Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries最新文献

Information and communication technology enables extension services to farmers in developing countries. Although they have been deployed and adopted by farmers, the causal mechanisms (i.e., processes through which a result is brought about) underlying their adoption and use have not been adequately studied. This study uses the Critical Realism philosophical perspective to understand and integrate the various factors into a consistent and coherent model for adopting information and communication technology-based extension services by agricultural extension officers in Mali. The study gathered data from 26 extension officers and farmers in Koulikoro and Segou, Mali. We analyzed the data using thematic analysis with the help of the qualitative data analysis software NVivo. The results revealed that the successful adoption of information and communication technology based extension services is the leading factor that can cause extension officers' satisfaction with agricultural extension services. This satisfaction drives societal change, that is, farmers improving their knowledge of extension services and extension officers efficiently disseminating them. In turn, this change may result in higher yield and, thus, better productivity. These findings guide policymakers, managers, and network providers for higher productivity in developing countries.

As governments embark on providing their services online (e-Government services), it is imperative for them to ensure that these services remain accessible to all online users. Prior studies have demonstrated that providing accessible online services remains a challenge for most governments, and more so for developing countries. This study seeks to identify and better understand the factors influencing the design and implementation of accessible e-Government services. The study employed qualitative semi-structured interviews in order to collect primary data from twelve government employees working as developers, designers, business analysts, and the management team. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. This study identifies two key factors influencing the design and implementation of accessible e-Government services, namely: organizational structures and stakeholder supporting structures. Furthermore, the findings explain how these factors affect the current practices of designing and implementing accessible e-Government services. Four practices in use were recognized as instrumental in the design and implementation of accessible e-Government services. These are: (i) championing accessibility; (ii) adoption of an omni-channel approach, as well as digital learning and awareness; (iii) development of inhouse guidelines and best practices, as well as support for developing assistive technologies; (iv) and lastly, reflective practices. The study discusses the implications of these findings for future studies.

The integration of the Internet into various aspects of business operations, including the public sector, is rapidly becoming a norm. However, within this evolving landscape, the issue of cyberloafing, the misuse of the internet for unauthorized activities, cannot be ignored. Existing research on cyberloafing in developing countries, specifically in Ghana, has predominantly focused on higher education students. A brief examination of the literature pertaining to cyberloafing in developing nations reveals a prevalent emphasis on categorizing cyberloafing activities, often with limited insight into the motivations and deterrence of such behavior. Drawing on the framework of the General Deterrence theory, this paper delves into the underlying factors that deter cyberloafing behavior within the public sector of Ghana. Through the utilization of a partial least square structural equation model, the study analyzed data from 473 responses collected from public institutions across Ghana. The study revealed that factors such as certainty, monitoring, and security risks significantly influence the manifestation of cyberloafing behavior among employees in the Ghanaian public sector. However, the Severity and Celerity of sanctions were found not to influence cyberloafing behavior. The moderating effect of age and culture on the deterrent constructs and cyberloafing behavior vary. The study serves as a strategic framework to curd the rampant cyberloafing activities in many public sector institutions particularly in the global south. In essence, this study contributes not only to the understanding of cyberloafing behavior in the Ghanaian public sector but also provides a valuable foundation for designing targeted interventions to address this issue, ultimately fostering a more productive and responsible online engagement within these institutions.

With innovation becoming more collaborative, the influence of digital business strategy (DBS) on interfirm cooperation has grown. This study investigates how DBS can enhance collaboration innovation capabilities across pharmaceutical companies in developing countries. Further, it investigates organizational culture as a moderating variable in the relationship between DBS and collaborative innovation capability (CIC). A total of 205 questionnaire responses were gathered on six Jordanian pharmaceutical corporations. The findings showed that each DBS element (development, objectives, resources, management capabilities, and digital leadership) positively affected CIC, and that organizational culture positively moderated the relationship between DBS and CIC. These results provide valuable insights for managers seeking to improve collaborative capability by leveraging digital business strategies and organizational culture.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a global issue that has unequally affected several countries. Due to the complexity of this condition and the human drama it represents to those most affected by it, several fields have contributed to solving or at least alleviating this situation, and the information systems (IS) field has not been absent from these efforts. With the importance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as a starting point, several initiatives in the IS field have focused on ways to improve the adherence and effectiveness of this therapy: mobile phone reminders (for pill intake and appointments), and mobile interfaces between patients and health workers are popular contributions. However, many of these solutions have been difficult to implement or deploy in some countries in the Global South, which are among the most affected by this pandemic. This paper presents one such case. Using a case-study approach with an extreme-case selection technique, the paper studies an m-health system for HIV patients in the Kalangala region of Uganda. Using Heeks' design—reality gap model for data analysis, the paper shows that the rich interaction between social context and technology should be considered a central concern when designing or deploying such systems.

