Maureen Tanner

Can Mobile Internet Help Alleviate Social Exclusion in Developing Countries

Research has shown that traditional Internet has not been successful in alleviating social exclusion in developing country. Since a significant number of the population in developing countries use mobile phones, others have suggested that mobile internet may be the solution to the problem. However, to date there has not been empirical studies in developing countries to explore that possibility. This study aims therefore to explore whether the mobile internet may be a viable option for addressing social exclusion in a developing country context. Data for the study was gathered using semi‐structured interviews with socially excluded individuals and the data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study show that usage of mobile internet amongst the socially excluded is low mainly because internet‐capable cell phones are still beyond the reach of the socially excluded and because of limited awareness of what mobile internet is and what it can achieve. The study also shows that while mobile internet has significant impact in addressing exclusion from social participation, its impact on economic as well political dimensions of exclusions is still limited.

The Impact of Collocation on the Effectiveness of Agile is Development Teams

This article looks at the impact of collocation on the effectiveness of information system development teams. The research objective was to investigate which features of the collocation environment have the greatest influence on team effectiveness and how these can assist in a better design for a collocation working environment. The empirical foundation for this research was a number of agile software development teams. The two key factors which were found to impact team effectiveness were the impact of noise and interruptions, the use of war room layouts and the need for break-away areas.

Cloud Computing as an Enabler of Agile Global Software Development

Agile global software development (AGSD) is an increasingly prevalent software development strategy, as organizations hope to realize the benefits of accessing a larger resource pool of skilled labor, at a potentially reduced cost, while at the same time delivering value incrementally and iteratively. However, the distributed nature of AGSD creates geographic, temporal, socio-cultural distances that challenge collaboration between project stakeholders. The Cloud Computing (CC) service models of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) are similar to the aspirant qualities of AGSD as they provide services that are globally accessible, efficient, and stable, with lower predictable operating costs that scale to meet the computational demand. This study focused on the 12 agile principles upon which all agile methodologies are based, therein potentially increasing the potential for the findings to be generalized. Domestication Theory was used to assist in understanding how cloud technologies were appropriated in support of AGSD. The research strategy took the form of case study research. The findings suggest that some of the challenges in applying the agile principles in AGSD may be overcome by using CC.

Perceived Factors Influencing ICT Vendors - Value Added Reseller Partnerships' Satisfaction in South Africa

This study explores the perceived factors contributing to relationship satisfaction between Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) downstream supply chain management (SCM) and Vendors and Value‐added Resellers (VARs) in South Africa (SA). The study is qualitative, and relevant experts from both ICT Vendors and VARs were interviewed. The study utilises the Interaction Approach (IA) as the theoretical lens to analyse the data. The themes resulting from the thematic analysis are Power/Dependence (IA), Cooperation, Closeness (IA) and Expectation (IA). As part of the findings, the IA model is also extended to reflect interesting and important factors that emerged from the study. The findings extend the environment variable within IA for the South African context. Unique environment issues are exposed, such as Broad‐Based Black Economic Empowerment (B‐BBEE) and Currency that have a bearing on relationship satisfaction in the ICT industry. This inquiry is intended to encourage discussions between stakeholders and to be a catalyst for further research. The results from these findings could aid transparent cooperation and collaboration between ICT industry partners and stakeholders in SA (customers, government, etc.).

The Influence of Higher Education Institutions on the Sustainability of ICT4D Initiatives in Underserved Communities

ICTs should be used to narrow the digital divide that exists between advantaged and underserved communities. Given South Africa (SA)s socio‐economic legacy, higher education institutions(HEI) were tasked by Government to make social responsiveness a key principle of their mandate. This study identified factors hindering and promoting sustainability in ICT4D initiatives and analysed how HEIs influence the sustainability of such initiatives. A case study was conducted in a telecentre from an underserved community in Cape Town(SA). Through its findings, the study can promote the positive influence of HEIs on the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives and further increase the positive impact of these initiatives on the community.

