Business Commons^™

Documenting Blended Learning Resilience During Infrastructure Deficiencies, Lucia Makwasha, Hazel Mubango, Sam Takavarasha Jnr

The African Journal of Information Systems

Blended learning is a combination of eLearning and traditional face-to-face learning. Since challenges have been identified related to blended learning that hinder effective teaching and learning, this study examined student opinions of this learning model. The aim was to get a deep understanding of its effectiveness given infrastructure deficiencies. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with students at a university in Zimbabwe that uses blended learning, and an interpretivist paradigm was adopted. The Zone of Proximal Development proposed by Vygotsky was utilized to conceptualize the cognitive development of the students, and third-generation activity theory (AT), developed by, was used for evaluating …

Internet Of Things Devices Users’ Privacy Adherence: A Case Of Digital Ignorance, Akrasia Or Exhaustion?, Philip Bazanye, Walter F. Uys, Wallace Chigona

The African Journal of Information Systems

Internet of Things devices, such as those used in home automation, commercial and retail business, and smart cities, are vulnerable to attacks that affect all aspects of daily life. The upsurge in the use of IoT devices has increased the likelihood of cyber-attacks on end users. This research investigates the factors that influence IoT device users to adhere to privacy standards. This interpretivist exploratory research was guided by a three-phased approach. The interview questions were derived from the conceptual model and the constructs of Activity Theory, and themes were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. The findings were elaborated with reference …

Navigating Artificial Intelligence Governance: Insights From South African Higher Education It Decision-Makers, John Mangundu

The African Journal of Information Systems

Academics and students alike can benefit from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. AI governance lowers AI risks while ensuring that anticipated AI use objectives are achieved. However, research on AI governance has been lacking, especially in higher education in emerging economies such as South Africa. In light of this serious research gap, the current study presents the findings of a qualitative exploratory investigation of the maturity and preparedness of AI governance in South African higher education institutions. Informed by a combination of the TOE framework, the traditional IT governance model and the adapted IT governance maturity assessment …

Evaluation Of A Timetabling Software Implemented In Tanzanian Higher Education Context, Anna Kayanda, Lazaro Busagala, Matti Tedre

The African Journal of Information Systems

It is not known whether the combination of two IS system implementation approaches, Design Science Research and eXtreme Programming, can help improve information systems success in the Tanzanian HEI context. To investigate this, this study evaluated a system that was implemented using both approaches. The evaluation used DeLone and McLean’s Information Systems Success Model(D&M) and a mixed research method. The results showed that while neither the system quality nor the information quality influenced the use of the system, service quality and user satisfaction both had an influence on system use (p<0.001). System quality, information quality and service quality, however, were found to have a significant effect on user satisfaction, all three with p<0.001. Furthermore, using the system influenced the perceived net benefits (p<0.001) obtained from using the system. The findings may be helpful to other Tanzanian HEI wishing to implement information systems for their organizations as it shed light on factors that should be considered for a successful implementation. Although the D&M model has been useful on this study, it is limited by its lack of explicit recognition of contextual variables, such as organizational culture, user characteristics, and environmental factors, which can significantly impact system success.

What Does Chatgpt Know About Information Systems?, Daniel O'Leary, Veda C. Storey, Aaron M. French, Joseph R. Buckman, Cecil Chua, Andrew William Green, Grace Gu, Fred Niederman, Francis Pereira, Gary Templeton, Linda Wallace

Faculty Articles

Large language models such as ChatGPT provide efficient access to a wealth of information. However, there are significant questions regarding the depth and quality of knowledge in any one domain. This paper focuses specifically on the information systems (IS) field and assesses ChatGPT’s knowledge. To analyze the extent and quality of information systems knowledge derived from queries to ChatGPT, we used over 3,000 queries from a broad range of exam and quiz questions. These queries were obtained from university courses and professional information system certification exams. The query topics are based on a framework for information systems education, with queries …

Curriculum Preferences And Engagement Of Online Entrepreneurship Students: The Influence Of Age And Gender, S. Andrew Starbird, Jill M. Martin, Trish A. Kalbas-Schmidt

