Theses and Dissertations

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Embargo
The Adoption of the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) by the Citizens during the Covid-19 Pandemic in South Africa
(2024-09-06) Rambau, Thifhindulwi Maxwell; Munyoka, W.; Ochara, N. M.
This study examines citizens' engagement with the National Department of Transport services in South Africa, focusing on the NaTIS system. The central issue under investigation is the factors influencing the adoption and utilization of NaTIS among South African citizens. This study identifies and synthesizes several key themes through an extensive literature review. These themes include - the significance of user-friendliness and robust support mechanisms, adaptability to new technologies, working experience, awareness, trust, user preferences, and the role of social influence in technology adoption. Underpinned by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study employs a mixed-method approach, hence, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods. It utilizes surveys, factor analysis, and regression analysis to gather and analyse data, thereby, offering a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing NaTIS adoption. The study provides empirical insights into citizens' interactions with NaTIS. Key findings emphasize the importance of - user-friendliness, adaptability to new technologies, and social influence - in promoting technology acceptance. These findings present valuable guidance for policymakers and public service managers, to enhance the quality of e-Government services in South Africa. The recommendations offered in the study can contribute to making public services more citizen-centric and technologically-acceptable.
Embargo
Harnessing ICT’s Capacity Building for Marginalized Communities of Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2024-09-06) Nemalamangwa, Mulanga Aluwani Wisdom; Munyoka, Willard; Kadyamatimba, Armstrong
Information Communication Technology (ICT) brings hope to marginalised people who are excluded from participating in the mainstream activities in South Africa, such as groups of people living in communities within the Vhembe district Municipality. This study investigated the factors affecting marginalized people from using ICT services for development and went on to propose a sustainable information and communication technology (ICT) framework. This study gathered reliable empirical data to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of ICTs capacity for development in marginalised groups in South Africa. This was done by reviewing ICT policies and ICT regulation making process. A literature review was conducted to enhance the understanding of human capabilities through ICTs. The review examined many articles to identify the different theories of development and the role of technologies in the process of development. This study adopted a positivism research paradigm associated with quantitative research for hypothesis testing. This study is intended to propose a framework to facilitate the development of ICT capacity among the marginalized people. This study is underpinned by Amartya Sen's Capability Approach and theories that operationalise it, to evaluate the impact of ICTs towards human capabilities. The framework provides a multidimensional perspective to understand capacity building of marginalised communities and how ICTs can be a catalyst empowerment. The study will contribute to the ongoing debate on the impact of ICT provision and usage in marginalized people for capacity building (CB).
Embargo
The Adoption of Learning Management Systems by Private Schools during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Limpopo Province of South Africa
(2024-09-06) Ticharwa, Beaular Lilian; Munyoka, W.; Madzvamuse, S.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) are becoming essential to the educational process. The continuous adoption and usage of LMS addresses multiple flaws of the traditional education system. LMS became a crucial part of any educational process during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, as the circumstances made it unsafe to continue with the formal face-to-face educational process. The purpose of the study was to investigate the adoption of learning management systems by private schools during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Limpopo Province of South Africa to come up with an LMS framework that the schools could use to guide the adoption and usage of e-learning during abnormal times such as COVID-19 pandemic. This study adopted a mixed methods research methodology and utilized a cross-sectional survey and case study research designs. The study population included teachers and learners in Limpopo Province private schools. Probability and non-probability sampling methods were employed through cluster and purposive sampling techniques to arrive at the study sample. Survey questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data, while structured interviews were used to collect interview data. Quantitative data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics included frequency distributions, mean, and measures of dispersion, while the inferential statistics used the ANOVA, multiple regression analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, and F-test. This was computed with STATA version 16. Qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative results were converged to obtain a comprehensive assessment. The study found that ICT infrastructure availability and positive organizational and environmental factors are significantly related to LMS adoption. The challenges to LMS adoption include students’ lack of e-learning skills, negative attitudes, teacher unpreparedness, and inequalities among learners and educators. These results indicate that for schools to adopt LMS effectively, they should consider the needs of their institutions, choose user-friendly platforms, ensure that LMS are scalable, provide technical support, encourage engagement, and regularly monitor system usage and performance. The study's limitations were not addressing the long-term effects of LMS use on education or the comparative effectiveness of different LMS. This could also provide a valuable foundation for longitudinal studies tracking the effects of LMS adoption over time.
