Browsing by Author "Jere, Ntabeni."

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Determinants of ICT adoption by small and medium enterprises in Pietermaritzburg.
(2019) Ngidi, Nsikelelo Vincent.; Jere, Ntabeni.; Ranjeeth, Sanjay.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been a major contributor to world economic growth. ICT plays a vital role when it comes to the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). In developed countries, SMEs are making use of ICTs to support their business functions although this has not been the case in most developing countries. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) argues that the survival rate of start-up businesses is generally poor with SMEs in developing countries performing even worse than the standard survival rates. ICT can be used as a tool to improve the performance and survival rate of SMEs in developing countries. SMEs in developing countries are lacking behind when it comes to the adoption of ICT. This study aims to investigate the determinants that influence the intention to adopt ICT by SMEs in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The study made use of quantitative methods as its fundamental research approach. 227 SME owners in Pietermaritzburg were surveyed using a closed-ended questionnaire. The Technology, Organisation and Environment framework was used as a lens through which to understand the study. The TOE theoretical framework is largely used as a process to study the adoption of innovation at a firm level. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach was applied in order to analyse the data from the respondents. The study revealed that Technology Context and Organisation Context (-0.221) are significant determinants that influence the intention to adopt ICT amongst SMEs. Technology Context is the most influential determinant with a regression weight of 0.938, and the Environment Context is an insignificant determinant due to the lack of government support. The study contributes towards the understanding on the important determinants that influences the adoption of ICTs in Pietermaritzburg. The results of this study can assist service providers and government on how to help uplift SMEs. It further shines the light on the lack of the government support towards SMEs.
Perceptions of the use of IsiZulu Termbank Technology at University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Hadebe, Njabulo.; Jere, Ntabeni.; Govender, Irene.
Abstract available in PDF.
The perspectives of technology implementers about informaton communication technology deployment to rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2011) Jere, Ntabeni.; Klopper, Rembrandt.
The purpose of this study was to explore the deployment of Information Communication Tech-nology to rural communities of KwaZulu-Natal from the perspective of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), the technology implementers of government. SITA‘s regional of-fice in KwaZulu-Natal is relatively small, with a total of 52 employees who have a direct and indirect role to play with regards to ICT deployment. A quantitative research methodology was utilised in this study. Data was gathered with the aid of a questionnaire. Fifty-two questionnaires were sent out to the targeted employees of SITA and forty-seven responses were received. The response rate was ninety percent. The results of the survey revealed that sixty percent of respondents felt that rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal were not prepared to participate in e-government. When asked to indicate the importance of Information Communication Technology policy and regulatory frameworks that specifically address technology deployment to rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, sixty per-cent of respondents acknowledged the importance. Over two thirds of respondents indicated that lack of infrastructure was a hindrance to technology deployment while less than one third did not know if this was a hindrance. The study also revealed that the main motivation for ICT de-ployment was social inclusion and to improve digital inclusiveness. Based on the empirical evidence, the researcher recommends that government take these per-spectives of the technology implementers into consideration when formulating Information Communication Technology policies and legislative frameworks that will be used as a basis for technology deployment to these rural communities. It is also recommended that government do more in terms of training and sensitizing technology implementers and end users, and developing support infrastructure, such as the electrification of rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, in order to create an enabling environment for new ICT initiative deployment and to enable com-munity members to be adequately prepared to participate in ICT initiatives such as e-governance, which was identified as a priority area. Due to the limitations of this study, particu-larly the fact that it is based on one province, KwaZulu-Natal, it is recommended that further research be carried out into deployment of ICT to rural communities.
The role of information and communications technology in improving food security in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2015) Jere, Ntabeni.; Maharaj, Manoj Sewak.
