bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information dissemination in a developing society: Internet café users in Indonesia
Authors: Furuholt Bjørn , Kristiansen Stein , Wahid Fathul
Published: December 2017

The article analyses the market for Internet cafés in Indonesia and thereby studies the spread of information through the Internet in a developing society. The city of Yogyakarta was selected as the research site, due to its abundance of Internet cafés and customers. The empirical research is based on a survey comprising 270 users. Customers are typically young and educated. Males represent the majority of users but unmarried females are also regulars. User frequency is statistically associated with individual capability, electronic media exposure and financial capacity. Ten percent of customers’ total monthly expenditures are on Internet cafés. Users represent a multitude of cyber cultures, and more research is needed to assess different preferences and motives for use.
Experiencing Small‐Scale e‐Democracy in Iran
Authors: Kahani Mohsen
Published: December 2017

Electronic voting is a relatively new application of information technology. Many governments are investigating how e‐voting can be deployed as part of their e‐government initiatives. In this article, the requirements of e‐voting systems are described and experiences of achieving e‐voting on a small scale in Iran are discussed.
The Impact of ICT on Professional Practice in the Nigerian Construction Industry
Authors: Oladapo A.A.
Published: December 2017

The potential of ICT for improving the quality of professional services in the construction industry is generally acknowledged. While reports abound on ICT in the construction industries of developed countries, very little exists for developing countries. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the current state of ICT in professional practice in the Nigerian construction industry in the context of a developing economy.

A survey of the current state of ICT in architectural, engineering and quantity surveying practices in the Nigerian construction industry was conducted in South West Nigeria. The results indicated that while core architectural, engineering and quantity surveying functions (like drawing, engineering design and preparation of bills of quantities respectively) have been largely computerised, data and document management is still done in the traditional way in most cases. The Internet is gaining popularity with over 60% of the respondents currently connected. For now most of the professionals use the Internet mainly for e‐mails and its potentials in more strategically important areas like e‐business and electronic data transfer are yet to be fully exploited.

The impact of ICT on professional practice has been mainly in making jobs easier for the professions, facilitating decision‐making and savings in operating costs, among others. The notoriously inefficient national electric power supply system and the high cost of computer hardware and software in relation to the dwindling fortunes of the professions in Nigeria's depressed economy are the key obstacles to increased investments in ICT. However, most of the respondents (about 80%) were optimistic about the future of ICT in the Nigerian construction industry, with plans for major new ICT investments in teleworking, videoconferencing and electronic data management (EDM). These findings, it is hoped, should guide the construction industry in Nigeria in adopting appropriate policies to internalise the globally acclaimed benefits of ICT.
A Preliminary Investigation of Electronic Data Interchange Adoption in Bruneian Small Business Organizations
Authors: Seyal Afzaal H. , Rahim Md. Mahbubur
Published: December 2017

This first study conducted in Brunei investigates the 84 small and medium enterprises by using a survey approach to find out the key factors that are determinants to EDI adoption. Based upon the existing model, the study uses seven factors grouped into three categories, namely organizational, external and economic factors. The findings indicate that hypotheses related to perceived direct benefits and perceived cost are supported. However, the study could not find support for perceived indirect benefits. All other factors such as: IT knowledge, government support, top management support and trading partner influence remain insignificant. Based upon these findings, recommendations are provided.
Participatory Mapping and Geographic Information Systems: Whose Map? Who is Empowered and Who Disempowered? Who Gains and Who Loses?
Authors: Chambers Robert
Published: December 2017

In recent years, changes in participatory methodologies (PMs) may have been even more rapid than those in spatial technologies. Local people's abilities to make maps only became widely known and facilitated in the early 1990s. Participatory mapping has spread like a pandemic with many variants and applications not only in natural resource management but also in many other domains. With mapping as one element, there are now signs of a new pluralist eclecticism and creativity in PMs. The medium and means of mapping, whether ground, paper or GIS and the style and mode of facilitation, influence who takes part, the nature of outcomes and power relationships. Much depends on the behaviour and attitudes of facilitators and who controls the process. Many ethical issues present troubling dilemmas, and lead to overarching questions about empowerment and ownership. Questions to be asked, again and again, are:Who is empowered and who disempowered? And, who gains and who loses?
(Re) Defining Peri‐Urban Residential Space Using Participatory GIS in Kenya
Authors: Koti Francis , Weiner Daniel
Published: December 2017

Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for African urban planning and research is now becoming a reality. But there is limited technical expertise and the necessary infrastructure to support local government efforts in data‐poor environments. As a result, the creation of urban geo‐spatial databases have tended to reside in the central government, large municipalities, research institutions, donor funded projects and individual research initiatives. To date, such applications have focused on observable and quantifiable aspects of the urban built environment while experiential information has remained peripheral. This paper employs a participatory GIS approach to integrate community local knowledge with traditional urban spatial data. Our objective is to populate urban‐based geo‐spatial databases for a more robust understanding of quality of life in Athi River town, Kenya. The Athi River GIS includes formal data and local knowledge on land cover, land use, hydrology, topography, infrastructure, industry, service provision, and housing. Community data was obtained through mental mapping, focus group discussions, GPS‐based transect walks, social histories of exclusion, oral narratives of land use, and relevant archival material. The study concludes that GIS in Kenya is being introduced within an empiricist and positivist epistemological and methodological framework. With more focus on the visual and quantifiable aspects of the built environment, the perceptions of disenfranchised peri‐urban communities are being excluded. In the paper, a place‐based (re) definition of residential quality of life is achieved by integrating community local knowledge into a GIS as an information layer. In the study, local knowledge and expert GIS data are thus found to be complementary.
Globalization, Education and Emiratisation: A Study of the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Godwin Stewart M.
Published: December 2017

The United Arab Emirates Government has pursed educational excellence for its citizens through the provision of free education for all nationals from K‐12 to University. Furthermore, from the earliest days of federation the United Arab Emirates Government has encouraged private education providers to establish educational operations under the governance of the Commission for Academic Accreditation. The growth and globalization of education has contributed to an increase in the number and quality of private and/or international educational institutions entering the United Arab Emirates. These private educational institutions provide gateways to western educational qualifications and ideologies, while generating revenue as new markets are developed. More recently the United Arab Emirates Government has embarked on an affirmative action program to satisfy the employment and career aspirations of its citizens with a focus that links employment and education. In this paper, the author examines the discourse of globalization of a developing nation in the context of the United Arab Emirates education system and examines the implications for the United Arab Emirates Government. The conclusion suggests that education is not the panacea for the problems faced by the United Arab Emirates Government, but recommends the inclusion of health based education into the current curriculum reform along with the acceleration of the articulation and accreditation program.
Why Local Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI's) are not Just Mirror Reflections of National SDI Objectives – Case Study of Bekasi, Indonesia
Authors: de Vries Walter
Published: December 2017

In many countries, policies of decentralisation and increased autonomy of local governments are being implemented. Local governments are expected to take decisions on many issues themselves using new or reformed local organizations and information processes. Often, however, information‐based decisions – pre‐requisite for good local governance – are not taken because the information was either not available, could not be released, or was not used. This article takes a closer look at why the processes of information production, dissemination and exchange are not sufficiently effective at local level. It is using a single case study of a local government in Bekasi in Indonesia. Following the case study theory of Yin (2003), this single case study was selected because Bekasi represents a typical local government in a developing country with many information problems. It is a satellite city and region in a rapidly urbanizing and industrializing area in a country which is forced to reform its institutional structures at all levels and in all sectors. Especially in such an environment one would expect a lot of benefit for local governments from structural spatial information production, use, dissemination and exchange. Yet, available maps are not used, and base maps for the local territory hardly exist. The objective of the study was therefore to find out why that situation exists.

Because at first a better understanding was considered necessary what aspects or dimensions are relevant for information‐based local governance, the analysis of findings was largely interpretative. The findings show that:

The institutional reform relevant for spatial information has focused too much on organizational structures, and too little on functionality and purpose of spatial information. Local governments require functional structures which might be beyond the boundaries of the local territory and authority, yet independent from vertical or national institutions.

Frequent and unsynchronized rotation of public employees at local level is leading to underutilization of human capacity and informal human networks in the local public sector. Horizontal, trans‐horizontal and trans‐vertical management of human resources and knowledge will be necessary.
An Economic Development Model for IT in Developing Countries
Authors: Kodakanchi Vishal , Kuofie Matthew H. S. , Abuelyaman E. , Qaddour Jihad
Published: December 2017

Information Technology (IT) has revolutionized the world economy in the past few decades by practically changing the economic activities globally. Given its applicability in various manufacturing and services sectors, IT has significantly affected the economy by providing information and development content on products and processes. Accordingly, faster rates of output and productivity growth have become the trends of information processing and communications. In the United States (US), the substantial growth in both the Labor Productivity (LP), and the Multi‐Factor Productivity (MFP) after 1995 proves the significance of automation. It proves that IT has definitely steered the economical advancement of industrialized nations such as the US and the United Kingdom (UK). Unfortunately the same conclusion can not be reached for developing countries. For instance, India and Ghana have yet to achieve significant economical advancement through the use of IT. To address this issue, we propose: An Economic Development Model Based on IT for Developing Countries (EDM‐BITDC). Major components of the EDM‐BITDC include, Large Foreign Investments (LFIs), Government policies and support for IT, Social awareness of IT importance, and Efficient use of IT.

