TITLE OF DISSERTATION:

A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON THE BARRIERS TO ADOPTION OF E-BUSINESS BY INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL

ORGANIZATIONS IN THEIR OPERATIONS AND WAYS TO OVERCOME THEM- THE CASE OF SAVETHE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL IN

MALAWI

Author: Alick Tahuna

Student Number: 1305868/1

SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTSFOR

THE AWARD OF MASTERS OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN SUPPLY CHAIN

MANAGEMENT

The University of Bolton- Off Campus Division

UNIVERSITY OF BOLTON

Submission date:23 April 2015

DECLARATION

This research project is my original work and has never been presented for a degree in

any other university

Signature……………………………….. Date:…………………………………………

ALICK TAHUNA

1305868/1

Supervisors’ Approval

This research project has been submitted for examination with my approval as a

University Supervisors

Signature…………………………………Date…………………………………………….

Alex Chanza

Signature…………………………………Date…………………………………………….

Duncan Grant

ii

DEDICATION

I am proud to dedicate this study to my father Weston and my mother Margaret. Two

unique individuals that managed to bring me up together with my nine siblings on a

meagre salary of a clerk in the civil service in one of the least developed countries.

You are my heroes!

iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank my wife Chisomo and my two daughters, Zitha and Nthambi, for the

continued presence and support during the period leading to the completion of this

study. You handled my absence from home during my study period with maturity and

understanding- May the good Lord continue blessing you.

I am highly indebted to Mr Duncan Grant, my main supervisor for the dissertation for his

support and perseverance throughout the writing of the dissertation. There were times

when we could not agree but he handled the whole process with a rare sense of

maturity.I am also greatly grateful to Mr Alex Chanza, my in-country supervisor, not only

for the supervision he provided during the writing of the dissertation but also for

developing my interest in e-business during the course work of the program.

My acknowledgements would not be complete if I do not mention Mr Matthew Pickard,

the Country Director of Save the Children in Malawi for accepting my request to conduct

the study in the organization and authorizing my frequent absence from work to attend

the class tutorials.

I would also like to thank my friends who have supported me throughout the course,

Frank Chirwa for being the first reviewer of my assignments before submission, Philip

Nyamali and Dumisani Mkalainga for the fruitful discussions when progress seemed to

stall and of course Elvis Sukali and Charles Nzawa for the support in the report writing.

To all my lecturers who were always there for support and guidance, I owe you my

gratitude.

May the good Lord continue blessing you

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ABSTRACT

This paper reports the results of the study that was carried out on one of the non-

governmental organizations called Save the Children International in Malawi. The aim of

the study was to find out the barriers that prevent the international non-governmental

organizations from adopting e-business and how they could overcome them.

A case study method of investigation was used to analyse the level of e-business

knowledge among the staff and internal and external barriers to adoption of e-business.

The study used a cross-sectional survey research design in which all the staffs on

managerial and directorship levels in Save the Children were the study population. The

study used stratified and random sampling techniques in coming up with the sample for

the study. The study used questionnaires and interviews as tools for collecting data.

The questionnaire was semi-structured made up of both open and closed-ended

questions. Qualitative data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and open coding.

The identified major internal barriers by the studywere the senior management, staff

with the technical capacity and failure to exploit the existing technological capacity.The

external barriers identified by Save the Children staff were the information

communication technological infrastructure, the level of awareness of the general public

on e-business and the low levels of economic development in the country.

To overcome these internal and external barriers, the study suggested a deliberate

approach by the senior management team to spearhead the adoption of e-business, an

active role by the information technology staff in encouraging staff to adopt e-business

in their operations and the increased usage of the existing technological capacity to

include doing business on the internet over and above the currentutilization levels.

