Browsing by Author "Seymour, Lisa"

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    An analysis of business intelligence for improved public service delivery
    (2015) Hartley, Mogamat Kaashief; Seymour, Lisa
    The public sector can be described with different types of public policies and by the services the organisations deliver to citizens. Public sector organisations are implementing e-government projects as mechanisms to enhance public service delivery. However, public sector e-government projects in developing countries are highlighted as challenging. Awards of achievement for implementing e-government projects have been noted in the South African public sector. Business Intelligence (BI) for improved public service delivery has been identified as a key tool to improve decision-making processes. Implementing BI in organisations has been revealed as complex. The study of organisational factors that influence the initiative for successful BI implementation is suggested. For this reason, the research sets out to explore the implementation of BI in the public sector in South Africa. The research was conducted through two case studies. Data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews and document collection with organisations that are implementing BI. A qualitative thematic analysis method was used to construct the major themes that emerged from the data. The research objectives were addressed by constructing three frameworks; to describe what organisational factors influence the BI initiative, the factors that influence the use of BI, and a framework describing the process of implementing BI in the public sector. The Design-Reality gap model was applied to identify risk in the BI projects. The study revealed that BI can be used as an enabler of change and improvement in public sector activities. Consolidating structures, systems and processes was identified as a precursor to implementing BI. However, the level of skills to use BI tools was highlighted as key factor in hindering BI use.
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    Broadband diffusion in households of South Africa
    (2011) Naidoo, Mogen; Seymour, Lisa
    This research attempts to investigate the adoption, use and impact of broadband services from a holistic point of view encompassing the factors influencing the adoption, use and impact of broadband. This study explores the broadband developments in South Africa and discusses the challenges faced in increasing the broadband penetration rate within the country.
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    A computer model of water-in-oil emulsion coagulation
    (1996) Seymour, Lisa; Jackson, Graham Ellis
    In this thesis, a stochastic computer model of water-in-oil emulsion coagulation, a two stage process of aggregation and coalescence, is presented. The theoretical basis of the model, including equations for the van der Waals, electrostatic and steric energy barriers between dissimilar droplets, is described. Many of these equations have been derived by the author. A chemical speciation study of the aqueous phase typically found in emulsion explosives is presented. A potentiometric investigation of the protonation equilibria of propionate, succinate and mono-methyl succinate in tetraethyl ammonium bromide, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate at 25°C and 3 mol/dm³ ionic strength was performed. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance titrations for succinate and propionate in varying concentrations of the same salts are also shown. A method of converting thermodynamic stability constants from one ionic strength to another using a modified form of the Pitzer equations is presented with a computer program which performs the conversion. A novel method of obtaining complexation constants from protonation constants in varying media is proposed. Using optical microscopy, creaming rates and laser particle sizing, the affects of changing surfactant concentration, salt concentration, pH and shearing time for emulsions of ammonium nitrate solution in heptane with CRILL 43 are shown. Equations are derived for converting creaming rate data to droplet size information and a computer program for converting Malvern light intensity data in the anomalous regime (typical of water-in-oil emulsions) to size distribution data is presented. The computer model is validated against experimental data from this work and the literature and is used to make stability predictions for systems for which no data exists. Further uses for the model are discussed.
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    Enterprise resource planning business case considerations : an analysis of Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises in developing countries
    (2013) Mukwasi, Carrington M; Seymour, Lisa
    Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems because they promise significant benefits. However, the majority of ERP deployments rarely meet user expectations and often do not yield expected benefits. As a result, the failure rate of ERP implementations at SMEs is estimated to be between 40 and 60 percent. This high rate of failure, together with the resultant impact on SMEs and the consequences for national development is a cause for concern. In order to address this concern, this study aims to explore how SMEs develop their business cases, as well as how the benefits, risks and costs of ERP systems are realised in SMEs. Companies need a clear vision and convincing reasons when they adopt ERP systems. The study used the qualitative research method. Cases from South Africa and Zimbabwe were investigated in a cross-sectional study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using elements of thematic data analysis, grounded theory, and a general inductive approach to analysis. The Design Reality Gap Model formed a theoretical base and was used as lens for data collection and analysis.
