Information Technology and Economic Development Practice: Opportunity or Overload?

Abstract

Information technology has become more available and the use of computers, software and telecommunications has increased leading to improvements in productivity of the community. This article presents the research on the role of information technology in economic development. A survey is used as the research method to gather qualitative and quantitative data conducted on EDPs from 153 municipalities in 1993. The research observes several key factors; more importance is placed on computer-based data and analysis in larger centers, information sources varied between different centers, the improvements in EDP information provision services due to benefits from information technologies. The results also indicate that the extent of application of information technologies is not the same between EDPs working in different centers reflecting divergence in resource availability. Finally, the research confirms that information technologies is being extensively acquired and applied in economic development offices since 1990s, however, its true potential for future growth is yet to be achieved.