bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Blended Learning Techniques in Knowledge Dissemination
Authors: Dahawy Khaled , Kamel Sherif
Published: December 2017

The aim of any teaching institute is to provide suitable environments to accelerate the learning process. The Experiential Learning Theory suggests that there is a relationship between the learning environments, learning techniques and suitable teaching techniques. Therefore, it is important to study these relationships to improve the learning process, which is reflected on the outcome gained from the recipients of the knowledge disseminated. Learning and teaching techniques are classified into two groups: active‐like (A‐like) techniques and passive‐like (P‐like) techniques. The objective of this paper is to examine the importance level of these techniques and its relative implications. The methodology used is based on an empirical research with the use of a survey questionnaire where students studying courses in the department of management at the American University in Cairo were asked to complete a survey questionnaire to indicate the importance level for each technique. Students’ ratings support hypothesis regarding the passive‐like techniques. However, this proves that cultural factors robustly affect teaching preferences.
Monitoring Employee Use of the Internet in Philippine Organizations
Authors: Alampay Erwin A. , Hechanova Ma. Regina M.
Published: December 2017

This study examined the practices of Philippine organizations in monitoring employee use of the Internet. Surveys of 112 organizations representing a variety of industries reveal that two‐thirds of organizations provide Internet access to all its employees. Although the majority monitor employee Internet use, less than half have an Internet use policy in place. The majority of organizations blocked some online content and applications particularly those related to pornography, gaming and social networking. Most organizations report difficulties as getting virus due to downloaded materials and excessive chatting on the Internet. Results suggest the need for more organizations to articulate their policies on Internet use, educate workers on internet security and formulate mechanisms to ensure the integrity of employee monitoring.
Understanding Attitudes Towards Computer Use in the Police Department of Pakistan
Authors: Ellahi Abida , Manarvi Irfan
Published: December 2017

The extraordinary rate of development in information technologies can bring additional costs and failure if psychological reactions and organizational factors are ignored by system designers. Therefore, this research study explores the key factors of police officers’ acceptance and attitudes through a research survey and by gathering empirical evidence based on the integrated research framework. Data collected from 200 respondents was tested against the research model. The findings confirm the good model fit by supporting four out of six hypotheses. The results lead to make several suggestions for the police sector and IT policy‐makers to use as guidelines for the future development of this service.
Gender and Public Access Computing: An International Perspective
Authors: Terry Allison , Gomez Ricardo
Published: December 2017

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and public access to computers with Internet connectivity in particular, can assist community development efforts and help bridge the so‐called digital divide. However, use of ICT may not be the same for women as it is for men. Technical, social and cultural barriers exacerbate women's exclusion from the benefits of ICT for development. This paper is based on a qualitative analysis of the benefits of ICT and the barriers facing women to fully realize those benefits, particularly through public access places such as libraries, telecenters and cybercafés. We describe individual benefits such as increased self‐esteem, reduced isolation, access to markets, empowerment and access to health information. We also describe collective benefits such as economic growth, improved health and education, capacity building and cultural transformation. Finally, we discuss barriers that are particularly significant to women such as location, infrastructure and connectivity; time and money; lack of relevant content; low education and literacy; and social norms and perceptions. This paper draws from reports of a larger study of public access venues in 25 developing countries around the world, which are publicly available online.
Analysis of Critical Success Factors in Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in Malaysian Business Firms
Authors: Supramaniam Mahadevan , Kuppusamy Mudiarasan
Published: December 2017

In order to survive in a rapidly changing business environment, Malaysian business firms must improve their own business practices and procedures through Information System. This paper describes the impact of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) during the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementations using the responses from 151 organizations that completed or are in the process of completing an ERP implementation and identifying the key benefits of ERP implementation in the firm. The importance of these factors was investigated within Malaysian companies using questionnaire survey method. Our results provide advice to management on how best to utilize their limited resources to choose those CSFs that are most likely to have an impact upon the implementation of the ERP system.
Focus Group Strategies in Community Development
Authors: Alexander Bennett , Korpela Mikko
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a critical perspective on managing Focus Group Sessions (FGSs) that are focussed on pertinent development issues within socially disadvantaged communities; and particularly investigates the role of the interpreter in facilitating a discourse which extensively takes place outside the usual socio‐cultural domain of the researcher.

