Abstract The Repertory Grid (RepGrid) technique has been used extensively in Management Sciences ... more Abstract The Repertory Grid (RepGrid) technique has been used extensively in Management Sciences research, including Information Systems research, in order to reveal the personal views of individual research subjects regarding the issue being studied. These individual constructs are then used to propose criteria for success amongst other things. This paper uses a distinctly different form of RepGrid, renamed a Reflection Grid, as a collaboration tool.
By its very nature education aims to change learners' knowledge and this inevitably has an impact... more By its very nature education aims to change learners' knowledge and this inevitably has an impact on the learners' world views. This paper explores the dilemmas facing Information Systems (IS) educators with respect to their role in the process of changing learners' conceptual views of IS. IS as an academic discipline has moved from a 'technical'to a 'socio-technical'domain, but IS practitioners still work in an IS field dominated by a 'technical'world view. Curricula at undergraduate levels reinforce this 'technical'standpoint.
This paper presents the results of an exploratory investigation into telecommunications practices... more This paper presents the results of an exploratory investigation into telecommunications practices and challenges among the Deaf in South Africa. Telecommunication products like cell phones, TTY's, sMessage terminals, e-mail, fax messaging, instant messaging (IM) were some of the technologies investigated. The research shows that the Deaf considers IM as the most successful technology for both business and social communication.
4.1Introduction 4.2 About the Bobby test 4.3 Results of the evaluation 5. Summary and conclusion ... more 4.1Introduction 4.2 About the Bobby test 4.3 Results of the evaluation 5. Summary and conclusion 5.1 Research summary 5.2Conclusions 5.3 Suggestions for further research 6. References Key words: Visually disabled, Web accessibility, human/computer interaction, interface requirements
The career choice model of Adya and Kaiser posits the availability of technology resources as a s... more The career choice model of Adya and Kaiser posits the availability of technology resources as a structural element impacting on career choice. The model distinguishes between accessibility at school and at home. Based on this theoretical point of departure and by arguing a link between choice of major and choice of field of career, this paper explores specifically the influence of the access of internet at school and at home on perceptions and values pertaining to the career South African students are preparing for.
The wholesale implementation of Information Technology (IT) has brought with it a host of uninten... more The wholesale implementation of Information Technology (IT) has brought with it a host of unintended and unforeseen consequences. Through a literature review and an examination of both Postmodernism and IT, it is proposed that the influences of IT have acted and continued to act to promote Postmodernism.
This article provides an alternative view to questions of technological inclusion and exclusion i... more This article provides an alternative view to questions of technological inclusion and exclusion in sub-Saharan Africa via an analysis of the South African governmental discourse on indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). The concept of'selective exclusion'(SE) is developed in relation to the digital divide, highlighting that technology is not always perceived as neutral or universally beneficial, but rather is negotiated in relation to specific socio-political contexts and alternative systems of knowledge.
Abstract The number of student enrolments in computer-related courses remains a serious concern w... more Abstract The number of student enrolments in computer-related courses remains a serious concern worldwide with far reaching consequences. This paper reports on an extensive survey about career choice and associated motivational factors amongst new students, only some of whom intend to major in computer-related courses, at two South African universities. The data were analyzed using some components of Social Cognitive Career Theory, namely external influences, self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations.
The audience will be stimulated to think about the relationship between the Humanities and Inform... more The audience will be stimulated to think about the relationship between the Humanities and Information Systems in a way opposite to the usual. A lot of research has been conducted on the application of computing in the Humanities, but this panel will explore the reverse process of enrichment that takes place.
World wide, a number of far-reaching decisions regarding ways to address the ICT skills shortage ... more World wide, a number of far-reaching decisions regarding ways to address the ICT skills shortage are made by both the public and private sectors. These are based on information obtained from various sources and in various ways including quantitative research reports commissioned by government authorities. This paper reports on findings of a systematic textual examination of existing ICT skills shortage research reports with the South African reports receiving particular attention.
The authors argue that business process management systems (BPMS) are exposed to similar risks of... more The authors argue that business process management systems (BPMS) are exposed to similar risks of failure as are traditional enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Change management is a significant critical success factor, and has to be managed well. Given the socio-technical nature of the implementation environment, communication and collaboration are crucially important to the success of change management.
The ability to link IS practice to a sound theoretical and scientific basis has been an ongoing e... more The ability to link IS practice to a sound theoretical and scientific basis has been an ongoing endeavour for both IS practitioners and researchers. This stems from the need of both practitioners and theorists to be able to ensure that the relationship between practical knowledge and experience gained in the workplace can be grounded in theory with due consideration of the converse requirement for theory to be based on practice.
Abstract: In this paper we explore the need to structure human and organizational behaviour in wa... more Abstract: In this paper we explore the need to structure human and organizational behaviour in ways that would support and enable the ideals inherent in the concept of Network Enabled Defence (NED). We suggest that NED takes place within a particular social (human and organizational) context, which serves as an enabler for NED.
