Viewing Information Technology Outsourcing Organizations Through a Postcolonial Lens

Abstract:

This paper discusses some of the difficulties and challenges that an information technology (IT) firm in a developing country faces in its attempt to become a global player. In 1999, the firm KnowICT embarked on a strategic project called Knowledge
Management (KM), whose main purpose was to unify and integrate knowledge that resided in the various organizational business
units into one strategic knowledge infrastructure. By combining the knowledge resources dispersed in the various organizational
business units, KnowICT managers hoped that KnowICT could be transformed into a leading global IT consultancy firm, rather
than be seen just as a provider of routine outsourcing jobs. Although at a basic operational level the KM project has been
deemed a success, the attempt to combine the knowledge resources from the various organizational business units proved more
difficult than anticipated. We use postcolonial theory to explain the difficulties and challenges that KnowICT faces. Postcolonial
theory draws attention to issues of power, ownership, control, and identity. We suggest postcolonial theory can meaningfully
enhance our understanding of the development and use of information and communication technologies in developing countries.

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