[Ict4d] Fwd: Reminder: PhD Proposal Presentations - 30 October 2018 [INF6001W, 2018]

[Wallace Chigona]

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From: Freda Parker <freda.parker at uct.ac.za>
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2018 8:19:36 AM
To: INF6001W,2018
Subject: Reminder: PhD Proposal Presentations - 30 October 2018 [INF6001W,2018]




A reminder to attend the PhD proposal presentations of the following students in the Information Systems Seminar Room tomorrow, 30 October 2018.

Presenter: Priscilla Maliwichi
Time: 11h30 - 12h15

Presenter:  Khanyisa Malufu
Time: 12h15 - 13h00

Date: 30 October 2018
Venue: Information Systems Seminar Room

Appropriation of maternal mHealth interventions in low-income countries by rural-based clients who do not own mobile phones.
By
Priscilla Maliwichi


Abstract
Although it has been speculated that mHealth has the potential to reach the poorest people in rural areas. A lot of mHealth interventions happen in urban areas because of the increase in urbanization, which produces effective interventions for urban populations. However, it is important to address the special needs of rural women living in developing countries when considering the implementation of mHealth solutions. Maternal mortality is the highest especially in developing countries and maternal mHealth interventions has the potential to improve maternal health outcomes.
Inequality in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been a concern for the past decade. As a result, researchers responded by looking at the digital divide issue which focuses on the importance of the physical technology to promote social development. However, the goal of using ICT by underserved groups of people is not to solve digital divide issue but rather to continue a process of social inclusion. There are a number of ways that the poor can participate and be included in mHealth interventions even if they lack equal access of resources. This research argues that women without mobile phones in rural areas may appropriate maternal mHealth interventions. The main research question for the study is: How do rural-based clients of maternal health who do not own mobile phones in low income countries appropriate mHealth interventions?
This is a deductive study and will use Model of Technology Appropriation as a theoretical underpinning. Qualitative method will be employed using interpretive paradigm and phenomenological approach. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and storytelling. The data will be analysed using thematic data analysis.
The study will contribute to theory on social inclusion for people who may lack requisite technologies and specifically on how maternal health client who do not own mobile phones appropriate maternal mHealth interventions. In addition, the study will contribute to knowledge and practice of mHealth project implementers on how they can formulate policies and guidelines to maximise the full potential of mHealth interventions.

Bio
Priscilla Maliwichi is a lecturer in Information and Communication Technology at Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) where she previously served as head of department and a PhD student at the University of Cape Town. Before joining MUST, she worked with University of Malawi – The Polytechnic in the ICT directorate as IT officer. Her research interests are in health informatics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and information security. Her social responsibility activities involves improving ICT skills in women and girls.
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User Choices of Digital Payment Methods with Multiplicity of Channels
By
Khanyisa Malufu

Abstract
Digital payments can transform the nature of financial transactions, enhance financial inclusion, and drive economic growth in developing countries. A wide range of the researches in this field have focused on the context of developed countries and in developing countries in general. There are very few studies within this subject focusing on Zimbabwe in particular. Zimbabwe offers a unique context as it has one of the highest usage levels of digital payment methods in the region yet it was recently introduced and mainly due to cash shortages. Furthermore none of these studies addressed the issue of user choices of digital payment method with multiplicity of channels. Understanding user choices has remained a challenge for researchers, yet many products and services are developed for them and constantly leave them with wide room for selecting a choice among many alternatives. This study therefore attempts to provide a solution to this challenge. Understanding why customers choose one payment method over the other is important for service providers as it enables them to offer better services to customers. The main research question to be addressed in this study is: What factors influence the choice of digital payment methods by users in Zimbabwe? This research adopts an interpretivist epistemology with the aim to understand phenomenon of interest. It follows a 3 essays approach with study 1 taking an inductive approach to theory development and using qualitative content analysis as the research method. Studies 2 and 3 take an abductive approach. Study 2 utilises the grounded theory methodology whilst study 3 uses ethnographic decision tree models to understand choice. This study which uses theories drawn from other disciplines like economics and sociology will make multidisciplinary contributions. The approach to theory development used will make valuable theoretical and methodological contributions by illustrating how intentional action, user perceptions and evolutionary processes that legitimize action interact to facilitate user choice of digital payment method. Finally it will aid in understanding processes that users go through when choosing among alternatives, which will enable the provision of users with better services which meet their needs.

Bio
Khanyisa Malufu is a PhD Information Systems Student at the University of Cape Town. He is currently serving as a lecturer and chairperson in the department of Computer and Management Information Systems at Solusi University in Zimbabwe. He has extensive experience in lecturing at University level and working with people from multiple cultures and various nationalities at various levels. Besides having great experience and strong work ethic, Khanyisa has a solid academic background with qualifications in Information Systems, Business Administration, and in Education. His research interests are in areas of digital payments, e-learning, e-banking, e-commerce and information systems strategy. His goal is to interrogate, understand, and explain how digital technologies are being used; their security; how they can improve people’s lives; and use of ICTs to enhance service delivery. His doctoral research investigates the user choices of digital payment methods with multiplicity of channels.

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