Showing papers by "John Effah published in 2019"

Application Programming Interface (API) Research: A Review of the Past to Inform the Future

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to perform a synthesis of API research. The study took stock of literature from academic journals on APIs with their associated themes, frameworks, methodologies, publi...

Does the use of a biometric system guarantee an acceptable election’s outcome? Evidence from Ghana’s 2012 election

Abstract: The article examines how the deployment of a biometric technology in Ghana’s 2012 election ended in confusion and put the legitimacy of the election outcome in jeopardy. Analysing data drawn from 1...

IT for the informal sector in developing countries: A broader perspective

Abstract: Although the informal sector's presence in the developed world is by no means meagre, the themes and issues related to information technology (IT) for this sector in the developing country contexts seem stark and deeply contrasted with those relating to the informal sector in developed countries. Solutions which attempt to exploit the potential of IT for the informal sector have thus far been either knee‐jerk, ad‐hoc, or have mimicked those targeted at the formal sector. However, technology tools available today can accelerate, catalyze, and go beyond the conventional straight‐jacketed technology, economic, and policy solutions for the informal sector. The papers in this special issue reflect this theme and attempt to present a glimpse of the possibilities for achieving and the challenges in effecting such solutions.

ICT Unbounded, Social Impact of Bright ICT Adoption

Abstract: Neuroethics is a field of study that deals with the ethical and moral issues in neuroscience. Memory augmentation approaches and technologies, is rooted in the broad field of neuroscience and brings with it its own set of ethical issues. Memory augmentation is a new emergent field, where the well-being of humans is augmented using pervasive and ubiquitous technologies. Augmenting Alzheimer and dementia patients’ memory with wearable pervasive computing technologies like lifelogging shows a promising memory improvement But, is it ethical to augment memory, if so what ethical issue may arise? The emergent technologies like artificial intelligence, pervasive computing and IoT (Internet of Things) are frequently used in memory augmentation. The consequence of augmentation for treating memory deficit needs a careful look. This paper will highlight the basic ethical issues related to memory augmentation technologies.

Unpacking the role of political will in digital business ecosystem development for socioeconomic benefits

Abstract: As digital technology transforms many organisational alliances, new collaborative networks such as digital business ecosystems have emerged. In digital business ecosystems, participants leverage technological innovations to develop capabilities for value co-creation. Despite the growing number of studies, there is lack of research on how political-will facilitates development of digital business ecosystems. Therefore, this study develops a framework to explicate the role of political-will in the development of digital business ecosystems to achieve socioeconomic benefits. The findings show that political-will leads to provision of resources and legislative support as well as formulation of strategic initiatives required at the birth, expansion and maturity phases of digital business ecosystems to generate socioeconomic benefits such as (1) reduced corruption, (2) improved operational processes, (3) increased government revenue, (4) reduced bureaucracy and (5) improved transparency, fairness and accountability.

Activity theory analysis of the virtualisation of teaching and teaching environment in a developing country university

Abstract: This study aims to understand how a developing country higher education institution (HEI) attempted to digitalise teaching The Internet has disrupted the traditional teaching environment and teaching practices leading to the migration from physical face-to-face teaching to online teaching changing the work environment of the teacher Information systems literature has examined the academic environment of HEIs from student’s perspective in a virtual learning environment but not from the instructor’s perspective in a teaching work environment How the teaching work environment can be virtualised has not also been widely explored Using activity theory and an interpretive case study approach data was obtained from interviews, documents and participant observation Using hermeneutics as the mode of analysis the findings reveal how tools: an open source technology and rules are modified through the resolution of contradictions to suit developing country context of the HEI The study provides practitioners insights on how emerging contradictions in tools, implementers and rules in a teaching work environment virtualisation can be used as an avenue for development It also offers insight into how HEIs can migrate their physical teaching environment to online

Health Informatics and Brain Drain Mitigation in Ghana.

Abstract: Migration of health workers has been a major issue of concern for most developing countries including Ghana. Extant literature has revealed that several attempts have been made from various disciplines to counter this menace in some developing countries. In this paper, the field of Information Systems (IS) tries to uncover how technology can also be used to mitigate brain drain in the health sector of developing countries, using Ghana as a case. This study adopts the theory of affordance, Maslow’s theory of motivation, and Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory to support the development of a conceptual framework. An exploratory research approach using a qualitative research method was adopted. Theoretically, this paper contributes to the IS literature on migration. Practically, the paper presents a basis for more technological adoption within the health sector of Ghana and other developing countries that experience medical brain drain as a challenge.

