scholarly journals The Impact of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on Procurement Processes: Case of Zimbabwean Urban Councils (2009 to 2018)

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Shakespear Mabhodha ◽  
Farai Choga

The research aimed at determining the impact of ICT applications on procurement processes. The population of study was composed of 110 respondents from Chegutu, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Chinhoyi and Gweru urban councils with a representative sample of eighty-six participants all drawn from the procurement, finance and works departments of the five councils. Quota sampling was used in this research with strata based on the level of employment in the three different divisions. The research utilized a proportion of 78% from each stratum to select eight-six respondents. Both primary and secondary data was used. Primary data was collected through questionnaire which was designed to satisfy research objectives. Secondary data came from relevant literature review, journals, business magazines, conference papers, and internet. Questionnaire responses were tabulated, coded by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 to analyze quantitative data. Qualitative analysis was used to obtain in depth knowledge of the level of ICT utilization and why users were operating at different levels. Findings of the study indicated that although ICT infrastructure with procurement application is in existence and available, utilization of Information Communication Technology is at basic level. Acceptance and adoption of ICT in procurement was driven by both organization and personal objectives. The view that technology adoption is based on the Technology Acceptance Model was applied in this study by testing the perceptions of ease of use and usefulness of ICT. The study revealed that ICT adoption in procurement improves the process and benefits other operations of the business. ICT training and skills development, coupled to organizations’ leadership commitment and availability of financial resources were cited as critical success factors in the acceptance and improved utilization of ICT in procurement. The researchers recommended further studies on the topic of ICT adoption in business operations by public entities.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (VI) ◽  
pp. 291-308
Author(s):  
Nicholas Lemashon Meyoki ◽  
Lucy Kavindah

The use of ICT in service and hospitality industry is intended to enhance delivery of goods and services in a timely and less costly manner. In consideration of ICT as one of the driving forces of globalization, it may deliver unique opportunities by mitigating on vise such as poaching eradication, terrorism, and poor service delivery, access to information, connectivity as well as access to new markets.  The importance of ICT to the economic development has long been recognized and yet tourist camps in Maasai Mara seem to be low in its adoption and use compared to other sectors or within the same sector elsewhere. The purpose of this study therefore was to explore ICT adoption by the Tourist Camps in Maasai Mara. This study was guided by three specific objectives. First is to establish Financial Resources that influences adoption of ICT by the tourist camps in Maasai Mara. Secondly is to determine infrastructural resources that influence adoption of ICT by the Tourist Camps in Maasai Mara. Thirdly is to investigate human resources and adoption of ICT by the Tourist Camps in Maasai Mara. The research utilized descriptive design and was limited to a population of 520 camps in from the Eight Conservancies in Maasai Mara, Narok County.The camps in the study includes both seasonal and permanent Camps. The study adopted a stratified random sampling where the population was grouped into stratus according to status that the camps belong to. The study utilized a formula that was proposed by Mugenda and Mugenda where ten percent of camps were taken from each stratum and their manager used as a respondent to constitute a study sample size of 520 respondents. In this regard, the respondents were the managers of these camps. The study utilized primary data that was gathered using semi structured questionnaire that contained open as well as closed-ended questions. Content validity of the data collection instrument was assessed by the researcher and the supervisor reviewing the items and adopting it from a similar study. On the other hand, the reliability was assessed by use of Chronbach’s alpha coefficient test. The investigator administered questionnaires to the respondents and in cases where the respondent was not available, drop and pick later method was adopted. The study used descriptive statistics in the analysis of the data, which included mean, standard deviation and distribution tables. The presentation of the results was done in various forms, including charts, graphs, and tables. The findings of the study indicated that the independent variables (Financial Resources, infrastructure, and Human Resources) were significant and that there was an association between them and ICT adoption (the dependent variable). The value of adjusted R squared in the final model shows that the percentage of variation of the adoption of ICT can be explained by the combination of the three variables. The research established that there was a significant effect of Financial Resources, infrastructure, Human Resources on ICT adoption by the Tourist Camps in Maasai Mara. Both empirical and statistical evidence proved that a relationship existed between these variables and ICT adoption by the Tourist Camps in Maasai Mara. The study recommends to the institutional infrastructure that supports adoption of information communication technology by the tourist camps.


Author(s):  
Stephen E. Armah

This chapter investigates the possibility of anti-competitive behavior in the Ghana telecommunication sector and determines exploratorily if there is a need for the enactment of anti-trust laws to protect social welfare. The chapter first evaluates the available relevant literature on the subject, assesses the current situation, evaluates the current market structure, and identifies how market power is affecting consumer welfare. Reviews of available literature and secondary data were conducted to establish the relevant conditions for the applicability of such a law. Next, primary data was collected from stakeholders to solicit views on the impact of market structure on pricing and the need for anti-trust laws. Results suggest the Ghana telecommunication sector is open to “cartelization,” which can result in different forms of price collusion despite the existence of a state regulatory body (The National Communications Authority, NCA). The study highlights the Ghanaian consumers' susceptibility to unfair marketing practices due to the possible absence of pertinent anti-trust legislation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kabii Francis ◽  
John K. M. Wandaka ◽  
Naghea Jilo

Several studies have been conducted to examine the influence of technology on the travel and tourism industry. However, there exists limited literature on the adaptation and usage of Smartphone technology by Kenyan tour guides, a gap this study sought to address. The objective of the study was to examine the effect of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on tour guiding performance in Kenya, investigate the effect of smartphone usage on the guides’ performance and finally, explore the possibility of adoption smart guiding techniques by Kenya’s tour guides. The study used descriptive methods and target practicing tour guides as the respondents. The data collected was analyzed using the Pearson’s Chi-square test of independence. The findings indicated Smartphone technology positively influenced guides, performance (χ2=65.025;df 2; P<0.05).The study concluded that smartphone and information communication technology have significantly influenced guides performance and hence recommend to the government and other stakeholders to invest more in infrastructure that supports smart destinations, which offer interactive pre-tour services, during the tour and post-tour experiences. Innovation on applications that support real-time interaction with attractions, accommodation and financial institutions is recommended.