Embargo
A Sense-making Perspective of Algorithmic Accountability during Infodemics
(2024-09-06) Ramaru, Rifhiwa Rodney; Munyoka, Willard; Ochara, Nixon Muganda
During the pandemic era, enormous amounts of data were available to decision-makers. Much of the data was generated using algorithms in which people did not want to be held accountable for any wrong/false information (misinformation) that was being provided to the public, either on internet websites, social media or television and radios. Algorithmic Accountability examines the process of assigning responsibility for harm when algorithmic decision-making results in discriminatory and inequitable outcomes. Mis-and disinformation about science, technology, and health is neither new nor unique to the COVID-19 era. Amid an unprecedented global health crisis, many journalists, policy makers, and academics have echoed what World Health Organisation has stressed that misinformation about the pandemic presents a serious risk to public health and public action. The biggest challenge is that this misinformation or fake news is drowning official public health advice on COVID-19, making it extremely problematic for the voices of healthcare professionals to be heard; the implications of this may be enormous as it may cause the virus and other pandemics to spread more rapidly within diverse populations. The purpose of this study was to establish the extent of Misinformation during Infodemics, to address the lack of Algorithmic Accountability. A mixed-methods approach was used as the topic required a purposeful mixing of methods in data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of the evidence. The key word is ‘mixed’; this explains that an essential step in this approach is data linkage or integration at appropriate stages in the research process. The researcher used Spyder Python for extracting data from the Twitter API and then used Feedly which is a news aggregator application for various web browsers and mobile devices running iOS and Android; this procedure is also available as a cloud-based service. Python was used to compile news feeds from a variety of online sources for the researcher to customize and share with others; after filtering for the Covid-19 Tweets there were 21 of 508 records. The analysis suggests that misinformation about COVID-19 comes in many different forms, from many different sources, and makes many different claims. The process of misinformation often rearranges existing or accurate content relatively than formulated on a large scale, and where it is manipulated, it is edited with simple tools. Given the breadth of the pandemic, independent media and actions by platforms and others played a vital role in addressing virus-related misinformation. Government websites and the World Health Organization (WHO) can help sort false from true material, and accurate from misleading assertations. With running topic modelling for the data consisting of 21 of 508 tweets, topic modelling provided a way to compress the big data qualitative phase of the research.
Embargo
A framework for integrating adaptive assistive technologies in inclusive education: A case study of the Disability Unit of the University of Venda
(2024-09-06) Macheque, Vhutshilo; Kadyamatimba, A.; Ochara, N. M.
Integrating Assistive Technologies in inclusive education can enable the academic engagement of students living with disabilities and be transformative from a psychological perspective. However, the success of this endeavour in disadvantaged rural South African universities remains a surmountable challenge due to factors militating against this noble idea. The aim of the study was to conceptualise a framework for integrating assistive technologies in inclusive education at a South African rural university where many students are living with disabilities. The study employed Technology-Task Fit, a variance theory, and DeLone Maclean Information Systems Theory, a process theory as a theoretical underpinning. This study adopts a pragmatism perspective and used an explanatory sequential mixed method design in which quantitative data was collected using an online questionnaire from a convenience sample of seventy-one participants, and the qualitative data was collected from a purposive sample of five participants using face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) Version 29, and results were presented as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and chi-square test. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using Atlas ti23. The study found that several factors influenced the integration of assistive devices, but the lack of a proper framework, policies, or guidelines was the most influential. Five requirements for developing the framework were moderating factors, procurement strategies, training strategies, funding strategies, and ATs integration strategies. There was a strong and significant positive association between the requirements at p < 0.010 and other demographic characteristics and factors mitigating the integration of assistive devices in inclusive education. From the study, a Framework for Integrating Assistive Technology in Inclusive Education (IAATIE) was developed based on the requirements and best practices documented in journal literature. IAATIE was validated as relevance and acceptance using content (requirements), relevance, and acceptance by most of the reviewers and validators. The academic contribution of the study was the framework for Integrating Assistive Technologies in inclusive education at the university, which encouraged coordinated efforts from various key players, including students who have been previously ignored. The study recommends the implementation of a IAATIE framework for inclusive education.
