Department of Information Systems

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A framework to teach digital innovation skills to South African Information Systems students
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) van den Berg, Carolina Lucia; Breytenbach, Johan
The diffusion of the digital infrastructure is opening up multiple opportunities for innovations to transform business and society. The overall purpose of Information Systems (IS) education is to equip students to use technology to improve business, the environment and society, and digital innovation lies at the heart of this transformation. IS students are instructed in both Information Technology (IT) and business and therefore can be taught to identify the value of technology advances to meet an unmet organisational or societal need. IS students ought to play a leading role as the innovators of the future. Their teaching and learning environment needs to prepare them for this uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. They have to move beyond the current horizons of knowledge and skills within a specific discipline and develop a "sense of self" in order to be adaptable which requires a curriculum that is "future proof". The aim of this research study is to develop a framework to teach digital business innovation to South African students in Information Systems (IS).
A framework to teach digital innovation skills to South African Information Systems students
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) van den Berg, Carolina Lucia; Breytenbach, Johan
The diffusion of the digital infrastructure is opening up multiple opportunities for innovations to transform business and society. The overall purpose of Information Systems (IS) education is to equip students to use technology to improve business, the environment and society, and digital innovation lies at the heart of this transformation. IS students are instructed in both Information Technology (IT) and business and therefore can be taught to identify the value of technology advances to meet an unmet organisational or societal need. IS students ought to play a leading role as the innovators of the future. Their teaching and learning environment needs to prepare them for this uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. They have to move beyond the current horizons of knowledge and skills within a specific discipline and develop a "sense of self" in order to be adaptable which requires a curriculum that is "future proof". The aim of this research study is to develop a framework to teach digital business innovation to South African students in Information Systems (IS).
The adoption of e-commerce in the Lesotho tourism industry
(Wiley, 2016) Mapeshoane, Tsebetso J.; Pather, Shaun
Over the years, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been revolutionising global markets. In developed nations, for example, there has been a push for developing countries to adopt ICT as leverage towards improving their economic development. However, in the current era, ICT adoption has not been as widespread as anticipated in some parts of the world, with its use in developing countries especially, lagging behind. This is particularly so amongst the small, medium, micro-enterprise (SMME) sector, important drivers of the economy in the developing world. SMMEs in developing countries have been hindered in the uptake of ICTs, largely due to underlying issues such as the high cost of ICT, inadequate and unreliable infrastructure, as well as lack of policy necessary to promote competition and growth within the ICT sectors.
An Agile software development adoption framework for the South African financial industry
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Norman, Nicholas; Breytenbach, Johan
There have been multiple developments and growth within the software development methodologies in the Financial Industries in South Africa. These developments and growth have been for constant process improvement to maximize the outcome with the shortest lead time possible. Agile software development methodologies have been the most popular in recent years. The methodologies are flexible to adapt to any type of process requirements because they have multitude variations for process improvements. Quality tends to be compromised when rushing to meet deadlines. However, with adaptive Agile methodologies, quality is not compromised when being rushed with shortened process time. Agile methodologies are not only beneficial to the organisation but also to the developers as they provide them with individual benefits, which open the gateway for more productivity. In this study the adoption of the Agile software development methodologies will be investigated.
