bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Power Tensions in Health Information System Integration in Developing Countries: The Need for Distributed Control
Authors: Nyella Edwin , Mndeme Mathew
Published: December 2017

As part of health sector reform, most developing countries are in the process of restructuring the Health Information Systems (HIS) by way of standardizing and integrating various vertical reporting systems. Nevertheless, the pressure resulting from the vertical systems supported by donors renders the integration goal challenging and unachievable. While many studies have argued for the heterogeneity of interests and multiple data needs of the donors as the major cause of the problem, this paper argue for more detailed and critical analysis of the problem. To contribute to this, the paper emphasize the need to understand the main actors involved in the process in terms of the resources and rules available to them; and their implication in the HIS integration venture. By drawing on an empirical case study and Structuration Theory concepts, the paper identified the dialectic power relations between the actors resulting from the asymmetric ownership and control of resources and rules. To alleviate the power tensions, the paper proposed i) the need to build shared meaning of the integration process through communication approaches ii) and the need to distribute the control of the integrated HIS using modularization approach facilitating ‘the tapping on’ of the resources available to each group of actors.
Role of Existing Channels on Customer Adoption of New Channels: A Case of ATM and Internet Banking
Authors: Selvan N. Thamarai , Arasu B. Senthil , Sivagnanasundaram M.
Published: December 2017

Banks harness the technological platforms known as Self Service Technologies (SSTs) to the maximum extent to deliver their services. Barring ATM the patronage to other channels is not overwhelming. Customers do need different level of skills and competence to create the services for them on the different types of SSTs. Hence it is necessary to identify the factors that influence the adoption of these SSTs. In this research through a structural equation model the adoption issues of internet banking as an SST was analyzed. The findings indicate that both trust in technology and self efficacy have a direct impact on attitude towards SSTs in general and the findings support the existence of hierarchy of attitudes that overall attitude have an effect on attitude towards internet banking. Further the results indicate that, though the satisfaction with existing channel does not have an impact on the attitude of SSTs in general, but it indirectly affects through trust in technology.
Disintermediation, Altered Chains and Altered Geographies: The Internet in the Thai Silk Industry
Authors: Graham Mark
Published: December 2017

The Thai silk industry is in a worrying position. For centuries the industry has provided economic support to hundreds of thousands of people in the northeast of Thailand and become a part of the region's cultural heritage. However, the industry is now dying largely because of uncompetitive nature of the silk being produced. This paper therefore examines one of the most widely touted development strategies: the use of the internet to both expand markets and disintermediate commodity chains. Using surveys and interviews, this study examines the geographic and topological effects that the internet has had in the value chains of Thai silk.
The Negligible Role of Fees as a Barrier to Public Access Computing in Developing Countries
Authors: Clark Melody , Gomez Ricardo
Published: December 2017

Public access to computers and the Internet can play an important role in social and economic development if it effectively helps to meet the needs of underserved populations. Public access venues such as libraries, telecentres and cybercafés are sometimes free, and sometimes charge user fees. User fees can be an important barrier to use of public access venues, especially among underserved communities in developing countries. This paper analyzes the role of user fees and other critical barriers in the use of computers in public access venues in 25 developing countries around the world. Results of this study suggest that digital literacy of staff and local relevance of content may be more important than fees in determining user preference for public access venues. These findings are important to public libraries, which tend to offer free services, but where perceptions of digital literacy of staff and locally relevant content tend to be lowest, compared to telecentres and cybercafés, according to the results of this study. More attention to digital literacy of staff and availability of locally relevant content may be more important than free services to meet the information needs of underserved populations.
Strategic Value of IT in Private Sector Organizations in a Developing Country: Oman
Authors: Ashrafi Rafi
Published: December 2017

Information Technology (IT) as a strategic asset is as important for developing countries as it is for the developed countries. Literature in this area suggests that a number of factors contribute to the strategic value of IT. Based on the literature review, we developed a framework of IT assets and capabilities that contribute to the strategic value of IT in organizations. We tested this framework with IT managers in Oman and asked their opinion on the relevance and importance of those factors in their organizations. The results of the survey show that most of the factors that contribute to the strategic value of IT in developed countries are also valid for a developing country‐Oman. However, the importance level of some of the factors is different than those of developed countries. The paper provides some interesting results and insights on the IT practices in a developing country Oman. There is very little research about the IT practices in emerging economies such as Oman. This paper attempts to fill this gap in the knowledge.
Changing Computing Curricula in African Universities: Evaluating Progress and Challenges via Design‐Reality Gap Analysis
Authors: Bass Julian M. , Heeks Richard
Published: December 2017

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are diffusing rapidly into all African nations. Effective use of the new technology requires a step‐change in local skill levels; including a step‐change in ICT‐related university education. Part of that process must be an updating of university computing curricula, ranging from computer science through to information systems. Adoption of international curricula offers a ready means for updating, but African universities face challenges of implementing these curricula – curricula that were typically designed for Western rather than African realities.

