Evan W. Duggan

Rethinking the Digital Divide: Towards a Path of Digital Effectiveness

The digital divide is a complex and dynamic phenomenon. Despite extensive studies on the digital divide and its impact, developing countries, in particular, are still searching for sustainable solutions to reduce the digital gap in order to leverage their investments in information and communication technologies (ICT) toward the attainment of greater economic and social benefits and increased global competitiveness. Research has shown that the earlier focus on this phenomenon targeted physical access and diffusion of ICT as an indicator of digital readiness to reap ICT benefits. However, there has been growing attention to the effectiveness of deployment and use. In this paper we set out to extend the analysis by providing another perspective, involving a digital effectiveness framework (DEF), which describes progressive levels of capabilities and associated benefits along a path toward digital effectiveness. The DEF is derived from the theoretical foundations and scholarly work in knowledge management, diffusion of innovation, and institutionalism and includes constructs such as knowledge acquisition, access, adoption, exploitation and innovation. The implications for research are discussed.

Software Development Methodologies in Organizations: Field Investigation of Use, Acceptance, and Application

The theories of social exchange, task-technology fit, and technology acceptance are utilized in a field study of software development methodologies. This investigation includes the effects of user experiences on perceptions of acceptance and usage of a methodology. More specifically, perceptions of the outputs and deliverables from a methodology and perceptions of challenges and obstacles to using and applying a methodology were found to significantly and positively influence perceived usefulness and negatively influence ease of use of a methodology, respectively, within a developers organization. Perceived usefulness was a positive and strong antecedent to perceptions of fit between the methodology and client problems, and the strengthening of efficacy beliefs about the methodology.

Increasing Competitiveness in SIDS by Building ICT Resilience: An Extension of the Vulnerability Hypothesis Framework

Abstract Catastrophic events resulting from natural and anthropogenic causes have exacted an enormous toll on small island developing states (SIDS) for many centuries. Several studies have provided useful insights into the identification of vulnerabilities as a means of reducing exposure and preparing for incidents, as well as to help manage the impact of these unavoidable disastrous events. However, the vulnerability hypothesis has largely concentrated on the exposure of countries to hazards that are caused by economic, social, and environmental conditions. In this article, we extend the analysis to incorporate, the deployment of information and communication technologies (ICT) in SIDS, the vulnerabilities associated with these ICT, and the impact they could have and, indeed, are having on other types of vulnerabilities. Firstly, we use Briguglios (1997) normalization procedure to construct vulnerability indices for the three main tenets of vulnerability faced by SIDS; secondly, we formulate an ICT-specific vulnerability index (VI) through the identification of underlying factors that make up the sub-components of this intermediate composite index. Thirdly, elucidating the methodology of Krajnc and Glavič (2005), we propose to merge the measurements of the two intermediate composite indices (the Societal VI and the ICT-specific VI) to produce a mega-composite ICT resilience index. Finally, in this conceptual article, we assess how the factors that contribute to ICT vulnerability could possibly be used to prescribe an ameliorative resilience regime that may assist in bolstering disaster preparedness in SIDS and, simultaneously, increase their ability to compete globally.

An Evaluation of Software Development Practices among Small Firms in Developing Countries: A Test of a Simplified Software Process Improvement Model

For software development firms to be competitive they must assure the quality of the software product. This has led many firms to adopt software process improvement SPI programs such as the capability maturity model integration CMMI. However, for small software firms, especially those in developing countries with limited resources, these programs are often too cumbersome and costly to implement. To address this issue, this paper proposes a simplified SPI model for small firms SPM-S comprised of 10 key software development practices; with fewer practices, the proposed model should be more accessible and less costly to implement. Using data collected in four developing countries in the English-speaking Caribbean from 112 developer/user dyads, the model is evaluated with respect to its impact on software quality. The findings show that the software development process coupled with supporting technology e.g. project management tools significantly impact software product quality. Implications for software process improvement in small firms and future research are discussed.

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND PARTICIPATION IN THE DESIGN OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES: CODETERMINATION LAWS AND VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION

Business organizations have exploited the innovations enabled by information and communications technologies to modify their modes of operation in order to improve their effectiveness and strategic positioning. However, this continuous stream of new technologies and their applications have affected (sometimes negatively) the work life of employees, who must make the adjustments necessary to accommodate technology-induced changes. Old fears about the potentially adverse impact of the proliferation of applications of information technology (IT) linger while newer concerns have emerged. In this article we undertake a critical analysis based on our legal and IT perspectives and a thorough review of the relevant literature to examine this “creative destruction.” We examine different motivations for including employees in the design of information systems and how such inclusion may help to co-generate features that are both important for business success and responsive to the human impacts of employee/IT interaction. Except in European Union (EU) countries that endorse codetermination, there is very little legislation elsewhere that addresses individual participation in information systems design decisions as an employment right. This EU experience is compared with other voluntary approaches.