EDM‐BITDC provides an answer to the concerns of poor nations. It suggests that governments of these nations entice LFIs in the field of IT. Implementation of EDM‐BITDC in DC economies is expected to result in tremendous achievement in conformity with what has already been summarized as success stories of US and UK.
A Monitoring System for Numerous Local Organizations of Poor People: A Case from Bangladesh
Authors: Benini Aldo
Published: December 2017

This is a case study of the monitoring system that a rural development NGO has been using for over ten years to track the progress of a large number of commune‐level organizations of the poor. “RDRS Bangladesh”, the NGO supporting 260 federations of neighborhood groups, has been the intermediary in an aid chain that mobilized considerable funding for social organization in the northwestern region of the country. It has used a highly standardized monitoring tool to demonstrate good project management as well as for internal decision‐making. This bureaucratically administered system co‐existed for many years side by side with participatory arrangements of federation governance.

There does not seem to be much accessible research on monitoring systems suitable for the collaboration between intermediary NGOs and numerous grassroots organizations with their own internal complexity and diversity. Around this case study, I briefly review the importance of collective organizations of the poor, and then give a more detailed account of the structure and performance of these 260 federations. In assessing this experience I believe that neither the monitoring nor the participation literatures are as yet adequate to guide research into the monitoring of such large and complex collaborations. The concept of systems of mutual observation in which the supporting NGO and the participant local organizations observe each other continuously, although by different means, may be more appropriate.

The challenge is to encourage interpenetration between the two sides for greater validity and innovation while at the same time maintaining simplicity and coherence. Our specific case suggests, perhaps counter intuitively, that less data should be collected so that more time and energy are left to analyze it and to disseminate findings into the organizations of the poor. More generally, this article is written as an invitation for researchers and practitioners to join in the effort to strengthen the information management support for social movements of the poor.
Internet Advertisement in Malaysia: A Study of Attitudinal Differences
Authors: Haque Ahasanul , Al Mahmud Shameem , Tarofder Arun Kumar , Hj Ismail Ahmad Zaki
Published: December 2017

This study aims to identify attitudinal difference due to gender and race, (namely Malays, Chinese, and Indians) concerning Internet advertising in Malaysia. The advertisers can gain benefit from Internet advertising only when they can identify these differences. Results showed that Malaysian consumers have positive perceptions toward Internet advertising. To test the hypothesis independent sample‘t’ test and ANOVA were carried out. Results of ‘t’ test showing significant attitudinal differences between males and females is consistent with the previous results that males showed a more positive attitude toward Internet advertising compared to females. In addition, the results of ANOVA showed significant attitudinal differences only between two races, namely Malay and Chinese, while the overall attitudes of all three races were positive toward Internet advertisement. The results of this study can help advertisers to introduce new, innovative advertising over the Internet. In conclusion, these findings increase what is currently known about web and gender theory.
Culture and Vietnam as a Knowledge Society
Authors: Nguyen Tuyen Thanh , Johanson Graeme
Published: December 2017

Key features of traditional Vietnamese culture are contrasted with modern conceptions of a knowledge society on a national scale. Longstanding features of Vietnamese society inhibit the acceptance of necessary ingredients of a knowledge nation. This article analyses evidence from official publications, recent commentaries about Vietnam, and fieldwork interviews undertaken between 2004 and 2007, relating to economic progress and cultural change, challenges of the market economy to traditional culture, and the contribution of information and communications technologies to the promotion of knowledge.
Modeling Students’ Intention to Adopt E‐learning: A Case from Egypt
Authors: abdel‐Wahab Ahmed Gad
Published: December 2017

E‐learning is becoming increasingly prominent in higher education, with universities increasing provision and more students signing up. This paper examines factors that predict students’ intention to adopt e‐learning at the Egyptian University of Mansoura. Understanding the nature of these factors may assist Egyptian universities in promoting the use of information and communication technology in teaching and learning. Data was collected through a survey of 258 first year business students at the University of Mansoura in Egypt. The technology adoption model is utilized in this study. Two more independent variables are added to the original model, namely, the pressure to act and resource availability. The results show that there are five factors that can be used in modelling students’ intentions to adopt e‐learning. These factors are attitudes toward e‐learning, perceived usefulness of e‐learning, perceived ease of e‐learning use, pressure to use e‐learning, and the availability of resources needed to use e‐learning.
Apac's E‐Society Programme for Uganda
Authors: van Doodewaard Margreet , de Jager Arjan
Published: December 2017

