The electronic journal : implications for information services
- Authors: Du Plooy, Jean
- Date: 2012-09-06
- Subjects: Electronic journals. , Information services - Technological innovations.
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9714 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7126
- Description: M.Inf. , As more publishers become involved in electronic publishing, information centres need to respond to the challenges of accommodating electronic journals in their collections, as electronic journals are becoming increasingly important to research. In this research the role of the electronic journal within the scholarly communication process is examined. The role played by information providers and information centres in facilitating access to particular content in electronic journals is also studied. Partnerships that are developing between publishers, secondary publishers and information centres are traced. The importance of the publisher in quality control is emphasized. The peer review process is identified as fundamental to the scholarly communication process. The research methods employed were to carry out a literature study and to examine methods of access to electronic journals on the WWW. The Websites of publishers, secondary publishers and information centres were examined, in order to discover how they simplify access to electronic journal content for end-users. A workflow model was devised to serve as a guideline in assisting information specialists in their management of e-journals. The important challenge facing the information specialist is to provide a value added electronic journal service. This can be achieved through producing indexes and abstracts and providing an evaluation of the different sources
- Full Text:
- Authors: Du Plooy, Jean
- Date: 2012-09-06
- Subjects: Electronic journals. , Information services - Technological innovations.
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9714 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7126
- Description: M.Inf. , As more publishers become involved in electronic publishing, information centres need to respond to the challenges of accommodating electronic journals in their collections, as electronic journals are becoming increasingly important to research. In this research the role of the electronic journal within the scholarly communication process is examined. The role played by information providers and information centres in facilitating access to particular content in electronic journals is also studied. Partnerships that are developing between publishers, secondary publishers and information centres are traced. The importance of the publisher in quality control is emphasized. The peer review process is identified as fundamental to the scholarly communication process. The research methods employed were to carry out a literature study and to examine methods of access to electronic journals on the WWW. The Websites of publishers, secondary publishers and information centres were examined, in order to discover how they simplify access to electronic journal content for end-users. A workflow model was devised to serve as a guideline in assisting information specialists in their management of e-journals. The important challenge facing the information specialist is to provide a value added electronic journal service. This can be achieved through producing indexes and abstracts and providing an evaluation of the different sources
- Full Text:
Evidence-based medicine as a web-based information-seeking model for health care practitioners
- Authors: Myers, Glenda
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:28:13Z
- Subjects: Evidence-based medicine , Computer network resources , Medical personnel information services , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1866
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The practice of medicine changes constantly and rapidly. Consequently, it is difficult for clinicians to learn about innovations, given the vast quantity of information available. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the process by which practitioners turn clinical problems into questions, and then systematically integrate personal clinical expertise with the best available external evidence as the basis for clinical decisions. To practice EBM, the practitioner is required to search the literature for relevant material, and then to synthesise knowledge and apply findings to each patient. Clinicians require fast and specific access to multiple data sources, but the availability of electronic full text documents has substantially exacerbated the lack of time to read the clinical literature owing to the demands of clinical practice, and is further compounded by the fact that the Web contains much health-related misinformation. Clinicians therefore require a means of searching the literature that will enhance the retrieval of accurate and evaluated clinical data from ranked resources, whereby the most relevant information is retrieved first from the most likely source. Strong correlations exist between four primary steps in EBM, and the formula commonly used in search strategy design in the field of information seeking. The similarities inherent in these steps suggest that an evidence-based approach to information seeking might enable endusers in the health professions to enhance their searching skills and to translate the clinical question into an appropriate information-seeking strategy. A main problem and two sub-problems were investigated, namely whether: · a