Measuring the Big Data Readiness of Developing Countries – Index Development and its Application to Africa

2023 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Joubert, Anke; Murawski, Matthias; Bick, Markus

Abstract: The use of big data promises to drive economic growth and development and can th ... Expand

Abstract: The use of big data promises to drive economic growth and development and can therefore be a value-adding factor, but compared to private or public organisations, the country level is rarely investigated, and that is even more evident for developing countries. Another topic hardly ever considered in the big data research field is ‘big data readiness’, which means the level of preparation and willingness to exploit big data. We address these shortcomings in the literature and focus on the big data readiness of developing countries. Thus, the first research question is: what components are required for an index measuring big data readiness, and how can such an index be designed? We use a design science approach to develop the “Big Data Readiness Index” (BDRI), which is then applied to all African countries to answer our second research question: how do African countries perform in terms of the BDRI? Our analysis yields country rankings that show relatively high BDRI scores for coastal countries, such as South Africa, Kenya and Namibia, and for islands, such as Mauritius. Related implications for both research and policy are discussed. Collapse

Topics: big data missing data open data research and development telephone

Methods: design science cluster analysis hierarchical clustering literature study design process

THE POLITICS OF BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGIES: Borders control and the making of data citizens in Africa

2023 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Polito, Carolina; Alaimo, Cristina

Abstract: Biometric technologies are complex hardware and software infrastructures that l ... Expand

Abstract: Biometric technologies are complex hardware and software infrastructures that link biometric data such as fingerprints, iris scans, face scans, or DNA data with personal data. A handful of foreign private actors have implemented biometric solutions in more than half of African countries. This paper investigates the politics of biometric artifacts, it looks at how biometric data furnish the basis for the emergence and institutionalization of certain political discourses and power configurations. To this aim, we link the study of biometric data artifacts to the role of private contractors and the full-scale involvement of public institutions in the establishment of border control markets. The empirical context of the research is the work practices of the actors involved in the export of biometric technologies for border security solutions in Namibia. Preliminary findings suggest that the technological and political rationalities of biometric solutions introduce a set of novel problems in the making and management of data profiles. Border control as a political issue seems to be increasingly intermeshed with a logic of economic profit and technological efficiency raising questions of data justice and political accountability. Collapse

Topics: biometric database system datafication algorithmic bias IT work

Methods: biometric measurement case study literature study qualitative interview

Theories: theory of affordance

Personal Extreme Programming: Exploring Developers’ Adoption

2020 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Iyawa, Gloria Ejehiohen

Abstract: Personal Extreme Programming (PXP), evolving from the popular agile methodology ... Expand

Abstract: Personal Extreme Programming (PXP), evolving from the popular agile methodology, Extreme Programming (XP) and Personal Software Process (PSP), has been suggested as a methodology for autonomous developers who aim to incorporate the principles of XP in the development of software applications. However, there is limited research exploring the adoption of PXP. The purpose of this paper was to explore developers' adoption of PXP. The constructs of Roger's (1962) Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) Theory and Technology Acceptance Model were used to investigate developers' adoption of PXP. Semistructured interviews were conducted with developers who had experience in PXP practices. Although the findings revealed that PXP is beneficial in software development, the challenges of PXP in software projects include increased chances for errors and lack of skills diversity. Autonomous software developers should, however, evaluate their level of software development skills, experience and amount of work required when considering PXP as a software methodology. Collapse

Topics: software developer IT project perceived usefulness perceived ease of use systems development

Methods: qualitative interview qualitative content analysis personal interview literature study

Open Source in Development: Enabling Business and Services

2020 | Information Systems Management | Citations: 2

Authors: Link, Georg J. P.; Kowal, Jolanta; Qureshi, Sajda

Abstract: This paper investigates the role of open source participation and employment in ... Expand

Abstract: This paper investigates the role of open source participation and employment in the service industry in development. We statistically analyze country-level data from publicly available global databases. The findings suggest that open source participation and employment in the service industry are together and individually positive moderators in the positive correlation of new business formation and development outcomes. This paper contributes to socioeconomic development by identifying ways in which open source participation contributes to development. Collapse

Topics: open source innovation management systems development information system use IS impact

Methods: descriptive statistic multiple linear regression regression analysis method parametric test ANOVA

Theories: theory of economic development

Drivers of Durable Peace: The Role of Justice in Negotiating Civil War Termination

2017 | Group Decision and Negotiation | Citations: 0

Authors: Wagner, Lynn; Druckman, Daniel

Abstract: Attaining durable peace after a civil war has become a major challenge, as many ... Expand

Abstract: Attaining durable peace after a civil war has become a major challenge, as many negotiated settlements relapse into violence. How can civil war negotiations be conducted and peace agreements formulated so as to contribute to lasting, durable peace? Previous research has focused on the durability of peace agreements, measured as the absence of violence. This study develops an index to measure durable peace for a period of 8 years after the agreement had been reached, and evaluates the new measure using an existing data set. We ask whether impacts on durable peace are similar or different to those found for the durability of agreements. This question suggests a number of hypotheses that are evaluated with 16 cases of peace agreements. Stable agreements are shown to mediate the relationship between equality provisions in peace agreements and durable peace, and to also mediate the relationship between procedural justice and the reconciliation component of durable peace. Interestingly, economic stability is not a dividend of peace agreements. Collapse

Topics: armed conflict

Methods: mediation analysis descriptive statistic path analysis correlation analysis longitudinal research

Theories: distributive justice theory theory of economic development

Information Needs in Developing Countries: How Are They Being Served by Public Access Venues?

