Browsing by Author "van Belle, Jean-Paul"

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    Open Access
    A framework for guiding cadastral systems development in customary land rights contexts
    (2019) Hull, Simon; Whittal, Jennifer; van Belle, Jean-Paul
    Land reform in South Africa is reported to be failing, and land tenure reform in customary contexts is the least well-addressed component of land reform. To address this failure, a framework for guiding cadastral systems development in customary land rights contexts is developed. Using a research synthesis methodology, this conceptual framework is derived from existing literature. It comprises of five evaluation areas (underlying theory, land administration system context, change drivers, change process, and review process), each of which is broken down into related aspects and elements. The three interrelated goals of success, sustainability, and significance permeate the framework. It is suggested that cadastral systems development (and, by consequence, land tenure reform) projects operating in customary land rights contexts fail when they are not sensitive to the significance of development processes and outcomes for customary land rights-holders. The conceptual framework is tested and extended through a progressive case study of four examples of cadastral systems development in Germany, the Netherlands, Mozambique, and South Africa. The elements of the framework are compared against context-specific descriptors that emerge from the case studies to assess how well they have been addressed. Thus, each case brings contextual relevance to the framework, sequentially increasing its groundedness. The European cases are chosen because they are seen to be examples of ‘good practice’ for their contexts and because developments in southern Africa have drawn from and been influenced by them. Hence, they are expected to add relevant insight to the conceptual framework. The southern African cases are chosen because they reflect the intended context of application of the framework and have been undergoing cadastral systems development for the past few decades. The framework was found to be useful in highlighting strengths and weaknesses in all four cases. Weaknesses in the European cases related to their insensitivity towards human rights, class and gender issues possibly arising from assumptions about the uniformity of their socio-economic context. There was also inadequate attention given to the review processes. Strengths arose from the developed nature of the countries as reflected in their good governance and well-functioning cadastral systems. In the southern African cases, the primary weaknesses arose from the adoption of inappropriate theory of development, leading to a loss of significance of development process and outcomes. Other weaknesses are related to the lack of developing status of southern African countries, as reflected in their poor land governance and low levels of technological capacity. Strengths related to acknowledgement of human rights issues and the need to address historical injustices in the southern African cases. The resultant, grounded framework is intended to be used as a tool by policymakers and cadastral systems developers. By taking note of the framework’s aspects and elements, it is proposed that cadastral systems development in customary land rights contexts will carry significance for the land rights-holders, encouraging their adoption and embrace of the process and outcomes of development, which in turn fosters the success and sustainability of development.
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    Discovering Information Systems: an exploratory approach
    (2010) van Belle, Jean-Paul; Nash, Jane; Eccles, Mike
    Useful guide for students providing a sound technical understanding of information systems while also taking into account more philosophical, scientific and organisational aspects. This text consist of twelve chapters, which can be grouped roughly into the following three sections. The scientific context: a review of the fundamental scientific concepts on which IS builds: what is information, what is a system and what are information systems. The technological context: an overview of relevant technology: hardware, software and communications technology. The organisational context: the development and deployment of information systems as well as some wider societal concerns. It is important that this text not be seen separate from the practical worksheets, case studies, videos and group work, which will be provided in the lectures. The intention of these additional materials is to enhance the educational process through participatory learning units: you learn best when doing. It is also our conviction that university students need to be introduced from the first year to academic pluralism: too often undergraduate students get the impression that there is a single correct approach or, even worse, that most problems have only one correct solution or answer. This text is therefor supplemented with additional readings, culled from the world-wide web, in which we hope to expose students to different views of the material presented in the concepts part.
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    A framework for the analysis and evaluation of software development methodologies based on formal, intrinsic and pragmatic criteria
    (2007) Riordan, Dominic Damon; van Belle, Jean-Paul
    Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-151).
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    The internet super-user textbook
    (2011) Du Toit, Masha; Malczyk, Anna; van Belle, Jean-Paul
    Get ahead of the game by making optimal use of the internet and its tools. Become more effective, more efficient and work smarter: become an internet superuser. The Internet Super-User Textbook empowers you to make maximum use of the resources available on the internet, including the advanced use of search engines, how to research online, different ways of online communication (from online forums, instant messaging to VOIP), personal information management, online safety and security, mobile internet, social networking, and publishing your own online content. This is the textbook for the UCT Internet Super-User Course (INF100CE). It is richly illustrated and easy to follow with lots of exercises but it also covers quite a few in-depth techniques and information for those who wish to dig deeper. A must-read for any knowledge worker, student and anyone else who wants to enrich their internet life.
