bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mobile phone Expansion and Opportunities for E‐Governance in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Kyem Peter A. Kwaku 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInformation and Communications Technology (ICT) has invaded every sphere of human life and it is changing not only how people interact but also how governments serve their constituents in a process generally termed as digital or e‐government. E‐government is especially relevant for sub‐Saharan African countries where public administration is characterized by limited capacity and lack of skilled personnel. Unfortunately, broadband and internet that drive most e‐government activities elsewhere are lacking in sub‐Saharan Africa but mobile phone subscription is massive and still growing. Given the widespread use of mobile phones in the region, one would expect that plans for sub‐Saharan African countries to engage their citizens would start with the massively subscribed mobile phone and steadily expand to include such less available technologies as the internet. Regrettably, the potentials of the mobile phone for digital government remain largely unexplored in the region. Accordingly, this paper investigates reasons behind the neglect of mobile phone aided e‐government programs in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Special Issue on ICT for Africa Development: An Introduction and Framework for Research
Authors: Etoundi Roger Atsa , Onana Serge Flavien Mani , Eteme Adolphe Ayissi , Ndjodo Marcel Laurent Fouda 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis write up presents works that are done in the field of ICT for the development of Africans. Based on the vast array of development challenges faced by the African continent, the paper presents research areas that have attracted African researchers but also defines open development issues that need to be addressed for the transformation of African societies. These open issues include law enforcement, development of IT infrastructures, the training of African youth in the use of ICT tools to tackle development problems, the adoption of ICT in African daily life and the development of ICT tools based on the African context. If these challenges are seriously taken into consideration by African researchers and policy makers, the development of the continent will be a matter of time associated to the achievement of the goals of launched activities. For this to become true there is a strong requirement that Africans defeat corruption. This editorial piece presents corruption as one of the most important impediment to the successful implementation of IT projects.
Development of the Digital Economy in Cameroon: Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Etoundi Roger Atsa , Onana Flavien Serge Mani , Olle Georges D. Olle , Eteme Adolphe Ayissi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSince 2015, the government of Cameroon has challenged stakeholders nationwide to move toward a network economy also known as the digital economy; aiming to foster the development of the country. This ambition of the government has been a source of many discourses with not always the same vision on what is supposed to be done in the implementation of this new economy. Different structures are mainly involved in this project following government organization, which recognizes certain attributions to each public or private institution. But they lack a clear vision of what are the prerequisites for such endeavor. Hence, without a clear roadmap, time and resources would be wasted, while other countries with clear roadmap and vision would make a difference and leapfrog in growth and development. This reality seen in many African developing countries in their conceptualization of digital economy has pushed us to ask the following questions: What is the digital economy? In what conditions can a developing country claim readiness for the digital economy? The purpose of this paper is to attempt to answer these questions in the context of the digital transformation of Cameroon. The study examines the readiness of Cameroon to develop its digital economy, by exploring some key factors such as the civil society, services and goods, the policies, regulations and underlying technological infrastructures that are known as salient metrics related to the development of this economy. Practically, the study investigates qualitatively how Cameroon integrates these metrics in her ongoing projects and initiatives taken since 2010–1015, to become emergent and digital by 2035. The study presents challenges and perspectives of the Cameroonian case and provides in the framework of a roadmap, necessary measures and actions that should be considered in order to guarantee a successful development of digital economy in the country and in similar economies. The contribution of this paper is the definition of a roadmap for the implementation of digital economy in Cameroon. This roadmap can then be used as a guideline in the implementation of the digital economy in developing countries, with mere consideration of their socio‐cultural context as there is no universal strategy for a digital transformation. The proposed guideline is based on policymakers as in these countries most innovations are government based.
An ICT Strategy for the Sustainable Development of the Tourism Sector in a Developing Country: A Case Study of Zimbabwe
Authors: Tsokota Theo , von Solms Rossouw , van Greunen Darelle 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis research has sought to propose a strategy for the sustainable use of ICT in the tourism sector in Zimbabwe. In order to achieve the above‐mentioned objective, this research, which is a comprehensive case study into the tourism sector of Zimbabwe, has deployed semi‐structured interviews, questionnaires, observations and netnograghy to collect the data. The case study was carried out, in accordance with the case study guidelines, as outlined by Yin, and guided by the interpretive paradigm. After a further analysis of the results, the results that pointed to the same aspect were grouped together; and various deductions were made, as a diagnosis of the identified problem. The identified problems were synthesised into seven diagnostics. A guiding policy was then identified for each of the diagnostics, leading to a set of coherent actions, derived from each of the identified guiding policies. The research also showed the implementation of the coherent set of actions that consist of three layers. These are: government, regulator and service providers. This research contributes to ICT4D literature; and it has provided an ICT strategy for sustainable development in the tourism sector for appropriate interventions from government and other role‐players in the tourism sector.