Analysing ICT Investment by Micro-enterprises in the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Miti, Nkazimlo; Njenga, James Kariuki
Micro-enterprises solve many socio-economic issues facing developing nations because of their large contribution to economic development and progress. Micro-enterprises have been influenced by the continued globalisation, digitisation and modernisation of business practices. As a result, micro-enterprises’ are investing in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to enhance enterprise and economic growth, performance, productivity and a competitive advantage. However, the benefits of these investments are not always realised, often because of the ad hoc nature in which micro-enterprises function and a lack of formalised methods and strategy. When these are not realised, micro-enterprise suffer in terms of competitiveness, performance and returns. Maturity models, are tools that help solve issues relating to an enterprise’s current status in terms of its capabilities and resources, and how these issues can be improved. Maturity models may present the ideal solution for micro-enterprise to invest in ICT. Larger enterprises have been able to use maturity models for strategic ICT investments realising benefits. The benefits of using maturity models as a guide to ICT investment include: saving on long-term operational and tactical costs, self-evaluation and linking business and ICT strategy among others. This research sought to determine how micro-enterprises in the Western Cape can use a maturity model in planning strategy for investments in ICT. Data was gathered from micro-enterprises and their stakeholders to find the best maturity model fit. These model fitness considered the entire internal and external environmental factors influencing micro-enterprise ICT investment decision-making. The research investigated micro-enterprises, their current practices, focus and strategic, tactical and operational behaviour in terms of business and ICT. Of the 34 micro-enterprises that took part, most them knew of the concept of growth and maturity of the enterprise, they used none discernable metric to measure their internal and external activities regarding ICT investment. It highlighted the alignment of business and ICT as a major issue that needed to be addressed in order for micro-enterprises to be competitive, improve performance and returns. The recommended model from the research provides a formalised process that covers both the micro-enterprises internal and external matrices when deciding on the ICT investment to be made.
An analysis of the current and future deployment of Information Systems and Technology at the University of the Western Cape
(Dept of Information Systems, Univ. of the Western Cape, 2000) Bytheway, Andrew J.
In order to successfully deploy information technology and information systems, any organisation must have a strategy indicating where its business is going, an understanding of the information systems that will help to deliver that strategy, and the capability to deliver and exploit those information systems. It is commonly believed that UWC does not have a strategy (although we acknowledge that a draft document has been tabled at Senate since the main stage of this study concluded). There are relentless pressures to change the way that we work at UWC. Strategies will be needed at institutional and faculty levels, and new information systems will be required to support them. Much of our recent investment has been in information technology as much as it has been in information systems and services. These things are different, and it is the systems and services that deliver the benefits of an investment, not the technology.
The application of usability principles to create web-based applications that achieve increased system usage
(University of the Western Cape, 2011) Bezuidenhout, Stephanie; Whyte, G.; Dept. of Information Systems; Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
This research work investigates and reports on the contribution of usability and perceptual frameworks towards understanding and ultimately increasing usage of a sales website and a corporate marketing website for a major insurance company in South Africa. It investigates whether the application of usability principles to the sales web positively influences the usage of the sales web system as a tool by intermediaries, and in so doing help the organisation recoup their investment and lower operational costs. This financial services (traditionally insurance) company, like many organisations, is in the process of migrating key operational systems onto web platforms to take advantage of benefits such as the ubiquity of web access and services orientated architecture among others. The research reviewed key frameworks in the area of technology acceptance or usage namely Nielsen‟s usability attributes (Nielsen, 2003). The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), (Davis, 1989). The Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975). The Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985); and derived a theoretical summative model (the Conceptual Research Model) that combined both usability and perceptual dimensions. The applicability of this summative model was empirically tested using quantitative data relating to system usage and user perception. Empirical evidence was gathered to prove and refine the Conceptual Research Model (CRM), and the data substantiated the inclusion of the constructs in the CRM, as well as the efficacy of the model in a financial services organisation. Through testing of the CRM, this research has also confirmed which specific attributes of usability can be focussed on to bring about positive change in users' usage behaviour and adoption of a website or web application.
Applying living labs in the design of emerging digital platforms – A higher education case study in Douth Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Grové, Wouter Johannes; Breytenbach, Johan
In this study, the Living Labs approach was evaluated as an approach towards co-creating the design and implementation process of specific digital artefacts. The design process of the UDUBSit emerging digital platform at a South African higher education institution (HEI) was simultaneously technological and social in nature, and it deeply reflected the underlying mechanisms and tensions inherent to the emergence of planetary-scale computation. The single case study analysis, conducted from a Critical Realist perspective, was the product of a four-year longitudinal research process focused on the development of a location-based, goal-focused mobile application as an intended emerging social networking platform and emerging digital platform. The emerging social networking platform has been developed using the Living Labs methodology, with a particular in-case focus on digital inclusion and online community building using mobile technology within the context of a higher education institution in South Africa.
