The Extent of Adoption and Use of Information and Communications Technologies (Icts) by Civil Servants in South Sudan National Government in Juba

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the extent of the adoption and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by the civil servants of South Sudan, using a case study of the South Sudan national government. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent of ICT adoption and use levels among civil servants, to find out the opportunities that existed for the ICTs training of civil servants, and to determine the factors affecting the adoption and use of the available ICTs by civil servants. A descriptive research design was used and a sample of 200 civil servants (grades 9-2) was selected from 21 ministries. The study applied purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling techniques. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, while qualitative data was analyzed using Grounded Content Analysis Technique. A majority (89%) of the respondents in the civil service had used ICTs in their professional career, 52.7% of whom reported that they used ICTs “very often”, while 28.7% said they used ICTs “often”. ICT facilities that were available and in use included computers/PCs, printers, photocopy machines, flash disks, the Internet network, ministry/department website, digital cameras, iPads, fax machines, and scanners, among others. The main functions of the ICT facilities were typing, storing information, printing, scanning, making calls, Internet browsing, taking photos and videos. Inadequate training in use of ICTs and inadequate ICT infrastructure like electricity were the main factors that hindered adoption and use of ICTs. The study recommended an enhanced package for training civil servants in ICT skills, an improvement in ICT infrastructure in Juba; to improve the electricity supply; and generate awareness campaigns to enlighten citizens of South Sudan on the importance of taking an initiative to know and use ICTs.