Using Learning Analytics to Predict Students’ Performance in Moodle Learning Management System: A Case of Mbeya University of Science and Technology
Authors: Mwalumbwe Imani , Mtebe Joel S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe past decade has seen the rapid adoption and use of various Learning Management Systems (LMS) in Africa, and Tanzania in particular. Institutions have been spending thousands of dollars to implement these systems in a bid to improve the quality of education as well as increasing students’ enrolments through distance and blended learning. However, the impact of these system on improving students’ performance has been a popular subject of research in recent years. Studies have been relying on data from users’ opinions and subjective interpretation through surveys to determine the effectiveness of LMS usage on students’ learning performance. The use of such data is normally subject to the possibility of distortion or low reliability. Therefore, this study designed and developed Learning Analytics tool and used the tool to determine the causation between LMS usage and students’ performance. Data from LMS log of two courses delivered at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) were extracted using developed Learning Analytics tool and subjected into linear regression analysis with students’ final results. The study found that discussion posts, peer interaction, and exercises were determined to be significant factors for students’ academic achievement in blended learning at MUST. Nonetheless, time spend in the LMS, number of downloads, and login frequency were found to have no significant impact on students’ learning performance. The implications of these results on improving students’ learning are discussed.
Using Livelihood Profiles for Assessing Context in ICT4D Resarch: A Case Study of Zimbabwe'sHighveld Prime Communal
Authors: Takavarasha Sam , Hapanyengwi Gilford , Kabanda Gabriel 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe importance of context specific ICT4D innovation has been highlighted in Information Systems research by the short‐comings of a‐contextual innovation. This has often been accepted without due understanding of how to develop context specific interventions. There is therefore a need for a framework that elucidates ICT4D contextualisation and guides the development of context specific interventions. This should be useful to practitioners that are constantly advised to develop context specific artefacts without any clarity of how to do so. Using evidence from Zimbabwe this paper proposes the use of livelihood profiles for identifying the livelihood issues that matter in a particular locality and Sen's Capability Approach for assessing the opportunity freedoms to exploit the local livelihoods. This is presented as a systematic way of establishing the context under which ICT4D interventions will be deployed. The study uses focus groups under an interpretivist paradigm to investigate contextual issues in Zimbabwe Highveld Prime Communal livelihood zone. The study found a politically polarised contextual setting characterised by poor agricultural finance, ineffective crop and livestock markets, unrewarding labour markets against a good agricultural climate that is affected by cyclical droughts. As a result the study posits that ICT4D innovations for the zone must be designed to operate under these realities and limitations.
An Exploratory Analysis of Employees and Customers’ Responses in Determining the Technological Innovativeness of Banks
Authors: Obeng Asare Y , Mkhize Peter L 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe banking sector globally is saddled with intensified competition. Coupled with global economic situation of little tolerance for inappropriate resources usage, financial institutions have to pursue different strategies to meet the challenges and opportunities of providing quality services to existing customers, attract new customers, improve the turnover of employee, and increase long‐term firm performance. Innovation and technology are considered fundamental elements of strategic management. Implementing strategies to achieve a better relationship between technological innovation and financial services are essential. In determining the level of banking technological innovation, the study analyses responses as perceived by customers and employees at branch level of universal banks in Ghana and examines how these perceptions influence their preferences and assessments. 88% of customers and 96% of employees indicated their banks are innovative. 92% of customers will recommend their banks to others, whiles 81% of employee indicated positive innovation impact on profitability. From a logistic regression model, eight (8) factors were found to be significant (p‐value <0.05), indicating that customers are more likely to rate banks as innovative for service offering consistency with the latest innovations, product or service quality, new or improved product or service, and products or services features. For bank employees, innovation effect on process, innovation effect on risk management, and innovation effect on employee productivity were identified as the main perceptions for rating their banks as innovative. Practical implications and limitations of the study are also presented.
