Organisational implementation of information & communication technologies (lCT): a perspective from the voluntary sector

This research offers a new framework for dealing with the issues governing lCT adoption and the factors driving wider diffusion in SMVOs. The Internet has provided a great leap in the way the commercial sector does business. Regrettably, the voluntary and community sector, particularly the Small and Medium Voluntary Organisations (SMVOs), risk being left behind. The UK Government is encouraging the Voluntary Sector to improve its infrastructureand deliver public services.
This research considers key characteristics of SMVOs and identifiesTechnology, Organisational and People (TOP) imperatives that provide new conceptual framework for understanding and implementing websites (WAM),
maximising benefits and managing the attendant change.
The research methodology is based on multi-disciplinary theories involving action research which allows change and understanding to be achieved at the same time. The research explores organisation theories and the concept of website adoption within the context of organisational change in a pilot and four selected SMVO case studies.
I conclude my thesis by drawing out the findings based on the Website Adoption Model (WAM) and extending it into a Technology Adoption Model (TAM). The framework presents classification of SMVOs which shows the main characteristics of organisations with high technology, organisational and people imperatives. I suggest that in order to facilitate the understanding of SMVOs in particular and organisations in general, it is helpful to classify organisations using a two-dimensional classification based on TOP schematic diagrams. For the first time, SMVOs can identify a vision, develop an lCT strategy and recognise changes arising out of lCT implementation.
Finally, I reflect and draw out lessons on research methodology and then consider final conclusions about key findings, policy implications and further research.