Magister Commercii - MCom (IM) (Information Management)

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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.
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.
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.
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.
Community-driven initiatives for the social sustainability of e-centres in the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Sigwadi, Vuyiswa Patiance; Njenga, James Kariuki
E-centres ensure digital inclusion by providing access to information and communication technologies to disadvantaged communities. E-centres face sustainability challenges in their operations, which hamper their digital inclusion agenda. Literature was reviewed to identify factors that contribute to sustainability. A few case studies were evaluated to identify factors contributing to their success or failure. The study seeks to understand how community-driven initiatives can ensure the sustainability of an e-centre, using the six dimensions of social capital theory from (Grootaert, Narayan, Jones, & Woolcock, 2004) to guide the research using a qualitative research approach for data collection with semi-structured interviews as the instrument. E-centre managers, development leaders and e-centre users were interviewed from three e-centres in the Western Cape. The philosophical approach that informed the study is interpretivism as the research paradigm. A purposive sample method was used. The (Miles & Huberman, 1994) model was used to guide the data analysis process, a combination of inductive and theoretical thematic analysis used for analysis. Key findings from the study were the importance of stakeholder relationships, the running of ecentres and the influence e-centres have on communities. Regarding stakeholder relationships, it was noted that relationships amongst the various stakeholders of an e-centre have an impact on the success of the e-centre.
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.
A conceptual framework for digital customer experience in online retail industry
(University of the Western Cape, 2021) Mamhiyo, Godwill Anesu T; Jokonya, Osden
With the advent of digital technology, retailers can enhance the customer’s experience by transitioning from traditional Customer Experience to Digital Customer Experience (DCx). Experiences are seen as differentiators that companies leverage on today. Customer expectations have since risen in the age of digital transformation and omnichannel platforms, leading to consumers demanding an enhanced DCx from online retailers. This shift challenges businesses to bring customer data together and then derive value from it as it becomes more complex and richer. This empirical study used a survey design and a quantitative research method to investigate factors affecting DCx in a city within a developing country.
A conceptual framework for the adoption of e-logistics technologies: Towards improved data analytics practice in the Western Cape fishing industry
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Khumalo, Bradley Bucky; Pather, Shaun
E-logistics technologies to enhance supply chain efficiencies and improve data analytics across nations and industries continue to be developed. These provide the capacity and capability to enable timely, accurate and readily accessible data analytics at low cost and greater efficiencies. The abundance of these technologies has not translated to increased e-logistics technology adoption in the local fishing industry. Instead, the industry continues to use, as part of its operations, outdated methods of data collection resulting in frequently inaccurate and incoherent analyses. While quantitative fisheries management has significantly improved, data analytics has remained a challenge. Consequently, there have been numerous calls for the adoption and implementation of e-logistics technologies which would improve data analytics capabilities, complementing quantitative fisheries management interventions.
Designing industrial image processing applications for warehouse management in South Africa
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Davids, Heinrich; Breytenbach, Johan
With conclusive evidence from multiple research studies it is evident that the lack of real time information flows in Warehouse Management (WM) operations leads to rigid, un-optimised supply chains. Industrial Image Processing (IIP) is a popular new technology that allows for improved information flows in WM processes through the capture and analysis of images in real time. This study aims to investigate the design principles for improving WM processes through IIP implementation.
A digital skills development framework for digitally maturing South African Higher Education Institutions
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Kariem, Ilse; Breytenbach, Johan
The advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution brought on an onslaught of technology rippling through a multitude of industries. Smart Cities, Smart Communities, Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing are but a few buzzwords of this digital age. It is argued in Information Systems that many of the challenges faced by communities can be addressed in part through the innovative use of technology. As Higher Education (HE) communities move from traditional campus communities to smart campus communities, the application and implementation of technological advancements and digital skills are needed to facilitate the transition. The disruption caused by COVID-19 virus has had a significant effect on the tertiary educational sector. This research is particularly important and relevant in a post-pandemic phase in which HE finds itself. Especially, establishing a technological and digitally equipped HE community to safeguard itself from possible future threats that impede daily operations within HE campus communities.