Applying living labs in the design of emerging digital platforms – A higher education case study in Douth Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Grové, Wouter Johannes; Breytenbach, Johan
In this study, the Living Labs approach was evaluated as an approach towards co-creating the design and implementation process of specific digital artefacts. The design process of the UDUBSit emerging digital platform at a South African higher education institution (HEI) was simultaneously technological and social in nature, and it deeply reflected the underlying mechanisms and tensions inherent to the emergence of planetary-scale computation. The single case study analysis, conducted from a Critical Realist perspective, was the product of a four-year longitudinal research process focused on the development of a location-based, goal-focused mobile application as an intended emerging social networking platform and emerging digital platform. The emerging social networking platform has been developed using the Living Labs methodology, with a particular in-case focus on digital inclusion and online community building using mobile technology within the context of a higher education institution in South Africa.
Approaches for enhancing information sharing between government and communities in Western Cape
(AOSIS, 2021) Nelwamondo, Murendeni; Njenga, James K.
The Western Cape Provincial Government uses digital intermediaries to facilitate information sharing between individuals, communities and the government. Digital intermediaries are shared facilities where communities can visit and have access to information and communication technology (ICT) and the internet. Communities benefit economically, socially and politically by using free access to ICT and the internet from intermediaries’ facilities to share information with the government. There seem to be disparities between the roles of the different stakeholders in information sharing. These disparities often result in poor communication between the government and communities, and also poor government services delivery.
Assessment of the quality of HIV data in an electronic system in a health sub-district in the Eastern Cape
(University of Western Cape, 2020) Makazha, Timothy; Reagon, Gavin
In South Africa, public health facilities provide free antiretroviral treatment (ART) mainly via primary healthcare (PHC) nurses. To streamline data collection an electronic HIV information system (TIER.Net), was introduced in 2010. Data originates in paper-based records completed by clinicians with the data from these paper systems then being captured into TIER.Net by clerical data capturers. TIER.Net is designed to effectively monitor outcomes of the ART programme and generate information for planning, management and decision making. For Enock Mgijima subdistrict to attain these functions, it is imperative that data collected at the 21 PHC facilities in the sub-district be of good quality. There has been uncertainty around the quality levels of the data collected through the paper records and TIER.Net, and it was unclear which factors promote or inhibit improved data quality.
Barriers for user acceptance of Mobile Health applications for Diabetic patients: Applying the UTAUT model
(Springer Nature, 2020) Petersen, Fazlyn; Jacobs, Mariam; Pather, Shaun
The literature illustrates that technology will widen health disparity if its use is restricted to patients who are already motivated and demonstrate good self-management behaviours. Additionally, despite the availability of free mobile health (m-health) applications for diabetes self-management, usage is low. There are also limited studies of m-health acceptance in South Africa. This research is delineated to the Western Cape, South Africa. The populace suffers from increasing numbers of diabetic patients. Segments of the population also suffer from technological forms of exclusion, such as limited internet access. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify challenges for user acceptance that discourages the use of m-health applications. This study analysed 130 semi-structured interviews, using thematic content analysis
A benefits framework for public access ICT4D programmes
(Wiley-Blackwell, 2020) Pather, Shaun; Uys, Corrie
There have been expectations across the developing world that information and communications technologies (ICTs) will deliver benefits to marginalised people. Despite many programmes related to the promotion of Internet uptake and usage amongst poorer communities, evidence regarding such benefit is lacking, and there is little agreement in respect of frameworks and metrics to evaluate the benefits thereof. This paper reports on a case study that investigated the nature of a public access information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) pro-gramme and presents a framework for assessing the associated benefits in the South African context.
