This paper attempts to explore the adoption of changes introduced by an IT-intervention in the context of a social welfare scheme. Using case study methodology, we have studied the changes introduced through the project ‘CORE PDS’ (Centralized Online Real-time Electronic Public Distribution System) in the Chhattisgarh Public Distribution System (PDS). CORE PDS was a far-sighted project aimed to integrate the retailers (Fair Price Shops, FPSs) with IT infrastructure. It simultaneously introduced two changes. One was an automated transaction processing system while another was the provision of portability for the beneficiaries. After 2 years of its implementation it was observed that despite the government’s diligent efforts, only the automated transaction processing system was adopted, while portability was discarded by the FPSs. We use the theoretical lenses of stakeholder theory and agency theory for identifying reasons for this partial failure. Our analysis suggests that information system (as monitoring and reporting mechanism), outcome uncertainty, risk aversion and goal conflict play critical roles in the adoption of changes. Changes with higher monitoring, lower outcome uncertainty and lower goal conflict are easily adopted, and on the other hand, lower monitoring, greater outcome uncertainty and higher goal conflict result in lower possibility of adoption.
Structured abstract Subject area information and communication technology (ICT) for development. Study level/applicability Master of Business Administration Program’s Management Information Systems courses. Or introductory courses in Masters in ICT for Development. Case overview The paper aims to highlight the endeavour of public distribution system (PDS), a food security scheme for under-privileged people in India, towards excellence, using ICT in the state of Chhattisgarh. It presents two important roles of ICT: one, as a system improvement tool, through supply chain integration (in Phase 1) and, the other, as tool for empowerment, by providing choices through computerized online real-time electronic (CORE) PDS (in Phase 2). CORE PDS was intended to provide choices of retail outlets to poor beneficiaries for collecting their food entitlement, breaking the retail outlet’s monopoly. The project was successfully implemented in some urban areas of Chhattisgarh, providing motivation for its mass scale roll-out. But, the contextual differences between rural and urban settings were raising questions on the ultimate value expected to be delivered by the project in rural areas. Expected learning outcomes Two major learning outcomes of the case: students will appreciate the multi-faceted role of ICT in improving the performance of a system meant for a financially poor section of the society; students will understand the role of contextual settings in a developing economy in the endeavour of ICT projects for societal development. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 10: Public Sector Management.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.