2010 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Gould, Elizabeth A

Abstract: This paper analyzes challenges to meet information needs of underserved communit ... Expand

Abstract: This paper analyzes challenges to meet information needs of underserved communities through public access to ICT in 25 developing countries. Information needs are analyzed from the perspective of the users and of the operators of public access venues such as libraries, telecentres and cybercafés. We discuss the importance of locally relevant content, available in local languages, and the need to help strengthen information literacy among users and operators of public access venues, including digital literacy. Libraries, telecentres and cybercafés in the countries studied were found to be meeting local users needs in different ways in each case. Effectively meeting users’ information needs is critical if public access to ICT is to contribute to human development, especially in libraries and telecentres, which generally have a social development mission (as opposed to profit-driven cybercafés). Collapse

Topics: information system use user requirement internet technology data accuracy digital literacy

Methods: archival research literature study cross sectional research qualitative interview

Health Service Providers' Preferences in ICT Use for Health Service Delivery in Namibia

2008 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Shivute, Meke I; Owei, Vesper T; Maumbe, Blessing M

Abstract: Health service providers (HSP) in both the private and public health service ins ... Expand

Abstract: Health service providers (HSP) in both the private and public health service institutions in Namibia have adopted information and communication technologies (ICT) for health service delivery (HSD). The extent to which ICT are currently being used is, however, not yet fully known. Also unknown are the preferences of the HSPs in the use of different types of ICT applications and hardware. Lastly, the perception of HSPs on various issues on the use of ICT for health service delivery is also unknown. Without a clear understanding of these issues, it is difficult for government to formulate strategies and policies to promote the effective adoption of ICT in the healthcare sector. Patients are also likely to make a sub-optimal use of the available ICT to improve their access to health services in Namibia. A study was conducted to address these unknown points. The study highlights the importance of ICT use by HSPs and the imperative to align the ICT use expectations, needs and requirements of patients with those of HSPs in Namibia to ensure effective use. The results of the experiment are reported in this paper. Collapse

Topics: information system use healthcare data telephone

Methods: survey experiment personal interview qualitative interview literature study

Open Source Software Adoption: Differences Between Developed and Developing Economies

2007 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 2

Authors: Negash, Solomon; Carter, Michelle

Abstract: Open Source Software (OSS) holds a great promise to bridge the digital divide. N ... Expand

Abstract: Open Source Software (OSS) holds a great promise to bridge the digital divide. Nevertheless, OSS adoption frameworks for developing economies do not parallel the frameworks from developed economies. This paper reviews the literature to identify determinant factors for OSS adoptions in developed economies. Three case studies from Ethiopia were used to answer the research question whether OSS adoption differences exist between developed and developing economies. The Ethiopian cases are used to identify some OSS adoption differences in developing economies. Further study to understand the differences is recommended. Collapse

Topics: operating system Linux switching cost information system use

Methods: case study

Theories: theory of economic development

ICT Investment Impacts on Future Levels of Democracy, Corruption, and E-Government Acceptance in Emerging Countries

2007 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Soper, Daniel

Abstract: Structuration theory and the theory of network society are used to guide an inve ... Expand

Abstract: Structuration theory and the theory of network society are used to guide an investigation of the extent to which ICT investments in emerging countries impact future levels of democracy, corruption, and egovernment acceptance. Using structural path modeling and data from fifty emerging economies, this paper finds that an emerging country’s acceptance of the e-government paradigm is contingent upon its levels of corruption and institutionalized democracy, which in turn are contingent upon the country’s ICT investment levels. The specific details and implications of these findings for policy-makers are discussed. Collapse

Topics: IT investment government system missing data information technology infrastructure database system

Methods: data imputation Markov chain Monte Carlo

Theories: structuration theory

Differences in ICT Adoption in Comparable Developing Countries: An Exploratory Study of Four Nations

2006 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Udo, Godwin; Bagchi, Kallol; Kirs, Peeter

Abstract: This study compares ICT adoptions of four developing nations: Zimbabwe to Albani ... Expand

Abstract: This study compares ICT adoptions of four developing nations: Zimbabwe to Albania and Namibia to Venezuela. Each pair of countries has similar gross domestic product but different ICT adoption level. Using qualitative, non-conventional analysis of comparing a pair of countries based on country-specific factors, the findings reveal that the difference in ICT adoption of two similar such countries may be attributed to such factors as poor infrastructure, income inequality, and adult illiteracy. Cultural factors, governance and GDP growth rate are shown as possible reasons for the two African nations to perform differently than their counterparts in the adoption of PCs and Internet. This study further reveals that the impact of a given factor depends on the type of ICT in question in these nations. For example, in Zimbabwe, poor infrastructure may adversely affect the adoption of telephone but has no impact on Internet adoption. Collapse

Topics: technology adoption telephone mobile phone systems development technology diffusion

Methods: case study regression analysis method

Theories: theory of economic growth