bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A User Interface for Micro‐Entrepreneurs in a Rural Community
Authors: Emmanuel Edim Azom , N. Muyingi Hippolyte
Published: December 2017

Information and communication technology users in rural communities of developing countries are still learners and also lack the knowledge of the potentials of these technologies. To enhance the usability and promote the acceptance of information technologies into their daily life, the medium of interaction should be able to meet the capabilities and cultural preferences of the target users. User interface design for products and services targeting rural users is a big challenge and requires adequate effort, proper understanding of the users and their socio‐cultural environments. A study was conducted to design a mobile user interface for users in a rural community in South Africa. The aim of the study is to bring information technology services closer to the people and encourage micro‐economic activities in the community. The objective is to design a user interface that will be easy to use and meet users’ cultural preferences. We have applied user‐centred design methods and collected both qualitative and quantitative data to guide the design process. This paper presents the design of a shop‐owner user interface and a mobile commerce application to promote rural micro‐entrepreneurship and economic development. The evaluation of the user interface with the target users was conducted and the technology acceptance model was used to measure users’ perception of the shop‐owner user interface. The statistics analysis of the data shows that users perceive the application and interface as useful, easy to use and intend to use the system.
The Economic Impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on Microenterprises in the Context of Development
Authors: Chew Han Ei , Ilavarasan P. Vigneswara , Levy Mark R.
Published: December 2017

This paper investigates the impact of information and communication technologies, especially landline and mobile phones, computers, and Internet cafés in facilitating economic growth in the developing world. Data on access to ICTs, as well as business‐relevant behaviors and attitudes, was collected by a multi‐stage probability sample of women microentrepreneurs in Mumbai, India. Main findings include evidence that in urban microenterprises owned by women, business growth is a function of ICT access and is related to motivation to use ICTs for business purposes; and that the more positive a woman microentrepreneur feels about her status and power because of her business, the more she will be motivated to use ICTs in support of her business. Implications for the study of digital divides and strategies for studies of communication and technology more generally are considered.
Information and Communication Technologies for Cultural Transmission among Indigenous Peoples
Authors: Harris Charlotte A. , Harris Roger W.
Published: December 2017

The global digital divide threatens to exclude millions of people from the potential benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), especially computers and the Internet. Many of these people live in rural, isolated and remote places of developing countries and are unlikely to be able to afford the cost of owning their own computers. However, NGOs, international aid agencies and governments are becoming increasingly aware of the potential that ICTs offer for rural development and poverty reduction and are creating more opportunities for providing wider access to them. This paper looks at how ICTs have contributed to the social development of a rural indigenous ethnic community. It focuses on the benefits of ICTs in recording and passing on their unique culture and traditions, something that is of considerable importance to the community. The research builds an understanding of the nature of cultural transmission within an indigenous community in East Malaysia and demonstrates how ICTs can bridge the digital divide by accentuating the importance of family, friends and other social interactions within a community in strengthening the processes of cultural transmission. Based on the findings, suggestions are offered for reinforcing social processes of cultural transmission with ICTs, in the form of a virtual museum and a community radio station.
Mobilising Local Networks of Implementers to Address Health Information Systems Sustainability
Authors: Sheikh Yahya Hamad , Braa Kristin
Published: December 2017

This paper addresses the problem of health information systems (HIS) sustainability in developing countries. Two interrelated questions are addressed. 1) How do we mobilise the local networks in the present settings of shortage of human and capital resources? 2) In which ways are these networks sustained for the sake of the HIS sustainability? With empirical material from the information systems integration project for the Zanzibar healthcare sector, the analysis is centred on the communities of practice concept in conjunction with the networks of action concept. The study reveals that building communities through organised practical works helps to build such networks at the lowest level of the HIS bureaucracy, enhancing learning at minimal resource usage. To make the networks themselves sustainable, participation in the larger networks of similar activities to enable wider exchange of knowledge and material resources is very important. This direct involvement not only helps in knowledge and resource exchange but also helps to forge political establishment which is highly important in influencing decisions concerning HIS related issues.
Does Public Access Computing Really Contribute to Community Development? Lessons from Libraries, Telecentres and Cybercafés in Colombia
Authors: Gomez Ricardo , Baron‐Porras Luis Fernando
Published: December 2017

