The uneven road to digital transformation: Information systems use in civil society project management

Simon Augustine Kilasara; Robert Makorere

doi:10.51867/ajernet.6.4.83

Authors

Simon Augustine Kilasara
simkil08@gmail.com
Tengeru Institute of Community Development, Tanzania https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3863-5469
Dr. Robert Makorere Department of Entrepreneurship and Marketing, Mzumbe University, Tanzania

Keywords:

Civil Society Organizations, Digital Transformation, Information Systems, IS Technology Adoption, Project Management

Abstract

This study investigated how Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Tanzania adopt Information Systems (IS), with a focus on their shift from paper-based methods to digital tools in project management. Based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and institutional theory, the research examines how technological capabilities, organisational conditions, and external pressures influence patterns of IS use across key functional areas. Data were gathered through a cross-sectional survey of 272 CSOs across five Tanzanian regions, representing a variety of geographic and operational contexts. Using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA), the study assessed IS adoption levels in both internal and external project functions. The findings reveal a fragmented and selective landscape of adoption. Offline systems still dominate in internal areas such as planning and budgeting, while manual methods remain common in resource and cost management. Conversely, internet-based tools, especially social media, are widely adopted, mainly driven by donor visibility and reporting needs. However, specialised project management systems are seldom used due to financial limitations, technical complexity, and a mismatch with existing workflows. Although device allocation tends to favour externally focused functions, most organisations configure and adapt digital tools across different departments. The study concludes that IS adoption among Tanzanian CSOs is flexible but mainly influenced by external factors, with digital tools often fulfilling compliance and communication rather than boosting internal efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of a more balanced and strategic digital transformation, backed by targeted capacity-building, donor alignment, and fair infrastructure investment. The study recommends that Tanzanian CSOs pursue strategic digital transformation by strengthening internal systems, enhancing staff digital skills, and adopting suitable IS technologies to bridge the internal and external digital gap, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainable, organisation-wide digital integration.

Dimensions

REFERENCES

Al Adwan, A. S., Albelbisi, N. A., Hujran, O., Al Rahmi, W. M., & Alkhalifah, A. (2021). Developing a holistic success model for sustainable e learning: A structural equation modeling approach. Sustainability, 13(16), Article 9453. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169453 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169453

Ardito, V., Cappellaro, G., Compagni, A., Petracca, F., & Preti, L. M. (2025). Adoption of artificial intelligence applications in clinical practice: Insights from a survey of healthcare organizations in Lombardy, Italy. Digital Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251355680 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251355680

Arshad, M., Farooq, M., Afzal, S., & Farooq, O. (2020). Adoption of information systems in organizations: Understanding the role of institutional pressures in a collectivist culture. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 33(2), 265-284. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-05-2019-0130

Benbya, H., Nan, N., Tanriverdi, H., & Yoo, Y. (2020). Complexity and information systems research in the emerging digital world. MIS Quarterly: Management Information Systems, 44(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2020/13304 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2020/13304

Chen, M., Martins, T. S., Zhang, L., & Dong, H. (2025). Digital transformation in project management: A systematic review and research agenda. Systems, 13(8), 625. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13080625 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13080625

DeLone, W. H., & McLean, E. R. (1992). Information systems success: The quest for the dependent variable. Information Systems Research, 3(1), 60-95. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.3.1.60 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.3.1.60

DeLone, W. H., & McLean, E. R. (2003). The DeLone and McLean model of information systems success: A ten-year update. Journal of Management Information Systems, 19(4), 9-30. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2003.11045748 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2003.11045748

DeLone, W. H., & McLean, E. R. (2016). Information systems success measurement. Foundations and Trends® in Information Systems, 2(1), 1-116. https://doi.org/10.1561/2900000005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1561/2900000005

Díaz Arancibia, J., Hochstetter Diez, J., Bustamante Mora, A., Sepúlveda Cuevas, S., Albayay, I., & Arango López, J. (2024). Navigating digital transformation and technology adoption: A literature review from small and medium sized enterprises in developing countries. Sustainability, 16(14), Article 5946. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145946 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145946

Duarte, F., Hecksher, S. D., & Bartholo, R. S. (2012). The role of information technology in small and medium enterprises in the Brazilian oil offshore industry. International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 43(3), 285-293. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJCAT.2012.046316 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJCAT.2012.046316

Ishengoma, F., Mselle, L., & Mongi, H. (2019). Critical success factors for m Government adoption in Tanzania: A conceptual framework. Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 85(1), 34-39. https://doi.org/10.1002/isd2.12064 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/isd2.12064

Ishijima, H., Mapunda, M., Mndeme, M., Sukums, F., & Mlay, V. S. (2015). Challenges and opportunities for effective adoption of HRH information systems in developing countries: National rollout of HRHIS and TIIS in Tanzania. Human Resources for Health, 13(1), 23-27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960 015 0043 1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-015-0043-1