Keywords: E-business, E-commerce, International Non-Governmental Organizations.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

v

Table of Contents

DECLARATION......................................................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION............................................................................................................................................ iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................................iv

ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................v

LIST OF TABLES..................................................................................................................................... ix

LIST OF FIGURES...................................................................................................................................x

ABBREVIATIONS.....................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER ONE- BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION.................................................................1

1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................1

1.2 Discussions................................................................................................................................1

1.2.1 E-business Definition........................................................................................................1

1.2.2 Context of E-business......................................................................................................1

1.2.3 Non- Governmental Organization...................................................................................2

1.4 Structure of the study...........................................................................................................4

1.5 Conclusion.................................................................................................................................4

CHAPTER TWO- LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................6

2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................6

2.2 Discussions................................................................................................................................6

2.2.1 Origin and Development of e-business..........................................................................6

2.2.2 Determinant of adoption of e-business...........................................................................7

2.2.3 Benefits of e-business......................................................................................................9

2.2.4 Barriers to adoption of e-business................................................................................10

2.3.1 Origin and Development of Non-Governmental Organizations.................................17

2.3.2 The role of non-governmental organizations...............................................................18

2.4 Conceptual Framework......................................................................................................18

2.5 Conclusion...................................................................................................................................19

CHAPTER THREE-RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..........................................................................20

3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................20

3.2 Discussions..............................................................................................................................20

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3.2.1 The overall objective of the Study.................................................................................20

3.2.2 Specific Objectives of the study....................................................................................20

3.2.3 Research philosophy and tools.....................................................................................21

3.2.4 Research Design.............................................................................................................22

3.2.5 Target population of the study.......................................................................................23

3.2.6 Sampling Methods..........................................................................................................23

3.2.7 Data collection tools........................................................................................................23

3.2.8 Data analysis...................................................................................................................24

3.3 Research limitations...........................................................................................................25

3.4 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................26

CHAPTER FOUR- DATA ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION.....................27

4.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................27

4.2 Discussion................................................................................................................................27

4.2.1 Respondents background Information.............................................................................27

4.2.2 Level of Computer Proficiency..........................................................................................29

4.2.3 Respondents awareness of e-business...........................................................................31

4.2.4 Respondents’ views on internal barriers..........................................................................32

4.2.5 Respondents’ views on external barriers.........................................................................35

4.2.6 Respondents’ perception of e-business impact on operations.....................................37

4.2.7 Respondents recommendations on adoption of e-business.........................................38

4.3 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................39

CHAPTER FIVE - SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................................................................41

5.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................41

5.2 Discussions..............................................................................................................................41

5.2.1 Summary of the findings.................................................................................................41

5.2.2 Conclusions.........................................................................................................................42

5.2.3 Recommendations..............................................................................................................43

5.3 Limitations of the study...........................................................................................................44

5.4 Suggestions for further studies.............................................................................................44

References..............................................................................................................................................45

APPENDIX A- QUESTIONNAIRE........................................................................................................51

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APPENDIX B- POPULATION FRAME................................................................................................58

APPENDIX C –DEMOGRAPHIC DATA ON RESPONDENTS........................................................61

APPENDIX D–LIST OF INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN MALAWI...................................................................................................................................................63

APPENDIX F- MAP OF MALAWI WITH SCI PRESENCE................................................................67

viii

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1 Level of Computer Proficiency……………………………………………….29

Table 4.3 Respondents awareness of e-business………………………………….…30

Table 4.4 Respondents’ views on internal barriers……………………………………32

Table 4.5 Respondents’ views on external barriers……………………………………34

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1 Conceptual Framework…………………………………………………………..17

Figure 4.1 Respondent by Sex……………………………………………………………....60

Figure 4.2 Respondents by Department…………………………………………………….60

Figure 4.3 Respondents by Job Category…………………………………….…………….61

Figure 4.4 Response similarities……………………………………………………………..28

Figure 4.5 Impact due to e-business…………………………………………………….…..36

Figure 4.6 Frequency Chart…………………………………………………………….…….37

x

ABBREVIATIONS

CSO - Civil Society Organizations

INGO - International Non-Governmental Organizations

ICT - Information Communication Technology

IT - Information Technology

NGO - Non- Governmental Organization

NGO Board - Non-Governmental Organizations Board

SCI - Save the Children International

SLT - Senior Leadership Team

SME - Small Medium Enterprise

USAID - United States Agency for International Development

UN - United Nations

CHAPTER ONE- BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

1.1 IntroductionThis chapter introduces the study on the barriers to the adoption of e-business by Save

the Children International in Malawi and how the barriers could be overcome. The

chapter has introduced the definitions of e-business and non-governmental

organizations as stated by different authors.The chapter has also introduced on what

other authors have written about the benefits and the barriers ofe-business. It has

further shown the relevance of this current research to the e-business literature. The

chapter has concluded with outlining the structure of the study.