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    MOOCs and access to higher education by South African underprivileged learners
    (2024) Mabhele, Mncedisi Chris; van Belle, Jean-Paul
    Background: Underprivileged South Africans struggle to access higher education for various reasons. Higher education potentially increases opportunities for the underprivileged to improve their socio-economic conditions. Higher education MOOCs have been revolutionary in providing quality higher education courses to the masses across the world with low barriers to entry and low cost. MOOCs could provide an alternative for underprivileged South Africans to access higher education. The purpose of the research: The main objective of this study is to identify and generate new and alternative perspectives on access to higher education by the underprivileged when assisted by the inclusion of MOOCs. To this end, this study discusses the role of MOOCs in reducing the barriers to access of higher education by underprivileged learners. Design/methodology/approach: This study employed mixed method approach (qualitative and quantitative methods). Initially, 25 one-on-one interviews with South Africa based participants were conducted online to gain insights and views on the topic. The results were analysed using thematic analysis. Subsequently, 116 South Africa based participants responded to a survey informed by the results from the initial interviews. The results were statistically analysed using regression analysis. Findings: The findings demonstrate that the underprivileged face many challenges in accessing higher education, including affordability, limited spaces within institutions and high entry requirements. The study further demonstrates that MOOCs can be used to address these challenges. However, challenges such as access to ICT, lack of role models and career guidance, low standard of basic education and not being academically prepared may need to be addressed through other means. Research contribution: This study adds to perspectives on the use of MOOCs to increase access to higher education by the underprivileged learners. Additionally, this study has the potential in creating new knowledge for underprivileged individuals to better leverage MOOCs in improving their chance to better life prospects. Lastly, this study can influence policy makers and higher education leadership in better using MOOCs in the quest for creating a more educated workforce.
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    Open government data publication and use in a developing country: a case of Ghana
    (2022) Nuhu, Hubeidatu; van Belle, Jean-Paul
    Implementing Open Government Data (OGD) increases a government's ability to share data on its activities with citizens in machine-readable formats. OGD improves citizen participation, transparency, accountability and creates impact. By permitting more transparency, OGD helps citizens monitor government activities, which contributes to minimizing corruption. For example, while Also, OGD enables governments to track the impact of their actions; it gives citizens the ability to monitor government activities and critique where necessary. In addition, institutionalizing OGD by governments encourages economic growth and creates employment for citizens. The aim of this study is to examine OGD as a phenomenon in Ghana by focusing on how social factors either constrained or enabled the publication and use of OGD in Ghana. The investigation also examined how these social factors were created and sustained over time, influencing OGD institutionalization. The Structuration Theory was used as the primary theoretical lens to aid in understanding these social factors. In addition, the Structuration Theory was supplemented with concepts from Network Power, Ownership, and the Public Value Frameworks to provide additional theoretical categorization for the empirical findings. This study adopted a qualitative interpretive approach. Data sources for the research included semi-structured interviews, observations, and secondary data. The primary sources of data included Data Users, Data Publishers, Data “controllers,” and beneficiaries. The main findings from the study indicated that despite Ghana's long-standing democracy and being one of the early implementers of OGD, the phenomenon was yet to be institutionalized in the country. Data ownership, data quality, regulatory mandate, data sharing culture, control, and resources were the core social factors that influenced OGD publication. The meanings that actors ascribed to data ownership resulted in establishing and maintaining bureaucratic structures that allowed institutions and individuals to control available data. The actual use of OGD was influenced by social factors such as alliances/network creation, resources, power in networks, informal networks, and data quality assessment. Conversely, factors like alliances/network creation and technological resources acted as enablers that helped data users access the data. Data Users relied on technology and constantly drew upon their knowledge and understanding of technology and social connections to enable them to access and use data. They also relied on their ability to use technology to scrutinize data to ensure that it was of good quality and its use could create an impact or public value. Specific recommendations of this study include the need to use change management strategies targeted at all actors and institutions in the OGD ecosystem; educating and sensitizing actors on the relevance of making data technically available on a single approved web portal; and the creation of a context specific data quality indicators.
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    Searching for the role of ICTs in development : a case study of a rural multi-purpose community centre in the Dwars River Valley, South Africa
    (2004) Trusler, Jonathan; van Belle, Jean-Paul
    This dissertation examines ICTs and their role in development. It explores a single case study of a rural Multi-Purpose Community Centre in South Africa in an attempt to gain a richer understanding of the issues surrounding the implementation of such centres. The study is socio-technical in nature and is based on a framework composed of interpretivism, hermeneutics and the actor-network theory. Key issues explored include: the affect of ICTs on the emergence of a local champion; the struggle of creating active participants in a project of this nature; and the usefulness of replication models in guiding implementations.
