Improving Business Processes of Jamaican Agritourism Enterprises: Using ICT to Increase Collaboration and Information Sharing A thesis submitted to The University of Manchester for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration in the Faculty of Humanities 2015 Patrick Anglin Manchester Business School Abstract The University of Manchester Patrick Anglin Doctor of Business Administration Improving Business Processes of Jamaican Agritourism Enterprises: Using ICT to Increase Collaboration and Information Sharing May 2015 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have been used in several sectors and industries and have generated positive results especially in respect of increasing productivity and collaboration. While the discipline of social informatics has studied the use of ICT in agriculture and in tourism as separate fields, little work has been done to look at ICT use in agritourism – the intersection of agriculture and tourism. Even less (or no) work has been done on ICT use in agritourism in small island developing states, the Caribbean, or Jamaica. This thesis presents the first look at the variables to be considered in applying ICT to agritourism in the Jamaican context. A holistic view of the Jamaican agritourism sub-sector, in the form of the newly crafted Jamaican Agritourism Innovation System (JATIS) model, is presented showing the interactions among the various actors (sectors) required for successful ICT implementation. The JATIS model is an extension of previous Agriculture Innovation Systems (AIS) models and is specifically applied to the Jamaican context. However, as opposed to previous models, the JATIS highlights the critical role of purveyors, or middlemen, operating in Jamaican agritourism. The model formulates a mechanism, different from the current Jamaican agritourism structure, to include all industry players in the supply/demand interaction. The inclusion of all players is done through a series of farm and purveyor groups, enabled and facilitated by ICT. In addition, the model highlights the improved quality of information exchange among the players as a result of the modified interaction proposed. It might be possible to apply the model to other Small Island Developing States, particularly those in the Anglophone Caribbean, where the socio-cultural variables and economies are similar to Jamaica’s. However, further research will have to be conducted to verify, fine-tune, or customize the model for external application. 2 Declaration No portion of the work referred to in the thesis has been submitted in support of an application for another degree or qualification of this or any other university or other institute of learning. 3 Copyright Statement i. The author of this thesis (including any appendices and/or schedules to this thesis) owns certain copyright or related rights in it (the “Copyright”) and s/he has given The University of Manchester certain rights to use such Copyright, including for administrative purposes. ii. Copies of this thesis, either in full or in extracts and whether in hard or electronic copy, may be made only in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended) and regulations issued under it or, where appropriate, in accordance with licensing agreements which the University has from time to time. This page must form part of any such copies made. iii. The ownership of certain Copyright, patents, designs, trademarks and other intellectual property (the “Intellectual Property”) and any reproductions of copyright works in the thesis, for example graphs and tables (“Reproductions”), which may be described in this thesis, may not be owned by the author and may be owned by third parties. Such Intellectual Property and Reproductions cannot and must not be made available for use without the prior written permission of the owner(s) of the relevant Intellectual Property and/or Reproductions. iv. Further information on the conditions under which disclosure, publication and commercialisation of this thesis, the Copyright and any Intellectual Property and/or Reproductions described in it may take place is available in the University IP Policy (see http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=487), in any relevant Thesis restriction declarations deposited in the University Library, The University Library’s regulations (see http://www.manchester.ac.uk/library/aboutus/regulations) and in The University’s policy on Presentation of Theses. 4 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my parents, who have always supported my efforts and are still doing so, to Rose, my elder sister, to Learie, my younger brother, who have been emotional towers of strength during the rough times, and to the love of my life, my wife Tricia, who has stood beside me during my times of strength, and who ‘lifted’ me during my times of weakness. 5 Acknowledgement To my primary supervisor, Dr Ilias Petrounias, thank you for putting up with me over the years it took to complete. I know it could not have been easy. I thank you for the excellent academic advice which you provided and also for the other general advice you so willingly imparted. My family, both nuclear and extended, could not have given me greater support. They have been there through the proverbial “thick and thin” and have provided great encouragement during the times when I had given up. To my parents and siblings, thank you for your prayers and words of support, and your actions which proved that your words were genuine. My children, Jayvyn and Najmah, continue to provide me with the motivation to do better, and my wife, Tricia, provides me with another reason to stay focussed. These three are the persons for whom I work. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. I remember my first trip to the United Kingdom and the support and hospitality provided by my sister-in-law Merlie Williams, her step mother Angella Smalling-Williams (aka Auntie), and Ervin Williams her late father. Auntie and Mr Williams took me into their home and treated me as if I had been there all along. Auntie even provided food for me to partake during the train ride to, and while in, Manchester. Unfortunately, Ervin completed his life’s journey on August 19, 2011 while I was in Jamaica and didn’t get to see me complete. To Kevin Cameron who assisted me to the airport on my first return trip. I know it could not have been easy making that trek at 4:30 a.m. You have supported me on all my subsequent UK trips and assisted me greatly. Thank You All. 6 I am blessed to have additional people in the UK who are truly warm and giving. A very special thanks to Janet Morse-Andrew, Ken Andrew, and Benjamin Waldron. Janet, made arrangements for me to stay with her mother and travelled with me, by bus, to Stretford, Manchester early in my sojourn. I cannot repay the kindness which was shown to me by Janet’s Mom, Fatima Morse-Rashid who allowed me, a Christian, to share abode with her, a Muslim. It was a blessing to discuss openly and in good spirit, our different beliefs. As Fatima commented, “it is as if we knew each other in another (previous) life”. Fatima passed on June 16, 2010 but her kindness and warm nature will be forever etched in my memory. Ben treated me like a brother, introducing me to some of the different aspects of Manchester life unknown to a Kingstonian. A warm and special thank you. Studying at a distance is never easy. Completing a doctorate at a distance is gruelling. The work was made easier by the support system, in Jamaica, which assisted me in conducting the work. Special thanks to Ms Claudette Morgan who assisted with the transcription of the interviews – we thought we would never finish. Special thanks also to my ‘critical friend’ Dr Hixwell Douglas and to my work colleague and friend Dr Anna Perkins. Both provided me with good advice during the process. I have saved the best for last. I could not complete my acknowledgements without thanking God for his mercy, grace and love towards me. He continues to supply all my needs and provide me with the strength to carry-through. Thank You. 7 Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 2 List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. 11 List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 1 - Introduction ....................................................................................................... 14 1.1 Motivation and Scope .................................................................................................... 14 1.2. Role for ICT ....................................................................................................................... 18 1.3 Originality of this research and its contribution to knowledge and management practices ......................................................................................................... 19 1.4 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................ 20 1.5 Research Objective ......................................................................................................... 21 1.6 Research Question .......................................................................................................... 21 1.7 Organization of the thesis