A pluralistic approach to systems development

Abstract

It is believed that revolutionary developments in information technology may allow developing countries to leapfrog obsta­cles to development if they can successfully apply the new technology. However, many organizations in third world nations experience great hopes but many disappointments from their introduction of computer-based information systems. Project failures are very often caused by a complex interlinking of technical, social and political factors. This paper describes an in-depth study, undertaken over eighteen months, into the development of an information system for a procurement office in the Philippines. Based on the .findings from the investigation, the author suggests a pluralistic approach under which systems enquiry [6] and data analysis [l8] complement each other to enable information systems development for developing countries to become more effective.