Investments In Information Systems Research Articles

Strategic Health Purchasing in Nigeria: Investigating Governance and Institutional Capacities within Federal Tax-Funded Health Schemes and the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme

ABSTRACT For Nigeria to make progress on its commitment to universal health coverage, additional public funding will be required. But more resources alone will not be enough. Government health spending must be more efficient and effective, through more strategic purchasing—a critical policy tool. Studies on health purchasing in Nigeria’s health financing schemes are limited, however. This study examines the purchasing arrangements in schemes funded by the federal budget and in the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme (FSSHIP) within the National Health Insurance Scheme. We adopted a qualitative, descriptive case-study approach and collected data through document reviews and key informant interviews based on the Strategic Health Purchasing Progress Tracking Framework. Our analysis used a thematic framework approach. Our findings reveal that legal frameworks and governance structures for strategic purchasing are in place for both schemes. Steps toward strategic purchasing are more advanced in FSSHIP, particularly in the design of benefit packages, accreditation and monitoring of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and providers, and provider payment mechanisms. The limited share of health funding flowing through these mechanisms, and further fragmentation of that funding, impede strategic purchasing. Strategic purchasing is also hampered by weak regulation and monitoring of providers and purchasers, delays in provider payment, and corrupt practices by HMOs. Improving strategic purchasing in Nigeria will require a concerted effort to reduce fragmentation of health spending, significant investment in human resources, technical know-how, and information systems of purchasing institutions, and actions to improve the accountability of all actors in the system.

Electricity, Computing Hardware, and Internet Infrastructures in Health Facilities in Sierra Leone: Field Mapping Study.

BackgroundYears of health information system investment in many countries have facilitated service delivery, surveillance, reporting, and monitoring. Electricity, computing hardware, and internet networks are vital for health facility–based information systems. Availability of these infrastructures at health facilities is crucial for achieving national digital health visions.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to gain insight into the state of computing hardware, electricity, and connectivity infrastructure at health facilities in Sierra Leone using a representative sample.MethodsStratified sampling of 72 (out of 1284) health facilities distributed in all districts of Sierra Leone was performed, factoring in the rural-urban divide, digital health activity, health facility type, and health facility ownership. Enumerators visited each health facility over a 2-week period.ResultsAmong the 72 surveyed health facilities, 59 (82%) do not have institutionally provided internet. Among the 15 Maternal and Child Health Posts, as a type of primary health care unit (PHU), 9 (60%) use solar energy as their only electricity source and the other 6 (40%) have no electricity source. Similarly, among the 13 hospitals, 5 (38%) use a generator as a primary electricity source. All hospitals have at least one functional computer, although only 7 of the 13 hospitals have four or more functional computers. Similarly, only 2 of the 59 (3%) PHUs have one computer each, and 37 (63%) of the PHUs have one tablet device each. We consider this health care computing infrastructure mapping to be representative with a 95% confidence level within an 11% margin of error. Two-thirds of the PHUs have only alternate solar electricity, only 10 of the 72 surveyed health facilities have functional official internet, and most use suboptimal computing hardware. Overall, 43% of the surveyed health facilities believe that inadequate electricity is the biggest threat to digitization. Similarly, 16 (22%) of the 72 respondents stated that device theft is a primary hindrance to digitization.ConclusionsElectricity provision for off-electricity-grid health facilities using alternative and renewable energy sources is emerging. The current trend where GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) service providers provide the internet to all health facilities may change to other promising alternatives. This study provides evidence of the critical infrastructure gaps in health facilities in Sierra Leone.

Cruzando el puente tecnológico de la telemedicina

To gain the maximum effectiveness from telemedicine, it is very important to redefine care processes with the participation of healthcare professionals to achieve a mixed model of care that will facilitate their work and patient accessibility. Telemedicine must be appropriately included in corporate information systems and provide primary care with systems that help in clinical decision-making and predictive models of care that can signal potential disease progression. Not everything that is technically possible is necessary or will add value to the organisation and we must analyse real needs. At present we have insufficient evidence on the clinical benefits of telemedicine in the management of chronic disease. We need more investment in information systems, new professional profiles, and changes in care processes to take advantage of the benefits of Big Data and artificial intelligence.