Kalolo, A., Gautier, L., Radermacher, R., Srivastava, S., Meshack, M., & De Allegri, M. (2021). Factors influencing variation in implementation outcomes of the redesigned community health fund in the Dodoma region of Tanzania: A mixed methods study. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 19-24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889 020 10013 y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10013-y

Kock, A., Schulz, B., Kopmann, J., & Gemünden, H. G. (2020). Project portfolio management information systems' positive influence on performance - The importance of process maturity. International Journal of Project Management, 38(4), 229-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2020.05.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2020.05.001

Kolisch, R., Meyer, K., & Mohr, R. (2005). Maximizing R&D portfolio value. Research Technology Management, 48(3), 33-39. https://doi.org/10.1080/08956308.2005.11657313 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08956308.2005.11657313

Kostalova, J., Tetrevova, L., & Svedik, J. (2015). Support of project management methods by project management information system. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 210, 96-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.11.333 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.11.333

Lambiase, S., Catolino, G., Palomba, F., Ferrucci, F., & Russo, D. (2025). Exploring individual factors in the adoption of LLMs for specific software engineering tasks. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.02553

Lashayo, D. M., Alkawaz, M. H., & MD Johar, M. G. (2018). Adoption of e learning systems in Tanzania's universities: A validated multi factors instructor's model. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 96(20), 6864-6876. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329031223

Mboera, L. E. G., Rumisha, S. F., Mbata, D., Mremi, I. R., Lyimo, E. P., & Joachim, C. (2021). Data utilisation and factors influencing the performance of the health management information system in Tanzania. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 498.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06559-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06559-1

Namayala, P., Kondo, T., & Mselle, L. (2024). Analyzing the institutionalization of free and open source software adoption in Tanzanian higher education institutions. Journal of ICT Systems, 2(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.56279/jicts.v2i1.56 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56279/jicts.v2i1.56

Ngulugulu, M. M., Rwela, E. G., & Mkwizu, N. Y. (2023). Adoption of human resource information systems in public sectors in Tanzania. East African Journal of Information Technology, 6(1), 66-76. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajit.6.1.1191 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/eajit.6.1.1191

Nugawela, S., & Sedera, D. (2022). Status quo bias in users' information systems (IS) adoption and continuance intentions: A literature review and framework. In Proceedings of the Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2022) (Vol. 1). University of Melbourne.

Nyandongo, K. M., Lubisi, J., Mwana Nyandongo, K., & Lubisi, J. (2019, July). Assessing the use of project management information systems and its impact on project outcome. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM 2019), Pilsen, Czech Republic (pp. 1501-1512). IEOM Society International.

Pitao, J. V. S., Nabas, J. P., Matias, J. B., Timosan, J. Q., & Rollorata, G. G. (2022). Development and evaluation of enhanced National Greening Program monitoring and document archiving system using DeLone and McLean IS success model. In Proceedings of the 2022 11th International Conference on Networks, Communication and Computing (ICNCC 2022) (pp. 334-340). ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/3579895.3579945 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3579895.3579945

Rahman, H., Shafique, M. N., & Rashid, A. (2018). Project success in the eyes of project management information system and project team members. Abasyn Journal of Social Sciences, 11(2), 34-39.

Sandra, C. J., & Alexander, K. (2025). Tech solutions on effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation in health programs in Kenya. Open Science Journal, 3(1), 185-201. https://scholarnestpublishers.com/index.php/osj/index

TechSoup Global Network. (2021). Data handling and digital readiness in civil society: Global study 2020. TechSoup Global Network. https://www.techsoupglobal.org/TechSoup-Global-Network-Summit-2021-Publication.pdf

Twi Brempong, C., Gu, H., Oppong Baah, T., Owusu, I., Gyamfi, E., Pinas, J., Kim, E., Nsaful, A. A., Boateng, F. A., Ofosu, D., Nketiah, E., Adjei, M., Fianko, S. K., Gyamerah, K. K., & Owusu, J. A. (2020). The impact of access to electricity on e commerce adoption in Ghanaian SMEs: An empirical analysis. Open Journal of Business and Management, 8(1), 245-261. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojbm.2020.81015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ojbm.2020.81015

van Besouw, J., & Bond Barnard, T. (2021). Smart project management information systems (SPMIS) for engineering projects - Project performance monitoring & reporting. International Journal of Information Systems and Project Management, 9(1), 78-97. https://doi.org/10.12821/ijispm090104

Varajão, J., Lourenço, J. C., & Gomes, J. (2022). Models and methods for information systems project success evaluation - A review and directions for research. Heliyon, 8(12), e11977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11977 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11977

Wijatmoko, S., Akbar, B., Sartika, I., & Elsye, R. (2025). Collaborative governance in digital transformation policy implementation for MSMEs in Jakarta: A socio legal perspective. Jurnal Hukum Unissula, 41(2), 366-393. https://doi.org/10.26532/jh.v41i2.45941

Zeng, F., Chan, H. K., & Pawar, K. (2021). The effects of inter and intra organizational factors on the adoption of electronic booking systems in the maritime supply chain. International Journal of Production Economics, 236, 108119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2021.108119 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2021.108119