Big data analytics capabilities and the organisational performance of South African retailers
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Hollong, Diana Welbotha; van den Berg, Carolien
Big data analytics is becoming a real source of competitive advantage and growth as it helps organisations to have a better understanding of their insights. Recent studies have identified the resources needed to build a big data analytics capability (BDAC) and examined their relationship with firm performance. Building on this, the study attempts to examine the relationship between BDAC and the organisational performance of South African retailers. The study was guided by three main objectives: To empirically determine the impact of big data analytics tangible capabilities (BDATC) on the organisational performance (OP) of South African retailers, to empirically determine the impact of big data analytics human capabilities (BDAHC) on the organisational performance (OP) of South African retailers and to empirically determine the impact of big data analytics intangible capabilities (BDAIC) on the organisational performance (OP) of South African retailers.
Biometrics application in airport security and the Individual's right to privacy
(University of the Western Cape, 2007) Bhunjun, Ganeshwar Kumar; Mansfield, Glen Martin; Goussard, Yvette
Biometrics is the science of identification or verification of any individual based on that person's unique physiological and behavioural characteristics. As the application of biometrics technologies achieve global penetration, particularly in airport security, so individual privacy becomes compromised. This research examines the relationship between privacy and security, using South African air travellers as its focus, and airports as the specific area of application. Two different approaches have been used for this research. The first is a literature-based approach that discusses the use of biometrics technologies and privacy concerns for airport security. The second method is empirical fieldwork in which questionnaires were used to measure the response of South Africans, residing in Cape Town, regarding their attitude towards the use of biometrics for authentication and their perceptions of the relationship between privacy and security. This thesis tries to give an answer to the following questions: Will travellers accept biometrics for higher security measures, that is, positive authentication? Will passengers be willing to opt for higher security measures by giving up privacy? Are passengers prepared to make privacy sacrifices for the sake of convenience? The response rate to the questionnaire was 91.3% from a sampling frame of 150. It delivered 136 usable responses. The survey findings indicate that all passengers making international trips are familiar with fingerprint technology, as they have had to provide fingerprints for passport and/or driver's licenses. The opinion survey confirmed that South African passengers are more concerned about their personal security than privacy. Respondents would sacrifice privacy for higher security and convenience. The results also illustrate that the majority of individuals would accept using biometric technologies at the airport as a means to improved security. Findings from this research make a contribution towards understanding public attitudes regarding the application of biometric technologies and individual privacy rights, specifically focused on the application at airport security.
Business processes alignment for an effective e-government implementation: a case study of a Provincial Government in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2016) Kunene, Thabani W.; Mitrovic, Zoran; Njenga, James Kariuki
The purpose of the research case study was to assess the current state of alignment of business processes to Provincial Strategic Goals (PSGs) and services in the Provincial Government and to identify the way to align business processes to PSGs and services for an effective e-government implementation. Existing literatures were reviewed in order to identify relevant models to achieve the purpose of the research case study. An empirical research case study and comparative approach were used in order to identify suitable models, by means of strengths and weaknesses of the identified models and discussed. A qualitative research design and methodology was applied while assessing existing models from various literatures. A model to identify the current state of business processes was identified by the researcher and tested to assess the current state of business processes in the Provincial Government in question. There was no existing model to assess the alignment of business processes to Provincial Strategic Goals and services. Alignment elements that were cited by various literatures were used by the researcher to design and propose a Business Process Alignment Model (BPAM). The BPAM was tested and accepted by the Provincial Government where the study was conducted. The research case study predominantly used a qualitative research design and method. The quantitative illustrative approach was applied only to validate the proposed model that was designed by the researcher. A questionnaire was used to conduct interviews with research participants that were selected within the Provincial Government in question. It should further be noted that a quantitative approach was used to illustrate some findings that were analysed by the researcher. Results confirmed that the current state of business processes within the Provincial Government in question was still at level two (repeatable state). Yet the alignment of business processes to Provincial Strategic Goals and services did not exist; this alignment was assessed using the proposed BPAM which was designed by the researcher during this research case study. The effectiveness of e-government services is dependent on proper alignment of business processes and the maturity level of business processes across the organisation. Without proper alignment of business processes, it is a challenge for the public sector organisations to realise effective e-government implementation, not excluding other factors that have been identified by other literatures. This research case study will contribute to the current body of knowledge regarding effective e-government implementation, particularly in the public sector at Provincial level. Public sector organisations in South Africa could leverage on this work to address issues associated with business process alignment.
