The growth of information systems technology in the public sector of developing nations

Information systems technology in the public sectors of developing nations is in the first, tentative stage of development. So, too, is the development of a systematic, comprehensive research literature and knowledge base which charts the process and assesses the impact of technological change on the process of governance in those countries. This article reports on a survey conducted in 1988 of thirty-eight public agencies in seven developing nations. Three major issues are explored in the survey: patterns of information systems technology use and applications in these agencies, factors associated with the introduction and use of that technology; and the impact of that technology on relations between management and staff; tendencies towards organizational centralization and decentralization, and other organizational structures. In each of these areas, results show a pattern similar to empirical research on the introduction of technology in public sector agencies in developed nations. The article concludes by briefly outlining areas for further investigation.