The use of geographical information systems (GIS) in Namibia

Abstract

Abstract provided by author:

GIS is a computer system for capturing, storing, processing, manipulating and displaying spatially related information. GIS technology is working in all organizations in the communities. It is used in the following main industries: government, business, states and provinces, health and human services, defence and military, educators, engineering, environmental management, national resources, sustainable development and humanitarian affairs, transportation, utilities and construction. It is also perceived to be a multimillion dollar industry worldwide by certain famous GIS specialists like George & Korte, authors of The GIS Book and Maguire, author of Principles of GIS

This research paper seeks to find out whether GIS technology really exists in the Namibian-Windhoek organizations' market. A survey was conducted in the form of 2 questionnaires: one was for organizations currently... [using] GIS and the other for those not currently using GIS to find out what the state of use of GIS in Namibian organizations in Windhoek is. Results of this survey are thus the main body of this research document. Interesting findings like how young (10 yrs) the GIS concept is in the Namibian market, how its benefits correlate within the rest of the market and into knolwedge management and new innovation diffusion concepts as well as how some Namibian organizations are sceptical about it, are all well outlined in this paper. The paper also forsees the promising future of GIS on the Namiiban market as indicated by the respondents throughout the survey