Information Systems and Analytics

It is important for instructors and institutions to create learning experiences that are engaging, effective, and meaningful for students. To achieve these goals, instructors must understand the preferences and interests of their students, build engaging lessons based on those interests, and mitigate content that might make students feel excluded. In-person learning allows instructors to gather information about interests and engagement through direct interaction with students. Gathering information about student interests and engagement is more difficult for asynchronous, self-paced, online training programs. In this paper, we assess the interests, engagement, and disengagement of learners accessing online content focused on entrepreneurship. We …

Exploring School Teachers' Cyber Security Awareness, Experiences, And Practices In The Digital Age, R Ravichandran, Sonam Singh, P Sasikala

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

This study investigates the awareness and practices of cyber security among school teachers, exploring their understanding of cyber threats, online behaviours, and response mechanisms to cyber incidents. A structured questionnaire was administered to gather data on demographic information, cyber security training, online practices, and experiences with cybercrime. The findings reveal varying levels of awareness among teachers, with many reporting limited knowledge of prevalent cyber threats such as phishing and identity theft. Despite the increasing reliance on digital tools for teaching, a significant number of respondents indicated a lack of formal training in cyber security. The study highlights the necessity for …

On Legislating Cybercrime: Nigerian, South African, And United Kingdom Perspectives, Sagwadi Mabunda, Roland Akindele

Communications of the IIMA

Cybercrime has evolved to be a menacing challenge to all the countries of the globe. Consequently, it has become necessary for effective laws and policies to be enacted and implemented globally. This paper aims to review the cybercrime legislation of three jurisdictions: Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom (UK), to examine how each country has conceptualised and legislated cybercrime. The paper begins with a discussion on the definitional considerations necessary for legislating cybercrime. It draws from the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention) as the primary international convention on cybercrimes, to analyse some of the specific provisions …

Augmenting Legal Expertise: The Role Of Ai In Enhancing Human Capabilities In Legal Services

Communications of the IIMA

This study explores the dynamics of digital transformation within the legal services

industry, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to augment

human capabilities. By examining the interplay between institutional norms and

technological innovations, this research aims to understand how AI disrupts

traditional legal practices while maintaining ethical standards and promoting

equitable access to justice. Employing a qualitative content analysis, this research

analyzes data from international news sources spanning April 2011 to March 2021.

The study examines the roles of key industry actors, identifies barriers to digital

adoption, and explores the implications of digitalization for competition within the

legal …

The Intricate Dance Between Stars And Words: A Review Of Customer Reviews In Tourism

Communications of the IIMA

Travel and tourism industries rely heavily on customer reviews from past travelers as an invaluable source for informing potential travelers’ decisions. Thanks to the internet, reviews are an invaluable source for both quantitative star ratings as well as qualitative text comments that evaluate travel experiences. In this paper we analyse this complex relationship between text comments and their associated star ratings; using existing literature we highlight their interplay to give an overall picture of customer satisfaction. Factors that influence ratings and comments include both intrinsic (service quality, staff behavior) and extrinsic aspects such as location or price. Sentiment analysis through …

Assessing The Readiness And Awareness Of Key Stakeholders In The Egyptian Maritime Industry To Implement Smart Green Port Practices: A Case Study Of Alexandria Port, Mohamed Elhussieny, Ahmed El Kassar, Kareem Tonbol

Blue Economy

This study explores the readiness and preparedness of the major stakeholders within the Egyptian maritime sector towards the adoption of smart green port practices, with particular consideration given to Alexandria Port. With growing environmental threats, the need to support sustainable maritime operations is high. The study evaluates the current state of the ecosystem at Alexandria Port and benchmark it against international standards to highlight the critical gaps that should be covered for the effective execution of smart green port approaches. The results indicate that, although stakeholders have basic knowledge of sustainability issues, large perceived barriers, particularly regarding resource availability, limited …

From Cypherpunks To Decentralized Finance: How Crypto-Anarchy Is Redefining Legal And Economic Systems, Alesia Zhuk

