Software-as-a-service (SaaS) for local government units (LGUs) : technology assessment on the readiness for adoption in LGU Operations / Arlan B. Alfonso

Year : 2009

Number of Pages : 95 leaves

Adviser : Prof. Glen A. Imbang

Executive Summary

Technology is an enabler of competitiveness, survival and growth. Technology strategy should be aligned with corporate or business strategies and is driven by value creation and the pursuit for sustained competitive advantage. Strategy formulation requires intelligence of both the technological environment and the market environment. Crucial to the success of technology commercialization is the knowledge on the adoption factors that influence the acceptance and wide use of a new technology. The main intent of this paper is to examine the various dimensions of adoption of a particular information technology, Software-as-a-Service or SaaS, in the Philippine Local Government Units. The paper will also provide insights regarding the readiness for SaaS of LGUs taking into account the specific prerequisites for SaaS adoption. In line with this study, an evaluation of Information Technology decision making process and adoption is necessary to get valuable inputs and information from selected local government units representing the NCR, Southern and Northern areas. The survey questionnaire is designed to answer key questions pertaining to the following areas below : 1. Organization Profile 2. Information Technology Decision Making Process 3. Current Information Technology Infrastructure and Support 4. IT Outsourcing and Software as a Service in the Organization. Software-as-a-service replaces the traditional way of delivering software to customers. Instead of purchasing certain software and implementing it together with the required infrastructure on premise, SaaS offers software users a mechanism to implement business applications on-demand through a rental or subscription-based service. The elements of technology adoption will vary as the market characteristics vary thus, barriers and motivation for adoption will differ between the private sector and public sector. The output of this study will provide Information Technology vendors insights to SaaS adoption and will allow them to have a more informed decision making and strategy formulation. The study will also offer inputs for the national and local government in Information Technology initiatives towards the world-class services and competitiveness.