In this article, the authors present and evaluate an e‐society strategy in the East African country of Uganda. The programme‐based on a participatory approach and the strategic use of digital and analogue ICTs‐aims to improve service delivery to the rural citizens of Apac district and strengthen democratic processes and interaction between Civil Society and Local Government. On the meta level the project aims to develop a practical model for civil society and local government interaction and collaboration towards common e‐society goals. The achievements of the project to date are presented and evaluated according to their impact on the quality of service delivery and the quality of democratic processes. On the basis of this article, the authors elicit lessons that can be used to guide similar programmes in rural areas in the developing world.
The Impact of ICT Investments on Economic Development in Egypt
Authors: Kamel Sherif , Rateb Dina , El‐Tawil Mohamed
Published: December 2017

Since the mid 1980s, Egypt has realized significant growth in information and communication technology (ICT) usage across different sectors in the economy. However, in today's global environment, the challenge no longer lies in accommodating the growth of the ICT sector that introduced changes that are arguably the most important since the industrial revolution. The essence is the diffusion of ICT across the society and ensuring that it furthers socioeconomic development. Managing this transformational process requires cooperation and partnerships between different stakeholders in the society to ensure steady and successful progress towards the goal of realizing a fully developed information society. Moreover, in order to generate economic development and growth, ICT need to be transformed into economic activities offering services, applications and content that create new markets, reduce costs and increase productivity. While ICT are generally adaptable; their effectiveness in addressing development issues still depends on their introduction, adoption, diffusion and adaptation within a healthy and encouraging regulatory environment. In that respect, the importance of ICT in socioeconomic development in Egypt was realized since 1999 leading to the allocation of ICT on the government agenda supported by the private sector and the civil society. This article addresses the recent efforts that were exerted in Egypt, as an emerging economy, in terms of building its ICT sector while analyzing the associated investments and their impact on economic development.
Open Pit Mining and Land Use Changes: An Example from Bogosu‐Prestea Area, South West Ghana
Authors: Duncan Edward E. , Kuma Jerry S. , Primpong Seth
Published: December 2017

The Bogoso‐Prestea area has experienced mining for over a century and with advances in mineral processing and the promulgation of a new Mining and Mineral Law in 1986, surface mining became viable. High demand for gold will lead to increase in mining activities which will result in land use changes. Estimation of areas and analysis of land use flows methods were employed over a twenty year period (1986 – 2006) to evaluate areas within the Golden Star Resources Bogoso Prestea Limited (GSRBPL) concession that have experienced land use change due to mining. The study revealed that mining in the area increased by 12.1 % in land coverage from 4.69 ha in 1986 to 530.84 ha in 2006. Agricultural land use reduced from 97.8% in 1986 to 82.7% in 2006. A significant rural – urban migration was acknowledged because settlements increased from 0.45 % in 1986 to 4.95 % in 2006. The study also revealed that land use due to mining stabilised between 1996 and 2006 due to good reclamation practices and reduced mine development.
Mass customization and strategic benefits: a case study in Brazil
Authors: Zilber Silvia Novaes , Nohara Jouliana Jordan
Published: December 2017

This article presents an overview of the academic debate about mass customization (MC). The objective is to describe how the MC strategy was introduced in a Brazilian company and the results obtained, relating them to theoretical considerations. This is illustrated through a case study in an industry of the Brazilian household appliances sector. The context was the launch of a totally customized product, to be sold on the Internet to consumers with high purchasing power, with the strategic use of IT. The aim was to create value for these customers by reinforcing the brand's own values using a clear differentiation strategy. MC is already used alongside conventional strategies in a growing number of worldwide organizations, but in Brazil the use of this tool is still in its infancy, hence the importance of this study. Its qualities have transformed it into a valuable marketing device in the search for consumer loyalty. This has the effect of strengthening the brand, drawing customers into a closer relationship and making it a powerful tool for sustaining company competitiveness, via a differentiation strategy.
Can Mobile Internet Help Alleviate Social Exclusion in Developing Countries?
Authors: Chigona Wallace , Beukes Darry , Vally Junaid , Tanner Maureen
Published: December 2017

