bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urbanization and 3D City Moelling for Developing Countries: A Comparative Study
Authors: Duncan Edward Eric , Eluwa Stephen Eyinnaya , Musibau Ajagbe Akintunde
Published: December 2017

The study examines urbanization and its associated effects in terms of infrastructure, planning and congestion in two West African cities: Ibadan in Nigeria and Accra in Ghana. A comparative planning scheme for Accra, Ibadan and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is also analysed. Quantitative and qualitative approach in the form of orthophotos and satellite imagery, planning schemes and questionnaire were used for the study, 519 respondents were randomly sampled. Results from the study reveal that more than half of the respondents from Accra and Ibadan stated that the level of provision of sanitary facilities is not adequate or in most cases not present at all, while majority of respondents from Kuala Lumpur stated that sanitary facilities are adequate. Similarly, findings from the study show that majority of respondents from Accra and Ibadan stated that the provision of transport and recreational facilities is poor as compared to Kuala Lumpur. In the three cities more than half of the respondents claimed that they spent over 21 minutes to and from their work place. Overall impression about the physical infrastructure was poor in Accra and Ibadan. Also, it was observed from the findings that respondents incur both human and material losses due to traffic congestion in both cities. Some of the causes of traffic congestion identified especially in Accra and Ibadan in the study include: high number of vehicles plying the roads, narrow road networks, bad roads, lack of alternate routes, erection of structures near some major routes in the city and impatience on the part of some drivers. The cities of Ibadan and Accra are sprawling in a horizontal direction thereby taking a lot of land space with no effort being made by building and planning agencies to start building structures in the vertical direction above and below the city surface. The two cities therefore cannot boast of any significant landmarks in the category of the Twin Towers of Kuala Lumpur, hence the tourism potential of these cities cannot be maximally utilized. The study suggests the adoption of 3D city modelling and techniques in Accra in Ghana and Ibadan in Nigeria for spatial planning, also a generic framework is presented so as to overcome some of the transport and infrastructural problems to improve the quality of life as observed in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
The Adoption and Use of ICT in Thailand and Vietnam
Authors: Winley Graham Kenneth , Lau Sim Kim
Published: December 2017

This exploratory study compares the adoption and use of ICT in the developing nations of Vietnam and Thailand by examining the nature and structure of the IT profession in medium to large size organizations. A theoretical framework is used with three related components: domains of IT professional expertise; the scope of the IT professional's knowledge, skills, and experience; and specific knowledge and skills associated with the domains of professional expertise. The findings provide insights that are not found in existing reports which address ICT issues at a national rather than an organizational level. In particular, findings concerned with the first two components of the framework for both nations are compared to predictions about the adoption and use of ICT in organizations in technologically developed nations.
Evaluating the Anti‐Corruption Capabilities of Public e‐Procurement in a Developing Country
Authors: Neupane Arjun , Soar Jeffrey , Vaidya Kishor
Published: December 2017

This paper reports on research undertaken in Nepal into perceptions of trust in public e‐procurement systems and of their anti‐corruption capabilities. The research set out to examine the relationships between factors including perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust, and intent to adopt anti‐corruption technology in public procurement. The research was guided by the Technology Acceptance model and Principal‐agent theory. The findings suggest that the intent‐to‐adopt public e‐procurement has a positive and significant relationship with concepts of usefulness, ease of use, and trust when democratic governments in developing countries attempt to combat corruption in public procurement.
Animated Videos as a Learning Tool in Developing Nations: A Pilot Study of Three Animations in Maradi and Surrounding Areas in Niger
Authors: Bello‐Bravo Julia , Baoua Ibrahim
Published: December 2017

Access to information and knowledge has always been a challenge for illiterate or low literate learners in developing nations. As a consequence, pedagogical advances, for low literate learners, have lagged behind, as compared to educational strategies for literate or highly literate learners. The technological revolution based on access to Internet and cell‐phones has brought new opportunities to one billion low literate learners in the planet. There is evidence that cell‐phones are becoming easily available for users in developing nations. “Scientific Animations Without Borders” (SAWBO) creates educational animations that can be watched on cell‐phones and other devices and can be transmitted from mobile phone to mobile phone through Bluetooth® technology. In this article we report the results of a short survey conducted by students from Maradi (Niger) with different groups; farmers, teachers in rural areas, informal entrepreneurs and women in which several 3 D animations were showed on mobile phones: cholera prevention, neem seed extract for insects pest control and triple bagging for storage to prevent post harvest looses. The objectives were to find out the perception of usefulness of the content and easiness of the technology used as a mode of transmission of information and knowledge.
Fearless Cards: A Low‐Tech Solution to Help Overcome Emotional Barriers to ICT Adoption Among Marginalized Populations
Authors: Gomez Ricardo , Bayo Ivette , Reed Philip , Wang Cherry (Cong) , Silva Marisol
Published: December 2017

