|
on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Simplice A. Asongu (Yaoundé/Cameroon); Nicholas Biekpe (University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa); Vanessa S. Tchamyou (Antwerp, Belgium) |
| Abstract: | Purpose – This study examines how linkages between information and communication technology (ICT) and remittances affect the doing of business. Design/methodology/approach – The focus is on a panel of 49 sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000-2012. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments. Findings – While we establish some appealing results in terms of net negative effects on constraints to the doing of business (i.e. time to start a business and time to pay taxes), some positive net effects are also apparent (i.e. number of start-up procedures, time to build a warehouse and time to register a property). We also establish ICT penetration thresholds at which the unconditional effect of remittances can be changed from positive to negative, notably: (i) for the number of start-up procedures, an internet level of 9.00 penetration per 100 people is required while (ii) for the time to build a warehouse, a mobile phone penetration level of 32.33 penetration per 100 people is essential. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed. Originality/value – To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess linkages between ICT, remittances and doing business in Sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Keywords: | Remittances; ICT; Doing business; Development; Africa |
| JEL: | F24 L96 O30 O55 |
| Date: | 2018–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afe:wpaper:18/009&r=ict |
| By: | Uchenna R. Efobi (Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria); Belmondo V. Tanankem (MINEPAT, Cameroon); Simplice A. Asongu (University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa) |
| Abstract: | This study complements existing literature by investigating how the advancement in information and communication technology affects the formal economic participation of women. The focus is on 48 African countries for the period 1990-2014. The empirical evidence is based on Ordinary Least Squares, Fixed Effects and the Generalized Method of Moments regressions. The results show that improving communication technology increases female economic participation with the following consistent order of increasing magnitude: mobile phone penetration; internet penetration, and fixed broadband subscriptions. The findings are robust to the control for heterogeneities across countries. Policy implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | Africa; Gender; ICT; Inclusive development; Technology |
| JEL: | G20 I10 I32 O40 O55 |
| Date: | 2018–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afe:wpaper:18/004&r=ict |
| By: | Jeremiah O. Ejemeyovwi (Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria); Evans S. Osabuohien (Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria) |
| Abstract: | This paper empirically investigates the role of mobile technology adoption on inclusive growth in 15 West African countries with a view to ascertaining if the positive role of mobile technology adoption on human development as established in other regions holds in West Africa. It used data from World Development Indicators for the period 2004 to 2014, which was estimated with system generalised method of moments (SGMM). The SGMM results show that mobile cell subscription has a statistically insignificant effect on inclusive growth in West Africa which refutes the positive and significant role of mobile technology adoption on inclusive growth. The possible reasons for the results and recommendations are documented in the study. |
| Keywords: | ICT; Inclusive growth; Mobile technology; SGMM. |
| JEL: | O3 O15 |
| Date: | 2018–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afe:wpaper:18/023&r=ict |
| By: | Simplice A. Asongu (Yaoundé/Cameroon); Agyenim Boateng (Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK) |
| Abstract: | The primary objective of this special issue is to showcase high-quality interdisciplinary research in the field of mobile phone technology and inclusive economic development, with a view to inspire and educate readers and policy makers on the vital role of mobile phones in economic development in Africa. We hope that the articles in this special issue will encourage academics and policy makers to carry out more research on the challenges and opportunities mobile phone technology offers in our quest to develop our communities. |
| Keywords: | mobile phones; inclusive human development; Africa |
| JEL: | G20 I10 I32 O40 O55 |
| Date: | 2018–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afe:wpaper:18/016&r=ict |
| By: | Marek Walacik (University of Warmia and Mazury, Faculty of Geodesy, Geospatial and Civil Engineering); Artur Janowski (University of Warmia and Mazury, Faculty of Geodesy, Geospatial and Civil Engineering); Malgorzata Renigier-Bilozor (University of Warmia and Mazury, Faculty of Geodesy, Geospatial and Civil Engineering) |
| Abstract: | The aim of the paper is the presentation of the Municipal Utility System of Telegeoprocessing (MUST) conception. The proposed service/system (MUST) is based on European (EGNSS) Galileo and will be used by citizens (C), local government (G) and local business (B). MUST's aim is to provide universal access to real-time technical infrastructure information in the current location with the use of satellite navigation (Galileo), geospatial data and WxS services with use of Augmented Reality and Smart Cities technologies. The proposed service will increase the digital interaction between citizens and local government (G2C) as well as local government and local business (G2B). In addition, the service will be able to provide information about the attractiveness of particular area, thus providing a valuable source of knowledge about the potential users of urbanized space for local government units. The main technical task is to develop a location-based system (based on Galileo) that will allow real-time identification of users/citizens, real estate (plots), technical infrastructure, and at the same time respond to plans for the deployment of new, EGNSS signal. The innovative and functional result of this project will be the mobile MUST service, which eliminates the biggest barriers to the use of e-government platforms and provides unique information on the cost of connecting to the infrastructure within a planned investment. |
| Keywords: | technical infrastructure/utilitytelegeoprocessing infrastructure cost determination |
| JEL: | R11 R20 Q01 |
| Date: | 2018–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:7009966&r=ict |
| By: | Valeria Arina Mircea (Faculty of Financial Management, Ecological University of Bucharest); Dana SISEA (Faculty of Financial Management, Ecological University of Bucharest) |
| Abstract: | Means and the communication techniques used in rapidly evolving online environment. The Internet has not only changed the rules of marketing and public relations, but also the way in which companies choose to promote their business (products/services) in the online environment. Firms know their goals of, and so their marketing programs, websites and blogs by their contents fail to stimulate action. The effective strategies for marketing and public relations used in the online environment offers target audience containing complex information, which induce them to take action. By means of this study we aim to identify the means and techniques of social communication with high impact on the target audience, actor without which marketing strategies would have no efficiency. The Internet has shaped a new vision of how the public communicate and interact; He has sketched a different relationship between business and current consumers but does not exclude neither potential clients. |
| Keywords: | marketing, communication, internet, public, marketing strategies |
| JEL: | M31 M37 O30 |
| Date: | 2018–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eub:wpaper:2018-05&r=ict |
| By: | Andrea Potgieter (University of Johannesburg); Chris Rensleigh (University of Johannesburg) |
| Abstract: | South Africa's blood stock level is often categorised as alarmingly low, leaving blood donation organisations in constant need of voluntary, unpaid blood donations to ensure their ability to supply hospitals with safe blood. Globally, there are successful mobile blood donation apps facilitating blood donation by providing useful services to blood donors, however similar apps available in South Africa are new, and not popular when compared to global standards. An estimated 5.9 million South Africans download and use mobile applications (apps), and this paper explores the process and results from the first phase of a study, which employed a sequential mixed method research design, to identify user-preferred features for a mobile blood donation app. The findings of the study should serve as a roadmap to blood donation organisations in South Africa, regarding what users expect from a blood donation app, and which features may possibly stimulate a constant or increased frequency of blood donation instances. The two largest app stores, Google Play and Apple iOS, served as the sources of the eventual sample of blood donation apps, of which the user reviews were analysed. Commenting from a design science paradigm, this paper reports on the selection process that had been followed to sample the relevant apps, and further discusses the user insights gained from the analysis of these apps' reviews. The paper further reports on how the app review analysis findings informed the creation of an interview schedule, that was used to gain in-depth understanding of perceptions held by users of the blood donation apps, specifically regarding the users' preferred features in these types of apps. |
| Keywords: | Mobile application features; Mobile blood donation applications; Design science research; Design thinking, App store reviews |
| JEL: | L31 L86 O33 |
| Date: | 2018–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:7009047&r=ict |