Embargo
Framework for smart sustainable farming using the artificial intelligence of things in South Africa: A case of small-scale plant farming
(2024-09-06) Manganyi, Smile; Patala, N.; Kadyamatimba, A.
The 4.0 green revolution in agriculture, also known as "smart farming," combines agricultural methodologies with technology such as sensors, actuators, information, and communication technology (ICT), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and drones, to achieve desired production efficiencies at controlled costs. It is considered an important factor in disseminating farming to small-scale plant farmers across the globe. Even though some large-scale farmers in South Africa have previously embraced Artificial Intelligence of Things to support their agricultural processes. Small-scale plant farmers are still unable to operate due to some circumstances, such as inappropriate skills, knowledge, and services. There is no proper framework to assist small-scale plant farmers in the Vhembe district of Limpopo to develop a quality and smart farming environment. This study focused on discovering factors that influence the implementation of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) systems towards small-scale plant farmers and its challenges. The researcher collected data from 10 participants through interviews and guided by a structured interview guide. The collected data was transcribed using Microsoft word and analysed through thematic framework analysis using ATLAS ti. The findings of this study intended to bring new insights and guidelines to small-scale plant farmers on the best method to utilise AIoT tools and skills they would require throughout. The study recommended that the government must assist the small-scale farmers with funding, maintenance and awareness towards the automation of their farms. The study found that AIoT is an essential tool for sustaining farming. The findings revealed that the effective adoption of AIoT shall improve productivity and sustainability for small-scale farmers to serve the globe without relying solely on commercial farms. Eventually, this study proposed a framework for smart sustainable farming specified at integrating farming practices, technologies and its stakeholders based on the UTAUT model.
Embargo
Cybersecurity awareness strategy for rural communities: a case study of the Mopani District in the Limpopo Province
(2024-09-06) Masilane, Pholosho Wisani; Kadyamatimba, A.; Madzvamuse, S.
Cybersecurity challenges persist in rural communities, exacerbated by the lack of effective cybersecurity awareness strategies. This study aimed to address these challenges by developing a tailored cybersecurity awareness strategy specifically for rural communities in Limpopo Province, Mopani District. The research focused on identifying cybersecurity challenges, factors influencing cybersecurity policies, and assessing cybersecurity awareness and attitudes within these communities. Data was collected through random multi-stage sampling and referral techniques using a questionnaire. The findings revealed a significant prevalence of cyberattacks (81%), with phishing being the most common type. Consequences included data loss, stolen personal information, service disruptions, financial loss, and reputation damage. Key challenges identified encompassed limited awareness, restricted access to resources, weak policies, and insufficient training. The developed strategy focuses on enhancing training programs, improving resource accessibility, and strengthening policy frameworks, which together lay the groundwork for fostering a cybersecurity culture and mitigating cyber threats in rural communities.
Embargo
A framework fo the application of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in improving the service quality of tertiary institutions in South Africa
(2024-09-06) Patala, Najiyabanu Noormohmed; Kadyamatimba, A.; Munyoka, W.
With the capability of re-shaping the global economy, 4IR necessitates countries to keep up with technological innovations that require most sectors within a country to be restructured drastically. Tertiary institutions are therefore required to transform the delivery of higher education services to the next generation with a seamless combination of skills and knowledge set. Thus, quality measures must be redefined in the context of 4IR. However, very few studies have attempted to define and measure quality from a 4IR perspective and lack frameworks addressing 4IR-based quality improvement solutions. This study investigated how 4IR can be applied within the context of tertiary institutions for improving service quality following a positivist paradigm. A quantitative research design was adopted to obtain an understanding of the 4IR stances and quantitative data was collected through questionnaires to gain an idea of the student and staff members' perceptions of 4IR service quality. The participants were sampled from the University of Venda’s population of students and staff. A quantitative method for data analysis was employed through statistical analysis using SPSS software. The findings of the study identified challenges that inhibits and benefits that could promote a 4IR-based quality of service environment. The study found that 4IR-based quality planning plays a significant role in quality of teaching and learning management. 4IR technologies were perceived to be useful as respondents had some form of awareness. Factors such as 4IR-based institutional responsiveness, empathy and assurance were significantly shown to measure service improvement. Based on the findings, a framework for implementing a 4IR service quality improvement in the teaching, learning, and research context was developed and validated. This study contributed to addressing how best tertiary institutions can implement 4IR by assessing their readiness levels. The Framework will assist tertiary institutions in gathering knowledge of the policies, strategies, and governance mechanisms required for supporting 4IR initiatives while providing guidance to understand quality 4.0 issues. It is recommended that tertiary institutions redesign their technological pedagogies to keep up with the demands of current educations needs and quality standards.
