The use of m-government applications: empirical evidence from the smartest cities of Brazil

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the use of m-government applications for public services providing in Brazil. As a secondary objective, the paper aims to analyze the relationship between the use of m-government applications and development.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the objective of this research, the 100 smartest cities of Brazil were selected and the mobile apps provided by their local governments were identified. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted, including content analysis technique, chi-square test and regression analysis.FindingsThe results show that mobile apps developed by local governments of Brazilian smart cities include information and public services access, health, education, security, tourism, water supply system, environment, among others. The results also show a positive relationship between apps downloads and development indexes.Social implicationsThis paper emphasizes the social side of information technology, showing that it can contribute to the implementation of more inclusive cities that respond to the needs and interests of their citizens.Originality/valueThis paper presents empirical evidences of the potential benefits of m-government technologies for development in an emerging country. Moreover, it highlights how mobile applications developed by local governments may lead to a better quality of life of the population, considering a comprehensive approach of development that involves its economic, social and human dimensions.