A review of geospatial methods for population estimation and their use in constructing reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health service indicators

BackgroundHousehold survey data are frequently used to measure reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) service utilisation in low and middle income countries. However, these surveys are typically only undertaken every 5 years and tend to be representative of larger geographical administrative units. Investments in district health management information systems (DHMIS) have increased the capability of countries to collect continuous information on the provision of RMNCAH services at health facilities. However, reliable and recent data on population distributions and demographics at subnational levels necessary to construct RMNCAH coverage indicators are often missing. One solution is to use spatially disaggregated gridded datasets containing modelled estimates of population counts. Here, we provide an overview of various approaches to the production of gridded demographic datasets and outline their potential and their limitations. Further, we show how gridded population estimates can be used as alternative denominators to produce RMNCAH coverage metrics in combination with data from DHMIS, using childhood vaccination as examples.MethodsWe constructed indicators on the percentage of children one year old for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccine dose 3 (DTP3) and measles vaccine dose (MCV1) in Zambia and Nigeria at district levels. For the numerators, information on vaccines doses was obtained from each country’s respective DHMIS. For the denominators, the number of children was obtained from 3 different sources including national population projections and aggregated gridded estimates derived using top-down and bottom-up geospatial methods.ResultsIn Zambia, vaccination estimates utilising the bottom-up approach to population estimation substantially reduced the number of districts with > 100% coverage of DTP3 and MCV1 compared to estimates using population projection and the top-down method. In Nigeria, results were mixed with bottom-up estimates having a higher number of districts > 100% and estimates using population projections performing better particularly in the South.ConclusionsGridded demographic data utilising traditional and novel data sources obtained from remote sensing offer new potential in the absence of up to date census information in the estimation of RMNCAH indicators. However, the usefulness of gridded demographic data is dependent on several factors including the availability and detail of input data.

An evaluation of ICT benefits enhancing walkability in a smart city

Smart cities are rapidly developing with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Walkability-enhanced ICT (WICT) caters to pedestrian needs and preferences by providing intelligent real-time information as a person strolls in an urban environment. Governments invest heavily in various ICTs and big data as part of their planning decisions in smart cities. The walkability enhancement enabled by integrated ICTs needs to be evaluated by urban planners, but this aspect is not covered in previous studies. WICT is usually provided free of charge to users. The benefits enjoyed by pedestrians are intangible with a non-market nature. This research looks into the walkability performance of WICT by evaluating its benefits to pedestrians. A survey was carried out in Hong Kong for a WICT installable in smartphones. The Contingent Valuation was used to evaluate the non-market benefits quantitatively, employing ordinal regression. Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) is estimated as the proxy of monetary value for the benefit enjoyed by individual users, which may be aggregated for a Cost-Benefits Analysis. This econometric approach intends to assist in decision making for continued investment in similar information systems of Smart City. Influential factors affecting WTP are also highlighted for targeting policies. Recommendations for city managers are proposed to establish a rational basis for planning smart cities.

6G Fundamentals: Vision and Enabling Technologies

This article reviews the 6G global landscape and the most relevant private and public initiatives, with US$ billions of investments in next generation information and communication (ICT) systems and application services. Then, it presents the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technology roadmap towards 6G and 5G New Radio (NR) releases. This is followed by an introduction to the latest shift in paradigm “from Internet of Things (IoT) to Internet of Intelligence (IoI)”, which paves the way towards 6G wireless. The new system is anticipated to provide pervasive connectivity to functions with the ability to represent knowledge, process knowledge, and make decisions, with or without human intervention. Beyond that, the paper discusses the new carrier frequency bands above 110 GHz; and innovative fundamental enabling technologies, such as integrated semantic communication and sensing, low earth orbiting satellites, quantum key distribution, post quantum cryptography, and distributed ledger technology; and portrays a network vision for 6G wireless, looking to 2030 and beyond. Conclusions are drawn on 6G prospects, the needs of security by design for 6G; as well as the potential of 6G for securely connecting pervasive intelligence and preserving privacy; and new research directions to cater for new use categories and requirements.

Investment in Accounting Information Systems, Financial Performance and Productivity of Malmquist and IFR as Intervening in the Banking and Financial Industry

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of investment in information systems in the banking industry and financial institutions as measured by IT capital expense on profitability as measured by return on assets and productivity as measured by the malmquist measurement, and how will it affect if it is intervening with disclosure of information through Internet Financial Reporting. This research method is quantitative using SPSS-assisted regression analysis. Research on the topic of productivity is usually carried out in manufacturing companies, but this research uses the banking industry and financial institutions.Based on the results of the study, it shows that investment in accounting information systems as measured by IT capital or investment in software or hardware has a strong influence on the level of profitability both directly and through disclosure of internet financial reporting (IFR). However, investment in IT in the banking industry and financial institutions has no effect on malmquist productivity. If through IFR, there is an influence between IT capital and malmquist productivity.

