Faculty of Science and Technology
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Item Creating new actors and partnerships: Case of Tanzania(Aalborg University, 2017) Turcan, Romeo V.; Kwayu, Aikande; Tossy, Titus; Fraser, Norman; Nandonde, FelixThe purpose of this working paper is to highlight issues and challenges of starting up new sectors in emerging economies and of identifying and channeling appropriate support from development organizations. Although being addressed within the context of Tanzania, these issues and challenges are generic and ubiquitous throughout emerging economies and troublesome for development organizations. Hence another aim is to share these with a wider audience and stimulate a discussion among researchers, policy makers and support providers. The paper is an excerpt from a project application developed by a University from Denmark in cooperation with academic and business partners from Tanzania and submitted for funding to a development organization.Item Collaborating partnerships: A project-based legitimizing strategy amongst East African E-Learning providers(IGI Global, 2017) Tossy, Titus; Brown, IrwinThis chapter examines the phenomenon of e-learning in East Africa. The classic grounded theory methodology was used to carry out the study. Through multiple encounters with 24 e-learning providers, the investigation revealed legitimizing of e-learning projects to be a significant issue for these providers. Developing collaborating partnerships was a key strategy used by the providers to legitimize e-learning projects. The study identified two types of collaborating partnerships: Asymmetrical and Reciprocal. These findings are positioned within literature to highlight the contribution that this paper makes to the discourse on e-learning projects in developing countries.Item Collaborating partnerships: A project-based legitimizing strategy amongst east african e-learning providers(IGI Global, 2017) Tossy, Titus; Brown, IrwinThis chapter examines the phenomenon of e-learning in East Africa. The classic grounded theory methodology was used to carry out the study. Through multiple encounters with 24 e-learning providers, the investigation revealed legitimizing of e-learning projects to be a significant issue for these providers. Developing collaborating partnerships was a key strategy used by the providers to legitimize e-learning projects. The study identified two types of collaborating partnerships: Asymmetrical and Reciprocal. These findings are positioned within literature to highlight the contribution that this paper makes to the discourse on e-learning projects in developing countries.Item Doing classic grounded theory research in information systems: trust in emergence(IGI Global, 2017) Tossy, Titus; Brown, Irwin; Lowe, AndyGrounded Theory (GT) is a latent pattern recognition research method that was developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss (1967). GT, which can use either quantitative or qualitative data, is a general research methodology and it produces empirically grounded but modifiable theory. Since the development of GT in 1967, some researchers have attempted to modify the original GT method, and remodelled GT approaches have been widely used in Information Systems (IS) research, often with unfortunate results due to disregard of the basic rules of the original GT. The continued use of remodelled GT methods has caused confusion and has prevented those in the IS research community from stimulating the development of new theory, which is the main benefit of using GT as it was originally outlined. Following publication of the original grounded theory by Glaser and Strauss (1967), Glaser (1978) went on to explain in detail how to operationalize the GT method. Despite this, some researchers mistakenly continued to classify GT as a subset of the qualitative data analysis research methodology. In doing so, they reveal that they have misunderstood both the purpose of GT and how to use it correctly. In this paper the author will concentrate on the authentic approach to GT, which is termed “Classic Ground Theory” (CGT), so as to differentiate it from any misconceived remodelled version of the theory. This paper explains how CGT can be carried out in an IS context by trusting in the emergence from the data of the required information, rather than forcing it.Item A comparative evaluation of e-learning adoption in private and public higher education institutions: A Tanzania survey(IGI Global, 2017) Mwamahusi, Mpe Paulo; Tossy, TitusThis paper examines e-learning adoption in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The paper examines whether there is a difference between the Private and public HEIs e-learning adoption. The rationale for the examination stands from the fact that scholars are of option that there is different between private and public HEIs e-learning adoption. From an empirical survey conducted in Tanzania, this paper evaluates both staffs and students on the current situations, factors affecting, similarities and differences of e-learning adoption between private and public HEIs. The research reveals that, despite of the government efforts to support e-learning initiative by introducing national ICT polices to boost the level of adoption; very few private HEIs have adopted e-learning compared to public HEIs. The limited initial investment, lack of expertize, lack of guaranteed electrical power, poor strategic change management plans, and lack of innovative ideas are the barriers to e-learning adoption.Item A set of principles for doing and evaluating classic grounded theory research in information systems(IGI Global, 2017) Lowe, Andy; Tossy, TitusGrounded Theory (GT) is a latent pattern recognition research method discovered by Glaser and Strauss (1967). Due to GTs power and transcendence many research papers across several academic disciplines including Information Systems claimed to have used GT when in fact they have used pseudo GT methods. It is argued in this paper that any other research method which adopts the GT label without following orthodoxy of the