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

This article explores the evolution of crypto-anarchy, tracing its origins from the cypherpunk movement to the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) and its transformative effects on legal and economic systems. Central to crypto-anarchy is the belief in individual empowerment through privacy, financial autonomy, and decentralization, which allows users to bypass traditional intermediaries like banks. While these technologies offer increased freedom and financial inclusion, they also introduce significant risks such as money laundering, tax evasion, and the facilitation of illegal activities, posing challenges to current regulatory frameworks. The article examines the socio-economic implications of decentralization, including both the democratization of finance …

A Set Of Axioms Providing A Basis For Understanding And Analyzing Work Systems In Organizational Settings, Steven Alter

Business Analytics and Information Systems

This paper proposes 24 axioms that form a basis for understanding and analyzing sociotechnical and totally automated work systems in organizational settings. The introduction identifies reasons for trying to develop axioms of that type. Two background sections compare axioms with other types of “knowledge objects”, illustrate the minimal presence of axioms in the IS discipline, define the domain of relevance for the axioms discussed here, and explain the process of developing those axioms. The axioms are organized in five categories: 1) system in context, 2) system operation, 3) system goals and goal attainment, 4) system uncertainties, and 5) system-related change. …

Can An Llm Use Work System Axioms When Describing Work Systems For Requirements Analysis?, Steven Alter

Business Analytics and Information Systems

This research-in-progress paper presents part of an ongoing project related to using LLMs for describing, analyzing, and designing work systems (including information systems). General axioms that apply to any non-trivial WS or IS might provide a path toward new tools and methods. This paper identifies 24 work system axioms that extend earlier research. They are organized in five categories: 1) system in context, 2) system operation, 3) system goals and goal attainment, 4) system uncertainties, and 5) system-related change. The axioms potentially address the challenge of helping business and IS/IT professionals understand and collaborate around systems in organization. This preliminary …

Collecting Financial Data From Online Sources: Enhancing Large Language Models With Real-Time Search, Yang Li

Department of Information Management and Business Analytics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Timely and accurate access to financial data is crucial for empirical research in accounting and finance. However, current data collection processes are often manual, inconsistent, and difficult to scale. This study asks: How can large language models (LLMs) be effectively used to automate financial data collection? Using design science research methodology (DSRM), the author develops a modular architecture that integrates a real-time search API and auxiliary information processing into LLM workflows. The study applies the model to two tasks: extracting ESG report release dates and identifying customer firm tickers from COMPUSTAT. The system achieves 96% and 95% accuracy, respectively, comparable …

Llm-Guided Multimodal Information Fusion With Hierarchical Spatio-Temporal Graph Network For Sentiment Analysis, Yujie Jin, Yong Wang, Yuzhe Wang, Qiyang Chen, Bin Hu, Yanling Han, Chaoyin Ma, Witold Pedrycz

Department of Information Management and Business Analytics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Multimodal sentiment analysis aims to attain a precise comprehension of emotions by integrating complementary textual, visual, and audio information. However, issues such as sentiment discrepancies between modalities, ineffective integration of multi-modal information, and the intricacy of order dependency significantly constrain the models' efficacy. The authors propose an LLM-guided Hierarchical Spatio-Temporal Graph Network (L-HSTGN). By multimodal large model feature enhancement, bidirectional spatio-temporal joint modeling, and dynamic gate fusion mechanism, they effectively address the aforementioned problems. Firstly, they produce cross-modal emotion pseudo-labels based on the multimodal large model, and the single-modal representation was optimized by combining adversarial regularization. Secondly, they develop a …

Comparing Funders' Altruism Versus Self-Interest: Leveraging The Context Of Crisis, Dan Liu, Guangzhi Shang, Cynthia Fan Yang

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

While reward-based crowdfunding has widespread popularity, the motivations driving funders, balancing self-interest and altruism, have remained puzzling. Prior research has been constrained by examination methods and produced mixed findings regarding the weight of altruism versus self-interest among funders. Our study takes a fresh perspective, delving into funder behavior amid a major crisis—the tumultuous backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings reveal that funders not only display an increased willingness to contribute but also significantly amplify their contributions, particularly to projects in crisis-affected regions, irrespective of external incentives like rewards. This underscores the prevalence of altruistic motives among funders in challenging …

Artificial Intelligence And Environmental Sustainability: Review And Research Directions, Troy Strader, Yu-Hsiang (John) Huang, Yu-Ju Tu

