of these issues and challengesin the process improving the electoral process. The study used an on-line questionnaire which was administered to a broader group of voters and an in-depth semi-structured interview with the Independent Electoral Commission officials. The analysis is based on thematic analysis and diffusion of innovations theory is adopted as a theoretical lens of analysis. The findings reveal that relative advantage, compatibility and complexity would determine the intentions of South African voters and the Electoral
The economic activities of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) drive much of the region’s economic growth and development. Despite their importance, SMEs tend to fail in their first two years of operation compared to macro enterprises. Digital transformation (DT) of organisations fosters resilience; however, DT of SMEs in SSA has been slow because of several impediments. The objective of this article is to establish how SMEs in the context of SSA can develop comprehensive strategies for integrating digital technologies into their operations to build resilience. Arksey and O’Malley’s systematic scoping review (SR) is used to identify and map articles over a 5 year period using inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 44 articles were included for in-depth analysis to address the issue under investigation. The results indicate toward economy-based, market-based and sociotechnical contextual factors emerging as themes that impede DT of SMEs in the SSA region. In the SSA context, SMEs face numerous regional constraints that create barriers in their operations, such as limited access to profitable and value-added markets.Transdisciplinarity Contribution: To develop strategies for integrating technologies, it is critical to have a thorough understanding of SMEs’ operational context. This is vital if SMEs in the SSA region are to fully realise the transformative potential of integrating digital technologies into their business operations and gain long-term resilience. Through digitally enabled resilience, SMEs can continue to play their critical role in the economic growth and development of the SSA region.
The use of technological solutions is argued to offer quality enhancing efficiencies in the delivery process of healthcare services. For this to be realized certain objectives of these technological solutions have to be achieved. The public health system in South Africa faces various challenges such as poor coordination of most technological solutions therefore fragmented; a lack of interoperability between different systems, haphazard procurement processes and poor information management capabilities. The argument in this study establishes that the causes are not purely logistical but also linked to gaps in the adequacy of the health information systems (HISs) and the implementation process of these technological solutions. A case study strategy, whose empirical home is rural South Africa, was employed using qualitative methodology. Activity Analysis and Development (ActAD) framework was used as a theoretical lens within critical realist paradigm. The study was conducted in a public healthcare facility within a resource constrained environment. Semi-structured interviews was used as data collection method and analysis of data was through narrative and explanatory analyses, employing thematic analysis tool. The paper intends to come up with a framework that can be used to inform the implementation process of HIS(s) across board. With a focus on the context of a divergent national service delivery reality that impacts the right to healthcare service in under-served communities.
Background: With the rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the concept of digital self-management presents great opportunities for relieving some of the burdens healthcare systems face. However, for this to be realised, effective use of digital health in self-management and assessment is essential.Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to identify social determinants and cognitive factors with potential influence on digital health use in self-management of chronic medical conditions associated with NCDs in SSA.Method: The 5-stage scoping review framework was used to search, identify, and filter publications over a 10-year period from two major databases, Google Scholar and Pubmed. Based on the inclusion criteria, a total of 12 documents were chosen for analysis.Results: Findings reveal that social determinants such as cultural values and societal practices demand a rethinking of how digital health for self-management of chronic diseases are designed and developed for use in SSA, whereas a cognitive factor such as self-efficacy is central in digital health use in self-management of chronic conditions, particularly in areas like adherence to medication, diet and exercise programmes.Conclusion: Owing to the unique characteristics of digital health users in SSA, technologies and content (particularly those for self-management of chronic diseases) should be tailored to the diverse needs of the population. It is through this that the region can fully benefit from the potential of digital health use in self-management of chronic diseases associated with NCDs.
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