Computer/online technology is still relatively new in Malta, so I knew my findings would vary. We are still in the process of moving away from the paperless office; everything is still at testing stages. So its really hard to imagine how IA would be received.
My findings were quite a surprise. I found that the Maltese government website does actually follow an architectural structure. I then recalled that the site was build by a large IT company, who is probably the most dominant IT company on the island. It seemed obvious that they wouldn’t bypass something so important. Although I am pretty sure that not all government sectors are worked into this structure but the pattern definitely shows room for expansion without the need for total reconstruction (which did ring a bell with something I had read)
Then I asked some friends of mine; generally people who work in computer related companies. It seemed that the general trend was that there was ‘some’ form of information architecture but it was not considered as a standing sector of its own. It has a small allocation of the company’s budget and was usually merged under other expenses. Maltese companies do not seem to consider organization as a priority which could save time and money. Employees don’t seemed to be included, educated or even asked how they interpret terminology within the system.
I hope I don’t sound biased in saying so, but in Malta outside the IT sector; IT use is very limited (usually there is one person who is IT literate and this person will do anything from repairs, networks, websites, databases). It’s pretty much a one man show.
