Local authority information systems in New Zealand with particular reference to road maintenance management

Abstract

Two recent research studies have provided insights into the stage of development of information systems in territorial local government in New Zealand. This paper links a general study of existing information systems with preliminary results from an in-depth analysis of road maintenance management. These studies show conflicting levels of satisfaction with the available information service. This suggests that not only is there wide variety in the level of use of electronic data processing equipment, but that viewpoints also differ on minimum criteria for good management practice in local government. Road maintenance management is of considerable national importance in New Zealand and the major item of public service provision by territorial local government. Research effort is being directed towards defining road maintenance management information needs and identifying new system implementation strategies and problems. Within the constraints imposed by the present relatively low level of information technology in use, advances in the level of sophistication of management will require resolution of a wide range of issues, a sample of which is provided below: —who will manage organizational change in jobs, work flow and information production as new maintenance systems are adopted; —what educational programmes will be required for officials facing up to a new set of criteria for good local government management; —where has change of this kind been successfully introduced and what are the main characteristics of successful transition; —assuming systematic road maintenance management can produce more effective and efficient resource use, could not the new roading system form the basis of a “public utility service system” for managing such services as water, electricity supply and sewerage.