Elearning Cost Analysis Of On-Premise Versus Cloud-Hosted Implementation In Sub-Saharan Countries, Joel Samson Mtebe, Roope Raisamo

The African Journal of Information Systems

The cost of acquiring, managing, and maintaining ICT infrastructure is one of the main factors that hinder educational institutions in Sub-Saharan countries to adopt and implement eLearning. Recently, cloud computing has emerged as a new computing paradigm for delivering cost effective computing services that can be used to harness eLearning. However, the adoption of cloud computing in higher education in Sub-Saharan countries is very low. Although there are many factors that may influence educational institutions to adopt cloud services, cost effectiveness is often a key factor. Far too little is known on how much the use of cloud computing can …

Barriers To Open Source Erp Adoption In South Africa, Leo Tome Mr, Kevin Allan Johnston Prof, Alison Meadows Mrs, Mphatso Nyemba-Mudenda Ms

The African Journal of Information Systems

Organizations in South Africa (SA) and other economically developing countries are not maximizing the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems. While the costs associated with an ERP system implementation have always been a major factor to many organizations, Open Source Software (OSS) ERP systems are available offering the benefits of an ERP system at a reduced cost to organizations. This paper investigates the adoption factors of Open Source Software Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in economically developing countries by focusing on South African organizations. Using online surveys and a focus group discussion, this empirical study found that knowledge barriers, the …

How Foss Replaced Proprietary Software At A University: An Improvisation Perspective In A Low-Income Country, John Effah, Gideon Abbeyquaye

The African Journal of Information Systems

The purpose of this study is to understand the rationale for and the process of replacing an imported proprietary higher education management software with a locally developed free and open source software (FOSS). Information Systems (IS) research on FOSS and higher education in low-income countries has focused more on teaching and learning. Less attention has thus been paid to the area of management and administration. Also, low-income country IS research on technology transfer has focused more on applications from the high-income world. Less research therefore exists on transfers between low-income countries. To address these research gaps, this study employs improvisation …

A Review Of Communication Tools And Techniques For Successful Ict Projects, Ernest Mnkandla

The African Journal of Information Systems

Practitioners have repeatedly mentioned that projects that lack effective communication are doomed to fail. Project communications management involves the generation, collection, and storage of information within a project. Project communication therefore provides vital ingredients for the go-no-go decisions in a project through the effective selection of the minimum essential things that can be done to share the collected information among the stakeholders. A fast growing way to manage software development projects is agile project management, whose focus is balancing between continuous releases of quality deliverables and frequently sharing project progress information. In this editorial, we advocate for research on the …

Genetic Algorithm Based Model In Text Steganography, Christine K. Mulunda, Peter W. Wagacha, Alfayo O. Adede

The African Journal of Information Systems

Steganography is an ancient art. It is used for security in open systems. It focuses on hiding secret messages inside a cover medium. The most important property of a cover medium is the amount of data that can be stored inside it without changing its noticeable properties. There are many sophisticated techniques with which to hide, analyze, and recover that hidden information. This paper discusses an exploration in the use of Genetic Algorithm operators on the cover medium. We worked with text as the cover medium with the aim of increasing robustness and capacity of hidden data. Elitism is used …

Africa’S Contributions To Information Systems, Richard T. Watson

The African Journal of Information Systems

Africans created the world’s first major information systems, gesturing and language. Now days, Africa is once again showing leadership in the area of frugal IS.

When My Sub-Editor Is A Nit-Picking Bot: Mediating Roles Of A Tv News Scriptwriting Exercise, Andrew Deacon, Catherine Wynsculley

The African Journal of Information Systems

Online learning activities have promised new ways to engage students. This paper describes the design and use of the NewsScripts online learning exercise over a decade. This web-based television news scriptwriting exercise is used with media students at the University of Cape Town to expose them to news scriptwriting practices. Students write a script to match a video, employing a television news writing style. The more important transformational opportunity is deepening students’ own critical media analysis skills. Our focus is how the NewsScripts design evolved and changed over time to remain part of the curriculum. Underlying the curricula of university …

Ict In Education In Africa - Myth Or Reality: A Case Study Of Mozambican Higher Education Institutions, Xavier Muianga, Henrik Hansson, Anders Nilsson, Avelino Mondlane, Inocente Mutimucuio, Alsone Guambe

