Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
skip to main content
article

Implementing public information systems in developing countries: learning from a success story

Published: 01 April 2005 Publication History

Abstract

Public information system (IS) implementations in developing countries have had to confront many serious challenges, and generally have had a poor record of success. In this paper, we report on a series of successful projects implemented in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. We analyze the context and processes involved and consider implications for the success of IS projects in general in developing countries. The lessons can be summarized as: detailed effort and attention to the involvement of multiple groups, innovative organizational structures, a people-orientation in project selection; and persistence over time, backed by committed and knowledgeable leadership. Inc.

References

[1]
Avgerou, C., & Walsham, G. (Eds.). (2000). Information technology in context: Implementing systems in the developing world. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
[2]
Bandyopadhyay, D. (2001, March 17). Andhra Pradesh: Looking beyond Vision 2020. Economic and Political Weekly.
[3]
Bhagwati, J. (1993). India in transition: Freeing the economy. Delhi: Oxford University Press.
[4]
Bhatnagar, S.C. (2000). Getting value from IT investments: Experiences from two organisations. In C. Avgerou & G. Walsham (Eds.), Information technology in context: Implementing systems in the developing world (pp. 83-95). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
[5]
Bhatnagar, S.C., & Odedra, M. (1992). Social implications of computers in developing countries. New Delhi: McGraw-Hill.
[6]
Braa, J., & Hedberg, C. (2000). Developing district-based health care information systems: The South African experience. In Proceedings of the IFIP WG9.4 Conference on Information Flows, Local Improvisations and Work Practices. Cape Town, South Africa.
[7]
Frasheri, N. (2003). Critical view of e-governance challenges in developing countries. In S. Krishna & S. Madon (Eds.), The digital challenge: Information technology in the development context (pp. 183-201). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
[8]
Ghosh, A. (1999, December 19). South Asian of the year: Chandrababu Naidu. Time.
[9]
Giddens, A. (1984). The constitution of society. Cambridge: Polity Press.
[10]
Harris, R.W., Kumar, A., & Balaji, V. (2003). Sustainable telecentres? Two cases from India. In S. Krishna & S. Madon (Eds.), The digital challenge: Information technology in the development context (pp. 124-135). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
[11]
Harshe, R., & Srinivas, C. (1999, October 30). Elections 1999 in Andhra Pradesh. Vote for development: How sustainable? Economic and Political Weekly. Available from www.epw.org.in/archives
[12]
Heeks, R. (2002). Information systems and developing countries: Failures, success and local improvisations. Information Society, 18(2), 101-112.
[13]
India Today. (2003, September 1). National stature: Chandrababu Naidu emerges as the model Chief Minister. India Today, 28(35), 27.
[14]
Kanungo, S. (2003). Information village: Bridging the digital divide in rural India. In S. Krishna & S. Madon (Eds.), The digital challenge: Information technology in the development context (pp. 103-123). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
[15]
Korpela, M., Soriyan, H.A., Olufokunbi, K.C., & Mursu, A. (2000). Made-in-Nigeria systems development methodologies: An action research project in the health sector. In C. Avgerou & G. Walsham (Eds.), Information technology in context: Implementing systems in the developing world (pp. 134-152). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
[16]
Krishna, S., & Madon, S. (2003). The digital challenge: Information technology in the development context. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
[17]
Krishna, S., Ojha, A., & Barrett, M. (2000). Competitive advantage in the software industry: An analysis of the Indian experience. In C. Avgerou & G. Walsham (Eds.), Information technology in context: Implementing systems in the developing world. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
[18]
Lyytinen, K., & Hirschheim, R. (1987). Information systems failures: A survey and classification of the empirical literature. Oxford Surveys in Information Technology, 4, 257-309.
[19]
Nair, K.G.K., & Prasad, P.N. (2002). Development through information technology in developing countries: Experiences from an Indian State. Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 8(2), 1-13.
[20]
Nasscom. (2002). Software industry in India 2001-2002. New Delhi: National Association of Software and Service Companies.
[21]
Odedra-Straub, M. (Ed.). (1996). Global information technology and socioeconomic development. Nashua, NH: Ivy League.
[22]
Paromita, S. (2004, May 24). Reform the reforms? Outlook.
[23]
Paul, S., & Sekhar, S. (1999). Benchmarking urban services: The second report on public services in Bangalore. Bangalore, India: Urban Affairs Center.
[24]
Pettigrew, A.M. (1985). The awakening giant: Continuity and change in ICI. Oxford: Blackwell.
[25]
Pettigrew, A.M. (1990). Longitudinal field research on change: Theory and practice. Organization Science, 1(3), 267-292.
[26]
Pinto, A. (1999, September 4). Andhra Pradesh: Politics of opportunism. Economic and Political Weekly. Available from www.epw.org.in/archives
[27]
Sahay, S., & Avgerou, C. (2002). Introducing the special issue on information and communication technologies in developing countries. Information Society, 18(2), 73-76.
[28]
Suchman, L.A. (2002). Practice-based design of information systems: Notes from the hyperdeveloped world. Information Society, 18(2), 139-144.
[29]
Walsham, G. (1993). Interpreting information systems in organizations. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons.
[30]
Westrup, C. (2000). What's in information technology? Issues in deploying IS in organizations and developing countries. In C. Avgerou & G. Walsham (Eds.), Information technology in context: Implementing systems in the developing world (pp. 96-110). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.