The challenge of privacy and security when using technology to track people in times of COVID-19 pandemic
(Elsevier, 2021) Smidt, Hermanus J; Jokonya, Osden
Since the start of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) governments and health authorities across the world have find it very difficult in controlling infections. Digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, blockchain and 5G have effectively improved the efficiency of efforts in epidemic monitoring, virus tracking, prevention, control and treatment. Surveillance to halt COVID-19 has raised privacy concerns, as many governments are willing to overlook privacy implications to save lives. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a focused Systematic Literature Review (SLR), to explore the potential benefits and implications of using digital technologies such as AI, big data and cloud to track COVID-19 amongst people in different societies. The aim is to highlight the risks of security and privacy to personal data when using technology to track COVID-19 in societies and identify ways to govern these risks. The paper uses the SLR approach to examine 40 articles published during 2020, ultimately down selecting to the most relevant 24 studies. In this SLR approach we adopted the following steps; formulated the problem, searched the literature, gathered information from studies, evaluated the quality of studies, analysed and integrated the outcomes of studies while concluding by interpreting the evidence and presenting the results. Papers were classified into different categories such as technology use, impact on society and governance. The study highlighted the challenge for government to balance the need of what is good for public health versus individual privacy and freedoms. The findings revealed that although the use of technology help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, government surveillance to halt has sparked privacy concerns. We suggest some requirements for government policy to be ethical and capable of commanding the trust of the public and present some research questions for future research.
Communicating for development using social media: A case study of e-inclusion intermediaries in under-resourced communities
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Katunga, Natasha; Njenga, James; Van Audenhove, Leo
South Africa is committed to accelerating the roll-out of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support development at all levels. E-inclusion intermediaries (e-IIs) are used in the country to bridge the digital divide and to create equal opportunities for citizens to benefit from using ICTs. E-IIs are established mainly in under-resourced communities by private, public and third-sector organisations to provide physical access to ICT services for free or at a very low cost. The aim of e-IIs is to make ICT services affordable for and accessible to marginalised and poor community members, who can use the ICT to support community development. The debate is ongoing regarding the contribution of e-IIs towards community development due to, in part, the lack of quantifiable evidence to support the impact that the e-IIs have on development in the communities. Furthermore, despite the existence of e-IIs in communities, there still are community members who do not use the e-IIs. This has been attributed to the lack of awareness of the e-IIs and the services they provide. This lack of awareness is often blamed on the ineffective communication strategies of e-IIs. E-IIs are accused of relying heavily on traditional communication channels and conventional mass media, which do not share information and create awareness effectively in the communities. The increased uptake of modern technologies, such as the Internet and mobile devices, in South Africa has created new opportunities to communicate with community members to share information and create awareness. Social media, for instance, which are mostly accessed through mobile devices, have made communication more accessible and inexpensive for community members with limited skills and resources. Social media have also become popular among development actors in their attempt to direct policy, create awareness and garner community members’ support for development interventions. Arguably, e-IIs could also benefit from using social media, which have become popular in some communities, to communicate with community members in order to create awareness of the e-IIs, the services they provide and the benefits of using ICTs to support community development. The investigation undertaken in this study was twofold. Firstly, the quick-scan analysis method was used to analyse fifty e-IIs. Using this method it was possible to explore the services that are provided by e-IIs as well as how e-IIs communicate with community members and other development actors. Secondly, using six in-depth case studies this study further investigated how e-IIs’ services support community development and how the e-IIs communicate for development, paying special attention to their use of social media.
