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Includes bibliographical references. ; Many developing countries are adopting Information Technology (IT) to address governance challenges. International bodies and donor countries demand that countries demonstrate how they use IT to provide access and inclusion for all and also to ensure effective governance. However, measuring the role of IT in governance remains a major challenge for researchers and practitioners and more so for the transition economies which are characterised by weak institutions, insecurity, political instability and poor IT skills and capabilities. Limited studies have been conducted to examine this problem in transition states in Africa. The objective of this research was to measure the role of IT in resolving governance challenges in a transition state (Tanzania) and also identify factors influencing effective governance. An extensive review of literature revealed that governance is a configuration of distinct but interrelated elements. Usage of IT for governance purposes, governance processes and external pressures were identified as major factors (elements) determining the effectiveness of governance. However these interplay making it difficult to measure the role played by IT in governance. The researcher argues that in such a situation, the role of IT is better determined using a configurational approach. This thesis therefore adopted one configurational approach (i.e. the Gestalts approach), to measure the role of IT in resolving governance challenges in Tanzania. Gestalts are configurations or patterns of organisational elements that have attained an adequate level of coherence, fit or unity with one another. Configurational theorists maintain that when elements attain adequate coherence, success is often realised and that the importance of each element in the interaction can best be understood by making reference to the whole configuration. It is therefore proposed in the present thesis that the stronger the coherence among the elements (i.e. IT usage, governance processes and external pressures), the more governance would be effective and the greater would be the role played by IT in resolving governance challenges in transition Tanzania. This proposition was tested in an empirical study involving one hundred and sixty-six members of the public in Tanzania. Their perceptions of the three elements were measured in a survey and Cluster analysis and qualitative techniques were used to analyse the data. Three clusters representing different perceived configurations of the three elements emerged. However, none attained an adequate level of coherence and governance was perceived to be ineffective. This implies that IT has not played a major role in addressing governance challenges in this transition state. The major theoretical contribution of my research is the use of the Gestalts approach to measure the role of IT in governance in a transition state. The approach offers much potential for measuring complex relationships and addresses the shortcomings of existing measures of IT impacts. The results also have implications for practice. They alert governments to the salient determinants of effective governance in transition states. There isn't a perfect model of governance. Rather governments need to integrate good Western practices with the established practices that have worked well for the nation. It is also important to understand that weak adoption of IT, weak governance processes and increased external pressures will work together to exacerbate the challenges of governance in transition states. Further, when IT is adopted it is imperative to develop human skills and capabilities to manage, integrate and sustain it. It is also important to realise that governance will be subject to changes over time, therefore the alignment of IT usage, governance processes and external pressures should be done on a continuous basis. Finally it is important to realise that effective governance springs from the recognition that governance is the responsibility of all stakeholders.