bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Socio‐Technical Analysis of ICT Investments in Developing Countries: A Capability Perspective
Authors: Dasuki Salihu Ibrahim , Abbott Pamela
Published: December 2017

Most existing ICT for development (ICT4D) literature tends to focus mainly on design, transfer and implementation issues. There is limited focus on the impact of ICT projects on development and little concrete analysis of these initiatives in terms of their long‐term developmental impact. In this paper, we draw upon Luke's (1974) concept of power and Sen's (1999) notion of capabilities as an evaluative space for ICT project assessment. The novel approach taken from Luke's concept of power with Sen's capability approach attempts to understand the social powers that may inhibit or enable individuals from taking full advantage of ICT resources for furtherance of their lives. The framework's utility is illustrated with a case study based on an empirical work in the Nigerian electricity sector. The combined framework and case study contribute to knowledge on the development of theory and informs practice by offering a novel approach to examining ICT‐led developmental projects. The study concludes with some implications for policy makers advancing an agenda on “ICT for Development”.
Effect of Gen Y's Affective Attitudes Towards Facebook Marketing Communications in South Africa
Authors: Duffett Rodney G
Published: December 2017

The ubiquitous role of technology in the lives of Generation (Gen) Y consumers is commonly recognized in scholarly circles, as well as the pervasive use of interactive and social media among younger consumers, which is significant for marketers from an advertising perspective. Widespread usage of social media such as Facebook is generating billions of dollars in advertising revenue, however, little is known about the attitudes of consumers towards advertising on this conduit in developing countries, especially in terms of the effect of various usage characteristics and demographic factors. This study investigates the influence of Facebook advertising on affective attitudes amongst Gen Y in South Africa (SA). The findings of the inquiry revealed a generally positive predisposition towards Facebook advertising vis‐à‐vis affective attitudes, which makes a noteworthy contribution to the limited social media research on hierarchy response theory in developing countries. This investigation should also assist companies and their brands to understand what makes Gen Y like and develop a preference for their products that are promoted on Facebook, as well as the impact of various usage and demographics variables, thereby abetting the development and implementation of more effective marketing communications on this vast digital interactive medium in South Africa.
Measurement and Determining Factors Affecting the Level of Knowledge Management
Authors: Naicker Visvanathan , Omer Nasraldine
Published: December 2017

This paper provides a new model for assessing the performance of firms in their Knowledge Management (KM) endeavours. This research investigates and identifies the main determinants of successful KM processes. Firms have been accumulating and applying knowledge to create competitive advantages. The emphasis on knowledge management in contemporary firms is based on the notion that problems to the transfer and replication of knowledge bestow KM with strategic prominence. As a result, firms are at various stages of planning and implementing knowledge‐based strategies to improve their competitiveness in the marketplace. Moreover, there are human factors that facilitate or hinder the ability of firms and their staff to adopt and implement competitive, business technologies. Hence, the use of institutional theory to develop an integrative model in measuring the constructs of successful KM process capabilities is considered in this paper. The research model is tested with a survey study involving 682 firms in which data was collected over 6 months. The empirical results provided strong support for the model. In addition to its theoretical contributions, this study presents important practical suggestions through the identification of specific proficiencies leading to KM success.
Exploring the Cybersex Phenomenon in the Philippines
Authors: Cruz Elinor May , Sajo Trina Joyce
Published: December 2017

In its “Philippine Information Society” discourse, the State promotes Filipino service‐based ICT skills while condemning other “offensive” and “illegal” activities, such as cybersex. This dichotomy fails to capture the complex nature of the cybersex phenomenon, and accordingly, the varied lived experiences of individuals in the context of an emergent “Information Society.” We wish to broaden the discursive space by adopting the affective labor perspective and showcasing cybersex narratives that traverse themes of exploitation, negotiation, resistance, and agency in ICT use. Using two case studies, we illustrate how cybersex is experienced, organized, mediated, and made meaningful. We also describe how laborers are inscribed in mechanisms of surveillance and control, as they develop counter‐measures to compromise, challenge or take advantage of these mechanisms. Our analysis reveals that cybersex laborers create value, not just in monetizing their labor, but also in pursuing autonomy, personal development, and kinship‐oriented care. The lived experiences of cybersex laborers also produce new and potent forms of bio‐politics. These multi‐faceted narratives problematize the State‐sponsored ICT discourse. On one hand, laborers embody the impositions made upon service‐based labor by the global digital economy: rudimentary technological skills, the ability to speak English, the ability to empathize and foster customer relations. On the other, their exclusion engendered the refusal to be subjected to the standards and prerequisites of the legitimate, “formal” digital economy. Cybersex's anomalous position, we contend, is a reflexive by‐product of the neoliberal digital economy that puts premium less on ICT for development and more on labor that serves, foremost, ICT for capital.
Analyzing Multmedia Data: Exploring the Dimensions of COntext in ICT for Development Research
Authors: Chandwani Rajesh , De Rahul
Published: December 2017

