A call for Return to Rogers’ Innovation Diffusion Theory

This paper argues that Rogers’ Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) isthe original theory for guiding research on innovation diffusion and/ or adoption, from which the more recent theories have been derived. Hence, the paper suggests a framework based on the IDT, and derives 14 hypotheses for future research, basing on a review of recent literature. The framework divides the correlates of diffusion and/ or adoption of  innovations into three categories: individual adopter characteristics,  perceived innovation characteristics and social system or organizational characteristics. In terms of individual adopter characteristics, it is   hypothesized that interaction with change agents, training and  cosmopolitanism positively relate to the adoption of innovations, while age  and income are negatively and positively related to the adoption of innovations respectively. Gender is related to the adoption of innovations in a way that males are more apt. Regarding perceived innovation  characteristics, the perceived relative advantage, compatibility, user friendliness and ‘observability’ are postulated to be positively related to the adoption of innovations. On organizational characteristics, it is postulated that each of organizational readiness for change, culture, size and leader’s change management style is positively related to the adoption of  innovations. Gaps in the studies reviewed are highlighted.Keywords: Innovation Diffusion Theory; Everett Rogers; Adoption

How do Organisational Characteristics Relate with Use of Knowledge Management Systems?

This study sought to establish levels of use of knowledge managementsystems (KMS) by Masters students in the College of Education and External Studies in Makerere University and to link the same to characteristics related to a given respondent’s organisation of employment, namely ability to absorb change, KMS culture, size and leader’s KMS change management style. The study involved 60 students who responded to a questionnaire. Data analysis, involving summary statistics and multiple regression, indicated low levels of use of KMS, but none of the four organizational characteristics was a significant correlate of the same. It was thus recommended that stakeholders such as the  Makerere University Directorate of ICT Support provide equal treatment such as exposure and/ or training to all of them irrespective of differentials in their organizations of origin.Keywords: Change Management, Knowledge Management Systems, Makerere Universit

Work Environment and Perception of Institutional Policies as Correlates of Lecturers’ Productivity in Uganda Christian University

This study sought to establish the relationship between each of work environment and perception of institutional policies and lecturers’ productivity in Uganda Christian University. It involved 94 lecturers who responded to a self administered questionnaire. Data analysis was based on percents and means at the descriptive level while Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to correlate the independent variables with productivity. The results revealed that there was no significant relationship between work environment and the productivity of lecturers, hence the recommendation that other than work environment, the University should prioritize factors such as qualification, experience, remuneration and training. The results revealed that there was a significant  positive relationship between perception of institutional policies and productivity, hence the recommendation that the University embraces favourable policies that balance institutional and individual needs.Keywords: Job performance; Job related factors; Uganda Christian Universit

Ignoring Functionality as a Correlate of the Underutilization of Computer and Information Technology in Rwandan Higher Education Institutions

The world over, higher education institutions (HEIs) have invested heavily in the promotion of computer and information technology (CIT). Inmany HEIs in Sub-Saharan Africa, however, a disturbing dilemma pertains to the low adoption of the technologies, in spite of the enormity of the investment that the institutions have made in their promotion. Grounded on the propositions of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model, this study examined whether this dilemma is due to the way the institutions invest in the promotion of the technologies, taking the case of three HEIs in Rwanda. Data were collected on the institutions’ expenditure on components of the TCO and the findings contrasted with documented experiences from CIT-savvy settings, to establish whether the institutions meet the TCO. The findings were that expenditure on the promotion of the technologies is skewed in disfavor of cost components that pertain to the functionality of the technologies. Overriding attention is put on acquisition of the technologies but this has led to underutilization of the CIT ware acquired. It was also found that the availability of CIT ware and personnel in the institutions is still inadequate, notwithstanding the bias of investment in CITs that is in favor of their acquisition. It is, therefore, concluded that while efforts to acquire CIT ware and personnel are still relevant, the managers of the institutions should also increase expenditure on training end-users; establishing end-user service desks; and repairing/replacing obsolete CIT equipment.Keywords: TCO; ICT adoption; Rwanda

Suboptimal Utilisation of Resources in Sub-Saharan African Higher Education Institutions: the Case of Teaching Space at Makerere University

Many higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa are underfunded.Consequently, they are operating with encumbering resources constraints that threaten quality assurance. Accordingly, they are working to expand the availability of these resources. Notwithstanding, it is taken for granted that once available, these resources are optimally utilized and that, in instances expanding their availability is not possible, compromising on some elements of the quality of higher education is inevitable. The problem is that this presumption could disguise inadequacies in the utilization of the resources, with the consequence that the institutions’ need for the resources is exaggerated. Preoccupation with expanding the availability of resources could also stifle the innovation of creative ways of making the best use of the resources available. This means that the institutions need to evaluate their utilization of these resources—to pinpoint their need for the resources and potential for quality assurance. This paper reports the findings of a study that responded to this need, taking the case of teaching space at Makerere University. The objective ofthe study was to verify the hypothesis that the University is teaching space constrained. The findings were that the resource is overly underutilized albeit this was disguised by occasional overutilization of the same space, a concomitance that only multidimensional evaluation could unearth. Accordingly, the study gives credence to the hypothesis that shortages of resources at the University, and similar institutions, are ostensible. Therefore, it is recommended that these institutions subject their utilization of resources to rigorous evaluation.Keywords · Resources management · Higher education funding · Educational administratio

Effect of Qualification in ICT, Age and Income on Use of Computers among Postgraduate Students in Makerere University School of Education

The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between: qualification in using ICT, age and level of income; and use of computers among postgraduate students in Makerere University School of Education. The study was carried out following a cross-sectional survey design and involved 69 students. Primary data, which were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, were analysed using summary statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, correlation and multiple regression analyses. The study found an insignificant relationship between possession of qualificati ons in using ICT and the use of computers; a significantly negative relationship between age and the use of computers; and a significantly positive relationship between level of income and the use of computers. It was, therefore, concluded that possession of qualifications in using ICT is not sufficient to enhance the use of computers; age can negatively affect the utilisation of computers; and income enhances the utilisati on of computers. Thus, it is recommended that, to enhance the use of computers among the said students, relevant managers should give special ICT training to the older students; and provide access to computers, to ensure that students whose incomes do not enable them to acquire personal computers have access. Key words: ICT; Personal characteristics; Innovation adoption; Makerere Universit

Readiness of Kampala International University Doctoral Students for Open and Distance Education

This study examined the readiness of Kampala International University Doctoral Students for open and distance education and related this readiness to gender, income and perceived user friendliness of ICT. Using a self-administered questionnaire, data were collected from 43 of these students and analysed using means, t-test and correlation analyses. The findings were that there is relationship between each of gender, income and perceived user friendliness of ICT and readiness for open and distance learning. However, only the relationship between perceived user friendliness of ICT and the said readiness was found to be statistically significant. Therefore, it was concluded that, if they are to be ready for open and distance education, the students deserve equal encouragement, exposure and training with respect to the use of ICT, notwithstanding their gender and income differentials