To help understand the issues surrounding implementation of international computing curricula in Africa, we selected a case example: Ethiopian higher education. Using the design‐reality gap model and its ’OPTIMISM’ checklist of dimensions, we analysed what ensued following its 2008 decision to adopt a new IEEE/ACM‐inspired computing curriculum. We find that significant progress has been made, but that important gaps between design and reality – and, hence, challenges – remain. We are therefore able to identify specific actions along particular dimensions such as technology and skills that will help close design‐reality gaps, and secure greater implementation. We propose that this analysis method will prove a valuable strategic tool for computing curriculum reform in other African nations.
Electronic Payment Systems Development in a Developing Country: The Role of Institutional Arrangements
Authors: Briggs Austin , Brooks Laurence
Published: December 2017

This paper examines the institutional arrangements in the development of Nigeria's electronic payment system (EPS) using a new institutional economics (NIE) perspective. A case study of Nigeria's EPS was carried out using semi structured interviews to collect data from 18 participating stakeholders; a thematic method was used for the data analysis. The study suggests that a well‐functioning set of arrangements, which is lacking in the institutional setup in Nigeria may be required to build necessary institutional capacity suitable for development of safe and efficient electronic payment systems. Although the technological payment infrastructure in Nigeria is modern and of comparable standard, the failure to put in place reliable and relevant market and collaborative agreements has not enabled full exploitation of the available infrastructure. Current governance structures show elements of power struggle and distrust between stakeholders (players and regulators), hampering the creation of an environment that would sustain free market economic activities and effective development of payment systems.
Exploring the Socio‐Economic Structures of Internet‐Enabled Development: A Study of Grassroots Netrepreneurs in China
Authors: Avgerou Chrisanthi , Li Boyi , Poulymenakou Angeliki
Published: December 2017

There is increasing interest in the potential of internet platforms for networking and collaboration – often referred to as web 2.0 – to open up unprecedented prospects for individuals to come together and engage in economic and political activities, bypassing and indeed subverting the corporate structures of the market economy and state control. The prevailing discourse on this technology‐driven transformative potential focuses on networks of individuals interacting through technology tools with little, if at all, attention to the social context that gives rise and sustains their networked economic or political activities. In this paper we study the social embeddedness of the empowering potential of internet‐enabled economic activity. We present and discuss a case of intense entrepreneurial activity in a Chinese community, engaging in e‐commerce trading conducted on a platform of internet tools. Our analysis of this case juxtaposes the emerging views on web2.0 business activities with views drawn from a long established literature on entrepreneurship as a networked activity. We found that internet‐based entrepreneurial activity at this case of grassroots development enacts online social networking mechanisms of peer‐to‐peer and vendor‐customer interactions and heavily depends on a corporate service provider, as well as the historically developed community infrastructure for commerce. Overall, our research explores whether economic activity enabled by web 2.0 is an individualistic phenomenon, or it relies on institutional bearings and if so what is their nature.
Research Testbed Networks: Practical Tools for Service Delivery?
Authors: Wertlen Ronald , Siebörger Ingrid , Tsietsi Mosiuoa , Shibeshi Zelalem , Terzoli Alfredo
Published: December 2017

The Telkom Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Rhodes University, housed in the Computer Science department was opened in 1997. The CoE's focus on Distributed multimedia service platforms soon showed that the technology being researched could be applied in the disadvantaged peri‐urban communities. The CoE has thus concentrated its research on building a testbed network that delivers real services to real users. In 2007, the testbed was extended to include a marginalised rural area in the Siyakhula Living Lab. The greatest factor in the sustainability of the CoE testbed network has been maintaining usefulness to all the stakeholders over the last 12 years. Industrial funding, University outreach goals and research goals could all be harmonised, while sustaining the delivery of high quality informatics services in the community. This paper presents a brief case study of the communications network testbed and how it was applied to the Development Informatics space. It analyses the roles played by stakeholders in either assisting and sustaining or obstructing the service delivery. It makes key recommendations on best practices for research networks that can also bring informatics to disadvantaged communities. It shows how testbeds for the research of new technologies can be designed so as to allow Development Informatics work to take place on such networks.
Improving Data Quality in the Banking Supervisory Data of Southern Africa Central Banks
Authors: Motjolopane Refiloe , Lutu Patricia E.N.
Published: December 2017

