Strategic and Technology Policy Implications for E-Government

Abstract

Smart card technology was first introduced in Thailand by the Thai government who planned to use the technology for the government's e-ID and e- Government projects in 2004. This situation is contrary to the introduction of smart cards by the private sector in developed countries. On the research front, this con- trast provided an excellent opportunity to study the differences, if any, in factors affecting consumers' perceptions of smart card technologies. The study shows that, statistically, no demographic factors, except age, were found to have statistically significant effects on the users' decision to use smart cards. In addition, it was found that perceived convenience and security level of smart cards are the other two statistically significant factors found to affect Thai users' decisions to adopt smart card technologies. This study concludes that the key issue with respect to using smart cards in Thailand is not so much about which applications are the "right" ones to be put on the cards, but more on the matters of security of the cards. This issue is very important to Thai people as shown empirically by this study. As a re- sult, the Thai government should put high emphasis on the security issue when planning for and implementing the smart card technologies in their e-ID and e- Government projects.