The experiences around a series of FGSs are reported which were conducted as part of a broader ICT4D environmental assessment study that took place in the former Transkei region of the Eastern Cape as part of an ICT4D environmental assessment study. The paper explores, in particular, the perceived non‐reporting of information in the interpreter‐to‐participants exchanges (IPE) versus researcher‐to‐interpreter exchanges (RIE) – on the basis of observed imbalances in the IPE and RIE dynamics. This paper consequently focuses on the socio‐cultural and power relationships that may manifest within sessions and potentially compromise the effective gathering of data and information against the defined agenda of the researcher. The best traditions of qualitative research recognise the notion of shared control of the research experience (Krueger & Casey, 2000; Grudens‐Schuck et al., 2004); and the community should therefore be able to direct the fore‐grounding of their own agenda – if such exists in contrast to that of the researcher. This sets the scene for a power struggle within the FGS, and it is in this regard, that it is proposed that the interpreter could play an important role.

Jojola (2000) warns that development is not charity; and communities‐in‐development should be the enablers of their own destiny; and external development participation in the communities should be based on principled and strategic approaches.

This paper supports the views of Grudens‐Schuck et al. (2004) that FGSs can produce high quality data and information if correctly structured and argues that a critical approach is indicated to navigate the process through the challenges of the socio‐cultural divide. Furthermore, the researcher has to be conscientious of the character, capacity and the underlying power dynamics in the community that produces the experiences observed during the FGSs.
Quality Assessment of Information Systems in SMEs: A Study of Eldoret, Kenya
Authors: Ndiege J.R.A. , Wayi N. , Herselman M.E.
Published: December 2017

The use of Information Systems (IS) of acceptable quality has been viewed to be vital for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations. Many SMEs in developing countries are beginning to embrace the use of IS to help improve their competitiveness. This venture, however, has not yielded the much anticipated benefits for many of these SMEs. For this reason, a number SMEs in developing countries have ended up dissatisfied with their IS investments. A considerable percentage IS solutions used within the SMEs in developing countries are inefficient and ineffective in helping meet the unique needs of the SMEs. This paper presents the results of an exploratory study into the quality of IS used within SMEs in Eldoret town, situated in Kenya. The study employs a qualitative research methodology with multiple case studies of seven SMEs. The results of the study indicate that the SMEs that participated in the study use IS solutions that were of unacceptable quality. The study further identifies factors that are responsible for this poor quality of IS and recommends actions that can be taken to improve the quality of IS within the SMEs.
Mobile Phones in Health Care in Uganda: The AppLab Study
Authors: Nchise Abinwi C. , Boateng Richard , Shu Ignatius , Mbarika Victor
Published: December 2017

This study explores the preliminary lessons in the use of mobile phones to promote access to health care information in Uganda. The project under study is the AppLab Uganda Project which operates a Health Tips application, educating users on sexual and reproductive health. Data was collected through in‐depth interviews with project developers, partners, medical practitioners and IT journalists and a survey of 149 people randomly selected from two tertiary educational institutions in Uganda. Findings tend to suggest that the need to access health information via mobile text messages is mediated by cost incentives, misconceptions of brand name ‘Google SMS’, and content relevance. There are questions concerning the appropriateness of text messaging as compared to using voice calls to access health information. These issues have implications on the objectives of the health care project and the individual strategies of project partners. Preliminary conclusions emphasize the need to integrate a referral system to registered health professionals and facilities and the need for education and/or a marketing strategy with an indigenous branding to address the misconception of the brand name ‘Google SMS’. Implications for research, policy, and practice are outlined.
Computerizing Primary Schools in Rural Kenya: Outstanding Challenges and Possible Solutions
Authors: Ogembo Javier Gordon , Ngugi Benjamin , Pelowski Matthew
Published: December 2017

This paper investigates the outstanding challenges facing primary schools’ computerization in rural Kenya. Computerization of schools is often envisaged as a ‘magic’, or at least a particularly efficient, solution to many of the problems that developing countries face in improving primary school education. However, while a great deal of consideration is given to the technical issues surrounding computer implementation, government policy makers, administrators, aid organizations and individuals participating in school computerization programs often have not carefully considered the contextual questions surrounding this endeavour. Specifically: 1.) what problems do rural schools actually want to solve with computerization; 2.) is computerization the most important priority for rural schools; 3.) are schools ready, in terms of infrastructure, for a computer in the classroom; or 4.) might there be better avenues for implementing access to the benefits of the digital age? These questions and the issue of school computerization are considered via results from a survey of thirty‐seven rural Kenyan primary public schools. Results indicate that, while all schools had low ICT status making them primary targets for computerization, only eleven percent had at least one ICT compliant teacher, of which all were considered to require further training. In addition we found inadequate infrastructural preparedness – lack of access to electricity, internet; no classroom computer space, few desks, secure walls and protective roofing – posing severe challenges to the outstanding conception of computerization. We consider these results and make recommendations for better adapting programs for computer introduction, and also suggest the use of new innovative devices, such as cell phones, which might already have overcome many of the technical challenges found.
Information Technology‐Mediated Issues in Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Education
Authors: Musiimenta Angella
Published: December 2017