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    Towards health management intelligence: a case study from South Africa
    (2014) Rowles , Gregory Thomas; van Belle, Jean-Paul; Hart, Mike
    Over the last two decades various information management processes have evolved in South Africa’s public health system. Most notably a self-service business intelligence tool has emerged at the national level which has been supported by the presence of a Routine Health Information System. Corporate business intelligence and its underlying process are well documented but not in the public health domain. The emergence of this tool and the underlying support processes are investigated in a longitudinal case study. Complex adaptive systems theory is used to demonstrate the evolutionary path of business intelligence processes according to four key areas, namely data quality, master data management, data warehousing and analytics. These processes have developed out of an information management culture that has been nurtured by a participatory approach which required an attractor: the improvement of health services through the collection and use of information. The evolution of these processes took place through a bottom up approach that relied on distributed control structures, self-organization and regular engagement within the CAS that is South Africa’s public health system. This created an environment in which information quality practices and master data management processes enabled the continued production of data for warehousing and analytics. Findings will show how business intelligence processes have evolved within a public health setting to the point that they are supported by a new policy that ensures data integrity, presence, quality and use processes. These processes have developed and stabilized over many iterations and have enabled the establishment of a country level self-service business intelligence platform for health managers.
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    Use of mobile phones by subsistence farmers in the Kingdom of Eswatini: a design science research
    (2020) Vilakazi, Mlungisi Bongani Lehlohonolo; van Belle, Jean-Paul
    Access to information is one of the key ways of assisting farmers to improve their agricultural output, gain access to markets and generate income. Governments, NGOs, Universities and other institutions have volumes of information that can benefit farmers, but lack the means to timeously and easily share this information with the farmers. There exists a large gulf between those that need information and the entities that possess information, and bridging this gap is crucial. The advancement of mobile phones and their high adoption levels by developing countries makes them one of the most ideal means of disseminating information amongst farmers. The use of mobile phones by farmers not only benefits farmers, but also the organizations supporting them by improving the means of communication. This research looks at the effects mobile phone communications has on farmers and the organisations supporting farmers. The use of mobile phones enhances means of communications, improves internal processes within organisations and also ameliorates means of engagement with farmers. This study follows the Design Science Research approach to develop a communications module for a project working with smallholder farmers in Eswatini. The developed artefact is designed to benefit both parties, the farmers receiving the information and the organisations supporting them, the content creators.
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    Using software as a service to support the academic activities of students in higher education institutions with a relative lack of resources
    (2018) Akande, Akinlolu Olumide; van Belle, Jean-Paul
    The contribution of Software as a Service (SaaS) towards improved access to software, cost reduction, better quality of learning and enhanced communication and collaboration in higher education institutions (HEIs) cannot be over emphasised. Some HEIs are faced with issues such as tight budget, lack of needed software, inadequate human resources and lack of adequate infrastructure. This research refers to such HEIs as those with a relative lack of resources because the resources intended for a single student are often shared among ten or more students. Hence many students are unable to cope with their academic activities and some end up failing or even dropping out. Finding alternative ways to provide the necessary software for students is therefore a priority for HEIs with a relative lack of resources. SaaS offers a possible alternative for them and it is gaining their attention. The goal of this research was to empower HEIs, their students, lecturers and Information Technology (IT) staff by providing them with a better understanding of SaaS and to provide them with a tool to manage the adoption and implementation of SaaS. Also, the intention was to make practical, theoretical and methodological contributions to the scientific body of knowledge in the area of Software as a Service. To achieve the goals, this research investigated the use of SaaS in HEIs with a relative lack of resources and found SaaS to be effective in providing wider access to software for students in HEIs with a relative lack of resources. This research also identified benefits and limitations of SaaS and how SaaS can help in addressing the barriers to learning and contribute towards the creation of a conducive learning environment for students. The different SaaS offerings available for education and the issues and contradictions associated with the use of SaaS in HEIs were also identified. Furthermore, a set of propositions and an integrated framework were developed using the data from the literature, books, institutional documents and interview data. Although HEIs are continuously introducing SaaS offerings into their academic activities and SaaS promises to improve the learning experience of students in HEIs by improving access to software, improving the sharing of documents and files, improving collaboration as well as communication, this research found that the use of SaaS by students in HEIs is still relatively low and uncovered the reasons for this. The HEIs in Nigeria and South Africa were used as exemplars and the problems they face with regards to resource availability were identified using the activity theory (AT) as a theoretical lens. The Astin’s IEO model and the Students involvement theory were also used to explain some issues relating to the importance of student participation in academic activities involving the use of SaaS. Although the study was focused on students, data from lecturers and IT staff was used for triangulation to increase the credibility and validity of the data obtained from the students. This research found that students believe that SaaS can improve their learning experience and there is an unwavering support for the campus wide implementation of SaaS among students. In the Nigerian HEIs, software piracy was found to be a major problem as students cannot afford to buy the original software needed for academic activities. Another major finding from the Nigerian HEIs is the rampant claims that corruption affects the implementation of SaaS and other ICT initiatives as funds meant for implementation are often diverted for personal gains. In both Nigeria and South Africa, this research found that there is limited or no internet access in some areas and the students who come from such areas are unable to access SaaS from home. This limits their ability to enjoy the anytime, anywhere access advantage of SaaS. This research concluded by suggesting the need for the government and education institutions to provide training for learners and encourage them to be computer literate from an early stage as this could improve their confidence in using technologies such as SaaS when they get to higher education level.