Online dissemination of information to government employees in the public service of Namibia
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Date
2007
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Abstract
The Public Service Information Online Website was introduced in 2003 to disseminate online information to government employees in the Public Service of Namibia. The way information was being disseminated earlier to government employees was ineffective. It was time consuming and cost-ineffective for the Office of the Prime Minister and Personnel Offices to disseminate information manually to government employees. However, no assessment was undertaken to determine the effectiveness and to ascertain whether the online dissemination of information to government employees has indeed improved service delivery
This study intends to assess the effectiveness of online dissemination of information to government employees. In carrying out this study, interviews were conducted with Heads of Personnel Offices of government ministries as well as with senior managers of the Efficiency and Charter Unit, Department of Public Service Management and Department of Public Service Information Technology Management in the Office of the Prime Minister. Website hits, which refer to the number of times the website is accessed by users, were analysed to determine the number of government employees who are accessing the website. Documentary analysis included policy documents, reports as well as other literature
The findings of this study show that challenges facing other public services such as limited ICT technological infrastructure, shortage of qualified ICT professionals, lack of ICT skills and lack of e-laws amongst others are also experienced in the Public Service of Namibia. Such issues have also affected the phasing in of online dissemination of information into the Public Service of Namibia, which is still in the interaction phase. The study demonstrates that aspects such as data systems, legal, institutional, human, technological infrastructure as well as issues of leadership and strategic thinking should be taken into account in the development and implementation of e-governance initiatives in public services to ensure success thereof.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Policy and Administration
Keywords
Civil service, Information services