Dimensions of e‑participation: A review of the literature and current practices in the Swedish digital government

Two sources of empirical material are used to accomplish this goal: 1. Literature from the e-participation research field and 2. survey answers from the Swedish national government agencies. By combining findings from these sources, this study reveals the levels of participation encouraged by the identified tools and methods, comparing theory with practice.

Theoretical points of departure are gathered from three streams of literature: 1. Levels of digital, or e- participation; 2. smart, sustainable cities; and 3. participatory design. Using these different streams facilitates the analysis of results regarding levels of participation; environmental sustainability (e.g., participatory tools used for including citizens in processes that promote sustainability); and normative perspectives on what it means to “participate.”

The research design consists of three components: 1. A systematic literature overview, 2. a survey of Swedish national government agencies, and 3. a synthesis of 1+2. Through this synthesis, the study advances the research front regarding knowledge of methods and tools for participation while identifying practical cases among Swedish agencies.