The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) can contribute to local community development and help connect local communities to global issues. Public access computing (PAC) venues such as telecenters, public libraries and cybercafés make ICT more broadly available and extend the benefits of ICT to underserved populations. This paper discusses findings from a study of the contribution of PAC to community development in Colombia, with particular attention to the town of Carmen de Bolívar. This town has a strong tradition of community organization for social development, and a long history of violence that has shaped its social fabric. While the introduction of PAC may not have contributed significantly to community development, use of ICT gives the local population a sense of belonging to a larger, global community, which in turn may help local activities in support of community development. We conclude that personal friendships and entertainment are perceived as stronger benefits of PAC, not community development or social transformation. Future research can explore if personal friendships and entertainment can be indirect contributors to community development.
Digital Doorway: Social‐Technical Innovation for High‐Needs Communities
Authors: Stillman Larry , Herselman Marlien , Marais Mario , Boshomane Mmamakanye Pitse , Plantinga Paul , Walton Sheelagh
Published: December 2017

The application of the Living Lab (LL) approach to social‐technical innovation to the Digital Doorway Initiative in the informal settlement of Zandspruit near Johannesburg is outlined in the context of the initiative's evolution from an educational project to a broader community innovation initiative. The relationship between different stakeholders is explored in a theoretical and practical sense as a future research and practice challenge for both the study of ICTs in society (in this case, a poor community), and the fostering of community‐driven innovation. The activity also offers a research challenge for understanding the cultural transformations that are necessary for bringing about more effective integration between technical and social‐technical viewpoints about design and research in a social context. Current and projected community‐based research activities are also outlined, including the development of a project in Australia for high‐needs indigenous communities.
An Effective Model for Successful IT Professionals in Thailand
Authors: Tantisajjatham Pravate
Published: December 2017

As human differences in characteristics such as thinking preferences and behaviors can affect their professional careers, IT people with differences in their background and characteristics possess different career paths. This research focuses on how inner characteristics and personalities affect IT professionals in Thailand. The major characteristics of Thai IT professionals were identified in order to create the model for successful Thai IT professionals. Statistical methods were used to verify and validate the model using large groups of varying types of IT professionals in Thailand. The model was then reconfirmed using the unseen testing subjects. The result showed that the model was useful for Thai IT Professionals to plan a successful career path.
Strengthening the Link between Traditional and Modern Practices for Improving Data Quality in Health Information Systems: The Case of Malawi
Authors: Kanjo Chipo
Published: December 2017

This paper describes an empirical qualitative analysis of how knowledge and data generated through traditional health practices, specifically by traditional birth attendants, with respect to maternal and child health, define and control data quality in health information system. The aim is to gain an understanding of how knowledge and data crosses the boundary between traditional and modern sectors with varying practices, and how the existing mechanisms linking the two sectors can be strengthened. Using an interpretative approach, this research provides the health informatics and information systems community with an understanding of how bridging the divide between scientific and indigenious knowledge can improve data quality in a context where two different sectors exist; each utilising different types of knowledge. Concepts from community of practice theory were employed as the framework for analysis. We recommend that boundary crossing of knowledge and data between the two health sectors must be tailored from histrorical, cultural and modern perspectives, with an emphasis on: i) utilizing the historical‐cultural means of capturing data through chiefs and ii) the modern mechanisms of utilising health surveillance assistants as the link.
The Enablers and Disablers of E‐Commerce: Consumers’ Perspectives
Authors: Alqahtani Mohammed A. , Al‐Badi Ali H. , Mayhew Pam J.
Published: December 2017

The availability and continued growth of Internet technologies (IT) have created great opportunities for users all over the globe to benefit from these services and use them in a variety of different ways. The use of IT to conduct business online is known as Electronic Commerce (E‐Commerce). While developed countries have harnessed and adopted E‐Commerce, developing countries are not yet fully adapted to its adoption. The aim of this study is to investigate the main factors that play a role in the adoption of E‐Commerce from a consumer's perceptive and, hence, develop a framework that conceptualises the influential factors (enablers and disablers) of E‐Commerce. A ‘grounded theory’ methodology was used to collect and analyse the data and develop the proposed framework. Thus, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with Saudi residents to elicit their opinions about E‐Commerce enablers and disablers in Saudi Arabia. The findings of the study suggest that the factors that have the most significant impact on the adoption of E‐Commerce in Saudi Arabia are security, fraud and hacking, trust, cyber‐law, awareness and perceived usefulness, postal services, government e‐readiness, resistance to change, the presence of commercial electronic websites, cost, tangibility, warranty, trial and experience.
Developing a Contextualized Information Systems Curriculum for an Emerging Economy
Authors: Ayalew Yirsaw , Renken Jaco , Mgaya Klodwig V. , Nkgau Tallman Z.
Published: December 2017

