The development and evaluation of an Information Technology Support System for inter-organisational collaboration in HRD

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to evaluate the diffusion of and user response to an information technology support system (ITSS) which was designed to facilitate inter-organisational coordination and collaboration in the professional development of officers employed by local authorities (LAs). Design/methodology/approach – An action research strategy was adopted reflecting the tightly coupled nature of the design and evaluation of a training coordination model. The evaluation comprised a preliminary questionnaire survey and analysis of focus group discussions. Findings – The ITSS was regarded as having the potential to fulfil key training coordination functions; nevertheless, there was a low usage of it within its first eight months of operation. There was no evidence of overt organisational or cultural barriers but there was a failure to appreciate the usefulness and benefits of the collaborative tools provided by the ITSS. Research limitations/implications – ITSSs have the capability to facilitate coordination and collaborative workplace learning for professional officers across local government boundaries but factors influencing organisational support may need further investigation. Practical implications – Similar projects should incorporate initiatives to inform users and managers of the benefits of full engagement with the ITSS. Originality/value – Web-based systems, such as the one developed for this project, present a real opportunity for employers to work collaboratively to address specific professional development needs through sharing knowledge and resources