Philip F. Musa

Towards a model of consumer use of mobile information and communication technology in LDCs: the case of sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract. Using theories of technology acceptance and technology transfer, we identified factors affecting the use of mobile information and communication technology (mobile ICT) in the least developed countries (LDCs), specifically sub‐Saharan Africa. From a literature review, we developed a research model to describe factors that impact mobile ICT use and formulated a series of hypotheses about them. We then surveyed mobile ICT users in Kenya and Nigeria and created a structural model to examine our hypothesized relationships. Our findings indicate that access to mobile ICT, and cultural influences on mobile ICT diffusion, strongly influence individuals’ perceptions of the usefulness and ease of use of mobile ICT. Individuals’ perceptions about the reliability of mobile ICT influence use of these technologies significantly. The results suggest that, although extensive ICT diffusion (high mobile ICT levels per capita) may be necessary for seeding commercial and economic initiatives that depend heavily on mobile ICT, such as m‐commerce, it may not be sufficient. Firms conducting business in sub‐Saharan Africa need to pay attention to the factors that explain individual mobile ICT use because these factors will most likely determine the optimal market segmentation, business development and customer service strategies for leveraging m‐commerce operations in that region. For government units, the understanding of such factors would also be beneficial in aiding economic planning and commerce.

Making a case for modifying the technology acceptance model to account for limited accessibility in developing countries

Globalization presents opportunities and challenges for developing regions such as sub-Saharan Africa as they seek to improve their levels of socioeconomic development. Processes of globalization increasingly depend upon information and communication technologies (ICTs), and these normally need modifications to fit local contexts. This requires that processes that affect interactions between global, regional, and local levels need to be understood. It appears reasonable to conjecture that understanding the roles or effects of socioeconomic and cultural factors (among others) would lead to more effective ICT policies for sustainable development at regional and local levels. Drawing on Sens capability theory of human development, a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is presented, and validated by analyzing survey data gathered in two sub-Saharan African countries, although no claim is made as to the models generalizability. Some diagnostics and prescriptions for how to effect sustainable technology adoption and development across the region to enhance human capabilities are then presented.

Information infrastructure, governance, and socio-economic development in developing countries

There is growing interest in the role and contribution of national information infrastructure (NII) to the quality of governance and the socio-economic development of nation states. In this paper, we use publicly available archival data to explore the relationships among NII, governance, and socio-economic development in developing countries. Results substantiate a significant relationship between NII and governance, and NII and socio-economic development. The findings suggest that NII have the capacity to contribute to country development, both directly (via impacts on socio-economic development) and indirectly (via its impacts on governance, which in turn influences socio-economic development).

Predictors of Growth of Teledensity in Developing Countries: A Focus on Middle and Low-Income Countries.

Investments in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have been a major issue of concern in academia and industry. How much a country should invest in its telecommunications infrastructure so as to improve their levels of teledensity is a major challenge. This research examines investments in the telecommunications sector of low and middle‐income developing countries. The findings suggest that increased investment in telecommunications infrastructure without the involvement of other socio‐economic factors may not improve growth of teledensity in developing countries. The study, however, suggests a positive relationship between teledensity and other variables such as GDP per capita, telecommunications staff and length of wait times to acquire and maintain telephones. Some strategies are suggested as steps to take in order to improve the teledensity levels of the countries used in this study.

A Disconnect in Stakeholders' Perceptions from Emerging Realities of Teledensity Growth in Africa's Least Developed Countries

With the dynamic and meteoric rise in teledensity diffusion across Sub Saharan Africa, one would expect a departure in the perceptions of stakeholders as they relate to the Bernt and Weiss framework that identifies organizational, financial, technological, and geographical factors as the key impediments to teledensity growth. The findings of this research show that there is disconnect between current happenings and perception of stakeholders. Specifically, there is no change in stakeholders’ perceptions with respect to the framework mentioned above. However, historical and recent teledensity data from Africa’s Least Developed Countries illustrate that the model is inconsistent with the emerging realities in these countries, and that it may be getting obsolete. This leads us to conjecture that in this new dispensation, there may be some emerging factors, issues, constraints, and opportunities that may be of greater importance to understanding telecommunications capabilities in these countries and the world at large.

