Business Commons^™

Adoption Of Ict To Support Rural Small-Holder Farmers : A Systematic Review, Abdus Salaam Seat, Shaun Pather

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are slowly becoming more available to rural communities given a number of innovative approaches over recent years such as the implementation of Community Networks (CNs). Consequently, ICTs are able to become more meaningful in support of livelihoods of these communities, such as in agriculture production. Potential benefits to smallholder farmers include increase yields and reduced effort. However, there is very little evidence of smallholder farmers integrating ICTs into their livelihood activity. In this paper a Systematic Literature Review is used to explore the challenges faced in this sector. A total of 83 articles …

Privacy And Security Information Awareness And Disclosure Of Private Information By Users Of Online Social Media In The Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria, Funmilola Olubunmi Omotayo, Joy Oluwabukola Olayiwola

The African Journal of Information Systems

The purpose of this paper is to investigate information privacy and security awareness among online social media (OSM) users in the Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Building upon the social exchange theory, some factors that could influence the disclosure of private information on social media were identified. Findings from the analysis of data of 255 respondents revealed that most were aware of information privacy and security measures available on OSM, and the risks associated with the disclosure of private information on OSM. Privacy and security awareness, the perception of benefits associated with the use of OSM, the perception of risks associated with …

Modelling Online Advertising Design Quality Influences On Millennial Consumer Attitudes In South Africa, Rodney G. Duffett Dr, Natassha V. Miller Ms

The African Journal of Information Systems

Millennials’ advanced knowledge and exposure to product experiences, and irrelevant placement of online advertising has led to an increase of online advertising avoidance. However, effective online advertising design may assist in establishing more positive sentiments towards digital forms of marketing communication. The study used the visual rhetoric theory as the theoretical basis to examine millennial consumer attitudes. The main research aims were to propose an online advertising design quality model, and to ascertain the influence of online advertising design quality on millennial consumer attitudes. The study employed a quantitative research design via an empirical online survey. Online advertising design quality …

Factors That Influence The Implementation Of Information And Communication Technology Inclusive Design Practices In Organisations, Faizel Ebrahim, Salah Kabanda, Guidance Mthwazi

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Inclusive design in information and communication technology (ICT) is the development of information and communication technology artifacts that are accessible and easy to use for as many people as possible. Human diversities must be considered when producing these inclusive design artifacts. It is not only important for abled people but also extends to people with disabilities, the elderly and anybody challenged with using these artifacts. Yet, few designers and developers adopt inclusive design methodologies in their practice. This study seeks to identify and understand the factors that influence the implementation of inclusive design practices in organisations. The methodology was based …

"Should Employees Come Back To The Office?": The Effectiveness Of Eliminating Remote Working Policies For Diverse Virtual Teams, Yeju Choi

Doctor of International Conflict Management Dissertations

Recently, some corporations, such as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Yahoo!, decided to end their remote working policies. While this policy change caused major tension and disruption within, organizations still trumpeted this change, arguing that it would improve collaboration and communication. In order to resolve the potential conflict, this study assessed the effectiveness of their recently changed practice, the elimination of remote working policies. The review of literature, however, determined that this decision did not have enough scholarly-based support due to limitations of the current literature, such as a lack of agreement in conceptualizing virtuality, lack of studies that perceived virtuality in …

Finding In-Store Help: The Role Of Recommendation Agents On Shoppers’ Mobile Devices, James Coyle, Yi-Fan Chen

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

No abstract provided.

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 …

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 …

Wikis: The Perfect Platform For Library Policies And Procedures, Melanie J. Dunn

The Southeastern Librarian

The term wiki, derived from the Hawaiian adjective “wiki wiki” meaning quick or fast, was coined by Ward Cunningham who created the original WikiWikiWeb for the Portland Pattern Repository (Leuf, 2001, 15). Touted by Cunningham as “the simplest online database that could possibly work” (Cunningham, 2002, June 27) “ wiki” is alternately used to refer to both a wiki website and the software used to create and maintain it and was designed to allow multiple users to collaborate in its development (Klobas 2006, 3). Wikipedia is perhaps one of the best examples, as well as the most recognized, of wikis. …