Literature on the usefulness of IT‐assisted HIV/AIDS interventions especially in the African setting is scarce. This leaves little to nothing known about the benefits of IT‐assisted HIV interventions from the experience of Africa moreover where the HIV pandemic is widespread. This qualitative research explores in‐depth the IT‐mediated issues that influence the adoption of an IT‐assisted sexual health and HIV/AIDS education intervention implemented in Uganda. It involves interviews with 33 participants including 30 intervention students, 02 intervention teachers and 01 head of the investigated school. Results indicate that such interventions can be sources of the otherwise denied sexuality information, are accessed irrespective of geographical boundaries, are sources of coping strategies for overcoming HIV risk behaviour, provide opportunities for tailoring the interventions to the varying needs of young people, are more interactive and engaging, and boosts teachers’ confidence in delivering intervention contents that they would otherwise feel embarrassed to deliver. Such benefits can provide vital benchmarks for designing, developing, implementing and evaluating IT‐assisted sexuality and HIV/AIDS intervention.
Data Warehouse Approach to Strengthen Actionability of Health Information Systems: Experiences from Tajikistan
Authors: Latifov Murodillo A. , Sahay Sundeep
Published: December 2017

Health Information Systems (HIS) in developing countries are notorious for not supporting action – implying the use of information for supporting health management. While authors have identified many reasons for this, we focus on the actionability of the HIS reflected through the data‐indicator linkage. The better this link, the stronger will be the actionability of the HIS, which we evaluate through the three item criterion based on completeness, fittingness and actionability. This framework is used to analyze the actionability of the Tajikistan HIS. Furthermore, this paper argues for the value of a data warehouse approach in strengthening the data‐indicator linkage. However, the data warehouse is far from being a mere technical artefact, but is something socio‐technical; in order to understand it, we draw upon theories of institutions. A key contribution of the paper is in understanding competing institutional logics, and how this requires a sensitive management of the installed base.
Imagining a Silicon Savannah? Technological and Conceptual Connectivity in Kenya's BPO and Software Development Sectors
Authors: Graham Mark , Mann Laura
Published: December 2017

This is a paper about expectations surrounding a potentially highly transformative moment in East Africa's history: the arrival of underwater fibre‐optic broadband communications cables into the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa. It combines a media content analysis with findings from interviews with business owners in Kenya's nascent business process outsourcing (BPO) and software development sectors in order to explore how such moments of technological ‘connectivity’ are imagined, marketed and enacted within economic development. It argues that connectivity is not just a matter of boosting physical/material capacity but also about redressing conceptual connectivity; bringing places ‘closer together’ involves rehabilitating the images of places in peoples’ minds and removing imagined senses of distance. As such, technologies of connectivity are marketed not just as tools of altered communications affordances, but more importantly, as momentary opportunities for revisiting the image of places from afar. Additionally, the cables reveal the importance of fostering internal linkages in order to better build international recognition and connections. ‘Moments of expectation’ that surround new ICT technologies reveal how discourse and representation play a strong role in enabling markets to form and change. The very idea of ‘connectivity’ itself is driving plans and policies throughout the region.
Factors Influencing The Usage Of The Tribal Land Information Management System For Land Management And Administration: The Case Of Mogoditshane Subordinate Land‐Board
Authors: Mooketsi Bojelo , Leonard Mpho
Published: December 2017

Land Information Systems are touted to be critical for efficient land management and administration. If properly used and updated, they can inform decision makers in a timely fashion on land resources utilisation. The Government of Botswana has consequently implemented a Tribal Land Information Management System (TLIMS) at Mogoditshane Sub‐Land Board. This study seeks to evaluate the extent to which the TLIMS meets its intended purpose of improving land management and administration. The study also tries to establish the factors that affect usage of the TLIMS. The findings of the study show that there is no records consolidation amongst Land Boards. The main recommendation of the study is that information systems used by various Land Boards need to be standardised to ensure ease of integration of systems. This study contributes to research on information Systems in Developing Countries.
The Global News Challenge: Market Strategies of International Broadcasting Organizations in Developing Countries
Authors: Davison Robert
Published: December 2017