The African Journal of Information Systems

In the last decade, there has been a growth in Information Communication and Technology for Education (ICT4E) in sub-Saharan Africa. Through support from local and international development agencies, several Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have engaged in introducing, implementing and supporting ICT4E. This study aims at providing a description and analysis of the current state of ICT4E implementation in HEIs in Mozambique. An exploratory study of 19 HEIs was conducted using open ended questionnaires and interviews. The results show that the country has advanced greatly in terms of design and implementation of ICT policies, as well as telecommunication. Additionally, MoReNet the …

Towards A Shared Understanding Of Emerging Technologies: Experiences In A Collaborative Research Project In South Africa, Daniela Gachago, Eunice Ivala, Judy Backhouse, Jan Petrus Bosman, Vivienne Bozalek, Dick Ng’Ambi

The African Journal of Information Systems

While the practice of using educational technologies in Higher Education is increasingly common among educators, there is a paucity of research on innovative uses of emerging technologies to transform teaching and learning. This paper draws on data collected as part of a larger study aimed at investigating emerging technologies and their use in South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to improve teaching and learning. The research employed a mixed method research design, using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods—quantitative data from a survey of 262 respondents from 22 public HEIs in South Africa and qualitative data gathered from 16 …

Learners’ Acceptance Of The Use Of Mobile Phones To Deliver Tutorials In A Distance Learning Context: A Case Study At The University Of Ibadan, Gloria Adedoja, Omobola Adelore, Francis Egbokhare, Ayodeji Oluleye

The African Journal of Information Systems

This case study focuses on students’ acceptance of mobile phones for learning purposes within a project that aims to support and engage distance education students by using mobile phones for distance learning tutorials, rather than using technology merely to communicate information or create access to learning resources. The research design is based on Davis's Technology Acceptance Model and tests multiple hypotheses concerning the effects of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, interest in the technology and technology self-efficacy on the use of the mobile tutorials. The evidence gathered confirms that the mobile tutorials enhanced teaching and learning. However, it also …

Considering Two Audiences When Recording Lectures As Lecturecasts, Brandon I. Collier-Reed

The African Journal of Information Systems

This article presents the outcome of an investigation into the provision of lecturecasts to students. The objective was to ensure that both those who attended live lectures of a second-year engineering course and/or watched recorded versions of the lectures had an experience that supported their learning. A range of data was drawn on including the personal reflection of the lecturer of the course, questionnaires, and student interviews. The qualitative data were analysed through an inductive process that drew on the principles of grounded theory and the findings that emerged included the role of the “talking head” in recordings, balancing the …

E/Merging Across Africa: Five Papers On The Use Of Educational Technology In African Higher Education, Tony Carr

The African Journal of Information Systems

This guest editorial comments on the rapidly changing environment for the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in African Higher Education Institutions (HEI), introduces the e/merge online conferences and gives a brief introduction to the papers in the special issue.

A Roadmap For Rural Area Ict Solution Deployment: A Case Of Kgautswane Community In South Africa, Felix F. Ntawanga Mr

The African Journal of Information Systems

The need to introduce technologies in rural areas so as to capacitate communities towards overcoming various socio-economic challenges remains a priority in emerging economies. We rely on the foregoing for the investigation in the Kgautswane community in South Africa, of a range of socio-economic challenges that can be addressed through ICT. Identified challenges are further filtered for the selection of an appropriate intervention based on previous experience in the community. The appropriate challenge forms the basis for the development and deployment of an eProcurement ICT solution for small scale traders in the community with emphasis on the concept of a …

Hybrid Spread-Spectrum Tcp For Combating Fraudulent Cyber Activities Against Reconnaissance Attacks, Simon Enoch Yusuf, Olumide Longe

The African Journal of Information Systems

The inefficiencies of current intrusion detection system against fraudulent cyber activities attracts the attention of computer gurus, also known as “hackers” to exploit known weakness on a particular host or network. These hackers are expert programmers who mainly focus on how the Internet works, and they interact with each other to know its strengths and weaknesses. Then they develop advanced tools which an average attacker with little background can use to know the liveness, reachability and running service on the network. Once an attacker identifies these details, he can accurately launch an effective attack and get maximum benefit out of …

How Can African Countries Advance Their Outsourcing Industries: An Overview Of Possible Approaches, Pamela Abbott

The African Journal of Information Systems

Offshore outsourcing has become a multi-billion dollar industry with global dominance. This editorial provides an overview of offshore outsourcing and identifies factors affecting success of offshore outsourcing in low-income countries.

