Title: How the current orthodoxy of local government is failing IT managers: an illustrative case study

Authors: Mary Tate, David Johnstone, Janet Toland, Robert Hynson

Addresses: School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand. ' School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand. ' School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand. ' C/o School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract: Information Technology (IT) is often assumed to be a critical enabling factor for modern democratic processes. We briefly examine widespread reform of public service institutions along market principles, known as the New Public Management (NPM). We then examine some of the IT management issues that have arisen as a result of the changing nature of local government. We identify a disconnect between the current orthodoxy of local government, the expected benefits of IT, and the actual experience of IT management in public sector organisations. Many public sector organisations suffer from multiple IT management problems. These seriously affect their ability to deliver on the promise that IT management will deliver the quality management information that is required by increased demands for public accountability. We illustrate this with a case study.

Keywords: IT management; information technology; local government; public policy; new public management; NPM; public sector; e-government; electronic government.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2007.015041

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2007 Vol.4 No.4, pp.509 - 526

Published online: 05 Sep 2007 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article