Implementation and Use of a Digital Location Addressing System in the Developing Country Context of Ghana: A Dynamic Capabilities Perspective

Abstract

Digitalisation has emerged as a pivotal shift, transforming the interaction between societies, organisations, and individuals through the transition from analogue or physical processes to digital ones. This transformation is recognised globally as a strategic imperative for governments, aimed at revolutionising public sector operations to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and responsiveness to citizen needs. At the heart of national-level digitalisation efforts undertaken by public sector organisations is the integration of digital technologies and methodologies across government operations and throughout a country's entire ecosystem, fostering societal and economic advancement. This involves meticulous planning and execution of digital strategies and policies that align with broader governmental objectives and societal needs, motivated by the pressing requirement to meet escalating public service demands, manage constrained budgets efficiently, and bolster government adaptability and resilience. Among the various facets of national-level digitalisation, the digitalisation of location addressing systems plays a fundamental role in the efficient functioning of numerous economic sectors, including emergency services, delivery and logistics, urban planning, and governance. Accurate and accessible digital location addresses are crucial for precise navigation, streamlined service delivery, and effective resource allocation, underpinning a digitally enabled society. This is particularly critical in developing countries, where challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and limited access to services are more pronounced, positioning the digitalisation of location addressing systems as a catalyst for socio-economic development and inclusivity. Despite the recognised significance of digital location addressing systems in the narrative of digitalisation, the Information Systems (IS) discipline has not fully explored this area, especially within the context of developing countries. While there is extensive research on digitalisation at both organisational and national levels, focused studies on the digitalisation of location addressing systems and their integration into national digitalisation strategies remain scarce. This gap is evident in the lack of theoretical frameworks within the IS domain addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the digitalisation of location addressing systems in developing countries. Therefore, this study seeks to bridge this gap by understanding how developing countries implement and utilise digital location addressing systems, focusing on three research questions: 1) What meanings do institutions and firms associate with digital location addressing systems in a developing country? 2) What capabilities enable the implementation and use of digital location addressing systems among institutions and firms in a developing country? and 3) What are the outcomes of implementing and using digital location addressing systems among institutions and firms in a developing country? To address these questions, this study expands the Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT) framework to encompass the complexities of national-level digitalisation in developing countries. By incorporating additional concepts such as legitimising and institutionalising capabilities into the traditional DCT model, which emphasises sensing, seizing, and transforming, the extended framework better captures the operational, regulatory, and societal intricacies of national digitalisation efforts. Adopting an interpretivist approach with qualitative methodologies, the research engages in-depth case studies of four institutions and firms involved in the implementation and use of Ghana’s National Digital Property Addressing System (NDPAS). Through thematic analysis of case descriptions and a theory-driven analysis underpinned by the extended DCT, the study uncovers significant meanings attributed to digital location addressing systems by institutions and firms. These systems are interpreted as: 1) catalysts for operational efficiency, socio-economic development, and inclusivity; 2) tools for enhancing the quality of life; 3) revolutionary innovation for economic sectors; 4) vehicles for strengthening state agencies; and 5) reflections of political commitment to national progress. These findings point to a profound synergy between political aspirations and digital initiatives, underscoring the transformative potential of national-level digitalisation projects. Such projects are not merely technological upgrades but strategic tools pivotal for realising socio-economic development goals and fulfilling the promise of national advancement, emphasizing digitalisation's role as a cornerstone in the strategic agenda for societal progress. The research further identified five key capabilities that enable the effective implementation and use of digital location addressing systems by institutions and firms. These are 1) sensing - the ability to identify, interpret, analyse, and respond to external changes; 2) legitimise - the building of credibility and trust through government endorsement and stakeholder engagement; 3) seizing - the ability to capitalise on opportunities by reconfiguring resources and forming strategic alliances; 4) transforming - the continuous renewal of organisational processes; and 5) institutionalising - embedding optimisation and innovation within daily operations. The outcomes of these implementations are far-reaching, enhancing operational efficiency, inclusivity, regulatory oversight, simplifying navigation, and empowering previously underserved communities. The study contributes significantly to theory, research, practice, and policy in the context of digitalisation. Theoretically, it extends the application of DCT beyond profit-oriented firms to public sector organisations and national digitalisation initiatives. The study innovatively applied DCT to national digitalisation efforts, integrating concepts of legitimising and institutionalising to understand how institutions and firms navigated digital opportunities. This theoretical extension enriched the discourse on national digitalisation strategies, offering a new lens for examining digitalisation in developing economies. The research enriches the literature by providing detailed insights into the processes, challenges, and strategies involved in digitalising location addressing systems in a developing country setting. The study further delved into the practical implications of digital location addressing systems in Ghana, demonstrating how digitalisation could enhance operational efficiency, regulatory oversight, and societal welfare. It highlighted the complex interplay of capabilities necessary for successful digital adoption and the broader societal implications, contributing valuable insights for similar initiatives in other developing countries. On the policy front, the study underscored the crucial role of government action and policies in supporting the successful implementation and utilisation of digital systems. It advocated for an enabling environment, strategic partnerships, and investments in infrastructure to promote digitalisation, emphasising adaptability to local conditions and the integration of macro and micro-level strategies for effective digital initiatives. The research offered comprehensive policy recommendations to ensure digitalisation efforts were inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with national and local objectives, contributing to the broader goal of socio-economic development in developing countries. Significant contributions of this thesis include the adaptation of the DCT to the national digitalisation context and the publication of findings in two conference proceedings.