Information Systems (IS) curriculum development in developing countries faces the challenge of balancing conformance to international trends while remaining relevant to the local context. Model curricula such as IS2010 provide a clear and up‐to‐date reflection of IS curricula trends. However, such curricula cannot be directly implemented especially in developing countries where there are a number of environmental factors that affect the curriculum. In this paper we describe the approach taken to develop a contextualized undergraduate IS curriculum in a highly interdisciplinary African university. In an effort to harmonize the 3 undergraduate IS programs at the University of Botswana (UB), it was necessary to identify the content and direction for a new common IS core curriculum. To achieve this, several activities were carried out, namely: study of existing model curricula, survey and study of the needs of the local IS industry, tracer study of UB IS graduates, study of some regional and international IS curricula, and study of some relevant local policy documents. The paper discusses how the results of our empirical enquiries (i.e., different studies) have shaped the proposed IS curriculum appropriate to the emerging economic context in Botswana. We emphasize on the importance of proper adaptation/contextualization and exploiting the interdisciplinary nature of IS that can resolve important resource (both human and physical) constraints which is common in many African universities.
An Investigation of e‐Government Services in China
Authors: Tan Margaret , Xiaoai Deng , Qiushi Yang , Chen Cheng
Published: December 2017

This objective of this research is to understand the adoption of e‐government services in China, especially in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. An online survey was conducted to investigate the level of awareness, usage and satisfaction of e‐government services in these cities. The survey questionnaire, translated in Chinese, was sent to some 330 participants (110 from each city). The findings show that e‐government services in China are not that advanced to address the actual expectations of the communities. There is a general mismatch between what the governments wish to provide online with what the communities see value in. Inadequate promotion, lack of content and the design of the websites are some of the factors that limit the value of the e‐Government services. The paper provides suggestions on how the local governments of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen can improve the adoption of e‐government services.
A Multipurpose Cadastral Framework for Developing Countries‐Concepts
Authors: Duncan Edward Eric , Rahman Alias Abdul
Published: December 2017

Land acquisition and ownership for wealth creation has eluded most individuals in various regions of the Earth especially regions described as developing or less developed countries. Most European countries have developed multi‐purpose cadastre (MPC) to streamline property ownership. Heterogeneity of space ownership is complex when it has to deal with space ownership above and below the surface. The concept of wealth can be measured as one's interest in land. This research seeks to introduce a conceptual framework using tools readily available and can be adopted by most countries. Reviews of cadastre being practised in some countries are presented. Concepts within the Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) framework are also presented within the concepts of some standards such as CityGML. The concept for above and below volume parcels is presented. Land package by governments in African countries will help alleviate poverty and create wealth in many African countries. A graphical interface is developed for this concept. The need for a conceptual schema for land volume parcels and marine blocks for countries having borders with the sea or ocean is emphasised.
An Exploratory Study on the Adoption and Use of ICT in Myanmar
Authors: Lau Sim Kim , Winley Graham Kenneth , Lau Sim Yee , Tan Kim Song
Published: December 2017

This exploratory study investigates the adoption and use of information and communication technologies in Myanmar by examining the nature and structure of the information technology profession. The investigation is based on a theoretical framework consisting of three components: domains of information technology professional expertise; the scope of the information technology professional's knowledge, skills and experience; and specific knowledge and skills associated with the domains of professional expertise. The findings show that specialist skills in systems development, database, network and communications are important. This paper also provides insights that are not found in current literature which investigates information technology skills in Myanmar.
Determinants of Online Waqf Acceptance: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Amin Hanudin , Abdul‐Rahman Abdul‐Rahim , Ramayah T. , Supinah Rostinah , Mohd‐Aris Masmurniwati
Published: December 2017

This study explores the factors influencing the acceptance of online waqf, generally termed as Islamic e‐donations in Malaysia. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used as a baseline theory. Questionnaire survey was conducted. The data of the survey were analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. Results indicate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived religiosity and amount of information are instrumental in influencing one's decision to perform online waqf. Importantly, the results of this study will extend current knowledge on technology acceptance, and online waqf particularly. The results propagate valuable insights for Islamic banking institutions to introduce online waqf in the future where the factors analyzed could be used as a guideline for better planning and implementation of online waqf. Limitations and future researches are provided.
Health Information Systems and Democracy: Contributions from the Brazilian Sanitary Movement
Authors: Fornazin Marcelo , Joia Luiz Antonio
Published: December 2017

