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The Effect of Culture and Environmental Context on Strategic Use of Decision Support Systems in Local Authorities: A Comparative Study of Egypt and the UK

The Effect of Culture and Environmental Context on Strategic Use of Decision Support Systems in Local Authorities: A Comparative Study of Egypt and the UK
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Author(s): Ibrahim Elbeltagi (De Montfort University, UK)
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 3
Source title: Information Technology & Organizations: Trends, Issues, Challenges & Solutions
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59140-066-0.ch333
ISBN13: 9781616921248
EISBN13: 9781466665330

Abstract

This article draws on a survey among CEO and IT mangers in local authorities in the UK and Egypt to explain the similarities and differences in the cultural and environmental dimensions that affect using Decision Support Systems (DSS) in making strategic decisions. The astronomical global growth of Information Technology (IT) has inspired IT practitioners, researchers, developers, and innovators to seek new, more sophisticated, and more effective methods to use DSS strategically. This interest in the subject has been manifested in the abundant research and studied carried out to identify the factors that lead to successful adoption and use of IT in general and DSS in particular (Agarwal & Prasad, 1998a; Davis, 1989; Davis, Bagozzi, & Warshaw, 1989; Rose & Straub, 1998; Thompson & Rose, 1994). Unfortunately, little research is currently available about the state of IT management in developing countries in comparison to developed countries. Furthermore, with the increased globalisation of the world economy, many organisations interested in entering the promising marketplace of developing countries may need to get a sense of the particulars of the cultural dimension that affect DSS usage in these countries in comparison to the developed countries where these technologies is developed and designed. Mangers should be aware of these findings and should take it into consideration in the planning, design, introduction, and usage of DSS in making strategic decisions in local authorities.

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