The importance of effective supervision of banking institutions in developing countries cannot be over‐emphasised. Central banks are responsible for the supervision of the banking institutions of a country. In order to effectively perform the supervisory role of banking institutions, central banks need to collect and analyse data about the operations of the banking institutions they supervise. Data analysis is conducted in order to establish the health of these institutions. Central banks in the SADC region experience many problems with the quality of the data that they receive from the banking institutions they supervise. Needless to say, decisions made on the basis of poor quality data increase the risk of allowing unsound institutions to continue in operation. This creates the real risk of loss of money by the individuals and organisations that form the clientele of these institutions, and will adversely affect the economy of the country. Despite the commendable efforts made by the regional central banks to implement a banking supervision application to expedite the supervisory activities through instituting a one‐stop‐shop for all the banking supervisory information, and the introduction of an electronic platform for collecting and analysing periodic banking supervision returns, there are still many imperfections in the information. A survey was conducted to investigate data quality problems at three SADC central banks. Recommendations are provided in this paper on measures that can be taken to improve the quality of the banking supervisory data for the SADC central banks.
Boundary Objects to Guide Sustainable Technology‐Supported Participatory Development for Poverty Alleviation in the Context of Digital Divides
Authors: Blake Adam , Garzon Margarita Quiros
Published: December 2017

There is a growing body of evidence to show that sound implementation of information and communications technologies (ICTs) can benefit development goals. However these benefits are still far from reaching those who are most impoverished. In part, this lack of effectiveness is attributed to a lack of clarity in the theory and practice of ICT for development (or ICT4D as it is commonly known). We have sought to address these concerns by reviewing a range of ‘boundary objects’ – conceptual frameworks and participation processes – that have been used to support sustainable development projects with multiple stakeholder interests. Using Sen's ‘capability approach’ as an organizing principle, we have considered how these boundary objects can be combined to provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable technology‐supported participatory development to alleviate poverty. We consider that this framework offers an easily understandable, step‐by‐step approach to planning, implementing, and evaluating ICT4D projects, yet is based on a growing empirical research base, and points to detailed and concrete methods and tools to facilitate effective practice. By ensuring that stakeholders are central to the process right from the beginning, the framework is intended as a boundary object able to be adopted and adapted by those stakeholders to facilitate grassroots innovation and achievement of community goals as a means to alleviate poverty.
“Sister‐Groups” and Online‐Offline Linkages in Networked Collective Action: A Case Study of the Right to Information Movement in India
Authors: Rao Anuradha
Published: December 2017

In this paper, the rise of hyperlinked activist communities, and their role in organizing, coordinating and supporting offline (physical) activism, is discussed as a new form of information and communication technology (ICT)‐enabled collective action. The role of networked civil society in India is examined in the context of the movement for the right to information (RTI), which is known as freedom of information (or FOI) in some Western democracies. The paper focuses on the role of RTI‐related online discussion groups, known to each other as “sister‐groups”, and their offline networks in generating collaborations towards collective actions, at least in the short term. The study assumes significance in light of attention surrounding the highly visible, ICT‐driven anti‐corruption movement of 2011, often referred to as “India's Arab Spring”. By examining a period of comparably intense collective action in the real and virtual worlds by the RTI movement during 2006, the paper takes a step back to look at the emerging connections between ICTs and civil society in India. A thematic analysis (N=959) is conducted of the email discussion messages of the premier RTI e‐group in India, the Hum Janenge (‘We Will Know’) yahoo group, in August 2006, during which sister‐groups rallied against the federal government's proposal to amend the RTI legislation. The thematic analysis reveals the types of collective actions that materialized; the role of Hum Janenge and its sister‐groups in creating a relatively unified and coordinated RTI campaign; as well as the difficulties in sustaining collective actions, despite the connecting medium of the internet. It is found that the existence of networked online communities amplifies the abilities of activists and enables greater coordination of collective actions, rather than create any new repertoires of collective action; a finding that resonates with arguments about the role of technology as amplifier.
Communicating Information for Development: A Cartographic Approach
Authors: Akinyemi Felicia O. , Sester Monika , Balogun Olayinka Y.
Published: December 2017