Communicating for development using social media: A case study of e-inclusion intermediaries in under-resourced communities
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Katunga, Natasha; Njenga, James; Van Audenhove, Leo
South Africa is committed to accelerating the roll-out of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support development at all levels. E-inclusion intermediaries (e-IIs) are used in the country to bridge the digital divide and to create equal opportunities for citizens to benefit from using ICTs. E-IIs are established mainly in under-resourced communities by private, public and third-sector organisations to provide physical access to ICT services for free or at a very low cost. The aim of e-IIs is to make ICT services affordable for and accessible to marginalised and poor community members, who can use the ICT to support community development. The debate is ongoing regarding the contribution of e-IIs towards community development due to, in part, the lack of quantifiable evidence to support the impact that the e-IIs have on development in the communities. Furthermore, despite the existence of e-IIs in communities, there still are community members who do not use the e-IIs. This has been attributed to the lack of awareness of the e-IIs and the services they provide. This lack of awareness is often blamed on the ineffective communication strategies of e-IIs. E-IIs are accused of relying heavily on traditional communication channels and conventional mass media, which do not share information and create awareness effectively in the communities. The increased uptake of modern technologies, such as the Internet and mobile devices, in South Africa has created new opportunities to communicate with community members to share information and create awareness. Social media, for instance, which are mostly accessed through mobile devices, have made communication more accessible and inexpensive for community members with limited skills and resources. Social media have also become popular among development actors in their attempt to direct policy, create awareness and garner community members’ support for development interventions. Arguably, e-IIs could also benefit from using social media, which have become popular in some communities, to communicate with community members in order to create awareness of the e-IIs, the services they provide and the benefits of using ICTs to support community development. The investigation undertaken in this study was twofold. Firstly, the quick-scan analysis method was used to analyse fifty e-IIs. Using this method it was possible to explore the services that are provided by e-IIs as well as how e-IIs communicate with community members and other development actors. Secondly, using six in-depth case studies this study further investigated how e-IIs’ services support community development and how the e-IIs communicate for development, paying special attention to their use of social media.
Competencies for successful use of social online simulation games within organisational leadership development
(University of the Western Cape, 2014) Grove, Wouter Johannes; Mitrovic, Zoran
The humble Pong arcade game at the corner store ignited a fundamental culture shift in the 1970s and it is increasingly gaining momentum. A generation of gamers is already permeating organisations. The socio-cultural phenomenon of digital gaming has become pervasive. The intersection point of the three trends, Ubiquitous Computing, Ubiquitous Gaming and Social Networking, is the focus point of this study. It is at this intersection point that both social online gaming and cutting-edge leadership competencies co-exist and have the potential to flourish when implemented with caution and circumspection. Leadership is frequently touted as an almost mystical holy grail in modern business. Leadership :pevelopment is therefore often recognised as a critical pivot for business success. If business leaders can successfully utilise game-based learning to maximise their return on investment in Leadership Development initiatives, this may not only increase business metrics, but also enable business leaders to leave a lasting legacy by sculpting new generations of leaders who are ready and able to face the future. Social Online Simulation Gaming (SOSG) as a learning design and learning technology can prove particularly valuable as a leadership and skills development tool within the "digimodem" world. Current literature, however, does not provide a clearly focused framework for the implementation of ICT supported game-based Leadership Development technologies within the information economy. Current literature fails to integrate and take into account aspects critical to the successful utilisation of SOSG, such as the principles of "Flow Design", the often "Puppet Master" role and the interrelatedness, even interdependence, of the required utilisation competencies There is currently not a clear and specific framework for evaluating the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) competencies, knowledge, skills and attitudes required to successfully use Socia1 ·bnline Simulation Games software within the context of Organisational Leaden;hip Development. This study aimed to create and refine a framework for evaluating the ICT competencies required to successfully implement SOSG as Leadership Development tool.

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