Digitalising Social Protection Systems for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: Insights from Zimbabwe

2023 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Ncube, Tomy; Murray, Una; Dennehy, Denis

Abstract: Social protection systems, a target of the United Nation's (UN) Sustainable Dev ... Expand

Abstract: Social protection systems, a target of the United Nation's (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are intended to reduce extreme poverty, build human capital, and protect against risks to sustainable livelihoods and well-being. As social protection systems are by their nature inherently complex, multi-faceted, and socially embedded, it is inevitable that tensions will emerge between their design and implementation, representing design-reality gaps. These tensions present an excellent opportunity for cross-disciplinary research, by understanding how best to bridge these designreality gaps. In this qualitative, interpretivist case study, we situate our work on the ground with the actors involved in the design, implementation, and use of a social protection system in Zimbabwe. We find interaction failures amongst some users; design-reality gaps around network access and ICT policy implementation; as well as mixed views regarding transparency and accountability of ICT. Our findings provide rich insights from ICT users in the global south and underscore the importance of the co-creation of IS interventions together with communities to ensure technologies consider social, political, economic, and network realities. We conclude by providing directions for future research. Collapse

Topics: user centered design IT policy innovation management climate change Sustainable Development Goal

Methods: qualitative interview case study design methodology personal interview qualitative content analysis

Holding Space for Voices that Do Not Speak: Design Reform of Rating Systems for Platforms in GREAT Economies

2021 | HICSS | Citations: 8

Authors: Dasgupta, Anuttama; Karhade, Prasanna; Kathuria, Abhishek; Konsynski, Benn

Abstract: Researchers can examine ethical implications of online rating systems to underst ... Expand

Abstract: Researchers can examine ethical implications of online rating systems to understand how they function as ‘knowledge instruments’ and affect social relations and networks connected with them. Research should address the fact that the underlying economic structures that design and deploy knowledge producing ‘technical objects’ on online platforms are not egalitarian and may create new circles of exclusion. Exploring implications of this for a starkly unequal country like India, we illustrate our ideas by integrating induction and abduction to study rating systems on a pan-India food discovery and delivery platform. Rating systems are borrowed from WEIRD contexts and our findings imply that the instrument studied here is designed to hear only some of many voices. Consequently, they might be ‘institutionalizing’ knowledge that is problematic for GREAT domains in which they are imposed. We highlight the need for decolonization of research approaches for GREAT domains and critical research of technical knowledge objects. Collapse

Topics: digital platform missing data knowledge creation social media big data

Methods: decision tree classification computational algorithm theory development machine learning experiment

Theories: urban theory

Examining the Impact of ICT on Sustainable Development: A Data-Driven Narrative

2021 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Ramasubramanian, Gautam; Shaikh, Aijaz; Sharma, Ravishankar

Abstract: Considering the challenges of sustainable development and the mixed prescription ... Expand

Abstract: Considering the challenges of sustainable development and the mixed prescriptions being offered by the use of digital technologies, we present a datadriven narrative of how ICT development impacts the sustainable growth of economies. The analysis is based on historical panel data from 39 economies across the developed and developing economies. The industrystandard CRISP-DM methodology was applied as it is flexible, robust, and offers a practical approach for data analytics. The findings reveal that there are differentiated outcomes in terms of sustainable growth among high-income and low-income economies. This poses legitimate questions as to whether low-income economies will be able to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 through the intermediation of ICT. Collapse

Topics: systems development missing data information system use IT skill productivity

Methods: Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining longitudinal research correlation analysis theory development regression analysis method

Chasing John Snow: data analytics in the COVID-19 era

2020 | European Journal of Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Pietz, Jesse; McCoy, Scott; Wilck, Joseph H.

Abstract: During the first half of 2020, the lives of people around the world abruptly cha ... Expand

Abstract: During the first half of 2020, the lives of people around the world abruptly changed due to COVID-19. Data visualisations and models related to the spread of the disease became ubiquitous. In this paper, we survey 25 different data analytics dashboards, highlight the modelling approach taken by each, and develop a multi-attribute utility theory model to assess their effectiveness in communicating key features that explain the spread of infectious disease. We show that the dashboards that feature dimensions that span the categories associated with compartmental epidemiology models tend to be relatively robust data visualisations, and we highlight that information systems need to be improved to include data on actions to reduce the spread of the disease. We analyse the actions taken by countries around the world and show that when governments employ strict measures early, particularly those that enforce social distancing and include widespread testing and comprehensive contact tracing, they are more likely to experience better outcomes. Recommendations for how countries should respond in future pandemics are detailed. Collapse

Topics: digital dashboard analytical information system pandemic data visualization systems development

Methods: survey longitudinal research sensitivity analysis machine learning

Theories: multi-attribute utility theory

Cultural Values’ Influences on Users’ Preferences for Gamification Techniques

2019 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Usunobun, Inegbedion; Anti, Emmanuel; Hu, Fumin; Habila, Levi; Sayed, Rakibul Hasan; Zhang, Yixin; Tuunanen, Tuure

Abstract: Gamification techniques such as badges, levels, roles, are widely adopted in inf ... Expand