Research has shown that traditional Internet has not been successful in alleviating social exclusion in developing country. Since a significant number of the population in developing countries use mobile phones, others have suggested that mobile internet may be the solution to the problem. However, to date there has not been empirical studies in developing countries to explore that possibility. This study aims therefore to explore whether the mobile internet may be a viable option for addressing social exclusion in a developing country context. Data for the study was gathered using semi‐structured interviews with socially excluded individuals and the data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study show that usage of mobile internet amongst the socially excluded is low mainly because internet‐capable cell phones are still beyond the reach of the socially excluded and because of limited awareness of what mobile internet is and what it can achieve. The study also shows that while mobile internet has significant impact in addressing exclusion from social participation, its impact on economic as well political dimensions of exclusions is still limited.
The Adoption and Use of Personal Internet Banking Services in Thailand
Authors: Prompattanapakdee Surapong
Published: December 2017

Based on existing theory and previous studies a theoretical model of the important variables that affect the adoption and use of personal Internet Banking services is developed. Using data collected by questionnaire from 618 respondents the theoretical model is analyzed and simplified using structural equation modeling techniques. The findings represented in the final model are: interpreted; compared to the findings from previous studies; and used to draw conclusions which are of practical use for those involved in the development and use of personal Internet Banking.
Whose ICT Investment Matters to Economic Growth: Private or Public? The Malaysian Perspective
Authors: Kuppusamy Mudiarasan , Raman Murali , Lee Geoffrey
Published: December 2017

Theoretical and empirical research on the economic benefits of ICT is represented in academic and policy‐related publications worldwide. Most of these studies assess the impact of ICT in countries as a cohort and most conclude that ICT is indeed a key driver for economic growth. Nevertheless, we are of the opinion that there is room for more research on this issue, especially pertaining to developing countries such as Malaysia, in light of the extensive ICT‐based investments undertaken by the country in recent years. Consequently, we examined the effect of ICT investment carried out by both the private and public sector on Malaysia's economic growth over the period 1992 – 2006 using the ARDL econometrics approach. The empirical results suggest that ICT has had a significant impact on Malaysia's economic growth during this period of time, suggesting good payoffs from the investment. Specifically, ICT investments made by the private sector seem to have contributed significantly to the country's growth compared to investments made by the government. This implies that the private sector has adapted well to the various ICT‐based policies implemented in the country over the years. This also shows that Malaysia's economy is being driven by the private sector, especially by the manufacturing and wholesale industries. We are however of the opinion that in order to sustain economic growth leveraged against ICT, more concerted efforts need to be made in order to escalate ICT diffusion in the country. Such initiatives will ensure that the value potential of ICT investments in the economy is maximized, due to greater ICT‐enabled community that will translate to escalated economic growth.
A Perspective on the Critical Success Factors for Information Systems Deployment in Islamic Financial Institutions
Authors: Kuppusamy Mudiarasan , Raman Murali , Shanmugam Bala , Solucis Santhapparaj
Published: December 2017

Successful deployment of new information systems is vital for efficient business operations. Empirical and conceptual research papers have provided various success factors for IS implementation in various type of organizations. There is very limited focus on the success factors in the context of Islamic financial institutions, which is now regarded as one of key players of global financial landscape. Successful adoption to new IS applications and tools is paramount in creating and sustaining growth for financial institutions including Islamic financial institutions. This paper presents some of the critical success factors that need to be considered during or before implementing IS applications and tools in Islamic financial institutions.
Factors Affecting Adoption of e‐Government in Zambia
Authors: Bwalya Kelvin Joseph
Published: December 2017

Zambia has been implementing e‐government model of government for close to 3 years now. This is because e‐government has been identified and adopted as one of the most efficient vehicles for appropriate, transparent and inclusive / participatory decision making. Zambia has shown a higher propensity to indigenous knowledge systems which are full of inefficiencies, a lot of red tape in public service delivery, and prone to corrupt and inefficient practices. The adoption of e‐Governance promises a sharp paradigm shift where public institutions will be more responsive and transparent, promote efficient Public Private Partnerships (PPP), and empower citizens by making knowledge and other resources more directly accessible. This paper has examined two cases from Zambia where ICT has been utilized in support of e‐government initiatives. It has also assessed the challenges, opportunities, and issues together with e‐government adoption criteria regarding successful encapsulation of e‐government into the Zambian contextual environment. It has been found that lack of adequate ICT infrastructure and political will, provision of content in English other than local languages, lack of proper change management procedures, non‐contextualization of e‐government practices, etc., contribute much to the delay in appropriate e‐government adoption in Zambia. Out of these challenges identified, the paper proposes a conceptual model which offers balanced e‐government adoption criteria involving a combination of electronic and participatory services. The proposed conceptual model is a start‐point for a model which can later be replicated to include the whole lot of Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries given the similarity in the contextual environment.
Sustainable Development: The Role of GIS and Visualisation
Authors: Latu Savae
Published: December 2017

