https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/30865 2026-08-04T06:59:01Z 2026-08-04T06:59:01Z Naidoo, Sivapragasen https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32804 2026-08-03T07:37:25Z 2025-10-03T00:00:00Z

Challenges in transitioning to green ICT in a South African telecommunication company Naidoo, Sivapragasen Green Information and Communication Technology (Green ICT) adoption has become a global priority due to the rising environmental impact of ICT operations. Literature indicates that although awareness of green ICT principles is steadily increasing globally, their actual implementation within organisations remains limited, with the gap especially visible in developing economies. This study focused on a leading telecommunications organisation in South Africa which faces challenges in aligning sustainability within ICT operations. The primary objective of the study was to identify the challenges facing a South African telecommunications organisation in transitioning to green ICT. The underpinning theory of the study included the Green IT Adoption Model (GITAM) which guided the study, and the Technology, Organisation and Environment (TOE) framework categorised findings across technological, organisational and environmental dimensions. A quantitative design was applied, using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to technology employees via simple random sampling, with data analysed using descriptive statistics and one-sample t-tests. The main finding indicated a clear gap between awareness and practical implementation. The main conclusions highlighted that organisational readiness, strategic alignment and environmental pressures significantly influence adoption, while financial constraints, limited training and poor communication, hinder progress. The management implications of the study included the need for stronger leadership support, improved training frameworks, enhanced communication strategies and better resource allocation to accelerate adoption. The main recommendations were the necessity for targeted investment, comprehensive awareness initiatives and collaborative engagement with stakeholders. The study contributes academically by addressing gaps in Green ICT literature and practically by providing actionable insights for the organisation under study and the wider telecommunications sector. Given its strategic role in reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable practices, further studies regarding Green ICT adoption are suggested for the South African telecommunications sector

2025-10-03T00:00:00Z Mothapo, Lebitsi https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32802 2026-07-29T10:39:25Z 2025-09-16T00:00:00Z

Utilisation of the internet of things in the management of information services at Polokwane municipality libraries in the Limpopo province of South Africa Mothapo, Lebitsi The Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging technology that enables a variety of smart devices to exchange information through machine-to-machine communication, computerisation connectivity and human interaction in libraries. In the context of libraries and information services, the IoT offers various functionalities, such as locating and protecting information resources through bases of devices such as Radio Frequency Identification Device and Library Automated Management Systems. This study investigated the utilisation of the IoT for managing information services at the libraries of the Polokwane Municipality in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A mixed methods research approach was employed, using convergent design and parallel sampling techniques. Data was collected by questionnaires, interviews, observations and document analysis. The study population consisted of library workers and information technology (IT) practitioners at the Polokwane Municipality Libraries. The research findings revealed that the Polokwane Municipality Libraries currently rely on a manual system for managing information services and resources, which results in slow check-in and check-out routines, human error, duplicate user records and theft. The study recommends the adoption and implementation of IoT to improve efficiency, accuracy and security of library operations at the Polokwane Municipality. The IoT has the potential to enhance resource availability through cloud-based storage; provide users with online database access; speed up the circulation processes; reduce human error; and strengthen encrypted security control. A framework is proposed for integrating the IoT into the management of library and information at the Polokwane Municipality Libraries in the Limpopo Province.

2025-09-16T00:00:00Z De Wet, D. M. https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32770 2026-07-30T14:42:46Z 2000-11-27T00:00:00Z

The use of data warehouse technology to implement the balanced scorecard (in the financial industry) De Wet, D. M. Companies in the financial industry have to navigate their companies through the stonny seas of the internet age. Strategies have to change in a flash where traditional concepts are becoming more and more under threat by new business models which are enabled by IT systems. The Balanced Scorecard provides a framework to firstly align the different strategic viewpoints of different business units and divisions and then translate the strategy and the vision of a company into operational terms. It is also a performance management system focused on and aligned with the strategy identified by top management. The implementation of the Balanced Scorecard adds significant value for companies, mainly initially in the strategic learning area and as a tool to communicate the strategy to the higher levels of the company. It also adds value by forming a basis on which MIS and EIS systems can be built. More specific advantages were achieved, such as the successful identification of initiatives which support the strategy. Examples of such initiatives include the total reengineering of some business processes, identification of skills gap and the closing thereof on client service centers and many more. The Balanced Scorecard implementation should be a business project supported by an IT system and the survey found that the IT systems definitely have a significant impact on the success or failure of a Balanced Scorecard initiative. The ideal IT system should not be too complex, but should have an intranet front end which communicates progress against measures to staff, allow drill down capabilities for more senior staff members and it should be based on a data warehouse fronted by an OLAP tool. The front end must be able to link objectives together and should be simpler rather than more complex. Several third party "front end tools" are available, the most notable being Gentia, SAP and Oracle. The IT system should also support the capability to confirm the cause-effect relationships between measures by correlation analysis.