In developing poverty reduction strategies, poverty and welfare maps are made based on estimated values for use in decision making. Targeting public resources is better achieved with information derived from these maps. This use of poverty and welfare maps in shaping policy practically illustrates information use for development. On poverty maps, for example, poverty estimates are depicted as graphic symbols through which information is transferred to the map user. This paper investigates how effective these maps are as graphic communication media. A cartographic approach is adopted to examine the symbolization of poverty and welfare maps with the aim of enhancing their design. Eight criteria were developed and used to infer map communication effectiveness in the context of poverty mapping. These criteria are interpreted as map defects and major ones are overlapping class value, problems with symbol type, choice of color scheme and class differentiation which are all related to map symbolization. Map symbolization challenges within the poverty mapping context are related to the need to visually perceive shared spatial patterns between two related variables, highlight units with high poverty levels as well as emphasize high and low points in a poverty or welfare data. This paper illustrates how to address these by applying basic cartographic principles. These principles are generic to all kinds of maps, but it is their applicability to poverty and welfare maps that is paper's focus.
Considering Pigeons for Carrying Delay Tolerant Networking Based Internet Traffic in Developing Countries
Authors: Scholl Jeremiah , Lindgren Anders
Published: December 2017

There are many regions in the developing world that suffer from poor infrastructure and lack of connection to the Internet and Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN). Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) is a technology that has been advocated for providing store‐and‐forward network connectivity in these regions over the past few years. DTN often relies on human mobility in one form or another to support transportation of DTN data. This presents a socio‐technical problem related to organizing how the data should be transported. In some situations the demand for DTN traffic can exceed that which is possible to support with human mobility, so alternative mechanisms are needed. In this paper we propose using live carrier pigeons (columba livia) to transport DTN data. Carrier pigeons have been used for transporting packets of information for a long time, but have not yet been seriously considered for transporting DTN traffic. We provide arguements that this mode of DTN data transport provides promise, and should receive attention from research and development projects. We provide an overview of pigeon characteristics to analyze the feasibility of using them for data transport, and present simulations of a DTN network that utilizes pigeon transport in order to provide an initial investigation into expected performance characteristics.
An Exploratory Sudy of Mobile Multimedia Agricultural Advisory System: Challenges and Lessons from Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Muthiah Ganesan , Prashant Suma , Umadikar Jayalakshmi , Karthikeyan Kavitha
Published: December 2017

This paper describes the experiences gained in terms of challenges encountered and lessons learned in an exploratory initiative of mobile phone‐based multimedia agricultural advisory System (MAAS), which helps in providing timely agricultural expert advice to farmers on their mobile phone. When a farmer is calling, a call‐centre‐like interface containing personalized information of that farmer pops up at the expert's end. The expert views the farmer's dashboard and analyses the situation and query based advisory is provided to the farmer. This agricultural advisory system formed part of a research study under National Agricultural Innovation Projects (NAIP), New Delhi. The MAAS is developed by Indian Institute of Technology Madras's Rural Technology and Business Incubator and it was field tested with 1200 farmers in three districts of Tamil Nadu (Kancheepuram, Erode and Dharmapuri), India, during December 2010 to June 2012. The aim of this paper is to describe the experiences, highlighting a number of specific challenges and lessons associated with providing mobile based agricultural advisories to farmers in rural areas.
Impact of Online Social Networking on Youth: Case Study of Mauritius
Authors: Khedo Kavi Kumar , Suntoo Rajen , Elaheebocus Sheik Mohammad Roushdat Ally , Mocktoolah Asslinah
Published: December 2017

Online social websites have achieved a phenomenal global growth over the last decade, attracting much attention from researchers worldwide. It is a known fact that young adults and teenagers are the most avid users of such sites. Based on the findings of several research studies in the Online Social Networks (OSNs) area, it has been found that these OSN sites are having a great impact on the lives of young people. But since most of the research works were carried out in other countries, it was found necessary and important to carry out a study in Mauritius on the impact of OSNs on the local youth. Such a study would provide an insight on the influence of OSNs on the behaviour and lifestyle of youngsters in the country. This paper reports the findings of a research work that was carried out in Mauritius targeting adolescents aging from 12 to 18 years where 4545 responses were collected through a survey. It was found that the majority of Mauritian youths were using OSNs on a large scale, mainly for communication purposes. According to this study, although OSNs have a positive impact on the adolescents, yet quite a large number of respondents reported having met with negative experiences on these online sites.
Information Systems Deployment in Libyan Oil Companies: Two Case Studies
Authors: Akeel Hosian , Wynn Martin , Zhang Shujun
Published: December 2017