The physical environment in which we live and on which our continuing existence depends has limited capacity, therefore people should not consider it as a resource to be exploited for short‐term maximised profits. If we are to enjoy a safe and a successful life on the planet Earth then we must use the limited resources at our disposal wisely by being good stewards of our own environment. Our environment has been dominated by our actions and the need to better manage it has been debated widely and vigorously in recent years. In many developing countries, including the insular island nations of the Pacific, economic development and environmental conservation are often in conflict. Conservation is often viewed by economists and some politicians as a constraint to a nation's economic development aspirations. This paper argues that decision makers, especially in traditional societies ignore expert advice provided by Geographic or Spatial Information System (GIS, or SIS). The capability of GIS has been extended to include modelling and visualisation of terrain features in order that decision makers will be able not only to see the current state of the resources that they managed but also see the impacts of their decisions and the future state of those resources. The paper examines the impact of economic development activities on the coastal ecosystems in exemplar developing countries, in the Pacific, and proposes GIS‐Visualisation strategies for moving beyond subsistence and economic development aspirations to socially, economically and environmentally sustainable development activities.
Web‐Based GIS and the Future of Participatory GIS Applications within Local and Indigenous Communities
Authors: Kyem Peter A. K. , Saku James C.
Published: December 2017

As resource managers search for strategies to meet the challenges posed by intense competition for scarce local resources, the implementation of Community‐based GIS applications have become widespread. Besides mapping, the Participatory GIS (PGIS) projects create a peaceful medium for community groups and public officials to meet, exchange views and also learn to develop trust for each other. However, the PGIS projects face many problems including the lack of basic supporting infrastructure and services. The adoption of the Internet as a platform for PGIS applications therefore raises concerns about the future of PGIS projects. While the Internet may open the participatory process, it can also hinder participation among local groups. In an era when PGIS applications have become important in the management of local resources, there is an urgent need to examine implications of the On‐line PGIS project. Accordingly, in this paper, we assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of on‐line PGIS applications within local communities.
Appropriate ICT as a Tool to Increase Effectiveness in ICT4D: Theoretical considerations and illustrating cases
Authors: van Reijswoud Victor
Published: December 2017

The need to bridge the digital divide is no longer a point of discussion and therefore focus has shifted to the design and implementation of programs that have the potential to close the information and knowledge gap between the developing and developed nations. Unfortunately, the majority of these programs are small and mimic what has been successful in the developed world. It has become increasingly clear that these successes do not necessarily translate well in the context of developing nations. This paper develops the hypothesis that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects in developing countries will become successful only when they are adapted to local conditions. The general concept of Appropriate Technology (AT) will be explored for the field of ICT. AT has already been embraced by fields like architecture, building technology and agriculture, but has not yet been rooted in ICT.

The paper proposes a preliminary theory of Appropriate ICT along the lines of existing theories in AT and System development. The theory identifies Appropriate Technology principles at three levels: hardware, software and ICT change management. By means of real life mini cases in the ICT for Development context in Africa, the guiding principles for Appropriate ICT are illustrated. The paper will conclude with an agenda for further research in the three identified levels. The research agenda targets academia, governments, NGO's and industry.
Information Literacy in Kenya
Authors: Tilvawala Khushbu , Myers Michael D. , Andrade Antonio Díaz
Published: December 2017

There are a growing number of information and communications technologies (ICT) initiatives in developing countries. These initiatives are usually undertaken on the basis that they are important for social and economic development. However, one barrier to the efficient utilisation of ICT in developing countries is the relatively low level of information literacy. Without the ability to manipulate and use information effectively, investments in ICT‐for‐development projects may be unsuccessful. In this research project, three ICT initiatives in Kenya are analysed in the light of the dimensions of information literacy. Implications for other developing countries are discussed.
A Framework to e‐Transform sMEs in developing countries
Authors: Kapurubandara Mahesha
Published: December 2017