Within the context of studies on Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), earlier research has sought to understand how Health Information Systems (HIS) can achieve success in developing countries. In Brazil, in addition to these studies, research under the guise of Information and Information Technology in Health (IITH), developed within the context of the Brazilian Sanitary Movement, has also investigated how HIS can contribute to the development of health practices. IITH research seeks to understand how Health Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can enable the development of a democratic arena to improve health practices management in Brazil. This paper reviews the IITH literature in order to link its proposals with studies of HIS developed within the ICT4D realm. Thus, it was perceived that both theoretical approaches can be compared under six dimensions of analysis, namely: a) the need for a political approach to HIS analysis; b) the importance of integration standards for health information; c) the quest for research methods based on practical research; d) the need for a holistic approach to understand HIS implementation and use; e) the importance of local context settings; and f) the influence of technical artifacts on HIS. For each dimension, IITH and ICT4D contributions are compared and it is noted how similar they are in reality, as well as how they can learn and benefit from each other.
The Innovation of Multiview3 for Development Professionals
Authors: Bell Simon , Wood‐Harper Trevor
Published: December 2017

The Multiview Methodology for Information Systems Development has never been a widely used or mass‐market approach. It has always had a small user base, a localised approach to a global issue: coherent IS development. This paper concerns the underreported innovation of the Multiview3 methodology for Information systems analysis, design and development –specifically designed for non‐specialists working in developing countries. The innovation emerged from the identification of a methodological ‘gap’ in support for non‐specialists struggling with Information Systems problem structuring challenges. The Multiview3 story tells us how IS methodology can be innovated to address the needs of users. This version of Multiview is argued to be theoretically distinct from previous versions in terms of its focus (developing countries) and application (problem solving and co‐learning in practice).
Effective IT Governance in the Albanian Public Sector – A Critical Success Factors Approach
Authors: Kurti Ilir , Barolli Ezmolda , Sevrani Kozeta
Published: December 2017

This research grew out of the work of Nfuka & Rusu (2010), who identified eleven critical success factors (CSFs) that need to be considered for effective information technology (IT) governance in the public sector. It is motivated by the limited literature on CSFs for effective IT governance, especially from the point of view of a developing country. Our objective is to advance our understanding on CSFs for effective IT governance in the Albanian public sector. Adopting a holistic approach, we propose a new construct of analysis for CSFs. This construct blends in two components. The first is IT governance as an ongoing process and encompasses IT Governance Institute (ITGI) defined focus areas (ITGI 2003). The second is related to business‐IT alignment and consists of three dimensions: human, social, and intellectual (Schlosser et al. 2012). Using case study research method, we gather data from five government organizations. Our results supports those of Nfuka & Rusu (2010). From the Albanian public sector perspective, they indicate a greater emphasis on CFSs related to resource management focus area and human dimension. Limitations on IT resources, knowledge and culture (Nfuka & Rusu 2010) and insufficient IT resource management (Yahya 1993) provide the explanation for such results. In addition, IT departments are viewed as service providers. This perception further motivates the emphasis on resource management.
Challenges in Implementing Patient‐centred Information Systems in Tanzania: An Activity Theory Perspective
Authors: Shidende Nima Herman
Published: December 2017

Defaulter tracing systems are patient centred information systems which are used to enhance monitoring of patients who have dropped out of health programs. The aim of this study is to explore the operation of defaulter tracing systems in practice. The study has been undertaken in Tanzanian health facilities by using qualitative data collection methods. Activity theory is employed as a conceptual framework to analyze the findings. Findings show that the implementation of defaulter tracing system is challenged by issues of the existing information systems, such as absence of clear guidelines and tools, and information recording incompleteness, as well as contextual issues. The paper contributes to Healthcare Information System literature (HIS) which has elaborated how patient centred information systems are utilized in practice at the level of primary health care. This study concludes by providing implications for policy, practice, design and implementation.
Validated Risk Identification Tool for ICT in International Development Co‐operation Projects
Authors: Kemppainen Jyri , Mpogole Hosea , Tedre Matti , Chachage Bukaza
Published: December 2017