This article assesses information systems deployment in two oil companies in Libya and thereby helps address the general shortage of information on the implementation of information systems in Libyan companies. It explores the information systems strategies of these two companies and explores and analyses how these have been implemented in recent years. One company has pursued an in‐house/best of breed approach, whilst the other is in the process of migrating to an integrated ERP software solution. The study uses a number of analytical models developed in a western context in recent years to assess the status and nature of IS deployment, and concludes that a combination of these models is of value in an IS industry context in developing world countries.
Aligning Work Practices, Mobile Technology and Strategy for Performance Improvement: The Case of SMEs in Uganda
Authors: Muhanguzi Samuel , Kyobe Michael
Published: December 2017

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute to economic development. However, their competitiveness is threatened by globalization and poor work practices. While mobile technology can address work practice challenges in SMEs, this technology has not been effectively leveraged by SMEs and little is still known about how best SMEs can match mobile technology applications with work practices and business strategy to enhance performance. The objective of this study was to identify combinations of these elements that provide better performance in SMEs in a developing nation. To achieve this objective the perspective of alignment as Gestalts was adopted. A survey was conducted in 174 SMEs in Uganda, followed by some interviews. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were then used to analyse the findings. High performers align ordinary mobile technology applications to strategies that improve customer services and productivity in order to optimise work practices across different stages of their business activities.
Capability Outcomes from Educational and ICT Capability Inputs – An Analysis of ICT use in Informal Education in Kenya
Authors: Hatakka Mathias , Ater Sarah , Obura David , Mibei Brigid
Published: December 2017

In the field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) ICT use in education is well studied. Education is often seen as a pre‐requisite for development and ICTs are believed to aid in education, e.g. to make it more accessible and to increase its quality. In this paper we study the access and use of ICT in a study circle (SC) education program in the south coast of Kenya. The study is qualitative reporting results based on interviews and observations with SC participants, government officers and SC coordinators and teachers. The study builds on the capability approach perspective of development where individuals' opportunities and ability to live a life that they value are focused. The aim of the study is to investigate the capability outcomes enabled through the capability inputs access and use of ICT in education as well as the factors that enabled and/or restricted the outcomes. Findings show that many opportunities have been enabled such as an increase in the ability to generate an income, learning benefits, community development and basic human development (e.g. literacy and self‐confidence). However, conversion factors such as a poorly developed infrastructure and poor IT literacy prevent many of the individuals from taking full advantage of the ICT and the opportunities it enables.
Balancing Work Practices and Protocols in the Design of EMR Systems: The Case of Developing an EMR System for Antenatal Care Services in Malawi
Authors: Chawani Marlen Stacey , Kaasbøll Jens , Finken Sisse , Herstad Jo , Malata Address
Published: December 2017

Implementing ICTs in healthcare settings has proved to be very challenging such that progress towards widespread adoption and use of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems has been slow. The challenges of implementing these technologies have been described as complex, diverse, and locally situated. One of the challenging aspects of designing EMR systems is the need for inscribing standardised protocols whilst taking into account local work practices. Previous research has called for the need to balance work practices and protocols in the design of EMR systems. We present an attempt to balance the work practices and protocols in the development of an EMR system for antenatal care in a developing country, Malawi. This was done through implementing weak inscriptions of the protocols in some cases and strong inscriptions in other cases. The study highlights the important role that clients play in healthcare work and thus, influence the design of EMR systems.
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: Internet Use, Outcomes and the Role of Regulation in the Philippines
Authors: Hechanova Ma. Regina M. , Ortega‐Go Renee
Published: December 2017

This study expands the Uses and Gratification Theory by examining Internet use and its outcomes among Filipino Internet users. It also tests the Social Cognitive Theory by examining the role of both self and external regulation on Internet use outcomes. The study was done in two phases. In the first phase, interviews were conducted to elicit how the Internet is used as well as perceptions of healthy versus problematic Internet use. In the second phase, surveys were administered to 387 respondents from all over the Philippines. Results revealed that purposes or activities using the Internet can be grouped into seven factors, namely basic Internet use, entertainment, expression and interaction, e‐commerce, school‐related, and technological deviance. Although the last three have been cited in other studies, they have not been included in past taxonomies. Positive outcomes of Internet use are greater productivity and personal enhancement. Negative outcomes can be described in terms of social harm and Internet addiction. Results link specific usage with outcomes. The use of Internet to express oneself and interact predicted both personal enhancement and problematic Internet use. Basic Internet use and entertainment predicted problematic Internet use. External regulation predict personal harm and social harm but not productivity and addiction. Self‐regulation is associated with greater productivity and personal enhancement and is negatively related to social harm and addiction. Self‐regulated was also a strongest predictor of both positive outcomes suggesting that beyond putting in controls for Internet use, developing users ability to self‐regulate are more important in enabling the productive use of the Internet.
Managing Gender‐Related Challenges in ICT4D Field Research
Authors: Potnis Devendra Dilip
Published: December 2017

