Impact of information and communication technologies on charitable organisations in Kuwait

In many countries, non-profit organisations provide enormous help to the public in the form of services, aid, education, advocacy, and many other humanitarian supports. However, despite the important work of many non-profit organisations in their fields, there has been little research about the role on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in facilitating aid distribution. In an effort to improve understanding of non-profit organisations working in charitable programmes, this research assesses the impact of ICTs in charitable organisations in the State of Kuwait. One of the purposes of this study is to provide guidelines to improve the use of ICTs in order to meet the needs of charities, their donors and beneficiaries, and their ability to comply with state legislation. This research uses a multi-methodology approach, which employs two system methodologies in tackling the research problem. The research methodologies that have been applied are Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and Effective Technical and Human Implementation of Computer based System (ETHICS). The participants of the research included charities, authorities, staff, beneficiaries, and donors. The results showed that the current services and activities do not meet the needs and satisfaction of the charities, donors, and beneficiaries. The results also showed that the charities fall short in coping with the national and international compliance requirements. Consequently, there is a need for an appropriate change in systems and procedures, which include database system, communication, technical, confidentiality and security of donors and beneficiaries, co-operation and coordination, and awareness and attitudes of authorities. The study provides the changes needed to improve the current situation in Kuwaiti charities. As one of these changes, a novel design of a web-based Information Exchange System amongst Kuwaiti Charity Organisations (IESKCO) has been developed. This web-based system will combine all Kuwaiti charitable programmes in to one appropriate system, which offers the highest level of benefits at the lowest cost for their clients. In order to ensure that this new system meets the users' needs, an empirical evaluation method has been chosen to evaluate the IESKCO prototype. The results revealed that the users' needs are met using the application. This research has also led to conclusions and directions for further research on the impact of ICTs in charitable sectors.