It is argued that ICT‐for‐development interventions should be seen as a dynamic and hybrid network of actors, artefacts, communities, and institutions embedded within the context. Comprehensive understanding of contextual nuances in ICT4D research is thus, an important determinant of quality of research. Scholars have emphasized that qualitative research is opportune in uncovering unique insights and comprehension in a poorly understood and hitherto unexplored arena such as ICT4D interventions in developing countries. While ‘data’ in most of the qualitative research refers to ‘words or textual data’, the advancements in the mobile technology, especially incorporation of compact cameras in the mobile phones, and increasing penetration of mobile phones allow researchers to easily capture multimedia data in their field study. We posit that multimedia data, having multiple dimensions as compared to textual data, enhance the capability of the researchers to understand and explore a specific dimension of qualitative research, namely the contextual dimension, enabling the researcher to undertake a more valid or rigorous investigation of the phenomenon as embedded in the context. By explicating the process of analysis of multimedia data‐video recordings of doctor‐patient interaction over telemedicine, the authors emphasize that multimedia data analysis can considerably enhance the quality of research in the ICTD domain. In doing so, this paper addresses two important issues related to the methodological issues in qualitative analysis of multimedia data: (1) when and why should the researcher consider collecting multimedia data as opposed to textual data and (2) how should the researcher proceed in analyzing the multimedia data.
Disciplinary Kingdoms: Navigating the Politics of Research Philosophy in the Information Systems
Authors: van Zyl Izak
Published: December 2017

In this position paper, I discuss the intellectual politics of research philosophy in the field of Information Systems (IS). I make particular reference to the higher education landscape of South Africa, and attempt to trace personal and scholarly encounters with what I deem to be ‘paradigmatic thinking’. The aim of the ensuing discussion is to deepen the understanding of the politics of paradigms, as instantiated in IS research teaching and philosophy. This discussion attempts to broaden existing discourse by considering the university of technology as an emerging player in IS research philosophy. In particular, I consider paradigmatic thinking as the emergence of Disciplinary Kingdoms within which academics navigate the sacred grounds of philosophy, and rule over these with epistemological authority. I discuss these dynamics critically, and argue for conceptual‐critical undertakings in the research philosophy of IS that encourage autonomy, agency, and self‐reflection.
Women and ICT in Africa and the Middle East: Changing Selves, Changing Societies
Authors: Addo Atta
Published: December 2017

Women and ICT in Africa and the Middle East: Changing Selves, Changing Societies. Edited by: Ineke Buskens & Anne Webb. Zed Books, London 2014: ISBN: 978‐1‐98360‐042‐7; £ 21.99; 326pp
ICT Policies in Developing Countries: An Evaluation with the Extended Design‐Actuality Gaps Framework
Authors: Palvia Prashant , Baqir Naveed , Nemati Hamid
Published: December 2017

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are often represented as a factor in global economic growth and social development. Consequently, countries and governments invest large amounts of resources in the ICT sector. However, it is not certain whether the results of these investments necessarily match expectations. In order to investigate this conundrum, this study evaluates government policies for Information Communication Technologies (ICT) growth in a developing country by extending and utilizing the design‐actuality gaps framework. A qualitative analysis of government's ICT policy documents (i.e., design) and interviews with 35 citizens and 54 government officials (i.e., actuality) shows significant design‐actuality gaps. Additional insights are derived from two focus groups involving 11 citizens. The analysis shows that not only there are gaps between policy design and actuality but also the dimensions of design and actuality are different. The causes of these gaps are discussed along with implications for practitioners and a theoretical extension of the design‐actuality gaps framework. This research contributes to the literature on design‐actuality gaps, ICT in developing countries, and government policy evaluation.
Deployment of Enterprise Architecture in the Namibian Government: The Use of Activity Theory to Examine the Influencing Factors
Authors: Shaanika Irja , Iyamu Tiko
Published: December 2017

Government in both developed and developing countries strive to deliver effective and efficient services to its citizens. Hence the rapid increasing use of information technology to enhance service delivery. However, IT carries its own challenges, such as incompatibilities, lack of integration and lack of scalability. Many approaches, from both academic and professional domains have been employed to assess the challenges, for improvement purposes. Government of some countries have therefore introduced enterprise architecture (EA) to addressing IT challenges. Similarly, EA is influenced by many factors, making it not as easy as we are made to understand. Thus activity theory was applied to examine and understand how the challenges manifest into complexities, and in turn, have negative impacts on services delivery.