Review of “The Global News Challenge: Market Strategies of International Broadcasting Organizations in Developing Countries”. Anne Geniets. Routledge 2013. 188 pages. ISBN: 978‐0‐415‐64066‐4. RRP US$125, £80.
Mobile Based Information Communication Interactions among Major Agriculture Stakeholders: Sri Lankan Experience
Authors: Dissanayeke Uvasara , Wanigasundera W.A.D.P.
Published: December 2017

This study explores the status of mobile usage among the agriculture community in the North‐Central province of Sri Lanka in relation to interactions with major agriculture stakeholders. The objectives of the study were to study the factors affecting the mobile use by farmers, farmers' willingness to receive agricultural information through mobile communication technology, and awareness on mobile based agriculture information systems. Primary data were collected at two stages using two structured interview schedules (N=390, n=65). According to the findings the access to mobile phone was considerable higher among the study group while age and education had an effect on using a mobile phone. Only a few farmers have yet started using them efficiently for agriculture and other commercial purposes. A considerable number of farmers used the mobile phones to contact input suppliers, buyers, agriculture extension officers and other farmers in the area, mostly those who represent community based organizations.
Critical Themes of Process Assessment in Rural ICT4D Projects: An Analysis of Assessment Approaches
Authors: Osah Joshua Umeoniso , Pade‐Khene Caroline , Foster Greg
Published: December 2017

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are often perceived as adequate support tools for development activities. However, their successful employment as development enablers requires strategic implementation. Hence, effectively assessing ICT4D initiatives is imperative. This paper elaborates on a Rural ICT4D Project Process Assessment Framework (RICTP‐PAF) that seeks to address an often overlooked but relevant evaluation aspect of ICT4D projects. It proposes that the implementation phase of such projects demand rigorous assessments, as implementation is the link between project ambitions and impacts. It is argued that knowledge of critical themes of process assessment in rural ICT4D projects may present an appropriate way of conducting such assessments. Hence, the paper describes a systematic approach employed to identify generic critical themes of process assessment in rural ICT4D projects, and how they may be appropriately assessed. This approach culminates in the development of the RICTP‐PAF.
FrontlineSMS as an Early Warning Network for Human‐Wildlife Mitigation: Lessons Learned from Tests Conducted in Mozambique and Zimbabwe
Authors: Bel Sébastien Le , Chavernac David , Mapuvire George , Cornu Guillaume
Published: December 2017

Human‐wildlife conflicts (HWCs) have drastically increased around conservation areas in Africa in recent decades, thus undermining the peaceful cohabitation of wildlife populations and rural human settlements. Mitigation packages include HWC reporting, which is often ineffective since the information conveyed is generally scattered and useless. The booming mobile phone sector and the popular use of text messages (SMS) have provided an opportunity to assess the impact of real‐time communication systems in HWC mitigation strategies. This paper presents the results of preliminary tests conducted in Mozambique and Zimbabwe with FrontlineSMS, a mobile data collection system. With sets of 52 wildlife playing cards, any wildlife events from patrol reports to HWCs were easily translated into explanatory variables listed on forms. Sending written information as text messages was hampered by IT problems linked with the use of commercial 3G USB modems. The overall system could be improved by using GPRD modems allowing a higher SMS flow and, at the informant level, by introducing ad‐hoc SMS models to facilitate data capture on mobile phones. Once adopted, HWC early warning systems could be deployed at low cost.
Exploring Information Ethics for Inclusive Open Development
Authors: Bentley Caitlin M.
Published: December 2017

Open development refers to the ways in which new Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) transform modes of participation and production, human development processes and access to knowledge resources. Open development, however, is not well‐defined and immanent developments have only recently begun to be categorised (Reilly and Smith, 2014). This means that there has been little exploration of open development in terms of its potential to influence intentional and existing development aid practices. This paper therefore intends to offer insight into how open development practices within relationships between donors and civil society organisations could be guided by an underlying information ethics. By considering the totality of relationships in an information environment, or the infosphere, open development may be more likely to ensure effective and inclusive human development outcomes.
Intervention Breakdowns as Occasions for Articulating Mobile Health Information Infrastructures
Authors: Matavire Rangarirai , Manda Tiwonge Davis
Published: December 2017