Abstract: Gamification techniques such as badges, levels, roles, are widely adopted in information systems (IS). Though researchers have noted that cultural values may influence users’ usage of IS, there is a lack of research regarding the relationship of cultural values and gamification techniques. Our study aims to contribute to this area. We propose that users’ cultural values may influence how they are motivated and further influence their preferences toward specific gamification techniques. In this research in progress, we review cultural values, examine the currently adopted gamification techniques, and then propose how cultural values influence users’ preferences toward specific gamification techniques. We encourage designers to cater the adoption of gamification techniques in IS according to the users’ cultural values, and researchers may further investigate the relation-ship between culture and gamification techniques. We propose a research agenda to investigate IS users’ preferences toward different gamification techniques through an experiment with cultural values primed and a survey with participants from different cultural settings. Collapse

Topics: gamification

Methods: survey experiment literature study

Imperatives and Challenges in using E-Government to Combat Corruption: A Systematic Review of Literature and a Holistic Model

2017 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Palvia, Shailendra; Anand, Ambuj Bhairawnath; Seetharaman, Priya; Verma, Sanjay

Abstract: Corruption, both bureaucratic and political, exists in various forms. Causes and ... Expand

Abstract: Corruption, both bureaucratic and political, exists in various forms. Causes and effects of corruption have been documented in various academic and practitioner forums. Developing countries are plagued by rampant corruption caused by several economic, cultural, social and regulatory factors and are struggling to make changes to control and combat corruption. e-Government and e-Participation systems can substantially reduce corruption. Through a comprehensive literature review of over 100 published papers, we analyze the different theoretical models, empirical data and conclusions relating to e-government and its role in combating corruption. We decoct and synthesize the review to evolve four dominant themes relating to the association of e-government with corruption and propose a holistic model of the same. We also examine the challenges associated with each of the themes. We believe this model can be validated by researchers in different contexts while such a holistic understanding can help practitioners view potential solutions differently. Collapse

Topics: government system decision support systems implementation diffusion of innovation criminality

Methods: literature sample literature study qualitative content analysis case study theory development

Theories: institutional theory technology acceptance model unified theory of acceptance and use of technology structuration theory transaction cost economics

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

Scrutiny, Norms, and Selective Disclosure: A Global Study of Greenwashing

2016 | Organization Science | Citations: 18

Authors: Marquis, Christopher; Toffel, Michael W.; Zhou, Yanhua

Abstract: Under increased pressure to report environmental impacts, some firms selectively ... Expand

Abstract: Under increased pressure to report environmental impacts, some firms selectively disclose relatively benign impacts, creating an impression of transparency while masking their true performance. We theorize circumstances under which firms are less likely to engage in such selective disclosure, focusing on organizational and institutional factors that intensify scrutiny and expectations of transparency and that foster civil society mobilization. We test our hypotheses using a novel panel data set of 4,750 public companies across many industries that are headquartered in 45 countries during 2004–2007. Results show that firms that are more environmentally damaging, particularly those in countries where they are more exposed to scrutiny and global norms, are less likely to engage in selective disclosure. We discuss contributions to research on institutional theory, strategic management, and information disclosure. Collapse

Topics: data breach accounting standard missing data strategic management environmental sustainability

Methods: theory development descriptive statistic hierarchical linear modeling robustness check Compustat

Theories: organizational behavior theory institutional theory theory of economic development

Culture, Conformity, and Emotional Suppression in Online Reviews

2016 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Yili Hong; Ni Huang; Burtch, Gord; Chunxiao Li

Abstract: In this study, we examine consumers' cultural background as an antecedent of onl ... Expand

Abstract: In this study, we examine consumers' cultural background as an antecedent of online review characteristics. We theoretically propose and empirically examine the effect of cultural background (specifically individualism (versus collectivism)) on consumers' tendency to conform to prior opinion and review texts' emotionality. We also examine how conformity and emotionality relate to review helpfulness. We test our hypotheses using a unique dataset that combines online restaurant reviews from Trip Advisor with measures of individualism/collectivism values. We found that consumers from a collectivist culture were less likely to deviate from the average prior rating and to express emotion in their reviews. Moreover, individuals perceived those reviews that exhibited high conformity and intense emotions to be less helpful. We also present several important implications for managing online review platforms in light of these findings, which reflect the previously unidentified drivers of systematic differences in the characteristics of online reviews. Collapse

Topics: online review cross cultural research user-generated content online word of mouth website

Methods: survey robustness check descriptive statistic product review natural language processing

Training with automated agents improves people's behavior in negotiation and coordination tasks

2014 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 3

Authors: Lin, Raz; Gal, Ya'akov (Kobi); Kraus, Sarit; Mazliah, Yaniv

Abstract: There is inconclusive evidence whether practicing tasks with computer agents imp ... Expand

Abstract: There is inconclusive evidence whether practicing tasks with computer agents improves people's performance on these tasks. This paper studies this question empirically using extensive experiments involving bilateral negotiation and three-player coordination tasks played by hundreds of human subjects. We used different training methods for subjects, including practice interactions with other human participants, interacting with agents from the literature, and asking participants to design an automated agent to serve as their proxy in the task. Following training, we compared the performance of subjects when playing state-of-the-art agents from the literature. The results revealed that in the negotiation settings, in most cases, training with computer agents increased people's performance as compared to interacting with people. In the three player coordination game, training with computer agents increased people's performance when matched with the state-of-the-art agent. These results demonstrate the efficacy of using computer agents as tools for improving people's skills when interacting in strategic settings, saving considerable effort and providing better performance than when interacting with human counterparts. Collapse

Topics: decision making privacy

Methods: experiment experimental group simulation parametric test literature study