The Impacts of Cloud Computing and Big Data Applications on Developing World-Based Smallholder Farmers

Cloud computing and big data applications are likely to have far-reaching and profound impacts on developing world-based smallholder farmers. Especially, the use of mobile devices to access cloudbased applications is a promising approach to deliver value to smallholder farmers in developing countries since according to the International Telecommunication Union, mobile-cellular penetration in developing countries is expected to reach 90% by the end of 2014. This article examines the contexts, mechanisms, processes and consequences associated with cloud computing and big data deployments in farming activities that could affect the lives of developing world-based smallholder farmers. We analyze the roles of big data and cloud-based applications in facilitating input availability, providing access to resources, enhancing farming processes and productivity and improving market access, marketability of products and bargaining power for smallholders. In the developing world’s context, an even bigger question than that of whether agricultural productivity can be improved by using cloud computing and big data is who is likely to benefit from the growth in productivity. The paper analyzes the conditions under which at agricultural productivity associated with the utilization cloud computing and big data applications in developing countries may benefit smallholder farmers. Also investigated in the paper are important privacy and ethical issues involved around cloud computing and big data. While some analysts view that people in developing countries do not need privacy, the paper challenged this view and points out that data privacy and security issues are even more important to smallholder farmers in developing countries

The Institution ICT Economic Development Nexus: Two Cases

ICT projects and institutions in developing countries superimpose in a complex interaction. The acceptance of an ICT project by various stakeholders and the contribution to economic development are functions of such interaction. In general, a successful implementation of an ICT project undertaken in a developing country requires significant institutional adjustments. Drawing upon institutional theories, this paper investigates how regulative, normative and cognitive institutions in developing countries influence the ICT-economic development nexus. We use a multiple case study research design. The findings of this paper suggests that the root causes of success or failure of ICT projects are nature of institutional components such as sanctioning and monitoring power, social norms and cognitive programs of stakeholders. We have examined interrelationships among orientation of an ICT project (economic elite centered vs. socially disadvantaged group centered); the nature of institutions and institutional adjustments associated with the project; diffusion pattern of the technology and resulting contribution to development

The Impacts of Cloud Computing and Big Data Applications on Developing World-Based Smallholder Farmers

Cloud computing and big data applications are likely to have far-reaching and profound impacts on developing world-based smallholder farmers. Especially, the use of mobile devices to access cloud-based applications is a promising approach to deliver value to smallholder farmers in developing countries since according to the International Telecommunication Union, mobile-cellular penetration in developing countries is expected to reach 90% by the end of 2014. This article examines the contexts, mechanisms, processes and consequences associated with cloud computing and big data deployments in farming activities that could affect the lives of developing world-based smallholder farmers. We analyze the roles of big data and cloud-based applications in facilitating input availability, providing access to resources, enhancing farming processes and productivity and improving market access, marketability of products and bargaining power for smallholders. In the developing world’s context, an even bigger question than that of whether agricultural productivity can be improved by using cloud computing and big data is who is likely to benefit from the growth in productivity. The paper analyzes the conditions under which at agricultural productivity associated with the utilization cloud computing and big data applications in developing countries may benefit smallholder farmers. Also investigated in the paper are important privacy and ethical issues involved around cloud computing and big data. While some analysts view that people in developing countries do not need privacy, the paper challenged this view and points out that data privacy and security issues are even more important to smallholder farmers in developing countries

Cybercrime Firms’ Internationalization Strategy and Tactics: An Exploratory Framework

Cybercrime firms (CCFs) have significant global outreach. Combining insights from theories on white-collar crime (WCC), international relations (IR)/international political economy (IPE) perspectives, export market selection process, and market failures, we analyze CCFs’ operations and internationalization. We present research findings from multiple case studies of CCFs to interrogate the above theories and to refine, extend and further develop their arguments. Extending WCC theory, resource constraints in countries with weak rule of laws result law enforcement apparatus’ inability to cope. The IR/IPE provides additional insights by explicating mechanisms by which an economy’s international integration can drive investments law enforcement resources. It explains the stages associated with CCFs’ export market selection processes. Finally, we view that CCFs make excess/supranormal profits, for which market failure is necessary

Artificial intelligence in human resource management in the Global South

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in human resource management (HRM) in the Global South. Multiple case studies of AI tools used in HRM in these countries in recruiting and selecting as well as developing, retaining and productively utilizing employees have been used. With AI deployment in HRM, organizations can enhance efficiency in recruitment and selection and gain access to a larger recruitment pool. With AI deployment in HRM, subjective criteria such as nepotism and favoritism are less likely to come into play in recruitment and selection of employees. AI deployment in HRM also has a potentially positive impact on the development, retainment and productive utilization of employee

Cybersecurity and Development

While scholars and policymakers have realized the importance of information and communication technologies in economic development, relatively less attention has been given to the role of cybersecurity. This research sheds light on issues associated with the dark side of digitization in the Global South. We examine the hollowness in the Global South’s digitization initiatives that is associated with a poor cybersecurity. The article also advances our understanding of how institutional and structural characteristics of the Global South influence cybersecurity

Technology Attribute-Diffusion Pattern Nexus: Evidence from the Early Experiences of 3G Mobile Communications

The diffusion patterns of 3G cellular technologies indicate that the reality is not matching the optimistic estimates of various consulting firms regarding the size of the network. What factors influence the diffusion of rapidly developing network goods? This paper draws upon innovation diffusion literature and the early experiences of 3G mobile technologies to examine the influence of supply-side factors on the 3G diffusion trajectory. We also propose a model that classifies various 3G related attributes in terms of their influence on present utility vs. expected future utility and the mechanism of influence: via 3G device vs. via 3G network. The central argument of this paper is that while the breadth of offers has been wider in 3G compared to lower generation cellular technologies, there has been digression rather than progress on some dimensions (e.g., bulky 3G handsets, very short battery lives, small geographical coverage, and lower network externality effects). The problems are compounded by the lack of strategic pricing and industryregulator coordinations

Understanding Emergent Processes within New Product Development Teams

A firm’s development of innovation in products and services are critical for sustaining a competitive advantage but new product development failure rate in various industries still remains relatively high. New processes emerge during product development due to the uncertainty of the requirements and the diversity of the product development team. Unstructured processes emerge through the social processes of the team. We propose a theoretical conceptualization of social processes within a New Product Development (NPD) virtual team which interact with existing decision processes and the organizational structure to influence the formation of emergent processes. Our paper can help firms develop policies that can better support product development teams. This can help reduce the failure rate of product development which in turn will help the firm sustain a competitive advantage

E-Commerce Patterns in South Asia: A Look Beyond Economics

Conflicting and complex forces are shaping the diffusion patterns of the Internet and e-commerce in South Asia. Drawing upon the literature on institutional theory, we explore the drivers and inhibitors of the Internet in South Asian countries. We examine the influence of the three pillars of institutions (Scott, 1995) on the digital world of South Asia. The paper discusses how regulatory, normative, and cognitive institution–such as laws, relationships, culture, and habit–have shaped the diffusion patterns of the Internet and e-commerce in South Asia