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    ERP implementation success framework for developing countries : case of South African SMEs
    (2016) Irakoze, Gloria; Seymour, Lisa
    Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have been highlighted in literature as one of the most powerful tools in information systems to facilitate rapid decision-making, cost reduction and greater managerial control. With today's Information Technology (IT) market growth, South African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have started to recognise ERP systems as a common and necessary platform. However, literature on this topic indicates that the majority of implementations do not meet organisations' expectations. Recent research studies indicate that more than a half of ERP implementations in SMEs fail. More importantly, the factors associated with ERP implementation success in South African SMEs are largely unknown. Furthermore, the high rate failure of ERP implementation in SME represent a threat to South Africa since SMEs are the backbone of the nation's economy. This research study therefore explores success implementation indicators and factors associated with ERP implementation in South African SMEs. In addressing the research questions, the study draws on a combination of the DeLone and McLean IS success model and the Technological, Organisational, Environmental (TOE) framework as well as a number of success factors identified through an extensive review of literature. Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis are used to collect, analyse the data and to develop the ERP implementation success framework. The ERP implementation success framework is composed of four Information System (IS) success indicators and thirteen success factors. Although, findings established that there are relationships between four IS success indicators and thirteen success factors, only nine of the thirteen success factors were found to have direct relationships with the IS success indicators. The nine success factors are: ERP flexibility, ERP suitability, data accuracy, timeliness, top management support, change management, project management, user training and vendor support. The IS indicators from which these nine factors are related to: Management quality, system quality, information quality and service quality.
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    Explaining the Big Data adoption decision in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: Cape Town case studies
    (2022) Matross, Lonwabo; Seymour, Lisa
    Problem Statement: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play an integral role in the economy of developed and developing countries. SMEs are constantly searching for innovative technologies that will not only reduce their overhead costs but also improve product development, customer relations and profitability. Literature has revealed that some SMEs around the world have incorporated a fairly new technology called Big Data to achieve higher levels of operational efficiency. Therefore, it is interesting to observe the reasons why some organizations in developing countries such as South Africa are not adopting this technology as compared to other developed countries. A large portion of the available literature revealed that there isa general lack of in-depth information and understanding of Big Data amongst SMEs in developing countries such as South Africa. The main objective of this study is to explain the factors that SMEs consider during the Big Data decision process. Purpose of the study: This research study aimed to identify the factors that South African SMEs consider as important in their decision-making process when it comes to the adoption of BigData. The researcher used the conceptual framework proposed by Frambach and Schillewaert to derive an updated and adapted conceptual framework that explained the factors that SMEs consider when adopting Big Data. Research methodology: SMEs located in the Western Province of South Africa were chosen as the case studies. The interpretive research philosophy formed the basis of this research. Additionally, the nature of the phenomenon being investigated deemed it appropriate that the qualitative research method and research design be applied to this thesis. Due to constraints such as limited time and financial resources this was a cross-sectional study. The research strategy in this study was multiple in-depth case studies. The qualitative approach was deemed appropriate for this study. The researcher used two methods to collect data, namely, the primary research method and the secondary research method. The primary research method enabled the researcher to obtain rich data that could assist in answering the primary research questions, whilst the secondary research method included documents which supplemented the primary data collected. Data was analyzed using the NVivo software provided by the University of Cape Town. Key Findings: The findings suggest that the process that influences the decision to adopt Big Data by SMEs follows a three-step approach namely: 1.) Awareness, 2.) Consideration, 3.) Intention. This indicates that for Big Data to be adopted by SMEs there must be organizational readiness to go through the process. This study identified the main intention for SMEs to adopt Big Data is to ensure operational stability. Improved operational efficiency was identified as the supporting sub-theme. This study has raised awareness about the process that SMEs, academic researchers, IT practitioners and government need to place emphasis on to improve the adoption of Big Data by SMEs. Furthermore, this study has raised awareness about the opportunities and challenges that SMEs, academic researchers, IT practitioners and government need to place emphasis on to improve the adoption of Big Data by SMEs. Value of the study: The study adds value in both academia and the business industry as it provides more insight into the factors that SMEs consider in the Big Data adoption decision.
