The use of m-government applications: empirical evidence from the smartest cities of Brazil
研究了巴西100个最智慧城市中地方政府开发的移动政务应用，发现这些应用涵盖信息、健康、教育、安全、旅游等公共服务，且下载量与发展指数正相关。
Purpose This 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/approach To 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. Findings The 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 implications This 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/value This 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.