Bahadar Shah

IT IN PAKISTAN: THREATS & OPPORTUNITIES FOR EBUSINESS

This study identifies the characteristics of the independent variables i.e. governmental, organizational, human and technological conditions and the dependent phenomenon of the success/failure of eBusiness projects in the background of Pakistan. A huge body of research is going to be unfolded, which if not managed properly, can nullify all the investments and efforts on eBusiness in the country. The study is based on survey approach; a questionnaire on continuous scale was used, where t‐test, ANOVA, correlation and regression analysis were done for statistical analysis of primary data. Out of 31 hypotheses, 22 were substantiated and the rest were rejected. This study finds that though the conditions are not much promising for eBusiness at the moment, yet growing interest of the private sector through viable investment and gradual improvement in infrastructure indicates more opportunities than threats for eBusiness in Pakistan.

DE-ESCALATING THE IT-PROJECTS

Escalation stickins with an ailing project beyond rational justifications. This happens because in the face of negative feedback, decision makers are strangled between whether to stick with or quit the dying project. Environmental uncertainty has been identified as the root cause of the escalatory behavior. This uncertainty emanates from several sources relating to individual, group, organization and broader environmental factors. This paper argues the premise that effective communication can help create an environment whereby workforce can develop an organized action thereby distributing the responsibility across the whole workforce and not the individuals – leading to the possible reduction of escalatory behavior in IT projects.

Digital Pakistan: opportunities & challenges

IT has revolutionized the social and organizational life around the globe. Given the newness of IT as a technology, there is a lot of potential that needs to be explored. It is however, argued that as IT can revolutionize the economic development, by the same coin, although its mismanagement in adoption process can end up in problems or even straight failure of the technology at the business-end. This study was conducted with reference to opportunities and challenges in the IT adoption process in Pakistan. The aim of the study was to point out the barriers that are impeding the country’s computerization process in order to provide facts to the policy makers for smooth computerization. The primary data collected through structured questionnaires was analyzed and tested through correlation, regressions analysis and t-test. Out of 10 hypotheses, 3 were accepted while in the rest null hypotheses were not substantiated. Based on primary and secondary data analysis this study has found that all independent bureaucratic, political, education and social and cultural variables are mutually correlated and have significant impact on shaping and reshaping of IT in Pakistan, while the Pakistan IT policy is inconsistent, administrative machinery attitude is negative and non cooperative, procedures are cumbersome and implementation is weak and ineffective, not to mention the lack of IT knowledge on the bureaucratic side. The political environment is instable and law and order is worse which is discouraging the investment. Moreover, physical and legal infrastructure is insufficient and the country is lacking good quality IT professionals. IT organization alignment is another serious issue in Pakistan. However, government incentives and growing interest from the private sector indicate positive attitude towards computerization of the country.