Time and place: 
Thursday, September 27, 13:00
Lecture hall C
Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV)
Isafjordsgatan 39, Kista

Presenter: Dr. Edephonce Nfuka, Lecturer in Information Systems/Technology, Open University of Tanzania
Discussant: Associate Professor Lazar Rusu, Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University

Seminar abstract:
The use of Information Technology (IT) in many public sector organizations has become central to the efficient public service delivery. This caused there to be a critical dependency on IT, which calls for a focus on effective IT governance. Accordingly, effective IT governance must be determined and adhered to if an organization wishes to increase the contribution of IT towards achieving its objectives. Much academic research and industry studies have been carried out on IT governance improvement, with few cases from public sector organizations in a developing country such as Tanzania. The context in these organizations is characterized by IT resources, knowledge and culture constraints as well as by an increasing level of IT investment and applications.

In this seminar, based on some results of our previous studies and ongoing desk/literature review, a reflection is made on the practices on how IT governance is implemented in the public sector in a developing country like Tanzania. This also applies to approach for effective governance of IT in such countries mainly on a recently studied case of Tanzanian public sector that considered central government organizations i.e. Ministry, Department and Agency (MDAs).

In general the reflection made indicates that IT governance practices in these organizations are steadily improving but to some extent still weak and ad-hoc, especially in terms of processes and structures. Furthermore, the reflection also indicates that despite existence of several approaches to effective IT governance, the practice on the ground are still hampered with some uncoordinated effort ranging from individual organizations to the whole public sector level. Based on these reflections it is urged that effort on both industrial practice and related research should be directed to the improvement of processes and underlying structures that contribute to the effective governance of IT. This should not only be in central government organizations but also local government authorities where many citizens are found and such effort might provide more utility to IT contribution in various public service and local government reforms and delivery including health and education.

 

The seminar is open to all participants and will also be webcast on www.spidercenter.org. 

Welcome!