LEAN MANUFACTURING PRACTICES AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE OF SUGAR MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN WESTERN KENYA

Introduction: Western Kenya is the largest producer of sugar in Kenya, supporting about 170,000 smallholder farming households and contributing about 80 percent of the total sugar produced in Kenya. This contribution is however threatened given that the sugar firms in that region are producing sub optimally with obsolete technology. Comparing to related sector, other firms in Kenya such as the tea manufacturing firms have implemented energy efficiency practices so as to manage energy wastage and reduce production costs. Were they to employ effective production methods, they could increase their production significantly. While that is the case, scholars have suggested that adoption of lean manufacturing practices is a panacea to quality addition and waste minimization. Perhaps what these firms need are lean practices.
 Purpose: This study interrogated the extent to which the firms have adopted lean manufacturing practices, just-in-time and total quality control and if they have, its effect on supply chain performance.
 Methodology: The study targeted and conducted a census on the 11 sugar manufacturing firms in the Western Kenya belt where the procurement managers, line managers, finance managers, production managers, production engineers, quality assurance officers and operations managers of each of the 11 firms (total 87) were targeted. The study employed a descriptive research design to collect quantitative data. Quantitative primary data was collected through questionnaires and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences.
 Findings: The findings of the study indicated that the just in time productionand total quality control are positively and significantly associated with supply chain performance of the sugar manufacturing firms.
 Unique Contribution to Practice and Policy: The study recommended adoption of just in time production practices such as availing labor on demand in order to manage labor costs, availing resources on demand in order to manage wastage, production on demand in order to manage inventory costs, ordering raw materials from the suppliers only when there is demand for production from customers, having a simplified production design to ensure timely production and having multiple skilled workers to ensure faster production. In addition, in order for the sugar manufacturing firms to increase supply chain performance, there is need to adopt total quality control practices such as having manageable defect prevention costs related to quality planning, putting in place manageable defect prevention costs related to investment in quality related information systems, having manageable appraisal costs related to test and inspection of purchased materials, having manageable appraisal costs related to quality audits, having controllable internal failure costs related to reworks and having manageable internal failure costs related to scrap.

Management Information System in Evaluation of BCA Mobile Banking Using DeLone and McLean Model

The investment in information system brings significant impacts on the banking industry because it plays a pivotal role in providing better services and competitive edges. This study evaluated satisfaction level and benefit of the usage of the banking system which is m-Banking using the IS Success Model approach developed by DeLone and McLane in 2003. The population in this study was customers of one of the largest banks in Indonesia, namely Bank Central Asia (BCA) with a sample size of 200 customers. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Model (SEM) with AMOS. The results showed that the IS Success Model consisting of system quality, information quality and service quality has a significant impact on customer satisfaction in using BCA m-Banking. This study also validates the research conducted by DeLone and McLean (2003) in developing the IS Success Model as a measure of the quality and key to the success of an information system.

Gestión de la atención al paciente mediante tecnología RFID en el hospital naval del Perú.

El gobierno del Perú, de acuerdo a las leyes y reglamentaciones impuestas por los avances en tecnologías de la salud, ha suscitado la inversión en sistemas de información que presenten la historia clínica electrónica, las cuales permiten una atención ágil, oportuna y dinámica en el registro en la historia clínica, y mitigar errores comunes como la duplicidad, el deterioro y la pérdida de la misma. La investigación exhibe las bondades de esta tecnología mediante la comparación de dos grupos muestrales extraídos de una población perteneciente al Hospital Naval del Perú, donde se evidenció las potencialidades y la optimización del tiempo mediante RFID para la mejora de los servicios asistenciales de salud en diferentes especialidades médicas.

Evaluating Mawared as a self-service quality information system at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University using Dillon and McLean model

Quality of information system is reviewed by many as critically important for most if not all organizations to review their return on their investment in information system (IS) technology. Currently, there are numerous works of literature addressing factors or techniques for measuring system quality – business benefits, user satisfaction, or usage among others. This paper is evaluating the quality of information systems- self-services (Mawared) at Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) using the Dillon and McLean Model. Intrinsically, information systems (IS) vary depending on the industry they are applied, for example, in this research, the IS under review as an educational-based information system. This paper aims to explore the relationships of information system quality and its main outcomes which are expected or were proposed for the IS. Subsequently, this paper focuses on the self-service information system, its quality. The research uses questionnaires for its research methodology that are distributed out to the faculty members in College of Business Administration at PSAU. The findings of this study indicate to a positive and high degrees of satisfaction among the faculty members towards Mawared as a self-service quality information system for the academic year 2020-2021. Moreover, it provides new insights into the efficacy of selected determines of information system quality and user satisfaction.

