Formulating national information technology strategies: A preference ranking model using PROMETHEE method

The purpose of this research is to define a national strategy model for information technology (IT) development in developing countries and to apply the model in a real case for Iran. The research is structured around a three-dimensional configuration of strategy development process. These dimensions are key technologies (a set of technology clusters which have high impact on the development of IT); socio-economic sectors (major economic and social sectors with potential use of IT opportunities); and applications (IT applications flagships to provide different strategic choices). The model is a multi-criteria decision making and in order to solve it and select a set of IT application flagships in different budgeting levels, we used the PROMCALC and GAIA decision support system. By allocating 1% of GDP, four major IT applications for investing are identified. E-education, e-research, e-office and e-information services were ranked as highly important for the realization of long term objectives in the economical, social and cultural development of the country.