A significant number of ICT4D projects funded by the developed world cannot meet their objectives. One cause of failures of ICT4D projects is likely to be the failures or shortcomings of the field research component since it is an integral part of a majority ICT4D projects. Hence, it becomes an imperative for researchers to be able to manage the challenges encountered in ICT4D field research. Project management principles (PMP) concerned with the scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, and risks related to a variety of projects may help researchers to manage ICT4D field research challenges. However, PMP developed in and for the developed world cannot be applied as is; they need to be customized to a developing nation context. This paper illustrates the culturally sensitive application of PMP to manage contextual challenges mainly consisting of gender‐related challenges in field research with poor female mobile phone users in rural India. The communications and risk management principles were most useful when collecting quantitative and qualitative data from one of the most disadvantaged communities in the world. The insights into gender relations between the male researcher, the female local mediator, the female study participants, and their male family members would better equip researchers and practitioners to manage gender‐related challenges in ICT4D field research.
Al‐Shifa Healthcare Information System in Oman: A Debatable Implementation Success
Authors: Al‐Gharbi Khamis N. , Gattoufi Said M. , Al‐Badi Ali H. , Al‐Hashmi Ali A.
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a case study of the project management of Al‐Shifa healthcare information system (HIS) in Oman. In addition to the reports about the project made available to the researchers, the focus group methodology was used for collecting the relevant information from the main project's stakeholders. The paper describes first the evolution of the implementation of an HIS tailored by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Oman to fit the needs of the healthcare units under its supervision. The case analysis that constitutes the second element in the paper is made based on the Project Management approach developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). As a matter of fact, the authors found that there was no formal project management approach adopted by the MOH for the development and implementation of the hereto‐mentioned HIS project. Moreover, the project has experienced a chronic creep in terms of features, cost and time‐schedule. The recommendations of the authors for the rescue of the project from its current dilemma, consist of technological, administrative and human resource development actions.
Using a Structured Approach to Evaluate ICT4D: Healthcare Delivery in Uganda
Authors: Kivunike Florence Nameere , Ekenberg Love , Danielson Mats , Tusubira F. F.
Published: December 2017

Using a case from the healthcare delivery sector, we demonstrate how a structured evaluation approach can facilitate the measurement of actual ICT contributions in various contexts. Typically, such are intricate due to the complexities inherent in the environments, making it difficult to evaluate the relationship between ICT and the benefits it intends to achieve to a reasonable degree. The approach suggested in this paper tries to partly remedy some of these complications, by facilitating qualitative data elicitations, aggregation, analysis and evaluation. To make this computationally meaningful, a decision support tool for handling numerically imprecise information is used for the data analysis and evaluation details. The results of this indicate that such an approach makes at least some meaningful input for practitioners and policymakers. In comparison to the qualitative in‐depth approaches this approach facilitates a one‐point in time assessment, which is less resource intensive, but provides prompt and substantial insight on the development performance of ICT4D initiatives. A similar approach would also be applicable to different sectors, and can utilize a broader scope of criteria, as well as incorporate views from several categories of stakeholders.
Analyzing the Impact of Information and Communication Technology for Development: Lessons Learnt from the SIRCA II Program
Authors: Estevez Elsa , Montoya María Soledad Ramírez
Published: December 2017