We discuss access, skills, and emotional barriers to computer literacy among immigrant day laborers in the USA, and we prototype Fearless Cards (www.fearlesscards.org), a novel design to help these and other underserved communities overcome emotional barriers to computer and internet use. In addition to lacking technical skills, day laborers experience strong emotional barriers: fear, anxiety, lack of self‐confidence, and limited English language skills. Through an iterative process of design and testing in partnership with a non‐profit in Seattle, Washington, USA, we developed the Fearless Cards, a set of basic, easy‐to‐use instructions to help extremely underserved populations overcome their fears and lack of self‐confidence to learn to use computers and the internet in ways that help them improve their lives. Fearless Cards are important because they help reach the deep pockets of exclusion and allow people who are extremely marginalized to gain self‐confidence and break the emotional barriers that prevent them from starting to use computers and the internet.
Scientific Animations Without Borders and Communities of Practice: Promotion and Pilot Deployment of Educational Materials for Low‐Literate Learners around Adama (Ethiopia) by Adama Science and Technology University
Authors: Bello‐Bravo Julia , Olana Gemechu Waktola , Enyadne Lemi Guta , Pittendrigh Barry Robert
Published: December 2017

Ensuring the success of deployment initiatives of specific programs in developing countries comes with the commitment of local, public and private institutions. Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) creates educational content for low literate learners, in their own local languages that can be deployed on video capable devices by in country groups. In other words, SAWBO creates content, for local communities of practice to use in their educational programs. Although SAWBO creates and deploys this content virtually, it is the domain of local groups to develop strategies and approaches for local and meaningful impact. Establishing partnership between local stakeholders, public and private institutions bring new opportunities to the deployment of educational materials in developing nations. In regards to this statement, the consultative group on a project entitled “Promotion and Pilot Deployment of Educational Materials for Low Literate Learners around Adama” offers a case study in commitment between participants. This paper explains the opportunities for, and challenges to, creating a community of practice and making decisions between public and private institutions leading to the deployment of educational materials in a form of animated videos around Adama City in the region of Oromia, Ethiopia. This paper presents the willingness of local, public and private institutions to enter into partnership to participate in a specific deployment of a project perceived to be beneficial for low literate learners in their communities. The report of the consultative meeting suggests that while initiatives and perceptions may differ among the different groups involved in the deployment, common goals facilitate the decision making to move forward. This paper is part of an ongoing effort to develop community of practice models, for deployment of cross‐culturally adaptable educational animations, with the intent of reproducing similar approaches in other regions of the world.
The Changing Field of ICTD: Growth and Maturation of the Field, 2000–2010
Authors: Gomez Ricardo
Published: December 2017

We report the results of a content analysis of 948 papers from selected peer reviewed journals and conferences published between 2000 and 2010 in the academic literature on the interdisciplinary field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICTD or ICT4D). Results indicate that the field has grown and matured dramatically since its early days, and traces some of the most salient shifts over time and across journals and conferences. Results indicate that the majority of the literature focuses on business and empowerment as the primary domains of ICTD work, and on ICT in general and on information systems as the most common technology objects of analysis, with a growing trend toward mobile phones. The dominant types of research questions are of descriptive, or of measurement or social change in nature, while the preferred paradigmatic stances overall are interpretivist, positivist and pragmatic. The preferred research methods are qualitative, mixed methods and quantitative. There is a predominance of technological approaches to ICTD rather than social ones, and the most frequent types of recommendations are related to more ICT infrastructure. Furthermore, most of the literature consists of studies of individual countries or of organizations, and the most frequent contributions are field studies and best practices, with a growing trend towards contributing theory and policy recommendations. This is the first‐ever comprehensive analysis of the ICTD literature across multiple sources over ten years; it offers important insights about the trends and directions of research in the ICTD field.
Rethinking Information Systems Projects Using Actor‐Network Theory: A Case of Malawi
Authors: Mpazanje Flora , Sewchurran Kosheek , Brown Irwin
Published: December 2017