Embargo
Digital framework for redefining South African Local Government Service Delivery
(2024-09-06) Netshirando, Vusani; Munyoka, W.; Kadyamatimba, A.
The emergence of new ICTs is triggering organisations into digital transformation, targeting their business model, resulting in a shift on how organisations operate and generate revenue. Moreover, high consumer technological demand and external dynamics also signify the need for organisations, both public and private, to reshape their operations on how they respond to emerging technologies. The study investigated the digital transformation initiative to integrate emerging technologies into the South African rural municipalities business model. A pragmatic paradigm was adopted to achieve the study objectives, and holistically examining the digital transformation in municipalities, and further allowed the researcher to explore digital transformation initiatives from both individual (citizens) and organisation’s (municipalities) perspectives. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to collect quantitative data from citizens on their perception towards emerging technologies as a model of accessing and engaging rural municipalities. Interviews were conducted with rural municipalities departmental managers. IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for regressions and corelation test analysis, while the IBM AMOS was deployed to test the study model and confirm the study’s quantitative results. Furthermore, Atlas. ti was used to analyse qualitative data. The results of the study show that both citizens and rural municipalities have a positive perception towards using emerging technologies in municipalities. However, the citizens identified safety issues as their primary concern. Furthermore, the study shows that rural municipalities currently do not have the right skills, expertise, resources, infrastructure, external relationships, research, and innovation capabilities to support digital projects initiative. Based on the findings, a framework to support digital transformation initiative in rural municipalities was developed.
Open Access
A framework to integrate business intelligence and collaborative visual analytics for decision support in disaster risk management in South Africa
(2023-10-05) Maligudu, Mashudu; Ochara, Nixon Muganda; Patala, Najiyabanu
Access to real-time information, which can be either information before, during, or after the disaster, is essential to the effectiveness of disaster risk management, prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The current Visual Analytics in Disaster Risk Management is not equipped to handle a considerable volume of disaster-related information dissipated across various partners. The study's main aim was to design a framework for Collaborative Visual Analytics integration in Disaster Risk Management. The current research used a qualitative methodology, and data was collected through documents. The research addressed collaborative visual analytics for decision assistance in disaster risk management in South Africa. Several theoretical recommendations from the findings were suggested. These are critical towards having a comprehensive understanding over the subject matter, guiding policy, and enriching the body of knowledge.
Open Access
E-commerce framework for sustainable development: A case study of SMME's in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape
(2023-05-19) Madzvamuse, Solomon; Kadyamatimba, Armstrong; Munyoka, Willard
Digital technologies have brought about a turnaround in business, with big companies in developed countries now depending on the internet to support their business activities. While Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) contribute much to the economies of developing countries, e-commerce has not been considered as a support for sustainable development by SMMEs, in post-colonial Southern Africa. E-commerce strategies have been established and implemented successfully by big businesses in the developed world, however, these strategies fail to address issues arising from the different contexts for SMMEs in developing countries, such as South Africa. This research will contribute to the discipline of Business Information Systems by establishing a framework for implementing e-commerce for SMMEs in South Africa. Underpinned by the pragmatism philosophy, the study takes an in-depth case study approach, in which SMMEs in three provinces of South Africa were used as the population of the survey, to champion an e-commerce framework for SMMEs in South Africa. A mixed-methods research approach was applied, and both secondary and primary data were used in this study. The secondary data aided in establishing the research gap on advancing e-commerce frameworks, while quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires, from SMMEs in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape Provinces. The quantitative data was used to test the causal effect of identified factors of e-commerce in SMMEs. The SPSS software was used to analyse the quantitative data. The qualitative strand of the mixed-methods approach using semi-structured interviews, served the purpose of method triangulation with the quantitative strand enabling the gathering of further insights on how e-commerce in SMMEs can foster sustainable development. The ATLAS.ti software package was used to code and interpret the qualitative data collected from interviews, using thematic analysis. Based on the findings, an e-commerce framework for SMMEs was established, tested, and refined. The framework is intended to contribute to the formulation of government policies that will facilitate sustainable development, through e-commerce in SMMEs.