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    General anaesthesia for caesarean delivery for thrombocytopaenia: findings from an obstetric airway management registry
    (2023) Seymour, Lisa; Fernandes, Nicole; Hofmeyr Michael
    Background Regional anesthesia (RA) is preferred for cesarean section (CS). In women at risk of spinalepidural hematoma, thrombocytopenia should be excluded. In South Africa, this investigation is often unavailable due to the absence of urgent laboratory services. Methods The obstetric airway management registry (ObAMR) is currently active across all training institutions affiliated with the University of Cape Town, including secondary and tertiary level obstetric services. This retrospective multicenter observational study aimed to determine the incidence of general anesthesia (GA) performed either because thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 75 x 109 /L. In group Tbcp NE, 46/52 (88.5%) platelet counts could be traced. The median (interquartile range) platelet count was 178 x 109 /L (93-233 x 109 /L), and > 75 x 109 /L in 41/46 (89.1%) patients. In the 5/46 patients with thrombocytopenia, 2 had hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, 2 had antepartum hemorrhage with preeclampsia, and 1 had isolated thrombocytopenia with preeclampsia. Conclusions In 17% of patients the indication for GA was thrombocytopenia. Many patients received GA because a platelet count was unavailable at the time of obstetric surgery. The importance of early laboratory assessment, when available, should be emphasized. Most patients in whom thrombocytopenia had not been excluded, and whose hypertension was uncomplicated, had a platelet count >75 x 109 /L. After careful decision consideration of risk and benefit, there may be circumstances in which the clinician justifiably opts for RA when a platelet count is indicated but unavailable.
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    Generative mechanisms of IT-enabled organisational performance in resource-constrained Emergency Medical Services organisations in South Africa
    (2018) Buchana, Yasser; Seymour, Lisa
    Problem Statement: Emergency medical services (EMS) organisations have one of the highest levels of dependence on and use of information technology (IT) to support delivery of emergency medical services. The need for EMS organisations to provide efficient and effective emergency medical services has emphasised the importance of performance management. Organisational performance which is monitored and evaluated through key performance indicators (KPIs) plays an important role in EMS organisations. Organisational performance helps to monitor, evaluate and communicate outcomes in the form of KPIs. Empirical evidence shows that quantitative KPIs have been designed with little in-depth understanding of the underlying IT usage mechanisms that influence organisational performance. Unfortunately, such quantitative KPI reports have been limited in explaining organisational performance underpinned by IT. Purpose / rationale of the research: The purpose of this research study was to identify the generative mechanisms associated with IT-enabled organisational performance and to explain how these mechanisms interact. In the context of resource-constrained EMS organisations, quantitatively defined KPIs are not suitable for explaining the underlying causes of performance variations and outcomes. The lack of empirical evidence on IT-enabled organisational performance as well as the lack of theoretical explanations of the underlying mechanisms provided the primary rationale for this study. In addition, this study sought to provide answers to the following research question: What generative mechanisms explain IT-enabled organisational performance in resource-constrained EMS organisations? Theoretical approach/methodology/design: This study was informed by the critical realist philosophy of science and used the complex adaptive systems theory together with institutional theory as the theoretical lenses to investigate the research question in a manner that jointly explained the generative mechanisms. Using interviews, participant observation, organisational performance data and documents collected from a single case study, the study used abduction and retroduction techniques to explicate the mechanisms of IT-enabled organisational performance. Findings: Findings indicate that the IT-enabled organisational performance mechanisms can be categorised into two types of generative mechanisms. These are structural and coordination mechanisms. The explanation of the mechanisms developed in this study take into consideration three important elements: (1) the technological, cultural and structural mechanisms that influence IT-enabled organisational performance; (2) the unpredictable, non-linear, adaptive nature of emergency medical services environments; and (3) the complexities that arise in the interactions between EMS organisations and their environments. Originality/contribution: In respect of IT-enabled organisational performance this study contributes to both organisational and health information systems literature by developing a multi-level research framework that is informed by the realist philosophical stance. The framework plays an explanatory role which relates to its inherent ability to offer explanatory insights into the necessary mechanisms that give rise to organisational performance. This framework has the potential to guide empirical research and provide theoretical explanations of different domains or disciplines that are concerned with identifying IT usage mechanisms which influence organisational performance. These include the significance of the coordination and structural mechanisms which, under differing conditions of uncertainty, produce variations in performance outcomes. Implications: Findings from this study can be integrated into broader emergency medical policy planning and health programme management. The model developed by the study provides a fresh understanding of the underpinning mechanisms enabling performance in resource-constrained EMS organisations. It can be used to assist emergency medical institutions and practitioners in South Africa and other sub-Saharan African countries, especially Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to improve emergency medical service delivery to the public. The findings provide a guide for improving management of emergency medical situations and resources in their respective resource-constrained contexts. Furthermore, findings from the study can also guide improved design and implementation strategies and policies of EMS systems initiatives in South Africa and sub-Saharan developing countries.