Abstract The Repertory Grid (RepGrid) technique has been used extensively in Management Sciences ... more Abstract The Repertory Grid (RepGrid) technique has been used extensively in Management Sciences research, including Information Systems research, in order to reveal the personal views of individual research subjects regarding the issue being studied. These individual constructs are then used to propose criteria for success amongst other things. This paper uses a distinctly different form of RepGrid, renamed a Reflection Grid, as a collaboration tool.
By its very nature education aims to change learners' knowledge and this inevitably has an impact... more By its very nature education aims to change learners' knowledge and this inevitably has an impact on the learners' world views. This paper explores the dilemmas facing Information Systems (IS) educators with respect to their role in the process of changing learners' conceptual views of IS. IS as an academic discipline has moved from a 'technical'to a 'socio-technical'domain, but IS practitioners still work in an IS field dominated by a 'technical'world view. Curricula at undergraduate levels reinforce this 'technical'standpoint.
This paper presents the results of an exploratory investigation into telecommunications practices... more This paper presents the results of an exploratory investigation into telecommunications practices and challenges among the Deaf in South Africa. Telecommunication products like cell phones, TTY's, sMessage terminals, e-mail, fax messaging, instant messaging (IM) were some of the technologies investigated. The research shows that the Deaf considers IM as the most successful technology for both business and social communication.
4.1Introduction 4.2 About the Bobby test 4.3 Results of the evaluation 5. Summary and conclusion ... more 4.1Introduction 4.2 About the Bobby test 4.3 Results of the evaluation 5. Summary and conclusion 5.1 Research summary 5.2Conclusions 5.3 Suggestions for further research 6. References Key words: Visually disabled, Web accessibility, human/computer interaction, interface requirements
The career choice model of Adya and Kaiser posits the availability of technology resources as a s... more The career choice model of Adya and Kaiser posits the availability of technology resources as a structural element impacting on career choice. The model distinguishes between accessibility at school and at home. Based on this theoretical point of departure and by arguing a link between choice of major and choice of field of career, this paper explores specifically the influence of the access of internet at school and at home on perceptions and values pertaining to the career South African students are preparing for.
The wholesale implementation of Information Technology (IT) has brought with it a host of uninten... more The wholesale implementation of Information Technology (IT) has brought with it a host of unintended and unforeseen consequences. Through a literature review and an examination of both Postmodernism and IT, it is proposed that the influences of IT have acted and continued to act to promote Postmodernism.
This article provides an alternative view to questions of technological inclusion and exclusion i... more This article provides an alternative view to questions of technological inclusion and exclusion in sub-Saharan Africa via an analysis of the South African governmental discourse on indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). The concept of'selective exclusion'(SE) is developed in relation to the digital divide, highlighting that technology is not always perceived as neutral or universally beneficial, but rather is negotiated in relation to specific socio-political contexts and alternative systems of knowledge.
Abstract The number of student enrolments in computer-related courses remains a serious concern w... more Abstract The number of student enrolments in computer-related courses remains a serious concern worldwide with far reaching consequences. This paper reports on an extensive survey about career choice and associated motivational factors amongst new students, only some of whom intend to major in computer-related courses, at two South African universities. The data were analyzed using some components of Social Cognitive Career Theory, namely external influences, self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations.
The audience will be stimulated to think about the relationship between the Humanities and Inform... more The audience will be stimulated to think about the relationship between the Humanities and Information Systems in a way opposite to the usual. A lot of research has been conducted on the application of computing in the Humanities, but this panel will explore the reverse process of enrichment that takes place.
World wide, a number of far-reaching decisions regarding ways to address the ICT skills shortage ... more World wide, a number of far-reaching decisions regarding ways to address the ICT skills shortage are made by both the public and private sectors. These are based on information obtained from various sources and in various ways including quantitative research reports commissioned by government authorities. This paper reports on findings of a systematic textual examination of existing ICT skills shortage research reports with the South African reports receiving particular attention.
The authors argue that business process management systems (BPMS) are exposed to similar risks of... more The authors argue that business process management systems (BPMS) are exposed to similar risks of failure as are traditional enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Change management is a significant critical success factor, and has to be managed well. Given the socio-technical nature of the implementation environment, communication and collaboration are crucially important to the success of change management.
The ability to link IS practice to a sound theoretical and scientific basis has been an ongoing e... more The ability to link IS practice to a sound theoretical and scientific basis has been an ongoing endeavour for both IS practitioners and researchers. This stems from the need of both practitioners and theorists to be able to ensure that the relationship between practical knowledge and experience gained in the workplace can be grounded in theory with due consideration of the converse requirement for theory to be based on practice.
Abstract: In this paper we explore the need to structure human and organizational behaviour in wa... more Abstract: In this paper we explore the need to structure human and organizational behaviour in ways that would support and enable the ideals inherent in the concept of Network Enabled Defence (NED). We suggest that NED takes place within a particular social (human and organizational) context, which serves as an enabler for NED.
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Papers by Hugo Lotriet