Characterization of the IST function in Municipalities

Abstract

Information Systems and Technologies (IST) assume a fundamental role in organizations, being a critical factor for their economic development and the creation of value. IST may even be a fundamental requirement for the survival of organizations, either private or public. Portuguese municipalities are not an exception to this reality. Since the 80s, Portuguese municipalities have been adopting IST to transform and improve their internal operations, and the way they interact with citizens and other stakeholders [1]. Municipalities do now recognize IST as a key enabler for the delivery of better services and, consequently, to improve the quality of life of their citizens. However, each municipality has been using and implementing IST in very different ways, leading to differences in the IST maturity level reached by each municipality. This research aims at developing a framework and an instrument -- a questionnaire -- that may be used to provide a detailed characterization of the IST function in municipalities. The application of such instrument in the context of one municipality, or to a set of municipalities, will provide valuable information to inform national and local policy-makers' decision processes as well as local IST managers' activities.