Importance of Technology–Job Fit on the Sustained Use of E-Government: Finding the Perfect Fit

Abstract

Success in e-government technology implementation offers many benefits for both governments and citizens; however, the real-world implementation showcases a high failure rate. Such failures are mainly attributed to a lack of use and adequate management expertise in implementation. The authors argue that this deficiency is because of a lack of fit between the technology and the jobs of employees in public institutions. Drawing on foundational work in person-job and person-organization fit, the authors conceptualize technology-job fit (TJF) as a two-dimensional construct: task relevance and workstyle compatibility. Using data from Thai government employees across core administrative functions, they test a moderated model and uncover a quality-fit paradox: high system and information quality only translate into positive outcomes when TJF is perceived as high. When TJF is low, even well-designed systems fail to generate enthusiasm or sustained use. These findings reframe e-government implementation challenges as issues of misalignment rather than technical inadequacy.