Strategic Information Systems Planning in the Public Sector

Abstract

Strategic information systems (IS) are touted throughout the trade press and the academic literature as the way to achieve the greatest benefits from an investment in new information technology (IT). Using document imaging within state agencies as the backdrop, research hypotheses about the existence and comprehensiveness of strategic IS planning in the public sector are tested. Through a nationwide mail survey completed by state agency IT managers, the findings strongly support a relationship between formal IS strategic planning and an interest in strategic IS. State agencies that engage in comprehensive, formal strategic IS planning are able to foster an environment more supportive of the use of IT within state government.

The Role of Technology in Music Education: A Survey of Computer Usage in Teaching Music in Colleges of Education in The Volta Region, Ghana

“…In terms of tutor qualification and experience, 90% of tutors from the selected colleges met the required qualification and teaching experience of over five (5) years. This in effect places colleges of education in a comfortable position for effective delivery of music instruction.…”

A Critical Assessment of Project Management Methods with Respect to Electronic Government Implementation Challenges

“…In fact, IT is being widely applied in government only with the full approval of all levels of the managerial hierarchy. e-Government projects need to obtain strong political support, which becomes a critical factor in introducing technological innovations in public sector organizations (Cats- Baril and Thompson 1995;Bajjaly 1998;Borins 2000;Abramson and Littman 2002;Clements 1999;Nedovic-Budic and Godschalk 1996).…”

Competing and Complementary Values in Information Technology Strategic Planning: Observations from Ten States

“…A good SISP provides an enterprise-wide vision, coordinates agency efforts, minimizes redundancy, and prioritizes decision making (Barrett & Greene, 2001), all of which are very important for state governments facing rapid technological changes and tough budget constraints. Public administration research has examined aspects of SISP in the past two decades, such as the conceptual models (Andersen et al, 1994;Bajjaly, 1998), the planning process (Byrd, Sambamurthy, & Zmud, 1995), and the practical usage and challenges (Bajjaly, 1998;Holley et al, 2002Holley et al, , 2004.…”

“…Bozeman and Bretschneider (1986) pointed out that managing public information systems requires an understanding of governments' unique political environment. SISP is particularly difficult in government due to factors such as politics, term limits, goal ambiguities, interest conflicts, resistance to change, measurement problems, and legal concerns (Bajjaly, 1998;Bozeman & Bretschneider, 1986;Bretschneider, 1990). These factors relate to the general challenges of implementing strategic management in government (Backoff, Wechsler & Crew, 1993;Bryson, 2004;Mintzberg, 1994).…”