1.2Discussions

1.2.1 E-business DefinitionThe e-business has been defined differently by different authors with others not

differentiating between e-business and e-commerce. The two words are however not

one and the same thing. E-commerce has been defined asthe process of buying,

selling, or exchangingproducts, services, and information via computer

networks, including the internet whereas e-business has been defined as not just buying

and selling of goods and services,but also servicing customers, collaborating with

business partners, and conducting electronictransactions within an organisation (Turban

et al., 2002; Chen 2009; Slack et al., 2010, Zhu 2005).The common factor by the

different authors’ definitionsis doing commercial and administrative business via the

internet-based computer network.

1.2.2 Context of E-businessThe e-business was an internet technological-based innovation that had transformed

the business processes of organizations. The benefits of e-business had been well

documented by a number of authors (Johnson,2003; Thulani, 2010; Scapula 2009;

Osmonbekev, 2010; Tan et al 2010).While Information Communication Technologies

(ICT) and the use of internet hadspread in third world countries, the adoption of e-

business had encountered a lot of challenges. Different authors had analysed the

barriers to the adoption of e-business from different perspectives (Chen et al,2006;

Roushdy 2012).It had however been noted that much of the literature was centred on

barriers to the adoption of e-business in government, commercial business

organizations and small and medium enterprises(Roushdy, 2012; Rana, 2012; Saidi,

2009; Zhu, 2005; Abid, 2011). There was a gap in the literature in relation to

international non-governmental organizations.

The existing literature on e-business did not adequately address the barriers

international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) face when they wanted to adopt

e-business in their operations especially in a country like Malawi. It had been noted by

Saidi (2009) that academic literature on e-business in the context of Malawi was limited.

With the absence of empirical research, researchers and implementers of e-business

had used literature from developed countries to recognise the barriers to adoption of e-

business in Malawi. By recognizing this gap, this paper sought to understand the

country specific factors that impededINGOs in Malawi to adopt e-business and explore

how best they could be overcome using Save the Children in Malawi as a case study.

1.2.3 Non- Governmental OrganizationThe non-governmental organizations(NGOs)were private organizations characterized

primarily by humanitarian or cooperative objectives that pursued activities to relieve

suffering, promote the interest of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social

services, or undertake community development in developing countries (Werker, 2007).

The United Nations however looked at non-governmental organizations in the same line

as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The UN definedNGOs as not-for-profit groups,

principally independent from government, which were organized on a local, national or

international level to address issues in support of the public good (United Nations,2015).

The World Bank classifiedNGOs as either operational non-governmental organizations,

which were primarily concerned with designing and implementing development related

projects, or advocacy non-governmental organizations, thatwere primarily concerned

with promoting a cause (World Bank Operational Directive, 2001).Save the Children,

with its operations, fitted in both of the classification as its work focused on development

2

in the rural communities and advocacy of children and mothers’ rights with government

and other relevant national institutions.

In Malawi,an International non-governmental organization was defined as an institution

or organization for public benefit purposes, established under the laws of the country

other than Malawi or established under a treaty or convention and conducting some or

all activities in Malawi (NGO Act, 2000). In Kenya, an NGO was defined as a private

grouping of individuals or associations not operated for profit or for commercial

purposes but which had organized themselves nationally and internationally for the

benefit of the public at large and or promotion of social welfare development, charity or

research in the areas inclusive of, but not restricted to health, relief, agriculture,

education, industry and supply of amenities and services (Kinuthia, 2012). The common

factor in non-governmental organizations in the two countries was the public benefit as

the core reason of their formation.

Thenon-governmental organizations in Malawi operated under a statutory body called

Non-Governmental organization Board of Malawi, established under the Act of

Parliament, Cap.5:05 of Laws of Malawi.The NGO Board had a mandate to promote the

development of strong CSOs, ensured that NGOs functions to the maximum benefits of

Malawians and promotes public and donor confidence in the NGO sector in Malawi

(NGO Act, 2000). In 2013, there were 124 international non-governmental organizations

registered by the NGO Board of Malawi (See Appendix D).