This study investigates a mobile health project launched in Malawi and considers its sustainability in light of activities that occur in the pilot stage. It has been said that most projects of this nature fail during piloting hence it is pertinent to review the activities in this early stage. The study follows a grounded theory inspired research approach and is focused on the day to day breakdowns that occur in the pilot, what they reveal, and how the resolutions relate to the project's goals. It is found that when breakdowns occur, an articulation process to sustain the intervention becomes visible. Breakdowns can reveal tensions in the technical design and organisational context thereby offering opportunities for action in order that an intervention is sustained. The ensuing activity, for analytical purposes, is termed articulation work, and its variety and limitations are explained. In this study we discover two categories of articulation work, technological and human. Further to this, we argue that these two categories of articulation work can be further analysed into different dimensions, based on the levels of organizational involvement required to resolve them: (i) localised; (ii) multiple levels within a single organization; (iii) and multiple levels inter‐organizational.
Antecedents and Dynamics for Strategic Alignment of Health Information Systems in Uganda
Authors: Odit Mary Celestine Adie , Rwashana Agnes Semwanga , Kituyi Geoffrey Mayoka
Published: December 2017

Health Information Systems (HIS) in Uganda always fail to achieve the organizational objectives and yet little research has been conducted to study the strategic alignment of HIS in the country. This study therefore set out to examine the antecedents and dynamics that influence strategic alignment of HIS in Uganda with the aim of adequately addressing the complex IS design issues. A total of 296 respondents were purposively selected from 39 health facilities across the country to participate in the survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Findings from the study revealed that HIS are used to locate substitute sources for medical commodities, reduce costs of handling orders as well as minimize uncertainty in ordering lead time. In addition, HIS provide information to clients, add value to existing health services and are used to target health service needs with accuracy as well as identify groups of clients whose needs are not being met. HIS are used to minimize the cost of designing services, adding features to existing services and population grouping services at the health unit level. In the area of internal health facility efficiency, HIS help in ensuring efficiency and enable informed decision making, provide efficiency in internal meetings and discussions, co‐ordination among facility departments, and provide good evaluation on annual budget. Further, HIS are used by health workers to provide evaluation on capital, maximize organizational performance, population coverage and strategic planning efficiency.

Despite the above, the study revealed that health units do not have standards, frameworks and policies for the strategic alignment of HIS and the funding to support them. For better alignment of HIS, there should be proper planning and training of health workers on the importance of strategic alignment of HIS. Further, health facilities should be encouraged to adopt electronic information systems to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. There should also be policies, frameworks and or standards for guiding strategic alignment of Health Information Systems in health facilities.
Bandwidth Management in the Era of Bring Your Own Device
Authors: Chitanana Lockias , Govender Desmond W.
Published: December 2017

This research was undertaken to investigate the issue of how universities are managing utilisation of bandwidth in the face of increased Internet traffic in the era of ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) and increased digital content. In particular, the research sought to find out about what universities in Zimbabwe were doing to ensure efficient utilisation of the limited bandwidth that is experience by most developing countries. A survey was carried out in a sample of five universities to catalogue their experiences. Results showed that most universities in the sample did not have an official Internet Access Policy to assist with bandwidth management. Technical solutions to successful provision of managed network bandwidth within a university involve the application of many network hardware tools, encompassing a number of different techniques, which are often expensive and out of reach of universities. Fortunately a cost‐effective solution exists for all universities, which can be deployed regardless of the campus’ existing network configuration or installed devices. The authors recommend that using quality of service and bandwidth management policies will enable network administrators to control network traffic flow so that appropriate users and applications get priority during the allocation of network resources. Also, universities must contain in their information technology policies a meaningful Internet Access Policy, which will help universities to develop and refine bandwidth access and usage and allow easy access to network resources.
ICT for the Development of Labour Productivity in Cameroon
Authors: Faha Christophe Péguy Choub , Vaumi Achille Tefong
Published: December 2017

This paper uses a new survey data set on manufacturing firms in Cameroon to estimate a Cobb‐Douglas production function. Based on a categorization of firms by ownership structure and firms aiming at analysing the constraints surrounding the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a tool to improving productivity of Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises (SME) in Cameroon, we have evaluated empirically whether to what extent those technologies have contributed to the growth of labour productivity within the firms. Using the Instrumental Variables method, to account for the endogeneity problem with cross sectional data, we found a positive and significant impact of ICT‐capital on labour productivity in Cameroonian's firms.
New Technologies for Disseminating and Communicating Agriculture Knowledge and Information: Challenges for Agricultural Research Institutes in Tanzania
Authors: Barakabitze Alcardo A. , Kitindi Edvin J. , Sanga Camilius , Shabani Ayubu , Philipo Joseph , Kibirige George
Published: December 2017