Exploring SME cybersecurity practices in developing countries

ABSTRACT The continued use of information technology systems by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries has the potential to bring significant benefits but, at the same time, expose them to online cybersecurity threats. Addressing these threats is, therefore, of paramount importance for developing countries, not only because SMEs are seen as the vehicle for employment and job creation, but because research on SMEs and cybersecurity in this context is limited. This study is a contribution toward addressing this gap. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to explore SME cybersecurity practices and the challenges they face in developing countries. The goal is to sensitize practitioners and government institutions about the challenges and practices faced by SMEs, so that the various parties can work collaboratively in providing context-specific solutions to address these challenges and improve current cybersecurity practices. The study follows a qualitative enquiry approach to solicit information from three South African SMEs that had implemented cybersecurity practices. The findings show that an SME’s perception of cybersecurity is constrained by internal factors of budget, management support, and attitudes. Further findings show that SMEs’ cybersecurity practices are affected by the landscape of cybersecurity, as well as institutional pressures.

An Investigation into the ICT Vendor – Value Added Reseller Partnership Satisfaction in South Africa

The study was conducted to explore the perceived factors that contribute to relationship satisfaction between Vendors and Value‐added Resellers (VARs) within Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) downstream Supply Chain Management (SCM) in South Africa (SA). The study highlights the challenges faced in these critical dyads by exploring the relationship satisfaction in an under‐researched industry and country context. The study was qualitative and relevant experts from both ICT Vendors and VARs were interviewed. An initial set of findings derived from using the Interaction Approach (IA) as theoretical lens, was published in Hassa and Tanner (2016). This current paper presents an additional set of findings relating to critical factors found to be antecedent and consequent of perceived relationship satisfaction. In particular, this paper specifically discusses factors relating to Commitment, Communication, Trust, Loyalty, Profitability and Value. This inquiry contributes to depicting a more holistic picture of the landscape around perceived relationship satisfaction between Vendors and VARs within the ICT industry in South Africa. The results from these findings could promote transparent cooperation and collaboration between ICT industry partners and stakeholders (customers, government, etc.) and support an increase in ICT diffusion and adoption in South Africa and Africa.

A Flipped Classroom Approach to Teaching Systems Analysis, Design and Implementation to Second Year Information Systems University Students

This paper describes a flipped classroom approach followed to teach systems analysis, design and implementation at university level. The techniques employed are described. These techniques were underpinned by a theory of coherent practice: a pedagogy that provides a framework for the design of highly structured interventions to guide students in their learning experiences. The paper also describes the students’ perceived benefits and limitations of the approach. Overall, the flipped classroom approach had a positive impact on students’ attitude to learning, level of understanding, ability to apply concepts and engagement. Limitations were mostly in line with a reluctance to take charge of their own learning (for some of them) and inability to engage in group discussions. A set of recommendations are proposed to address these gaps in line with what has been prescribed in literature.

Using a Partnership in Industry to Link Theory and Practice in Undergraduate Courses

The Information Systems (IS) profession is known as one of the most dynamic fields in our current day and age. Rapid advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) increase the dependence of organizations on these ICTs and create a greater need for IS competence. This demand constitutes serious challenges to academia to provide graduates with the necessary skill set to fulfil their roles in industry and to cope more effectively with real life problems. In an attempt to address this skills gap, a theory of coherent practice was developed to act as a framework for creating a synthesis of theory and practice when designing curricula for undergraduate courses. This paper reports on a specific implementation that led to an industry partnership, and the construction of a Case study to support a flipped classroom approach and provide context for a real life problem. In addition, it guided the design of a set of carefully structured interventions directing student evolution through different stages of development. Although further refinement to the implementation of the theory in the design of second year courses is needed, the value of the approach in preparing students more effectively for professional practice is already apparent in student feedback and in their performance in the courses.