1.3 Save the ChildrenInternational Save the Children Internationalwas an example of an International non-governmental

organization. It was formed towards the end of the First World War in 1917 devoted to

humanitarian and development goals (Werker, 2007). It had its headquarters in London,

England. In Malawi, Save the Children had been operating from 1983 in 20 of the 26

administrative districts (See Appendix F). It sought to ensure that children in need were

protected, healthy and nourished, educated and lived in economically secure

households, while helping communities mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS

(Savethechildren International, 2015).Save the Children Malawi worked directly or

3

through partners in the districts it operated with a budget of 26 million dollars and over

300 staff members (Save the Children Malawi -Country Briefing, 2013). 

At Save the Children International Malawi, the Information Communication Technology

was mostly used for simple tasks like sending emails and booking meetings. In Save

the Children, to gain access to existing knowledge and best practices, it depended on

individual’s personal contacts. The staff members spent non-productive hours keying,

re-keying and checking data using insecure spreadsheets. The programme delivery

staff, they worked with IT department only after donor grants had been approved. The

internet net was too slow and at times not available that was not only frustrating but also

delayed completion of tasks. In most of the IT innovations, the donors took a lead and

Save the Children Malawi followed(SLT IT Strategy Presentation, 2013).

Some international non-governmental organizations, just like Save the Children, had

mentioned in their strategic plans the usage of e-business in their operations (Save the

Children, Country Strategic Plan, 2016-2019, Plan Malawi Country Strategy, 2012-

2016).Yet the adoption and implementation of e-business in their operations seemed to

be encountering a lot of barriers. This study therefore sought to unveil the barriers that

prevented Save the Children from adopting e-business. The study would further

recommend ways that Save the Children coulduse to overcome the identified barriers.

1.4 Structure of the studyThe study has been structured using chapters to present the information. The study

has started by presenting the introduction in chapter one. It will then present the

literature review in chapter two of the study. In chapter three, the methodology of the

study will be outlined and empirical findings will be presented in chapter four. In chapter

five, the study findings will be synthesized with the literature review to draw out

conclusions and make recommendations to Save the Children in particular. The chapter

will conclude with suggestions on areas requiring further studies.

1.5 ConclusionThe chapter has presented the overall of what the study is all about. It has defined the

terminologies that constituent the centre of the study. The chapter has also presented

4

the background to the study, the context in which is study is based and how the study is

structured.

5

CHAPTER TWO- LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 IntroductionThis chapter discussed the literature on e-business as it related to international non-

governmental organizations. It discussed in general the origin and development of e-

business, benefits that accrue from adopting and using e-business; and the barriers

from adopting e-business. The chapter also discussed the origins and development of

non-government organizations, their role in development and how they operate. The

chapter concluded with the development of a conceptual framework that would be used

in establishing the barriers affecting non-governmental organizations from adopting e-

business and how they can be overcome.

2.2Discussions

2.2.1 Origin and Development of e-businessE-business (electronic business), was derived from such terms as "e-mail" and "e-

commerce," but is the conduct of business on the Internet, not only buying and selling

but also servicing customers and collaborating with business

partners(Jeon,2006;Turban et al., 2002; Chen 2009; Slack et al., 2010, Zhu 2005). One

of the first to use the term was IBM, when, in October, 1997, it launched a thematic

campaign built around the term (bitpipe, 2015). Major corporations were rethinking their

businesses in terms of the internet and its new culture and capabilities. Companies

were using organization’s websites to buy parts and supplies from other companies, to

collaborate on sales promotions and to do joint research.Exploiting the convenience,

availability, andworld-wide reach of the Internet, many companies, such as

Amazon.com, the book sellers,Be forward.jp, the second hand Japanese car sellers,

had already discovered how to use the Internet successfully

According to Agawal (2001), e-business was any internet enabled business activity that

transformed internal and external relationships to create value and exploits market

opportunities driven by new rules of the connected economy which others called digital

economy. The origin and development of e-business was based on internet. The

coming in of internet had transformed the way organization operations were done.

