The impact of the introduction of web information systems (WIS) on information policies: An analysis of the Canadian federal government policies related to WIS

This communication presents the results of an analysis of the Canadian federal government information policies that govern its Web information systems (WIS). The goal of this study was to better understand how the Canadian federal government has adapted its information policies to the WIS. A side-by-side analysis of 53 policy instruments was done. The results indicate that the Canadian federal government has crafted new instruments to take into account the WIS context. These policies build upon generic information management and information technologies policy instruments. These policy instruments have a good coverage of the tasks underlying the WIS life-cycle. Among the many players present in the policy instruments, one of the key player is the Treasury Board Secretariat that plays an important coordination and evaluation role.