IJCIRISSN 1996-1065 [Online]
ISSN 1818-1139 [PRINT]

The implementation of Information Systems (IS) in the higher education learning institutions in Kenya has been increasing and seen varied results. Research has reported higher chances of IS failures in developing countries. The organizational implementation of IS has continued to be a focus for IS researchers, and the organizational change perspective has been used to explore the actions and events that happen in organizations towards implementation efforts. A case study based on empirical investigation of the implementation process of a student management system in a university context, in Kenya, is used to explore the efforts of the implementers in creating an enabling environment for a successful implementation process. The study is guided by the authors� modification of Gallivan�s framework [Gallivan 2001] and specifically focuses on the managerial construct to illustrate the relationship between organizational context and the student management system implementation process. The paper illustrates that organizational context shapes managerial interventions and decisions; that this context is both enabling and constraining in the creation of a favourable implementation context by implementers; and that IS implementation process results in organizational change that requires continuous change management mechanisms.
Keywords: Organizational IS implementation, Managerial Change Interventions, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Internet connectivity is very crucial for Higher Learning Institutions in order to fulfill their mandates of training, research and consultancy. The Internet connection is important for (i) communication and collaboration (ii) research and consultancy (iii) courses and content delivery i.e. academic management of courses and access to educational resources. One of the challenges facing higher learning institutions in developing countries is the low bandwidth leading to low Internet speed. This situation is aggravated by the fact (i) these countries have poor infrastructure for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (ii) equipment, software and bandwidth are acquired at very high price in comparison with developed countries (iii) the acquired bandwidth is poorly managed due to limited number of skilled personnel. This paper presents lessons learnt from Sokoine University of Agriculture on how to face the mentioned challenges of poor bandwidth optimization and management (BOM). It also proposes a way forward for management and optimization of bandwidth. The concluding remark is that the use of tools for bandwidth management and optimization from Free and Open Source Software in developing countries is recommended. Furthermore, purchasing more bandwidth for SUA in near future is inevitable.
Categories and Subject Descriptors: K.4.2. [Computers and Society] �Social Issues; K.4.3. [Computers and Society] �Organizational Impacts; K.6.1 [Project and People Management] - Life cycle, Systems development;
General Terms: design, data management
Keywords: Internet, bandwidth, management, optimization, tools, Free and Open Source Software, Higher Learning Institutions in developing countries

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are playing a vital role in day-to-day public services. In the realm of machinery of Government, the ICTs application areas are promising to enhance the service delivery and improve the process and management of Governmental functionaries. This paper traces the current round of discussions on the appropriate roles and scales of Government with respect to ICTs driven e-governance application for enhancing service delivery in rural areas.
The paper reviews the efficacy of the policy framework in context of service providers and enhancement in delivery of goods and services to the rural society. The main issues related to service delivery are the role and multiplicity of organization, the coverage of services, and actual deliveries of goods and services. This is largely dictated by the preparedness of the service provider and as well as the extent of innovative technology used.
Karnataka is one of the pioneering States in India with respect to adopting innovative information technologies. The author has chosen to review on ICT driven e-governance Rural Digital Services (Nemmadi) project in Karnataka. It works at taluk level, covering about 38 citizen-centric services to the rural citizens. The vision of Rural Digital Services (Nemmadi) project is to empower the rural citizens, provide direct access of government services to the citizens and bring government services to the doorstep of the citizens thereby bridging the digital divide in Karnataka.
Key Words: E-governance, Public Service Delivery, Machinery of Government, Rural Digital Services, Citizen-Centric Service

World Vision (WV) uses the Core HIV and AIDS Response Monitoring System (CHARMS) to track and measure core indicators related to individuals with HIV and AIDS within the communities WV serves. WV uses community care coalitions of volunteer caregivers to care for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Current CHARMS data collection involves the registration of caregivers, households and OVC. Data is manually collected by caregivers about OVC during monthly home visits and manually aggregated semi-annually. This research project developed a software application that runs on a low-cost cell phone to automate the CHARMS data collection, alerting and reporting process. The mobile application allows for caregivers to record CHARMS data using the mobile application and transmit the data in real-time using an SMS-based wireless communication service. The application also includes real-time web and email based reporting and mobile phone alerting based on key events (food shortage, OVC not visited). During the summer of 2009, a field pilot project was conducted in Zambia involving 10 caregivers. The system allowed for the registration of 300 OVC and 200 households. A total of 145 home visits were recorded via the mobile application. Extensive assessment data was collected during the field experience. 100% of the caregivers would recommend the continued use of cell phone to record CHARMS data for reasons ranging from time savings (90%), ease of use (70%) and more interesting to use (40%). The caregivers said the cell phone application either had a very positive (80%) or positive (20%) impact on the quality of their home visit.
Keywords: mobile field data collection, SMS, OVC, HIV/AIDS_