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    Inclination of scholars to major in information systems or computer science
    (2005) Seymour, Lisa; Hart, Mike; Haralambous, Peter; Natha, Tasneem; Weng, Chia-Wen
    This paper describes a survey of 497 final year scholars at schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. They were asked about their inclination to study information systems (IS) or computer science (CS), their knowledge of the areas, and their opinions of salaries and job opportunities. Unlike much past research, significantly more interest came from those previously ‘deprived’ in the IT area. Those from schools previously disadvantaged by the apartheid school system and without access to computer or Internet access at home were more inclined to study CS or IS. These categories also expressed most optimism about IT job prospects and starting salaries, as did female scholars. Perceptions of the activities of IS students were far less accurate than of CS students. Males were more predisposed to study IS than females, and black students and those without school computer access favoured CS. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
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    An IS perspective on managing change in a university
    (2011) Johnston, Kevin Allan; Seymour, Lisa; Cronje, Johannes
    This thesis aimed firstly to explore what is happening with respect to change in a South African university, and how this change affects those involved, viewed from an IS standpoint. The focus is on determining the essence and nature of organisational change in its usual situation.
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    Social interaction in an online cross-disciplinary research conference
    (2006) Nyirenda, Tawona Vanessa; Seymour, Lisa; Ng'ambi, Dick
    This research study investigated the social interaction in an online cross-disciplinary research conference. The research study followed an online conference of researchers from disciplines of social sciences, law, and humanities. The online conference was initiated by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and was hosted by Centre for Educational Technology (CET) at University of Cape Town (UCT). The main aim of the research study is to identify social interaction enablers and inhibitors in an online cross-disciplinary conference. The Internet is being used for numerous purposes, such as extending one's social networks, participating in online communities, finding a marriage partner, learning, and developing successful business relationships. An online conference uses the Internet for social networking. The study followed an interpretive research approach and combined critical discourse analysis (CDA) and the social presence indicators template (SPIT) as its analytical framework. The focus of the study was on the analysis and interpretation of the online conference text messages (artefacts) to identify enablers and inhibitors of social interaction. The social interaction enablers identified in the study included sharing and seeking of information, social presence, time and geographical confidence and flexibility, facilitation, prescribed/relevant topics and increased confidence and reduced evaluation anxiety. Inhibitors of social interaction were lack of community, prescribed topics, minimal activities, lack of non-verbal and social cues and clarity of topics. The social interaction enablers that were not identified in the literature were prescribed/relevant topics and collaboration and lobbying. Lack of community, clarity of topics, prescribed topics and minimal activities were identified as inhibitors of social interaction in the study but were not identified in the literature. In addition, the research found that some social interaction enablers were also found to be inhibitors. A revelation in the research study was that prescribed topics both enabled and inhibited social interaction. While some participants contributed towards these topics, others did not. Although the study focused predominantly on a cross-disciplinary research conference the findings reported in this study could have useful applications on online social interaction in general. The study has found out that an online conference arguably has merits over a face-to-face conference, but these benefits can only be optimised when social interaction is deliberately fostered through convergence of the online conference tool, facilitation, and topic design.
