Proceedings of The International Conference on Research in Humanities and Social Sciences
Year: 2018
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/icrhs.2018.12.06
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Ready for M-Government Implementation? : The Case of Malawi
John Edward Mtingwi
ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this research is to investigate the possibility of Mgovernment Implementation in LDCs. M-government implementation is mostly in developed and developing countries. Literature has so far failed to provide any comprehensive M-government implementation in LDCs’ M-government adoption.
The failure of literature to provide M-government Implementation in LDCs necessitates the exploration of new themes that suits the LDCs to implement M-government to leapfrog E-government. The proposed themes for M-government Implementation are intended for use in LDCs to deliver services through M-government.
This research adopted a qualitative research using pragmatism philosophy and explanatory approaches to enhance understanding of the research findings. Case study research is employed, as it utilises realistic data from the proposed knowledgeable participants from selected organisations, ordinary citizens and focus groups in order to create appropriate contribution. The research findings show that most people in LDCs do not have M-government practical experiences. However, most factors such as mobile network providers, mobile phones and a minimal level of human capacity that can develop mobile content to adopt and implement M-government are available. The significance of the findings are that if M-government is implemented, it would assist decision makers to provide comprehensive and appropriate guiding principles to understand the challenges and opportunities of mobile government. The proposed M-government adoption would contribute new knowledge as the themes (Technology, Environment, Organisation and Tasks/Services) would include unexplored constructs and dimensions missing in the existing Mgovernment implementation such as network infrastructure, culture, and political commitment. The themes would influence the generalisation of implementation of M-government in similar settings.
Keywords: Leapfrogging; pragmatism; technology; organisation; m-government.