Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

External Actors In Forming National Ict Policy In Malawi: A Cause For Concern In Low-Income Countries?, Gregory Kunyenje 4928781, Wallace Chigona

The African Journal of Information Systems

The paper examines external actors in the formulation of national Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policies. It questions how external actors overtly or covertly influence formulation of national ICT policies following that, of the nearly 84% of the countries in Africa that have formulated national ICT policies, most of which have been influenced by external actors. The paper uses Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice to analyze the effects of external actors’ influences in developing countries by using Malawi as a case study. Document analysis is used to analyse external actors’ influences in policy documents, the minutes of policy actors’ meetings, and …

Balancing Inward Oriented Strategies With Outward Oriented Strategies: A Case For Nigeria's Industrialization, Tosin K.W. Gbadegesin

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The World Bank has over the years urged poor nations to adopt development strategies which emphasize export promotion. The first group of developing countries to shift from an inward-oriented to outward-oriented approach to development were located in the far east, specifically Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea. But, with export-led growth, firms produce according to their long-term comparative advantage. Nigeria in recognition of the importance of industrialization to economic growth and development has adopted various policies, incentives and schemes since her independence to promote industrialization. This paper therefore posited that there is more than one approach to the problem rocking Nigeria's …

E-Government As A Tool For Stability And Socio-Economic Development In Post-Conflict Libya., Abdulmajid H. Mohamed

Faculty and Research Publications

Usually, great challenges lie ahead of any post-conflict government, especially in states that have historically been under dictatorship, like Libya. It has been six years since the violent regime change that took place in Libya in 2011, yet no signs of improvement is foreseen in public service delivery and constructive citizen participation in influencing national policy formation and evaluation. In fact, the situation of public services has been worsened due to the absence of political and executive power from a strong, united government. The resulting widespread of collective frustration and political uncertainty has become a catalyst for a more defective …

The Impact Of Mobile Technology On Micro And Small Enterprises In Zimbabwe In The Post-Hyperinflation Economic Era, Gamuchirai B. Perekwa, Tania Prinsloo, Jp Van Deventer

The African Journal of Information Systems

This paper investigates the impact of mobile technology on Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in the developing world in the post-hyperinflation era. Data was collected from a multi-staged sample of 114 MSE owners within the capital province of Zimbabwe, namely Harare. The data was collected and analysed using descriptive quantitative survey methods, which comprised of hard-copy questionnaires, structured interviews and online questionnaires.

The findings suggest that mobile technology has incremental, transformational and production influence on MSEs in Zimbabwe. The findings show that mobile technology amplifies communication and relations with customers, MSE’s productivity and MSE’s revenues. Mobile technology is also spurring …

Accessing Ict Enabled Content In Low-Income Countries: Think Big, Start Small, And Scale Up, Solomon Negash

Faculty and Research Publications

While the digital revolution has transformed the way many of us work and live, more than half the world's population lives in rural areas that have been shut-out of the digital transformation. Low-income countries have yet to realize the benefits from the digital revolution; therefore, a need exists for innovative and alternative models to overcome the lack of access to knowledge and learning. This paper examines the challenges faced by low-income countries in accessing ICT enabled content and proposes a Big-Small model where low-income countries can harness the ICT revolution. This paper concludes with a discussion on sustainability and future …

The Global Text Project, Richard T. Watson, Donald J. Mccubbrey

The African Journal of Information Systems

The Global Text Project is intended to create global free textbooks for students in the developing countries. We argue that two key technological and social developments offer an opportunity to create a new model for textbook publishing. First, the Internet is a low cost channel for distributing information products in digital form. Second, global digital communities have created the platform for collaborative creation of content. Through this model a free and open content library will be developed for students covering all major subjects for an undergraduate education. This project is a contributory measure to the global efforts to address the …

The East Asian Model Of Economic Development And Developing Countries, Jong H. Park

Faculty and Research Publications

This paper examines the debate on the East Asian model of economic development in light of the different approaches undertaken by different groups of countries (economies) in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia. The common strengths and weaknesses shared by the East Asian countries (economies) have helped to reinforce the misconception that there is a single East Asian model of economic development. There are, however, significant differences in economic structures as well as development experiences among the East Asian economies, especially between the economic development paradigms of Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. Nonetheless, one single common thread underlies the differences in …

Globalization Of Financial Markets And The Asian Crisis: Some Lessons For Third World Developing Countries, Jong H. Park

Faculty and Research Publications

Park examines the causes of the Asian financial crisis and draws some lessons and implications for a series of issues, which may be of particular relevance to the Third World developing countries. These issues include: the appropriate role of the International Monetary Fund as an international agency in charge of helping member countries to maintain financial stability; the choice of an appropriate exchange rate regime and use of restrictions on private capital flows in the face of rising globalization; and the debate on the East Asian model of economic development.