During recent years, we have witnessed revolutionary developments of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and their impact on people's lives. The way in which such developments contribute to socio‐economic development and empowering people depends highly on the absorptive capacity of different societies. While in developed countries, their IT‐ecosystems have the capacity for enriching themselves through empowered actors and enhanced interactions and, in turn, for continuous growth; in developing countries, such eco‐systems face challenges to produce similar results. However, the challenges faced, particularly by the countries in the Global South; in Asia, Africa and Latin America, can be transformed into opportunities if countries are able to leapfrog in the learning process and develop their human and institutional capacities. In this context, capacity‐building programs on ICT for Development (ICT4D), such as Strengthening Information Society Research Capacity Alliance (SIRCA), are of the upmost importance to developing countries. In this introduction to the SIRCA special issue of The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries we discuss the evolution of ICT4D policy and research, explain the experience of the SIRCA II Program, and summarizes the lessons learnt from it.
Digital and Social Inequalities: A Qualitative Assessment of the Impact of the Connecting Equality Program on Argentinean Youth
Authors: Larghi Sebastián Benítez , Lemus Magdalena , Moguillansky Marina , Welschinger Nicolás
Published: December 2017

This paper focuses on the ties between social and digital inequalities among Argentinean youth. It uses a qualitative approach to explore different aspects of the everyday lives of adolescents, such as sociability, leisure time and family use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in order to assess the impact of the Connecting Equality Program (Programa Conectar Igualdad, PCI) on reducing digital inequalities and fostering social inclusion. In particular, the paper explores what were the existing conditions of access for students and their families when the PCI was first implemented? What influence does the implementation of the PCI have on the individual, family and scholastic appropriation of ICTs? How does the use of computers and the Internet vary among youth? Has this large‐scale incorporation of netbooks in schools, and especially homes and free time changed it in any way? Does the appropriation of ICTs through student participation in the PCI contribute to material and symbolic social inclusion? To answer these questions, we compare the processes of ICT appropriation among lower and middle class adolescents, focusing on the distinctive uses and meanings assigned to computers and the Internet by boys and girls in their daily lives. For this purpose we analyze data collected through semi‐structured interviews in two schools in Greater La Plata, Argentina during 2012. The main findings show that in terms of access, skills and types of use, the implementation of the PCI has had a positive impact among lower class youth, guaranteeing access to their first computers and promoting the sharing of knowledge and digital skills with family members. Moreover, evidence of more diverse and intense use of ICTs among lower class students reveals the development of digital skills related to educational activities. Finally, in terms of sociability, having a personal netbook enables access to information and cultural goods which are very significant in generating ties and strengthening identities and social integration.
“Multimacy”: Performances of Intimacy on Facebook by Buenos Aires Adolescents
Authors: Linne Joaquín
Published: December 2017

This article addresses the performances of intimacy displayed by adolescents of the City of Buenos Aires through the social networking site Facebook. The methodology used is mixed ethnography: on the one hand, conducting observations and thirty in‐depth interviews with adolescents from the study universe; on the other, analyzing personal photographs, given the centrality of this resource to the population at hand. In the results section, the performances which adolescents post on Facebook and comment on in the course of their everyday practices are described. The main contribution is the proposition of the concept of multimacy ("multimidad") to account for the ways in which they construct and share their intimacy through the platform.
The Role Of Mobile Phones In The Development Of Social Capital Among Refugees In South Africa
Authors: Bacishoga Kasky B. , Hooper Val A. , Johnston Kevin A.
Published: December 2017

Mobile phones have been identified as possible tools to aid in refugee integration into new countries. Using a social capital theoretical lens, the role of mobile phones in the development of social capital among refugees in South Africa is explored. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 29 refugees in South Africa. Findings indicate that mobile phones can play an important role in the development of bridging social capital thereby aiding in the social and economic integration of refugees into the community. Mobile phones also play an important role in developing bonding and maintained social capital but these tend to be with their homeland nationals rather than the local community. Reasons for the development of the negative social capital are explored, whether they are attributable to the authorities or to the refugees themselves. Insights are provided into how mobile phones can be used to enhance the development of social capital among refugees.
Thailand's ICT Readiness for the ASEAN Economic Community
Authors: Wongwuttiwat Jittima
Published: December 2017

ICT development in Thailand and the other ASEAN members must be prepared for the environment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) which will start formally at the end of the year 2015. The Ministry of ICT in Thailand has established several ICT policies and programs for ICT administrative management in both public and private enterprises in order to create a strong network of relationships to deal with competitors in ASEAN. This study compares Thailand with the other ASEAN Plus 3 member nations based on their stage of economic development and three important indicators of competitiveness (the higher education system, technology readiness, and business innovation). The findings identify Thailand's position with respect to ICT development relative to the other ASEAN Plus 3 nations and point to strategies and partnerships that need to be developed in Thailand in order to maintain a competitive position within the AEC.
Using Training as a Tool for Cultivating Communities of Practice around Health Information Systems in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Longitudinal Mixed Method Study
Authors: Siribaddana Pandula , Hewapathirana Roshan
Published: December 2017