Antecedents and consequences of information system usage: an empirical investigation

This research tests the information system usage (ISU) among the four listed telecommunication companies in Sudan. The proposed model analyses the effect of antecedents on ISU and the effects of the subsequent ISU on consequences. Through a purposive sampling technique, a total of 335 completed questionnaires from end-users were collected and analysed. The findings indicate that antecedents and consequences ISU model display a good fit. The study revealed that top management support, training, business IT alignment, information centre services were significant antecedents that affect ISU while information system investment was not significant. ISU has a significant effect on product differentiation, product innovation, process innovation, organisational performance, and strategy formulation but has no effect on competitive advantage. The study findings provide information system practitioners and managers with guidelines that can encourage ISU more efficiently and effectively. The study also discusses these findings and concludes with the limitations and future recommendations.

Perceive it or Not: Information Quality and the Investors’ Response to Earning Surprises of Technologically Advanced Companies

One of the primary measures of information systems (IS) success that has been the subject of much investigation in a variety of contexts is information quality (DeLone & McLean, 1992; 2003). This paper hones in on the impact of perceived information quality in the context of the financial markets, where quality of accounting information is particularly important, as it informs investment decisions and impacts stock prices. In particular, seminal accounting research has consistently found that earnings announcements possess informational value (information content) based upon which the market reacts (Beaver, 1968). Market reaction to surprises in earnings announcements has long been used to understand the quality of the earnings announced and studies have explored various factors affecting the response. The current study adds to this body of research by factoring in the perceived quality of the information systems environment. We hypothesize that information reported by companies known for developing and employing sophisticated IT systems is weighed more heavily by investors. We conduct an analysis of stock price before and after earnings announcement surprises among firms known for sophisticated IT systems. Results provide direct support for our hypothesis, indicating that the market reacts more strongly to earnings surprises (both positive and negative) reported by innovative users of IT as compared to less innovative users of IT. These results contribute to a new insight into the circumstances that affect the information content of earnings announcements as well as a richer perspective on the impact of investment in advanced information systems in terms of perceived quality of a company’s information environment by the financial markets.

Identification of Critical Success Factors in Information Systems Implementation Projects

Currently, government and commercial organizations are increasingly dependent on the use of various information systems. Investments in information systems fi their place in enterprises of various sizes, from small to large. The main goal, which forces enterprises to imple ment information systems, is the need to obtain centralized access to information and facilitate the procedure for its receipt, storage and processing in order to increase productivity and increase the efficiency of production activities. Currently, information systems are a tool for standardizing business processes and offer a variety of functionalities based on best prac­tices. At the same time, the implementation of the system is a difficult task (there is a very high percentage of unsuccessful projects), requiring great efforts, careful reflection and good planning, as well as a detailed analysis of the factors that are critical for the successful im­plementation of the system. Right now, the urgent need for finding new tools and opportunities to increase the number of successful projects. The article is devoted to critical factors affecting projects for the implementation of information systems in enterprises. The scientific works of domestic and foreign scientists and practitioners are analyzed and reviewed in order to identify factors that are called critical success factors that directly affect such projects in order to determine which critical factors were empirically recognized as “critical”. To evaluate each factor and the relationship between them, the author uses statistical analysis. The study also uses both quantitative and qualitative analysis of data obtained from scientific papers. The data collected were analyzed and 10 key success factors identified. Critical success factors are an effective and important tool for achieving the goals of projects for the implementation of information systems in enterprises, which will contribute to the correct decision-making and improve the effectiveness of projects and, as a result, the achievement of strategic goals that bring long-term benefits to the enterprise.