2000-11-27T00:00:00Z Shekgola, Moses Mahlatse https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32766 2026-08-03T09:07:03Z 2024-04-01T00:00:00Z

Digital curation of public archives through free and open-source software in South Africa Shekgola, Moses Mahlatse Free and open-source software (FOSS) offers a viable solution for supporting digital curation, the transfer and long-term preservation of digital archives in South Africa. This is important since many governmental institutions, including archival institutions in South lack of infrastructure including reliable software’s, storage capacity and technical expertise, to ingest digital records as the sharpest thorn in the management and preservation of records. FOSS is lauded for reducing dependence on proprietary technologies, lower software costs, improve interoperability and promote digital sovereignty. Despite these benefits, its implementation across public sector institutions remains limited. Most public archival institutions rely on proprietary and to incur high licensing costs, software vendor lock-in, and limited flexibility. The above-mentioned factors thus threaten sustainability and long-term digital preservation of archives. This qualitative case study utilised constructs from the Digital Curation Centre (DCC) Lifecycle Model, the Records Life Cycle Model, and insights from the literature review to investigate the digital curation of public archives through FOSS in South Africa. Records managers and information technology (IT) specialists were purposively selected from national government departments and the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA). Only institutions that had implemented electronic content management or digital records management systems were included in the study. Two participants were selected from each organisation, representing records management and information technology functions. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis to enable methodological triangulation. The data were analysed thematically and presented using themes supported by word clouds, figures, tables, and verbatim quotations in accordance with the study objectives. The analysis generated themes relating to the policy, legislative and standards framework governing FOSS and digital curation; existing digital curation solutions; the digital curation competencies of archives and records professionals; organisational and technological factors influencing the adoption of FOSS; interoperability of digital records management systems; security measures supporting digital curation; and strategies for promoting the implementation of FOSS in the digital curation of public archives in South Africa. The findings reveal that proprietary software dominates digital curation practices within South African national government departments. Most participating institutions rely on commercial enterprise content management systems for records management and digital preservation. Although participants demonstrated awareness of FOSS and recognised several of its potential advantages, this knowledge has not translated into practical implementation. Instead, organisations continue to favour proprietary platforms because of existing institutional investments, established vendor relationships and perceptions regarding technical support and reliability. The study further identified several benefits associated with implementing FOSS for digital curation. Moreover, participant acknowledged that open-source software can significantly reduce software licensing costs, increase organisational flexibility, eliminate vendor lock-in, improve interoperability between information systems and allow institutions to customise software according to their operational requirements. FOSS also promotes transparency, encourages collaborative software development and supports the long-term sustainability of digital preservation initiatives. Furthermore, the availability of source code allows institutions greater control over system development and future technological upgrades. Despite these recognised benefits, the study identified numerous barriers hindering FOSS implementation. These include inadequate management support, limited technical expertise among information technology personnel, insufficient awareness of available FOSS solutions, organisational resistance to technological change, inadequate financial investment in digital preservation initiatives and the absence of comprehensive implementation frameworks. Concerns regarding technical support, software maintenance, staff training and system integration further discourage organisations from migrating away from proprietary platforms. Additionally, procurement practices and existing ICT governance structures tend to favour commercial software vendors, making the transition to FOSS more difficult. The study further established that while South Africa possesses national policies encouraging FOSS adoption, implementation remains fragmented and inconsistent across government departments. Existing policy directives have not been sufficiently translated into organisational strategies, operational guidelines or implementation plans. As such, institutions lack clear governance structures that promote the evaluation and adoption of open-source technologies for digital curation. This policy-practice gap represents one of the major obstacles preventing widespread FOSS implementation within the archival sector. Another important finding concerns organisational capacity since successful implementation of FOSS requires skilled personnel capable of installing, configuring, maintaining and supporting open-source applications. The study found that many public entities experience shortages of specialised digital preservation and open-source software skills. This skills gap limits organisational confidence in adopting FOSS and reinforces continued dependence on proprietary vendors. Drawing on the findings, the study proposes several strategies for promoting FOSS implementation in digital curation. These include strengthening government commitment to FOSS through enforceable implementation frameworks, developing national guidelines for digital curation using open-source technologies, increasing investment in staff training and capacity building, establishing collaborative communities of practice among archives and government departments, integrating FOSS into archival education programmes and promoting pilot projects that demonstrate successful implementation. The study further recommends partnerships between government, universities, archival institutions and the open-source community to encourage knowledge sharing and technical support. The study concludes that while awareness of FOSS exists within South African public entities, its practical adoption for digital curation remains extremely limited. Proprietary software continues to dominate despite government policy support for open-source technologies and the recognised benefits of FOSS. Unless public institutions address organisational, technical, policy and capacity-related barriers, South Africa is likely to remain dependent on proprietary digital preservation solutions, potentially compromising the long-term sustainability, affordability and independence of its digital archival infrastructure.

2024-04-01T00:00:00Z