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Environmental sustainability is one of the most important and complex issues currently facing our global society. One solution to some aspects of this problem could come from artificially intelligent systems and data analytics methods. The objective for this study is to identify the range of recently published research that addresses issues involving the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental sustainability. A systematic literature review produced a sample of 62 journal articles from 2018-2024 that were each categorized into one of six research themes that included studies of AI and the ways in which it impacted natural resources, energy and …

Understanding The Determinants Of Blockchain Adoption: An Empirical Study, Amarpreet Kohli, Nihar Kumthekar, Piyush Shah, Rebecca Jauch

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Blockchain technology (BT) has the potential to enhance security and robustness of transactions through a distributed ledger bookkeeping process. This study employs technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and threat-rigidity theory (TRT) to examine whether perceived disruption caused by COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the adoption of BT, and inclination to adopt BT in the US. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique backdrop, as it affected businesses across all industries, sizes, and geographies. Results show a non-significant effect of perceived pandemic disruption on the current stage of BT adoption and intention to adopt BT. However, disruption readiness positively influences the current stage of BT …

Insights In Cybersecurity Of A Smart Campus - A Review, Mircea Ţălu

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The profound impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on various fronts, is driven by technological advancements, the ubiquitous spread of information, and the emergence of transformative events. IoT presents a diverse array of possibilities within university environments, fostering a more connected and enhanced educational experience. This research undertakes a comprehensive review of existing literature to provide context to the IoT and underscore its crucial significance in the realm of smart campuses. Additionally, the paper explores the intricate connections between IoT and key concepts such as cybersecurity and wireless sensor networks to present a holistic perspective. It delves into the …

Digital Infrastructure Development Through Digital Infrastructuring Work: An Institutional Work Perspective, Adrian Yeow, Wee-Kiat Lim, Samer Faraj

CCX Research

Being able to understand and characterize the digital infrastructure development (DID) process has become even more pressing today due to the rapid advent and implementation of new digital infrastructure (DI) in organizations as well as since the COVID-19 crisis. While information systems (IS) research has begun to recognize the institutional nature of such digital infrastructures, there remains a gap in our understanding of how such developments unfold from an institutional perspective. Through our field study of a digital infrastructure development project involving the implementation of an enterprise-wide electronic medical record system at a large US medical facility, we show how …

2024-2025 Academic Year Annual Report, Collier Library

Collier Library and Information Services

No abstract provided.

Affordance-Based Information Technology Sensemaking [Abits], Arvin Mesgari, Chitu Okoli, Ana Ortiz De Guinea

Information Systems and Business Analytics Faculty Works

Information Technology (IT) use gives rise to a wide variety of outcomes. This stems in part from the divergent ways in which individuals understand technology. While the sensemaking literature unveils how meaning is attached to organizational phenomena via cognitive and social processes, it overlooks the discovery dimension of making sense, that is detecting the role of the IT artifact in bringing about outcomes. In other words, there is a need to explain how the IT artifact contributes to technology sensemaking and its outcomes. This paper presents a framework that enables scholars to analyze the IT artifact’s role in technology sensemaking …

The Moderating Role Of Hospital Staffing Levels On The Effectiveness Of Clinical Decision Support Systems In Mitigating Patient Readmission Rates, Youyou Tao, Arindam Brahma, Kevin Baldwin, Rui Sundrup, Dezhi Wu

Information Systems and Business Analytics Faculty Works

Healthcare staffing shortages and high 30-day readmission rates are pressing challenges in today's healthcare systems. While extensive studies have explored the positive impact of Health Information Technology (HIT) on health outcomes, the effect of hospital staffing on HIT effectiveness, particularly Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), is underexplored. Therefore, we examine whether physician and resident staffing levels moderate the impact of CDSS on 30-day readmission rates. After analyzing data from 1,605 hospitals in the United States from 2017 and 2018, we found that the effect of CDSS implementation in reducing 30-day readmission rates is more pronounced in hospitals with lower bed-to-physician …

Mindful Or Mindless? How And Why Virtual Communities Fail To Contain Information Pollution Across Different Disasters, Mahmudul Hasan, Varqa Shamsi Bahar, Cecil Eng Huang Chua, Michael David Myers