Literature shows that there are a number of different frameworks for managing international development co‐operation (IDC) projects. Those frameworks have their own strengths and weaknesses and they vary from being highly abstract to relatively practical. However, none of the frameworks provide help in situations where IT professionals are incapable to identify potential project risks when entering a new project milieu. The situation is common in the context of IDC projects. For this purpose, Kemppainen et al. (2012) designed a taxonomy‐based risk identification tool. The tool addresses potential risks by 55 quantified yes/no‐questions. The quantification specifies the significance of each issue to project success. The tool is aimed at guiding IT professionals, planners, donors, field staff, and other stakeholders to identify and mitigate potential threats that may materialize in an unfamiliar project context. The tool's questions were designed based on the literature analysis, their classification into five groups was derived from Tedre et al. (2011), and their taxonomy based scoring was derived from the researchers’ own data. Hence, the tool lacked wider empirical evidence. This study validated the tool based on empirical data of a sample of 83 IT experts and IT department leaders from a number of organizations, institutes, universities and international development co‐operation projects in Tanzania. The mode value of the Likert‐scale questionnaire answers were used to adjust the question‐scoring scheme, and reliability analysis were conducted for testing internal consistency of the question groups’ questions. Systematic reorganization of the questions with reliability analysis and content considerations led to three distinct question groups instead of the five original ones. In addition, two of the original questions were combined together due to their similarity. Hence, the validated risk identification tool contains three question groups, namely; Institutional, Societal, and Technical characteristics, including totally 54 quantified questions. Those three question groups determine the risk level of the prospective project.
Putting a MOOC for Human Rights in the Hands of Kenyans
Authors: Jobe William , Hansson Per‐Olof
Published: December 2017

The research goal of this project was to explore the use and effects of non‐formal education and incentives in the context of a developing country. The practical aim of this project was to create, implement, and evaluate a platform about human rights that was available to any Kenyan for free in order to increase knowledge and engagement. Therefore, a non‐formal massive open online course (MOOC) about human rights was designed and launched. The course was free and open to anyone in Kenya and offered both a digital badge and certificate from Stockholm University in Sweden upon completion. The course was called Haki Zangu (Kiswahili for “My Rights”), and it explored how using incentives such as a digital badge and certificate of completion affected learning outcomes. This course offered ubiquitous access based on principles of responsive web design and used audio recordings of the entire course content. The course is perpetual and still on‐going, but after six months there were 160 participants who had enrolled, and ten participants had completed the course and received certificates and digital badges. The participants showed extensive enthusiasm and engagement for human rights issues, and they expressed desires to learn more and further spread knowledge about human rights. The current findings suggest that the availability of digital badges and certificates increased interest for participation and positively affected learning outcomes. Moreover, the use of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) format with incentives proved successful, combined with the contextualization and accessibility of the course content. Furthermore, the technical platform proved adequate for disseminating education for free in a developing country, and allowed for unencumbered access regardless of device. Lastly, a key challenge for future non‐formal learning efforts in developing countries is the cost of Internet access.
Online Retailing in India: Linking Internet Usage, Perceived Risks, Website Attributes and Past Online Purchase Behaviour
Authors: Mathew Priya Mary , Mishra Sita
Published: December 2017

With the number of Internet users exceeding 200 million, as reported on October 2013, e‐commerce holds great promise in India. However, converting e‐users into e‐consumers still remains a challenging task for e‐retailers. Although Internet penetration has deepened in India, yet capitalising the market potential depends largely on how Indian online users actually use the Internet. This research study examines drivers of online purchase in India. As these variables do not impact online purchase behaviour independently, we have attempted to establish interrelationship of these variables (Internet usage, perceived risk, website attributes, influence of past online shopping experience on perceived risks) to understand buying behaviour. A structured questionnaire was administered for online consumers using field and online survey mediums and response of 484 users was obtained. Findings show that Indian online users had high level of perceived risks and these perceived risks increase despite users have online buying experience. However, their attitude towards future intention to do online purchase was not influenced by perceived risks related to Internet. These findings are contrary to past studies, indicating that Indian online users have a unique attitude formation towards Internet usage.
Assembling A National Health Information Infrastructure: The Case of Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Ngoc , Ha Son Thai , Braa Jorn
Published: December 2017