2020 ◽  
pp. 002190962096014
Author(s):  
Olayinka Akanle ◽  
OA Fayehun ◽  
S Oyelakin

Studies abound on international migration and remittances across the world and studies are particularly not lacking on the subject in Africa. There are however few studies on the moderating roles of information communication technology (ICT) and social media in the relationships among international migration, remittances and relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa. This article examines the dimension of ICT and social media in migration studies. This is an aspect that has often been ignored and overlooked even though ICT and social media have great contributions in the international migration process particularly as migrants and relatives in sending and receiving countries both have the primary experience. Research objectives include: reasons for emigration; information technology/social media used by migrants and their kin as they relate across spaces; and how ICT affects relationships of kin and international migrants. Secondary data were gathered through journals, books, documents and reliable Internet sources. Primary data were gathered in Ibadan, Nigeria in 2018 through 30 in-depth interviews analysed through content analysis. Findings reveal the nature of ICT used by international migrants and their kin and purpose of utilization and the effects of ICT on international migration, remittances and kinship networks. The article presents detailed data, narratives, interpretations and implications of relationships among international migration, ICT/social media and kinship networks. This article argues that ICT/social media is central to international migration decision-making, access of migrants and kin to social forces and factors motivating international migration, and it is very important to how migrants and kin maintain and/or weaken relationships and access to remittances and utilization.


Author(s):  
Walter Otwal ◽  

An adoption of electronic procurement aspects is currently indispensable in many organizations. However county government of Migori has not embraced this technological change as expected and hence affecting its performance. Most reviewed studies failed to link the aspects of electronic procurement adoption to the organizational performance. They were mostly exploratory in design and did not focus on the county government of Migori in particular. Small samples and convenient sampling techniques dominated these studies. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to establish the effect of information communication technology infrastructure on performance of county government of Migori, Kenya. This study was anchored on the following theories; diffusion of innovation (DOI), technology acceptance model theory (TAM), universality theory, contingency theory and organizational performance theory which formed part of this study. The study adopted a correlation research design. Census sampling was embraced. The target population was 50 comprising of procurement officers, procurement staff, top management and directors working in the county government of Migori. Questionnaires were used in collecting primary data while secondary data was obtained from existing literature. The findings revealed that ICT infrastructure had the strongest unique contribution on organizational performance (β=.463, p=.000). The study concluded that ICT infrastructure is a significant predictor of organizational performance and therefore have a positive effect. The study recommends that the county government of Migori provides more infrastructures for electronic procurement adoption. The study will be of significance to stakeholders in the enhancement of performance through electronic procurement and addressing the gaps especially in the county government of Migori. To the academia, it will add value to new knowledge for further research. To policy makers, the study will assist in the identification of issues raised in different areas to improve organizational performance more so in the county government of Migori.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sai Vijay Tata ◽  
Sanjeev Prashar ◽  
Chandan Parsad

Purpose The growth in online shopping activities has made online reviews a useful information source for customers. At the same time, the number of shoppers sharing their experiences through reviews has also increased. Not enough research has been undertaken in the past to examine a comprehensive set of factors that influence review posting behaviour. Further, the influence of personality traits on such behaviour is mostly unexplored. The study aims to examine the impact of the system’s usefulness and ease of use, along with shoppers’ motivation for writing reviews, namely, rewards and associated costs. Design/methodology/approach Using the 3 M model of personality traits, this paper examined the impact of these personality traits on customers’ intent towards writing online reviews. A detailed review of the literature was undertaken to ascertain the pertinent factors, and the corresponding validated scales were obtained. The primary data was collected using an offline survey method, and 275 valid responses were recorded. The hypotheses were investigated through structural equation modelling on analysis of a moment structures 22.0. Findings The study observed the significant effects of both ease of use and usefulness, on shoppers’ attitude. This favourable attitude was further found to have a positive effect on shoppers’ intention to write reviews. Of the eight personality traits as predictors of shoppers’ intention to provide reviews, three (neuroticism, agreeableness and openness) were observed to be significant predictors. It was noted that intrinsic rewards influenced shoppers’ intention. Conversely, extrinsic rewards were found to be insignificant in influencing shoppers’ intention. Costs had a significant negative impact on the intention to write reviews. Practical implications The study presents theoretical and managerial implications. This paper suggests that for writing online reviews, the customers must perceive the review system to be simple, convenient and easy to use. It is pertinent for them to comprehend the usefulness of such reviews. Electronic retailers must highlight how the reviews are read and considered in making buying decisions. They must develop a system that enables the review writers to know the number of shoppers who have purchased the product after reading a particular review. E-retailers must strategize to highlight the intrinsic rewards available for shoppers to motivate them. Originality/value The present study examines the factors that motivate and influence shoppers to write online reviews. Using the conceptual framework of technology acceptance model, the self-determination theory and the 3 M framework of personality traits, the study investigates the factors that motivate shoppers to write reviews. The most significant aspect of the present study is the inclusion of eight personality traits for deciphering the relationship between personality traits and the intention to write reviews.


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