Web-based EBM information-seeking model could be designed to enhance the information-seeking skills of healthcare practitioners · it was possible to design an information-seeking model more closely aligned with the clinical decision-making model familiar to healthcare practitioners · it was possible to design such a model in a manner that could further enhance the translation of the clinical question into an appropriate information-seeking strategy. Various models in medicine and the domain of information seeking were investigated. It was found that the model of the clinical decision-making process accorded with all six phases of the information-seeking process (ISP), whereas other information-seeking models only addressed the ISP from the formulation of the problem onwards, thus ignoring prior stages of initiation, selection and exploration in the ISP. A Web-based EBM information-seeking model (Model C) was devised and tested for compatibility against a general Web-based information-seeking model, and was found to be valid. Model C was further empirically assessed against a Web site design methodology, and was again found to be compatible. A unique approach to EBM information seeking is thus offered by Model C, which incorporates all aspects of the clinical-decision-making metaphor, as well as the “PICO” EBM filters (Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparative Intervention and Outcome), into a facet analysis template for the design of a clinical search strategy. Prior to selection of the EBM information resource, Model C further allows for the ranking of each resource and for the design of individual browsing and/or analytical search strategies, as appropriate, so as to enhance EBM information seeking amongst healthcare practitioners.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Myers, Glenda
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:28:13Z
- Subjects: Evidence-based medicine , Computer network resources , Medical personnel information services , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1866
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The practice of medicine changes constantly and rapidly. Consequently, it is difficult for clinicians to learn about innovations, given the vast quantity of information available. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the process by which practitioners turn clinical problems into questions, and then systematically integrate personal clinical expertise with the best available external evidence as the basis for clinical decisions. To practice EBM, the practitioner is required to search the literature for relevant material, and then to synthesise knowledge and apply findings to each patient. Clinicians require fast and specific access to multiple data sources, but the availability of electronic full text documents has substantially exacerbated the lack of time to read the clinical literature owing to the demands of clinical practice, and is further compounded by the fact that the Web contains much health-related misinformation. Clinicians therefore require a means of searching the literature that will enhance the retrieval of accurate and evaluated clinical data from ranked resources, whereby the most relevant information is retrieved first from the most likely source. Strong correlations exist between four primary steps in EBM, and the formula commonly used in search strategy design in the field of information seeking. The similarities inherent in these steps suggest that an evidence-based approach to information seeking might enable endusers in the health professions to enhance their searching skills and to translate the clinical question into an appropriate information-seeking strategy. A main problem and two sub-problems were investigated, namely whether: · a Web-based EBM information-seeking model could be designed to enhance the information-seeking skills of healthcare practitioners · it was possible to design an information-seeking model more closely aligned with the clinical decision-making model familiar to healthcare practitioners · it was possible to design such a model in a manner that could further enhance the translation of the clinical question into an appropriate information-seeking strategy. Various models in medicine and the domain of information seeking were investigated. It was found that the model of the clinical decision-making process accorded with all six phases of the information-seeking process (ISP), whereas other information-seeking models only addressed the ISP from the formulation of the problem onwards, thus ignoring prior stages of initiation, selection and exploration in the ISP. A Web-based EBM information-seeking model (Model C) was devised and tested for compatibility against a general Web-based information-seeking model, and was found to be valid. Model C was further empirically assessed against a Web site design methodology, and was again found to be compatible. A unique approach to EBM information seeking is thus offered by Model C, which incorporates all aspects of the clinical-decision-making metaphor, as well as the “PICO” EBM filters (Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparative Intervention and Outcome), into a facet analysis template for the design of a clinical search strategy. Prior to selection of the EBM information resource, Model C further allows for the ranking of each resource and for the design of individual browsing and/or analytical search strategies, as appropriate, so as to enhance EBM information seeking amongst healthcare practitioners.
