Centralised vs. Decentralised Management of Public Information Systems: A Core-Periphery Solution

Information Systems for Public Sector Management Working Paper no. 7

25 Pages Posted: 16 Mar 2020

Date Written: February 18, 1999

Abstract

In dealing with information systems, public sector organisations have to cover eight main areas of responsibility: information systems planning, organisational structures and staffing, data management, computing and data management architecture, information systems development, information technology acquisition, training, and technical support. Adopting a centralised approach to these responsibilities can bring efficiency benefits, but requires some severe constraints to be overcome. Adopting a decentralised approach can help spread computing in the organisation, but is often wasteful. A ‘core-periphery’ approach to public information systems, combining both central and local action, is therefore recommended as being most effective. Details of such an approach are described within the paper.

Suggested Citation

Heeks, Richard, Centralised vs. Decentralised Management of Public Information Systems: A Core-Periphery Solution (February 18, 1999). Information Systems for Public Sector Management Working Paper no. 7, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3540068 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3540068

Richard Heeks (Contact Author)

The University of Manchester ( email )

Oxford Road
Manchester, N/A M13 9PL
United Kingdom

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