Open Access
A Dynamic Capabilities Perspective of Big Data Analytics in Healthcare in South Africa
(2023-05-19) Mathivha, Dakalo Tshifhiwa; Ochara, N. M.; Munyoka, W.
The healthcare domain has constantly been swamped with a vast amount of complex data coming in swiftly. Big Data could be a term for tremendous data sets with expansive, more shifted, complex structures with troubles putting away, analyzing, and visualizing distinctive processes or results. Big Data Analytics may be a modern era of innovations and models planned to financially extract value from large volumes of a wide variety of data by empowering high-velocity capture, discovery, and analysis. An immeasurable sum of data is created in several healthcare industry divisions, such as data from clinics, hospitals, healthcare suppliers, medical insurance, medical equipment, life sciences, and medical research. With the progression in innovation technology, there is endless potential for utilizing this data to transform healthcare. The study aims to analyze how Big Data Analytics can be used for Data Management in Healthcare Organizations in South Africa to improve service delivery. The study reviewed the concept of BDA in healthcare, sources of Big Health Data, potential benefits and challenges, BDA capabilities, BDA technologies and techniques within healthcare, and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. The Dynamic Capabilities Theory was used as a theoretical lens to study Big Data Analytics in Healthcare. This research used primary data. A positivist research paradigm was used in this study. To achieve the aim of the study, 170 questionnaires were distributed for data collection, but only 102 responded. SPSS 25 was used to analyze data. The study found that the healthcare sector can spot, interpret, and pursue environmental opportunities. It can oversee and ideally synchronize resources, partners, deliverables, and tasks concerning tasks or necessities. It moreover can gather, understand, and exploit knowledge to make progressed decisions. Furthermore, it has processes that permit more effective problem-solving by combining different organizational resources. The findings further revealed that the healthcare sector could make strategic decisions and rapidly enact or execute against these by repositioning resources better to adjust the organization to the external or market environment.
Open Access
Information and communication technology for sustainable small-scale sweet potato farming: A case of Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2022-11-10) Mathivha, Nduvho Sharon; Munyoka, W.; Tutani, D.; Nethengwe, T.
Nowadays Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has become an indispensable tool for enhancing farming. It is considered an important factor in disseminating farming information to small-scale sweet potato farmers. Farming information is regarded as a critical factor for decision making for small-scale sweet potato farmers. In South Africa, small-scale sweet potato farmers access farming information through ICT channels. However, the lack of knowledge and skills in using ICTs prohibits small-scale sweet potato farmers from accessing farming information. This study evaluates the effects of facilitating conditions, technical aspects, cost of accessing the internet and socio-cultural issues on sweet potato farmers’ behavioral intention to adopt ICTs for sustainable farming (BI-ICT4SF). Thus, this study aims to assess the effects of these factors on small-scale sweet potato farmers’ BI-ICT4SF and use behavior of ICT4SF. This study adopts a mixed method approach. Qualitative data was collected from 10 small-scale sweet potato farmers using semi-structured interview; while quantitative data was collected from 150 respondents using structured questionnaires from small-scale sweet potato farmers in Vhembe Rural District, Limpopo Province. Quantitative data was analyzed using IBM SPSS while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The findings of this study showed that price value, performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, socio-cultural value and technical information are strong predictors of BI-ICT4SF; while BI-ICT4SF has a positive influence on use behavior of ICT4SF. Effort expectancy was not a significant predictor of BI-ICT4SF. These findings add new insights and awareness to small-scale sweet potato farmers on the best practice of using ICTs and skills they would require for accessing farming information. The proper adoption of ICTs will enhance sustainable small-scale sweet potato farming.
