INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN DEVELOPING AGRICULTURE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN CISKEI / Inligtingstelsels in Ontwikkelende Landbou met besondere verwysing na projekbestuur in Ciskei.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish how the fast-developing information technology could be used to assist management decision making in developing agriculture as this aspect was identified as one of the main constraints in a co-ordinated development approach. By means of a qualitative study it was established that information systems approaches were available that could be applied by management of agricultural development institutions to improve their managerial functions. In recent years, variations of the information systems approach have been developed. Each level of management has distinctive managerial requirements which should be met by these systems as the situation dictates. The critical success factor approach is highly recommended. Several caveats are identified and these should not be disregarded in the implementation of information systems. The study confirms that the innovative application of existing information system techniques, will enhance managerial decision making in developing agriculture.

Uittreksel

Die studie het ten doel gehad om vas te stel hoe die snel ontwikkelcnde inligtingstegnologie aangewend kan word om bestuursbesluitneming in die ontwikkelende landbou te ondersteun. Die aspek is geïdentifiseer as een van die beperkende faktore om 'n gekoördineerde ontwikkelingsbenadering te bereik. Deur middel van 'n kwalitatiewe studie is vasgestel dat daar inligtingstelselbenaderings beskikbaar is wat deur die bestuur van landbou-ontwikkelingsorganisasies toegepas kan word om hul bestuursfunksies te verbeter. Verskeie variasies van die toepassing van inligtingstelselbenaderings is in onlangse jare ontwikkel. Elke bestuursvlak het eiesoortige inligtingsbehoeftes wat geredelik beskikbaar moet wees. Die kritiese suksesfaktorbenadering is benadruk. Verskeie voorvereistes vir die implementering van 'n inligtingstelsel is geïdentifiseer. Die studie bevestig dat deur die toepassing van bestaande inligtingstelseltegnieke besluitneming in ontwikkelende landbou bevorder kan word.