Organisations invest heavily in Information Systems (IS) projects in the hope of realising business benefits. Yet reports persist of IS projects that all too often fail. Efforts to rescue the situation have so far yielded unsatisfactory results. A number of calls have hence been made to rethink and deepen understanding of IS project management practice. The purpose of this study is to contribute towards this rethink by exploring and describing the as‐lived experiences of stakeholders in IS projects. A case study approach was adopted wherein in‐depth analysis was carried out on an IS project executed in Malawi. Using a developing country such as Malawi as empirical source is novel, as much of the research on IS project management emanates from the developed world. Yet IS project failure is endemic in all contexts. Data was collected and analysed qualitatively using Actor‐Network Theory (ANT) as the lens of enquiry. Key findings were that (1) starting up an IS project is neither simple nor straightforward; it is lengthy and winding; (2) project objectives need not be “cast in stone”, as they may be subject to negotiations as key stakeholders are brought in; (3) project success is achieved only when stakeholder interests are strongly interwoven in the project need; (4) involving operational system end users was oddly not seen as critical in the case, and (5) the experience of the project manager will determine the extent to which formal methodologies are rigidly followed in the project. The use of an ANT lens provides for a deeper understanding of IS project processes and outcomes.
The Value of Social Media in Egypt's Uprising and Beyond
Authors: Kamel Sherif H.
Published: December 2017

Social media represents the emerging driving force in political transformation and change. Its different cutting‐edge platform has become invaluable for the mobilization, organization and implementation of social movements around the world. However, there is no one size that fits all. Egypt's case represents an uprising that was the result of passionate people and not of any specific social media platform. It was definitely not the social media revolution; it was the people uprising that capitalized on social media to realize a dream of a nation in providing “bread1, freedom and social justice”. There is no doubt that social media boosted the people's desire for a better future, democracy, socioeconomic and political development that was for many decades put on hold by consecutive regimes. This article highlights the clash of generations between older state power and younger citizens and the role social media played in the political transformation in the build‐up to Egypt's uprising in January 2011 and beyond.
Desperately Seeking Systems Thinking in ICT4D
Authors: Turpin Marita , Alexander P.M. (Trish)
Published: December 2017

The ICT4D context is a complex, multi‐faceted one that needs to take into account political, cultural, economic and infrastructural factors, which often prove to be more challenging to deal with than the technological aspects. This messy context may benefit from a systems approach: Systems thinking provides a holistic view and transdisciplinary methods to describe and analyse complex situations. But to what extent has ICT4D benefited from systems thinking in the past? This paper presents a literature survey of the use of systems thinking in ICT4D. Prominent ICT4D publication outlets have been searched for any reference to systems thinking. The papers identified in the search are discussed in terms of the problems they address and the systems methods used. The results of the survey indicate not only a lack of the use of systems concepts in ICT4D, but also a fragmentedness in the application of systems concepts. The paper tries to make sense of these findings and provides a few perspectives to help interpret them. It concludes with a challenge to systems thinkers to put more effort into disseminating their work to the ICT4D research audience.
A Model for Assessing Learning Management System Success in Higher Education in Sub‐Saharan Countries
Authors: Mtebe Joel S. , Raisamo Roope
Published: December 2017

In recent years, there has been an increasing adoption of various Learning Management Systems (LMS) in higher education in Sub‐Saharan countries. Despite the perceived benefits of these systems to leverage challenges facing education sector in the region, studies show that the majority of them tend to fail; partially or totally. This paper presents a model for evaluating LMS deployed in Higher Education Institutions in Sub‐Saharan countries through adopting and extending the updated DeLone and McLean information system success model. The proposed model and the instrument have been validated through a survey of 200 students enrolled in various courses offered via Moodle LMS at University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The findings of this study will help those who are involved in the implementation of LMS in higher education in Sub‐Saharan countries to evaluate their existing systems and/or to prepare corrective measures and strategies to avoid future LMS failures.
Design Science Approach to Developing and Evaluating a National Cybersecurity Framework for Jamaica
Authors: Dennis Antonio , Jones Rohana , Kildare Duane , Barclay Corlane
Published: December 2017

The cyber‐security landscape is continuing to evolve and it is therefore important for countries to understand the dynamic forces and be able to foresee the potential risks and vulnerabilities and stem them. One approach is through the development and implementation of proactive strategies, policies and procedures that is guided by a cyber‐security strategy and framework at the national level. A recent 2013 UN study revealed that a significant number of countries are without a national cybercrime strategy. This is true for countries in the Caribbean including Jamaica that are currently without a national cyber‐security strategy and framework. This has significant implications for our national security and development. This research project therefore seeks to develop and evaluate a National Cyber‐security framework, Jamaica National Cyber‐security Framework (JNCF) through the application of the Design Science methodology. JNCF incorporates international standards and best practices as a basis to aid in the protection of confidentiality, integrity and availability of national information in Jamaica and serve as a potential blue print for both the private and public sectors within Jamaica. The framework rests on due consideration for the critical assets and infrastructure, stakeholders and legislative and technical controls supported by the definition and scope of cybercrime and global best practices. We argue that these facets facilitate a sound national strategy for combatting cybercrime. Our study has implications for research, government and private sectors as it seeks to develop an artifact that is currently not in existence in Jamaica which can be used to inform the effective management of cyber‐crime and security in other developing countries.
E‐trade Facilitation in Ghana: A Capability Approach Perspective
Authors: Adaba Godfried Bakiyem , Rusu Lazar
Published: December 2017