Social Media: Changing Advertising Education, Deborah A. Lester

Faculty and Research Publications

Creating an academic assignment that closely parallels an advertising agency's real world business experience is a challenge, but social media has destroyed many of the barriers that historically limited media options and completion of advertising plans. Because digital media is cost effective and easily used, commercials, videos, podcasts, and multimedia messaging can be filmed, edited, and broadcast, within the time frame of an advertising course This article presents an applied advertising project that incorporates YouTube, Flicker, MySpace, Face book, Twitter, Linkedin, Ning, Tagged, Google +, and other online social networking sites as the foundation for an integrated marketing communication strategy. …

Ict Usage In Microfinance Institutions In Uganda, Joseph Kaumba Ssewanyana

The African Journal of Information Systems

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are always often faced with high operating costs to provide financial services to the poor people and Small and Medium Enterprises. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been found to promote the dual objective of microfinance - sustainability and outreach to the poor people. Using a quantitative survey and descriptive research approach, this paper has established the extent to which ICT has been used in the microfinance institutions in Uganda. Despite the barriers, ICT usage in MFIs has been on the rise; and different applications and technologies have been adopted by some MFIs to control costs, create …

Live Virtual Reference And The Database Dilemma, Jennifer Mcclure

The Southeastern Librarian

Live virtual reference programs in the university setting have blossomed in recent years as librarians have aspired to become as “virtual” as the resources they offer. While some libraries have chosen to limit their service to affiliated members, many have preferred to open their programs to the wider community. The motivation to do so is perhaps particularly strong among public university librarians, who often feel a dual responsibility to their own affiliates and to the citizens of their state. However, the decision to offer a chat reference service to the public raises a number of legal, ethical, and practical questions …

The Great Leveler: Free Business Resources On The World Wide Web, Jason Martin

The Southeastern Librarian

The Internet is full of reliable sources that are filled with a wealth of business information. Some of these sites are fee-based with subscription prices that are much lower than those of the large commercial databases. Unfortunately, only a single subscriber may use most of those fee-based sites. That means the librarian must turn to sites that are free to the general public. Many of these free sites rival fee-based services for quality and quantity of information.

Developing A Hospital Web Site As A Marketing Tool: A Case Study, Thomas G. Widmer, C. David Shepherd

Faculty and Research Publications

This article presents a case study which described the efforts of Siskin Hospital to develop a Web site as its marketing tool in 1999. Several years ago. Siskin Hospital, a rehabilitation facility in the southeastern U.S., began the process of developing a hospital Web site. It was agreed that a multidisciplinary team was needed. Then, the next step was to determine target audiences for the site based on the objectives. Fourteen distinct targets were identified. The type of information each would require was brainstormed and detailed. The information types were then prioritized using a matrix developed by the team.

The Threat Of Long-Arm Jurisdiction To Electronic Commerce, Robert J. Aalberts, Anthony M. Townsend, Michael E. Whitman

Faculty and Research Publications

Unfortunately for those whose businesses rely on the Internet, an increasing amount of legal conflict is also arising in reaction to this new business medium. As attorneys and the courts attempt to sort out the Internet’s legal status quo, both are considering such pressing substantive issues as electronic contracts, privacy, trademark, copyright, defamation, computer crimes, censorship, and taxation. It is imperative that information system professionals become aware of how evolving Internet law will affect the medium they are charged with administrating. An informed IS community is also much more capable of mounting legal and political challenges to law that might …

Building Web Sites That Attract Visitors, C. David Shepherd, Daniel Fell

Faculty and Research Publications

The article discusses the use of web sites for health care service marketing. The potential benefits of Internet services for users and care providers are mentioned, but challenges in implementation are also listed. A three generation model of web site design is offered, distinguishing various levels of interactivity, customization, and perceived value. Suggestions are offered applying this model to health care service web sites and their marketing potential.

Health Care Marketing And The Internet, C. David Shepherd, Daniel Fell

Faculty and Research Publications

This article presents research on the growing number of health care providers using the Internet as a health care marketing tool in the U.S. The author notes that the Internet is changing the way consumers seek healthcare related information as well as the way it can be provided to them. The results of the study suggest that consumers will increasingly rely on sources like the Internet for information, that health information will be a commodity on the Internet, that the Internet will help build relationships between providers and consumers and that marketers will be expected to develop and manage Internet-related …