Exploring characteristics of GIS Adoption Decisions and Type of Induced Changes in Developing Countries: The Case of Ethiopia

Abstract

AbstractThe adoption of geographic information system (GIS) in developing countries is limited due to contextual impediments. Despite this, there are examples in developing countries where GIS is being adopted through various projects, initiatives and incentives. One such example concerns the municipal utility sector in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The sector is largely under the control of public authorities with limited funds, yet it has been investing in GIS. Our article explores what have been the characteristics of the adoption decisions and type of induced changes, with the purpose to explore what could explain the GIS adoption process. The aim of this exploration is to find general characteristics of what would make GIS adoption successful in a developing countries context. We hypothesized that actual GIS adoption decision and induced changes depend on the overall organizational interests and strategic opportunities, which in turn depend on contextual factors. The results indicated that there were some circumstances which fused GIS adoption decisions with a certain degree of opportunism. GIS was adopted especially when it served other strategic purposes, such as structural adjustments to maintain organizational control. Furthermore, we found that higher level organizational changes, such as changes in power structure and communication lines, would not directly occur only because GIS adoption required so. These characteristics may be more profound in developing countries than in developed countries.