A growing number of countries are adopting e‐government to deliver greater operational efficiency, cost savings and transparency. The current wave of globalization and the integration of the world economy have intensified international trade volumes. Thus, the prospect of development through trade has driven some countries sub‐Saharan Africa to adopt information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly electronic data interchange (EDI) to facilitate international trade. This paper applies Amartya Sen's Capability Approach (CA) as a framework to examine the effect of an e‐government initiative intended to modernise customs operational procedures and facilitate trade. E‐trade facilitation has given individuals and businesses the opportunity to lodge import and exports declarations electronically with a single document, resulting in time and cost savings as declarations can be made electronically from any location and at any time. The paper makes a contribution by offering a useful example of the affordances of the CA for examining e‐government initiatives particularly in developing countries focusing on what people can actually do with the opportunities provided by e‐government, rather than using income‐based measures.
A Participatory GIS for Marine Spatial Planning in the Grenadine Islands
Authors: Baldwin Kimberly , Mahon Robin
Published: December 2017

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a strategic way of improving decision‐making and delivering an ecosystem approach to managing human activities in the marine environment. Notwithstanding the central role of human agency in these approaches, it is recognised that many times marine management has not been effective in part due to a failure to use all available sources of information and knowledge, particularly the local knowledge of the resources’ users. The transboundary Grenadine Islands, which rely heavily on the marine environment for livelihoods, provide an example of a complex system where there is a high diversity of uses and all available information is needed for effective management. We illustrate how a participatory GIS approach can be applied as a sound basis for practically incorporating an ecosystem approach within marine spatial planning initiatives. Key benefits include effective data management, increased spatial understanding and the definition of critical areas across the Grenada Bank. We found the application of a PGIS approach to support spatially‐based ecosystem‐level analyses of the Grenada Bank to be conducted and presented in ways that could be expected to increase stakeholder understanding of information generated thus supporting marine governance.
The Role of E‐commerce for the Growth of Small Enterprises in Ethiopia
Authors: Hassen Yasin Ali , Svensson Ann
Published: December 2017

Small enterprises strive to survive and grow in the business they are involved. They make efforts to utilize different resources and technologies available to this end as long as it is affordable and productive. Information Communication Technology or e‐commerce are among those technologies that take the front line. This paper aims to define an adoption level of e‐commerce in small Ethiopian enterprises and show that their business requirements and perceived benefits of e‐commerce are related to business growth. It takes five small enterprises involved in import and export business to perform case study research on the issue and examines their utilization level of the technology. The findings show that small enterprises in the country have low levels of e‐commerce utilization due to: (1) the scarcity of infrastructure development and expertise in the area, and (2) barriers created by government policy and bank regulations. However, this study found good understanding of the business opportunities and benefits that could be exploited from e‐commerce.
E‐Learning in Kenyan Universities: Preconditions for Successful Implementation
Authors: Tarus John K. , Gichoya David
Published: December 2017

In recent years, there has been significant growth in the use of e‐learning in Kenyan universities. However, despite this growth, universities in Kenya are still experiencing implementation challenges towards full utilization of e‐learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate and analyze the preconditions necessary for successful implementation of e‐learning in Kenyan universities. Data was collected through questionnaires and in‐depth interviews from 525 respondents comprising of university management, e‐learning support staff, lecturers and students who are currently using e‐learning in blended mode approach in three leading Kenyan universities. The findings reveal that successful implementation of e‐learning was dependent on three categories of preconditions namely technological components, organizational components and pedagogical components. An implication of this study is that implementation of e‐learning in Kenyan universities requires the blending of these three broad components necessary for successful implementation of e‐learning. These findings are significant in that it will widen the frontiers of knowledge and provide more insights on implementation of e‐learning in Kenyan universities.
Exploring Mobile Internet Use Among Marginalised Young People in Post‐Conflict Sierra Leone
Authors: Sam Steven
Published: December 2017

