Research Articles (Information Systems)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10566/954

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People, data and decisions: overcoming individual barriers to data-driven practice in South African universities
(AOSIS (pty) Ltd, 2026) Chomunorwa, Silence; Van Den Berg, Carolien L.
Background: Data-driven decision-making (D3M) has become essential for enhancing efficiency, accountability and student success in higher education institutions (HEIs). Yet, South African universities continue to face challenges in adopting D3M, particularly because of individual-level barriers among staff who engage with data systems. Objectives: This study investigates individual barriers to D3M adoption among decision-makers in South African HEIs and proposes strategies to build capacity for effective and sustainable implementation. Method: A qualitative case study approach was employed, involving 24 semi-structured interviews conducted with senior managers, data specialists and academic staff at the University of the Western Cape. Thematic analysis was utilised to identify personal and contextual factors shaping D3M engagement. Results: The study recommends targeted capacity-building interventions, including awareness campaigns, diagnostic skills assessments and multi-tiered training programmes that integrate confidence-building and peer mentoring. Institutions should implement gradual, age-sensitive rollouts and appoint D3M champions to promote adoption by demonstrating success. Conclusion: By foregrounding individual-level dynamics, the study extends the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) and self-efficacy theory to the South African higher education context. It contributes actionable strategies for cultivating data-literate, confident and digitally empowered academic communities that support institutional transformation. Contribution: This research fills a gap in understanding personal-level barriers to D3M adoption in the under-researched South African higher education context. It contributes actionable insights for higher education leaders and policymakers.
Machine learning climate finance framework for environmental pollution credits among smallholder farmers in the Western Cape, South Africa
(World Association for Sustainable Development, 2026) Jokonya, Osden; Moravčík, Oliver
ACKGROUND: The growing global population, expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, is increasing the demand for sustainable food system practices and resilient food systems. The food system contributes to nearly one-third of global emissions, while smallholder farmers, who survive on farming, face challenges related to climate change and inefficient resource use. Existing research suggests a lack of innovative approaches to reduce food system emissions and waste while improving sustainability in the face of climate change. OBJECTIVES: The study's primary objective is to propose a conceptual climate finance framework to enable small-scale farmers to reduce pollution and generate verifiable environmental pollution credits. The study addresses a significant gap in the literature by proposing a machine learning-based conceptual climate finance framework for an environmental pollution credit system, aimed at small-scale farmers in the Western Cape, South Africa. METHOD: The study adopted an organisational cybernetics systems approach to propose a conceptual climate finance framework. This framework will use machine learning (ML) techniques, such as supervised learning, that can accurately predict and classify new and previously unseen data, learning from labelled datasets collected from various datasets in food systems. FINDINGS: The study's findings suggest that the proposed climate finance framework will not only help optimise farm practices but also allow farmers to earn pollution credits, offering new revenue streams. The study supports the COP29 agenda and drives advancement towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The proposed framework contributes to advancing the SDGs and driving meaningful environmental change in the region.
User dissatisfaction with a mental health application: Insights from Google Reviews
(AOSIS (pty) Ltd, 2025) Petersen, Fazlyn; Tom, Sheethal
Background: The increasing reliance on digital health solutions, particularly mental health applications, has the potential to revolutionise mental health management by offering accessible and scalable interventions. However, there are barriers to adoption and effectiveness. Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors contributing to user dissatisfaction with mental health applications. Method: A qualitative case study using more than 1600 Google reviews was conducted. A thematic analysis of user feedback was conducted, focusing on dissatisfaction, negative experiences and technical issues across application features, data management, health management, quality, user experience and well-being. The data were coded and analysed for patterns and co-occurrences among these categories. Results: Application quality, user experience and technical reliability were the most significant factors influencing dissatisfaction. Common technical issues, including crashes and poor interface design, negatively affected user engagement and reduced the applications’ effectiveness in supporting mental health management. Although some users reported improvements in well-being, technical challenges frequently offset these. Conclusion: The findings emphasise the need for improved user-centred design, stable technical infrastructure and personalised features to enhance mental health applications. Addressing these issues can increase user satisfaction and the overall effectiveness of digital health interventions. Contribution: This study contributes to the growing body of literature on digital health. It provides insights for improving the design and functionality of mental health applications. This assists in meeting user needs better.
Cybersecurity mindset and upskilling: resilience via lifelong learning and security education.