Cited By

View all
  • (2021)Digital biometric authentication and citizens’ right to food: Neglect of the ‘local’ in India's Aadhaar-enabled Public Distribution SystemProceedings of the 14th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance10.1145/3494193.3494239(338-345)Online publication date: 6-Oct-2021
  • (2021)Information Systems in Developing Countries: Opportunities and ChallengesNinth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality (TEEM'21)10.1145/3486011.3486563(812-818)Online publication date: 26-Oct-2021
  • (2019)A review of the ICT-enabled development literatureThe Journal of Strategic Information Systems10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.00228:2(145-174)Online publication date: 1-Jun-2019
  • Show More Cited By

Recommendations

Comments

Information & Contributors

Information

Published In

Publisher

Routledge

United States

Publication History

Published: 01 April 2005

Author Tags

  1. IS failure
  2. IS success
  3. context
  4. developing country
  5. leadership
  6. process

Qualifiers

  • Article

Contributors

Other Metrics

Bibliometrics & Citations

Bibliometrics

Article Metrics

  • Downloads (Last 12 months)0
  • Downloads (Last 6 weeks)0
Reflects downloads up to 16 Oct 2024

Other Metrics

Citations

Cited By

View all
  • (2021)Digital biometric authentication and citizens’ right to food: Neglect of the ‘local’ in India's Aadhaar-enabled Public Distribution SystemProceedings of the 14th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance10.1145/3494193.3494239(338-345)Online publication date: 6-Oct-2021
  • (2021)Information Systems in Developing Countries: Opportunities and ChallengesNinth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality (TEEM'21)10.1145/3486011.3486563(812-818)Online publication date: 26-Oct-2021
  • (2019)A review of the ICT-enabled development literatureThe Journal of Strategic Information Systems10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.00228:2(145-174)Online publication date: 1-Jun-2019
  • (2016)Competing institutional logics in ICT4D education projectsProceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development10.1145/2909609.2909665(1-11)Online publication date: 3-Jun-2016
  • (2016)Service delivery through mobile-government (mGov)Information Systems Frontiers10.1007/s10796-014-9533-218:2(315-332)Online publication date: 1-Apr-2016
  • (2015)Addressing Data Collection Challenges in ICT for Development ProjectsInternational Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development10.4018/IJICTHD.20150701047:3(36-55)Online publication date: 1-Jul-2015
  • (2013)A Critical Review of the Ontological Assumptions of Actor-Network Theory for Representing e-Government InitiativesInternational Journal of Actor-Network Theory and Technological Innovation10.4018/jantti.20130701025:3(12-24)Online publication date: 1-Jul-2013
  • (2013)The broader context for ICT4D projectsMIS Quarterly10.25300/MISQ/2013/37.3.1037:3(881-906)Online publication date: 1-Sep-2013
  • (2011)Factors that affect software systems development project outcomesACM Computing Surveys10.1145/1978802.197880343:4(1-56)Online publication date: 18-Oct-2011
  • (2010)Rituals in e-government implementationProceedings of the 9th IFIP WG 8.5 international conference on Electronic government10.5555/1887132.1887156(226-237)Online publication date: 29-Aug-2010
  • Show More Cited By

View Options

View options

Get Access

Login options

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share this Publication link

Share on social media