Big Data and Analytics: Case Study of Good Governance and Government Power.

Ali Ahsan; Raazia Gul

Abstract:

It is the responsibility of the core government to collect, store and manage information about its population. However the recent increase in the volume, velocity, veracity, and variety of data available has seen what we now call 'Big Data' emerge, making it hard for governments to manage, store and use that data for informed decision making with traditional technologies. New techniques of data management and data analytics have developed, but governments have not always been at the forefront of this. There seems to be a radical shift in the balance of power between citizen, corporation and government in the presence of Big Data. This study argues that embedding Big Data analytics across many sectors would equip government agencies to make better decisions. It also shows how utilization of Big Data analytics by the government of a country as fragile as Pakistan would make paths for empowerment and good governance. To illustrate this argument, this case study examines the functions, operations and contribution of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) in order to identify how Big Data analytics as a tool of governance has performed in Pakistan. Not only has NADRA become one of the largest national databases in the world, it has proved to be the only public sector organization in the country to have the expertise to successfully develop and implement extremely large projects to ensure data security and good governance. This study argues that the utilization and mobilization of Information Technology, especially related to Big Data, is crucial in creating national competitiveness in the contemporary world. Since Pakistan is subject to numerous challenges ranging from governance and deliverance of social responsibilities to economic viability and electoral reforms, this case study also highlights the potential inherent in the use of Big Data and how NADRA can further exploit the opportunities in the face of rapid technological advancements.

research from:

• Foundation University - Faculty of Management Sciences

Year:

2019

Type of Publication:

Article

Journal:

European Conference on Intangibles and Intellectual Capital (ECIIC)

Pages:

128-134

Month:

5