Exploring the Challenges Faced by Organisations in Developing Countries During Information Systems Implementation: A Multi-Sector Study of Semi-Autonomous Organisations in Guyana

Abstract

The implementation of information systems (IS) occurs in both industrialized and developing nations. However, the number of challenges faced by developing countries during IS implementation largely outweigh those of more developed nations. When compared toother regions of the world, there appears to be limited research regarding the challenges faced by countries in the Latin and South American regions during information systems implementation. This research aimed to investigate the challenges to information systems implementation at semi-autonomousorganizations in Guyana, South America. Data was collected from 12information technology practitioners from six semi-autonomousorganisations via -structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected from the participants. A total of five themes and 17 sub-themes emerged from the data. Many of the factors that affected IS implementation within the organizations showed similarities to the findings from previous literature on informationsystems challenges in developing countries. These included similarities around manpower shortage, utility and service provider issues, outdated technological infrastructure and poor change management activities during post-implementation. Further, some factors such as dependency on outsourcing and workplace culture wereindigenous to this research due to the nature of semi-autonomous organizations.It must be acknowledged that while thefindings carryimplications for IS managers and practitioners, theapproach utilized in this study limits the applicability of the findings to other types of organisations within Guyana. Further research could be done on investigating the differences in challenges faced during systems’ implementation among pubic-sectorand private-sector organizations in Guyana.