Abstract—This paper explores the effectiveness of approaches used for the implementation of technology within central governments specifically Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It examines the extent to which various strategies to GIS implementation and its roll out to users within an organization is crucial for its long term assimilation. Depending on the contextual requirements, various implementation strategies exist spanning from the most revolutionary to the most evolutionary, which have an influence on the success of GIS projects and the realization of resulting business benefits within the central governments. This research compares between two strategies of GIS implementation within the Lebanese Municipalities. The first strategy is the “Technological Approach” which is focused on technology acquisition, overlaid on existing governmental frameworks. This approach gives minimal attention to capability building and the long term sustainability of the implemented program. The second strategy, referred to as the “Ecological Approach”, is naturally oriented to the function of the organization. This approach stresses on fostering the evolution of the program and on building the human capabilities. The Union of the Joumeh Municipalities will be presented as a case study under the “Ecological Approach” and the role of the GIS Center at the University of Balamand will be highlighted. Thus, this research contributes to the development of knowledge on technology implementation and the vital role of academia in the specific context of the Lebanese public sector so that this experience may pave the way for further applications. Keywords—Ecological Approach, GIS, low income countries, technological approach. I. INTRODUCTION VER the last decade, change has swept through the majority of organizations driven mainly by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) [1]. This ICT push formed a snowball‐like effect that forced various organizations to follow the lead. To respond to this new trend of change, organizations invested heavily in acquiring innovative A. Iaaly is a Lecturer and Supervisor of the GIS Center, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Balamand, P.O.Box : 100 Tripoli, Lebanon (phone: 961-3909067; fax: 961-6930278; e-mail: amal.iaaly@ balamand.edu.lb). O. C. Jadayel is a Professor and Chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Balamand, P.O.Box : 100 Tripoli, Lebanon (e- mail: oussama.jadayel@balamand.edu.lb). R. Jadayel is a Lecturer within the Mathematic Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Balamand, P.O.Box : 100 Tripoli, Lebanon (e-mail: rola.jadayel@balamand.edu.lb). technologies in the hope to reduce cost [2], increase productivity and functionality [1], and gain competitive advantage [3]. In Parallel, pressure was exerted on public sector organizations across the world in order to improve service delivery, thus become more efficient and more citizens focused. These dependents led to the rise of “Transformational Government – enabled by IT” that put the use of technology at the heart of public service reform [4]. Consequently, governments of big economies across the world with similar agendas followed the lead [4]. Besides, transformation in the public sectors was not limited to the first world nations in which they germinated [5] but also in many developing countries across the world. Developing countries implemented reform in their public sector by adopting the most advanced innovations devised by industrial countries [6]. Given that eighty to ninety percent of government information are geographically referenced, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) became among the major information technologies in which public investment is needed [7]. Hence, GIS became widely adopted in governments across the world [8]. Within municipalities, the implementation of GIS technology is of strategic importance and became a radical mainstream within their enterprise-wide Information Management (IM) strategy leading them toward E-Municipalities. The main objective from this implementation is the development of a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) in an attempt to become more efficient and effective as related to data retrieval and analysis [7]. Within the specific context of developing countries, establishing an SDI at the municipal level is of high importance as it helps overcome the high centralization of the government. However, the strategic importance of GIS are yet to be realized fully [8]. In fact, the failure of GIS is prevalent within governmental and public sector institutions [9]. According to KMPG Information Technology report eighty five percent of GIS projects fail and forty five percent do no produce expected benefits [10]. Failure is mostly due to inadequate strategies in managing GIS implementation and diffusion in local government [7]. The implementation strategy falls under the umbrella of Technology Transfer that depends mostly on grants from international donors [11]. These donors organizations are bounded by a limited time frame to GIS project implementation, thus they deploy the “Big-Bang” implementation strategy [12]. This approach The “Ecological Approach” to GIS Implementation in Low Income Countries’ and the Role of Universities: Union of Municipalities of Joumeh Case Study A. Iaaly, O. Jadayel, R. Jadayel O World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Geological and Environmental Engineering Vol:10, No:3, 2016 307 International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 10(3) 2016 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/10003796 International Science Index, Geological and Environmental Engineering Vol:10, No:3, 2016 waset.org/Publication/10003796