bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mobile Based Information Communication Interactions among Major Agriculture Stakeholders: Sri Lankan Experience
Authors: Dissanayeke Uvasara , Wanigasundera W.A.D.P. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study explores the status of mobile usage among the agriculture community in the North‐Central province of Sri Lanka in relation to interactions with major agriculture stakeholders. The objectives of the study were to study the factors affecting the mobile use by farmers, farmers' willingness to receive agricultural information through mobile communication technology, and awareness on mobile based agriculture information systems. Primary data were collected at two stages using two structured interview schedules (N=390, n=65). According to the findings the access to mobile phone was considerable higher among the study group while age and education had an effect on using a mobile phone. Only a few farmers have yet started using them efficiently for agriculture and other commercial purposes. A considerable number of farmers used the mobile phones to contact input suppliers, buyers, agriculture extension officers and other farmers in the area, mostly those who represent community based organizations.
Critical Themes of Process Assessment in Rural ICT4D Projects: An Analysis of Assessment Approaches
Authors: Osah Joshua Umeoniso , Pade‐Khene Caroline , Foster Greg 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInformation and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are often perceived as adequate support tools for development activities. However, their successful employment as development enablers requires strategic implementation. Hence, effectively assessing ICT4D initiatives is imperative. This paper elaborates on a Rural ICT4D Project Process Assessment Framework (RICTP‐PAF) that seeks to address an often overlooked but relevant evaluation aspect of ICT4D projects. It proposes that the implementation phase of such projects demand rigorous assessments, as implementation is the link between project ambitions and impacts. It is argued that knowledge of critical themes of process assessment in rural ICT4D projects may present an appropriate way of conducting such assessments. Hence, the paper describes a systematic approach employed to identify generic critical themes of process assessment in rural ICT4D projects, and how they may be appropriately assessed. This approach culminates in the development of the RICTP‐PAF.
FrontlineSMS as an Early Warning Network for Human‐Wildlife Mitigation: Lessons Learned from Tests Conducted in Mozambique and Zimbabwe
Authors: Bel Sébastien Le , Chavernac David , Mapuvire George , Cornu Guillaume 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHuman‐wildlife conflicts (HWCs) have drastically increased around conservation areas in Africa in recent decades, thus undermining the peaceful cohabitation of wildlife populations and rural human settlements. Mitigation packages include HWC reporting, which is often ineffective since the information conveyed is generally scattered and useless. The booming mobile phone sector and the popular use of text messages (SMS) have provided an opportunity to assess the impact of real‐time communication systems in HWC mitigation strategies. This paper presents the results of preliminary tests conducted in Mozambique and Zimbabwe with FrontlineSMS, a mobile data collection system. With sets of 52 wildlife playing cards, any wildlife events from patrol reports to HWCs were easily translated into explanatory variables listed on forms. Sending written information as text messages was hampered by IT problems linked with the use of commercial 3G USB modems. The overall system could be improved by using GPRD modems allowing a higher SMS flow and, at the informant level, by introducing ad‐hoc SMS models to facilitate data capture on mobile phones. Once adopted, HWC early warning systems could be deployed at low cost.
Exploring Information Ethics for Inclusive Open Development
Authors: Bentley Caitlin M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOpen development refers to the ways in which new Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) transform modes of participation and production, human development processes and access to knowledge resources. Open development, however, is not well‐defined and immanent developments have only recently begun to be categorised (Reilly and Smith, 2014). This means that there has been little exploration of open development in terms of its potential to influence intentional and existing development aid practices. This paper therefore intends to offer insight into how open development practices within relationships between donors and civil society organisations could be guided by an underlying information ethics. By considering the totality of relationships in an information environment, or the infosphere, open development may be more likely to ensure effective and inclusive human development outcomes.