Access to an agricultural market information system (AMIS) is essential to reduce farmers' risk from market speculation related to information asymmetry. However, AMIS's sustainability depends on the users' needs and willingness to pay (WTP) for market information. This paper explores the WTP for market information among market-oriented farmers, as well as its determinants. Data were collected through a structured survey with 479 farmers. A contingent dichotomous choice dual boundary estimation is used to measure WTP and a logistic regression is used to ascertain the main determinants of the stated WTP. Experienced losses, access to market information, use of non-virtual means of information, and degree of farm specialization are the main determinants of the WTP. These findings are useful for establishing a feasible AMIS, and designing its services according to the characteristics, needs, capacities and preferences of the identified potential users.

The rapid proliferation of mobile services has increased the need for data-driven oversight of service quality, yet deriving insights from regulator-collected datasets remains challenging. This study demonstrates techniques to tap the rich potential of drive test measurement data for analytical regulatory and policy decision-making. Focusing on leading operator MTN in Ghana, we analyzed 4 years of drive test data supplied by the telecom regulator for the capital city of Accra. Three key performance indicators were evaluated—coverage, call setup time, and speech quality. We assessed service quality trends through statistical summaries, data visualization, and machine learning modeling and predicted speech quality scores. Our analysis revealed deteriorating performance post-2019 and found that the light gradient boosting machine algorithm provided the highest accuracy predictions of speech quality. Overall, this work showcases how regulators can capitalize on vast datasets using big data mining techniques to evaluate network conditions over time and geography, enhancing field measurements for oversight. Our approach and techniques provide a template for evidence-based policy-making to uphold consumer service quality as mobile networks evolve.

While previous research on Open Government Data (OGD) has primarily focused on reuse and adoption, this study aims to explore the implications of the Public Service Logic (PSL) and Public Service Motivation (PSM) dimensions in the context of OGD initiatives. This study is contextualized in Tanzania wherein the OGD initiatives are at an evolving stage. For the present study, the perspectives of the 15 public officials involved in the management of the OGD initiatives are being solicited. Findings underscore the need for furthering the marketing and refurbishing the OGD initiatives' quality alongside the increased involvement of the stakeholders to engage in value co-creation. Furthermore, as a study contextualized in a developing country to understand the involvement of the public personnel in the refurbishment of the OGD initiatives, the study contributes to the extant OGD literature while identifying the OGD publisher-side challenges and strengths in a still-evolving OGD initiative. Finally, with its societal implications in terms of the impact on societal stakeholders' engagement with OGD given the PSL-PSM of the public officials, the study's relevance is also clinched.

The ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 highlights five key components for regional development including Sustainable Infrastructure, Digital Technology and Innovation, Seamless Logistics, Regulatory Superiority, and Workforce Mobility. To effectively execute this strategy and boost the impact of the ASEAN Economic Community, it is imperative for Thailand and other member nations to prioritize the development of digital technology and foster innovation. The Thai government and responsible units have initiated policies and programs to boost the capabilities of public and private enterprises during the remedy period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital technology is pivotal in achieving national strategies, and innovation is increasingly reliant on it, influencing technology adoption across industries. The level of innovation can reflect the level of technology adoption in each sector. The study compares Thailand with other ASEAN economies based on the development of national income, digital technology, and innovation using seven key indicators of the Global Innovation Index. These essential factors are used to determine national and economic development. The study aims to provide practical insights, address challenges, and offer specific recommendations for real-world decision-making and policy formulation, focusing on economic growth, increased innovation, and reduced income disparities. It suggests that Thailand can enhance its attractiveness by prioritizing national strategies, forming partnerships within the country, and building strong relationships with other ASEAN members to maintain competitiveness. The strengths and weaknesses of each ASEAN member are identified for targeted actions to drive the success of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025.