Digital Innovation and Taxi Services: The Case of Uru in Ghana

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to understand how ridesharing as a form of digital innovation in taxi services creates affordances and constraints for riders and drivers in a developing country. Extant studies on digital innovation and taxi services primarily have focused on digital innovation for ridesharing in the taxi industry. However, less is known about how digital innovation for ridesharing in taxi services creates affordances and constraints for drivers and riders. This study, therefore, follows an interpretive case study as a methodology and affordance theory as a lens to understand ridesharing in Ghana. The findings show three digital technology affordances that cause riders and drivers to use digital innovation in taxi services for ridesharing. These are security affordance with riders and drivers background information, automatic billing affordance for affordable transportation, and ubiquitous service affordance with anywhere and anytime service in the cities. The study finally provides concluding thoughts.

Evaluation of a national digital location infrastructure: Stakeholders’ perspectives in Ghana

Abstract: This paper seeks to understand how different stakeholder groups evaluate national digital location infrastructure in a developing country of Ghana. Information Systems literature has discussed the digital infrastructure phenomenon extensively, however, little is known about evaluating the performance of digital infrastructures. To address this gap, this paper employs a qualitative interpretive case study methodology to understand how different stakeholder groups evaluate performance of a national digital location infrastructure implemented in Ghana. Findings show how effective evaluation of digital infrastructure can be achieved through independent analysis of stakeholders’ interests and their corresponding interpretation of the success or failure of national digital location infrastructures. The study also shows that meeting stakeholder groups’ expectations is not enough grounds for national digital infrastructures to gain favorable evaluation. The findings have implication for policy, practice, and research.

Healthcare Digitalisation in Ghana: An Assessment Based on the Realist Social Theory

Abstract: Healthcare digitalisation is one of the technological innovations within the health sector, with prospects to improve the overall performance and quality of health care around the world. The Ghanaian health sector, as in many developing countries, seeks to continuously improve patient care through the use of various healthcare technologies. The extent of digitalisation within the Ghanaian health sector, however, still remains undetermined. Underpinned by critical realism, this study seeks to understand the generative mechanisms of digitalisation in the health sector of Ghana. The study seeks to answer the following research questions: what are the generative mechanisms of digitalisation in the health sector of Ghana? How are the varying degrees of digitalisation interpreted and explained in the empirical world? We draw on the Realist Social Theory which adopts the principles of critical realism to answer the underpinning research questions.

Digital Infrastructure for Port Container Handling and Success or Failure of Stakeholders’ Goals: A Case Study of Ghana

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to understand the use of digital infrastructure for port container handling and success or failure of stakeholders’ goals. Information Systems (IS) research on digital infrastructure has focused more on health, telecommunication, government, and manufacturing and less on port container handling. IS literature on DI has focused more on e-health, e-government, e-commerce as well as different industries and platforms and less on the use of DI and success or failure of stakeholder goals. To address this gap, we employed affordance theory as an analytical lens and qualitative, interpretive case study as a methodology to investigate the use of digital infrastructure for port container handling in Ghana. The findings show how digital infrastructure conditions success or failure of stakeholder goals. The findings also have implications for research, practice, and policy. This paper contributes to the emerging literature stream on digital infrastructures. The originality of the paper lies in its focus on the use of port container handling systems as a significant IS research phenomenon.

Technology Media, Service Innovation and the Shaping of Executive Cognition

Abstract: The upsurge of information and communication technology innovations around the world has induced the establishment of many technology enterprises, mostly small-medium, that focus on service innovation. Due to the materiality of technology to this enterprise genre, its executive is significantly shaped by technology media, but explanations of technological shaping are low. This paper seeks to address this gap through a study informed by critical realism and media ecology. It argues that executive cognition is shaped because ICT media and service innovation imperatives combine to generate executive internalizations; and it is shaped by service innovation driven internalizations of technology media functions. The paper also discusses theoretical, research and practical implications based on these arguments.

Brightening Physical University Admission Through Digital Process Virtualization: An Action Case Study in Ghana

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to understand how digital process virtualization can be used to address problems with physical admission in a developing country university. Bright ICT research calls for solutions to practical problems in society including education. However, related studies in education have focused more on teaching and learning. Therefore, less is known about education management and administration. This study addresses this research gap through an action case study of a digital process virtualization project to address problems with a physical admission system in the University of Ghana. The research findings show that problems such as delays, inconvenience of submitting physical documents, difficulty of accessing lecturers in their offices to serve as referees and untimely feedback can be addressed by inscribing virtual functionalities into digital platforms for affordance actualization by users. However, in situations where personal knowledge is needed for providing academic references, additional functionalities are needed to promote digital interactions between actors.