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

People visit virtual communities to find trusted information (i.e. verifiable, accurate and reliable information) during disasters. Virtual communities are open spaces where people interact and share information. However, virtual communities often suffer from information pollution (including too much information and false or contradictory information) which decreases peoples' ability to find trusted information. Oddly, some virtual communities will develop useful practices for combatting information pollution during one disaster but subsequently fail to effectively employ the same practices or adapt them in subsequent disasters. We conducted a longitudinal, exploratory cross-case study to better understand how and why this occurs. Using the lenses …

Watchdogs Or Lapdogs: How Audit Committees Influence Financial Reporting Quality And Cybersecurity, Yanru Yang

2025

With the increasing complexity of the business environment, the role of corporate governance and oversight is expanding continuously. Grounded in archival research, my dissertation consists of three studies that explore the features of audit committees in monitoring both financial reporting and broader areas, such as cybersecurity.

The first paper, co-authored with Gopal Krishnan and Wei Yu, examines the implications of audit committee (AC) director departure for financial reporting quality and audit risk. We find that the departures in the firms with most concerning AC departures are associated with a higher likelihood of a future “Big R” restatement announcement and auditor …

Ict Technologies: Origins, Development, And Applications In Selected Examples From The Economy And Society, Tomasz Parys

Studia i Materiały Wydział Zarządzania Uniwersytet Warszawski

Purpose: The primary purpose of this paper is to present information and communication technologies, collectively referred to as ICT, as a determinant of the development and functioning of the modern world through the prism of tools, models, concepts and platforms that enable their application. This is accomplished in the article by presenting selected technologies along with illustrating the scope and possibilities of their use.

Methodology: The scope of the research included ICT technologies, their development and evolution, as well as their application in various fields. Extensive source material was collected, with a primary focus on academic publications, including …

A Systematic Literature Review On Resilient Digital Transformation, Examining How Organizations Sustain Digital Capabilities, Thira Chavarnakul, Li Da Xu, Zhuming Bi, Achyut Shankar, Gaurav Dhiman, Wattana Viriyasitavat, Danupol Hoonsopon

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

In an era marked by relentless technological shifts and market volatility, digital transformation (DT) alone is insufficient. Organizations must develop Resilient Digital Transformation (RDT)—the organizational capabilities required to sustain DT over a medium-term horizon—to navigate these challenges effectively. This study primarily aims to propose a guideline for fostering RDT. Drawing on the PRISMA guidelines and a systematic review of 77 peer-reviewed papers, this study identifies and synthesizes key targets and drivers across three core pillars: Technology, Organization, and External Environment. These elements collectively foster organizational resilience. Specifically, this study highlights how adaptability, innovation, and scalability form the technological underpinnings of …

From Normal To Disaster Response Mode: How Can Virtual Communities Reconfigure Themselves To Respond Effectively To A Disaster?, Mahmudul Hasan, Cecil Eng Huang Chua, Michael David Myers, Varqa Shamsi Bahar

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

During a disaster, many people seek information from virtual communities. However, information overload, falsehoods and unrelated topics hinder information flow in virtual communities, putting disaster victims at risk. Given many disasters are generally of a short duration, we explore how virtual communities can quickly reconfigure themselves to respond effectively to a disaster. Drawing on risk society theory, our findings suggest reconfiguration is done via a series of cycles initially involving community members and subsequently featuring both community members and moderators working together to mitigate risks. We contribute to virtual community discourse on disaster response by showing how a virtual community …

Predicting Crises On The African Frontier Stock Markets With Investor Sentiment Indicators: A Machine Learning Approach, David Korsah, Lord Mensah

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This study examined the predictive ability of machine learning algorithms in identifying crises within African stock markets. The study employed seven distinct machine-learning models, analyzing historical stock prices from eight stock markets, three major sentiment indicators, and the exchange rates of local currencies against the US dollar, with each data spanning from May 1, 2007, to April 1, 2023. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) emerged as the most effective algorithm for predicting crises. Historical stock prices and exchange rates were identified as the most critical features for prediction. On the sentiment side, investors’ perceptions of potential volatility on the S&P 500, …