bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internet‐Based Reverse Auctions by the Brazilian Government
Authors: Joia Luiz Antonio , Zamot Fuad 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe scope of this paper is to discuss the use of Internet Technology in the process of procurement currently employed by the Brazilian Federal Government. The focus of this analysis is on the Internet‐Based Reverse Auction system employed by the Federal Administration to purchase goods and services from the standpoint of efficiency, efficacy and accountability. An explanatory single case study methodology addressing web‐based purchase of pharmaceutical products by the Ministry of Social Security is used to answer the research questions raised in this paper. Technical, human and structural obstacles, as well as legal constraints that must be overcome, are also addressed. Conclusions detailing some findings and the advantages and disadvantages of this new modus operandi are also presented in this work.
Technology Leapfrogging in Thailand: Issues for the Support of eCommerce Infrastructure
Authors: Gray Heather , Sanzogni Louis 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe look at the difficulties and benefits of the implementation of newest technology in Thailand by the method of leapfrogging. In the investigation we find that a variety of issues influence the uptake of a new technology; namely the extent of the cultural shift, Government support and initiatives and the take up of these initiatives by the education and private sector in terms of R&D and training. We also examine and define areas fundamental to the preparedness of a nation for the introduction of electronic commerce; that is, telecommunications, Internet penetration & development, and technology Parks. We conclude with a recommendation to initiate a study of Information Technology education take‐up in universities to support technology leapfrogging initiatives implemented by the Thai Government, identifying a number of questions that need to be addressed. Further, a strategy to encourage small communities and businesses through community education programs is suggested, including a pilot project recommendation to test the successful implementation of this strategy in a community in Chiang Mai Thailand, that would also document the issues identified, including Government and cultural impacts, in order to establish a model that could be replicated and implemented in communities at large throughout developing countries.
Negotiating Multiple Rationalities in the Process of Integrating the Information Systems of Disease‐Specific Health Programmes
Authors: Chilundo Baltazar , Aanestad Margunn 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe topic of this paper is the integration of different information systems, and in our case study we analyse information systems in the Mozambican health care sector. The context is a health care sector reform that involves the integration of separate, stand‐alone, or so‐called vertical health programmes. These programmes are usually disease‐specific, i.e. targeted towards malaria, HIV/AIDS, or other major diseases. The reporting and monitoring systems for the activities within these programmes are organised differently, in terms of which data elements are collected, to whom and how frequently they are reported etc., but in general they are all paper‐based, at least at the peripheral level. The multitude of different systems places an unnecessary high workload on the health care personnel who do the initial data collection. However, the practical challenges related to the integration of the diverse information systems have not yet been the focus for the decision makers. Our aim with this paper is to describe some of the differences between the systems. Our claim is that these differences are not arbitrary. On the contrary, they may be significant indicators of different realities and different interests. Integration of these systems will thus not be a purely technical or practical issue, but will entail a political negotiation of interests. We employ the notions of multiple rationalities as a theoretical tool to discuss this issue. In particular we find tensions between rationalities ‘on the ground’, i.e. in the health care facilities, and ‘on the top’, among the policy makers, the government and the donor organisations.
ICT, Power, and Developmental Discourse: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Thompson Mark P.A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper uses critical discourse analysis to demonstrate how information and communications technology (ICT) has become deeply involved in the conception and practice of socio‐economic development within so‐called less‐developed countries (LDCs). A recent speech on ICT by the president of the World Bank Group is examined, which shows the role of the discourse surrounding such technologies in replicating and extending a markedly North American worldview into the developmental sphere. The ability of critical discourse analysis to expose the involvement of ICT in normalising a dominant set of political and economic assumptions confirms its usefulness as a tool within which to approach the critical study of information systems.
“Thinking Local, Acting Global”: Issues of Identity and Related Tensions in Global Software Organizations in India
Authors: D’Mello Marisa 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis article highlights the view that in contemporary society issues related to self and identity are inseparable from the multiple interconnected levels that link the individual with institutions impacted by globalization. Global software organizations (GSOs) are one of the institutions impacted by volatile changes in the global market. IT professionals employed in these institutions and engaged in knowledge‐intensive work are exhorted to ‘think global – act local’. However, the lived local experience of employees is often the reverse. Drawing on an interpretative analysis of empirical data from a case study of a GSO in India, this article uses two tensions to illustrate the dynamics of the global‐local interplay. These are family orientation versus individualism and standardization versus customization. Using the analytic lens of reflexivity, macro‐level dynamics of globalizing influences emerge as linked to micro‐level dynamics of personal dispositions. Thus, in response to market fluctuations, IT workers and GSOs construct and mobilize identity‐related elements in a conscious, capable, and reflexive manner. It is suggested that local particularities and identity‐related constructions cannot be seen as excluded from organizational or global identities, as they both mutually influence each other.
Is There A Relationship Between ICT, Health, Education And Development? An Empirical Analysis of five West African Countries from 1997–2003
Authors: Ngwenyama Ojelanki , Andoh‐Baidoo Francis K. , Bollou Felix , Morawczynski Olga 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFor more than a decade, key international organizations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, the UN and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) have argued that investment in information communication and telecommunication (ICT) infrastructure is a prerequisite for the development of poor countries. However, dissenting voices of the international development community argue that African governments should focus their attention on building schools, delivering basic health care, electricity and clean water rather than on the building of costly ICT infrastructure with their limited financial resources. In this paper, we present an analysis of the relationships among investments in ICT, Health Care and Education and the human development index on five West African nations. We use a Stepwise regression analysis to help unravel the complex relationships among these variables. Our results provide evidence that complementary investments in ICT, health and education can significantly increase development. Given that developing nations are making considerable investments in healthcare, education and ICT and that there are concerns over the type of investments they should make, our findings are a significant contribution to the literature.
Acceptance and Continuance Intention of Web‐based Learning Technologies (WLT) Use among University Students in a Baltic Country
Authors: Ifinedo Princely 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper presents the acceptance and “continuance intention” of use for Web‐based learning tools among University students in a Baltic country, namely Estonia. In this paper, we used the technology acceptance model (TAM), which was extended to include two external constructs: the technology and user characteristics. These two constructs were modeled to influence the perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness constructs in the TAM. Further, another construct – continuance intention – in the information systems (IS) post‐adoption literature was linked to the TAM. We used a sample of 72 students from four local higher educational institutions that have experience with a specific Web‐based learning tool; i.e. WebCT. Our results indicate that both the characteristics of the technology and user affect perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. In addition, perceived ease of use significantly affects usage, whilst perceived usefulness did not show any meaningful influence. Our data, in the context of Web‐based learning technologies, also indicates that both usage and perceived usefulness influence continuance intention, whilst perceived ease of use does not. To conclude, the implications for both practice and theory are discussed.
Monitoring and Evaluating Land Use/ Land Cover Change Using Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) Tools: A Case Study of Begasheka Watershed, Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Aynekulu Ermias , Wubneh Welday , Birhane Emiru , Begashaw1 Nigussu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAgricultural land degradation in Ethiopia leads to an annual loss of roughly 2 million cubic meters of top soil. The relationship between this loss of soil quality and declining agricultural productivity is increasingly threatening rural livelihoods, putting pressure on urban centres as people migrate, as well as on very scarce forest resources on which the agricultural systems eventually depend Attempts to address land degradation have required the government of Ethiopia to fully understand the underlying social and ecological drivers of land degradation. In order to fully develop the knowledge portfolio required to design and implement land rehabilitation measures in remote areas experiencing degradation, an adaptable, robust and credible system of ethno‐ecological knowledge representation, analyses and communication is required. This is needed not only to bridge the technological gap between the rural and urban areas but to facilitate the representation and integration of both temporally and spatially explicit historical and ‘real time’ knowledge, held within rural environments. This paper describes the application of participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) tools and approaches in Tigray, Ethiopia. In this application to generate both current and retrospective information of land use processes, the use of PGIS focuses on methods of knowledge ‘capture’, representation and communication through the graphic representation of both past and present land uses using rudimentary tools. The information gathered in the process is then transferred into a Geographic Information System, for additional analyses, sharing with scientists and onwards transmission to decision makers and other users in a form which they respect, can understand and reproduce. The practice of PGIS in this setting in Ethiopia has encouraged broad‐based participation at community levels, improved within‐community communication and provided opportunities for greater social inclusion in development processes.
Transforming Recent Gains in the Digital Divide into Digital Opportunities: Africa and the Boom in Mobile Phone Subscription
Authors: Kyem Peter A. Kwaku , LeMaire Peter Kweku 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper discusses the mobile phone boom in Africa and examines the potential impacts of mobiles on the socio‐economic development process in African countries. Drawing on data from case studies, the paper explains that mobile phones may not just help create new jobs and new sources of revenue to the state but can also contribute to economic growth by widening markets, creating better information flow, lowering transaction costs, and becoming substitute for costly transportation that is lacking in rural Africa. On the social front, the paper contends that the mobile phone can help create unique personal identities and status symbols for some users. The technology also facilitates the democratic process as groups can use the enhanced communication tools for political and community action thereby reducing the reliance on conventional and often government controlled media. The paper discusses these and other ways by which mobile phones can influence conditions in Africa to induce changes that promote economic and social development. The paper concludes with suggestions that can strengthen ICT adoption in African countries.
Perceived Benefits and Management Commitment to E‐business Usage in selected Ghanaian Tourism Firms
Authors: Hinson Robert , Boateng Richard 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe set out in this article to generate a preliminary understanding of the benefits of e‐business to tourism firm players in Ghana. We also sought to ascertain the commitment of top management to e‐business development in Ghanaian tourist firms. We investigate our research issues by surveying 60 tourism firms. Of the 60 questionnaires we administered, 43 were deemed usable and we report our findings by means of descriptive statistics. We find that in conformance with the theory of planned behaviour, top management commitment, perceived strategic value of e‐business and organizational readiness are critical to e‐business adoption. In spite of the fact that e‐business holds the promise of delivering benefits to Ghana tourism firms, their understanding of e‐business/ICT still remains at an operational level. The value of this study lies in the fact that it is one of the few studies focussing on e‐business adoption in the West African tourism sector, in spite of the growing importance of this sector.
A Rural‐Urban Digital Divide?
Authors: Furuholt Bjørn , Kristiansen Stein 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe digital divide is the gap between those with regular, effective access to digital technologies, in particular the Internet, and those without. The global digital divide is a term often used to describe the gap between more and less economically developed nations, while at the national level, there is often an urban‐rural divide. In developing countries, most Internet users gain access through public access points like Internet cafés. In this article, we take a closer look at the digital divide within Tanzania. Based on a survey among Internet café users in rural, semi‐urban and central regions of the country, we find that the divide is mainly a question of finding venues with technology to access the Internet. The Internet users and usage at the different sites are surprisingly uniform, with, however, a few significant differences.
National Information Technology Policy in Thailand: A Comparison among Organizational Sectors
Authors: Winley Graham , Arjpru Chanissara , Wongwuttiwat Jittima 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study was motivated by the challenges confronting the developing Southeast Asian nation of Thailand in realizing national policy objectives aimed at creating a knowledge‐based society. The study determines and compares the development plans of 72 medium to large sized organizations representing 7 organizational sectors in terms of the relative and changing importance assigned to a range of technologies, professional activities, and IT knowledge/skills and assesses the alignment of these development plans with national policy objectives.
Decrypting E‐Governance: Narratives, Power play and Participation in the Gyandoot Intranet
Authors: Sreekumar T T 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe central themes addressed in this paper relate to the critique of the notion of e‐governance as an essentially administrative innovation facilitated by ICTs. It argues the need to recognize e‐governance as a social process involving not only attitudinal change and transformation of traditional forms of governmentality, but also as a contested arena of social forces shaping the trajectory of the evolution of this technocratic innovation.The paper is based on the experiences of the Gyandoot Intranet in Madhyapradesh, India. One of the critical issues that emerge in the context of exploring the interrelationship between technology and governance is the questioning of the assumption of the neutrality of technological processes enmeshed in the notion of e‐governance. Technical processes defining contours of e‐governance are embedded in the structures of power that reinforces the power relations that e‐governance is expected to eliminate. This is particularly obvious when scrutinizing the consequences of the introduction of ICT‐based administrative projects like Gyandoot in villages where the local managers play key roles in its implementation while benefitting from its public good.The study shows that the projects are often implemented with the active support and participation of village elites and their collaboration becomes a major aspect in the survival of the project. It discuses how the idea of ICT as an inherently liberating technology and e‐governance as a new way of transcending inept and inefficient bureaucratic systems which empowers ‘end‐users’ appears to be completely inaccurate in the rural setting. Moreover, despite the claims of active networking of people in Dhar made in behalf of Gyandoot, its ability to connect to multiple social and economic domains was found to be extremely limited and ostensibly mediated by the social power equations that enveloped its institutional setting.
Using the Technology Adoption Model to Analyze Internet Adoption and Use among Men and Women in Indonesia
Authors: Wahid Fathul 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis research (a) investigates differences in Internet adoption; (b) identifies factors affecting Internet adoption; and (c) examines differences of Internet usage pattern between men and women in Indonesia. Using data from 714 respondents/students with various backgrounds, the research unveils that in general, Internet adoption among women are lower than that among men. Using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research also finds that the Internet adoption among women is affected by perceived ease of use rather than perceived usefulness. On the other hand, the Internet adoption among men is affected by perceived usefulness rather than perceived ease of use. Men are found to have a more flexible Internet access venue when compared to women. The research also gives evidence that Internet usage pattern among men and women differs. Proportion of women who use the Internet for chatting and study‐related activities is significantly larger than that of men. Conversely, proportion of men who use the Internet for reading online news, testing and downloading software, shopping, entertainment, seeking job vacancy, and visiting pornographic sites are larger than women. High cost Internet access and low access speed of the Internet and a lack of English proficiency are identified to be most severe obstacles of the Internet adoption in Indonesia.
Opportunities and Challenges of the Knowledge Management Approach to E‐learning: A Case Study in Al‐Bayan Model School for Girls, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mohamed Abdulmajid H. , Abuzaid Rana Ahmed S. , Benladen Rafa Mohamed 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe digital divide between developed and developing countries is increasing rapidly. However, a number of developing countries are striving to narrow this gap by enriching their societies through the introduction of ICT based business activities. Knowledge management and E‐learning are examples of such ICT supported activities. Knowledge management applications are aimed to provide organizations with tools to manage their business knowledge, while the focus of e‐learning has always been on managing the delivery of academic knowledge. Efforts to integrate both areas of research are lacking. This paper presents a knowledge management approach for e‐learning applications. It highlights the joint characteristics of the two concepts and proposes a KM view of e‐learning. The aim is to streamline the transfer of educational content among the stakeholders of a typical e‐learning environment. The proposed approach has been implemented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is a developing country where many cultural issues have to be taken into consideration.
The Palestinian Hidden Transcript: Domination, Resistance and the Role of ICTs in Achieving Freedoms
Authors: Lunat Ziyaad 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPalestinian students live in a turbulent socio‐political environment, often subjected to violent repression. Our paper seeks to understand the dialectic relationship between domination and resistance in the redefinition and reinforcement of students’ use of ICTs to achieve desirable freedoms. We will adopt a freedom view of development and use structuration theory to analyse macro social structures and its relation with the knowledgeable and reflexive agent. Our research took place in two Al‐Quds University campuses located on opposite sides of the Israeli separation wall. We found that Al‐Quds university students use ICTs as part of collective resistance to Israeli military occupation, emphasizing agency's active role in monitoring wider social structures. Students use ICTs to ‘work around’ unplanned obstacles to their daily routines, sometimes in inadvertent ways and often for short‐term gains. Nevertheless, the effects of Israeli policies have shown signs of disintegrating Palestinian collectiveness, provoking uncoordinated efforts amongst students. The concept of freedom has become relative and conflicting on both sides of the wall, even though both campuses are within what once was the greater Jerusalem area. Students have consequently used ICTs in different ways to pursue what they interpret as freedoms. In addition, ICTs may be facilitating a Palestinian exodus abroad and enabling the dissemination of new ideas that create tensions with the existing value system.
Build it and They Will Come? – Inhibiting Factors for Reuse of Open Content in Developing Countries
Authors: Hatakka Mathias 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOpen content has the potential to change the playing field when it comes to every individual's right to education. Development of new course content is both expensive and time consuming and open content can help educational organizations to deal with these problems by offering free‐to‐use educational resources. Despite the benefits of open content the usage is very low in developing countries and understanding why content developers choose not to use open content is the first step towards finding a solution to the problem. Which inhibiting factors for reuse do content developers in developing countries experience with open content? To answer the question interviews, questionnaires and observations have been made with content developers from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and from UNESCO Open Training Platform. Findings show that many of the inhibiting factors with reuse of open content do not necessarily relate to the actual content. Educational rules and regulations, lack of infrastructure, teaching practices and traditions etc. are major obstacles that need to be overcome if the usage of open content should increase.