POWRE: A Theory of Networks in Cyberspace in the Age of Electronic Government

该项目涉及系统研究跨国集团和个人利用信息和通信技术（信通技术）建立相互依存的电子权力网络，以影响政府政策和政府在信息技术时代对这些网络的反应。 在各国探索利用信通技术最大限度地提供服务和通过电子政务促进经济竞争力的同时，它们必须在扩大信息技术的获取与对政治统治的挑战之间取得平衡。 该项目将包括六个步骤：（1）查明和界定构成跨国电子网络的三个不同群体;（2）采用电子跨国主义的理论模式;（3）对选定网络的信息和通信技术活动以及政府对网络的反应进行定性和定量分析;（4）绘制信息和通信技术活动的网络图或进行空间分析;（5）审查在网络空间建立相互依存联系的障碍以及规避这些障碍的战略;以及（6）建立一种政府信息和通信技术层面的电子网络和政策问题的类型学，这一项目将有助于更广泛地了解电子网络的形成，监测和跟踪网络活动，跨国集团利用新技术影响公共政策和政府做法，以及塑造信息技术出现的社会和政治因素。研究者对将信息技术纳入课堂实践和课程内容的新教育方向的追求催生了一个令人兴奋的，关于团体和个人利用信息和通信技术影响政府政策的密集研究议程。 通过国家和国际会议以及与学术同行的其他学术交流，研究员得以分享她为研究跨国电子网络的形成和作用而构建的理论模型的初步研究结果。 为了进行必要的实证研究来测试模型，准备通过发表论文进行学术传播的研究结果，并在这一科学探究领域取得进展，研究人员需要12个月的时间专注于研究和写作。 一个POWRE奖将提供研究人员的时间，致力于她的全部优先事项，以完成这一研究议程，并发展她的全权证书教授。有了这个奖项，研究人员旨在加强她的研究贡献的学术界，提高她作为一个科学家在一个新兴的研究领域的地位，并加强她在一个日益增长的学科，其中妇女和少数民族代表性不足的领导作用。

This project involves systematic research on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by transnational groups and individuals to forge interdependent, electronic networks of power to influence government policies and the response of governments to these networks in the age of information technology. As countries explore the use of ICTs to maximize service delivery and facilitate economic competitiveness via electronic government, they must address balancing the expanded access of information technologies and the challenge to political rule. The project will involve six steps: (1) identify and define three distinct populations that form transnational electronic networks; (2) introduce a theoretical model of electronic transnationalism; (3) conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses of ICT activities of the selected networks and the responses of governments to the networks; (4) construct a cyber-mapping or spatial analysis of ICT activities; (5) examine barriers to forging interdependent links in cyberspace and strategies to circumvent these barriers; and (6) create a typology of ICT-level of government and policy issues of electronic networks.This project will contribute to the broader understanding of the formation of electronic networks, the monitoring and tracking of network activities, the use of new technologies by transnational groups to influence public policy and government practices, and the social and political factors shaping the advent of information technology.The investigator's pursuit of a new educational direction that incorporates information technology into the classroom practice and course content has spawned an exciting, intense research agenda on the use of information and communication technologies by groups and individuals to influence government policies. Through national and international conferences and other scholarly exchanges with academic peers, the researcher has been able to share preliminary findings on a theoretical model she has constructed to study the formation and role of transnational electronic networks. To conduct the necessary empirical research to test the model, prepare the findings for scholarly dissemination via published papers, and move forward in this field of scientific inquiry, the researcher needs a twelve-month period of time to focus solely on research and writing. A POWRE award will afford the researcher the time to dedicate her full priority to completing this research agenda and developing her credentials for full professor. With this award, the researcher seeks to intensify her research contribution to the scholarly community, enhance her status as a scientist in a newly emerging area of study, and strengthen her leadership role in a growing discipline in which women and minorities are underrepresented.