Intervention Breakdowns as Occasions for Articulating Mobile Health Information Infrastructures
Authors: Matavire Rangarirai , Manda Tiwonge Davis 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study investigates a mobile health project launched in Malawi and considers its sustainability in light of activities that occur in the pilot stage. It has been said that most projects of this nature fail during piloting hence it is pertinent to review the activities in this early stage. The study follows a grounded theory inspired research approach and is focused on the day to day breakdowns that occur in the pilot, what they reveal, and how the resolutions relate to the project's goals. It is found that when breakdowns occur, an articulation process to sustain the intervention becomes visible. Breakdowns can reveal tensions in the technical design and organisational context thereby offering opportunities for action in order that an intervention is sustained. The ensuing activity, for analytical purposes, is termed articulation work, and its variety and limitations are explained. In this study we discover two categories of articulation work, technological and human. Further to this, we argue that these two categories of articulation work can be further analysed into different dimensions, based on the levels of organizational involvement required to resolve them: (i) localised; (ii) multiple levels within a single organization; (iii) and multiple levels inter‐organizational.
Antecedents and Dynamics for Strategic Alignment of Health Information Systems in Uganda
Authors: Odit Mary Celestine Adie , Rwashana Agnes Semwanga , Kituyi Geoffrey Mayoka 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHealth Information Systems (HIS) in Uganda always fail to achieve the organizational objectives and yet little research has been conducted to study the strategic alignment of HIS in the country. This study therefore set out to examine the antecedents and dynamics that influence strategic alignment of HIS in Uganda with the aim of adequately addressing the complex IS design issues. A total of 296 respondents were purposively selected from 39 health facilities across the country to participate in the survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.Findings from the study revealed that HIS are used to locate substitute sources for medical commodities, reduce costs of handling orders as well as minimize uncertainty in ordering lead time. In addition, HIS provide information to clients, add value to existing health services and are used to target health service needs with accuracy as well as identify groups of clients whose needs are not being met. HIS are used to minimize the cost of designing services, adding features to existing services and population grouping services at the health unit level. In the area of internal health facility efficiency, HIS help in ensuring efficiency and enable informed decision making, provide efficiency in internal meetings and discussions, co‐ordination among facility departments, and provide good evaluation on annual budget. Further, HIS are used by health workers to provide evaluation on capital, maximize organizational performance, population coverage and strategic planning efficiency.Despite the above, the study revealed that health units do not have standards, frameworks and policies for the strategic alignment of HIS and the funding to support them. For better alignment of HIS, there should be proper planning and training of health workers on the importance of strategic alignment of HIS. Further, health facilities should be encouraged to adopt electronic information systems to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. There should also be policies, frameworks and or standards for guiding strategic alignment of Health Information Systems in health facilities.
Bandwidth Management in the Era of Bring Your Own Device
Authors: Chitanana Lockias , Govender Desmond W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis research was undertaken to investigate the issue of how universities are managing utilisation of bandwidth in the face of increased Internet traffic in the era of ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) and increased digital content. In particular, the research sought to find out about what universities in Zimbabwe were doing to ensure efficient utilisation of the limited bandwidth that is experience by most developing countries. A survey was carried out in a sample of five universities to catalogue their experiences. Results showed that most universities in the sample did not have an official Internet Access Policy to assist with bandwidth management. Technical solutions to successful provision of managed network bandwidth within a university involve the application of many network hardware tools, encompassing a number of different techniques, which are often expensive and out of reach of universities. Fortunately a cost‐effective solution exists for all universities, which can be deployed regardless of the campus’ existing network configuration or installed devices. The authors recommend that using quality of service and bandwidth management policies will enable network administrators to control network traffic flow so that appropriate users and applications get priority during the allocation of network resources. Also, universities must contain in their information technology policies a meaningful Internet Access Policy, which will help universities to develop and refine bandwidth access and usage and allow easy access to network resources.
ICT for the Development of Labour Productivity in Cameroon
Authors: Faha Christophe Péguy Choub , Vaumi Achille Tefong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper uses a new survey data set on manufacturing firms in Cameroon to estimate a Cobb‐Douglas production function. Based on a categorization of firms by ownership structure and firms aiming at analysing the constraints surrounding the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a tool to improving productivity of Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises (SME) in Cameroon, we have evaluated empirically whether to what extent those technologies have contributed to the growth of labour productivity within the firms. Using the Instrumental Variables method, to account for the endogeneity problem with cross sectional data, we found a positive and significant impact of ICT‐capital on labour productivity in Cameroonian's firms.
New Technologies for Disseminating and Communicating Agriculture Knowledge and Information: Challenges for Agricultural Research Institutes in Tanzania
Authors: Barakabitze Alcardo A. , Kitindi Edvin J. , Sanga Camilius , Shabani Ayubu , Philipo Joseph , Kibirige George 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper explores how a wide range of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) available in Agricultural Research Institutes (ARIs) if used effectively by agriculture researchers can improve agriculture productivity in Tanzania. A structured questionnaire and telephonic interviews were used to collect data from a randomly selected sample of 64 respondents made up of agricultural researchers, agriculture managers and other agricultural stakeholders in the selected institutes. Data were analyzed using statistical tools. The results indicate that ICTs tools are available in ARIs for the day to day research activities. However, utilization of agriculture journals is very limited due to unreliability and poor connectivity of the Internet and frequent power cuts. Results also show that the uses of specialized ICT devices have not taken a great recognition in agriculture activities which is attributed by low investment of ICTs that can be used for teaching and learning modern agriculture productivity techniques in institutes under this study. Among the challenges hindering the use of ICTs in ARIs includes: inadequate computers and the supporting technological infrastructure, lack of electricity needed to operate computers, unreliable Internet connectivity and lack of systematic ICTs investment; low coordination of agriculture stakeholders due to institutional diversity and department fragmentation. This study recommends that the Government of Tanzania (GoT) should formulate and implement ICT for Agriculture (ICT4A) projects based on a researched conceptual framework related to ICT4A use and Information and Communication Management (ICM) in ARIs in Tanzania.
Informing and Interacting with Citizens: A Strategic Communication Review of the Websites of the ECOWAS Parliaments
Authors: Hamajoda Aminu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis is an evaluation of ECOWAS members’ websites based on a modified version of the guidelines recommended by Inter‐Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 2009. The appraisal under several headings, are suggested to help parliaments plan and oversee their websites in a modern age where the internet provide a continuously significant platform for interacting and communicating with the general public. The study finds out that while most Member States websites score well on general information about their parliaments, they lacked progress in making their websites a one‐stop point for political information about their countries, and a fulcrum for interaction between legislators and citizens and a real time deliberation on burning national and regional issues despite the current availability of suitable interactive tools on the internet.
The Adoption of e‐Commerce in the Lesotho Tourism Industry
Authors: Mapeshoane Tsebetso J. , Pather Shaun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOver the years, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been revolutionising global markets. In developed nations, for example, there has been a push for developing countries to adopt ICT as leverage towards improving their economic development. However, in the current era, ICT adoption has not been as widespread as anticipated in some parts of the world, with its use in developing countries especially, lagging behind. This is particularly so amongst the small, medium, micro‐enterprise (SMME) sector, important drivers of the economy in the developing world. SMMEs in developing countries have been hindered in the uptake of ICTs, largely due to underlying issues such as the high cost of ICT, inadequate and unreliable infrastructure, as well as lack of policy necessary to promote competition and growth within the ICT sectors.Amongst varying applications of ICTs, e‐commerce is one area in particular which SMMEs have been relatively reluctant to adopt. Presently, many African countries have already taken firm steps to address infrastructure and ICT access issues. However, improved access on its own will not result in economic growth. It is important, therefore, to also understand aspects of ICT adoption in developing countries. The purpose of this research was to investigate the factors affecting e‐commerce adoption in a typical developing country. Lesotho presented itself as an ideal case to investigate e‐commerce adoption amongst SMMEs, specifically within the Lesotho tourism industry. This study, then, provides a detailed explanation of the factors influencing e‐commerce uptake in the Lesotho tourism sector. In the extant literature, several studies and a number of generic models and frameworks on technology adoption offer a generalised understanding of technology adoption. None of these, however, provide a contextualised perspective prevalent to businesses in the typical developing country environment. Evidence for the study was collected using interviews with businesses. Data collected via interviews was used to examine the actual adoption issues amongst tourism SMMEs in Lesotho. In addition, where applicable, each organisation's online activities or websites was assessed. The study was premised on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model as its framework. The findings revealed that dimensions of the UTAUT model provided a sensible explanation regarding behavioural intention to adopt and use e‐commerce amongst tourism SMMEs within the Lesotho tourism sector. In addition, a new dimension in respect of adoption was identified, viz. national culture. In this regard, masculinity, type of business ownership, and orientation to online purchasing were found to be mitigating factors against e‐commerce adoption amongst SMMEs in the Lesotho tourism industry. Finally, an adapted UTAUT model is proposed for further study of e‐commerce adoption in a developing country context.
Using ICT in Controlling Staff and Payroll in the Cameroonian Public Service: Lessons learned and Perspectives
Authors: Etoundi Roger Atsa , Tobie Armand Manga , Onana Bertrand S. Mvoa 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDeveloping countries in Africa are facing a great challenge related to the control of state employees. Their fragile economies do not always allow them to effectively meet the financial needs associated with the payment of salaries. A number of actions were taken in each of these countries to limit such expenses. These actions range from suspending recruitment into the public service, reducing the number of state employees and reducing salaries. Despite all these measures, these states are not always able to master their employees and the associated payroll. Actions relating to the computerization of human resource management systems within the public service have been undertaken in almost all these countries to overcome this difficulty. But at the end of the process, no tangible results have been achieved. Cameroon is one of those countries that is permanently making efforts to resolve this problem that is negatively impacting its development. To achieve this, the country is making a fourth attempt to tackle this issue by relying on information and communication technology. The aim of this paper is to understand why the actions undertaken so far have not provided a satisfactory solution. In this regard, an analysis is carried out in order to point out the reasons of these failures. A case study approach the methodology is used and the behavior human resources involved in these IT projects is analyzed. This analysis leads to the identification of the major causes that hinder the successful implementation of these ICT initiatives and also highlights some negative impacts in the use of ICT. Based on these limits, some recommendations are made to avoid failures in ICT initiative related to the mastering of state employees and the associated payroll.
A Causal Relationship Model of the Influence of Information Technology Governance Processes on the Benefits Received by Thai Public Companies
Authors: Sunthonwutinun Wilai , Chooprayoon Vasin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study applies the COBIT5 framework and the balanced scorecard approach to information technology governance (ITG) in public companies in Thailand. The objectives of the study are to develop and verify a causal relationship model of the influence of ITG processes on the benefits received by companies. The model is composed of four latent variables: learning and growth, internal processes, customers, and finances. A questionnaire was used to gather data from a sample of 497 chief ITG officers and auditors working in companies registered on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Structural equation modeling was used to construct the model. The results showed that the model was consistent with the empirical data, with a chi‐square value of 190.85, a degree of freedom of 166, and a p‐value of 0.91. This pointed out that hypotheses of the model could be explained a structure model of ITG, which influence wealth of the companies up to 80 percent (R2 = 80). It is reasonable to imply that ITG influences the benefits obtained by Thai public companies in terms of high capacity of employees, good internal processes, customer satisfaction, loyalty, and stable finances.
Influence of Facebook Commercial Communications on Generation Z's Attitudes in South Africa
Authors: Duffett Rodney G 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe tremendous proliferation of social media (such as Facebook) has provided digital information and communications technology (ICT) platforms that enable Generation Z to instantaneously and uninterruptedly interactive one another and the rest of the globe. The primary aim of this research is to investigate the influence of Facebook commercial communications (FCC) on the hierarchy‐of‐effects model attitude stages amongst Generation Z, and to establish whether several usage (access, usage length, log‐on rate, log‐on duration and profile update incidence) and demographic (gender, age and population group) factors had an effect on the attitudinal responses. A survey was used to sample over 6 200 teenagers through structured self‐administered questionnaires in South Africa (SA). A generalised linear model was utilised for the data analysis. This paper determined that FCC had a positive effect on cognitive, affective and behavioural attitudes amid South African adolescents, which is in correlation with the communications effects pyramid model. This study also makes a notable contribution to attitudinal discourse in emerging nations, where there is a paucity of research on FCC. South African organisations should consider implementing and/or adapting their FCC strategies based on the varying impact of usage and demographic factors, which were disclosed in this study, when targeting the increasingly profitable and technologically savvy, but unpredictable Generation Z.