Open Access
Application of Deep Neural Networks in Forecasting Foreign Currency Exchange rates
(2022-07-15) Nemavhola, Andisani; Chibaya, Colin; Ochara, N. M.
The global foreign currency exchange (Forex) market is regarded as one of the most important financial markets in the world, with daily transactions exceeding $4 trillion. In financial market research, forecasting currency rates is a crucial problem. Forex is notorious for being very volatile and difficult to forecast. In this study, we investigated the use of deep learning approaches in forex forecasting and compared the success of the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model to the performance of AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Support vector regression (SVR) when predicting forex rates of US Dollar (USD) pair with South African Rand (ZAR) using daily timeframe data obtained from the Metatrader trading platform. The LSTM outperformed the SVR and ARIMA models according to MSE data. The LSTM is typically good for predicting USDZAR speeds, although being surpassed by the ARIMA model when the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) was assessed.
Open Access
A systems perspective of information technology (IT) governance: A case of higher education institutions in South Africa
(2021-09-30) Ratshitanga, Nkhumbuleni Tendani; Ochara, N. M.; Kadyamatimba, A.
Failure to implement Information Technology Governance (ITG) frameworks in universities contributes to making Information and Communication Technology (ICT) not aligned with the organizational objectives; as a result, implementation of ICT fails to create organizational value. The main objective of this study was to conceptualise a model that contributes to improving ITG in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Viable systems model was used as the theoretical underpinning to establish the determinants of effective ITG and to identify ITG mechanisms and their roles. The study adopted an interpretivist research paradigm. A case study research strategy was employed in HEIs. Purposive sampling was used to sample ITG role players to participate in the study; and interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data. Secondary data was collected through perusing ITG documents. The collected data was analysed using thematic content analysis and ATLAS ti 8 software that was used. The results showed the following ITG determinants: complexity in terms of internetworking and interrelatedness of ITG mechanisms, synergy of and within ITG mechanisms, ability of ITG to respond to environmental changes, local autonomy in relation to decisions taken in different ITG levels, recursive within the HEIs ITG system and direct feedback among different ITG in HEIs. The results also showed ITG mechanisms and their roles. Council, ICT steering committee, CIO, Risk Committee and Audit Committee were amongst the identified ITG mechanism. The study concluded that Council is responsible for strategic envisioning; executive management is responsible for planning; Chief Information Officer (CIO) controls and directs ITG activities, ICT Steering Committee coordinates the development and implementation, Risk Committee and Audit Committee monitor the process, the ICT department; under the supervision of the CIO; and Sections within the ICT department are hands on regarding the implementation. The VIVHO ITG model is the outcome of the synthesis of the identified ITG determinants and ITG mechanisms.
Open Access
The influence of organisational ambidexterity on transformational government in Zimbabwe : Towards a municipal information quality model
(2021-02-17) Ndlovu, Njabulo; Ochara, N. M.; Martin, R. L.