Moodley (2003) had argued that the transformation of organization’s operations

6

hadbeen attributed to the internet as organizations were appreciating the importance of

knowledge in doing business. The proliferation of internet was however skewed towards

the developed countries with North America having 77 percent penetration rate as

compared to 11 percent in Africa (Werker, 2007).The proliferation of internet might have

been linked to the ICT infrastructure but did not directly influence proliferation of e-

business. According to Centre for Policy Dialogue (2001),a comparison of Tanzania and

Ethiopia showed that, although Tanzania had a better physical ICT infrastructure,

Ethiopia appears to have more Internet entrepreneurs emerging, even under an inferior

Information Technology (IT) infrastructure environment.

Internet had opened the new channel for businesses to communicate with customers.

Slack (2010) argued that internet selling increased both the reach and the richness. The

former being the number of customers that could be reached and the number of items

they could be presented with while the latter is the amount of detail which could be

provided concerning both the items on sale and the customers’ behaviour in buying

them. With internet, there was an increase on availability of information resulting in

customers becoming more educated. There was also an increase in innovation because

of the changes in the relationship between the organization and its clients (Grieger,

2003). While internet had transformed organization’s operations, it did not directly relate

to the adoption of e-business in the work operations.

The e-business had received much attention from entrepreneurs, executives, investors

and industry observers recently. The e-business had been categorized differently by

different authors. Based on various types of trading partners, there were many

categories of e-business for example, Business To Business (B2B), Business To

Customer (B2C), Customer To Business (C2B), Customer To Customer (C2C),

Government To Citizen (G2C) or Citizen To Government (C2G) (Phan, 2002,; Chen

2009,; Turban et al, 2006).E- business is a technology-based innovation and is

becoming a way of doing business.

2.2.2 Determinant of adoption of e-businessThere were a number of research studies that had documented the prerequisite factors

for the adoption of e-business.Some of these factors were internal while others

7

wereexternal to the organization (Kinuthia; 2012, Chitura T et al, 2008; Kapurubandara,

2009). In the study by Zhu (2005) it wasconcluded that adoption of e-business was

influenced by IT Infrastructure of the organization whereas the benefits from e-business

were derived from the greater usage of IT infrastructure- the greater the use, the more

likely the organization was to develop unique capabilities from its core IT infrastructure

For the proliferation of e-business, there werea number of factors that required being

available for its effective implementation. A number of authors had researched these

factors (Zhu and Kraemer, 2005; Jeon et al, 2006) and identified technological

competence, organizational size, financial commitment,competitive pressure and good

regulatory support as being influential for e-business implementation. In another study,

Jeon et al (2006) mentioned four determinants for the adoption of technology-based

innovations namely management characteristics, e-business characteristics,

organizational characteristics and environmental characteristics.

There werea number of other factors that influencedan organization to adopt e-

business. According to Turban (2002) these factors included the changes in the market,

the changes in technology, and the factors in the society in which the organization was

operating. In a study by Phan (2003), he looked at these factors that influence adoption

of e-business by categorising the required e-business applications, focusing on the e-

market places where the actual buying and selling of goods took place, inter-

organization systems that facilitated inter and intra organizational flow of goods. Without

the use of face-to-face operations, all e-business transactions were performed

electronically using different e-business applications.

The modern economy was based on a large part on digital technologies, including

digital communication networks, computers, software, and other related information

technologies (Turban et al., 2002). Bigger and ‘older economy’ companies had realized

how web-enabled organizations were taking away from them smaller parts of the market

they once dominated. They had realized the e-business threat and had started to seek

more and more efficient digital strategies that improved customer service, integrated the

value chain and accelerated information flow (Kalakota, 2000). In today’s modern

8

economy, companies increasingly need the right tools to improve their effectiveness

when making strategic moves, allocating scarce resources, and managing risks.

The experts believed that national government institutions and ICT infrastructure

positively affect e-business value and affects e-business capabilities. In their study,

Okoli et al (2009) distinguished between two different dimensions of e-business

outcomes: specific capabilities and value derived from e-business. According to Okoli et

al (2009), specific capabilities referred to e-business functionalities including issues like

interactive websites, online transactions whereas values related to the ability to deliver

the promised benefits. The capabilities of e-business were positively related to valuable

e-business outcomes and specific ICT policies that focus on e-business like digital

signatures and intellectual property rights (Jarvenpaa and Tiller, 1999; Karrdaras and

Karakostas, 2001).The level of involvement of management staff in the operations of

their organizationalso affects the adoption of e-business (Bakkabulindi, 2005).