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    A systematic analysis of ERP implementation challenges and coping mechanisms: The case of a large, decentralised, public organisation in South Africa
    (2016) Ramburn Gopaul, Hiranjali; Seymour, Lisa
    The relevance of this research stems from the persistent failure rate of large-scale Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations. The foremost reasons advanced in explaining organisations' failure to achieve the desired ERP benefits, despite substantial investments, relates to the complex, risky and challenging nature of the implementation process. Understanding the ERP implementation challenges faced by organisations and the subsequent coping mechanisms deployed to overcome the challenges remain a pertinent research endeavour. Another eminent area of concern alludes to the limited significance attributed to the systemic analysis of the implementation process. This research describes the challenges faced by organisations during their ERP implementation process and explains the systemic interaction of the ERP implementation challenges. In conjunction, this study identifies the coping mechanisms established by organisations to overcome the encountered ERP implementation challenges. An interpretive research paradigm, in concurrence with an inductive research approach was adopted for the purpose of this research. This study was conducted within the context of a large, decentralised, public organisation. Two embedded case studies within the designated organisation were selected. At the onset of the study, the organisation was in the process of implementing a large-scale vanilla ERP solution. The study was qualitative in nature and data were collected through interviews, observations and documentary evidence between April 2012 and October 2014. The ERP implementation challenges and ensuing coping mechanisms were revealed through the use of thematic analysis. Constant comparative analysis allowed the researcher to compare and contrast the data and themes emerging from both cases. The systemic interrelation and interconnected nature of the ERP implementation challenges were, subsequently, examined, using the principles of system dynamics. Key research contributions comprise the development of both descriptive and explanatory knowledge. The research findings disclose numerous ERP implementation challenges resulting in the emergence of a taxonomy which includes organisational, project management, management, change management, technical and knowledge challenges. The proposed taxonomy provides a comprehensive breakdown and analysis of different ERP implementation challenges which adds to the existing body of knowledge on ERP implementation. The major theoretical contribution, however, is the explanatory theory arising from the systemic model of the dynamics of ERP implementation challenges. The theory provides rich insights into the complex and interconnected nature of an implementation process. Specific implications are drawn from the empirical findings to form theoretical propositions as principles of explanation and generalisation. Another key contribution includes an interpretation of how coping mechanisms are deployed by organisations to overcome the ERP implementation challenges. The predominant coping mechanisms include the use of workaround solutions, workgroups, super-users, and retraining, support, and rewards and incentives. The theoretical contribution can be generalised to large, decentralised organisations implementing ERP systems. The contribution to practice is to assist organisations in their implementation endeavours by empowering ERP implementers with the fundamental knowledge in order for them to better manage the inherent complexity of their implementation processes.
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    The fourth industrial revolution and the skills mismatch within the Business Analysis Profession
    (2023) Mukozho, Denise; Seymour, Lisa
    This study describes the skills mismatch within the Business Analysis profession during the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Business Analysis profession is a new information systems field that emerged in the early 1990s and requires extensive research. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is projected to result in a skills mismatch. This study uses the Business Analysis Competency Model, Social Cognitive Career Theory and a mixed-methods research design to develop a framework for describing the skills mismatch within the Business Analysis profession. Reviewed literature highlighted four key categories of skills (technical, business, personal/attitudinal and interpersonal skills). The study found that there are various mismatches between current and future roles. Personal, interpersonal, and business skills are relatively constant between the two roles whereas technical skills show significant mismatches between the current and future roles. This study proposes a skills mismatch framework for addressing a possible Fourth Industrial Revolution-induced skills mismatch.
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    The value of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems in Companies: Case study of Lesotho
    (2022) Talasi, Teboho; Seymour, Lisa
    While modern organisations are pressurised to invest in the latest Information Technology (IT) to keep abreast with the competitive global market, today's operational processes and supply chains also require systems that are capable of handling complex business functions. As a result, companies are investing in complex Information Systems (IS) such as Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs) to cope with the dynamic business environment. Despite the continued popularity of ERPs, the literature has shown that ERP failure is a major challenge facing organisations. Findings concerning the benefits that organisations accrue from the implementation of ERPs are mixed. Nevertheless, companies invest a considerable amount of money into these systems, expecting a return on investment. The purpose of this research was to explain how ERP systems provide value to companies. An online survey strategy was used for collecting data from companies in Lesotho. The empirical results of this study confirmed a strong association between the use of ERP and ERP value, and the improvement of business processes and ERP value. This finding also emphasised the importance of organisational culture and training. The significance of this research lay in description of Lesotho context.