The use of the activity theory (AT) helps to reveal that non‐technical factors were completely ignored or sometimes considered to be less significant to the technical factors. Based on the interpretation of the findings, process, communication, lack of awareness, roles and responsibilities, actors’ relationships, policies and people were uncovered as some of the influencing factors in the deployment of EA, in the Namibian government‐wide Ministries. The communication between various business units and IT unit was influenced by those in authority as they make use of their power for individual interest. These types of legitimate actions through roles and responsibilities, contributed to the misalignments of business processes and activities in the deployment of EA in the Namibian government‐wide Ministries. If both technical and nontechnical factors are not considered in the implementation of systems and technologies governments’ service delivery will continue to be hampered as depicted in the framework presented in this article.
The Influence of Higher Education Institutions on the Sustainability of ICT4D Initiatives in Underserved Communities
Authors: Tanner Maureen , du Toit Andries
Published: December 2017

ICTs should be used to narrow the digital divide that exists between advantaged and underserved communities. Given South Africa (SA)'s socio‐economic legacy, higher education institutions(HEI) were tasked by Government to make social responsiveness a key principle of their mandate. This study identified factors hindering and promoting sustainability in ICT4D initiatives and analysed how HEIs influence the sustainability of such initiatives. A case study was conducted in a telecentre from an underserved community in Cape Town(SA). Through its findings, the study can promote the positive influence of HEIs on the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives and further increase the positive impact of these initiatives on the community.
Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (2000 – 2013): A Bibliometric Study
Authors: Naudé Filistéa
Published: December 2017

A systematic analysis was performed of 378 articles published in the 59 volumes of the Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (EJISDC) in the period 2000 to 2013. The aim of the study was to create a bibliometric profile of the journal by investigating variables such as the article productivity, Web citations and non‐Web citations, authorship patterns, background of the authors, institutional collaboration, degree of collaboration, as well as most productive authors and institutions together with their countries and regional affiliations. This study used the bibliographic database Inspec as a data collection source. Results of the study reveal that the average number of articles per year was 27 and the average length of an article 16.24 pages. The reference list analysis showed that most authors cite print resources, with 81.89% non‐Web references compared to 18.11% Web references. A total of 697 authors contributed to this journal, with an average of 2.16 authors per article. An overwhelming 86.51% of the authors are from a university background. The journal displays a collaborative authorship pattern with 250 (66.14%) articles that were co‐authored, compared to 128 (33.86%) that were single authored.
Country Trends and Scholarly Collaboration in the ICT4D Research Community 2000–2013: A Single Journal Study
Authors: Naudé Filistéa
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to explore the country productivity, collaboration behaviour and citation impact of ICT4D researchers by examining all 378 articles published in the Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (EJISDC) over a 14‐year period. Data were collected from the Inspec database. The most active countries and regions were identified by analysing the author affiliation details. The contributions of developing countries were compared to developed countries. The trend in the EJISDC is towards collaborative research involving 250 (66.14%) articles with multiple authors and 128 (33.86%) articles with single authors. Articles by authors from the same institution accounted for 32.01% of jointly authored articles. National or domestic collaboration accounted for 173 (45.77%) articles and international collaboration accounted for 77 (20.37%) articles. Of the 69 countries represented in the EJISDC, 51 countries collaborated globally. Regional distribution of authors showed that Africa had the strongest representation, followed by Asia and North America. Between 17.83% and 20.87% of developing countries contributed articles to the EJISDC. The results of the study show that for this journal, single‐authored articles are cited more often than multi‐authored articles in Google Scholar.
Utilizing IT to Enhance Knowledge Sharing for School Educators in Developing Countries
Authors: Kalema Billy M.M. , Motsi Lovemore , Motjolopane Ignitia M.
Published: December 2017