The common argument that has surfaced in the literature is the benefit of e-business to

the operations of the business activities as summarized below.

2.2.3 Benefits of e-businessThe benefits emanating from e-business were varied and had been widely documented.

These benefits applied to all parties involved in e-business including the individual

whether customers or an employee, the organization, the country, the region and even

globally. Different authors had presented the benefits of e-business from different

perspectives. These benefits included increased sales due to efficiency that came with

lower transactional cost due to reduced administration and processing costs(Dubelaar

et al;2005;Scupula,2009) improved distribution channels as there were no geographical

constraints thus enhancing the availability of information and easy coordination of

facilities.(Scapula 2009, Tan et al., 2010), improved customer services(Scapula

2009;Osmonbekev,2010;Tan et al 2010) and increased cost reduction due to electronic

data interchange with suppliers thus reducing inventorycosts, elimination of

intermediaries such as distributors or brokers(Tan et al., 2010).

9

In the study by Thulani (2010) he cited the ability of e-business to provide a competitive

edge against rival organizations, improved communication with high quality information,

reduced stock and lead time, and improved operational efficiency as some of the

benefits of e-business.

Further to the above, e-business wasalso beneficial to the customer as it made buying

fast and without hassles as the customer could access the catalog of the items the

suppliers had on the electronic catalog easily and purchased online. The customer was

also protected with e-business as it was difficult for dominating suppliers to come

together and pool their might to prevent price erosion. With e-business, the organization

also benefitted as there was standardization in work process; there was also

standardization in the approval process as the approval routing was automated using

intranet (Kalakota, 2000).

It should however be noted that the benefits cited above applied differently to different

parties depending on a number of factors including geographical, demographic, social

and political situations. While there were a lot of benefits as cited, there were some

factors that impeded organizations from adopting e-business as summarized below.

2.2.4 Barriers to adoption of e-businessThe adoption of e-business in an organization was impeded by factors from within as

well as outside the organization. Internal barriers were those factors that an

organization had control over and had the ability to change them whereas external

barriers were those that the organization could not directly influence to overcome them.

The internal factors might include issues like senior management characteristics,

organizational culture and the organizational resourceswhereas external barriers could

include information technology infrastructure, the security and trust, the regulatory

framework and e-business knowledge among the general public(Kapurubandara,

2009).Abid et al (2011),cited lack of time to implement e-business, high level of

complexity associated with e-business implementation, high implementation cost

associated with e-business and lack of management willingness to engage in e-

business as some of the major internal barriers to the adoption of e-business.

10

Internal Barriersa) Management and the Leadership Team

The characteristics of the management and leadership team influenced the decision the

team made in both the direction and investment of the organization. If for example, the

leadership team was not quite conversant with internet and the benefits derived, it was

very unlikely to support in decisions relating to investing in information communication

technologies and e-business in particular.

According to Kapurubandara and Lawson (2006), managers play a crucial role in

decision making in an organization. When managers are not aware of the technology

and its potential benefits, it is a major barrier to the adoption of e-business.Managers

need to understand and appreciate the potential benefits of adopting e-commerce

services for them to be in a position to accept the technology (Kapurubandara &

Lawson, 2006). A low level of computer literacy in the manager or poor knowledge on

how to use the technology may result in an organization being less likely to adopt e-

business (Cloete, Courtney & Fintz, 2002; Kapurubandara & Lawson, 2006; Matula &

Van Brackel, 2007). It required a better understanding on the management’s side to

position e-business activities with the traditional business and redesign business

processes.

