Browsing by Author "Chiware, Elisha R."

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    Business information needs, seeking patterns and information services in the small, medium and micro enterprises sector in Namibia
    (2008) Chiware, Elisha R.;
    This thesis reports on a study conducted to investigate the business information needs, seeking patterns and information services for small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Namibia. The survey methodology was used and questionnaires were distributed to 308 SMMEs and 60 business service providers in the Windhoek and Oshana districts of Namibia. An in-depth qualitative assessment of the business information services was also conducted in 15 business support organisations in the two districts. The data collected through questionnaires was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The study revealed that SMMEs have a range of business information needs and top among them are information on: finance, marketing, training and business information. The study also revealed that the information seeking patterns of SMMEs are largely informal with limited use of formal business information services provided by a range of business support services. There are several business support organisations in Namibia providing a range of services, including the provision of business information services. However, the study established that there is need for a coordinated approach towards the provision of business information services in the SMME sector in Namibia. The study showed that the utilisation of ICTs among SMMEs is very limited to basic computer operations like word processing, book-keeping packages, and spreadsheets. The use of Internet as a business tool and source of business information among SMMEs is also very limited. However, the study shows that the utilisation of ICTs among business support organisations is advanced and that this could be used as a platform to improve information delivery services to the SMMEs. The study proposes a strategic model that could be used in the deployment of business information services in the SMME sector. This strategy is based on a definition of business information services, components of business information services and the steps that must be followed in the development of the services. The proposed strategy also outlines the steps that should be taken in the impact assessment of business information services. The study concludes by making several recommendations concerning the improvement of business information delivery services to the SMME sector. Business support organisations and, in particular government and Chambers of Commerce and Industry need to consider various approaches in the design of sustainable business information services.
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    The impact of the diffusion of ICTs into educational practices
    (Nera, 2005) Beukes-Amiss, Catherine M.; Chiware, Elisha R.
    ICTs have been seen as the missing technologies i11 the developme11t of Africa. Over the last decade we have witnessed the deployment of ICTs into various sectors in Africa, including education. This paper aims to evaluate whether the impact of the diffusion of ne1v technologies into educational practices, in developing countries, and in Namibia in particular, has brought about any meaningful changes, knowing that educational planners all over the world are forced in one way or another to use new technologies as part of educational practices. Moreover it examines with specific emphasis what is happening in Africa compared to where we are in Namibia, trying to answer the questions: Is diffusion ofJ CTs into educatio11al practices something good or something bad? Is the educational system ready for such investments or just creating further digital divides between rich urban schools and poor rural schools? The paper follows a methodological sryle of reviewing existing literature, as welL as initiatives aiming toward diffusiOII of ICTs into Namibian schools and the role of government. It concludes in highlighting some of the current debates of the impact of ICTs in developing countries, and the educational sector in particul01: