Attitude towards ICT in the era of globalisation

Foreign organisations are taking full advantage of developments in the ICT sector to achieve all the tasks needed to remain at par. The changes have come in two parts: first a cultural change in the workforce where staff at all levels are not afraid of using computers and secondly adopting the right solution inline with the organisational requirements.

It is highly important for Bangladesh to promote these two changes in all sectors; the way it is important for a credit officer to use spreadsheets to model credit related data and analyse trends and for the senior management to be able to access the right MIS report to monitor bank credits.

It is not necessary for all staff members to be a 'techie'. However, it is important for all to have adequate computer knowledge to be able to use it to achieve organisational objectives. For example, it is important for a credit officer to know how a system running Microsoft Excel can help him compare and visualise credit data and extract trends regarding credit defaulters.

The education system plays a vital role in the development of ICT skills. Basic ICT subjects ought to be included in all disciplines of study. Technical skills need to be developed both through the education system and by the institutions investing in the workforce.

It is said time is money and dependency promotes backwardness. Both are addressed by the use of ICT. Computer automation of an organisational process saves time and minimises dependency on particular staff members.

The results of cost-benefit analysis carried out by organisations become an inhibiting factor in embracing ICT, simply because they are not big enough to bear the risk of initial investment.

This issue can be handled in two ways; firstly by having a long-term vision and a business projection that gives a better picture about the total cost of ownership and secondly by promoting development of ICT in the local market so that the purchasing cost comes down.

As cost is an important factor, such solutions do not become a liability but an opportunity. For instance a bank can jump the ICT bandwagon and purchase a banking system from abroad, without proper consultation or analysing institutional needs. The usual thought process goes: the system is expensive therefore must be good.

The results of such purchases could end up exceeding the predicted budget.

In condition, for Bangladesh to be able to compete in the era of globalisation, laid back attitude of organisations should be overthrown. Raising the level of the workforce and equipping them with the right skill sets so that they are creative and are not afraid of change is a necessity. The value of time and efficiency ought to be recognised by all as means to compete in the global market.

Mubijul Islam is a Senior Vice President and Head of IT of Premier Bank Ltd.