University of Cape Town, South Africa
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Challenges of Information Systems Innovation in Developing Country Contexts: An Inquiry into the Adoption of Institutional Repositories in Nigerian Universities Samuel Chiedu Utulu (UTLSAM001) Town Thesis Presented for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Cape in ofthe Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Commerce, University of Cape Town, South Africa UniversitySupervisor: Professor Ojelanki Ngwenyama February 2019 1 The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgementTown of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Cape Published by the University ofof Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University Declaration 1. I know that plagiarism is wrong. Plagiarism is to use another’s work and pretend that it is one’s own. I have used the APA convention for citation and referencing. Each contribution to, and quotation in, this thesis entitled ‘Challenges of Information Systems Innovation in Developing Country Contexts: An Inquiry into the Adoption of Institutional Repositories in Nigerian Universities’, from the work(s) of other people has been attributed, and has been cited and referenced. 2. This research is my own work. My supervisor and colleagues acted on advisory roles only. 3. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work. 4. I acknowledge that copying other people’s work or part of it without due acknowledgement is wrong, and therefore I declare that this is my own work. Samuel Chiedu Utulu Date: 14/02/2019 2 Acknowledgements This PhD journey started in 2011 when I deferred my admission to the University of Cape Town [UCT] Information Systems Graduate Studies Program, until 2012. In March 2012 upon my arrival at UCT, from Nigeria, Prof. Ojelanki Ngwenyama’s Philosophy of Science course had already started in the previous month of February, 2012. I had lost two months of classes, necessary classes, in preparation for my PhD studies. I, therefore, waited until February 2013 to participate in said course. In February 2013, I was working with Associate Professor Kosheek Sewchurran of UCT’s Information Systems Department. Later that term, Prof. Sewchurran moved from the IS department to UCT’s Business School. This meant a new supervisor had to be found. Eventually, God gave me a new supervisor, Prof. Ojelanki Ngwenyama, without much struggle. In the social context of my socialization we call the Natural Power that arranges events ‘mysteriously’, God. In December 2013, my study visa expired; my wife had surgery; and, we lost a baby in the process. In March 2014, I was denied the renewal of my student visa. In April, 2014, I was denied a visa to Britain [UK] to participate in a PhD forum organized by the Digital Library Conference. In September, 2014, I lost my job in Nigeria. For eighteen months I was unemployed. By March, 2016, I found new employment and, was able to augment the funds received from UCT during the latter part of my studies there. In February, 2017, my brother, who lives with my family, had surgery. The next month, March 2017, my father who also lived with my family, fell ill and died, aged 85 years, on April 27, 2017. July 7, 2017 he was buried in the village as required by tradition. By September, 2017, I resigned my employment to complete my PhD studies. How did I cope with all these life challenges? I acknowledge the Help of the Natural Power that I call God due to my socialization. I also acknowledge and thank my supervisor, Prof. Ojelanki Ngwenyama who miraculously motivated me into believing that I can conclude my PhD studies. He also provided the funds for my tuition. I thank the Faculty of the Information Systems Department in UCT-Professors’ Brown, Wallace, Khobe, KJ, Lisa, et al. I thank my wife, Stella Ozuluonye Nwakaego Charles-Utulu and my sons: Anointed Chukwunonso Adejare Charles-Utulu and Jesse Ezeoliseh Kabiosioluwa 3 Charles-Utulu. I thank my brothers; Tonny, Emmanual, Buchi, Jonathan, Joshua and Josiah. I thank my friends-starting with Mayaki, who gave me his wife’s laptop; Sunny; Peter Ndubisi Eze, et al. I thank my previous teachers at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria: Profs.