Although the use of mobile internet is emerging as a new area of exploration for accessing the impact of mobile telephony on people in developing countries, study on how it is adopted and utilised in post‐conflict context is rare. This paper draws upon domestication theory and ethnographic approach to explore the adoption, popularity and use of mobile internet by marginalised young people in post‐conflict Sierra Leone. It argues that such an inquiry is important for understanding how the behavioural patterns of marginalised young people are shaped by the technology that is available to them, and equally how they shape technology to respond to their needs. While the findings reveal an increasing popularity and usage of mobile internet among marginalised young people to build communication networks, access information and entertainment content; some of the users are confronted with multiple impediments that mitigate their capabilities to access and use mobile internet productively. Notable examples of such barriers include high cost of internet enabled mobile phone, low level ICT and literacy skills and limited knowledge in the productive use of mobile internet. The paper concludes that if the potential of mobile internet is to be exploited for productive livelihood improvement, then, there is a need to respond appropriately to these challenges by providing cheaper and durable internet enabled mobile phones, create awareness and facilitate training to improve on the literacy and ICT skills of the users.
Mobile Phones and the Well‐Being of Blind Micro‐Entrepreneurs in Indonesia
Authors: Anwar Misita , Johanson Graeme
Published: December 2017

The wide‐scale economic benefits of mobile (cell) phones for developing regions of the world have been well researched over an extended period. But the potential value of mobiles for the well‐being of specific poor groups has been overlooked. This paper reports on a project which focused on the welfare of blind masseurs in Indonesia, as representatives of three million blind people in that country. Links between the advantages of Information and Communications Technologies and human development have been presented before in papers in general terms, but very limited research has attempted to make the further link to disability and micro‐entrepreneurs, making use of the Capability Approach (CA). This paper illustrates how mobile phones impact on the well‐being of blind masseurs. Grounded theory methods are employed for the analysis of 10 interviews with blind masseurs in Makassar and Bandung, Indonesia. The discussion shows that mobile phones play significant roles in micro‐entrepreneurs’ perceived well‐being. Application of the CA shows that mobile phones facilitate beneficial ‘functionings’ that are deemed very valuable by participants.
The Alignment of Information Technology Applications with Non‐Technological Competencies of SMEs in Africa
Authors: Kyobe Michael , Namirembe Esther , Shongwe Mzwandile
Published: December 2017

Core competencies are major drivers behind the success of many Small and Medium sized organizations (SMEs). While Information Technology (IT) can be leveraged to enhance these competencies, changes in IT and poor planning may result in core rigidities. Many SMEs experience difficulties in planning and aligning IT applications with business objectives and core competencies and limited scientific studies have been conducted to assist SMEs in this regard. The present study examined the alignment of IT applications with non‐technological competencies in South Africa and Uganda. It sought to identify those configurations of IT applications and non‐technological competencies that result in IT‐based competencies needed to ensure competitiveness in e‐commerce in the SME sector. The perspective of alignment as a gestalt was adopted. 112 SMEs were surveyed and three alignment configurations consisting of SMEs with innovative IT competencies; Operational IT competencies and adaptive IT competencies were revealed. SMEs with innovative IT competencies developed the most IT‐based competencies. They achieved this by leveraging various operational and strategic IT applications to enhance a number of non‐technological competencies.
Community Mapping in Urban Informal Settlements: Examples from Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Panek Jiri , Sobotova Lenka
Published: December 2017

In the Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide, which was developed out of the United Nations Rio Conference on the Environment in 1992, community‐based mapping is identified as a best practice for locally‐based sustainability planning. According to UN‐Habitat (2012), the proportion of urban populations living in slums is highest in Sub‐Saharan Africa (61.7%); meanwhile, De Soto (2003) estimates the amount of “dead” capital at $9.3 trillion. This capital is based mainly in slums. The paper presents two community mapping projects in urban areas of Nairobi and describes the advantages and disadvantages of the different methodologies used. Second, it explores the options for slum dwellers to map the areas where they live and the benefits of such mapping. Lastly, the paper shares the authors’ visions for participatory mapping and participatory GIS, and their ideas on how to select the optimal mapping method. The authors would like to open the discussion about possible effects of community mapping on local development and unlocking the hidden potential in urban‐slum areas. Can the unlocking be achieved by acquiring spatial information about urban slums so that the inhabitants can make full use of their property? The paper discusses possible future development in the area of community mapping and invites researchers as well as practitioners to discuss whether community mapping is the key towards the sustainable development.
Determinants for South African SMEs to Adopt Broadband Internet Technologies
Authors: Gareeb Prashil Pravin , Naicker Visvanathan
Published: December 2017

Internet based technology is globally endorsed as a stimulant for small business success (Chibelushi and Costello, 2009). For the last twenty years, the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) business segment is seen as a key driver to social and economic growth in South Africa (Manuel, 1995). The purpose of the research was to identify and rank all socio‐psychological influences on South African SMEs at macro (institutional), meso (industrial) and micro (individual) levels to adopt and use broadband based internet. The Technology‐Organisational‐Environmental (TOE) model proposed by Tornatzky and Fleischer (1990) was augmented with the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) (Fishbein and Ajzen, 2011) to ensure reasonable inter‐relatedness and defragmentation of the various socio‐psychological items, including environmental, industry and technology level influences. Exploratory factor analysis was used to establish specific factors influencing broadband adoption amongst SMEs in South Africa. Three levels of statistical testing were conducted: testing strength of all items using exploratory factor analysis, testing factor impact on independent variables (business activity and turnover) through one‐way ANOVA and predictability testing using logistic regression analysis. This was done across multiple SME sectors and business sizes. Purposive sampling was used, with a target of both users and non‐users of broadband technologies, and a response rate of 14.1% (211 valid observations) was obtained across both sets. From the ANOVA analysis, there was a significant impact of technology drivers on retail businesses, and higher impact on manufacturing than on transport. It was found that organisational elements related significantly differently across varying sizes of businesses, especially between retail versus manufacturing entities. Finally, for the environmental factor, supplier and customer influence on SMEs weighed in relatively higher than competitor pressure. It is recommended that to enhance business climate for broadband adoption, key operator tactics for supply need to be defined and market conditions adjusted to influence demand. Ultimately, the paper suggests that an ecosystem of elements that must be managed to assist in widespread adoption, over and above technology readiness and possibilities in using broadband based ICT for SME growth.
Assessing the Role of Mobile Phones in Offering Price Information and Market Linkages: The Case of M‐Farm in Kenya
Authors: Baumüller Heike
Published: December 2017

Many farmers in the developing world have limited access to agricultural technologies and markets. Mobile phone‐enabled services that offer price information and market linkages could contribute towards bridging this gap by reducing uncertainty about expected profits, information asymmetries and market inefficiencies. This article uses the example of the price information and marketing service M‐Farm in Kenya to empirically test this potential. Findings from a survey of M‐Farm users confirm that m‐services offering price information can help farmers plan production processes better, but also show that the radio can be an effective dissemination channel especially at the early stages of production. While evidence on the utility of the price information to help farmers obtain better prices is inconclusive, resulting changes in cropping patterns and harvesting times are likely to have contributed to perceived income gains. M‐Farm appears to have had limited impact on trading relationships. In terms of methodology, the study also highlights the limitations of relying on farmers’ perceptions gathered through surveys when assessing the impact of m‐services.
The Adoption of Electronic Commerce by Small and Medium Enterprises in Pretoria East
Authors: Garg Ajay K , Choeu Thobeng
Published: December 2017

The objectives of this study were to determine the current level of e‐commerce adoption and factors that motivates the adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Pretoria East. A structured questionnaire survey was distributed to 200 randomly selected small and medium enterprises and 48 valid responses were obtained. The results indicate that 67 percentage of SMEs in the sample in Pretoria East have somewhat embraced the adoption of e‐commerce. Retail is the largest industry sector in the sample followed by Service industry with 45.8percentage and 35.4 percentage respectively. The results also indicates that Service sector was at adoption level 2 followed by Retail and others. The results show that only three independent factors namely (relative advantage, competitive pressure, IT knowledge) were statistically significant. Relative advantage emerged as the most important factor influencing the adoption of e‐commerce among SMEs in terms of relative importance. The Chi‐square test indicates that the type of business, occupation level, numbers of employees in the company and academic qualification did influence the adoption levels amongst SMEs whilst how long as owner/manager and gender did not influence the adoption level.
ICTs for the Broader Development of South Africa: An Analysis of the Literature
Authors: Johnston Kevin A , Jali Ndumiso , Kundaeli Flora , Adeniran Tejumade
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this research is to ascertain whether Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been valuable in the provision of broader development to South African citizens. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on data in the form of peer reviewed academic literature. The data is therefore not primary as the works of authors are subjected to the relative and subjective scrutiny of the authors themselves (Walsham, 1995). Thus the underlying philosophy of the study is one of an interpretivism nature. The study found that ICT has been a key contributor to development in areas such as agricultural supply chains and also served as a key enabler in the provision of health care for the poor. The study also found that ICTs are an integral part of development policies aimed at bettering the lives of the poor. However, an understanding of the context in which ICTs are implemented is vital in ensuring the success of ICT projects. The analysis and understanding of exactly how ICTs contribute towards development can provide a basis from which further studies can be conducted and also provide a pragmatic insight into how development can be achieved through the use of ICTs. The study highlights avenues for future research, especially with regards to ICTs for the development of South Africa and the role ICT plays in improving civil society.
Empirically Examining Barriers to E‐business Adoption in SMEs in Indonesia
Authors: Irma Janita , Chong Tristan , Ram Jiwat
Published: December 2017

We examine SMEs’ attitudes towards e‐Business adoption from a multi‐dimensional perspective to provide an understanding of the challenges and barriers to e‐Business adoption in the SMEs context. We derive a framework containing the interaction among various elements that influence e‐Business adoption. The framework was analysed with data from case studies involving Indonesian SMEs. Prior findings have shown the importance of e‐Business for companies’ growth. However, we have extended this evidence by providing an understanding of issues that are important for e‐Business adoption in the SMEs context. We have empirically established that e‐Business adoption occurs through an interaction of various internal and external factors with owner‐manager‐related factors having the greatest influence on the outcome. The understanding of issues identified by this study will help policy makers, business owners, industry institutions, and other stakeholders to influence the uptake of e‐Business among SMEs in Indonesia and elsewhere. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
The Impact of Contextual Factors on the Implementation of Government E‐Strategy in Previously Disadvantaged Areas in Cape Town
Authors: Mooketsi Bojelo Esther , Chigona Wallace
Published: December 2017

Despite the fact that it has been established that contextual factors affect implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects, there is a dearth of information on how these were addressed in the implementation of the whitepaper on e‐education in schools in previously disadvantaged areas in South Africa. This interpretive study, guided by contextual interaction theory, examines the impact of contextual factors in the implementation of ICT in schools in previously disadvantaged areas. The findings show that the implementation context and the history of the implementers and other issues that are in no way related to the implementation process affect the implementation process and outcomes. The results of this study offer those who carry out ICT in education implementation projects in disadvantaged areas in South Africa and similar contexts elsewhere insights into the Information Systems implementation dynamics.
E‐Government for Development: A Thematic Analysis of Zimbabwe's Information and Communication Technology Policy Documents
Authors: Ruhode Ephias
Published: December 2017

Traditionally, governments have been viewed as complex, large bureaucratic establishments with a set of information silos that erect barriers to the access of information and make the provision of services cumbersome and frustrating. However with the emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), there is evidence of improvement in efficiency and effectiveness of internal administration within governments and the relocation of government services from government offices to locations closer to the citizens. This paper is motivated by the need to investigate an e‐government phenomenon in a developing country context which is characterised by complex dynamics rooted in politics, economy and social setting. The paper has been scoped to explore the evolution of e‐government in Zimbabwe as articulated in ICT policy documents. The policy documents are analysed through the lens of thematic analysis which leads to critical narrative analysis. The use of thematic analysis as a theoretical foundation and a methodological approach for analysing text contributes to a better understanding of government publications. This study has identified that all documents are silent on the political and economic reality in Zimbabwe which directly influences the implementation of capital projects. The policy documents also make no reference to other considerations as funding models and execution plans under a complex political, social and economic environment. As a result, government policy documents remained only as blueprints without any impact towards the implementation of e‐government in Zimbabwe.
Current Landscape and Potential of Mobile Computing Research in the Least Developed Countries
Authors: Imran Ahmed , Quimno Val , Hussain Mehdi
Published: December 2017

Despite the huge potentialities, the actual growth of information and communications technology (ICT) in the least developed countries (LDCs) is still hindered by a number of factors beyond the infrastructural constraints. However, over the last decade, mobile computing has emerged as an important means to bridge the longstanding digital divide between LDCs and first world countries by accelerating the diffusion of various services (government, business, health, education and environment) through mobile devices. These services can be classified according to their domain of application, such as m‐agriculture, m‐finance, m‐banking, m‐commerce, m‐government, m‐health and m‐learning. The overreaching goal of this paper is to explore mobile applications and services in LDCs and to assess the extent of research that has permeated in this area within the LDCs. The research questions that this paper seeks to answer are: what has existing research in LDCs identified regarding mobile technology applications, services and usage; and what are the typical characteristics and trends of mobile computing technology innovation and services within LDCs? The paper presents a comprehensive literature review of 480 articles on mobile technology application and services in the LDCs from the basket of Information Systems literature. The review draws on the current landscape of mobile computing studies in the LDCs to analyse and evaluate research trends, focus, regional priorities and gaps. Through the meta‐analysis of secondary data, the paper highlights some interesting comparisons about mobile technologies among the LDCs as regards to research themes, focus areas and applications. Also, based on an assessment of current state of research, the paper identifies gaps and potential research directions.
A Citizen‐Centric Framework For Assessing E‐Government Effectiveness
Authors: Sigwejo Annastellah , Pather Shaun
Published: December 2017

In a quest to offer better services to both citizens and businesses throughout Africa, efforts to adopt e‐government projects are gaining momentum. As a result of this, there is a need for effective measurement of delivery and quality of such e‐services. Currently, there are several metrics applied to measure and rank the e‐readiness of various African countries. However, while these measures have provided a source of comparative analysis between different e‐government projects, they are far from being perfect. For example, most of these measures are diverse and difficult to compare, since they assume ‘one size fits all’ and ignore differing environmental, cultural and contextual factors of various countries. Further criticisms of these measures are that they are ‘first generation metrics’ designed for developed countries, as opposed to developing countries.

This paper addresses the problem that there is a need for suitable evaluation strategies for understanding and measuring the effectiveness of e‐government services in order to improve the management thereof, and thereby attain the best possible value for citizens. The objective of this study was to investigate and develop a framework, for evaluating the effectiveness of e‐government services in a typical developing country. Tanzania was chosen as the context for this study: as a typical developing African country, its early phase of e‐government development provided an optimal case for this study concerned with the useful and effective evaluation of e‐government services.

The findings indicate the key dimensions to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of e‐government services. These dimensions are synthesised into an e‐government citizen satisfaction framework (ECSF). The framework demonstrates how citizen and government imperatives should be amalgamated to evaluate the effectiveness of e‐government service. The findings further support the call to increase monitoring and evaluation of all ICT projects within government.
Vulnerability and Information Practices among (Undocumented) Latino Migrants
Authors: Gomez Ricardo
Published: December 2017

This paper explores the information practices (information seeking, using, and sharing) among Latino migrants, particularly undocumented migrants, in three different settings: at the US‐Mexico border, in Seattle, Washington, and in Cali, Colombia. Through participatory photography and unstructured interviews, we explore the life experiences and information practices of marginalized and underserved communities and relate them to their experience of transience through different stages of the migration experience. We discuss how stages of migration may be limited to understand the iterative and constantly shifting experiences of migrants in the contexts we studied. Using a narrative style, we offer the richness of stories and the power of pictures to illustrate the concepts, in the words and images of the participants themselves.
Scaffolding Health Information Infrastructure's Generativity by Scaffolded Gateways: The Case of Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Ngoc , Braa Jorn
Published: December 2017

Standards and gateways are important components that play critical roles in information infrastructure (e‐infrastructure) evolution. Surprisingly, little research has been conducted into this area. To fill that gap, we undertook a longitudinal action research study in the health care sector in Vietnam in the period between 2012 and 2015. The empirical work involved designing or cultivating, reconfiguring, (re)assembling multiple socio‐technical components and transforming them into a larger health information infrastructure. To understand how gateways performed in our cases, we employed a concept namely “scaffolded gateways”, which was basically a hybrid between scaffoldings and gateways. We defined it as having three properties: interconnecting, supportive, and evanescent.
An Exploratory Study of Attitudes Towards Privacy in Social Media and the Threat of Blackmail: The Views of a Group of Saudi Women
Authors: Al‐Saggaf Yeslam
Published: December 2017

The Saudi Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, or the Religious Police as it is commonly known in the west, has dealt with 1834 incidents of women being blackmailed by men in 2014 and of those 22% (N= 403) were initiated using Social Network Sites (SNS). In light of the reality about these crimes, this study asked the following questions: (1) Are Saudi women concerned about their privacy in SNS? (2) Are Saudi women worried about falling victim to blackmail in SNS? (3) Do Saudi women know how to change the privacy settings in SNS? (4) Are Saudi women comfortable with communicating across gender lines in SNS? To address these questions, qualitative interviews with 16 women who used Facebook regularly and a focus group discussion with another group of 10 Saudi female students were conducted. The findings of the study show that the Saudi women interviewed appeared concerned about their privacy in Facebook, worried about falling victim to blackmail, knew how to change the privacy settings and are not comfortable with communicating across gender lines. This suggests that the participants in this study are not the likely victims of blackmail crimes. Further research is needed to understand the profile of the victims of blackmail and the root cause of these crimes.