E-government in the judiciary system: assessing the correlation between IT investment and the efficiency of courts of justice in Brazil

Abstract

This chapter presents an analysis of e-government being enabled by Information Technology (IT) investment in the Brazilian Judiciary System. The methodology adopted was the case study, with a mix of qualitative and quantitative data to deal with the complexity of the phenomenon. The latest data on e-government use in Brazil, the organizational structure and IT development of the Brazilian Judiciary System, and the legal framework for electronic lawsuits form the basis for understanding the context. A qualitative analysis of the influence of the National Council of Justice (NCJ) on IT investment and e-government initiatives indicates that the NCJ's coordination is leading the Brazilian Judiciary System towards common goals. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis of the correlation between IT investment and the efficiency of the courts shows a potential positive influence on reducing the duration and cost of lawsuits. © 2012, IGI Global.