Digital infrastructure development and evolution is a topic that has gained increasing interests from researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. Conceptualized as a large scale system transcending boundary of single organisation and involving multiple stakeholders, the evolutionary trajectory of information infrastructure is contingent, unpredictable, and in many cases end up in the so called drifting status quo. Some researchers believe such systems could not be designed but instead should be “cultivated”, a term referring to the process of incremental build and upon something rather than at once and from scratch. This paper explored the four dimensional concept of “architectural knowledge” proposed by Andersson et al. (2008) with the aim to identify additional approaches to cultivation. Using empirical data from a longitudinal and action research project that lasted three years from 2012 to 2014 in building the health information infrastructure in Vietnam, we found out that architectural knowledge could be a powerful lens in understanding generative mechanisms of information infrastructure.
E‐skill's Effect on Occupational Attainment: A PISA‐Based Panel Study
Authors: Dodel Matias
Published: December 2017

This paper explores the inequalities in the Uruguayan education‐to‐work transition at the light of new technological determinants: the skills needed for critical and autonomous use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) or e‐skills. While important cumulative experience exists regarding the increasing diversification of formal education and labor market pathways and its serious consequences for the process of Uruguay's social inequality reproduction, none of them relates to the role of ICTs. The central hypothesis presented here argues that even after controlling the factors traditionally associated with unequal pathways, such as social class, gender, cognitive skills, educational attainment and labor history, there is an additional explanatory component of ICT on occupational attainment at the first stages of education‐to‐work‐transitions. With this objective in mind, nested logistic models were fitted, using a longitudinal survey with a representative panel of a sub‐sample of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests. Findings tend to corroborate the hypothesis, showing a statistically significant effect of digital skills attained until the age of 15/16 on white collar occupational achievements at the age of 19/20. Based on the model's results public policy implications for ICT training are discussed.
Capacity Strengthening within a Development Context: Developing and Applying a Conceptual Model
Authors: Mukherjee Arunima S.
Published: December 2017

This paper aims at answering two research questions. The first concerns understanding Sen's distinction between human capital and human capability in the context of capacity strengthening of a hospital information systems context in the public health sector context of a State in India. The second concerns developing a conceptual model that can help to apply this distinction. To answer these questions, a process model has been developed which describes capacity strengthening to go through three stages – understanding the artefact; applying the technology to the context of use – called the “capacity for use”; and, applying the knowhow to other domains (outside the work sphere) which the user may value – called the “capacity for exchange”. These three stages involve different modes of capacity strengthening, and takes place within an institutional context, shaped by existing structures. The paper makes at least three key contributions. Firstly, in conceptualizing capacity strengthening as a process, it goes beyond typical models that emphasize cascade training approaches. A second contribution concerns going beyond the primary focus on skill development which most such projects have, and emphasizing the role of mentoring in developing capacity for exchange. The third and most important contribution is that it puts ICTs capacity strengthening within a broader development context, to emphasize the value of such projects to help improve the quality of development outcomes.
The Dreams Plan: A Blupoint Strategy for e‐Education Provision in South Africa
Authors: Walls Eamonn , Santer Mike , Wills Gary , Vass Jeff
Published: December 2017

Since 2004, the government of South Africa has issued a number of white papers calling for the development of a national e‐education strategy. A recent study published in this journal (Mooketsi & Chigona, 2014) suggests that the current e‐education strategy is not working for many communities in South Africa. This paper presents an alternative e‐education strategy for South Africa known as the DREAMs plan (Digital Resources for Education And Mobility). The DREAMs plan proposes the following three conjectures. First, offline platforms are more important than online platforms for building a sustainable SA e‐education strategy. Second, mobile technologies are more important than non‐mobile technologies for building a sustainable SA e‐education strategy. Third, sideloading cultures are more important than downloading cultures for building a sustainable SA e‐education strategy. The paper finishes with some final thoughts on the place of dreaming and dreamers in the wider development agenda.
Effect of Instant Messaging Advertising on the Hierarchy‐of‐Effects Model Amid Teenagers in South Africa
Authors: Duffett Rodney G
Published: December 2017