Knowledge has been considered a critical factor for any organization's survival however its retention and utilization has remained a challenge to many organizations in developing countries education institutions inclusive. These challenges are mostly attributed to the fact that knowledgeable employees often leave organizations before they could share their valuable knowledge and expertise. In schools of developing countries in particular, educators struggle for subsistence and many leave to seek for greener pastures. Such exodus of educators has led to knowledge loss and has widened the knowledge gap between the schools for the rich and those for the poor. This has been worse especially in the most challenging subjects like Science and Mathematics. Closing this gap, schools need to depend on the knowledge of other experienced educators that are still in the Education system in order to enhance the capabilities of those that are inexperienced. For this reason, leveraging Information Technology (IT) to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, communicate ideas, exchange views and information between educators is paramount. There is a need for schools in developing countries’ to have guidelines of how IT could be utilized for knowledge sharing. The major objective of this paper is therefore to report on the utilization of IT to enhance Knowledge Sharing (KS) among educators in developing countries taking a case of South Africa. The Social Exchange Theory (SET), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) were used to design a conceptual framework for the study. Data was collected from secondary schools’ educators in Tshwane South district of South Africa and was analyzed quantitatively. The results indicated that, knower's attitude is a high significant contributing factor whereas dependence of the knower is the least and insignificant in the utilization of IT to enhance knowledge sharing. Practically, this study could be leveraged by schools and governments to entrench tacit knowledge and to address the brain drainage associated with the continuous exodus of the skilled and experienced educators. Further still, the designed framework could be used by Information Systems scholars to extend research of knowledge sharing and management.
A Critique of the Claims about Mobile Phones and Kerala Fisherman: The Importance of the Context of Complex Social Systems
Authors: Steyn Jacques
Published: December 2017

This paper challenges some fundamental aspects of research and conclusions relating to the use of technology for community development. Views of technology, in this case the mobile phone, as a tool for increased economic welfare are often skewed due to extreme reductionism, ambiguous interview questions and poor data sources. Research of complex social systems or sub‐systems give the wrong answers when reductionist methodologies are used. To demonstrate such shortcomings, the 2007 paper of Robert Jensen serves as an example. His conclusion that mobile phones enable Kerala fishermen to increase their economic welfare is the most cited paper on ICT4D topics, but there are fundamental methodological and logical problems with the claim, while other research came to contradictory conclusions. This critique is presented on many levels: ideological, paradigmatic, methodology, logical, statistical and semantic.
Participation in ICT Development Interventions: Who and How?
Authors: Thapa Devinder , Sæbø Øystein
Published: December 2017

The aim of participatory development (PD) in the context of using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for development (ICT4D) is to empower underprivileged communities and disadvantaged segments of the stakeholders. The literature on ICT4D is replete with empirical evidence showing that ICT interventions often fail since they are often externally initiated, with very limited involvement from the affected (Heeks, 2002). Clearly, the principles and concepts of PD are relevant to ICT4D. However, we should not consider PD a panacea but need to understand the caveats and processes by which PD happens. Questions to ask include: What are the various challenges in PD? Who are the relevant stakeholders? Why and how do actors enrol in the project? How do we create sustainable ICT4D projects through PD? To understand these research questions, we present a case analysis of a project in Nepal called the Nepal Wireless Networking Project (NWNP). Investigating the specific initiatives that they enabled, telemedicine, education and jobs, we propose that the key participants in the NWNP were activist actors and the affected and that activists drew upon existing Social Capital to enrol the affected through a process explained by Actor Network Theory (ANT). In the process, they built other forms of Social Capital, which in turn extended the benefits of PD to several mountain villages.
E‐governance: A Sociological Case Study of the Central Admission System in Tanzania
Authors: Mahundu Fabian G.
Published: December 2017

This paper draws upon “sociotechnical theory” as an effective approach to examine e‐governance implementation challenges in higher education institutions where multiple stakeholders exist. The use of sociotechnical theoretical approach provides a valuable contribution to the research domain of sociological studies of e‐governance in the public sectors, particularly in higher education quality assurance. A sociological interpretive analysis of the Central Admission System in Tanzania (as a case study) is presently under concern for this end. In African context, Tanzania in particular, ICT penetration is concentrated in urban areas hence the issue of “digital divide” is an on‐going debate which calls upon the need to understand the implementation of e‐governance projects and their challenges. The paper concentrates, through in‐depth interviews with key users of the Central Admission System (applicants, admission officers and IT staff), on how the implementation of the system poses various socio‐technical challenges in attempt to improving quality assurance in higher education admissions. Our research reveals that introduction of new technology in higher education admissions have created multiple challenges for users and implementers of the system. The paper shows that “digital divide” and low IT skills – are leading challenges in the implementation of e‐governance in the country. Given the prevailing admission malpractices, Tanzania's initiative to implement the Central Admission System will most likely eliminate such practices within higher education institutions. The paper highlights the milieus in which the implementation of the system takes place; specifically, the existing multiple stakeholders of the system and autonomous nature of the higher education institutions. This research advances the theoretical understanding of “sociotechnical systems” to a new “multilevel” ICT implementation and offers policy makers propositions for confronting such circumstances. This paper also appeals practical recommendations to assist e‐governance adopters in the public sectors especially regulatory agencies in Tanzania as well as other developing countries.
Undergraduate Students’ Failure in Programming Courses in Institutions of Higher Education in Developing Countries: A Nigerian Perspective
Authors: Dasuki Salihu , Quaye Ago
Published: December 2017