This paper explores how a wide range of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) available in Agricultural Research Institutes (ARIs) if used effectively by agriculture researchers can improve agriculture productivity in Tanzania. A structured questionnaire and telephonic interviews were used to collect data from a randomly selected sample of 64 respondents made up of agricultural researchers, agriculture managers and other agricultural stakeholders in the selected institutes. Data were analyzed using statistical tools. The results indicate that ICTs tools are available in ARIs for the day to day research activities. However, utilization of agriculture journals is very limited due to unreliability and poor connectivity of the Internet and frequent power cuts. Results also show that the uses of specialized ICT devices have not taken a great recognition in agriculture activities which is attributed by low investment of ICTs that can be used for teaching and learning modern agriculture productivity techniques in institutes under this study. Among the challenges hindering the use of ICTs in ARIs includes: inadequate computers and the supporting technological infrastructure, lack of electricity needed to operate computers, unreliable Internet connectivity and lack of systematic ICTs investment; low coordination of agriculture stakeholders due to institutional diversity and department fragmentation. This study recommends that the Government of Tanzania (GoT) should formulate and implement ICT for Agriculture (ICT4A) projects based on a researched conceptual framework related to ICT4A use and Information and Communication Management (ICM) in ARIs in Tanzania.
Informing and Interacting with Citizens: A Strategic Communication Review of the Websites of the ECOWAS Parliaments
Authors: Hamajoda Aminu
Published: December 2017

This is an evaluation of ECOWAS members’ websites based on a modified version of the guidelines recommended by Inter‐Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 2009. The appraisal under several headings, are suggested to help parliaments plan and oversee their websites in a modern age where the internet provide a continuously significant platform for interacting and communicating with the general public. The study finds out that while most Member States websites score well on general information about their parliaments, they lacked progress in making their websites a one‐stop point for political information about their countries, and a fulcrum for interaction between legislators and citizens and a real time deliberation on burning national and regional issues despite the current availability of suitable interactive tools on the internet.
The Adoption of e‐Commerce in the Lesotho Tourism Industry
Authors: Mapeshoane Tsebetso J. , Pather Shaun
Published: December 2017

Over the years, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been revolutionising global markets. In developed nations, for example, there has been a push for developing countries to adopt ICT as leverage towards improving their economic development. However, in the current era, ICT adoption has not been as widespread as anticipated in some parts of the world, with its use in developing countries especially, lagging behind. This is particularly so amongst the small, medium, micro‐enterprise (SMME) sector, important drivers of the economy in the developing world. SMMEs in developing countries have been hindered in the uptake of ICTs, largely due to underlying issues such as the high cost of ICT, inadequate and unreliable infrastructure, as well as lack of policy necessary to promote competition and growth within the ICT sectors.

Amongst varying applications of ICTs, e‐commerce is one area in particular which SMMEs have been relatively reluctant to adopt. Presently, many African countries have already taken firm steps to address infrastructure and ICT access issues. However, improved access on its own will not result in economic growth. It is important, therefore, to also understand aspects of ICT adoption in developing countries. The purpose of this research was to investigate the factors affecting e‐commerce adoption in a typical developing country. Lesotho presented itself as an ideal case to investigate e‐commerce adoption amongst SMMEs, specifically within the Lesotho tourism industry. This study, then, provides a detailed explanation of the factors influencing e‐commerce uptake in the Lesotho tourism sector. In the extant literature, several studies and a number of generic models and frameworks on technology adoption offer a generalised understanding of technology adoption. None of these, however, provide a contextualised perspective prevalent to businesses in the typical developing country environment. Evidence for the study was collected using interviews with businesses. Data collected via interviews was used to examine the actual adoption issues amongst tourism SMMEs in Lesotho. In addition, where applicable, each organisation's online activities or websites was assessed. The study was premised on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model as its framework. The findings revealed that dimensions of the UTAUT model provided a sensible explanation regarding behavioural intention to adopt and use e‐commerce amongst tourism SMMEs within the Lesotho tourism sector. In addition, a new dimension in respect of adoption was identified, viz. national culture. In this regard, masculinity, type of business ownership, and orientation to online purchasing were found to be mitigating factors against e‐commerce adoption amongst SMMEs in the Lesotho tourism industry. Finally, an adapted UTAUT model is proposed for further study of e‐commerce adoption in a developing country context.
Using ICT in Controlling Staff and Payroll in the Cameroonian Public Service: Lessons learned and Perspectives
Authors: Etoundi Roger Atsa , Tobie Armand Manga , Onana Bertrand S. Mvoa
Published: December 2017