authentic GT research method should not be called GT. All of the pseudo GT methods make the false assumption that GT is a sub set of Qualitative Data Analysis. This is a false assumption because authentic GT can use either quantitative or qualitative data and it is a general research methodology and produces empirically grounded but modifiable propositions. Within the Information Systems (IS) research community it is therefore not surprising that many, who claim to use GT, have used different types of pseudo GT. They have adopted vocabulary of the GT without following its original tenets. This paper explains how authentic GT can be carried out in an information systems context by trusting in emergence rather than forcing the data.Item Evolutionary collaborative partnership model (ECPM): The East African elearning provider's project-based legitimization strategy(International Journal of Computing and ICT Research, 2014) Tossy, TitusThe paper examines the lack of legitimacy of e-learning projects including academic certificates through online distance programs. The paper analyses whether the lack of legitimacy that exist among e-learning projects can be eradicated through a sound proposed strategy. The rationale of this study is based on the fact that most scholars claim that various e-learning projects and programs lack legitimization, and the literature related to legitimization issues is limited. From the perspective of e-learning providers working in East Africa, this paper used Classic Grounded Theory. The study developed an Evolutionary Collaborative Partnership Model (ECPM). For legitimization to be achieved, the study revealed that three processes needed to be followed: the identifying and acquiring of collaborating partners, referral networking and strategic alliances. The study identified two types of collaborating partnerships: asymmetrical and reciprocal collaborating . The study discovered five stages in an incremental sequential process in the evolutionary e-learning collaborative partnership model including identification of key drivers, problem setting, direction setting, structuring and outcomes.Item Doing classic grounded theory methodology in information systems research: how to create and sustain transparency?(International Journal of Computing & ICT Research, 2014) Tossy, TitusInformation Systems(IS) field is fast growing. There is increase application of Classic Grounded theory (CGT) methodology in the Information Systems (ISs) studies. However, "how to create and sustain transparency when using Classic Grounded theory in studies is still answered." The Classic Grounded Theory [CGT] research method reveals latent patterns of human behaviour. It is a general research methodology because it makes use of all kinds of data. Whether the data are qualitative or quantitative, CGT main objective is to discover a robust empirically derived hypothesis or core variable. The core variable articulates the main concern of the respondents. It is so called because the core variable is able to explain most of the variation in the data. The particular feature of the CGT research method is that it is transcendent of both time and place. This is because CGT delivers a conceptual explanation rather than a low level descriptive context based narrative. As the number of IS researchers using CGT increases so does the likelihood for more confusion regarding the legitimate criteria for its evaluation. To contribute towards eliminating the confusion, this paper investigates how to create and sustain transparency in IS research when using the Classic Grounded Theory research method. This will, hopefully, enable IS researchers, supervisors and respective institutions to make more informed decisions on how to evaluate research, which has used the CGT research methodology.Item E-learning uptake among academicians and students in Tanzanian universities(International Online Journal of Education and Teaching (IOJET), 2019) Kisanjara, Simeo; Tossy, Titus; Sife, Alfred; Msanjila, SimonThe purpose of this study was to ascertain the extent of current e-learning uptake in Tanzanian universities. The quantitative approach involving survey design was adopted in the collection of data. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 400 respondents, with a rate of return 85.5%. The average reliability of variables 0.949 was determined using Cronbach's Alpha. Fuzzy Logic model and t-test were adopted for data analysis. The findings revealed that the average extent of current e-learning uptake among students and academicians were less than half of threshold amounting to 50% (i.e. level of awareness was 16%, availability was 20.6%, accessibility was 17%, attitude was 15% as variables used). There was no statistically significant difference in e-learning uptake among students and academicians as the value of p > 0.05. The findings of this study established a base ground and guidelines to inform the e-learning stakeholders and policymakers to find and establish suitable policy as well as mechanism to adopt and encourage sustainable use of e-learning systems for life-long teaching and learning. The originality of this study is based on the addition of new variables and methodologies employed as empirical evidence based on the extent of e-learning uptake in Tanzanian universities.Item Information technology integration for socio-economic development(IGI Global, 2016) Tossy, TitusAs the developed world continues to become more digitized, lesser developed areas are starting to see more technological advancements being integrated into their society. These advancements are creating opportunities to improve both the economy and the lives of people within these areas. Information Technology Integration for Socio-Economic Development features theoretical concepts and best practices in the implementation of new technologies within developing areas around the world. Highlighting empirical research on the application of information technologies to bridge the digital divide within different countries, the book is ideally suited for technology developers, managers, and policy makers.