Many attempts at implementing health information systems (HISs) in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) have failed to mature or scale into desirable levels due to various reasons. Among these reasons, not identifying the design reality gap, inability to form support networks and non‐availability of ‘hybrids’ who can link between health and information systems domains can be highlighted. In organizational contexts, such challenges can be overcome by cultivating communities of practice (CoPs). However, HIS projects in LMIC contexts may not have the opportunity to create an environment similar to an organization to facilitate cultivation of CoPs. This paper argues that HIS projects in LMICs can utilize formal, informal and workplace based online and face‐to‐face training methods along with the networking power of free and open source software (FOSS) communities as a means of cultivating CoPs. In substantiating this argument, the paper utilizes a mixed method longitudinal study design to follow‐up a group of implementers trained in a FOSS HIS in Sri Lanka. The paper presents a practical training model usable in information system implementations in LMIC settings with the added benefit of being able to facilitate cultivation of CoPs. The paper also contributes theoretically by extending the conceptualization of ‘cultivating CoPs’ beyond organizational contexts.
A Secured SOA Model for Decentralized Public Administration in Developing Countries: Application on Fairground Court in Cameroon
Authors: Etoundi Roger Atsa , Matango Emmanuel Moupojou , Bessala Celestin Parfait Bessala , Onana Serge Mani
Published: December 2017

During the last decade, the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has led the world into a new era of innovative technologies that can provide effective responses to human concerns. In developed countries, the profitability motivation has imposed Service‐Oriented Architectures (SOA) in enterprises as a better way to design information systems capable of taking into account inter‐organizational cooperation mechanisms while preserving autonomy of the latter. Those Service‐Oriented Architectures did not stop at the doors of public administrations. Thus, several specifications have been made to adapt them to the peculiarities of public governance. But these models are not always able to respond effectively to the concerns of governments in developing countries particularly when they are structurally and territorially decentralized. Therefore, we propose a more suitable model to this type of e‐governance. We will later see how our model can be more suitable for the organization of remote and secured fairground courts in Cameroon to address constraints related to finance, time and security that these courts currently impose.
Customer Interaction in Software Development: A Comparison of Software Methodologies Deployed in Namibian Software Firms
Authors: Iyawa Gloria E. , Herselman Marlien E , Coleman Alfred
Published: December 2017

Software methodologies provide guidelines for the development of software applications. Studies reveal that customer interaction in the software development process improves the chances that software applications will meet customers’ needs. Despite a number of software methodologies introduced and a comparison of these methodologies, there is a dearth of studies that empirically investigate customer interaction between these software methodologies within the Namibian context. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in customer interaction between software methodologies deployed in Namibian software firms. The study adopted a qualitative, case study approach. Data was collected through standardized, open‐ended interviews. The findings show that the methodologies deployed in Namibian software firms include the waterfall model, Scrum, iterative model, eXtreme Programming (XP), and rapid application development (RAD). The findings also reveal that although there was in‐depth customer interaction in Scrum, the iterative model, XP and RAD, customer interaction in the software development process could also be challenging. The findings provide useful insights in software methodologies deployed in Namibian software firms and the experience within the Namibian context. An implication for software project managers and software developers is that customer interaction should be properly managed to ensure that the software methodologies for improving software development processes are effectively deployed.
Disciplinary Kingdoms and the Pursuit of Pragmatism in Research: A Student Perspective
Authors: Garbutt Malcolm
Published: December 2017

This paper explores how students may reconcile the concerns raised by Van Zyl (2015) of the Burrell and Morgan framework with the pragmatic approach proposed by Cronjé (2011). Van Zyl suggests that disciplinary kingdoms in higher education use the Burrell and Morgan framework to repress students who are not encouraged to reflect on alternative paradigms. Although Cronjé (2011) and Roode (1993) also use the Burrell and Morgan model and encourage the use of multiple paradigms Van Zyl considers their application simplistic leading to poorly prepared researchers. The Cronjé model is reviewed in light of Ackoff's (1976) four pursuits of mankind with the view to providing an opportunity for overcoming the mutually exclusive nature of Burrell and Morgan. Such a model could encourage self‐reflexivity, introspection and autonomy as called for by Van Zyl. The extended Cronjé‐Ackoff model is then investigated by applying it to this paper through self‐reflexivity. Finally implications for education are enumerated.