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1 – 8 of 8Sisay Diriba Lemessa, Mulugeta Damie Watabaji and Molla Alemayehu Yismaw
Though many studies in the past dealt with the survival and growth of enterprises both in the local- and export-markets, less attention was given to the analysis of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Though many studies in the past dealt with the survival and growth of enterprises both in the local- and export-markets, less attention was given to the analysis of the duration of enterprises entry into the export-markets. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to analyze the duration of Ethiopian enterprises entry into the export-markets.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used data collected from 848 enterprises through a cross-sectional survey method conducted by the World Bank in 2015. In order to estimate the average duration – the time that enterprises need to wait before entering into the export-markets and the associated factors – the authors used the mixture of non-parametric (Kaplan-Meier) and parametric (Weibull) models.
Findings
The non-parametric results show that enterprises are required to wait for an average of about eight years before entering into the export-markets after their establishment. In addition, foreign-owned enterprises were found to be faster in entering into the export-markets than their domestically owned counterparts. The parametric results revealed that enterprises’ product innovation, enterprises’ size and age, and custom and trade regulations are factors that curtail the durations of enterprises entry into the export-markets. On the other hand, enterprises’ operational costs, the size of enterprises’ locality, and enterprises’ location are factors that slow the durations of enterprises’ entry into the export-markets.
Originality/value
This study is the first to offer pioneering evidences on the duration (time in years) that Ethiopian enterprises need to wait before entering into the export-markets and the factors that affect the length of their waiting time.
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Arega Shumetie and Molla Alemayehu Yismaw
This study aims to examine the effect of climate variability on smallholders’ crop income and the determinants of indigenous adaptation strategies in three districts…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of climate variability on smallholders’ crop income and the determinants of indigenous adaptation strategies in three districts (Mieso, Goba-koricha and Doba) of West Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia. These three districts are located in high-moisture-stress areas because of crop season rainfall variability.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data collected from 400 sample households were used for identifying factors that affect households’ crop income. The study used ordinary least square (OLS) regression to examine the effect of climate variability. Given this, binary logit model was used to assess smallholders’ adaptation behavior. Finally, the study used multinomial logistic regression to identify determinants of smallholders’ indigenous adaptation strategies.
Findings
The OLS regression result shows that variability in rainfall during the cropping season has a significant and negative effect, and cropland and livestock level have a positive effect on farmers’ crop income. The multinomial logistic regression result reveals that households adopt hybrid crops (maize and sorghum) and dry-sowing adaptation strategies if there is shortage during the cropping season. Variability in rainfall at the time of sowing and the growing are main factors in the area’s crop production. Cropland increment has positive and significant effect on employing each adaptation strategy. The probability of adopting techniques such as water harvesting, hybrid seeds and dry sowing significantly reduces if a household has a large livestock.
Originality/value
The three districts are remote and accessibility is difficult without due support from institutions. Thus, this study was conducted on the basis of the primary data collected by the researchers after securing grant from Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).
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Alemayehu Molla, Ahmad Abareshi and Vanessa Cooper
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the beliefs and attitudinal factors that affect the private sphere pro-environmental behavior of information technology (IT…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the beliefs and attitudinal factors that affect the private sphere pro-environmental behavior of information technology (IT) professionals in using personal computers.
Design/methodology/approach
A research framework that draws from the belief-action-outcome (BAO) framework and that consisted of 11 hypotheses was developed. Data were collected from a sample of 322 IT professionals and analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results identify the pro-environmental personal computing actions that IT professionals are taking and how their Green IT beliefs, attitudes, information acquisition capability, and organizational fields influence their behavior.
Research limitations/implications
The sample was limited to Australian respondents. The measurement of IT-specific environmental practices was not exhaustive nor were the measures of macro- and micro-antecedents of Green IT belief and attitude.
Practical implications
National, regional, and international professional associations such as the Association of Information Systems can influence pro-environmental behavior among IT professionals through the creation and dissemination of information that shape both general and IT-specific environmental beliefs.
Originality/value
The novelty of this work lies in: first, proposing and testing a research framework that can be leveraged in future studies; second, establishing how organizational fields and availability of information contribute to the formation of IT professionals’ environmental beliefs and attitudes; third, applying and suggesting potential extension to the BAO framework to evaluate the association between IT practices and environmental sustainability among IT professionals.
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Richard Boateng, Richard Heeks, Alemayehu Molla and Robert Hinson
E‐commerce is diffusing into developing countries (DCs), and is assumed to help deliver the international development agenda. But how can the connection between e‐commerce…
Abstract
Purpose
E‐commerce is diffusing into developing countries (DCs), and is assumed to help deliver the international development agenda. But how can the connection between e‐commerce and socio‐economic development be conceptualised? The aim of this paper is to analyse that connection by drawing from the development studies discipline to take a broader perspective on e‐commerce than that so far provided by firm‐level research.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopt a literature survey approach, drawing their conceptual foundations from development studies, and supplementing this from the e‐commerce literature.
Findings
The paper develops a new, integrated model that explains the way in which e‐commerce can contribute to socio‐economic development.
Research limitations/implications
This new model can help provide a foundation for future research on e‐commerce in DCs; research on e‐commerce policy as well as impact assessment research.
Practical implications
The discussion and model provide development agencies, governments, consultants and business people working in DCs with a clearer sense of the contribution e‐commerce can make; assisting them in prioritization, planning, and evaluation of e‐commerce projects.