The e ect of mobile BI on organisational managerial decision-making
(University of Western Cape, 2014) Buchana, Yasser; Naicker, Visvanathan; Bankole, Felix
Managerial decision-making has always involved the use of numerous distinct information resources. Modern managerial decision-making processes require a wealth of information that is enhanced and transformed into knowledge in order to take effective action. Mobility in business is increasingly exercising influence on core business processes of organisations. The shift to wireless technologies coupled with the rapid growth of mobile devices in business has led to a new era in business computing. Mobile Business Intelligence (Mobile BI) is a system that has been conceived to assist, accelerate and to enhance the managerial decision-making processes. This thesis focuses on the e ect of Mobile BI on managerial decision-making. This thesis was able to answer the research question and to meet the research objectives through an extensive study of literature on the two most important spheres of influence i.e Business Intelligence and Managerial decision-making. Moreover, the objectives were met through the implementation of practical empirical research. The latter was carried out through a survey research design using questionnaire method of data collection. This research produced an number of ndings. The results indicated that Mobile BI played an important influencing role in the way managers make decisions. This study found that Mobile BI improved the quality of decisions made by managers used it for decision support subsequently improving performance of the organisation. Overall, four factors were found to be the predictors of Mobile BI for managerial decision making in organisations: Perceived Ease of Use of Mobile BI, Attitudes towards Use of Mobile BI, Perceived Value of Mobile BI with Behavioural Intention to Use of Mobile BI emerging as the most important predictors of Managerial Organisational decision-making.
E-skills and employability : a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculum perspective
(University of the Western cape, 2015) Mata, Songezo; Mitrovic, Zoran; Breytenbach, Johan
The high rate of youth unemployment is a global phenomenon and a worrying factor. This contradicted the opportunity presented by the ICT sector, which requires e-skills, particularly e-literacy/or digital literacy skills in the entire sectors of the economy, not only ICT. Ala-Mutka (2011) defines e-literacy skills as the "basic technical use of computers and the internet". ICT skills are viewed as essential in the modern day world in order to improve individual’s chances of securing and keeping employment. Various initiatives to improve youth employability in South Africa, particularly those that are studying TVET colleges or those have already graduated. Various approaches have been adopted such envisaged by the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training of 2013 i.e. preparation for workplace, self-employment through close cooperation of TVET colleges and industry (DHET, 2013). Employers assume that graduates are familiar with computer and Internet usage. Thus, the study set the following objectives: • To understand the theoretical and contextual background of promoting employability; • To explore existing employability frameworks that might be relevant for promoting employability; • To identify and categorize the factors that are relevant for promoting employability obtained from pertinent literature; • To validate these factors by interviewing key TVET stakeholders and ICT experts; • To propose an employability framework customized for the South African context; and • To explain the use of these factors within the proposed employability framework. The objectives were realised by reviewing pertinent literature, which led to the development of an employability conceptual research framework for South Africa. A conceptual research framework that consists of five factors from the e-skills national curriculum competency framework: (i) e-skills for service delivery; (ii) e-skills for new jobs; (iii) e-skills for existing jobs; (iv) self-employment; and (v) ICT practitioner skills. In-terms of e-skills levels i.e. ICT user skills, e-business skills and ICT practitioner skills. The first three sets of e-skills are associated with ICT user skill, e-skills for self-employment are associated with e-business skills and then ICT practitioner skills. This conceptual research framework was subsequently empirically verified using an interpretive approach by interviewing key TVET stakeholders and an ICT expert. The empirical findings affirmed the validity of the above-mentioned employability factors but also uncovered two additional factors: (iv) practical experience and infrastructure. These factors were subsequently incorporated into the final employability framework for South Africa. The main contribution of this study is the fact that it brings a new employability framework for TVET colleges for the South African context, with the hope that it can be applicable in similar environments in the developing context. There are some limitations in the present study due to a small research sample that was caused by the unavailability of employed graduates. However, it is believed that this limitation did not deem the results and the academic and practical contribution of the study invalid.