Universities of developing countries are faced with increased dropout rate from computing degrees due to the high failure rate of introductory programing courses. In this paper, we apply a grounded theory approach to investigate why student's fail introductory programming courses in a Nigeria University. A qualitative method of data collection was adopted to examine the students’ views about the factors that contribute to student's failure in introductory programming courses. The findings identified lack of intrinsic motivation, lack of future expectation, anxiety, peer influences, and poor lecturer skills and behavior as the challenges resulting in a high failure rate in introductory programming courses. The study contributes to the research on computer education in developing countries by proposing a model to understand the factors that affect IS student learning process when undertaking introductory programming courses. We conclude with some recommendations following recommendations that could help students to overcome the challenges in learning computer programming.
Explaining ‘Irrationalities’ of IT‐Enabled Change in a Developing Country Bureaucracy: The Case of Ghana's Tradenet
Authors: Addo Atta A
Published: December 2017

Through a case study of Ghana's TradeNet, a business‐to‐government (B2G) Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) implemented to automate and integrate customs clearance, this article investigates ‘irrationalities’ of IT‐enabled change in the context of a developing country bureaucracy. Our data revealed that despite TradeNet's potential for full automation and integration, bureaucrats sometimes preferred manual, face‐to‐face, paper‐based practices. We explain such outcome—often depicted in the literature as a kind of ‘irrationality’—by drawing upon the theoretical notion of institutional logics to trace underlying logics of TradeNet‐enabled change. We investigate two specific TradeNet‐enabled practices—Import Declaration Form (IDF) processing and risk controls—and show that where ‘irrationality’ was present (IDF processing), the managerial logic of TradeNet contradicted existing bureaucratic logics. We therefore interpret ‘irrationality’ as ‘good enough’ or satisficing when new logics of IT and old bureaucratic logics contradicted. Our findings move beyond success or failure interpretations typical in Information Systems in developing countries (ISDC) and ICT for development (ICT4D) research. We also enhance knowledge of IT‐enabled change in developing country bureaucracies by moving beyond the organizational milieu to emphasize broader institutional forces in developing countries such as neopatrimonialism. Such theorization advances ISDC/ICT4D research where reconciling micro with macro accounts remains daunting.
Challenges and Strategies for Standardizing Information Systems for Integrated TB/HIV Services in Tanzania: A Case Study of Kinondoni Municipality
Authors: Mukasa Esther , Kimaro Honest , Kiwanuka Achilles , Igira Faraja
Published: December 2017

The synergetic prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV infections led to the launch of integrated TB/HIV services, officially coined “collaborative TB/HIV activities”. The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Tanzania works with multiple implementing partners in achieving collaborative TB/HIV goals. This study assessed challenges, best practices and strategies for standardizing Health Information Systems (HIS) for integrated TB/HIV services. A descriptive cross sectional study design employing both qualitative methods was used. Data were collected through key informant interviews, observation of existing practices, and document review. Absence of health information system standards control mechanisms was noted to be the cardinal challenge. The study recommends a need to establish formal mechanisms to control information system standards across partners, reviewing existing national TB/HIV policy guidelines to include adequate aspects of monitoring and evaluation, establishing a functional partner regulatory authority and implementing data quality assurance mechanisms.
An Investigation into the ICT Vendor – Value Added Reseller Partnership Satisfaction in South Africa
Authors: Hassa Ishmael , Tanner Maureen
Published: December 2017

