Abstract

Public administration in the developed countries is designing information initiatives to manage risk information using web-based systems. These sites are intended to deliver information to citizens, but also have valuable information for experts and authorities. Five web sites are compared and a simple methodology is provided to extract conclusions and propose recommendations in an information management dimension that is key to saving not only property but human lives as well.

Abstract

Robots.txt and sitemaps files are the main methods to regulate search engine crawler access to its content. This article explain the importance of such files and analyze robots.txt and sitemaps from more than 4,000 web sites belonging to spanish public administration to determine the use of these files as a medium of optimization for crawlers.

Abstract

Website requirements specification (WRS) is a document that describes the characteristics expected of a web site to be developed or modified, in order to ensure compliance. This is particularly important when site development is outsourced. This paper analyzes in detail the procedure for processing, structure and validation, with special attention to the functional requirements of a website.

Abstract

Since the emergence of the Internet there has been continuous evolution in interface design, with designers trying to offer a good experience to users. Website developers regularly turn to heuristic indicators that have been collected throughout years of research and praxis. Nevertheless, these indicators are diverse and it is complicated locating which ones are applicable in every case. The objective of this work is to identify and analyze the most scientifically and geographically relevant heuristic indicators through a mapping review, in order to classify them according to formal and content components. The results are two taxonomies which make it easier to identify the location, and analyze and apply the guidelines.

Abstract

This article discusses the results of analysing management transparency in 53 Spanish´s state-run libraries based on a proposed series of indicators drawn from the libraries’ own websites. While the findings detected examples of good practice, information was observed to be scant, particularly in terms of libraries’ lines of action and objectives. The rules and procedures for using the services and contacting with librarians were the types of information most frequently provided. The authors recommend that libraries, as public institutions receiving funds and subsidies from the government, should engage voluntarily in transparency by publishing information on their indicators on their websites.

Abstract

This research focuses on the transparency of the public websites of the main cities of the region of Castilla y Leon (Spain). Taking as a sample the 24 towns with more than 10,000 inhabitants, this article presents the results related to management and information about the collective resources and the issues concerning the online press room. Using a fully proven methodology developed by a larger project titled Infoparticipa Map, a particularly relevant group of results are achieved. On the one hand, information about the composition of the governing bodies is widely available, with differences between the most and least populated towns. But on the other hand, the performance of municipal power in the region is focused on the publication of general news and concessions

Abstract

The economic crisis has led to a drastic reduction in the funding granted by the public administrations to NGOs, which have also lost part of the social trust that they have enjoyed for decades. But there is another way to contribute more funding and legitimacy to these organizations, and this way is based on transparency and accountability. This research aims to determine if the Third Sector of Social Action (TSAS) is encouraging the participation of new digital citizens through public information based on the accountability and the transparency culture. For this purpose, we performed a content analysis on the social networks used by these entities in order to determine if they had taken advantage of the opportunities to be accountable for their activities, which can result in greater citizen participation and involvement in solidarity action.

Abstract

Budget visualization tools facilitate the communication of complex technical information. In this paper, we analyse the main technical, individual and organizational factors that affect its implementation and use. Through a questionnaire survey we have collected data from those responsible for the web application “Dónde van mis impuestos” (“Where do my taxes go?”) in 23 Spanish regional and local governments. Our findings show that these tools have a small number of users but that their main target are not citizens but specific groups, mainly media and political groups. Its adoption is neither a budgetary nor technological problem, although the free software license gives clear advantages. The impulse for adoption is mainly political with the main focus on financial and budgetary transparency but sometimes also on participatory transparency or microtransparency. Finally, we detect a serious risk of governance generated by the lack of clear transparency and accountability strategies in the administrations, as well as an absence of operational procedures to adapt to the changing budgetary structure.