Enhancing the consumers' satisfaction using social media analytics within the financial industry of South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Solomon, Solayla; Mitrovic, Zoran; Breytenbach, Johan
Due to the pressures of increased competition from different banks, both globally and internationally, financial institutions have made a strategic decision to incorporate Social Media (SM) and subsequently Social Media Analytics (SMA) in the daily operations of their business. In recent years Social Media and especially SMA gained an immense amount of credibility and, as studies suggested, thousands of organisations were transformed, allowing them to become more client centric and to further increase their profits. There is currently not a clear and specific framework providing evidence that SMA can assist in enhancing consumer satisfaction; this study aims to create a framework detailing the consumer satisfaction factors and linking these factors to SMA, specifically in a financial institution within South Africa. Additionally, since SMA has not been given the acknowledgement it well deserves, this thesis will be investigating the impact of SMA on the financial industry, as well as how SMA transformed a South African bank and allowed it to enhance its consumer satisfaction and fundamentally change the manner in which the organisation operates.
Enterprise Architecture (EA) as a governance tool to reduce application duplication study of a duplication: a case South African Provincial Government
(University of the Western Cape, 2012) Gamiet, Farouk; Uys, Walter; Mitrovic, Zoran
The aim of this study is to investigate why the implementation of Enterprise Architecture (EA)in the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC)adopted in 2006,failed to be ineffective to address application duplication.
Evaluating a masters programme in health information management
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Chikware, Arthur B; Njenga, James
The use of information, as well as the volume thereof, has grown extensively over time, and is, arguably, the most fundamental resource for informed decision-making in most organisations (Nath, 2017). In order to understand information, and its importance, it is necessary to understand its constructs. The terms, information and data, tend to be used randomly, as if they are interchangeable; however, they differ in context (Morabito, 2013).Data is considered unprocessed information that comprise raw facts, numbers or signals (Morabito, 2013). Data, in isolation, tends to lack meaning; however, meaning is achieved, when applied in a context, or setting (Cooper, 2016). The basic form of data is meaningless, until processed, consequently, becoming information (Bernstein, 2009). On the other hand, information is considered a construct of expressive facts, numbers, or signals, which are meaningful to people, or processed data that have contextual meanings (Morabito, 2013). Information description is more complicated in business, or organisational contexts, compared to the world’s common use of the word (Adeoti-Adekeye, 1997). It is considered abstract ideas, or products, characteristic of informing documents, reports and other similar means (Adeoti-Adekeye, 1997). It is an important strategic resource in organisations that can be used to portray organisational image, formulation of knowledge and informing decision making, or actions (Morabito, 2013). It is an essential component of almost all organisations’ activities, and failure to manage it could impact the vision, image, or operations, negatively (Morabito, 2013).
Evaluating a masters programme in health information management
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Chikware, Arthur Bhekimpilo; Njenga, James
Health Information Management (HIM) is an essential health administration component for the organising, coordinating and distribution of health related information, for the benefit of all its recipients. HIM professionals combine some medical and business disciplines to perform their duties. This research was aimed at evaluating the outcomes of an academic Master’s programme in HIM, to assess whether it equiped Health Information Managers with the competences in multicultural communication, leadership and management, as well as whether it contributed theoretical knowledge about the composition of academic Masters’ programmes, and their significance towards the development of competences in HIM. The evaluation was conducted through a qualitative and quantitative survey. This approach enables the researcher to adopt an observer’s approach to the research exercise, and the participants/respondents are treated in a more equal manner. Essentially, this is done to limit the researcher’s bias, as well as encourage equal treatment of the participants/respondents.
Evaluating user satisfaction of university administration systems in the South African context
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Watungwa, Tatenda; Pather, Shaun
nformation Systems evaluation (ISE) is an area of research that has been conducted in depth across various contexts in relation to all phases of the systems development life cycle. In practice though, ISE is an often-overlooked dimension in the management of technology. Outcomes from carefully planned ISE exercises can potentially add value to an organization especially from a knowledge management context. Data derived from ISE can provide the managers of organizations with insights into users’ knowledge about systems operations and the efficiency thereof.

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