-Mabawonku, Olatokun, Nwalo and Atinmo, and my boss Dr. Adebayo, and Apostle Muyiwa Oyetade. I thank my colleagues: Bayo, Aramide, Janey, Daramola, Tomiwa, Judah, Ola, Ikeola and others. I thank my good friends Nike Ajoke Adelakun and Bimbo Ayankoya. I am grateful to all the people who helped me in various ways. 4 Dedication The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection- Thomas Paine I dedicate this thesis to these men. They are mirrors through which I see myself and life. To: God, the Man and the Father My father, Charles Okolocha Utulu (August 1, 1932 – Aprial 27, 2017) My brother, Paul Azuka Utulu (March 25, 1969 – February 13, 2004) My mentors Rev. Fr. Calvin Poulin SJ (1930 – 2012) (Apostle of Social Justice) Rev. Fr. Linus Awuhe OP (Apostle of Word and Fire) Rev. Fr. Anthony Alaba Akinwale OP (Apostle of Understanding & Wisdom) Professor Ojelanki Ngwenyama (Apostle of Word and Peace) My sons Annointed, and Jesse These men made significant changes in my life as a man. They made me a better man, a better version of myself. 5 Peer-reviewed Research Outputs 1. Utulu, S. & Ngwenyama, O. (2017). Model for Constructing Institutional Framework for Scientific Knowledge Management Systems: Nigerian Institutional Repository Innovation Case Applicable to Developing Countries. In Kaur Harleen, Ewa Lechman & Adam Marszk (eds.) Catalyzing Development through ICT Adoption pp. 149-174, Springer. 2. Utulu, S., & O. Ngwenyama (2017). “Rethinking Theoretical Assumptions of the Discourses of the Institutional Repository Innovation Discipline”. African Conference on Information Systems & Technology (ACIST), Cape Town, South Africa, July 10-11, 2017. 3. Utulu, S. (2014). Mobile Phone and Development: Synthesis on New Misuse Perspective. In ICTs and the Millennium Development Goals, H. Kaur and S. Tso (Eds.), pp.: 101-125, New York: Springer. 4. Utulu, S. & Sewchurran, K. (2014). Designing E-government Platform from the Perspectives of Systems Thinking and Performance Measurement Frameworks: How Good Thinking and Good Questions Aid Information Systems Design. In: Technology Development and Platforms Enhancement for Successful Global E-Government Design, Bwalya, J. (Ed.), pp.: 97-117, Hershey: IGI. 5. Solanke, O. Utulu, S. & Adebayo, E. (2014). Towards a User Based Perspective to the Transformation of Museums. Proceedings of the International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities, Istanbul, Turkey, September 8-10. 6. Utulu, S. & Sewchurran, K. (2013) Systematic and Grounded Theory Literature Reviews of Software Development Improvement Phenomena: Implications for IS Research and Practice. Paper delivered at the Incite Conference at the Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal, June 30 - July 6, 2013. 7. Utulu S. (2013). An Empirical Interrogation of Institutional Norms and Patterns in Undergraduate Research. Proceedings of 1st Annual International Interdisciplinary Conference, Azores, Portugal, April 24 - 26. 8. Adriaanse, Z., Utulu S. & Sewchurran, K. (2012) An Appraisal of Social Network Media Use for Online Group-Buying in South Africa. Proceedings of the World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Conference on Internet Information Systems and Technology, Issue 68, 22-23 August, Paris, France pp.: 1698-1710. 6 Abstract Empirical observation persistently shows that information systems (IS) innovation is always hampered by different challenges. The number of failures and incomplete IS innovation reported across the globe, particularly in developing countries justifies this. Using the example of institutional repository (IR), an IS used to promote open access to scientific knowledge produced by universities, this study proposes actionable remedies to challenges of IS innovation in universities in developing countries. This study focuses on IR because little of it exists in universities in developing countries despite the fact that it is a cost effective way for universities to distribute scientific knowledge. IR has also not been a major focus of IS researchers despite its importance in the contemporary global academic landscape. The study therefore aims to develop explanation and solutions to barriers to IR innovation in universities in developing countries. The qualitative interpretive research philosophy was adopted together with the case study research method to conduct three empirical studies. Inductive research approach and unstructured qualitative data collection techniques were also adopted. Study 1 was carried out to assess IR innovation barrier factors at the institutional level. It reveals how globalization trends, transformation of universities and conditions of university libraries constitute IR innovation factors at institutional level. Study 2 was carried out to assess IR innovation barrier factors at the organizational level. It shows how institutional logics, adherence by universities to traditional university management orientations and paradox barrier factors constitute IR innovation factors at the organizational level. Study 3 identifies factors that influence effective tacit knowledge management at the individual level. The factors are namely, privileged