 |
| |
Panel Discussion: Issues and Options for Senior Managers |
24 September 2002 |
Mexico Room |
15:00-16:30 |
1. Information technologies have been widely adopted across the public and private sectors in agriculture. Senior managers are now faced with a second generation of issues related to effective information management using conventional communication channels as well as new technologies, and are increasingly preoccupied with establishing strategies for their organizations.
2. This area of concern has been reflected in the growing number of publications over the last ten years seeking to give managers advice on how information and information technologies can be more effectively employed as a means of improving the performance and impact of organisations. For example, the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology Development (UNCSTD) in its publication Knowledge societies: information technology for sustainable development, notes that “ICTs are increasingly a focus for policy makers and corporate strategists concerned with development issues”. In a publication from the Financial Times, entitled Mastering information management and aimed mainly at commercial enterprises, it is argued that senior managers have come to realise “that the management of information and information technology is critical to their strategy execution and must be mastered”.
3. The strategic issues to be resolved have technical, social and financial aspects. Like their counterparts in the private sector, managers operating in the field of agricultural development need to make well-informed and smart investment decisions. This 90-minute panel discussion will limit itself to decision-making issues involving significant financial expenditures on ICTs and agricultural information products and services.
4. The panellists will be senior managers from leading agricultural development organisations. The debate will highlight conceptual and practical difficulties in planning specific interventions aimed at improving an organisation’s information and communication management (ICM) capability. It will focus on the potential benefits and risks of substantive investments in ICTs and agricultural information.
5. As well as facilitating knowledge sharing and exchange of information, the panel discussion is expected to help identify alternative strategies for managers seeking advice and guidance on making "smart" investment decisions relating to ICM matters. A short note will be prepared on the key messages emanating from the debate.
6. Mexico room (located at Building "D", second floor)
7. 24 September, 2002 (15:00 - 16:30)
8. This meeting is open to invited participants attending the Second Consultation on Agricultural Information Management.
9. For further information, please contact Mr Carl Greenidge of CTA or the COAIM Secretariat.