that a government website can provide for its
intended users. This means that governments or their departments must first know who
their intended users are and what practical needs these users have. That’s exactly what was
done in this case. Example Citizens were also selected for interviews as they are users or
potential users of government websites. Their perceptions and understandings are critical
for developing new insights. This shows a clear linkage between findings and the data
collected
 A government website could reduce efforts made by citizens or improve their efficiency
when obtaining government information or transacting with government agencies as meant
by Convenience. One of the table in the case study clearly shows that convenience is the
critical reason why respondent 8 visits the website of the Sinorail Customer Service Center to
buy a train ticket
 Cost saving is an important component of the value brought by e-government. It includes

saving time and money or reducing paperwork for both the government and the public. As
respondent 1(a government employee) said, “for example, an email to the government
email box must be replied within 5 working days while a paper letter may not be replied so
quickly. We have an electronic supervision over email reply.”
 Irreplaceability is a critical component of the value of a facility. If a government website

owns distinctive information resources or functions that can't be obtained by other means, it
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will attract more clicks undoubtedly. But as shown in the example of websites of education
departments mainly serve schools, universities, students and teachers. This means that a
specific government website can't provide infinite information and services for as many
people as possible.
Q2: Are there multiple instances in the data which support the concepts produced?
Ans 2: Yes, there are multiple instances in the data which support the concepts produced.
The instances are as mentioned below:
a) Integrated theoretical framework of the government website utilization
b) A general conceptual model of information source selection
c) Explanation of the low utilization of government websites in line with the theories
d) Limitations of the Users subscribing to the websites
e) Limitations of the utilities & properties of Government websites
f) Competence of alternative sources of informations
g) Recommendations in the policy to change the contextual factors
Q3: Has the researcher demonstrated that they are very familiar with the subject area or,
as Glaser puts it, are steeped in the field of investigation (Glaser, 1978)?
Ans 3: The researcher has demonstrated his familiarity with the subject area of government
website utilization. This is evident from him being opting for Grounded Theory Method and
his description of powerlessness of previous studies carried out by other researchers. He
also tries to understand the perceptions of various stakeholders such as the government,
the citizens, E-government website employees. Also, the data collection and data sampling
techniques look very comprehensive. A sample consisting of diverse pool of people has been
considered which has professionals like professors, scientists, farmers, librarian,
administrative staff of university, technician etc. For collecting data and having insights, 4
stage process is implemented. The 1st stage consisted of open-ended interviews with
government webmasters, scholars and citizens in respect to the utilization & promotion of
government websites. The 2nd stage had semi-structured interviews so that specific &
detailed data can be obtained. The 3rd stage had in-depth interviews which were conducted
with 17 respondents till a point of time where theoretical completion could be achieved.
The 4th stage was meant to supplement the above stages in order to interview more rural
residents and have information pertaining to alternative information sources.
Q4: Has the researcher created inferential and/or predictive statements about the
phenomena?
Ans 4: The researcher has used inferential statements about the phenomena. The author
refers to the study of the behaviour of government employees and citizens towards the
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usage of government websites. A grounded theory approach requires the user to start
without any pre conceived notions where the user collects the data after research and
sampling and then analysis of that data is done which include codifying and categorization.
The process explained in the paper clearly concurs to the grounded theory method and the
end results are inference from the study results. A theory is developed which is then put
into test and finally the author has categorized the users in four sections. The following
statement by author “All the concepts, categories and relationships emerged naturally
within the process of data analysis” indicates the inferential study undertaken. The end
categorization based on user utilization is obtained from the model developed from data
collection and analysis of the data set which clearly indicates the inferential nature of the
study.
Q5: Has the researcher suggested theoretical generalizations that are applicable to a
range of situations?
Ans 5: Yes the theory developed in the research is a general theory which is applicable to a
range of situations provided the parameters of comparison can be tailored according to the
situation. The author in the paper has developed an integrated grounded theory which can
explain the low utilization of government websites in many countries. There are four core
categories created which is value, effectiveness of government websites, user needs and
alternative information source which can be put into test the utilization of government
websites in any country. These categories can be used to evaluate of utilization of any other
website but the four parameters defined above needs to be changed accordingly. The
author also recommends a list of four aspects which can be implemented in future research
to increase the generalization of this study. The aspects are an empirical study, a
comparative study, an evaluation study and an independent study on the government
websites. The theoretical sampling of grounded theory doesn’t need representations from
different environment but the research in this case is primarily held in China, which
indicates the study may not hold true for all countries across the world as the infrastructure
and people behaviour changes from one country to another. This limits the generalization of
the theory unless the same findings are put under test on a more diverse dataset which is
pulled from different countries population. Then the categorization can be generalized to
develop a framework to identify the reasons behind underutilization of government
websites.
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CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

GROUNDED THEORY ASSIGNMENT

 Cost saving is an important component of the value brought by e-government. It includes

 Irreplaceability is a critical component of the value of a facility. If a government website

a) Integrated theoretical framework of the government website utilization

b) A general conceptual model of information source selection

d) Limitations of the Users subscribing to the websites

e) Limitations of the utilities & properties of Government websites

f) Competence of alternative sources of informations

g) Recommendations in the policy to change the contextual factors

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