Public engagement in the Web 2.0 era: social collaborative technologies in a public sector context

This article examines how social collaborative technologies have changed the nature and scope of e-participation, showcasing several popular modes of engagement. It argues that the main implementation barriers to social media adoption are not technological, but rather organizational, cultural, and administrative. While there is enormous potential for Web 2.0 and associated social media tools to expand public engagement, the design of such initiatives must recognize that in digital environments influence is earned through social reputation, not bureaucratic authority. Cet article examine comment les technologies de collaboration sociale ont change la nature et l'envergure de la participation en ligne, en mettant en valeur plusieurs modes populaires de mobilisation. Il fait valoir que les principaux obstacles a l'adoption des medias sociaux ne sont pas technologiques, mais plutot organisationnels, culturels et administratifs. Alors que le Web 2.0 et les outils de medias sociaux connexes presentent un enorme potentiel d'accroitre la mobilisation du public, la conception de telles initiatives doit reconnaitre que dans les environnements numeriques, on acquiert de l'influence grace a sa reputation sociale et non a son autorite bureaucratique.
The digital media revolution is changing both the scope and the nature of public engagement activities. Governments around the world are experimenting with social media using the tools to enhance [...]