User Acceptance of Mobile Payment: The Effects of User‐Centric Security, System Characteristics and Gender
Authors: Lwoga Edda Tandi , Lwoga Noel Biseko 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper investigates the effects of user‐centric, security, and system characteristics and the moderating effects of gender on behavioural intention to use mobile payments (m‐payment) services in Tanzania. The study extended the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to better explain and predict the users’ intentions to use m‐payment services. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 292 m‐payment users in Morogoro and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study used structural equation modeling and multi‐group analysis for data analysis. The study found that compatibility, social influence, and m‐payment knowledge determined perceived usefulness, while m‐payment knowledge, trust and compatibility predicted perceived ease of use of m‐payment services. Moreover, perceived ease of use determined perceived usefulness, and perceived usefulness and personal innovativeness in turn, had positive effects on the behavioural intention to use m‐payment. There were gender differences on the behavioural intention to use m‐payment. The effect of compatibility and personal innovativeness on perceived ease of use, and the influence of ease of use on behavioural intention were moderated by gender such that it is more significant for men more than women. The effects of social influence on perceived usefulness were stronger for female more than their male counterparts. The paper provides empirical findings for mobile service providers to improve their marketing plans, and development of new applications in the Tanzanian culture or other countries with similar conditions.
Exploring Issues in Agile Requirements Engineering in the South African Software Industry
Authors: Sebega Yanda , Mnkandla Ernest 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIssues of the agile requirements engineering (ARE) process are abundant and pervasive throughout software projects. The aim of this study was to determine common issues experienced in agile requirements engineering in the South African software industry and identify tools and frameworks to mitigate risks emanating from such problems. This includes finding out how much value software practitioners put in the agile principles of the Agile Manifesto. This study was essentially quantitative. Self‐administered questionnaires were used to collect required data which was then subjected to exploratory data analysis, a tool for statistical analysis. The results suggest that software practitioners have a strong penchant for principles of the Agile Manifesto. A detailed baseline of issues in agile requirements engineering was created along with a set of recommended tools and techniques used in the software industry. And developers are divergent on the idea of non‐functional requirements integration which is vital for software quality.
Identifying Essential Components of a Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem for the Namibian Context: Findings from a Delphi Study
Authors: Iyawa Gloria Ejehiohen , Herselman Marlien , Botha Adele 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe concept of digital health innovation ecosystems is an emerging body of literature which suggests that components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems are important in the administration and delivery of healthcare services. The current literature indicates which components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems constitute a digital health innovation ecosystem, but it is less clear as to which components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems are relevant to the development of such an ecosystem for the Namibian context. The purpose of this paper was to identify the components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems relevant to the development of a digital health innovation ecosystem for the Namibian context. Therefore, the Delphi method was adopted in which 22 knowledgeable professionals from within the Namibian context were purposively selected to take part. The findings revealed essential components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems which are considered relevant to the development of a digital health innovation ecosystem for the Namibian context. Additionally, there are differences noted between the components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems essential for the Namibian context and the components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems identified in literature. The essential components identified will inform decision makers in the Namibian healthcare sector on the implementation of a digital health innovation ecosystem for Namibia.
Systematic Mapping Study of Information Technology for Development in Agriculture (The Case of Developing Countries)
Authors: Zewge Amanuel , Dittrich Yvonne 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWith its rapid proliferation in the developing world, information and communication technology (ICT) has been accepted as an opportunity to assist disadvantaged people. Many projects have piloted ICT supporting rural communities in developing countries. Such rural communities are socially complex and infrastructurally weak environments that demand clear understanding of the social, economical, cultural and political preconditions when implementing ICT innovations. To provide a comprehensive overview of what kinds of ICT intervention and research contributions have been achieved, a systematic mapping study (SMS) was carried out. This work presents the state‐of‐the‐art based on related journal and conference papers published between 2006–2014. The review indicates that ICT supporting farmers has gained attention over the past few years with a growing number of contributions. However, the field is still in a consolidating phase. Theoretical concepts are sparse, so it is difficult to generalize and transfer the findings. Specifically, there is limited research in IT design and development process; user‐interface design for illiterate people; and user and community involvement in the design process.
Institutional Barriers to Digitalization of Government Budgeting in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Ghana
Authors: Effah John , Nuhu Hubeidatu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper aims to understand how and why institutional barriers constrain digitalization of government budgeting in a developing country context. E‐Government studies that specifically focus on public sector budgeting as a cross‐agency activity remain limited. While the dominant research focus has been on government interactions with citizens and businesses, budgeting as a significant cross‐agency process is yet to receive the necessary research attention. To address this gap, this study employed institutional theory as the analytical lens and qualitative, interpretive case study as the methodology to investigate a government budgeting digitalization project and related challenges in the developing country context of Ghana. The findings show that outdated laws and the culture of paper document flows were institutional barriers to the budgeting digitalization. Other barriers included non‐use of an integrated system implementation approach as well as inadequate and unreliable online access for all the participating units. The originality of the paper lies in its focus on government budgeting as a significant e‐government research phenomenon.
Poly(lactic acid) composites based on graphene oxide particles with antibacterial behavior enhanced by electrical stimulus and biocompatibility
Authors: Arriagada Paulo , Palza Humberto , Palma Patricia , Flores Marcos , Caviedes Pablo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPoly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester widely used in biomedical applications. Unfortunately, this biomaterial suffers from some shortcomings related with the absence of both bioactivity and antibacterial capacity. In this work, composites of PLA with either graphene oxide (GO) or thermally reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) were prepared by melt mixing to overcome these limitations. PLA composites with both GO and TrGO inhibited the attachment and proliferation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria depending on the kind and amount of filler. Noteworthy, it is shown that by applying an electrical stimulus to the percolated PLA/TrGO, the antibacterial behavior can be dramatically increased. MTT analysis showed that while all the PLA/GO composites were more cytocompatible to osteoblast‐like cells (SaOS‐2) than pure PLA, only low content of TrGO was able to increase this property. These tendencies were related with changes in the surface properties of the resulting polymer composites, such as polarity and roughness. In this way, the addition of GO and TrGO into a PLA matrix allows the development of multifunctional composites for potential applications in biomedicine. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1051–1060, 2018.
Variable transcriptional responsiveness of the P2X3 receptor gene during CFA‐induced inflammatory hyperalgesia
Authors: Nuñez‐Badinez Paulina , Sepúlveda Hugo , Diaz Emilio , Greffrath Wolfgang , Treede Rolf‐Detlef , Stehberg Jimmy , Montecino Martin , van Zundert Brigitte 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe purinergic receptor P2X3 (P2X3‐R) plays important roles in molecular pathways of pain, and reduction of its activity or expression effectively reduces chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain sensation. Inflammation, nerve injury, and cancer‐induced pain can increase P2X3‐R mRNA and/or protein levels in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). However, P2X3‐R expression is unaltered or even reduced in other pain studies. The reasons for these discrepancies are unknown and might depend on the applied traumatic intervention or on intrinsic factors such as age, gender, genetic background, and/or epigenetics. In this study, we sought to get insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for inflammatory hyperalgesia by determining P2X3‐R expression in DRG neurons of juvenile male rats that received a Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) bilateral paw injection. We demonstrate that all CFA‐treated rats showed inflammatory hyperalgesia, however, only a fraction (14‐20%) displayed increased P2X3‐R mRNA levels, reproducible across both sides. Immunostaining assays did not reveal significant increases in the percentage of P2X3‐positive neurons, indicating that increased P2X3‐R at DRG somas is not critical for inducing inflammatory hyperalgesia in CFA‐treated rats. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed a correlated (R2 = 0.671) enrichment of the transcription factor Runx1 and the epigenetic active mark histone H3 acetylation (H3Ac) at the P2X3‐R gene promoter in a fraction of the CFA‐treated rats. These results suggest that animal‐specific increases in P2X3‐R mRNA levels are likely associated with the genetic/epigenetic context of the P2X3‐R locus that controls P2X3‐R gene transcription by recruiting Runx1 and epigenetic co‐regulators that mediate histone acetylation.
On quasi‐orthogonal cocycles
Authors: Armario J. A. , Flannery D. L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe introduce the notion of quasi‐orthogonal cocycle. This is motivated in part by the maximal determinant problem for square ‐matrices of size congruent to 2 modulo 4. Quasi‐orthogonal cocycles are analogous to the orthogonal cocycles of algebraic design theory. Equivalences with new and known combinatorial objects afforded by this analogy, such as quasi‐Hadamard groups, relative quasi‐difference sets, and certain partially balanced incomplete block designs, are proved.
Cover Image, Volume 93, Issue 1
Authors: Zhai Lin‐Feng , Mao Hai‐Zhou , Sun Min 
Published: December 2017

The cover image, by Lin‐Feng Zhai et al., is based on the Research Article Fabrication of Ni‐Fe LDH/GF anode for enhanced Fe(III) regeneration in fuel cell‐assisted chelated‐iron dehydrosulfurization process, DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5323.
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