The rapid growth of social media has resulted in digital information and communications technology (ICT) channels for individuals, especially the youth, to connect with each other and the rest of their world. Consequently, instant messaging (IM), social network sites (SNS) and other mobile applications have become an integral part of life, as well as a daily destination for billions of young individuals, offering them a novel and instant means of communication in this interactive ICT space. The increase of social media adoption has captured the attention of marketers and consumers alike on a global scale, and with the fast changing communication environments, marketers now confront new challenges in terms of understanding consumer behavior, attitudinal responses and consumption patterns in the new millennium. However, there is a lack of research into young consumers’ attitudes towards advertising on IM platforms in emerging nations. Mxit is the largest locally founded IM channel in South Africa (SA) and, hence, this inquiry examines the effect of IM (Mxit) advertising on the hierarchy‐of‐effect model attitude stages among teenagers in SA. The results of the investigations found favorable attitudes towards IM advertising among teenagers, which makes an important contribution to the deficiency of IM inquiry in developing economies. This study should also aid organizations and their brands to comprehend what makes teenagers develop positive attitudes as a result of IM advertising, thereby assisting with the improvement of promotion strategies on this expansive and predominantly mobile IM platform landscape in SA.
Enhancing Team‐Based Transactive Memory Systems Through Mobile Instant Messaging: A Developing Country Perspective
Authors: Mahatanankoon Pruthikrai
Published: December 2017

Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) allows users to exchange multimedia information, such as texts, images, and videos with family and friends. MIM applications are typically free‐of‐charge and intended for casual, playful communications, allowing users to engage in one‐on‐one or group interactions. Based on Wegner's Transactive Memory Systems (TMS), the study focuses on how MIM can be used to enhance existing team‐based TMS in the workplace. Using data collected from 75 Thai employees working in teams, the results show that team‐based TMS emphasizes specialized knowledge and team coordination, while MIM promotes knowledge acceptance. The findings also reveal that the functionalities of MIM and the existing organizational ICTs help build mobile TMS, which in turn enhances team‐based TMS. The implication of this study supports the economical use of MIM as a communication tool that exists alongside traditional ICTs in a developing country.
Long Lamai Community ICT4D E‐Commerce System Modelling: An Agent Oriented Role‐Based Approach
Authors: Shiang Cheah Wai , Halin Alfian Abdul , Lu Marlene , CheeWhye Gary
Published: December 2017

This paper presents the post‐mortem report upon completion of the Long Lamai e‐commerce development project. Some weaknesses with regards to the current software modelling approach are identified and an alternative role‐based approach is proposed. We argue that the existing software modelling technique is not suitable for modelling, making it difficult to establish a good contract between stakeholders causing delays in the project delivery. The role‐based approach is able to explicitly highlight the responsibilities among stakeholders, while also forming the contract agreement among them leading towards sustainable ICT4D.
A Fresh Approach in the Optimization of Government Processes using Algorithms: A Case Study of Retirement Procedure in Cameroon
Authors: Etoundi Roger Atsa , Alo'o Ghislain Abessolo , Ndjodo Marcel Fouda
Published: December 2017

Many works have been carried out in the field of business process re‐engineering. Despite their abundance, there is still much to be done as not all the aspects have been taken into consideration. Most of the works are concentrated on the reduction of the number of tasks and do not take into consideration the reduction of resources needed to perform tasks. Among these resources are documents required for the processing of various tasks. Even when tasks reduction is concerned, there is no clear methodology that is proposed for task cancellation. Moreover, among business processes are administrative procedures, which are specific processes dealing with policy, legislation rules and regulation in the administration. The optimization of administrative procedures has become imperative in developing countries as these countries are working to improve the quality of services delivered to citizens. It is an important aspect to be considered in order to move ahead in their development. Procedures actually used in these countries have been developed just at the dawn of independences. Their effectiveness in terms of quality of service was not considered as these countries first wanted to deliver. Forty years after, the problem of the quality of service became crucial. Hence, these countries are seeking solutions to re‐engineer their legacy administrative procedures. This paper presents a methodology associated with an algorithm for the reduction of documents required from citizens, and activities that are performed in the delivery of services. The methodology is based on the correlation among tasks and among documents. This methodology is applied to the management of the human resource retirement process in the public service in Cameroon.
Campharma: A Mobile Tool For Interaction Between Pharmacies And Patients in Cameroon
Authors: Noutat Judith Soulamite Nouho , Ndie Thomas Djotio , Tangha Claude
Published: December 2017