The study was conducted to explore the perceived factors that contribute to relationship satisfaction between Vendors and Value‐added Resellers (VARs) within Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) downstream Supply Chain Management (SCM) in South Africa (SA). The study highlights the challenges faced in these critical dyads by exploring the relationship satisfaction in an under‐researched industry and country context. The study was qualitative and relevant experts from both ICT Vendors and VARs were interviewed. An initial set of findings derived from using the Interaction Approach (IA) as theoretical lens, was published in Hassa and Tanner (2016). This current paper presents an additional set of findings relating to critical factors found to be antecedent and consequent of perceived relationship satisfaction. In particular, this paper specifically discusses factors relating to Commitment, Communication, Trust, Loyalty, Profitability and Value. This inquiry contributes to depicting a more holistic picture of the landscape around perceived relationship satisfaction between Vendors and VARs within the ICT industry in South Africa. The results from these findings could promote transparent cooperation and collaboration between ICT industry partners and stakeholders (customers, government, etc.) and support an increase in ICT diffusion and adoption in South Africa and Africa.
Alignment of Human Competencies with Mobile Phone Technology and Business Strategies by Women‐LED SMEs in South Africa
Authors: Ajumobi Deborah O. , Kyobe Michael
Published: December 2017

Women‐led SMEs are faced with challenges that inhibit the performance of their businesses. By aligning their human competencies, mobile phone technology and the appropriate business strategy, they can steer their businesses to better performance. However, there is a scarcity of studies providing insight into how they can achieve this. Given the existence of the interplay between human competencies, mobile technology and business strategy, the perspective of alignment as Gestalts was adopted to determine the best way women‐led SMEs may align these three aspects. Data was collected from 70 women‐led SMEs in four provinces in South Africa and analysed using cluster analysis. Of the four clusters that emerged, one performed highly. This study contributes to theory by showing the value of Gestalts theory in assessing the configuration and patterns of organisational variables; and to practice, by providing insight into ways women‐led SMEs can combine these three variables to achieve high business performance.
Towards a People Centred Early Warning and Disaster Response System in Samoa: The Use of ICT by Samoans During Disaster
Authors: Mow Ioana Chan , Shields Charles , Sasa Hobert , Fitu Lealaolesau
Published: December 2017

This paper reports on the findings of a 400 household survey which investigated what sources of information and technical medium Samoan citizens trust and act upon in times of disaster. Findings of the survey indicated the following. 1)The predominance and pervasiveness of mobile phones at 91% indicate its potential for use in any disaster response and relief interventions. 2) With only 34% of mobile phones being Smart phones: disaster preparedness, early warning and response interventions should target basic mobile phone sets. 3) With 65% of respondents using Face Book this social media should be considered as a possible avenue for lateral dissemination for early warning and disaster response. 4) The predominance of radio followed by TV as an important, trusted source of information which people act on indicate its important role in any emergency response interventions. Since these media are trusted sources they should be used extensively for dissemination of information for preparedness, early warning and disaster response. 5) Professional reporters are regarded by the majority as the most predominantly used, the most trusted and the most important source of information and news during an emergency. The findings of this survey generate important considerations towards a people centred early warning and disaster relief system.
Designing a More Effective Way to Surface the Information Needs of People in Developing Communities
Authors: Grobler Manti , de Villiers Carina
Published: December 2017

This paper is a reflection on the research design of an information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) research project using design science research (DSR) in the pragmatic tradition. The artefact created and evaluated during the study is the Community Shaping Solutions Framework (CSSF) in response to the problem that this study addresses: how should the information needs that are meaningful to women working as domestic workers, be effectively translated through the use of ICT in order to enhance their experience of the good life as defined by Sen's (1999) capability approach and to contribute to the success and social value of ICT4D projects.

The study is conducted in Pretoria and Johannesburg, South Africa. A group of women from the domestic cleaning sector represents a developing community in an urban setting and is selected using snowball sampling to participate in the study. Six organisations that have an interest in interacting with developing communities were selected using purposive sampling and participated in the study to provide a perspective on information inclusivity. The study has three phases starting with the group of women using journals to self‐document their interactions with information, followed by a design thinking workshop with the women and ending with the organisational interviews.

The CSSF contributes to knowledge as a theory of design and action. The novelty of the CSSF is the combination of DSR with ICT4D, the use of journals as a self‐documentation technique to collect data, followed by a design thinking workshop and interviews. The effectiveness of the CSSF and utility to the community of users are demonstrated through the participatory approach to facilitate the community to shape solutions that they value and the empowerment experienced through both the activities as well as the impact of the solution as an expansion of choice.
Usability of Online Business Registration Improvisation as Congo‐Brazzaville Re‐Branding Tool
Authors: Momo Alain Michael , Twum‐Darko Michael
Published: December 2017