The Contribution of Process, People and Perception to Information Systems Quality and Success: A Jamaican Study

Despite various studies and several IT innovative interventions, the information systems (IS) community continues to experience low quality and unsuccessful software systems. Persistent IS failures have plagued large and small organizations throughout the globe; however, smaller firms in developing countries such as those in the English‐speaking Caribbean and Jamaica, in particular, do not have the capacity to absorb the losses that result from the delivery of ineffective and low quality systems. This research effort is a continuation of our quest to provide some solutions to these problems – particularly in Jamaican organizations – by developing a research model that integrates the literature from a variety of sources to empirically explore the impact of process, people and perception on IS quality and success. The setting is Jamaica; however, we believe that the insights obtained would be relevant to developing countries in other contexts. The results of the study indicate significant relationships between (1) developer knowledge and IS quality, (2) perceived usefulness and IS success, and (3) IS quality and IS success. Our findings should be interesting to IS practitioners and we offer the proposed research model to IS scholars to promote further research into IS quality and success in small businesses in developing countries.

A Modified Capability Framework for Improving Software Production Processes in Jamaican Organisations

Recurrent information systems (IS) problems, including low quality, long development lead times, user dissatisfaction, and high implementation costs have been a persistent theme in the IS literature and have led to the perception of a “software crisis”. Consequently, the IS development community has adopted several software process improvement (SPI) programs supported by formal process assessment approaches such as the capability maturity model (CMM). Research, conducted mostly in developed countries to evaluate the effects of such programs, has confirmed that an SPI focus can contribute to the production of high‐quality systems; however, this phenomenon has rarely been studied in smaller enterprises such as those in Jamaica and other developing countries. The insights gleaned from such research in larger organisations may not be entirely applicable to the smaller firms in Jamaica. The authors undertook a survey of Jamaican organisations which revealed the absence of any formal approaches for gauging the discipline and maturity of their IS production processes. One possible reason is the complexity of CMM‐supported SPI programs. In this paper, we undertake an evaluation of the software production environment in Jamaica and the operational tenets of the CMM, in order to recommend a modified software process assessment regime that is more suited to this environment so as to increase the likelihood of adoption in this context.

Toward a Simplified Software Process Improvement Framework for Small Software Development Organizations

ABSTRACT For decades, software developers have struggled with delivering high-quality systems. To address the issues related to poor quality software, many use software process improvement (SPI) models such as the capability maturity model integration (CMMI) to guide the software development process. However, implementing these initiatives in small software development organizations is particularly challenging due to the high cost and complexity involved. To address these issues, this study proposes a simplified SPI framework (based on the CMMI) that small organizations can use to help improve software development. Conducted in four English-speaking Caribbean countries, this study uses focus groups with information systems (IS) professionals to arrive at a consensus on the content of a simplified SPI model. The model was assessed using data from a survey of small software development organizations’ practices across the four countries. The resulting model, called the SPI model for small organizations (SPIM-S) is deemed less cumbersome and complex to implement, in comparison to its counterpart, the CMMI. It should therefore be less disruptive to implement—offering practitioners an alternative guide in their quest for high-quality software.

Jamaica's Internet Story based on the GDI Framework

In this paper the authors examine the diffusion of the Internet in Jamaica through the lens of the Global Diffusion of the Internet (GDI) framework, which characterizes Internet diffusion along six dimensions: Pervasiveness, Geographical Dispersion, Sectoral Absorption, Connectivity Infrastructure, Organizational Infrastructure, and Sophistication of Use. Jamaica, like most developing nations, has faced numerous challenges to expanding its Internet and other information infrastructures over the past decade (; ). However, much of these efforts have yielded positive outcomes. For instance, the liberalization of the telecommunications sector in the late 1990s has led to increased access to the Internet and related applications for Jamaican citizens. The authors use this development as baseline for examining the pivotal role the Internet can play in economic, political, and social development through e-commerce, e-government, tele-education, and tele-medicine and discuss some “unintended†consequences of the Internet in Jamaica such as the use of technology to facilitate sex tourism. The authors conclude by offering implications of our study for research, practice and policy development.

Toward the Development of a Social Information System Research Model

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this research is to develop a Social Information System research model that uses the core constructs intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation to explain social networking adoption among tweens, teens and young adults. Methodology In developing the research model, we triangulated theories to examine the different orientations of motivation. The data collection process included a stratified sample size of 270 respondents. Following data collection we analyzed the results using structural equation modeling in the Partial Least Square software package. Findings The constructs amotivation, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations were all statistically significant in explaining continuance intention to use social networking services (SNS). Practical implications Researchers and practitioners have intimated that although there has been a rise in the number of persons accessing and becoming members of SNS, several subscribers who join subsequently leave after a minimal period. The practical implication of this study lies in providing a preliminary understanding of what determines or inhibits continuance intention of SNS membership. Originality/value Despite efforts, research in IS and technology acceptance literature regarding SNS diffusion is limited in scope. The theoretical implication of this study lies in the model that has been developed and validated to provide a more effective tool for the scholarly evaluation of SNS adoption. Existing adoption models are insufficient to explain voluntary technology usage of this nature.