なぜ、基幹系情報システム投資は失敗するのか ―「経営戦略とIT 戦略のねじれ構造」の提案―

なぜ、基幹系情報システム投資は失敗するのか ―「経営戦略とIT 戦略のねじれ構造」の提案―

INOVAÇÃO NA CADEIA REVERSA DE RESÍDUOS ELETROELETRÔNICOS: UM ESTUDO SOBRE OS SISTEMAS DE INFORMAÇÃO E AS TECNOLOGIAS DE RASTREAMENTO

RESUMO Esse trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a contribuição de sistemas de informação e as tecnologias de rastreamento para a logística reversa de cadeias de resíduos de eletroeletrônicos. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de um estudo de caso incorporado em uma cadeia de eletroeletrônicos no contexto brasileiro. Os resultados da pesquisa mostraram que as tecnologias e sistemas implementados na logística direta não são utilizados na logística reversa. Mesmo reconhecendo as tecnologias de rastreamento como uma alternativa para tornar mais eficientes a desmontagem e a reciclagem, prevalece uma visão de aumento de custos, que não contribui para o aumento de vendas e a lucratividade. Infere-se que a resistência dos representantes do setor de eletroeletrônicos em aderir ao acordo setorial, assinado apenas no final de 2019 e estabelecido pela Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos (PNRS) em 2010, contribuiu para que empresas adiassem investimentos em sistemas de informação e tecnologias de rastreamento no Brasil.

A Model for Acceptance and Use of Health Information Systems for South African Health Practitioners

This paper discusses the acceptance and use of Health Information Systems in the context of South African Health Practitioners. The paper argues that ideally, Health Practitioners who adopt HIS are poised to significantly improve their operations and services, and thereby offering patient satisfaction and adequately cover operational costs. Despite the continued investment in information system, there is still limited research and knowledge into what influences or affect the use of the system by health practitioners. The paper addresses the inadequacy of literature in addressing the use of health information system by health practitioners, especially in the context of South Africa. To this point this study sought to explore and explain what affects the use of HIS by individuals.

What drives new product innovation in China? An integrative strategy tripod approach

AbstractThis study explores the determinants that drive new product innovation by employing the integrative strategy tripod approach. We analyze data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey on 1,692 manufacturing firms in China using a novel methodological approach (a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis) that focuses on multiple conjectural causations. Interestingly, our findings suggest that R&D investment alone is not a sufficient condition to facilitate a firm's product innovation, but stable government policy is a necessary condition for R&D investment. Even with a low level of R&D investments, it can achieve innovation if those investments are made in conjunction with high technology information system investments for supporting customer relationships. Finally, we find that when firms perceive informal competition to be a significant obstacle to their operations and R&D investment, they tend to engage in corrupt actions to create innovation. Implications for research and practice are provided.

Evaluating Students Information System Success Using DeLone and McLean’s Model: Student’s Perspective

System success is considered to be an important element in accomplishing the goals of the organization; therefore evaluation of system success needs to be done in order to ensure that investment in Information System is successful. Most of Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania have adopted the use of IS in providing service to their customers. Nevertheless, there is less evidence that system success evaluation has been done in order to identify the desired characteristics which could make IS more effective. Due to that, this study evaluates the effectiveness of Student Information System (SIS) used at the Institute of Finance Management using DeLone and McLean’s Model. Convenience sampling technique was employed to select respondents from the Institute of Finance Management. A total of 391 complete and valid questionnaires were employed in data analysis. IBM SPSS software was used to analyze the hypothesized relationships between the variables. The findings show that system quality, information quality, service quality, system use and user satisfaction were the key desired characteristics in making SIS success. The study has provided implications to researchers and practitioners on how to improve the effectiveness of the IS used in Higher Learning Institutions based on the desired characteristics

Visualizing Benefits: Evaluating Healthcare Information System Using IS-Impact Model

Reducing costs and optimizing operations are major challenges in many large-scale organizations including healthcare authorities. Research shows that despite ongoing investments in healthcare information systems (IS), the promised benefits often are partially realized or not at all. Part of the solution is to ensure that evaluation methodologies are available to clearly identify the success of these initiatives and from here articulate and mitigate the deficiencies or move to an alternative technology. The literature asserts that few practitioners have implemented a standardized evaluation approach. Using an established model, namely Information System Impact ( IS-impact ) model, we propose a modified evaluation model to assess and a visualization tool to visualize the success of an information systems from a healthcare perspective. The modified IS-Impact model includes six constructs – – individual impact , organization impact , provincial alignment impact , system quality , information quality , and service quality . We applied the modified IS-impact model and the proposed visualization tool against an existing healthcare software solution. An empirical study was conducted at a healthcare authority, with responses from 150 participants who use the healthcare IS, which confirmed that the proposed model and the visualization tool are valid and reliable to measure healthcare systems success. The evaluation model and the visualization tool are found to be efficient to narrow down the scope of inquiry from the general to the specific and quickly identifying the gaps and successes within the established software solution for the healthcare authority. Healthcare or clinical informatics researchers will be benefited from this research in evaluating the ongoing or nearly established healthcare information systems.