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Rendering information services to rural communities through Web technology
- Authors: Letshela, Phegello Zacharia
- Date: 2012-08-29
- Subjects: Community information services - South Africa , Rural development - Information services - South Africa , Rural development - South Africa , Internet , World Wide Web
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:3416 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6813
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , This research investigated the possibilities of rendering information services to rural communities through the use of Web technology. The research endeavoured to establish the role that institutions of higher learning can play to provide this service as part of their community outreach function. Research indicated that in other countries such as the U.S.A and Canada universities were involved in using their Internet infrastructure to connect rural communities to the information super highway. To provide a scientific basis for a local model, an investigation into needs of rural communities was launched. A further survey was conducted on the different roles that universities were playing. A follow-up survey was conducted to establish how other countries were using this technology to render information services to rural communities. Following these surveys, an investigation into one of the departments at the University of the North (UNIN), namely the Aquaculture Research Unit (ARU), was conducted to have a clear understanding of the outreach projects currently provided by this department. Based on these investigations a local model was designed that could be used by UNIN to provide information services to rural communities in the Northern Province. Other institutions of higher learning in South Africa could also adopt and adapt this model for use in their own provinces. The final part of this research provided ideas on how this initiative of rendering information services to rural areas could be pursued further by other research projects.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Letshela, Phegello Zacharia
- Date: 2012-08-29
- Subjects: Community information services - South Africa , Rural development - Information services - South Africa , Rural development - South Africa , Internet , World Wide Web
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:3416 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6813
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , This research investigated the possibilities of rendering information services to rural communities through the use of Web technology. The research endeavoured to establish the role that institutions of higher learning can play to provide this service as part of their community outreach function. Research indicated that in other countries such as the U.S.A and Canada universities were involved in using their Internet infrastructure to connect rural communities to the information super highway. To provide a scientific basis for a local model, an investigation into needs of rural communities was launched. A further survey was conducted on the different roles that universities were playing. A follow-up survey was conducted to establish how other countries were using this technology to render information services to rural communities. Following these surveys, an investigation into one of the departments at the University of the North (UNIN), namely the Aquaculture Research Unit (ARU), was conducted to have a clear understanding of the outreach projects currently provided by this department. Based on these investigations a local model was designed that could be used by UNIN to provide information services to rural communities in the Northern Province. Other institutions of higher learning in South Africa could also adopt and adapt this model for use in their own provinces. The final part of this research provided ideas on how this initiative of rendering information services to rural areas could be pursued further by other research projects.
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Education of the information professional for an electronic information service : the South African situation
- Authors: Kloppers, Marie
- Date: 2012-08-28
- Subjects: Information scientists - Education - South Africa , Information scientists - Training of - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3271 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6678
- Description: M.Inf. , The information society is placing new demands on the LIS profession which could soon be facing an identity crisis. Certain issues need to be addressed to make the traditional LIS more viable and active today. One of these issues is the suitable education of potential employees of the LIS. The purpose of this study was to establish, by means of empirical research, to what extent the IT education offered by Departments of Information Science (DIS) at South African universities are preparing graduates for an electronic information service (EIS). A literature survey was undertaken to establish the nature of an EIS. Three major categories of information technologies which make up an EIS were identified, viz network technologies, communications technologies and retrieval technologies. A second literatyre survey was then undertaken to ascertain the state of IT education in DIS both in developed and developing countries. The motivation for distinguishing between these two nation types was based on the fact that South Africa comprises both developed and developing nations. Based on the information gleaned from the two literature surveys, a questionnaire was compiled and posted to all heads of DIS at South African universities. The purpose of the questionnaire was to establish the extent to which those technologies that comprise an EIS have been incorporated into the curriculum of South African DIS, as well as the attitudes of DIS heads towards the role and significance of IT education in their curricula. The main finding was that although the importance of an IT component in the curriculum is recognised by all DIS, the majority are not placing sufficient emphasis on IT in their curricula. There is a general willingness and a positive attitude towards the incorporation of more IT into the curricula but various constraining factors inhibit this willingness. Problems faced by all DIS is finding the space in their curricula to allocate to IT training and maintaining a healthy balance between theory and practice. Some DIS have the added burden of a lack of facilities as well as catering for students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kloppers, Marie
- Date: 2012-08-28
