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Durham E-Theses information strategies for Malaysia: geographical, organisational, political and technological implications for development Alhabshi, Sharifah Mariam Mohammed How to cite: Alhabshi, Sharifah Mariam Mohammed (1998) information strategies for Malaysia: geographical, organisational, political and technological implications for development, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4736/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 Information Strategies for Malaysia: Geographical, Organisational, Political and Technological Implications for Development Sharifah Mariam Mohammed Alhabshi PhD Thesis University of Durham Department of Geography 1998 The copyright of this diesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without the written consent of the author and information derived from it should be acknowledged. The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without her prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. •a, J-t 4 FEB 1999 PhD Abstract: Sharifah Mariam Mohammed Alhabshi Department of Geography University of Durham, October 1998 Information Strategies for Malaysia: Geographical, Organisational, Political and Technological Implications for Development Malaysia has undergone radical social, economic and political development over the last four decades. The information systems put in place to provide informational support for managing development projects have also changed from manual systems in the 1960s and 1970s, to computerised systems based on batch and on-line processing and networking in the 1980s, and multimedia in the 1990s. Two large scale information system programmes were studied in detail. The National Project Monitoring System (SETIA) and the National Land Information System (NALIS) involved co-ordination of individualised information systems and sharing of information by agencies at Federal, State (including District) and local authorities. Collection of information and the subsequent analysis of that information was guided by two theoretical frameworks: first the organisational perspectives framed by Web models which help in understanding the dynamics of computing in development; and second the subjective epistemological stance framed by structuration theory which helps to frame an understanding of the complexities of social relations surrounding information systems development. This research demonstrates how organisational behaviour, and a socio-political culture influenced by economic interests and personal ambition, can complicate large scale information systems development. Reluctance to share information; differences of appreciation and awareness and varying levels of understanding of the technology in use; inadequate and incompatible information; inadequate working strategies and standards; and imbalanced infrastructural support are among the major reasons for lack of success. However, in the implementation of information systems, problems related to human factors are not unique to Malaysia; rather they are common even among 'advanced' countries. But developing countries like Malaysia are often more sensitive to changes in economic and political environments. The concluding chapter of this thesis places the information strategy issues in the context of Malaysian and Southeast Asian political and economic events of 1998. ii Acknowledgements There are several people to whom I owe a debt of thanks for their help during the production of this thesis. First and foremost, I would like to thank my two supervisors, Dr Christine Dunn and Professor Michael Blakemore. Dr Christine Dunn, as my first supervisor provided forbearing effort in checking every detail of this thesis production. Professor Michael Blakemore, in spite of his heavy work schedule, read the draft and made many useful comments to improve it. I cannot thank them enough for their interest, encouragement, and criticism which has made the writing of this thesis an interesting and challenging exercise. Secondly, I would like to gratefully acknowledge that this research was undertaken with the support of the University of Malaysia Sarawak. In particular, I would like to thank Professor Ghazally Ismail the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Services, Faculty of Social Science, and the staff of the Finance and Administrative sections for their unfailing support in meeting my administrative needs. Thirdly, I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr Yunus Tamin, Director of Information Division Ministry of Land and Co-operative Development, Mr Mohaizi Mohammed, former Director of the Land and Mines office Melaka and Mr Kho Teng Hong, Deputy Director of the Sarawak Land and Survey Department who provided generous access to information on SETIA and NALIS which was not easily forthcoming otherwise. I would also like to record my thanks to Professor Ian Masser, Dr Heather Campbell, Dr Mahes Visvalingam and Dr Janet Townsend for their valuable advice and assistance during the early stages of my research. Finally, on a more personal level, I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues in the Department of Geography, University of Durham, who have provided advice, encouragement and above all friendship in what has been an immensely enjoyable time for me. My final thanks go to my family for taking over (again) my domestic responsibilities and making my study away from home worry-free. There are many others who have helped, and although they are not mentioned here by name, I thank them sincerely. iii Copyright The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without her prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. Declaration I confirm that no part of the material offered has previously been submitted by me for a degree in this or in any other University. If material has been generated through joint work, my independent contribution has been clearly indicated. In all other cases material from the work of others has been acknowledged and quotations and paraphrases suitably indicated. Signed Date iv Table of Contents Page No. Abstract ii Acknowledgements iii Copyright and Declaration iv Table of Contents v List of Tables xi List of Figures xii List of Maps xii List of Abbreviations used in this Thesis xiii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Research 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Growth and Development 2 1.3 IT and Development 3 1.4 Study Aims and Objectives 11 1.5 Thesis Structure 14 Chapter 2: Study Area and Case Identification: the context 17 2.1 Introduction and Study Area 17 2.1.1 Regional Perspectives 17 2.1.2 Study Area Profile 20 2.1.3 Development Policies and Maj or Proj ects 22 2.2 A Development Paradox 25 2.2.1 Skilled Support 26 2.2.2 Research and Development 26 v 2.3 Administration and Organisational Structure 27 2.4. Organisational and Administrative Culture 28 2.4.1 Organisational Culture 29 2.4.2 Administrative Culture 29 2.5 Case Identification 30 Chapter 3: Information Technology for Development 33 3.1 Introduction 33 3.2 Development Debates 34 3.3 Development Choices 36 3 .4 The Relationship of Appropriate Technology to Development 38 3.4.1 The Role of Foreign Aid 42 3.5 Geographic Information Systems in Developing Countries 43 3 .5.1 GIS Impl ementation 44 3 .5.2 GIS Operations in Developing Countries 47 3.5.3 Towards Successful Implementation 49 3.6 The Future of GIS in Developing Countries 52 3.7 Conclusion 53 Chapter 4: Information System Development: theoretical perspectives 55 4.1 Introduction 55 4.2 Theory in Research 55 4.2.1 Theory and Research Design 56 4.2.2 Constructing a Theoretical Framework 58 4.3 Organisation and Organisation Theory 59 4.3 .1 Postmodernism and Organisation Theory 61 4.3.2 Bureaucracy and Organisation Theory 64 4.4 Selected Theoretical Perspectives 68 4.4.1 Web Models 68 4.4.2 Web Approaches and Related Theoretical Perspectives 71 4.5 Structuration Theory 76 vi 4.5.1 Elements of Social Practice 76 4.5.2 The Process of Structuration and the Duality of Structure 79 4.6 Conclusion 79 Chapter 5: Research Focus and Methodology 81 5.1 Introduction and Research Focus 81 5.2 Research Strategy 82 5.3 Fieldwork Planning and Development 83 5.3.1 Approach to Information Collection 85 5.3.2 Pilot Study 86 5.4 Main Fieldwork Programme 90 5 .4.1 Identification of Focal Agencies 91 5.4.2 Agencies Related to Both SETIA and NALIS 94 5 .5 Information Collection Techniques 95 5.5.1 Interviews 95 5.5.2 Direct Observation 103 5.5.3 Secondary Sources 105 5.6 Information Analysis 105 5.6.1 Organising Interview Material 106 5.6.2 Translating and Transcribing 106 5.6.3 Classifying and Analysing Information Using Qualitative Software 106 5.6.4 Coding 107 5.6.5 Analysing and Reporting 109 5.7 Summary 110 Chapter 6: Evaluation