This thesis explored the role of Information and Communications Technology in improving food security. The study was conducted in the South African context and is based on KwaZulu-Natal Province. It investigated the factors that impacted and contributed towards the adoption and diffusion of Information and Communications Technology amongst smallholder farmers. The study aimed to contribute to reducing food insecurity in South Africa using Information and Communications Technology. The outcome of this study highlighted important factors that need to be taken into account when considering ICT’s influence in food security. This exploratory research study took an interdisciplinary approach combining the disciplines of Information Systems and Agriculture and making use of quantitative methods of analysis. Data from a sample of 533 smallholder farmers and 41 agricultural extension officers from the four local municipalities in the district municipality of iLembe were collected using a questionnaire. This study makes use of the five main constructs from Rogers Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM) to develop a model to better understand the role of ICTs in food security in KwaZulu-Natal. The key findings that emerged in the South African context were that ICT’s play an important role in reducing food insecurity. The study also puts forward the proposition that ICT adoption in food security is associated with culture, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the ICT innovation. However, there were no associations found with the constructs, attributes of innovation and nature of the social system. The growing population of people living in extreme hunger worldwide has become a matter of global concern. The World Bank highlights the importance of smallholder farming in increasing the productivity levels in the agricultural sector that in turn has the potential to stimulate economic growth in other sectors of a the economy of a country. It is in attempts to stimulate increased productivity of smallholder farmers and hence reducing food insecurity that ICT’s are being incorporated in farming practices. It is this gap in literature that this research makes a contribution. While the literature points to many studies relating to ICT adoption and diffusion, the role of ICT’s in food security has not been studied in detail. Furthermore, there have not been any studies that looked at the relationship between smallholder farmers and extension officers in relation to ICT’s. A further gap in the literature highlighted there were no recent studies that investigated specific ICT’s such as GIS and Knowledge Management Systems and their role on food security. This study made the following unique contribution to the existing body of knowledge: The identification of constructs that influence ICT adoption in food security amongst smallholder farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. The identification of the determinants of ICT’s in food security in KwaZulu-Natal. The study provides empirical evidence regarding ICT influence on Food Security. The development of a proposed theoretical model for understanding diffusion and adoption of ICT’s and its role on food security.
The role of information and communications technology in improving food security in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2015) Jere, Ntabeni.; Maharaj, Manoj Sewak.
This thesis explored the role of Information and Communications Technology in improving food security. The study was conducted in the South African context and is based on KwaZulu-Natal Province. It investigated the factors that impacted and contributed towards the adoption and diffusion of Information and Communications Technology amongst smallholder farmers. The study aimed to contribute to reducing food insecurity in South Africa using Information and Communications Technology. The outcome of this study highlighted important factors that need to be taken into account when considering ICT’s influence in food security. This exploratory research study took an interdisciplinary approach combining the disciplines of Information Systems and Agriculture and making use of quantitative methods of analysis. Data from a sample of 533 smallholder farmers and 41 agricultural extension officers from the four local municipalities in the district municipality of iLembe were collected using a questionnaire. This study makes use of the five main constructs from Rogers Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM) to develop a model to better understand the role of ICTs in food security in KwaZulu-Natal. The key findings that emerged in the South African context were that ICT’s play an important role in reducing food insecurity. The study also puts forward the proposition that ICT adoption in food security is associated with culture, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the ICT innovation. However, there were no associations found with the constructs, attributes of innovation and nature of the social system. The growing population of people living in extreme hunger worldwide has become a matter of global concern. The World Bank highlights the importance of smallholder farming in increasing the productivity levels in the agricultural sector that in turn has the potential to stimulate economic growth in other sectors of a the economy of a country. It is in attempts to stimulate increased productivity of smallholder farmers and hence reducing food insecurity that ICT’s are being incorporated in farming practices. It is this gap in literature that this research makes a contribution. While the literature points to many studies relating to ICT adoption and diffusion, the role of ICT’s in food security has not been studied in detail. Furthermore, there have not been any studies that looked at the relationship between smallholder farmers and extension officers in relation to ICT’s. A further gap in the literature highlighted there were no recent studies that investigated specific ICT’s such as GIS and Knowledge Management Systems and their role on food security. This study made the following unique contribution to the existing body of knowledge: vi The identification of constructs that influence ICT adoption in food security amongst smallholder farmers in KwaZulu-Natal The identification of the determinants of ICT’s in food security in KwaZulu-Natal The study provides empirical evidence regarding ICT influence on Food Security The development of a proposed theoretical model for understanding diffusion and adoption of ICT’s and its role on food security