A Study for Information System Implementation and Training in DevelopingCountry- A Case Study of TESMART for Malawi

• Main Authors: YU-LIEN HUNG, 洪玉蓮
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/77118405161645277721

碩士 === 中原大學 === 資訊管理研究所 === 96 === In recent years, numerous countries have actively invested in reducing international digital divide and bringing information technology into developing countries for a swift operation of using information system. Nevertheless, for a successful practice of information system in the organizations of the developing countries, the importance of implementing an information system is essential. During the process of implementing the information system, training is especially critical for the success of this process. Under the circumstances with poor information infrastructure in the developing countries and limited information training, how to effectively and successfully implement an information system, have appropriate training, apply information system in organization and institutions, have become crucial and key research subjects in a joint effort by many countries to reduce international digital divide in the developing countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate and understand the implementation and training of information system, manpower disposition, measures and steps, difficulties and resolution, and performance evaluation in the developing countries through research method of case study. It is anticipated that research findings may provide an important reference for the administrators who work on information system implementation and training. After case analysis, conclusions of this study are summarizes as follows: 1. System implementation 1) Manpower organization stage: ‧ Organize manpower for the project: In case of insufficient information infrastructure, resource, and talents in the developing countries, nations with experiences of reducing international digital divide or digital advantages may be invited. By adopting a cross-country organizational cooperation model, joint participation of NGO team in a cooperation project of implementing the information system may take advantage of resources from every individual organization, which is helpful in system implementation. ‧ Analysis of project objective: Due to insufficient information resources during system implementation in the developing countries, joint efforts from resources of international organization for system implementation project are essential. Thus, for improving communication of international teams, project teams shall have language experts for international communication and cooperation. ‧ Hiring of project staff: Due to digital divide in the developing countries, information technology experts are needed locally for the implementation project. Hence, overseas information technology experts may be recruited to participate in system implementation project. By signing a contract, job security and stability of overseas manpower may be increased. Additional bonus for overseas staff may be granted for the hardship living abroad so as to increase their intention to work outside of their homeland. 2) Analysis of project needs stage: Due to various customs in every country, project teams shall learn to accommodate to local cultures and values; by closely contacting with local NGO, it is helpful for project analysis. 3) System analysis and testing stage: ‧ System analysis: In order to meet the standard of local system, since international information technology staff may lack professional knowledge in medicine, they could cooperate with local NGO organization and staff with background in medicine for the design of system function. The collaboration of both may be beneficial in system analysis. ‧ System testing: Due to digital divide in the developing countries, employees may be invited to participate in system testing for increasing the opportunities for them to use the information system; system procedure may also be tested to see whether it meets local needs. 4) Training stage: Since people in the developing countries have fewer information technology experiences, most employees learn system operation through training. Hence, quality of training will affect the performance of system implementation. 5) System implementation stage: ‧ Acceptance of system implementation: Due to serious digital divide in the developing countries, information technology is a brand new skill in those countries. Thus, the “novelty” of information technology may help improving system acceptance by “unit” and “employee”. ‧ Initial evaluation after system implementation: In order to evaluate the initial performance after system implementation, system satisfaction questionnaire may be used to understand users’ system acceptance, whether the system is easy-to-use and beneficial for the job, users’ attitude, intention and degree of satisfaction, quality of system operation for a comprehensive evaluation. 2. Training 1) Manpower organization stage: Due to serious digital divide, qualified teaching staff may not be available in the developing countries. By adopting international cooperation model, professional staff may be searched from college volunteers who specialize in the field in the developed countries. A joint effort by volunteer workers and local medical NGO organization can combine information technology and medical profession to help the preparation and administration of training. 2) Planning the needs stage: ‧ For a smooth and successful training, project team must collect information concerning local customs, cultures and values; effective monitoring of local culture and important measures in training through close contact with local NGO organization is beneficial for the preparation of training. ‧ During training in the developing countries, teaching staff from overseas shall fully prepare teaching elements. Considering factors of geographic environment, communication contact through internet and local NGO organization for further information may help reducing cost for teaching preparation. ‧ Training teaching staff from overseas shall be well-prepared in language communication ability. ‧ Due to staff shortage of training in the developing countries, teaching faculty from overseas shall have interactive understanding and familiarity of the teaching contents so that every teaching staff may fully function to assist the administration of training. 3) Teaching practice stage: ‧ Due to digital divide in training in the developing countries, teaching staff shall pay more attention in teaching methods in order to improve the results of training for a more functional system such as “objective-operational”, “simulations, “combination of roles”, and “competition” to obtain the best teaching results. ‧ Due to limited time and manpower in training, problems happened during the process need to be resolved and improved; immediate adjustment of training contents will effectively improve performance of training. 4) Evaluation stage: Various evaluation models are used to confirm that objectives in every stage are accomplished for quality of the training.