(AOSIS (pty) Ltd, 2025) Sandi, Siyabulela; Van den Berg, Carolien
Background: Cyber-crime has escalated globally, posing significant risks to individuals, organisations and governments. Traditional security approaches are no longer sufficient to address evolving threats, highlighting the need for a cybersecurity mindset grounded in education and continuous learning. This study responded to a critical gap in understanding how lifelong learning and upskilling contribute to building cyber resilience. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate how cybersecurity education and awareness initiatives foster a cybersecurity mindset and resilience among individuals and enterprises. It also examined the challenges and opportunities in enhancing collaboration between academia, industry and government to strengthen cybersecurity education. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, analysing 46 peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2024. The review focused on educational strategies, awareness initiatives and collaboration models that support cybersecurity resilience. Results: The review revealed that continuous education, when embedded in formal, informal and professional learning contexts, significantly strengthens cybersecurity awareness and behavioural change. A proactive, multidisciplinary approach and collaboration across sectors were consistently emphasised as vital for sustained impact. Conclusion: Cybersecurity resilience is not solely a technological issue but a cultural and educational imperative. Embedding cybersecurity mindset development in national education strategies and organisational training programmes is essential to keeping pace with emerging threats. Contribution: This study contributes a consolidated understanding of how cybersecurity education and lifelong learning foster digital resilience. It offers practical insights for policymakers, educators and industry leaders seeking to align training with the evolving cyber threat landscape.
South African diabetic patients’ use of mobile applications for physical activity: an age comparison
(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2025) Petersen, Fazlyn
The prevalence of diabetes is greater in older, low-income, urban South African populations. Exploring the potential of mobile applications to aid in this challenge, the research focuses on 514 diabetic patients in Cape Town, applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling, the study identifies age-specific variations in factors influencing mobile app use. While overall predictability of intention to use mobile health apps for exercise is moderate (R2 = 11.6%), specific relationships differ across age groups. Notably, relationships involving Social Norm, Intention, and Perceived Behavioural Control show insignificance in certain age brackets. Although the study retains significance for the oldest age group at a 95% confidence interval, compared to the original 99%, the overall model exhibits low predictive power. The findings underscore the necessity for designers to tailor mobile applications to diverse age requirements. This research contributes to theoretical understanding by highlighting age-related nuances in the Theory of Planned Behaviour, offering practical insights for intervention design and public health policies to enhance diabetes management among various age groups in South Africa.
Digitalization of precision fertilization in East Africa: adoption, benefits and losses
(Frontiers Media SA, 2025) Jokonya, Osden; Fue, Kadeghe Goodluck; Baitu, Geofrey Prudence
Introduction: The rapid digitalization of agriculture in East Africa has spurred the adoption of precision fertilization tools, which optimize nutrient application and enhance crop yields. However, the extent of digital technology adoption, its benefits, and the challenges smallholder farmers face in the region remain unclear. Methods: A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines assessed the adoption of digital technologies for precision fertilization in East Africa. A comprehensive search of English-language studies published between 2010 and 2024 resulted in fifteen studies that met the inclusion criteria. Results: The review highlights digital solutions that assist smallholder farmers in sustainable resource management, including mobile applications, ICT tools, Variable Rate Application (VRA), and AI/ML technologies. Reported benefits include improved crop productivity, increased economic efficiency, and enhanced environmental sustainability. However, issues with data accuracy, limited access to technology, affordability constraints, and low digital literacy hinder widespread adoption. Discussion: The findings emphasize the need for further research and the development of tailored strategies to enhance digital agricultural practices in East Africa. Addressing socioeconomic and infrastructure challenges is crucial to ensuring equitable access and maximizing the effectiveness of digital precision fertilization tools. This review provides valuable insights to support stakeholders in developing sustainable, data-driven agricultural frameworks to improve regional food security.
Beyond the line and hook: Identifying primary e-logistics technology adoption factors in the fishing industry
(Universidade do Minho, 2025) Khumalo, Bradley Bucky; Pather, Shaun
In the current era, e-logistics technologies have become commonplace in businesses to enhance supply chain and associated data analytics efficiencies. However, while contributing significantly to the GDPs in many countries, the fishing industry has been slow at adopting new technologies. Many slow adopters in this industry continue to use outdated data collection methods, thereby resulting in less-than-optimal data-driven decision-making. While prior research has examined the role of emerging technologies in the industry, there has been limited research to date to understand adoption issues. Our study therefore investigates factors that influence the adoption of e-logistics technologies in the fishing industry, using the Western Cape province in South Africa as the study site. The research investigated these factors using the Security-Technology-Organisation-Environment-Diffusion-ofInnovation framework. Qualitative data was collected via semi-structured interviews. The findings provide a rich insight into several adoption factors that demonstrate an interplay of technological innovations, organisational dynamics, and the environment within the industry. The findings were synthesized into an e-logistics technology adoption model. This paper enriches the existing literature on technology adoption, contributing insights for fishing industry stakeholders, and lays the foundation for informed decision-making in the realm of e-logistics integration.