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    Towards a disruptive learning model in information systems education: a reflective student-dominant logic perspective
    (2022) Garbutt, Malcolm; Seymour, Lisa; Cronjé, Johannes C
    This thesis describes the research carried out to identify mechanisms as potential causes of action that can lead to improved learning outcomes. Identifying mechanisms requires an exploratory approach because mechanisms are not always directly perceivable. The potential mechanisms in this study were identified by analysing the reflections of students who participated in experiential learning projects during business process management education. The research was necessary due to a persistent need to minimise the gap between learning and practice. The research is unique because it takes a student-dominant approach to review students' reflective practices using a novel pragmatic-critical realist paradigm. Although reflection is central to experiential learning, there is limited understanding of how students reflect and what they consider to influence their learning outcomes. This limitation was explored using action research with mixed methods analysis which combined thematic analysis and partial least squares based structural equation modelling. During four action research cycles, student reflections on business process projects as part of higher education enterprise systems and business process management courses in a South African higher education institution were observed and analysed. Each action research cycle changed one aspect of the students' projects. The first intervention required students to reflect on action, the second required students to reflect in action, and the third required reflection for action. In the fourth cycle, the teaching staff changed. The findings showed that reflection is complex and must be linked to action to improve learning. Reflections were observed to positively influence learning outcomes when students apply effort to assigned tasks. On the basis of the observations, two models were proposed. The first model is a learning influence model embedded in the second disruptive learning model. The models show that reflective practices can improve learning outcomes by recognising that students learn at different levels but are predominantly absolutist. Students need to be inspired to apply effort in completing tasks and overcoming satisficing.
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    Towards a model for ERP user adoption in SMMEs an emerging economy analysis
    (2011) Jansen van Vuuren, Isabel; Seymour, Lisa
    Small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) are the breeding ground for entrepreneurs, the future of emerging economies and the driving force in the global economy. A successful SMME sector holds numerous benefits for an emerging economy such as South Africa. Due to the large growth in SMMEs globally, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) vendors are developing products to cater for the ERP SMME sector. ERP systems provide SMMEs with a strategic tool which potentially improves their business processes, increases competitiveness and provides them with the opportunity to compete globally and sell their products internationally. While ERP systems provide an organisation with various benefits, the successful implementation of ERP systems is a challenge.
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    Understanding the achievement of benefits through use of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) systems in public sector organisations
    (2016) Salamntu, Lumka Thami; Seymour, Lisa
    Public sector organisations are implementing the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system because of their large volume of unstructured content which led to documents being stored in various repositories. This made it difficult for such organisations to access, control and locate documents. ECM systems are therefore implemented to address the uncontrolled manner in which documents are saved, stored and accessed by employees. There were a number of other anticipated benefits. This study aims to explore and understand the achievement of benefits through the use of ECM systems and to determine the barriers preventing the benefits from being achieved in public sector organisations. The study used a qualitative research approach. Two cases of the public sector organisations were investigated in a cross-sectional study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and by viewing organisational documentation. Data was analysed using thematic analysis with elements of deductive and inductive approaches. An ERP benefits framework and the Enhanced Impact framework formed a theoretical base and were used as a lens for collecting and analysing data.
