Computer-based information systems for development planning: managing human resources

Abstract

Recent years have seen many developing countries taking initiatives aimed at promoting decentralised planning through the application of computer-based information systems at local levels of administration. However, with all these experiments, the key objective of improving the effectiveness of development planning remains unfulfilled. A major reason for this has been the inadequate management of human resource capacity to support the intervention. The problem stems in part from the lack of skilled computer-literate people to operate the machines. This has been acknowledged in the literature. Another problem stems from the complex interaction between the social context of development administration and the process of human resource management. There is, however, a chronic paucity of studies which aim to improve understanding of this interaction. To rectify this, this paper describes a case study of the application of computers for development planning in India. The complex interaction between the social context of development administration and the process of human resources development is examined longitudinally. The findings show that an understanding of this interaction is crucial if information technology is intended to play a meaningful role in managing development.