Research into e‐commerce and eTransformation indicates viable and practical solutions from e‐commerce for organizations to meet challenges of a predominantly changing economic environment. Much of this research relates to developed countries ready to pounce on new approaches. However, developing countries seem to fall far behind. The few available studies related to SMEs in developing countries reveal a delay or failure on the part of SMEs to adopt ICT and e‐commerce technologies. Various factors identified as causes for this reticence can be broadly classified as Internal Barriers and External Barriers. Exploring the identified barriers further, with an exploratory pilot study and interviews, this paper answers the question how barriers for adoption of e‐commence impact the SMEs at different stages of sophistication. The paper also presents a framework to determine the current stage of an SME on a roadmap, which tracks eTransformation, and assists in overcoming barriers for moving between stages. Proceeding further, it identifies barriers predominant at various levels for different SMEs on the roadmap. Accordingly, SMEs at discrete stages need to be supported differently to suit requirements pertaining to level of ICT Sophistication. The proposed framework is a pointer in this direction to assist SMEs, policy makers and other stakeholders in addressing issues impeding adoption of e‐commerce technologies in SMEs in developing countries.
Factors Influencing the Adoption and Usage of Online Services in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al‐Ghaith Waleed , Sanzogni Louis , Sandhu Kuldeep
Published: December 2017

Advances in electronic service technology have created great opportunities as well as threats to organizations in various business and services sectors. As such businesses, either willingly or reluctantly, are increasingly embracing the Internet as distribution channel in order to remain competitive or gain market share. With particular reference to e‐services, absence of accurate information on factors that have influenced users’ behaviour to adopt or use e‐services could mislead an organization into adopting unhelpful solutions as it strives to accelerate the implementation of e‐services. This study, based on the diffusion of innovations (DOI) theory leveraged into the online environment, investigates factors that influence adoption and usage of e‐service, especially, in Saudi Arabia. Factors were empirically tested against data collected from 651 participants using survey questionnaires. Perceived Complexity was found to be the most significantly related factor affecting e‐service adoption in Saudi Arabia, followed in turn by Privacy and Compatibility. Quality of the Internet and its relative advantage also had a notable affect on e‐service usage and adoption in Saudi Arabia.
Same but Different: Understanding Women's Experience of ICT in the UAE
Authors: Vodanovich Shahper , Urquhart Cathy , Shakir Maha
Published: December 2017

Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) have become a potent global force in transforming social, economic, and political life. Given the centrality and importance of ICTs, men and women need to have equal opportunities to access, use, and master them. In particular, it could be asked whether women in Islamic societies within the GCC region have equal access to these new technologies. What are some of the promising new social, economic and political opportunities for Islamic women in the ICT sector, or does ICT access and use by those women replicate patterns of segregation seen elsewhere in their societies? What are the barriers that women, especially those in the Islamic world, have to overcome to actively participate in the promise of these technologies? We use grounded theory as our preliminary research methodology to analyse interviews with women who work in the ICT sector in the UAE. We discuss five major themes from the research: Westernization, IT as Modernity, Education, Government Initiatives, and Gender Perspective, and introduce a preliminary framework of the area. We conclude by discussing some inherent contradictions of women's ICT use in a society that wishes to modernize, rather than Westernize, and how this is played out in our study.
Digital Library Adoption and the Technology Acceptance Model: A Cross‐Country Analysis
Authors: Miller Jade , Khera Otto
Published: December 2017

In this article, we examine, through the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), some of the features that inform user acceptance of a digital library system implementation at agricultural universities in two developing countries: Kenya and Peru. This is a study not only examining factors contributing to adoption of this offline digital library, but also a cross‐site comparison, meant to examine the functionality in the developing world of a theoretical model developed in and based on conditions in the developed world. As we unravel predictors of technological acceptance of a digital library implementation in the developing world, we simultaneously investigate a broader question: not just questions regarding improved researchinthe developing world, butonit as well.

We analyze data from both sites on overall measures of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness (two constructs of the TAM), and on individual measures making up the overall measures. We found the TAM to work well in describing factors that affect usage of digital libraries in developing countries, with perceived usefulness as the main predictor of intent to use this system (The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library, or TEEAL), and with relevance as the major constituent driver of perceived usefulness. Overall, we also found particular predictors of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use that are consistent across cultures (relevance, trust, and ease of access), while other constructs (social norm, domain knowledge, visibility, and self‐efficacy) demonstrated predictive power in only one setting. While post‐hoc analyses gave several clues as to drivers of these differences, this study cannot definitively address what causes differences in predictive power between sites. What is clear, however, is that application of the TAM to IT implementation in developing countries must be guided more by the specificities of local circumstances than by the performance of the TAM in highly‐developed countries.
Organisational Issues with Electronic Government Procurement: A Case Study of the UAE
Authors: Al‐Moalla Abdulrahman , Li Dong
Published: December 2017

