Browsing by Author "Roodt, Sumarie"
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- ItemOpen AccessContextualisation of instructional time utilising mobile social networks for learning efficiency: a participatory action research study for technical vocational education and training learners in South Africa(2020) Dzvapatsva, Godwin Pedzisai; Roodt, SumarieDespite the fact that some studies have shown a connection between learning efficiency and instructional time, there is lack of research that has been carried out within the Technical Vocational Education and Training sector with a particular focus on National Certificate Vocational programmes. To fill this gap, the current study utilised WhatsApp, an instance of a Mobile Social Network, in extending instructional time beyond the normal lecturing timetables with the objective of improving learning efficiency for NCV learners studying Computer Programming as a subject. To achieve the objective, a pragmatic approach was adopted in carrying out a participatory action research project. Qualitative data and quantitative data were collected concurrently in three phases using semi-structured interviews, questionnaire and documents. Thematic analyses and statistical analyses were applied to the data collected from five colleges in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The findings of the study highlighted multiple issues: Firstly, awareness of instructional time phenomena was very minimal from the lecturers and the learners. Secondly, there were no formal interventions in place to recover or extend instructional time beyond the traditional college boundaries. In overall, the implementation of WhatsApp was well-supported at the five locations. However, statistical results from the five locations after implementation of the intervention were mixed. Results indicated an overall pass rate of 69.2% (n=54) of the total number of learners (N=78) who sat for the final examination. While pass rates at each of the other four locations was above 50%, the pass rate of the fifth location was considerably low (37%). The study generated three contributions to knowledge: practical, theoretical and methodological. Firstly, through the study, practical interventions were generated to assist learners outside the classes. Secondly, the thesis generated propositions from data and an integrated Mobile Social Network framework was developed which is expected to be a useful course of action for lecturers who want to improve learning efficiency through extending instructional time. A key methodological contribution has been the application of mixed methods choices in the collection, analyses of data and interpretation of results.
- ItemOpen AccessFactors Affecting Organisations’ Adoption Behaviour toward Blockchain-Based Distributed Identity Management: The Sustainability of Self-Sovereign Identity in Organisations(2022-09-14) Mulaji, Sarah Mulombo; Roodt, SumarieBlockchain-based Distributed Identity Management (BDIDM) can enhance sustainable identification and authentication of users on organisations’ digital systems. But there is not a clear consensus on how organisations perceive the value proposition of such technology, nor what might affect their adoption behaviour toward it. This research explains how technological, organisational and environmental (TOE) factors affect organisations’ adoption behaviour toward BDIDM. This study aims to determine the most critical factors affecting the behaviour while assessing the effectiveness and appropriateness of the model involved, i.e., TOE-BDIDM. Online questionnaires are used to survey 111 information and cybersecurity practitioners within South African organisations. The analysis combines binary logistic regression modelling, Structural Equation Modelling of the measurement model, and chi-squared tests. The results suggest TOE factors positively or negatively affect adoption behaviour. The behaviour is significantly affected by technology characteristics, i.e., BDIDM’s disruptive nature, and is associated with Blockchain type. Indeed, the majority of participants intended to recommend BDIDM to their organisations yet paradoxically preferred private-permissioned blockchain the most, revealing resistance to decentralised and privacy-preserving BDIDM models like Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI). The latter might be utopian or unsustainable for organisations. TOE-BDIDM was found relatively appropriate and effective but arguably ‘incomplete’ for explaining the adoption of disruptive technologies like SSI in organisations. TOE should extend to TOEU by including the User factors.
- ItemOpen AccessThe impact on organisational performance as a result of investment in self-service technology within the South African financial services industry(2017) Leak, Gerald; Roodt, SumarieThe advent of self-service technology (SST) and the adoption thereof has occurred in many industries and sectors globally. The financial services and banking sector embraced the SST transformation and invested heavily into this channel including the South African industry. This study aims to understand the causal relationship between the investment into the SST channel and the impact it has on organisational performance within the South African context. This research exercise applied a single unit of analysis case study research strategy to examine the impact on the organisation's various performance criteria, namely profitability, productivity, cost efficiency and intangible benefits as a result of a SST investment strategy. Qualitative data was collected from interviews with key informants from the selected organisation and analysed thematically. The study adopted a theory based deductive approach using the DeLone and McLean model of IS success (2003) as its underlying research framework. The findings of this study deduced that with an appropriate investment strategy in SSTs, there would be a positive impact on the net benefits of the organisation with an explicit relationship dynamic. This study lends support to earlier studies of this nature, particularly with regard to the SST channel offering, as there is a lack of literature due to the evolution of perception and recency of this technology channel. The relationship dynamic aspects between the constructs of this study also contributes to the closing of gaps within the body of knowledge that exists. However it must be noted that these findings are based on a single unit of analysis case study research strategy which connotes limitations in terms of generalisations.
- ItemOpen AccessPotential relevance of neuroscience to guide consumption of multimedia technologies towards enhancing learning(2016) Wanjogu, Edwin; Roodt, SumarieIn the wake of rapidly progressing technology, educational institutions are searching for more innovative uses of educational technologies to teach the new kind of students who are entering into these institutions. The Net Generation (NG), are believed to have grown up surrounded by technology and this poses a challenge of understanding how well-designed technology improvements can enhance a student's educational experience. The main reason as to incorporating technology with education is without a doubt to improve a student's engagement and learning. There is increasing interest in the application of cognitive neuroscience in educational practice to advice on how to improve the learning content to have a more positive impact on the NG with an understanding of the brain. Research does show that if technology is not weaned correctly, can have negative effects and addictive behaviours emerge such as craving, concealing, and lying. There is no link, to the author's knowledge, between these scientific findings of neuroscience and advising institutions on changes and implementations necessary to the learning material. This study sets out to link the three; using Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development as the guide of the different categories of the NG and a detailed literature review of other theories of this phenomenon, the three elements (Learning, Technology and Neuroscience) were investigated. Using secondary analysis the researcher was able to analyse different data sets of the different age groups as stipulated by Piaget's Theory. Each study sought to investigate the NG with different learning MTs and the effects it had on them. The results were ran through different statistical tests revealing positive links of the three aforementioned elements. The findings asserted that students learning with these multimedia obtained significantly greater learning achievement in comparison to those who were not. Not only so, but these same students were also more motivated by using technology in the classroom for learning and exhibited increased functional connectivity during their engagement. Finally, the three elements were linked by developing a life-stage technology consumption model that will be capable of guiding instructors, NG and the consumers of various MTs.
- ItemOpen AccessTechnological, organisational, and environmental factors affecting the adoption of blockchain-based distributed identity management in organisations(2023) Mulaji, Sarah Mulombo; Roodt, SumarieBackground: Blockchain is a disruptive technology with the potential to innovate businesses. Ignoring or resisting it might result in a competitive disadvantage for organisations. Apart from its original financial application of cryptocurrency, other applications are emerging, the most common being supply chain management and e-voting systems. However, there is less focus on information and cybersecurity applications, especially from the enterprise perspective. This research addresses this knowledge gap, focussing on its application of distributed identity management in organisations. Objectives: The main objective is to investigate technological, organisational, and environmental (TOE) factors affecting the adoption of blockchain-based distributed identity management (BDIDM) in organisations to determine the most critical factors. Secondary objectives include determining whether the blockchain type affects BDIDM adoption and whether the TOE-BDIDM model measuring the phenomenon is effective and appropriate. But given the relative newness of blockchain, the initial goal consists of intensively exploring the topic to understand the practicality of adopting BDIDM in organisations and establishing whether claims made around it are factual than just due to the blockchain hype. Methodology: The study uses meta-synthesis to explore the topic, summarising 69 papers selected qualitatively from reputed academic sources. The study then surveys 111 information and cybersecurity practitioners selected randomly in South African organisations to investigate the TOE factors affecting BDIDM adoption. To do so, it utilises an online questionnaire rooted in an adapted TOE model called TOE-BDIDM as a data collection instrument. The analysis of this primary data is purely quantitative and includes (i) Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) of the measurement model, i.e. confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); (ii) binary logistics regression analysis; and (iii) Chi-Square tests Results: Meta-synthesis revealed theoretical grounds underlying claims made around the topic while spotting diverging views about BDIDM practicality for the enterprise context. It also identifies the TOE theory as more suitable to explain the phenomenon. Binary logistics regression modelling reveals that TOE factors do affect BDIDM adoption in organisations, either positively or negatively. The factors predict BDIDM adopters and non-adopters, with Technology Characteristics being the most critical factor and the most that could predict BDIDM non-adopters. Organisation Readiness was the second critical factor, the most that could predict BDIDM adopters. Overall, TOE-BDIDM effectively predicted 92.5% of adopters and 45.2% of non-adopters. CFA indicates that TOE-BDIDM appropriateness for investigating the phenomenon is relatively fair. The Chi-Square tests reveal a significant association between Blockchain Type and BDIDM adoption. Implications: The discussion highlights various implications of the above findings, including the plausibility of the impartiality of typical privacy-preserving BDIDM models like the Selfsovereign identity: The majority of respondents preferred private permissioned blockchain, which tends to be centralised, more intermediated, and less privacy-preserving. The rest implications relate to the disruptiveness nature of BDIDM and the BDIDM adoption being more driven by technological than organisational or environmental factors. The study ends by reflecting on the research process and providing fundamental limitations and recommendations for future research
