Agriculture market information e-service in Bangladesh: A stakeholder-oriented case analysis

Abstract

This paper assesses an e-government project in Bangladesh using design-reality gap analysis and stakeholder theory. The project under study is an Agricultural Market Information System intended to provide timely and accurate market information to farmers, wholesalers, and retailers, for the purpose of making actors more informed and markets more effective. The research questions are; why did the system fail, and what, if anything, can be done to improve it. The analysis shows deficiencies in both adaptation to stakeholder preferences, needs and capabilities, as well as in project resources such as staff supply and qualifications. Yet the project has been technically up-to-date and has over time exhibited some learning as failures have resulted in adaptation to new findings. This research suggests use of mobile technologies in combination with call centres and locally available human resources as the most important factors for success. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.