From national to sector level biometric systems: the case of Ghana

ABSTRACT

Biometric systems offer opportunities for developing countries to address citizen identification challenges. In recent years, biometric systems have been deployed at the national and sector levels or both. However, related information systems research has focused on either the national or sector levels. Less knowledge thus exists on the relationship between the two levels. To address this gap, this study employs interpretive case study methodology and activity theory to investigate a failed national biometric project in Ghana and its relationship with emergent sector level biometric systems. The findings show that lack of political consensus and conflicting laws can lead to national biometric system failure and multiple sector level systems. Moreover, implementation of multiple biometric systems leads to duplication of resources, infrastructure, and biometric data for individuals. Based on the findings, the paper discusses implications for theory, research, and national development.

KEYWORDS:

• Biometric system
• failure
• activity theory
• interpretive case study
• developing country
• Ghana

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

John Effah is an Associate Professor of Information Systems at the University of Ghana. His research interests span areas of digital innovation in business, government and society as well as biometric systems in developing countries. Prof. Effah has published widely in international journals, including Information Society, International Journal of Information Management, Information Technology for Development, Journal of Enterprise Information Management, International Journal of Electronic Finance, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, African Journal of Information Systems, and Journal of Management Policy and Practice.

Emmanuel Owusu-Oware is a senior lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra. His research interests are public-sector biometric systems and generally digital innovations in organizations. Dr Owusu-Oware’s research has been published in the Information Systems Management Journal, International Conference Proceedings and Book Chapters.

Notes

1 (http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/ghana-population/). Accessed on 29/04/2019.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Ghana Business School [grant number UGBS/2017-431].