Abstract
D.Phil.
The dependancy of academic information services on information technology is growing,
particularly as information technology is the primary infrastructure of a digital library . This is
compounded by the fast changing/developing nature of information technology and the trend
towards digitisation. The changing nature of information technology contributes to the need to
manage it.
The focus of this thesis is on the management of information technology with specific reference
to the changing nature of this resource. The problem addressed is: What is the most effective
way (model) of managing changing information technology in academic information services and
how can the disciplines of the management of change and the management of technology be used
to find such a way?
To solve this problem and to find a suitable model with which to manage information technology
the management of change as well the management of technology was studied. In doing so 11
variables (which should be included in a management model) were distilled from the literature.
Directors of academic information services in the South African tertiary sector were approached
to rank the variables, an exercise that indicated the more important variables in the South African
context. The ranking was as follows:
Vision of the role of information technology in the enterprise
Integrated strategic information technology and business plans of the enterprise
Environmental scanning
Available resources in the enterprise
Centralised management responsibility
Information technology standards and architecture
Technological forecasting
Market analysis
The human aspect with reference to mankind's influence on and use of technology
Evaluation of the information technology
Risk assessment.
Of these 11 variables, the first six were identified as key criteria. When existing information
technology models were evaluated, these key criteria were used as the most important measures
of effectiveness. However, attempts to find a suitable existing model that accommodates all six
key criteria were unsuccessful. Equally, the effort to find a model which could be adapted to meet
the criteria, was unproductive, though an effort was made to enhance the most promising model.
In the process it has also been established that there are additional measures to which a successful
model must comply.
The development of a new model was embarked upon with success. The development of the
model was done in two stages. The first effort was limited to the six key variables, while it was
expanded in the second attempt to include all 11 variables. The model reflects both the
relationships between the variables and the influences exerted between them.
In designing a model for the management of information technology, it was discovered that the
aim or goal of the model should be an integral part of the model. Integrating the goal resulted in
clarity and contributed towards understanding the relationships and influences between the
variables.
In evaluating the model after completion, it was concluded that none of the 11 variables were
unique or restricted to the tertiary sector or to South Africa. This conclusion is significant
because it implies that the model can be applied as a general model for the management of
information technology, irrespective of economic sector or geographic location.