There is growing concern that Congolese business' inability to compete in a fiercely competitive international economy spells ruin. Thus, the study uses bricolage and information systems (IS) improvisation as a lens to explore the use of online business registration as a means to rebrand government services. Building and achieving brand status is challenging, however; public service organisations and country of any size with a name can become high status brands. The research problem is that if sufficient attention is not given to reconcile IS improvisation with other organisational dimensions such as expertise, team work, culture, communication and training in the business registration process, it is a foregone conclusion that the automatic assumption that improvisation alone creates brand image and identify might not yield desired results. The main objective of this study was to determine the role of online business registration in service branding. The overarching research question is (a) how does the DTI Congo‐Brazzaville intend to improvise business registration process using e‐commerce technology as branding tool? The study is significant in the way that it boosts DTI Congo's brand image; with potentials to improve the country's ranking in terms of ease of doing business; and extends previous research by examining the usability of online business registration system as branding tool in developing countries. The study focused less on merely identifying IS improvisation benefits; or in solving DTI Congo problems. However, the focal point was creating awareness for DTI Congo to weight current study outcomes, available resource and contemporary e‐commerce technologies in order to make informed decision in terms of technology adoption.

The investigation was done at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Congo‐Brazzaville using a mixed methodology. A survey questionnaire on a sample size of N = 260 from a total of 800 DTI full‐time employees was used to elicit information by requiring respondents to answer objective questions. A focus group comprising of five full‐time employees selected according to their level of IT awareness and position were invited for discussions to gain a broader understanding of the research problem. Observation in the form field work was also done to experience what it is like when there is no other alternative to register a business but to follow the only lengthy and bureaucratic process of traditional business registration. It was evident from the data that 74.2% of respondents agreed that an online business registration system adoption can re‐brand the organisation for innovative public service delivery.
Process Discovery Driven Process Optimization: A Case Study to the Recruitment of State Personnel in Cameroon
Authors: Mapikou Gaëlle Laetitia Mouafo , Roger Atsa Etoundi
Published: December 2017

Process Optimization is a branch of business process management whose purpose is to reduce or eliminate time and resource wastage, unnecessary costs, bottlenecks, and mistakes while achieving the process objective. In the last decades, many practical contributions such as Six Sigma, Lean management, Lean Six Sigma and others have been proposed for optimization, and the associated tools have been widely used and appreciated within organizations. However, the main difficulty with these contributions is that it isn't clearly shown the scientific method used to understand or identify how exactly the actual processes are conducted before optimizing them. If the optimization process is carried out without really understanding how processes are actually going on, then the most likely outcome would be to continue executing outdated and incorrect processes. This paper try to address this difficulty by presenting a methodology for process optimization based on process discovery. Process discovery is a method concerned with extracting descriptive business processes from event logs within organization. The proposed methodology proceeds by comparing the process obtained after applying process discovery technique, with the process supposed to be executed. The result of this comparison combined with the way it had an impact on the business goals and customer's requirements are used to efficiently identify possible parts processes to be optimized. The utility of this methodology is demonstrated through its application to the Cameroonian state personal recruitment process. The descriptive process obtained showed that there were some unexpected tasks used in practice, and only 40.23% of files followed expected paths while executing the process. This analysis result has been used to efficiently define the control flow of the optimized absorption process.
Comparative proteomic analysis of silver nanoparticle effects in human liver and intestinal cells
Authors: Braeuning Albert , Oberemm Axel , Görte Josephine , Böhmert Linda , Juling Sabine , Lampen Alfonso
Published: December 2017

Consumers are orally exposed to nanoparticulate or soluble species of the non‐essential element silver due to its use in food contact materials or as a food additive. Potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles has gained special scientific attention. A fraction of ingested ionic or particulate silver is taken up in the intestine and transported to the liver, where it may induce oxidative stress and elicit subsequent adverse responses. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of global proteomic changes induced in human Hep G2 hepatocarcinoma cells by different concentrations of AgPURE silver nanoparticles or by corresponding concentrations of ionic silver. Bioinformatic analysis of proteomic data confirms and substantiates previous findings on silver‐induced alterations related to redox stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, intermediary metabolism, inflammatory responses, posttranslational protein modification and other cellular parameters. Similarities between the effects exerted by the two silver species are in line with the assumption that silver ions released from nanoparticles substantially contribute to their toxicity. Moreover, a comparative bioinformatic evaluation of proteomic effects in hepatic and intestinal cells exerted either by silver nanoparticles or bionic silver is presented. Our results show that, despite remarkable differences at the level of affected proteins in the different cell lines, highly similar biological consequences, corresponding to previous in vivo findings, can be deduced by applying appropriate bioinformatic data mining.
“Click” on PLGA‐PEG and hyaluronic acid: Gaining access to anti‐leishmanial pentamidine bioconjugates
Authors: Scala Angela , Piperno Anna , Micale Nicola , Mineo Placido G. , Abbadessa Antonio , Risoluti Roberta , Castelli Germano , Bruno Federica , Vitale Fabrizio , Cascio Antonio , Grassi Giovanni
Published: December 2017

