May 2, 2002 | Read Time: 1 minute
For the most part, local economic-development organizations have the hardware and software they need to do basic administrative tasks, but they are not able to take advantage of more sophisticated information technology in their work, says a new report entitled “The Evolving Role of Information Technology in Community Development Organizations.”
All 353 local economic-development organizations surveyed said they have one computer for each of their employees. More than half of the organizations surveyed reported that their computers were linked together in a network, and almost all of the organizations have word-processing software and databases.
The study found, however, that few were using more sophisticated software. For example, more than 60 percent of the organizations said that they do not use mapping software, which allows users to turn complicated sets of data into maps that organizations can then use in their planning and advocacy efforts.
In follow-up telephone interviews, according to the report, some respondents told researchers that they recognized that mapping software could help them in their work but said that they didn’t have the money or the technology skills to make use of it.
The study’s findings are based on a telephone survey conducted in February and March 2001.
The report was published by Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation, or Seedco, a New York nonprofit organization that provides assistance to economic-development groups that work in poor areas. It conducted the research with the City University of New York’s Baruch Survey Research Unit.
To get there: Go to http://www.seedco.org/about/pub/index.html.