In an endeavour to promote innovativeness and efficient Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Transformational Government (T-Gov), many governments in developing countries have formulated National ICT policies that seek to deploy ICTs to all sectors of their economies. This move requires a push for the creation of an enabling environment to disseminate information to citizens. However, there are indications from prior research which show that Transformational Government is not achieving the outcomes it is touted for. Despite reported failures of Transformational Government projects and constant lack of public value to the detriment of citizens, many governments throughout the world continue to invest large amounts of resources in these government projects. Several issues remain unresolved, for instance, one branch of literature points out that there is lack digital innovation on organisations implementing Transformational Government projects. It is against this background that this study explored the influence of Digital Government Ambidexterity on municipal information quality towards realisation of public value. To this end, a municipal information quality model (MunINFORQUAL) was developed. Embracing the theory of dynamic capabilities, IS Success theory and public value theory helped in the analysis of the multifaceted nature of organizational ambidexterity and Transformational Government . Using Smart-PLS structural equation modeling technique, exploitative and explorative digital innovation were identified as the factors influencing municipal information quality towards public value amongst municipalities. A cross sectional and snowball sampling approaches was adopted to select the sample, of which the sampling frame was derived from citizens seeking services from those municipalities. A questionnaire-based survey was used to collect data from participants, and descriptive, inferential statistics and information from focus group interviews were used to analyse the data. The results showed that digital government policy implementation moderated the relationship between ambidextrous digital innovation and municipal information quality, and also municipal information quality mediated the relationship between ambidextrous digital innovation and public value. However, non-significant results were found when testing the mediating effect of information usability in the relationship between ambidextrous digital innovation and public value. Further, the results revealed that information completeness, information relevance and information readability mediated the relationship between ambidextrous digital innovation and public value. Testing the mediating effect of information trustworthiness, results showed partial mediation. The results provides satisfactory evidence that exploitative and explorative digital innovation can influence municipal information quality vi positively thereby leading to public value. This study, therefore recommends that managers and policy makers of municipalities should embrace digital innovations in order to enhance public value thereby increasing citizens’ participation through full utilisation of digital technologies. This is achievable through implementation of policies that promote effective digital innovation for information quality. Further, this study recommends the establishment of ambidextrous digital innovation within municipalities which will promote effective utilisation of digital technologies as a means of realising the impact of Transformational Government.
Open Access
A business intelligence systems adoption framework for the small, medium, and micro-enterprises grocery retail sector : A case of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
(2021-06-23) Muleya, Ashlyn Ennie Stubbs; Munyoka, W.; Kadyamatimba, A.
Business Intelligence Systems (BIS) is regarded as a leveraging suite of tools and technologies to enhance the decision-making process of an organization by transforming data into valuable and actionable knowledge to gain a competitive advantage. While some small to medium enterprises (SMMEs) have adopted BIS technologies and are deriving benefits from them, others are confronted with a host of challenges when trying to adopt BIS. This study examined factors that are hampering the smooth adoption of BIS by SMMEs in the grocery retail sector in South Africa, focusing on the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, and proposed a suitable framework to guide such adoption. Three technology adoption models which underpinned this study are the technology acceptance model, task-technology fit model, and diffusion on innovation model. These models were integrated to develop a conceptual framework for the study. A survey research design was considered suitable for this study because it is the best method for generalizing the findings to the entire population. The study adopted a quantitative research approach, which is an approach for testing objective theories by examining the relationship among variables. In total, 300 close-ended questionnaires were distributed to SMMEs owners/managers around Pretoria. The data collected were analysed using the IBM SPSS version 27 software package. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the seven proposed hypotheses and to determine the statistical significance of each hypothesis. The final tested framework demonstrated that observability, trialability, perceived BIS ease of use, and perceived BIS usefulness were all positively correlated to BIS adoption. Furthermore, the framework also showed that BIS characteristics and task characteristics positively influence task technology fit. Recommendations are made for SMMEs to overcome barriers in adopting BIS, these are: there is a need for SMMEs management to invest in IT projects by allocating enough budget for technology purchase and implementation, sponsored IT support programs could enable SMMEs to increase their knowledge regarding the latest technologies they could adopt for their business, SME managers should be able to build a culture that is complimentary with technology and innovation and SMME managers should engage in strategic collaboration with other major business players to enhance learning experiences about BIS technologies.
Open Access
Impact of digital technologies on small and medium enterprises in emerging towns: A case study of Vhembe District Municipality
(2020-02) Mutobvu, Mpho Ronald; Munyoka, W.; Kadyamatimba, A.
The importance of digital technologies on the growth and sustainability of small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) across the world need not be reemphasised. SMMEs plays a paramount role in the growth of economies, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the general socio-wellbeing of citizens; hence they are the driving force for employment creation. However, their efforts in adopting digital technologies to achieve their targets and growth, is not without challenges. This study establishes the impact of digital technologies on SMMEs in emerging towns in South Africa, with a focus on the Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province. Guided by the Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework as a theoretical approach, this study proposed and tested a framework to predict factors that are impacting SMMEs. Data for testing the proposed framework was collected from 100 SMMEs owners and workers using a survey questionnaire across the Vhembe District Municipality. IBM SPSS was used to analyse the collected data using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. This study found that SMMEs with access to digital technologies have more access to information, markets, reduce operational costs while increasing the productivity and revenue. Management support regarding the use of digital technologies significantly improves the overall performance of SMMEs. This study recommend that government should provide an enabling environment through supportive policies and resources to ensure effective fusion and adoption of digital technologies by SMMEs.