- Subjects: Information scientists - Education - South Africa , Information scientists - Training of - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3271 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6678
- Description: M.Inf. , The information society is placing new demands on the LIS profession which could soon be facing an identity crisis. Certain issues need to be addressed to make the traditional LIS more viable and active today. One of these issues is the suitable education of potential employees of the LIS. The purpose of this study was to establish, by means of empirical research, to what extent the IT education offered by Departments of Information Science (DIS) at South African universities are preparing graduates for an electronic information service (EIS). A literature survey was undertaken to establish the nature of an EIS. Three major categories of information technologies which make up an EIS were identified, viz network technologies, communications technologies and retrieval technologies. A second literatyre survey was then undertaken to ascertain the state of IT education in DIS both in developed and developing countries. The motivation for distinguishing between these two nation types was based on the fact that South Africa comprises both developed and developing nations. Based on the information gleaned from the two literature surveys, a questionnaire was compiled and posted to all heads of DIS at South African universities. The purpose of the questionnaire was to establish the extent to which those technologies that comprise an EIS have been incorporated into the curriculum of South African DIS, as well as the attitudes of DIS heads towards the role and significance of IT education in their curricula. The main finding was that although the importance of an IT component in the curriculum is recognised by all DIS, the majority are not placing sufficient emphasis on IT in their curricula. There is a general willingness and a positive attitude towards the incorporation of more IT into the curricula but various constraining factors inhibit this willingness. Problems faced by all DIS is finding the space in their curricula to allocate to IT training and maintaining a healthy balance between theory and practice. Some DIS have the added burden of a lack of facilities as well as catering for students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
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Agricultural information needs and resources available to agriculturalists and farmers in a developing country with special reference to Lesotho
- Lesaoana-Tshabalala, Bopane V.
- Authors: Lesaoana-Tshabalala, Bopane V.
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:21:42Z
- Subjects: Farmers information needs , Information literacy , Agricultural information resources , Lesotho
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1850
- Description: M.Inf. , For centuries man has relied on agriculture to sustain human life. Farmers, as usual, were concerned with growing crops, vegetables and breeding domestic animals for transport, meat and milk supply. Success in farming, especially stock farming was a sign of wealth. Land area for cultivation of crops and pasture for livestock was ample. So, if land gets depleted and cannot meet the needs of all adequately, farmers moved to other parts of the land where soils were still fertile. So, agriculture and stock farming relied heavily on nomadic farmers to find fresh fertile soils. Specialized agricultural information which is prevalent today was not necessary. However, as the world population increased, land areas diminished and man’s migration stopped. Soils depletion of minerals had to be re-used and technology was developed to aid in improving the quality of the soils. Fertilizers, manure and irrigation were introduced as did pesticides and herbicides which assisted in improving the quality and quantity of agricultural output. Information is a powerful tool in addressing these agricultural needs and if it is used appropriately it could change a nation’s economy. The purpose of the research was to investigate agricultural information needs of agriculturists and farmers in Lesotho and resources that are available to satisfy these needs. Therefore, it will be argued that relevant and timely information has to be organized according to language and format understood by different categories of agriculturists and farmers. Agricultural information that might be useful to improve productivity should be appropriately disseminated to users who may benefit from the information. Specifically, the research project investigated different categories of agriculturists and farmers and their type of agricultural information needs. Resources that are available in Lesotho and in organizations were also investigated in order to identify those that could be utilized to meet agriculturists’ and farmers’ needs. In order to arrive at this, the researcher did a literature study on the status of agricultural information in the developed countries (DC), the less developed countries (LDC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The project also looked at both the positive and negative factors that affect agricultural development in order to select which methods and resources could be adapted to address the needs of local agriculturists and farmers. The researcher used the interview method to collect data on agricultural information needs of agriculturists and farmers, as well as resources that are available to them in Lesotho. The purpose of the structured interview was to gather information related to the use of information sources, sources of agricultural information, document and information delivery and IT connectivity. The findings showed that farmers interviewed were spread evenly in agricultural farming of maize, sorghum, beans and vegetables; and stock farming of cattle, cows, piggery and poultry. iii Agriculturists indicated that the purpose for which agricultural information was needed included marketing of agricultural produce, research information and information for selfimprovement. Farmers on the other hand indicated that they needed agricultural information for advancement of primary production, community education, self-improvement and sustainable agriculture. Other major findings included concern for which pest control and sustainable agriculture. Current awareness services were also rated highly and publications were the method of dissemination that was preferred. Agricultural information that is cost-effective and appropriate was considered for purchase. In terms of acquisition and accession of information, results showed that most users preferred surface mail, as it is reliable and cheap, even though it is sometimes slow. Through it, bulky packages like books and journals could be sent.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lesaoana-Tshabalala, Bopane V.