Design principles to develop digital innovation skills: a design‑based research approach
(Springer, 2024) van den Berg, Carolien; Bozalek, Vivienne
The digitisation of the world has led to a multitude of far-reaching implications that require students to be prepared for the dynamic era of rapid change, complexity, fluidity, and ubiquity in which they will work at the forefront of technology. To succeed in this environment, students must be able to design and implement digital innovations within the broader spectrum of digital transformation. Despite the importance of this area, the literature shows a lack of research on how digital business innovation skills can be effectively taught to students. To address this gap, a design-based research (DBR) study was conducted using a mixed-methods design through three iterations at a South African university. The study aimed to answer the research question of how digital business innovation skills should be taught to South African Information Systems students. The study commenced with an analysis of practical problems experienced by practitioners, industry, students, and researchers and an initial review of pertinent literature.
Digital development, inequalities & the Sustainable DevelopmentGoals: What does‘Leave No-One Behind’mean for ICT4D?
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2023) Rothe, Franz-Ferdinand; Van Audenhove, Leo; Loisen, Jan
The United Nations’Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) place greatemphasis on inequalities and pledge toleave no-one behind. For thefield of digital development, this objective presents a particularchallenge. While digital technologies can be utilized to reduce certaininequalities, they are also linked to reproductive mechanisms,reinforcing existing inequalities. In the context of an increasingdigitalization of development, particular attention must therefore bepaid to the link between digital inequalities and the quest to leave no-one behind. This article analyses the integration of intersectionalinequalities in the SDG framework and the resulting need for coherentpolicies, and demonstrates the parallels between this challenge and thereproductive nature of digital inequalities. On this basis, we argue thatthe issue of digital inequalities should be mainstreamed indevelopment programming in order to avoid worsening existinginequalities through digital development.
Factors affecting consumer acceptance and use of mobile delivery applications in South Africa
(AOSIS, 2023) Musakwa, Isabel S.; Petersen, Fazlyn
During the 2020 global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, mobile delivery applications flourished, facilitating consumer access to groceries. Research has shown, however, that usage remains low in developing countries such as South Africa. This research identifies factors that affect the acceptance and use of a mobile delivery application. It provides recommendations for application designers to improve application functionality and usability and for retailers to better understand customer needs.
Theorising with sociomateriality: interdisciplinary collaboration in socio-technical learning environments
(Educational Research for Social Change, 2022) van den Berg, Carolien; Verster, Belinda
In this paper, we explore the possibilities offered by sociomateriality for academics to engage with complex learning environments. The focus is on a longitudinal design-based research (DBR) study that includes an interdisciplinary, collaborative student project between Information Systems (IS) and Urban Planning (URP) from two different higher education institutions in Cape Town, South Africa. In the project, student groups collaborate to find potential digital innovations for sustainability challenges in their local communities. The aim is to position the student as an active community member with intimate knowledge of local sustainability challenges, and to develop social digital innovations for the benefit of local communities. We apply sociomateriality as a theoretical lens to rethink socio-technical learning environments and propose four pedagogical propositions of relationality, reflexivity, responsiveness, and recognition to guide the pedagogical decision-making when designing complex learning environments. We conclude the paper by mapping student reflections and experiences to the four pedagogical propositions to illustrate how the theoretical sociomaterial elements translate into the learning environment.
Exploring the factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technology in the supply chain and logistic industry
(AOSIS (pty) Ltd, 2022) Mthimkhulu, Ayanda; Jokonya, Osden
Background: The digitalisation phenomenon has significantly transformed and advanced the adoption of blockchain technology in organisations. The fourth industrial revolution has been the main driver of digital transformation in organisations to gain a competitive advantage in their respective industries. Therefore, studies on blockchain adoption have gained a relative pace over the recent years but there is limited literature focussing on the supply chain and logistics industry. The study fills the gap as it explored factors that affect the adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain and logistics. Objectives: The primary research objective of the study was to explore the factors that affect the adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain and logistics. The study explored the technological, organisational, and environmental factors that affect the adoption of blockchain technology in the supply chain and logistics industry. Method: The study conducted a content analysis of peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2021 on the factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technology in the supply chain and logistics. The article used a quantitative study to explore factors affecting blockchain adoption using the Technology-Organisational-Environmental (TOE) framework as the theoretical lens. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study revealed that Asia, Europe, and America contribute more research on factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technology between 2013 and 2021. In addition, the results suggest that technical factors (security, complexity, and cost), organisational factors (management support), and environmental factors (competition, IT policy and regulations, and support) affect the adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain and logistics industry. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technology in the supply chain and logistic industry. © 2022. The Authors.
Exploring the factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technology in the supply chain and logistic industry
(AOSIS, 2022) Mthimkhulu, Ayanda; Jokonya, Osden
The digitalisation phenomenon has significantly transformed and advanced the adoption of blockchain technology in organisations. The fourth industrial revolution has been the main driver of digital transformation in organisations to gain a competitive advantage in their respective industries. Therefore, studies on blockchain adoption have gained a relative pace over the recent years but there is limited literature focussing on the supply chain and logistics industry. The study fills the gap as it explored factors that affect the adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain and logistics. The primary research objective of the study was to explore the factors that affect the adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain and logistics. The study explored the technological, organisational, and environmental factors that affect the adoption of blockchain technology in the supply chain and logistics industry.