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    Understanding the impact of culture on business IT alignment within a South African parastatal
    (2018) Carolissen, Lisle Kim; Seymour, Lisa
    Business IT Alignment (BITA) remains a challenge for many organisations and is repeatedly ranked highly by Business and IT executives in an annual survey by the Society for Information Management (SIM). BITA has been defined as applying information technology (IT) in an appropriate and timely way, in harmony with business strategies, goals and needs. BITA maturity provides organisations with a way to determine the level of maturity of the BITA activities that is the management activities performed to attain a better alignment between IT function and the organisational goals. Mature alignment develops into a relationship where IT and other business functions adapt their strategies together. Previous research on BITA has focused more on formal structures such as reporting structures, decision-making rights and centralisation vs decentralisation, rather than informal structures such as relationship-based structures, including organisational culture, that go beyond the formal division of labour. The impact of culture on BITA has often been de-emphasised in earlier studies, leaving a gap in alignment research. Culture has been defined as a set of shared, taken-for-granted implicit assumptions that a group holds and determines how it perceives, thinks about and reacts to its various environments. Culture at an organisational however, has been defined as the culture within an organisation that includes the common expectations, goals, beliefs, ideas, common understanding and norms of the people in the organisation which varies between organisations. Culture at a group and organisational level have the same content and meaning and are theoretically isomorphic, meaning they both influence behaviour through shared, social normative cues. This study, conducted within a parastatal organisation, focused on culture at an organisational level. The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the organisational culture and BITA as indicated by the BITA maturity level within a South African parastatal, to compare perceptions of IT vs business groups with regards to BITA maturity, to explore and describe the relationships between cultural dimensions and BITA maturity criteria, and to determine whether the existing culture within a South African parastatal supports BITA. The research study adopted an interpretive philosophy in order to develop an understanding of the impact of culture on BITA within a South African parastatal. The research strategy was by means of a single case study. The study was qualitative in nature, data being collected by means of semi-structured interviews and company documents. The Competing Values Framework (CVF) formed the theoretical basis through which cultural types were identified deductively for each of the six cultural dimensions of the organisation. The Strategic Alignment Maturity Model was used to describe the BITA maturity criteria. The impact of culture on BITA maturity criteria was determined inductively. The study contributes theoretically through an explanation theory of how culture impacts BITA maturity positively and negatively through propositions of theory. In addition, it contributes practically suggesting that organisations wanting to improve their BITA must change their culture first. Practically, it serves as a guideline to managers and leaders within government organisations as to the cultural dimensions that are more likely to improve BITA such as 'success criteria and value’ and 'strategic emphasis’. Findings reveal incongruence in perceptions of the overall organisational culture within a South African parastatal for both Business and IT groups, with an overall dominant culture of Hierarchy. BITA maturity was negatively impacted by the cultural dimensions, Organisational leadership (Hierarchy) and Human Resource management (Clan/Hierarchy). In contrast, BITA was positively impacted by success criteria and value (Market) and strategic emphasis (Adhocracy). Overall, an incongruent culture seemed to negatively impact BITA maturity with a low overall BITA maturity level.
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    Web analytics strategy: a model for adopting and implementing advanced Web Analytics
    (2011) Dakela, Sibongiseni; Seymour, Lisa
    Web Analytics (WA) is an evaluative technique originating from and driven by business in its need to get more value out of understanding the usage of its Web sites and strategies therein. It is the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of Internet data for the purposes of understanding and optimising Web usage for the online visitor, the online customer and the business with Web site presence. Current WA practice is criticised because it involves mostly raw statistics and therefore the practice tends to be inconsistent and misleading. Using grounded action research, personal observations and a review of online references, the study reviews the current state of WA to to propose an appropriate model and guidelines for a Web Analytics adoption and implementation in an electronic commerce organisation dealing with online marketing.
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    A Work Systems View of Unplanned Business Process Change: The Case of #feesmustfall at a South African University
    (2019) Joubert, Trevor; Seymour, Lisa
    Aim/Purpose Improving or changing business processes is one of the most important roles for Information technologies functions. Yet, most organizations struggle with planned process change and even more with unplanned change. There is little support from research as the dynamics of planned process change is understud-ied and unplanned process change is seldom researched. Background This paper describes the impact of unplanned business process change from a systems perspective. The #feesmustfall student protest movement, which be-gan in 2015, and affected Universities throughout South Africa provides the context. Methodology An interpretive abductive case study at a South African university used Steven Alter’s Work System framework to describe the unplanned business process change that occurred due to the #feesmustfall student protest movement. Contribution Theoretically, this paper demonstrates the practical use of Alter’s work system framework to analyze unplanned business process change. Practically, it de-scribes and explains the impacts of the change which may be useful to execu-tives or administrators responsible for operational systems within organizations. Findings During unplanned business process change, change management, staff training, customizable technology and strategic fluidity and focus were found to be im-portant. Unplanned business process change results in all elements of the work systems and its environment changing, even resulting in changed products and customer behavior. Impact on Society If organizations are more aware of the impacts of unplanned process change they will be better equipped to control them. Future Research Future action research studies on unplanned business process change could suggest actions for manager’s dealing with them. Keywords business process management, work system theory, systems thinking, un-planned change, #feesmustfall