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:21:42Z
- Subjects: Farmers information needs , Information literacy , Agricultural information resources , Lesotho
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14772 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1850
- Description: M.Inf. , For centuries man has relied on agriculture to sustain human life. Farmers, as usual, were concerned with growing crops, vegetables and breeding domestic animals for transport, meat and milk supply. Success in farming, especially stock farming was a sign of wealth. Land area for cultivation of crops and pasture for livestock was ample. So, if land gets depleted and cannot meet the needs of all adequately, farmers moved to other parts of the land where soils were still fertile. So, agriculture and stock farming relied heavily on nomadic farmers to find fresh fertile soils. Specialized agricultural information which is prevalent today was not necessary. However, as the world population increased, land areas diminished and man’s migration stopped. Soils depletion of minerals had to be re-used and technology was developed to aid in improving the quality of the soils. Fertilizers, manure and irrigation were introduced as did pesticides and herbicides which assisted in improving the quality and quantity of agricultural output. Information is a powerful tool in addressing these agricultural needs and if it is used appropriately it could change a nation’s economy. The purpose of the research was to investigate agricultural information needs of agriculturists and farmers in Lesotho and resources that are available to satisfy these needs. Therefore, it will be argued that relevant and timely information has to be organized according to language and format understood by different categories of agriculturists and farmers. Agricultural information that might be useful to improve productivity should be appropriately disseminated to users who may benefit from the information. Specifically, the research project investigated different categories of agriculturists and farmers and their type of agricultural information needs. Resources that are available in Lesotho and in organizations were also investigated in order to identify those that could be utilized to meet agriculturists’ and farmers’ needs. In order to arrive at this, the researcher did a literature study on the status of agricultural information in the developed countries (DC), the less developed countries (LDC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The project also looked at both the positive and negative factors that affect agricultural development in order to select which methods and resources could be adapted to address the needs of local agriculturists and farmers. The researcher used the interview method to collect data on agricultural information needs of agriculturists and farmers, as well as resources that are available to them in Lesotho. The purpose of the structured interview was to gather information related to the use of information sources, sources of agricultural information, document and information delivery and IT connectivity. The findings showed that farmers interviewed were spread evenly in agricultural farming of maize, sorghum, beans and vegetables; and stock farming of cattle, cows, piggery and poultry. iii Agriculturists indicated that the purpose for which agricultural information was needed included marketing of agricultural produce, research information and information for selfimprovement. Farmers on the other hand indicated that they needed agricultural information for advancement of primary production, community education, self-improvement and sustainable agriculture. Other major findings included concern for which pest control and sustainable agriculture. Current awareness services were also rated highly and publications were the method of dissemination that was preferred. Agricultural information that is cost-effective and appropriate was considered for purchase. In terms of acquisition and accession of information, results showed that most users preferred surface mail, as it is reliable and cheap, even though it is sometimes slow. Through it, bulky packages like books and journals could be sent.
- Full Text:
Assessment of the e-readiness of small and medium sized enterprises in the ICT sector in Botswana, with special reference to information access
- Authors: Mutula, Stephen M.