Better health is essential to human happiness and well‐being. It also makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more. Access pharmacy and drug resources are central in a successful healthcare system. That is why, it is important to localize and know pharmacies close to patient when he need a specific drug with availability and prices of this one through a mobile application. Mobile applications are accelerating day by day because more and more people using mobile phones, smartphones and tablets. We propose in this paper CamPharma, a mobile application that allows: (1) search pharmacies owning specific drug, (2) view the price of it, (3) viewing detailed information for a pharmacy, (4) viewing drug's details and cons‐indications, (5) configure and receive alerts about taking drugs and (6) find guard pharmacies. It is a client‐server application and compatible with Android and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD). For Android users, the client is installed on the Android phone and the server part is installed on the CamPharma server. USSD users use Short Message Service (SMS) or call. The search function in CamPharma is a mathematical optimization problem expressed by an objective function f which determines five better pharmacies among N. Campharma is adapted to the context of pharmacies in Cameroon and we realized a prototype on Emerginov platform.
The Influence of Intangible (‘Soft’) Constructs on the Outcome of Community ICT Initiatives in Ghana: A Gap Archetype Analysis
Authors: Ayoung Daniel Azerikatoa , Abbott Pamela , Kashefi Armin
Published: December 2017

This paper applies the gap archetypes framework as an analytical tool to evaluate the Community Information Centre (CIC) initiative (also widely referred to as telecentres) in Ghana. It critically examines how the interaction of ‘soft’ constructs (politics, culture, emotions, people, partnerships and context) influenced the outcome of the initiative. This paper is a response to recent calls for the evaluation of such intangible constructs and the extent to which they affect the implementation and utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives. Adopting a qualitative approach, this study investigated eight government‐owned telecentres to highlight how these ‘soft’ constructs influenced the implementation and governance of the CIC initiatives. The results indicate that these ‘soft’ constructs were overlooked throughout the process of implementation which consequently negatively affected the suitability of the telecentres. The study also demonstrates the usefulness of the gap archetypes framework as an analytical tool for the evaluation of telecentres and ICT projects in general.
Embracing New Media in Political Communication: A Survey of Parliamentarians’ Attitudes and Practices in a Changing Media Landscape in West Africa
Authors: Hamajoda Aminu
Published: December 2017

This survey sought to find out the state of political communication among West African parliamentarians in view of the expanded mediality that newer digital channels like social media, the internet and mobile telecommunication tools are bringing to the political landscape in addition to traditional political channels of party politics, rallies, meetings, constituency visits and traditional media like television, radio and newspapers. The study had deliberately focused on the three core parliamentary functions; lawmaking, representation and oversight, asking key questions under each function to delineate the views and practices of legislators in using media channels. Findings from this study show that although there is a remarkable improvement in acquisition of tools, legislators are reticent in deploying the full powers of new channels in interaction with citizens, preferring traditional channels like television and radio in activity propagation and political meetings and constituency visits to newer tools like e‐petition, e‐consultation, blogging, personal websites, e‐polling and other forums. However there are evidences of rising Facebook use and intensive use of telephony and text messages in communicating with constituents. There are also evidences of the increased use of emails and internet research in gathering information for lawmaking.
Towards an Integration of Paradigmatic and Pragmatic Research in Information Systems
Authors: Cronje Johannes
Published: December 2017

This paper responds to Izak van Zyl's call for Pragmatism in Information Systems research in preference over Paradigmatic research as embodied by Burrell and Morgan's (1979) four sociological research paradigms. The paper presents an adaptation of Burrell and Morgan's four paradigms to develop a set of research aims and corresponding questions. The research aims and questions are then tested against eight recent research papers to validate the individual paradigms and then one paper is analysed in depth to demonstrate how a pragmatist research project can be executed by following a sequential and cyclic path through the four paradigms.
Testing a Typology of Mobile Phone Victimisation Using Cluster Analysis
Authors: Lusinga Shallen , Kyobe Michael
Published: December 2017

Mobile victimisation is one form of cyberaggression that is increasing and affecting many young people today in the developing world. While studies on cyberbullying and cybervictimisation exist, the focus on mobile victimisation is limited. In addition, findings reported in earlier studies have been mainly from developed countries and inconclusive. There is also limited theoretical work to enhance conceptualisation and general understanding of mobile victimisation. Understanding this phenomenon in the developing countries is particularly critical as mobile phone usage and crime are among the highest in the world, legislation against misuse is not well developed and there is general lack of awareness of the national and international implications of cyberaggression in the developing nations. Through an extensive review of literature on victimisation, this paper develops a typology, i.e. Mobile Victimisation Typology (MVT), that caters to the understanding of mobile victimisation. The researchers also went further to validate empirically the MVT using cluster analysis. This confirmed all the three categories of victims proposed in the MVT and proved that it's three predictors could influence victims differently. The present findings are useful in creating awareness of mobile victimisation risks and can be used to inform the development of programmes, policies and legislation to control mobile bullying and victimisation in the developing nations in a more efficient and relevant direction in terms of resource and impact management.