Calling for programmed technology transfer and adoption strategies for sustainable LDC growth

Developing nations need a technology jumpstart---via basic technologies geared toward education, farming, and health care.

Integration of Footprints Information Systems in Palliative Care: The Case of Medical Center of Central Georgia

Healthcare in America continues to be of paramount importance, and one of the most highly debated public policy issues of our time. With annual expenditures already exceeding

Use of Information Systems in Air Force Medical Treatment Facilities in Strategic Planning and Decision-Making

2.4 trillion, and yielding less than optimal results, it stands to reason that we must turn to promising tools and solutions, such as information technology (IT), to improve service efficiency and quality of care. Presidential addresses in 2004 and 2008 laid out an agenda, framework, and timeline for national health information technology investment and development. A national initiative was long overdue. This report we show that advancements in both medical technologies and information systems can be capitalized upon, hence extending information systems usage beyond data collection to include administrative and decision support, care plan development, quality improvement, etc. In this paper we focus on healthcare services for palliative patients. We present the development and preliminary accounts of a successful initiative in the Medical Center of Central Georgia where footprints information technology was modified and integrated into the hospital’s palliative care service and existing EMR systems. The project provides evidence that there are a plethora of areas in healthcare in which innovative application of information systems could significantly enhance the care delivered to loved ones, and improve operations at the same time..

Healthcare information technology for development: improvements in people’s lives through innovations in the uses of technologies

An exploratory study used Ansoff’s strategic planning model as a framework to assess perceived effectiveness of information systems in supporting strategic business plan development at Air Force medical treatment facilities (MTFs). Results showed information systems were most effective in supporting historical trend analysis, strategic business plans appeared to be a balance of operational and strategic plans, and facilities perceived a greater need for new clinical, vice administrative, information systems to support strategic planning processes. Administrators believed information systems should not be developed at the local level and perceived information systems have the greatest impact on improving clinical quality outcomes, followed by ability to deliver cost effective care and finally, ability to increase market share.

TOWARD SUSTAINABLE ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: PRECURSORS, DIAGNOSTICS, AND PRESCRIPTIONS

Healthcare as we know it is increasingly unaffordable and incapable of dealing with emerging population dynamics in virtually every country in the world. The global reform agenda of Universal Health Coverage seeks to address this challenge by urging countries to provide “financial risk protection to all in accessing quality and cost-effective health care services.” Improvements in care have resulted in life expectancy increasing dramatically and consequently resulting in higher demands for healthcare services accompanied by a dearth of medical professionals in parts of the world with the highest need. Rapid increases in chronic diseases, e.g. type-2 diabetes and hypertension, further exacerbate the impending crisis. The need for new healthcare thinking is paramount. However, the healthcare ecosystem has a multitude of stakeholders with many (and varied) interests. No single stakeholder, organization or government can unilaterally solve the complex nature of the problem at hand. With the explosive growth of information technology (IT), emerging infrastructures and devices, the provision of healthcare is increasingly taking place supported through the use of these technologies. Healthcare services can now potentially be provided to anyone, anywhere and anytime through these innovations. These services and technologies provide patients, doctors and healthcare organizations immediate access to healthcare information for efficient decision-making as well as better treatment. Since health is development, societal impact is enabled through effective implementation of new innovations aimed at improving healthcare delivery. Unfortunately, little exists in the literature to illustrate how all of this might occur. By nature, healthcare services require behavioral change of both the providers and consumers of care services, and this cannot be mandated. No single stakeholder, organization or government can unilaterally and directly change an individual’s behavior. Motivation can be both intrinsic and extrinsic (Davis, Bagozzi, &Warshaw, 1992; Deci & Ryan, 1980) andhave multiple paths and influences, e.g. as explicated in the Elaboration LikelihoodModel (Petty & Cacioppo, 1986). Complications can easily occur as a result of behavioral complexity manifested by themany influences (and tensions) among healthcare stakeholders (Satish, 1997). To make matters worse, sustained behavior change is required for long-term benefit and