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:22:41Z
- Subjects: Small business , Electronic information resources , Electronic commerce , Business enterprises , Computer networks , Botswana
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1854
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The purpose of this research was to determine the status of e-readiness of Small and Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ICT sector in Botswana with respect to information access using ICTs for competitiveness in the local and international markets. The population of study consisted of key informants from 114 SMEs in the ICT sector in Gaborone and Francistown, the capital city and the second largest city of Botswana respectively. The official list of ICT companies provided by the government of Botswana was used as the sampling frame. The research used a two-phase design - the preliminary survey and the main survey of the project. The preliminary survey consisted of two stages. During the first stage, a short structured questionnaire was administered to a census of 114 key informants from SMEs in the ICT sector. During the second stage, six focus group discussions were used to collect data from key stakeholders in the ICT sector who included representatives from: ICT companies, ICT professional body in Botswana, government utility corporations, academia and the business community. The participants in the focus group discussions involved representatives from 55 SMEs who were identified like in the first stage using the government official list of SMEs in Botswana. The quantitative data collected through questionnaire were analysed using SPSS while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were analysed using thematic tables. The results were represented using tables, pie charts, categories and narrations. The results of the preliminary survey of the project were used to characterise the ICT sector in terms of its size, key players, nature of businesses, products and services traded in, distribution of business by location and the issues that affected the sector. This characterisation was important in two main respects. Firstly, it provided a clear roadmap for the design of the main survey of the research since little information existed on the subject of e-readiness on Botswana in general and with respect to SMEs in particular. Similarly, the government had invested a lot of resources in ICT infrastructure development and was focusing on SMEs especially those in the ICT sector to diversify the economy from the dominant diamond mining to service industry. Secondly, the results of the preliminary survey of the project supported the development of a structured interview schedule that was used during the main survey of the project. During the main survey of the research data was collected from companies that participated in the focus group discussions. From the focus group list of participants, an alphabetical name list of 55 SMEs was created. There were 43 Small-Sized and 12 Medium-Sized enterprises that were represented during the focus group discussions. For the purpose of carrying out the structured interviews, SMEs were stratified into two (Small-Sized enterprises and Medium-Sized enterprises). From the Small-Sized enterprises stratum, 20 companies were systematically selected (from the 43) taking every other member on the list. On the other hand, in the Medium-Sized enterprises stratum, all the 12 enterprises were selected for interviews because the number of respondents was small. The data collected was analysed using categories and thematic tables because it was largely qualitative. The results were presented in the form of thematic tables and through narrations. The findings from the SMEs surveyed indicated that most of the SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana were Small-Sized enterprises that were largely not e-ready to participate in the global electronic business environment because of several impediments such as: the lack of awareness, inadequate policy and legislative framework, poor telecommunication and electricity infrastructures, poor e-commerce infrastructure, inadequate government support, the lack of access to credit, investment barriers, the lack of critical ICT skills and more. The major outcomes of the project include an exposition of the e-readiness status of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana, a road map that can assist the government of Botswana to establish a strong export-oriented ICT sector. The weaknesses and strengths of Botswana’s e-readiness status with regard to SMEs are brought to the fore, thus creating awareness upon which the government can design interventions that are tailored to meet Botswana’s SMEs’ specific needs. Similarly, this project provides a framework upon which the government can benchmark against its counterparts in the rest of the world in order to define its investment priorities. The project also provides baseline information which the government could use to implement appropriate policy and legislative decisions in order to enhance the e-readiness of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana. Finally, the new integrated e-readiness tool that was developed in this project is the first of its kind to bring the different major components of e-readiness (such as enterprise, ICT, human resources, information and external environment readiness) into a single assessment tool with great attention paid to information access. The tool is also modular in design and thus can allow specific e-readiness assessment of individual segments of society to be modelled independently of each other. The tool also enriches the qualitative aspects of e-readiness that are only minimally addressed in a few of the existing macro e-readiness assessment tools. Among the key recommendations from the research is the need for the government of Botswana to promulgate relevant policies and implement pragmatic programmes that would enable SMEs in the ICT sector in the country to use various information technologies in order to gain access to relevant information regarding access to credit, investment opportunities, partnerships, education and training opportunities so that they can effectively participate in both the local and international markets. The policy changes and programmes to be undertaken by the government should be underpinned by an effective legislative and regulatory framework that would enable the small business firms to identify, acquire, process, organise, disseminate and apply information for competitive advantage through the effective deployment and application of ICTs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutula, Stephen M.