A Quantitative Analysis Of Business Process Reengineering And Organizational Resistance: The Case Of Uganda, Samali Violet Mlay, Irina Zlotnikova, Susan Watundu

The African Journal of Information Systems

ABSTRACT

Despite efforts by many organisations to redesign their processes, many of them have not succeeded. The main objective of the study was to analyse the extent to which organisational resistance impacts on the implementation of BPR. We used survey methodology using a questionnaire for data collection. Descriptive analysis of factors that cause resistance was conducted and results showed that only 30.4% of BPR in Uganda have been successful. The results showed that the factors that impact on BPR implementation include; users’ awareness of BPR project, level of emotional response, organisational resistance, and failure of management to create awareness among …

The Implementation Of G2b Inter-Organizational Information Systems: A Dialectical Design Perspective, Gamel O. Wiredu

The African Journal of Information Systems

Although the interactions between information technology and the context of government-to-business relations challenge the implementation of information systems, the challenges are currently under-researched. Therefore, this paper analyzes the mutual shaping between technology integration and the context. Based on an empirical study of the deployment of electronic cash registers for value-added tax administration, the analysis explains how government-business dialectics inform the design of relations between institutional, technological and organizational factors. The explanations lead to the argument for a dialectical design perspective on implementation that facilitates a systematic comprehension of (1) the inducements of design; (2) the relationships between the factors as …

A Model For Designing M-Agriculture Applications For Dairy Farming, Amos Gichamba, Ismail A. Lukandu

The African Journal of Information Systems

In the recent past, developing countries have experienced major technological advancements including high mobile phone penetration. With the implementation of innovative technological solutions (e.g. mobile-based systems in key economic activities such as agriculture), there is need to develop models that software developers and researchers can use to design solutions. This paper aims to study the implementation of mobile systems in agriculture and presents a model for designing such applications. This study shows that models exist for general mobile applications design and development, although none specifically suits mobile agriculture applications. A model for designing and implementing M-Agriculture applications is presented. The …

Exploring The Roles Of People, Governance And Technology In Organizational Readiness For Emerging Technologies, Abiodun A. Ogunyemi, Kevin A. Johnston

The African Journal of Information Systems

The rapid development and release of emerging technologies have made their adoption challenging. Most often there are failing issues in organizational adoption of emerging technologies. It is yet unclear which component(s) of organization play the prominent role(s) in organizational readiness to adopt emerging technologies. Using a mixed method, this study conducted an online survey of 83 South African organizations for server virtualization adoption. Server virtualization is an emerging technology being widely adopted in most organizations in developed countries. IT executives rated server virtualization as the second-most important technology to help achieve cost reductions and optimize productivity in recent surveys. Very …

Customer Dissatisfaction And Complaining Responses Towards Mobile Telephony Services, Simon Gyasi Nimako Mr

The African Journal of Information Systems

The paper examines customer satisfaction and complaint responses towards Mobile telephony services. The study was a cross-sectional survey involving customers from two mobile telephony companies. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS (version 16.0). The study found that customer satisfaction rating differed according to the mobile networks, and previous dissatisfaction significantly influences complaining response. Again, dissatisfied customers tend to complain more than satisfied ones. Moreover, dissatisfaction may not necessarily induce complaining and some satisfied customers may still complain. Furthermore, previous dissatisfaction may not always negatively affect overall satisfaction if it is effectively managed. Finally, the …

Towards The Deployment And Adoption Of Location-Based Services For Optimal Mobile Communication Operations In Africa, Folasade Dahunsi

The African Journal of Information Systems

Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populous continent with about one billion people. Mobile phones are a major source of communication and means of taking information and technology to rural and remote areas of the continent. With low-cost and readily available mobile phones, underprivileged, low-income earners and rural dwellers can also participate in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution. Services are introduced by mobile operators and vendors to enhance and optimize this mobile evolution. One of such service is location-based services (LBS); LBS make available personalized services based on the geographical location of the subscriber’s phone. …

Towards Self-Emancipation In Ict For Development Research: Narratives About Respect, Traditional Leadership And Building Networks Of Friendships In Rural South Africa, Kirstin Krauss

The African Journal of Information Systems

In this paper, the author contends that if the outsider-researcher involved in Information and Communication Technology for Development really wants to make a difference and honestly address the emancipatory interests of the developing community, social transformation will have to occur on both sides of the “development divide.” This statement implies both an understanding of the researcher’s own ethnocentrism, prejudice, assumptions and inabilities as well as local concerns, needs, expectations and realities. Using critical social theory as a position of inquiry and learning from the enculturation phases of critical ethnographic fieldwork in a deep rural part of South Africa, the paper …

