Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries最新文献

Financial inclusion remains a significant challenge for Thailand's low-wage workers, who often struggle to access traditional banking services. While E-banking applications offer potential solutions, their design must address the specific needs of this vulnerable population. This study investigates the financial behaviors and challenges of low-wage workers in Thailand to inform the development of more inclusive E-banking applications. Through semi-structured interviews with 25 low-wage workers across various sectors and 10 stakeholders including bank representatives and financial inclusion experts, we identified four key themes: (1) Income Volatility and Cash Flow Management, (2) Limited Financial Literacy and Access to Information, (3) Barriers to Formal Banking, and (4) Reliance on Social Networks and Informal Financial Practices. Based on our findings, we propose five essential design implications for inclusive E-banking applications: tiered KYC requirements, visual and voice-based interfaces, integrated budgeting tools, micro-transaction capabilities, and community-based financial support networks. These recommendations aim to bridge the gap between traditional banking services and the needs of low-wage workers, contributing to the literature on inclusive financial technologies while providing practical guidance for financial institutions and policymakers in Thailand.

Digital transformation is concerned with digitalizing the whole organization and business processes. Despite the increasing recognition of its value, family businesses (FBs) often face significant challenges in their digital transformation journey due to unique structural and cultural attributes. This study employs the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique to develop a framework that identifies and categorizes barriers hindering digital transformation in FBs in India. The research draws from extensive literature and expert insights, employing the ISM methodology to establish the interrelationships among these barriers. The MICMAC (Matriced Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement) approach categorizes these barriers by their influence and dependence. By identifying 12 critical barriers, the study aims to provide practical guidance for managers of FBs to prioritize digitalization efforts and streamline their digital transformation process. Further, this research reveals that the primary barriers to digital transformation in FBs are employees' resistance to change and data privacy and security concerns. The implications for research, practice, and society are discussed to bridge the gap between theory and practice and support effective digital transformation strategies for FBs.

Data governance is crucial for effective public administration, yet implementing it poses significant challenges, particularly in developing countries grappling with organizational and institutional constraints. Existing models often fail to consider these unique struggle points, leading to inefficient data governance initiatives. This paper proposes an alternative approach—an analytical framework rooted in public administration with a focus on the integral role of information systems. The framework integrates four key dimensions: vision, participation, data structure, and regulations, which together address both the technical and non-technical aspects of data governance. To assess the practical relevance and adaptability of our framework, we conducted a case study of Peru's National Registry of Municipalities, maintained by the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics, a national institution in Peru executing data initiatives for over a decade. Using a combined methodology of desk research and expert interviews with consultants, analysts, and public servants, we evaluated the framework's applicability in a real-world context. Our findings emphasize that effective data governance in developing countries extends beyond mere technical proficiency. A coherent information-driven vision, organizational conditions conducive for data interpretation, and a clear understanding of the objectives behind data creation significantly influence the ultimate effectiveness of data governance. However, these pivotal non-technical factors, often overlooked, pose significant challenges to the efficiency of management information systems. Highlighting these critical aspects, our study underscores the importance of embedding principles of public administration within data governance models and the transformative potential of information systems, especially in resource-constrained and institutional-challenged contexts inherent to developing countries.

Technological advancements, economic fluctuations, and shifting market demands have compelled organizations to become more innovative and competitive. In this regard, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have adopted new business models based on sustainable open innovation, enabling them to compete in sustainable market segments. Technological capability is an intangible resource that drives sustainable open innovation. Despite their importance, technological capabilities remain unrecognized in the current stream of research. Little is known about the technological capabilities that enable SMEs to achieve sustainable open innovation. To address this gap, this study adopts the resource-based view (RBV) theory and collects data using interviews from 24 Ugandan-based SMEs and four hubs that engage in digital innovations. The data were analyzed qualitatively using a thematic analysis based on the RBV. The study presents nine propositions that relate technological capabilities to sustainable open innovation activities. Moreover, it provides a taxonomy of RBV resources, sustainable open innovation activities, and the technological capabilities that enable them. Our study contributes to research on technological capabilities as an emerging domain for potential contributions to sustainable open innovation, arguing for future work on testing the propositions in the context of SMEs' performance.

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a global political, economic, and social re-calibration, with several companies worldwide opting to retain employees through online work for critical activities. Uganda, just like the rest of the world, implemented restrictions on human movement, necessitating the decongestion of workspaces and the adoption of social distancing measures in various organizations. Telecommuting enables employees to work remotely through online systems. Makerere University, in collaboration with Gulu University, was chosen as the case study. The aim of the study was to assess readiness for telecommuting and develop an Ecosystem for telecommuting (ECOSYSTEL) to enable business continuity at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Assessing the readiness of telecommuting involved evaluating multiple factors to determine if the institution is prepared to implement and sustain telecommuting effectively. A mixed methods study design was adopted, and both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from staff and students. The findings highlighted the flexibility in work schedules as one of the prominent advantages of telecommuting. Various tools, such as learning management systems, communication platforms, human resource systems, and attendance and scheduling systems, were identified as supportive aids for telecommuting. The results also indicated a notable increase in productivity during telecommuting while revealing a lack of awareness of telecommuting and its policies. These findings served as the requirements for developing the ECOSYSTEL platform that integrates systems and tracks telecommuting. The platform was tested at the two participating universities. The study recommends continuous sensitization of the ECOSYSTEL platform to increase its usage, thereby reducing interruptions in higher education workflows, since the platform is customizable according to the respective work processes.

This PRISMA-guided systematic review examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) supports the development of student autonomy in school-based English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning across the Global South. Drawing on 22 peer-reviewed empirical studies (2020–2024), the synthesis highlights both the promise and the constraints of AI integration in diverse, resource-variable contexts. Three core mechanisms emerged: (1) AI-enhanced personalized learning and feedback, enabling learners to progress at self-determined paces across speaking, reading, writing, listening, and vocabulary learning; (2) opportunities for self-directed learning through intelligent tutoring systems, fostering greater ownership over learning trajectories; and (3) cultural and contextual adaptation, whereby locally responsive AI tools improve engagement and relevance. These mechanisms are shaped by critical contextual moderators, including infrastructure limitations, disparities in device access, and varying levels of teacher preparedness. Emotional and pedagogical implications further underscore the need for reflective, ethical integration. Overall, the review concludes that AI has significant potential to empower student autonomy in EFL education within the Global South, provided its use is context-sensitive, equity-driven, and supported by targeted teacher training and adaptive policy frameworks.

This study examines the impact of the electronic levy (e-levy) on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, emphasizing the mediating role of digital literacy. Given the significant contribution of SMEs to the economy, understanding how taxation policies such as the e-levy affect their performance is crucial. The research employs an explanatory design with a quantitative approach, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the proposed hypotheses. Data were collected from 404 SME owners and managers across Ghana using a structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that the e-levy exerts a negative and significant effect on SME performance. Digital literacy significantly mediates this relationship, effectively offsetting the negative impact of the e-levy on SME performance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the mediating role of digital literacy in this context, providing valuable insights for policymakers and SME stakeholders. These results highlight the importance of digital literacy in mitigating the adverse effects of taxation on SMEs. Policymakers should complement tax policies such as the e-levy with initiatives that enhance the digital competencies of SMEs. Targeted training programs, subsidies for digital tools, and broader educational campaigns can help SME owners and managers strengthen their digital skills. Investing in digital literacy as a strategic priority can also enable SMEs to transform tax-related challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.