Originality/value
The paper provides the first integrated perspective on the broader contribution of e‐commerce to the growth and development of DCs.
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Adel Alaraifi, Alemayehu Molla and Hepu Deng
The purpose of this paper is to explore what information systems are used within the data center industry and to develop a data center information systems classification…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore what information systems are used within the data center industry and to develop a data center information systems classification framework for facilitating the investigation of the dimensions, operational characteristics, and value attributes of the data center information systems.
Design/methodology/approach
A preliminary data center information systems classification framework is proposed based on a comprehensive review of existing information systems research. A case study of five data centers in Australia and a review of the practitioner literature in data centers are conducted. An open coding method is adopted for facilitating the analysis of the data using existing content analysis techniques.
Findings
In total, 19 different types of data center information systems are identified in data centers. These information systems are being used for managing the information technology and the facility infrastructure in the data center and for improving the agility, the operational and cost performance, as well as the environmental footprint of individual data centers.
Research limitations/implications
The paper builds a data center information systems classification framework to examine the role, portfolio, managerial function, and utilization of data center information systems. Such a classification would provide a foundation for further investigating the adoption of various information systems in data centers towards the continuous pursuit of sustainability development from different perspectives.
Practical implications
The paper provides data center managers with recent trends and issues regarding the adoption of information systems in data centers to manage their operations. It offers data center management a valuable means for exploring innovative ways of effectively adopting various technologies to improve their performance.
Originality/value
Given that there is limited research on what and how information systems are used in data centers, the paper can be viewed as one of the few data center information systems investigations that provide a good comprehension of what information systems are used and what the value drivers are with respect to the use of information systems in data centers.
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Asmare Emerie Kassahun and Alemayehu Molla
The purpose of this paper is to define the skills, systems, and technologies developed post‐business process reengineering (BPR), which the authors refer to as BPR…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to define the skills, systems, and technologies developed post‐business process reengineering (BPR), which the authors refer to as BPR Complementary Competences (BPRCC), and develop and validate a model to evaluate the BPRCC of public sector organizations in developing economies.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper, drawing from the complementary competence perspective of the resource‐based view, defines the BPRCC as a higher order construct composed of the BPR complementary transformational competences (BPRCTC) and managerial competences (BPRCMC). Based on Lewis et al.'s methodology of instrument development, an instrument is developed using survey data of 209 public sector organizations.
Findings
The finding produces a 13 item measurement model. Further, it shows that the BPRCTC is composed of three competencies, namely, BPR‐IS alignment, continuous process improvement and integration and information system delivery competences.
Research limitations/implications
Researchers can use the model and instrument as part of a nomological‐net of factors to explain the impact of BPR on public sector organizational performance. BPR practitioners can also use the instrument to identify and nurture those competences that are critical to enhance BPR's value.
Originality/value
The development of the BPRCC model and its accompanying measurement instrument for the public sector context of a developing economy represents an original contribution.
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Enterprise, Strategy
Abstract
Subject area
Enterprise, Strategy
Study level/applicability
This case study documents the history of e-commerce adoption and usage in a fabric and garment manufacturing firm operating in an African country. Lessons drawn from the case could be applied to understanding the achievement of e-commerce benefits through the complex interrelationships between firm-level, national and global resources.
Case overview
The case study presents a summary of e-commerce capabilities in the firm, the key resources developed and actions taken to deploy e-commerce capabilities and the notable benefits obtained through these e-commerce capabilities. The study shows that, first, the ability to access information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure matters in developing countries, but managerial capabilities matter more. Managerial capabilities enable firms to find external resources (both in-country and globally) to substitute for internal resource deficiencies. Second, intangible social resources – trust, reputation and credibility – play a critical role in determining whether the e-commerce strategies of firms are successful or not.
Expected learning outcomes
An understanding of how managerial capabilities influence the creation of e-commerce capabilities and the achievement of e-commerce benefits, especially in an African or Ghanaian context. Learners can also draw lessons that could be applicable to understanding how a firm's strategic orientation, resource portfolio and the nature of its target market differentiate the extent of integration or adoption and usage of e-commerce in the firm.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
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Mobile health, i.e. m-Health possesses huge potential, especially to the developing countries and remote locations of developed countries. The success of such systems may…
Abstract
Purpose
Mobile health, i.e. m-Health possesses huge potential, especially to the developing countries and remote locations of developed countries. The success of such systems may create a healthier society through eradicating health incidents, which cannot otherwise be addressed with “brick and mortar” type of health systems. The purpose of this paper is to develop an m-Health success model from users’ perspective and validate in a developing country context.
Design/methodology/approach
Epistemologically, positivist approach has been adopted for the current research. An initial research model was developed from existing information system (IS) literature, which was then validated with survey data applying partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The results summarise that continuance intention (CI) of m-Health services is dependent on perceived value (PV) and user satisfaction (STF); PV positively influences STF. Moreover, platform quality, quality of medical advice, and interaction quality have positive and direct effect on PV and STF; finally, CI drives to better quality of health life.
Practical implications
The findings of this study provide strategic implications to health managers and practitioners recognising the determinants of m-Health success and comprehending their relationships. It is underscored that, in order to secure the success of an m-Health system in a given society both human and technology-related components are vital and therefore should be taken care of.
Originality/value
This is the first attempt that develops and validates an m-Health system success model, particularly from the context of a country with low-health profile. Moreover, the contextualisation of the related variables and extension of existing IS success models is theoretically original.
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