Developing countries in Africa are facing a great challenge related to the control of state employees. Their fragile economies do not always allow them to effectively meet the financial needs associated with the payment of salaries. A number of actions were taken in each of these countries to limit such expenses. These actions range from suspending recruitment into the public service, reducing the number of state employees and reducing salaries. Despite all these measures, these states are not always able to master their employees and the associated payroll. Actions relating to the computerization of human resource management systems within the public service have been undertaken in almost all these countries to overcome this difficulty. But at the end of the process, no tangible results have been achieved. Cameroon is one of those countries that is permanently making efforts to resolve this problem that is negatively impacting its development. To achieve this, the country is making a fourth attempt to tackle this issue by relying on information and communication technology. The aim of this paper is to understand why the actions undertaken so far have not provided a satisfactory solution. In this regard, an analysis is carried out in order to point out the reasons of these failures. A case study approach the methodology is used and the behavior human resources involved in these IT projects is analyzed. This analysis leads to the identification of the major causes that hinder the successful implementation of these ICT initiatives and also highlights some negative impacts in the use of ICT. Based on these limits, some recommendations are made to avoid failures in ICT initiative related to the mastering of state employees and the associated payroll.
A Causal Relationship Model of the Influence of Information Technology Governance Processes on the Benefits Received by Thai Public Companies
Authors: Sunthonwutinun Wilai , Chooprayoon Vasin
Published: December 2017

This study applies the COBIT5 framework and the balanced scorecard approach to information technology governance (ITG) in public companies in Thailand. The objectives of the study are to develop and verify a causal relationship model of the influence of ITG processes on the benefits received by companies. The model is composed of four latent variables: learning and growth, internal processes, customers, and finances. A questionnaire was used to gather data from a sample of 497 chief ITG officers and auditors working in companies registered on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Structural equation modeling was used to construct the model. The results showed that the model was consistent with the empirical data, with a chi‐square value of 190.85, a degree of freedom of 166, and a p‐value of 0.91. This pointed out that hypotheses of the model could be explained a structure model of ITG, which influence wealth of the companies up to 80 percent (R2 = 80). It is reasonable to imply that ITG influences the benefits obtained by Thai public companies in terms of high capacity of employees, good internal processes, customer satisfaction, loyalty, and stable finances.
Influence of Facebook Commercial Communications on Generation Z's Attitudes in South Africa
Authors: Duffett Rodney G
Published: December 2017

The tremendous proliferation of social media (such as Facebook) has provided digital information and communications technology (ICT) platforms that enable Generation Z to instantaneously and uninterruptedly interactive one another and the rest of the globe. The primary aim of this research is to investigate the influence of Facebook commercial communications (FCC) on the hierarchy‐of‐effects model attitude stages amongst Generation Z, and to establish whether several usage (access, usage length, log‐on rate, log‐on duration and profile update incidence) and demographic (gender, age and population group) factors had an effect on the attitudinal responses. A survey was used to sample over 6 200 teenagers through structured self‐administered questionnaires in South Africa (SA). A generalised linear model was utilised for the data analysis. This paper determined that FCC had a positive effect on cognitive, affective and behavioural attitudes amid South African adolescents, which is in correlation with the communications effects pyramid model. This study also makes a notable contribution to attitudinal discourse in emerging nations, where there is a paucity of research on FCC. South African organisations should consider implementing and/or adapting their FCC strategies based on the varying impact of usage and demographic factors, which were disclosed in this study, when targeting the increasingly profitable and technologically savvy, but unpredictable Generation Z.
The South African e‐Retail Change Agenda: A Curriculum Development Perspective
Authors: Alexander Bennett , Mason Roger
Published: December 2017

This study provides a broad overview of e‐Retail implementation and its impact on skills development within the South African retail sector. The study interrogates the readiness of the South African retail sector for e‐Retail on the basis of a selection of technology, marketing, operations and business imperatives; and provides in particular a predictive analysis of the technical skills requirement to sustain a viable e‐Retail industry in the country. In this regard, a set of salient e‐Retail functions, skills and services are identified that pragmatically define a set of baseline competencies for implementation. Furthermore, a proposed framework for a professional qualification in e‐Retail Management is provided as a possible Higher Education curriculum intervention.

The study deploys a Design Science Research approach that informs the design and construction of various knowledge artefacts that describe the South African e‐Retail experience and aspirations by highlighting salient aspects relating to (1) traditional versus e‐Retail, (2) global e‐Retail trends, (3) e‐Retail technologies and platforms, and (4) e‐Retail training imperatives. The research furthermore elucidates the environment for e‐Retail deployment in South Africa with respect to e‐Retail functions, services and job skills requirements and prospects of e‐Retail as a career. The research methodology deployed in the study centres around the establishment of a change agenda for e‐Retail within the South African landscape.

