Developing Countries and ICT Initiatives: Lessons Learnt from Jordan's Experience

Abstract

Many developing countries have started major Information Communication Technologies (ICT) initiatives including e-Government, e-Learning, e-Health, and other schemes that are designed to boost the adoption of ICT based applications within public and private sectors as well as creating a knowledge society. The main aims of these initiatives is to be ready to undertake major reform programmes in order to achieve the social and economic development that ICT is believed to deliver. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan commenced major ICT programmes in 1999. Eight years on most of the e-Initiatives that have been implemented have not met their intended objectives. This paper will review Jordan's ICT transformation over the past decade identifying critical factors that might be behind the country's lack of progress with its transformation. This might prove useful for other developing countries undertaking similar ICT initiatives.

Devising a strategy for IT governance implementation in municipalities. A case study of South Africa

“…From the results, strategies and action plans can be developed to close any gaps. While some challenges can be addressed at provincial and local government level, the underlying principles are suggested to be tackled through national ICT policies (Bwalya, ; Hussain & Brown, ; Mbatha & Ocholla, ; Mimbi & Kyobe, ; Mofleh, Wanous, & Strachan, ; Mow, ; Nair & Prasad, ; Ndou, ; Tsokota, Solms, & Greunen, ). In particular, Bwalya () presents a holistic approach to government involvement that facilitates the creation of an enabling environment for the adoption of ICT in daily lives of citizens through the development of ICT policies and leading the way in providing access to affordable ICT infrastructure.…”

“…This showed leadership and political and management support of IT, which is presented as one of the most important elements for implementation. Ndou (), Tsokota et al (), and Mofleh, Wanous, and Strachan () also highlight leadership and collaboration among government departments, agencies, and private organisations as a mechanism for enhanced solutions and knowledge development.…”

E-Government Diffusion in Jordan: Employees' Perceptions Toward Electronic Government in Jordan

“…Several Jordanian departments such as the municipality of Amman, Licenses and vehicle department and the tax department have been able to provide their services to the public online since 2005 (Mofleh et al, 2008). All three selected public agencies were actively involved in e-government and have some transaction level of e-government services.…”

Architectural frameworks for developing national health information systems in low and middle income countries

“…In contrast, it is estimated that between 1.25 and 2 billion USD (almost 50% of which is sponsored by global donors) is spent each year on different aspects of health information systems in LMICs [2]. Most of the investment is spent in a fragmented, duplicative and uncoordinated manner [2], mostly due to the lack of HIS policy [25], planning [35], local ownership and leadership [36], urgency and political commitment to address the problems with HIS [37]. This level of funding may be difficult to sustain in a weak economy [38], so countries may increasingly have to make future investments from constrained national budgets, competing with other priorities, including poverty reduction [39] and supporting health service delivery [1].…”