Towards a framework for interdisciplinary collaborative online learning spaces
(Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, 2022) Berg, Carolien van den; Verster, Belinda
This paper presents the findings from a longitudinal, inter-institutional Design-Based Research (DBR) study that commenced in 2020 with a focus on developing design principles for interdisciplinary collaborative online learning. The draft design principles as presented at HEAd’21 were further refined during the first iteration of the project and an updated framework is presented in this paper. The conceptual framework draws on elements of Future Learning Spaces (FLS) and sociomateriality to better understand and contextualise the design principles as it applies to pedagogy, space-time activities and technology.
Secondary school teachers’ perceptions of BYOD among learners within the classroom
(South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists, 2022) Mawere, Talent; Manjeese, Caleb; Chigada, Joel
The use of personally owned devices among learners has remained a contentious issue in schools across the globe. While several studies have been devoted to explaining the importance of such initiatives, the debate has continued to rage on, with most school authorities imposing a blanket ban on the use of these devices within their premises. In this study, we seek to contribute by examining in-service teachers’ perceptions of the use of personally owned devices in schools within the global south context. The qualitative study explores teachers’ understanding of the usefulness of technology and associated devices such as smartphones in the classroom.
Towards a framework to implement a digital agriculture value chain in South Africa for small-scale farmers
(AOSIS, 2022) Smidt, Hermanus J.; Jokonya, Osden
Digital technology adopted in agriculture value chains (AVCs) improves efficiency. There is a need to understand why some actors benefit more than others in AVCs and why this pattern at a global level is replicated locally.To understand how existing frameworks can enhance the understanding of Digital for Development (D4D) associated with digital AVCs to achieve the following: Distribute power and economic value amongst actors in the AVC more equally; retain the identity of small-scale farmers and their sustainable practices; establish effective communication to confront asymmetric information and the lack of access to knowledge effectively; to enhance research, development and innovation.
Remediating Sub-Saharan airline challenges and limitations
(AOSIS, 2022) Leitch, Guy D.; Chigada, Joel
Air transport connectivity to and within Africa is provided by both African and non-African airlines. These carriers are confronted by both intrinsic and extrinsic challenges, which constrain their ability to provide the level of air transport connectivity demanded to fully enable economic growth for the continent. In addition, since April 2020, the reduction in air connectivity resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has further constrained the capacity of the air transport industry to meet the passenger and freight demand.
Determinants of ICT adoption and uptake at a rural public-access ICT centre: A South African case study
(Routledge, 2021) Frans, Cecilia; Pather, Shaun
The global Covid-19 pandemic has created a heightened sense of awareness of the inequalities that prevail in society. Access to real-time information delivered via broadband internet has become critical for survival. However, the reality of the digital divide implies that some citizens, especially those in far-flung rural areas, are not as fortunate as others to be able to access such information given that internet access at a household level is only a reality across approximately 12% of South Africa. As such, the deployment of public-access ICT centres is still considered to be an important intervention by governments as a digital divide eradication strategy. However, the success of these initiatives is threatened by a lack of understanding of the issues relating to the adoption of ICTs in these communities. Qualitative data were collected via focus groups and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was applied as an analytical lens. The findings uphold the independent dimensions of UTAUT in explaining ICT adoption. The findings were also mapped to the Access, Capability and Environment (ACE). It was found that other external factors including those of corruption, training benefits and community exclusion are determinants of ICT adoption in a rural community.
The importance of education in reducing the digitial divide
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Jantjies, Mmaki
When reflecting on issues of digital inclusion and female entrepreneurship, I believe it is important to start by considering South Africa’s skills landscape. According to the global gender gap index, South Africa is ranked number 18 out of the 156 countries surveyed. The index measures a number of factors, including economic participation, education, health and mortality rates, as well as political empowerment. In fact, South Africa is ranked highly on political empowerment, but when it comes to economic participation and education, the sectors which have the greatest impact on digital inclusion, the numbers tell a different story.
Op-ed1: Towards an enabling environment for a digital ecosystem : A foundation for entrepreneurial activity
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Pather, Shaun
During a recent webinar on the topic of digital inclusion and women entrepreneurship, I had the opportunity to share my perspectives in respect of ICT policy with a very engaged audience from across South Africa. The event reminded us of the commitment of the University of the Western Cape to create platforms not only for intellectual debate, but with a view to ensure an impact on the communities we serve. This webinar was conceived with the objective that women would benefit from the discourse that would impact their lives as entrepreneurs.

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