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:22:41Z
- Subjects: Small business , Electronic information resources , Electronic commerce , Business enterprises , Computer networks , Botswana
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1854
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The purpose of this research was to determine the status of e-readiness of Small and Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ICT sector in Botswana with respect to information access using ICTs for competitiveness in the local and international markets. The population of study consisted of key informants from 114 SMEs in the ICT sector in Gaborone and Francistown, the capital city and the second largest city of Botswana respectively. The official list of ICT companies provided by the government of Botswana was used as the sampling frame. The research used a two-phase design - the preliminary survey and the main survey of the project. The preliminary survey consisted of two stages. During the first stage, a short structured questionnaire was administered to a census of 114 key informants from SMEs in the ICT sector. During the second stage, six focus group discussions were used to collect data from key stakeholders in the ICT sector who included representatives from: ICT companies, ICT professional body in Botswana, government utility corporations, academia and the business community. The participants in the focus group discussions involved representatives from 55 SMEs who were identified like in the first stage using the government official list of SMEs in Botswana. The quantitative data collected through questionnaire were analysed using SPSS while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were analysed using thematic tables. The results were represented using tables, pie charts, categories and narrations. The results of the preliminary survey of the project were used to characterise the ICT sector in terms of its size, key players, nature of businesses, products and services traded in, distribution of business by location and the issues that affected the sector. This characterisation was important in two main respects. Firstly, it provided a clear roadmap for the design of the main survey of the research since little information existed on the subject of e-readiness on Botswana in general and with respect to SMEs in particular. Similarly, the government had invested a lot of resources in ICT infrastructure development and was focusing on SMEs especially those in the ICT sector to diversify the economy from the dominant diamond mining to service industry. Secondly, the results of the preliminary survey of the project supported the development of a structured interview schedule that was used during the main survey of the project. During the main survey of the research data was collected from companies that participated in the focus group discussions. From the focus group list of participants, an alphabetical name list of 55 SMEs was created. There were 43 Small-Sized and 12 Medium-Sized enterprises that were represented during the focus group discussions. For the purpose of carrying out the structured interviews, SMEs were stratified into two (Small-Sized enterprises and Medium-Sized enterprises). From the Small-Sized enterprises stratum, 20 companies were systematically selected (from the 43) taking every other member on the list. On the other hand, in the Medium-Sized enterprises stratum, all the 12 enterprises were selected for interviews because the number of respondents was small. The data collected was analysed using categories and thematic tables because it was largely qualitative. The results were presented in the form of thematic tables and through narrations. The findings from the SMEs surveyed indicated that most of the SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana were Small-Sized enterprises that were largely not e-ready to participate in the global electronic business environment because of several impediments such as: the lack of awareness, inadequate policy and legislative framework, poor telecommunication and electricity infrastructures, poor e-commerce infrastructure, inadequate government support, the lack of access to credit, investment barriers, the lack of critical ICT skills and more. The major outcomes of the project include an exposition of the e-readiness status of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana, a road map that can assist the government of Botswana to establish a strong export-oriented ICT sector. The weaknesses and strengths of Botswana’s e-readiness status with regard to SMEs are brought to the fore, thus creating awareness upon which the government can design interventions that are tailored to meet Botswana’s SMEs’ specific needs. Similarly, this project provides a framework upon which the government can benchmark against its counterparts in the rest of the world in order to define its investment priorities. The project also provides baseline information which the government could use to implement appropriate policy and legislative decisions in order to enhance the e-readiness of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana. Finally, the new integrated e-readiness tool that was developed in this project is the first of its kind to bring the different major components of e-readiness (such as enterprise, ICT, human resources, information and external environment readiness) into a single assessment tool with great attention paid to information access. The tool is also modular in design and thus can allow specific e-readiness assessment of individual segments of society to be modelled independently of each other. The tool also enriches the qualitative aspects of e-readiness that are only minimally addressed in a few of the existing macro e-readiness assessment tools. Among the key recommendations from the research is the need for the government of Botswana to promulgate relevant policies and implement pragmatic programmes that would enable SMEs in the ICT sector in the country to use various information technologies in order to gain access to relevant information regarding access to credit, investment opportunities, partnerships, education and training opportunities so that they can effectively participate in both the local and international markets. The policy changes and programmes to be undertaken by the government should be underpinned by an effective legislative and regulatory framework that would enable the small business firms to identify, acquire, process, organise, disseminate and apply information for competitive advantage through the effective deployment and application of ICTs.
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