- ItemOpen AccessThe influence of effective use of mobile devices for learning outside the classroom: case study of secondary school students in Tanzania and South Africa(2018) Mwapwele, Samwel Dick; Roodt, SumarieThere is an ongoing debate on whether students’ use of mobile devices extends to academic purposes. In developing countries, mobile devices are argued to assist in reducing digital divide and foster educational use leading to poverty alleviation. Framework on students’ effective use of mobile devices for learning outside the classroom (SEUMD) is applied as lens. This research investigates, what influence effective use of mobile devices for learning outside the classroom has on academic performance of secondary school students in Tanzania and South Africa. An Interpretive approach on multiple case studies is employed. A mixed method approach is used that includes, close ended questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and direct observations. A secondary school in Dar-es-salaam and a high school in Cape Town were selected for data collection. Data was collected with Form IV students and their teachers and Grade 12 learners and their teachers. Mixed method is applied to investigate students’ and teachers’ use of mobile devices for learning outside the classroom. Descriptive statistics is used to analyse questionnaires and thematic analysis for interviews and observations. Both, students’ and teachers’ use mobile device to socialize, recreational purposes, searching for information and academic purposes. On academic purposes, mobile devices are used to make phone calls, send short message services and on Internet. Internet use encompass websites, search engines, social networks and instant messaging applications. Students’ save pocket money to buy airtime and Internet bundles. Students’ receive advice and assistance from peers on mobile devices to acquire and technical help. Key findings demonstrate students’ effective use of mobile devices includes WhatsApp and Facebook to communicate to peers, friends and teachers on educational issues. Students’ assist peers by sending pictures, audio and video files that expound on topic of interest. Academic content acquired through other Internet sources is shared to groups students interact with. The use of SEUMD provides for a new framework that merges technology adoption, concerns in the society and providing a sustainable solution. SEUMD extends discussion on technology adoption by focusing on adopters’ goals and analysing sustainability of attaining the goal through effective use. Adoption of a technology is thus assessed as a process that starts before adoption and continues after through sustainability.
- ItemOpen AccessTowards an understanding of the boundaries and characteristics of a Digital Business Strategy(2020) Fredericks, Jeanne; Roodt, SumarieThe merging of business and information technology (IT) strategies, effectively becoming a Digital Business Strategy (DBS), is changing the way that organisations have to leverage resources to create differential value. Due to the DBS being such a novice idea, there is no clear understanding of what the DBS is, what its characteristics and boundaries are, how it impacts alignment between business and IT, and how it impacts organisational performance. Without this understanding, organisations leveraging a DBS run the risk of launching technological initiatives or making organisational changes that are disjointed from their strategic direction. These misaligned efforts may result in unrealised strategy and unsatisfactory organisational performance. The purpose of this study was to define the boundaries and characteristics of the DBS, provide a definition of a DBS and to establish if the DBS has a positive effect on organisational performance. To examine the DBS, it was observed in its natural habitat, through a single case study approach, focusing on an organisation that has been leveraging a DBS as part of their digital journey. The organisation is a South African based financial services provider and is a subsidiary of a larger financial services provider. In this study, the DBS was observed from an intellectual, operational, social and cultural alignment perspective, using a combination of the Strategic Alignment Model (SAM) and the Complex Adaptive System (CAS) frameworks. This study subscribed to a mixed-method approach which included both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Staff providing input into this study included senior, middle, junior and non-management employees. The study was conducted over a period of thirteen months. The findings from both the qualitative and quantitative data suggest that to leverage a DBS the organisation must be concerned with more than just leveraging digital resources. For instance, organisations must focus on customer and staff empowerment, use customer and industry-related information to create opportunistic and competitive decision-making opportunities, and create a change-ready culture where bold experimentation and failing forward is embraced. Researchers and practitioners alike can use the findings of this case study as lessons on how to leverage organisational resources in the context of the DBS.