Title: An empirical study of the adoption and implementation of advanced technologies in the Italian public sector

Authors: Francesco Da Villa, Roberto Panizzolo

Addresses: Dipartimento di Innovazione Meccanica e Gestionale, Universita di Padova, Via Venezia, 1, 35131 Padova, Italy. ' Dipartimento di Innovazione Meccanica e Gestionale, Universita di Padova, Via Venezia, 1, 35131 Padova, Italy

Abstract: Adoption and implementation of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) offer the promise of successful improvements in environmental and territorial planning and monitoring. However, the characteristics of these GISs and the complexity of managing them require that, in order to adopt and implement them successfully, there must, from the outset, be a high level of commitment within the organization itself which latter has to invest a large amount of both financial and human resources in the new system. Using a multiple case research strategy, this study investigates the process of adoption and implementation of these systems within local government administrations in Italy. First, the reasons that initially led to the decision to adopt a GIS and the decision making process involved, are highlighted and the obstacles to adoption are identified. This research also offers insights into how local government has managed their GIS implementation and which obstacles have been encountered. Lastly, guidelines are suggested to assist management which is having to grapple with these complex issues. The impetus for this research is not very different from that which has encouraged other researchers to examine the process of adoption and implementation of automation in industrial firms. However, the Public Sector has certain unique features that render a specific study of the organizational processes involved in the adoption of new technology particularly interesting.

Keywords: technology management; automation implementation; GIS; local government; case studies; geographic information systems; advanced technology; Italy; public sector.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1996.025488

International Journal of Technology Management, 1996 Vol.12 No.2, pp.181 - 198

Published online: 22 May 2009 *

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