The study identified a comprehensive suite of key and breaking technologies that inform the successful implementation of e‐Retail in South Africa. The study also uncovered essential business process elements that are required to drive the change agenda for e‐Retail in South Africa. In this regards the study draws from salient international case studies as well as relevant national case studies. The study makes significant knowledge contributions with respect to the delineation of salient issues to be addressed with regard to the practical implementation of e‐Retail in South Africa. The study makes a novel methodological contribution by deploying a Design Science approach to establish the process logic for the research and a Critical Interpretivist approach of information synthesis. This strategy allowed the research to be both suggestive of, and receptive to, opportunities and challenges within a complex environment of change and transformation. However, the nature and limitations of the data gathering process places a practical limitation on the value of the research in that generalised conclusions are not possible and information is relevant only for the purpose and within the context that it was mined.
Influence of Perception and Quality of ICT‐Based Agricultural Input Information on Use of ICTs by Farmers in Developing Countries: Case of Sikasso in Mali
Authors: Kante Macire , Oboko Robert , Chepken Christopher
Published: December 2017

Small‐scale cereal farmers dominate agricultural activities in developing countries. These agricultural activities are characterized by low productivity due to lack of agricultural input information. This lack is restrained by the low use of ICTs caused by some factors such as the farmers' perception of ICTs and the ICTs' delivered information quality. We investigated these factors and their effects on ICTs' use by small‐scale cereal farmers in developing countries. Sikasso region in Mali was selected as a case. A convenient sample size of 300 cereal farmers was selected. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling technique was used to analyse the data. The results suggested that the perception i.e. relative advantage, compatibility and simplicity and the delivered information quality were able to explain 77.9% of the variance in the Use of ICTs to access and use agricultural input information. From these results, it is important to take the Relative Advantage, Compatibility, Simplicity and Information Quality as the main factors determining the use of ICTs in developing countries in the cereal production context. A further line of inquiry could be to gather data from other developing countries to validate or find out more factors in such settings.
The Use of the Mobile Phone for Religious Mobilization in Niger Republic
Authors: Alzouma Gado
Published: December 2017

While many scholars have studied the ways in which the Internet and online social networks are shaping contemporary religious practices and how new information and communication technologies are supporting networked forms of religious activism, only a few have analyzed the relationships between religion and the use of the mobile phone in African countries. However, in Africa as elsewhere, mobile phones are influencing the everyday practices of religion in multiple ways that are not simply anecdotal but affect beliefs and behaviors and raise ethical concerns among believers. In some cases (e.g., divorce, Qur'an verses, ringtones, prayer disruption), religious authorities have been obliged to draw up rules and provide guidance to the faithful. This article seeks to identify the opportunities offered and the challenges posed to religion by the introduction of mobile phones in Niamey, the capital‐city of Niger Republic. It specifically examines how believers are using this device to mobilize co‐religionists, to maintain religious ties and religious faith, as well as how they are coping with the challenges and seeking to resolve related issues. The article argues that the mobile phone is helping mediate in new ways and in a new context the religious norms and behaviors that have always guided Muslim communities. In other words, the advent of the mobile phone offers new opportunities but also poses new challenges to believers who strive to cope with this new phenomenon by inventing new ways to integrate the device into everyday practices. The article is based on semi‐structured interviews carried out in June, July, and August 2009 in Niger's capital city, Niamey, with ordinary Nigerien Muslims. It combines qualitative data obtained through interviews and observation with demographic statistics and survey results to describe the role the mobile phone plays in the current evolution of Islam in Niger.
Actor‐Network Theory to Depict Context‐Sensitive M‐Learning Readiness in Higher Education
Authors: Paledi Victor N. , Alexander Patricia M.
Published: December 2017

This study has taken a relatively unusual approach to assessing technology readiness within a higher educational institution by using Actor Network Theory (ANT) as a lens instead of the more common adoption models and indices. The study sets out to identify the key actors within an actor network and to describe how these actors are recruited during the problematisation stage of building the actor network. The actors were identified by means of the input from three groups participating in this study, namely the students, lecturers and non‐academic staff members. The paper then goes on to explain how the actors influence one another to become and remain m‐Learning ready. This influence is described in terms of attributes found as part of the inscription process. The construction and stabilization of the naturally dynamic actor network is intended to achieve a common goal, in this case, to use mobile learning effectively within South African higher educational institutions. The study contributes practically as an analytical process is demonstrated and that this could be used as a guide for future m‐Learning readiness studies with the existing findings being used as a reference point. Once the actors are identified, their participation in the project and the extent to which they are aligned in terms of the attributes can be used to assess the readiness of the institution to use m‐Learning. Theoretically, this paper provides evidence that sociological theories such as ANT can be used to complement traditional technology readiness, adoption and use models.