Open Access
A context-aware collaborative decision making framework for combating terrorism in Africa
(2020-06-19) Odhiambo, Nancy Achieng; Ochara, N. M.; Kadyamatimba, A.
Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) is a never-ending challenge in complex-problem situations where multiple actors are involved. Complex-problem situations involve problems that are ill-defined, ill-structured and wicked such as terrorism. Problems of this nature usually warrant a collaborative effort between actors (organizations) with multiple skill-sets and expertise that at times might be at variance with each other. In order to address this gap, three sub-objectives were postulated from the main research objective, “To determine how optimal/effective CDM can be realized amongst counter-terrorism organizations through context-aware technologies.” Using the theory of synergetics and following deductive thematic analysis, the socio-technical nature of the terrorism problem was depicted by postulating a Digital Terrorism Ecology that consists of Open Digital Infrastructure (ODI), Digital Information Ecosystem (DIE), Digital Terrorism Enactment (DTE), Digital Capability and Digital Enslavement. Based on institutional theory and using PLS-SEM technique, Group/departmental relationships, Organizational co-operation, Organizational form, Technical infrastructure and interoperability, Information and knowledge sharing were identified as the factors influencing attainment of Optimal/effective CDM amongst counter-terrorism organizations. In order to explicate the role of context-aware technologies in enhancing CDM amongst counter-terrorism organizations, a context-aware CDM framework was developed following Design Science Research (DSR) methodology. In this study it was evident from the findings that attainment of OCDM in counter-terrorism contexts is challenging even though it is essential. Among the factors considered as possible influencers of attainment of OCDM, Organizational form (OF) was found to influence Organizational cooperation (OC) and Technical infrastructure and inter-operability (TI). Group/departmental relationships (GDR) were found to influence OF and OC. TI was found to influence OC and GDR and further, Information and knowledge sharing (IKS) was found to influence Optimal/effective CDM (OCDM). Of the three pillars of institutional theory, the regulative pillar offered more insights on issues related to rules, discourse and practice and hence the challenges of OCDM attainment. Practically, this study aims to re-orient the thinking of counter-terrorism organizations by presenting the socio-technical nature of the terrorism problem as well as explicating the role of digital technologies in terrorism.
Open Access
Towards an e-learning adoption framework for rural-based higher education institutions in South Africa
(2019-05-18) Patel, Naziyabanu Mohmedsalim; Kadyamatimba, A.; Madzvamuse, S.
The aim of this research study is to propose an e-learning framework to deliver a guideline for the adoption of e-learning considering all major determinants such as technical, operational, organisational, cultural and socio-economical domains, in the setting of rural-based higher educational institutions. E-learning is a process which has arisen from ICT advancement, and it is coordinated together with the education programs at many universities. In South African tertiary institutions, the adoption rate for e-learning is higher in urban-based higher education institutions and colleges and lower in rural-based higher education institutions. Even though with the supposed capacity that e-learning provides, the bigger part of the e-learning approach in rural-based higher education institutions does not achieve their potential. This study focuses on identifying factors which impact the adoption of e-learning at rural-based, higher education institutions and its challenges. A case study approach is undertaken, using mixed methods for collection of data from the respondents based on e-learning adoption at student, educator and institutional level. The study identified the factors which influence the adoption of e-learning in rural-based HEIs. Eventually, the researcher proposed an e-learning framework which contributes to the e-learning adoption in rural-based HEIs, by establishing a guide for these institutions for enhanced planning, development and implementation tool for e-learning adoption using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model. The study identified that the e-learning usage and perception was lower in rural-based HEIs as compared to urban-based HEIs, and performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions are all major factors which influence the adoption of e-learning.