Pentamidine (Pent), an antiparasitic drug used for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, has been modified with terminal azide groups and conjugated to two different polymer backbones (PLGA‐PEG [PP] copolymer and hyaluronic acid [HA]) armed with alkyne end‐groups. The conjugation has been performed by Copper Catalyzed Azido Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) using CuSO4/sodium ascorbate as metal source. The novel PP‐Pent and HA‐Pent bioconjugates are proposed, respectively, as non‐targeted and targeted drug delivery systems against Leishmania infections. Moreover, Pent has been encapsulated into PP nanoparticles by the oil‐in‐water emulsion method, with the aim to compare the biological activity of the bioconjugates with that of the classical drug‐loaded delivery system that physically entraps the therapeutic agent. Biological assays against Leishmania infantum amastigote‐infected macrophages and primary macrophages revealed that Pent, either covalently conjugated with polymers or loaded into polymeric nanoparticles, turned out to be more potent and less toxic than the free Pent. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2778–2785, 2018.
Knockdown of long non‐coding RNA XIST suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression by activating miR‐491‐5p
Authors: Cheng Qiang , Xu Xiuyin , Jiang Hui , Xu Lingen , Li Qiang
Published: December 2017

Dysregulated long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in the development and progression of human cancers. X‐inactive specific transcript (XIST), an lncRNA, is known as an oncogene in multiple tumors. However, the roles of XIST and its related miRNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are poorly understood. In this study, we found that XIST expression was significantly upregulated in NPC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of XIST inhibited NPC cell proliferation and invasion and induced apoptosis in vitro, as well as suppressed NPC tumor growth in vivo. Further analysis revealed that XIST and miR‐491‐5p interact with and repress each other. XIST may function as an endogenous miR‐491‐5p sponge to regulate the target gene of miR‐491‐5p. Taken together, these results provide a comprehensive view of the XIST/miR‐491‐5p axis in human NPC cells and may provide a new therapeutic target for treating NPC.
Neuroprotective effects of antioxidants in the management of neurodegenerative disorders: A literature review
Authors: Panahi Yunes , Rajaee Seyyed Mahdi , Johnston Thomas P. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: December 2017

It is proven that oxidative stress has a pivotal role in the process of neurodegeneration. The use of antioxidants is an attractive method to prevent the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. We searched major databases (PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar) using the keywords of neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, and antioxidant for both review and original studies, which have reported the various beneficial effects of antioxidants. About 70 studies were identified for this review. Among various antioxidants, nine antioxidants with the most applications in research investigations were selected and the major findings concerning their protective effects were reviewed. It is concluded that antioxidants can modify and readjust the oxidative stress in the biological milieu, elicit neuroprotective effects, and positively impact the management of neurodegenerative processes.
Retracted: LncRNA H19 promotes epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) by targeting miR‐484 in human lung cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Li Xiaoliang , Li Xiao , Li Xiaosu , Chen Zhuochang
Published: December 2017

Recently, the long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 has been identified as an oncogenic gene in multiple cancer types. However, the molecular basis for this observation has not been characterized in lung cancer, especially during epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression. Cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were measured using trypan blue exclusion assay, Transwell migration/invasion assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Quantitative RT‐PCR was used to measure relative expressions of H19, microR‐484 (miR‐484), and Rho associated coiled‐coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2). Western blot was used to measure expressions of apoptosis‐, EMT‐, and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway‐related proteins. Luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the target of H19. H19 was highly expressed in both lung cancer tissues and cells. Suppression of H19 significantly decreased A549 cell viability, migration, and invasion, but promoted apoptosis. Overexpression of H19 promoted cell migration, invasion, and EMT process. miR‐484 was a target of H19 and overexpression of it reversed the effects of H19 on EMT. miR‐484 regulated the expression of ROCK2. Mechanistic study revealed that suppressing H19 decreased the expression of proteins in JNK pathway, and ROCK2 was the main downstream molecule of H19. H19 promoted EMT in lung cancer A549 cells by negatively regulating miR‐484.