Solving the IT manpower shortage problem in Hong Kong: is importing mainland professionals the only solution

While holistic and multi-disciplinary (integrative) thinking are being advocated at all educational levels in Hong Kong, I hope that policy makers will practise them in solving the current manpower problems in the IT sector.

First of all, I have to trust a common finding of various research studies that there is a shortage. What has not been clear however, is: 'shortage of what and for what'? I must reiterate here the importance of identifying clearly Hong Kong's IT missions and objectives before finding ways (including importing mainland professionals) to achieve them, not the other way round.

What could be these missions or directions so that we can figure out what human resources are needed? The following are identified for brainstorming purposes:

  1. To do pure R&D i.e. generating brand new technologies? We can just assume that Cyberport and Science Park would play some role here
  2. To do applied research--integrating good ideas of others for launching innovative products and services into the marketplace (local and overseas)
  3. To create new industries, such as dotcom, tele-consulting and knowledge management
  4. To produce 'made in Hong Kong' products and services for export
  5. To support existing industries in Hong Kong such as financial, hotel, retail, transportation, etc.

Maybe only some jobs in Item (1) do not need holistic and multi-disciplinary thinking. Even for the dotcom industry, planning competitive strategies and organising back-up supports behind web pages require them. Recent dotcom failures were due to negligence of such . Even Tele-consulting needs to be supplemented by traditional management consulting, and training & development approaches. In knowledge management portals, knowledge skill (not technical skill) is the most important.

For items (2) to (5), the following skills should be emphasised:

-Information Resources Management--managing the inter-working of IT networks, including installing, operating and maintaining network channels, switches, servers, processors, terminals, etc.

-managing electronic flows so that they can go smoothly through intra-and inter-organisational networks, for meeting specific user needs

-executing management functions (planning, operating, organising, controlling, etc.) through the help of electronic means
-managing impacts of electronic flows including profitability, efficiency, communications, motivation, teamwork, etc.

Therefore, Hong Kong does not need technical skills only, but also holistic and multi-disciplinary thinking skills and other skills--language, human communications, etc. and most importantly management skills.

Now going back to the original question: is importation of mainland IT professionals the only answer to the current manpower problem in Hong Kong? I believe that we need to go through a more systematic path finding and problem solving process first for Hong Kong. Other alternatives could include local training, attracting professionals from other countries, etc.

Dr Charles Lam

March 2001

Your response to the above rather controversial thoughts is most welcome. My email address is: clam@kamching.com