The Impact Of Ict Investments On Development Using The Capability Approach: The Case Of The Nigerian Pre-Paid Electricity Billing System, Salihu Ibrahim-Dasuki, Pamela Abbott, Armin Kashefi

The African Journal of Information Systems

Most existing ICT for development (ICT4D) literature tends to focus mainly on design, transfer and implementation issues. There is limited focus on the impact of ICT projects on development and little concrete analysis of these initiatives in terms of their long-term developmental impact. In this paper, we use Sen’s notion of capabilities as an evaluative space for ICT project assessment. We employed the freedom concepts of the capability approach to focus on the developmental impact of such projects. We based our evaluation on the Pre-paid Electricity Billing system in Nigeria. Our analysis shows that the pre-paid system failed to fully …

Deployment Evaluation Of Accounting Information Systems In Libyan Commercial Banks, Omar Sharkasi, Martin George Wynn

The African Journal of Information Systems

This article reports on the recent implementation and current deployment of accounting information systems in Libyan commercial banks. A case study approach is adopted that moves from an initial screening of the 14 main Libyan banks to a final in-depth study of just three banks. Business process modeling and systems profiling are used to assess the status of the banks in terms of systems use, process change and information systems strategy development. Libyan banks are well advanced in their installation of modern packaged software but could be used to greater effect to optimize business processes and improve efficiencies. Training and …

Information Security Culture In Public Hospitals: The Case Of Hawassa Referral Hospital, Temesgen Gebrasilase, Lemma Ferede Lessa

The African Journal of Information Systems

Information security culture is mainly considered as a set of information security characteristics that the organization values. In this paper, an attempt has been made to assess the information security culture of Hawassa Referral Hospital located in the south central part of Ethiopia. The study aimed at identifying determinant factors or issues impacting the implementation of an effective culture of information security in the hospital with an intention of improving the existing information security practice in the hospital. To that end, an information security culture assessment model and instrument were adopted from previous studies. The instrument (customized for the current …

Factors Influencing Successful Use Of Mobile Technologies To Facilitate E-Commerce In Small Enterprises: The Case Of Kenya, Patrick Kanyi Wamuyu, Manoj Maharaj

The African Journal of Information Systems

This paper interrogates the suitability of Mobile Technologies to facilitate e-commerce in Kenyan Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). The study proposed a theoretical model and empirically tested it using a sample selected using proportionate stratified sampling within well-defined geographic clusters. The study revealed that, while there is massive use of mobile Internet Services (MIS), there is limited use of Mobile Money Transfer Services (MMTS) for B2B and B2C transactions as opposed to C2C and C2B e-commerce transactions. Results also indicated that utilizing MIS and MMTS, positively and significantly influenced organization’s performance through operational, transactional and interactional benefits. On the research …

On The Origins Of Advance Fee Fraud Electronic Mails: A Technical Investigation Using Internet Protocol Address Tracers, Olumide Longe, Adenike Osofisan

The African Journal of Information Systems

One issue that is concerning to the web security community is the correct identification of the origins of advance fee fraud mails. This has serious implications for directing concerted efforts towards mitigating the malaise in the right direction. Although previous research (Cuckier et al, 2007, Gbenga, 2007; Igwe, 2007; Progame, 2007) opined that these mails originate mainly from Nigeria and other West African Countries, research is warranted using available tracking tools to validate previously held notions about the issue of advance fee e-fraud mails. We harvested in real-time aggregated advance fraud e-mails over a two year period using the sinkhole …

“E-Commerce Institutionalization Is Not For Us”: Smes Perception Of E-Commerce In Tanzania, Salah Kabanda

The African Journal of Information Systems

E-Commerce in least developing countries (LDCs) is believed to be non-existent because few businesses, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who are usually the vanguard of the LDCs economy, have adopted E-Commerce and even those that have, none have institutionalized the technology. Using structuration theory as a lens, this study attempts to provide an explanation as to what E-Commerce means to SMEs with the purpose of unraveling the underlying cause for the lack of E-Commerce institutionalization in LDC - Tanzania. Results indicate that SMEs use their social context to create symbolic interpretive schemes that facilitate their shared understanding of E-Commerce. …