Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Practice of Public Administration
Abstract
Geographic Information System (GIS) applications are tools that allow users to create interactive queries (user-created searches), analyse spatial information, edit data in maps and present the results of all these operations. This paper was particularly focused on the application of GIS in the practice of Public Administration. Public Administration is a branch of management sciences that studies how government organizations operate and how they make decisions. The complexity in achieving equitable distribution of government actions as well as implementation of such actions to the public requires a thorough analysis of costs and benefits. Many GIS tools could be useful to public administrators, such as measurement tools, mapping tools, spatial analysis tools, data capturing and management tools. Data management tools allow administrators to organize and manage large amounts of data. Therefore, GIS technology offers a framework for gathering and managing information and improving planning efforts in the public domain for effective service delivery. They are quite available at the disposal of Public Administration experts if they are to successfully meet the challenges surrounding the procedure of planning development.
Authors
- Ekong Daniel, Ph.D.
- Namso Mbon, Ph.D.
Department of Public Administration
Faculty of Management Sciences
Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria