bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Al‐Shifa Healthcare Information System in Oman: A Debatable Implementation Success
Authors: Al‐Gharbi Khamis N. , Gattoufi Said M. , Al‐Badi Ali H. , Al‐Hashmi Ali A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper presents a case study of the project management of Al‐Shifa healthcare information system (HIS) in Oman. In addition to the reports about the project made available to the researchers, the focus group methodology was used for collecting the relevant information from the main project's stakeholders. The paper describes first the evolution of the implementation of an HIS tailored by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Oman to fit the needs of the healthcare units under its supervision. The case analysis that constitutes the second element in the paper is made based on the Project Management approach developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). As a matter of fact, the authors found that there was no formal project management approach adopted by the MOH for the development and implementation of the hereto‐mentioned HIS project. Moreover, the project has experienced a chronic creep in terms of features, cost and time‐schedule. The recommendations of the authors for the rescue of the project from its current dilemma, consist of technological, administrative and human resource development actions.
Using a Structured Approach to Evaluate ICT4D: Healthcare Delivery in Uganda
Authors: Kivunike Florence Nameere , Ekenberg Love , Danielson Mats , Tusubira F. F. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractUsing a case from the healthcare delivery sector, we demonstrate how a structured evaluation approach can facilitate the measurement of actual ICT contributions in various contexts. Typically, such are intricate due to the complexities inherent in the environments, making it difficult to evaluate the relationship between ICT and the benefits it intends to achieve to a reasonable degree. The approach suggested in this paper tries to partly remedy some of these complications, by facilitating qualitative data elicitations, aggregation, analysis and evaluation. To make this computationally meaningful, a decision support tool for handling numerically imprecise information is used for the data analysis and evaluation details. The results of this indicate that such an approach makes at least some meaningful input for practitioners and policymakers. In comparison to the qualitative in‐depth approaches this approach facilitates a one‐point in time assessment, which is less resource intensive, but provides prompt and substantial insight on the development performance of ICT4D initiatives. A similar approach would also be applicable to different sectors, and can utilize a broader scope of criteria, as well as incorporate views from several categories of stakeholders.
Analyzing the Impact of Information and Communication Technology for Development: Lessons Learnt from the SIRCA II Program
Authors: Estevez Elsa , Montoya María Soledad Ramírez 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDuring recent years, we have witnessed revolutionary developments of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and their impact on people's lives. The way in which such developments contribute to socio‐economic development and empowering people depends highly on the absorptive capacity of different societies. While in developed countries, their IT‐ecosystems have the capacity for enriching themselves through empowered actors and enhanced interactions and, in turn, for continuous growth; in developing countries, such eco‐systems face challenges to produce similar results. However, the challenges faced, particularly by the countries in the Global South; in Asia, Africa and Latin America, can be transformed into opportunities if countries are able to leapfrog in the learning process and develop their human and institutional capacities. In this context, capacity‐building programs on ICT for Development (ICT4D), such as Strengthening Information Society Research Capacity Alliance (SIRCA), are of the upmost importance to developing countries. In this introduction to the SIRCA special issue of The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries we discuss the evolution of ICT4D policy and research, explain the experience of the SIRCA II Program, and summarizes the lessons learnt from it.
Digital and Social Inequalities: A Qualitative Assessment of the Impact of the Connecting Equality Program on Argentinean Youth
Authors: Larghi Sebastián Benítez , Lemus Magdalena , Moguillansky Marina , Welschinger Nicolás 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper focuses on the ties between social and digital inequalities among Argentinean youth. It uses a qualitative approach to explore different aspects of the everyday lives of adolescents, such as sociability, leisure time and family use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in order to assess the impact of the Connecting Equality Program (Programa Conectar Igualdad, PCI) on reducing digital inequalities and fostering social inclusion. In particular, the paper explores what were the existing conditions of access for students and their families when the PCI was first implemented? What influence does the implementation of the PCI have on the individual, family and scholastic appropriation of ICTs? How does the use of computers and the Internet vary among youth? Has this large‐scale incorporation of netbooks in schools, and especially homes and free time changed it in any way? Does the appropriation of ICTs through student participation in the PCI contribute to material and symbolic social inclusion? To answer these questions, we compare the processes of ICT appropriation among lower and middle class adolescents, focusing on the distinctive uses and meanings assigned to computers and the Internet by boys and girls in their daily lives. For this purpose we analyze data collected through semi‐structured interviews in two schools in Greater La Plata, Argentina during 2012. The main findings show that in terms of access, skills and types of use, the implementation of the PCI has had a positive impact among lower class youth, guaranteeing access to their first computers and promoting the sharing of knowledge and digital skills with family members. Moreover, evidence of more diverse and intense use of ICTs among lower class students reveals the development of digital skills related to educational activities. Finally, in terms of sociability, having a personal netbook enables access to information and cultural goods which are very significant in generating ties and strengthening identities and social integration.
“Multimacy”: Performances of Intimacy on Facebook by Buenos Aires Adolescents
Authors: Linne Joaquín 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis article addresses the performances of intimacy displayed by adolescents of the City of Buenos Aires through the social networking site Facebook. The methodology used is mixed ethnography: on the one hand, conducting observations and thirty in‐depth interviews with adolescents from the study universe; on the other, analyzing personal photographs, given the centrality of this resource to the population at hand. In the results section, the performances which adolescents post on Facebook and comment on in the course of their everyday practices are described. The main contribution is the proposition of the concept of multimacy ("multimidad") to account for the ways in which they construct and share their intimacy through the platform.
The Role Of Mobile Phones In The Development Of Social Capital Among Refugees In South Africa
Authors: Bacishoga Kasky B. , Hooper Val A. , Johnston Kevin A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMobile phones have been identified as possible tools to aid in refugee integration into new countries. Using a social capital theoretical lens, the role of mobile phones in the development of social capital among refugees in South Africa is explored. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 29 refugees in South Africa. Findings indicate that mobile phones can play an important role in the development of bridging social capital thereby aiding in the social and economic integration of refugees into the community. Mobile phones also play an important role in developing bonding and maintained social capital but these tend to be with their homeland nationals rather than the local community. Reasons for the development of the negative social capital are explored, whether they are attributable to the authorities or to the refugees themselves. Insights are provided into how mobile phones can be used to enhance the development of social capital among refugees.
Thailand's ICT Readiness for the ASEAN Economic Community
Authors: Wongwuttiwat Jittima 
Published: December 2017

AbstractICT development in Thailand and the other ASEAN members must be prepared for the environment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) which will start formally at the end of the year 2015. The Ministry of ICT in Thailand has established several ICT policies and programs for ICT administrative management in both public and private enterprises in order to create a strong network of relationships to deal with competitors in ASEAN. This study compares Thailand with the other ASEAN Plus 3 member nations based on their stage of economic development and three important indicators of competitiveness (the higher education system, technology readiness, and business innovation). The findings identify Thailand's position with respect to ICT development relative to the other ASEAN Plus 3 nations and point to strategies and partnerships that need to be developed in Thailand in order to maintain a competitive position within the AEC.
Using Training as a Tool for Cultivating Communities of Practice around Health Information Systems in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Longitudinal Mixed Method Study
Authors: Siribaddana Pandula , Hewapathirana Roshan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMany attempts at implementing health information systems (HISs) in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) have failed to mature or scale into desirable levels due to various reasons. Among these reasons, not identifying the design reality gap, inability to form support networks and non‐availability of ‘hybrids’ who can link between health and information systems domains can be highlighted. In organizational contexts, such challenges can be overcome by cultivating communities of practice (CoPs). However, HIS projects in LMIC contexts may not have the opportunity to create an environment similar to an organization to facilitate cultivation of CoPs. This paper argues that HIS projects in LMICs can utilize formal, informal and workplace based online and face‐to‐face training methods along with the networking power of free and open source software (FOSS) communities as a means of cultivating CoPs. In substantiating this argument, the paper utilizes a mixed method longitudinal study design to follow‐up a group of implementers trained in a FOSS HIS in Sri Lanka. The paper presents a practical training model usable in information system implementations in LMIC settings with the added benefit of being able to facilitate cultivation of CoPs. The paper also contributes theoretically by extending the conceptualization of ‘cultivating CoPs’ beyond organizational contexts.
A Secured SOA Model for Decentralized Public Administration in Developing Countries: Application on Fairground Court in Cameroon
Authors: Etoundi Roger Atsa , Matango Emmanuel Moupojou , Bessala Celestin Parfait Bessala , Onana Serge Mani 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDuring the last decade, the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has led the world into a new era of innovative technologies that can provide effective responses to human concerns. In developed countries, the profitability motivation has imposed Service‐Oriented Architectures (SOA) in enterprises as a better way to design information systems capable of taking into account inter‐organizational cooperation mechanisms while preserving autonomy of the latter. Those Service‐Oriented Architectures did not stop at the doors of public administrations. Thus, several specifications have been made to adapt them to the peculiarities of public governance. But these models are not always able to respond effectively to the concerns of governments in developing countries particularly when they are structurally and territorially decentralized. Therefore, we propose a more suitable model to this type of e‐governance. We will later see how our model can be more suitable for the organization of remote and secured fairground courts in Cameroon to address constraints related to finance, time and security that these courts currently impose.
Customer Interaction in Software Development: A Comparison of Software Methodologies Deployed in Namibian Software Firms
Authors: Iyawa Gloria E. , Herselman Marlien E , Coleman Alfred 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSoftware methodologies provide guidelines for the development of software applications. Studies reveal that customer interaction in the software development process improves the chances that software applications will meet customers’ needs. Despite a number of software methodologies introduced and a comparison of these methodologies, there is a dearth of studies that empirically investigate customer interaction between these software methodologies within the Namibian context. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in customer interaction between software methodologies deployed in Namibian software firms. The study adopted a qualitative, case study approach. Data was collected through standardized, open‐ended interviews. The findings show that the methodologies deployed in Namibian software firms include the waterfall model, Scrum, iterative model, eXtreme Programming (XP), and rapid application development (RAD). The findings also reveal that although there was in‐depth customer interaction in Scrum, the iterative model, XP and RAD, customer interaction in the software development process could also be challenging. The findings provide useful insights in software methodologies deployed in Namibian software firms and the experience within the Namibian context. An implication for software project managers and software developers is that customer interaction should be properly managed to ensure that the software methodologies for improving software development processes are effectively deployed.
Disciplinary Kingdoms and the Pursuit of Pragmatism in Research: A Student Perspective
Authors: Garbutt Malcolm 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper explores how students may reconcile the concerns raised by Van Zyl (2015) of the Burrell and Morgan framework with the pragmatic approach proposed by Cronjé (2011). Van Zyl suggests that disciplinary kingdoms in higher education use the Burrell and Morgan framework to repress students who are not encouraged to reflect on alternative paradigms. Although Cronjé (2011) and Roode (1993) also use the Burrell and Morgan model and encourage the use of multiple paradigms Van Zyl considers their application simplistic leading to poorly prepared researchers. The Cronjé model is reviewed in light of Ackoff's (1976) four pursuits of mankind with the view to providing an opportunity for overcoming the mutually exclusive nature of Burrell and Morgan. Such a model could encourage self‐reflexivity, introspection and autonomy as called for by Van Zyl. The extended Cronjé‐Ackoff model is then investigated by applying it to this paper through self‐reflexivity. Finally implications for education are enumerated.
Exploring the Factors that Influence the Success of Insourced Government ICT Projects
Authors: Omar Azmi , Bass Julian M. , Lowit Peter 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper explores information system insourcing in selected government agencies in Malaysia and discusses the challenges and barriers that have impeded its implementation. The paucity of similar projects and limited literature has resulted in this study that considers a post outsourcing context following the decision to insource a major Malaysian Government Information System in 2011. A qualitative research method was conducted in a selected government agency to obtain empirical evidence from 55 semi‐structured interviews with government servants from top management to clerical staff including the users of the government information system. By using a combination of institutional theory and the capability approach to analyse the data, we found that insourcing reduced costs, provided a means to access new technologies and enhanced skills in the internal development team, despite challenges such as data centralization, HRMIS technical training and skill, resources for training, perception, government policies and regulations, and lack of expertise These findings will be of interest to the information system research community interested in insourcing information system support.
Software Process Improvement Adoption and Benefits in Canadian and English‐Speaking Caribbean Software Development Firms
Authors: Chevers Delroy A. , Grant Gerald 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe free‐trade agreements between developed and developing countries have created more opportunities for firms to sell high quality software products in the global market. Unfortunately, for decades the information systems (IS) community has been plagued with the delivery of low quality software products. It is widely accepted that software development firms need to adopt software process improvement (SPI) initiatives in an effort to produce these high quality software products. This outcome can increase the competiveness of such firms, which by extension can increase the likelihood of winning global contracts. However, the uptake of these SPI initiatives in developing countries is low vis‐à‐vis developed countries. In addition, most studies on SPI are conducted in developed countries, with many being case studies, and a few exploring its application in a developed versus developing environment. This study seeks to compare the awareness, adoption and benefits of SPI programs in Canadian and English‐speaking Caribbean (ESC) software development firms. It was found that the awareness and adoption of SPI are higher in Canadian firms in comparison to the ESC, while the main benefit of SPI adoption in both environments was improved software product quality.
Incorporation of Telecommunications Technologies into Agricultural Market Information Systems: A Comparative Analysis of Ghana and Tanzania
Authors: Chalemba Leonard 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper presents a comparison of the level of application of telecommunications technologies to agricultural market information systems in Ghana and Tanzania. The data on economic indicators related to telecommunications services used in this comparative analysis was provided by the statistics division of the United Nations. The review reveals that even though both Ghana and Tanzania are developing nations, Ghana is significantly ahead of Tanzania in the provision of information and communications technology (ICT) facilities that support operations of agricultural market information systems. However, low‐income smallholder farmers of both countries still need more access to ICT facilities for them to exploit fully the services offered by ICT‐based agricultural market information systems. Both countries also need to promote participation of the private sector for establishment of economically sustainable market information services. Recommendations drawn from this analysis do not only apply to Ghana and Tanzania but also to other developing countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa.
Get into the Club: Positioning a Developing Country in the International e‐Gov Research
Authors: Cunha Maria Alexandra , Coelho Taiane Ritta , Przeybilovicz Erico 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to suggest alternatives for positioning a developing country in the international eGov research. We conducted a literature review, examining both Brazilian and international publications. We analyzed the domain of collaboration in the field through a social network analysis of authors, institutions and countries. Our study identified that the discussions concerning eGov are predominant; there is more intense collaboration in the network of institutions than of authors; the co‐authorship network reflects the existence of a select number of central authors and, not surprisingly, the study of eGov is centralized in the USA and UK. This study complements previous studies and provides further understanding on how authors, institutions and countries cooperate. The findings of the study are not limited to Brazil, other countries that have barriers to internalization of research can benefit from the data.
Exploring Digital Archive System to Develop Digitally Resilient Youths in Marginalised Communities in South Africa
Authors: Ochieng Dennis M. , Olugbara Oludayo O. , Marks Monique M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPromoting digital skills among the youth in marginalised communities can boost their digital resilience, facilitate effective participation in the knowledge economy and foster positive development. However, in developing countries, government and other stakeholders are confronted by several challenges that hamper such projects. These include poor digital infrastructure, a lack of digital capacity, high levels of digital illiteracy, limited access to local digital content, and widespread apathy and mistrust amongst marginalised communities. This article explores the use of a digital archive system to develop digital skills among the youth in the marginalised Kenneth Gardens community in South Africa. A series of training workshops was conducted over a period of 12 months with a pilot group of youths to develop their digital skills. The Kirkpatrick model provided the conceptual framework to evaluate the level of skills acquired. The data were subjected to qualitative analysis and the results show that the use of a digital archive system has significant potential to develop digitally resilient youth.
Digital Technologies and Sustainable Livestock Systems in Rural Communities
Authors: Gwaka Leon Tinashe 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe 43rd Committee on World Food Security (CFS) convention reiterated the importance of livestock towards eliminating food insecurity across the globe. Livestock provides extensive services and products which are critical in addressing the issues of hunger, malnutrition, health and diseases. However, despite such importance, livestock systems across the globe continue to face the challenge of sustainability. In this research article, using ethnographic research techniques, we examine the Beitbridge livestock systems to understand the vulnerabilities within the system and current efforts to overcome. The article identifies that the Beitbridge livestock system, similar to many others, faces numerous socio‐ecological and political economy challenges. Also, in the past engagement of the author and the community, it emerged that there was limited use of digital technologies within the community. Therefore, this study explore whether digital technologies can contribute towards sustainability of livestock and if so, how. The major findings of the study are that, DTs have affordances which can be exploited to contribute towards the sustainability of the livestock system. However, in order for this to happen, there is need for convergence of conditions e.g. presence of supporting institutions and improvement of digital infrastructure. These findings confirm the need for context based studies on DTs. The findings of the study provide practitioners and policy makers ‘something to think about’ in the development of DTs and supporting systems.