The success of electronic procurement (e‐procurement) in the private sector has been a driving force for governments to seek cost reductions and administration efficiencies by adopting this method on a wide scale. However, the enthusiastic reaction to e‐procurement in richer developing countries, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has never been measured by critical evaluation, and this paper makes a first attempt in this respect. In doing so, it evaluates and investigates the case of the UAE e‐government procurement in relation to organisational issues. This examination is then followed by an exploration of best practice in this field.
ICTs, Citizens, and the State: Moral Philosophy and Development Practices
Authors: Unwin Tim
Published: December 2017

This paper examines the moral implications of the use of ICTs in e‐government initiatives, focusing especially on national databases, identity cards, and surveillance technologies. It suggests that in resolving debates over these, we need to reach ethical resolutions concerning notions of trust, privacy, and the law. It also draws attention to the ethical problems that emerge in linking the notion of Universal Human Rights with the introduction of ICTs in developing countries.
Probing Factors Affecting Knowledge Sharing Behavior of Pakistani Bloggers
Authors: Ellahi Abida Abi. , Mushtaq Rabia
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study is to identify those factors that affect the knowledge sharing behavior of individuals in the context of blogs of Pakistan. A research model has been developed, which consists of six construct derived from three well known theories namely Innovation Diffusion Theory, Social Capital theory and Theory of Reasoned Action. This theoretical model was tested empirically by conducting web based survey. Questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection from 120 bloggers. Partial Least Square technique was employed to test the model. Four out of five hypotheses were confirmed. This study confirmed that relative advantage, attitude and social interaction ties have significant influence on intention to share knowledge and intention to share knowledge is a predictor of actual knowledge behavior. This study has several implications for professional and academic institutions.
ICT‐Driven Public Service Transformation of Social Security Systems in a Developing Country: The Brazilian Case
Authors: Cavalheiro Gabriel , Joia Luiz Antonio , Welke Richard , Dahanayake Ajantha
Published: December 2017

This article reports on large‐scale service transformation in the social security system in a developing country accruing from the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in recent years. In the context of the Brazilian case, it offers insights into how a developing country is extensively employing ICT to meet its socio‐economic needs and circumstances. Here, it is provided an historical overview of experiences relative to re‐engineering of processes and the expansion of Internet and multi‐channel social security services. This paper examines ICT solutions from a functional perspective and it contributes to improve understanding of operational challenges faced by social security system in a developing country.
Mobile Banking Adoption in Nigeria
Authors: Bankole Felix O. , Bankole Omolola O. , Brown Irwin
Published: December 2017

Several studies have affirmed that the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is culturally inclined. Mobile banking is an ICT application considered to be of vital use among people in various countries who are likely to have dissimilar cultural backgrounds. Research into the use and adoption of mobile banking has shown varied findings in different countries across the globe. This can be attributed to the diversity of the cultural landscape in different countries. The development of mobile banking in a country is likely to be determined by some characteristic factors which are unique to that country. This study conducted a cross‐sectional survey through a judgmental sampling procedure. The respondents were mobile banking customers that consisted of students, and workers from diverse fields of employment. A total of 231 questionnaires as well as interviews were collected from the sampled population of mobile banking customers. The data were analysed through statistics and qualitative techniques. This article explores the factors that influence adoption of mobile banking in Nigeria. The results show that culture is the most important factor influencing the adoption behaviour of users of mobile banking in Nigeria.
An Exploratory Model for the Relevant Factors Related to the Professional Performance of the Brazilian CIO
Authors: Vreuls Etienne Hubert , Joia Luiz Antonio
Published: December 2017

The aim of this paper is to develop an exploratory model for the relevant factors related to the professional performance of the Brazilian CIO (Chief Information Officer). For this purpose, exploratory research was carried out using a quantitative approach. Six theoretical frameworks found in the academic literature on this issue were taken into account, which led to the development of indicators associated with the CIO's professional performance. A questionnaire was then applied via a web survey, from which answers from 111 Brazilian CIOs were collected. Thereafter, exploratory factor analysis was conducted in order to obtain a consolidated model. From this analysis, seven factors were considered relevant to the professional performance of the Brazilian CIO, namely knowledge of the business; systemic view of the organization; ability to influence the organization; technical expertise; external networking; management of information technology (IT) operation; and capacity to innovate using new information technologies. The conclusion reached is that the Brazilian CIO's skills do not differ very much from those found in CIOs in developed countries. However, some exceptions are analyzed. Lastly, the managerial and academic implications accrued from this work are set forth and the research limitations are identified, as well as further steps to be taken regarding this research stream.