A glimpse of Save the Children senior leadership team reflected individuals that were

highly exposed and well educated. They were quite experienced and highly traveled as

such the assumption of their appreciation of the role of e-business in operations could

not be questioned. With the foregoing, could the management team of Save the

Children be construed to be one of the stumbling blocks for the adoption of e-business

by the organization?

b) Firm CharacteristicsThere were number of factors related to the organizational characteristics that affected

the adoption of e-business by organizations. The amount of technology currently in use

in the organization, such as personal computers with modems and the use of e-mail

could make adoption of e-business easier (Mashanda et al 2012). As Johnson (2009)

11

argued that the organization needs to evaluate its technological infrastructure before

embarking on e-businessas some managers have the perceptionthat engaging in e-

business is a stylish-for-nothing way for the business. Thisdislike to technology was a

barrier to e-business adoption resulting in some organizationslacking an ICT

infrastructure that permitted their participation.

In addition, the nature and environment in which the organization operated had a great

impact on whether an organization would adopt e-business processes. Rural-based

organizations were less likely to adopt e-businessin their operations because of poor

technological infrastructure to support the service. The other reason rural-based

organizations might lag behind in adopting e-business was the literacy levels of the

people in the area. For example in Malawi where 80.2 percent of people lived in the

rural area coupled with literacy level of 64 percent, it was less likely for a rural based

organization to adopt e-business in its operation(DemographicHealthSurvey report

2010).Could the level of literacy have a bearing in the adoption of e-business by Save

the Children in its operations?

The nature of the work and the final output of the organization also affected the

adoption of e-business. Thong and Yap (1995) argued that, if an organization has large

amounts of data and transactions, this is likely to influence its decision to adopt e-

business as e-business can help streamline operations and offer process efficiencies

within the organization. Businesses dealing with products that are closely associated

with digitization are also more likely to adopt e-business than their counterparts in agro-

businesses (Tangpong et al., 2009).

The nature of the industry in which the organization operated also affected the rate of

adoption of e-business. The pressure to adopt e-business was bound to be high in the

financial sector than it was in non-profit making organizational sector. There are studies

that have viewed industry sector as another major barrier to e-business adoption

(Duncombe et al, 2005; Kapurubandara and Lawson, 2008).As most non-governmental

organizations operated in rural and peri-urban areas, in the authors opinion, the

12

motivation to adopt e-business in their operation might not be as high as compared to

financial institutions that operated in the urban areas.

c) Resources

Another internal barrier to the adoption of e-business could be grouped under one

single heading as resources that include time, finances and personnel (Kapurubandara

& Lawson, 2006; Kauffmann 2005). The barrier of resources might impede

organizations differently depending on the industry the organization was operating. In

the case of organizations operating in non- governmental sector, their operations were

time-bound depending on the funding from the donor as such they might not have time

to make trials with the technology to adopt e-business in their operations. The NGOs

finances mostly came from the donors who attached specific conditions to the funds that

oftentimes did not allow the NGO to invest e-business adoption. The restriction in

funding also affected the capacity of the NGOs to engage well-qualified personnel that

was technically competent to lead in the adoption of e-business. The author noted while

working with two international non-governmental organizations that the technical

support on ICT was on part-time basis due to unavailability of funding for IT

positions.Could resources be a negative factor to Save the Children’s adoption of e-

business?

External Barriers a) Information Communication and Technological Infrastructure

Information Communication Technology infrastructure had been defined as a physical

system of telecommunications pathways and connections that transmits voice, video,

and data and encompassing a web of telecommunications, information and computer

technologies (Okoli et al 2009).In the study of external barriers to e-business adoption,

Roushdy (2012) identifiedorganizational, technological, social and political barriers as

the major impediments to adoption of e-business. In a similar study on e-business

adoption in Sub Saharan Africa, Okoli et al (2009) established that Information

Communication Technology infrastructure, that is expected to be provided by the

government,was noted to remain asa bottleneck to e-business transfer.

13

According to Tangpong et al. (2009) availability of technology infrastructure determined

thelikelihood of e-business adoption among organizations and individuals. The ICT

policy by the government however in itself is not an assurance of the promised benefits

of e-business. In a study by Travica (2002), he cited internet accessibility, lack of

competition on international telephone traffic that makes access to international network

expensive and lack of intra-regional infrastructure as some of the challenges for

adoption of e-business in developing countries and Sub-Saharan Africa in particular. In

all the studies cited above, ICT infrastructure had been noted to be one of the barriers in

e-business adoption.

b) Regulatory framework

Regulatory framework could be defined as a set of principles, rules and regulations,

often put in place by the government, that are used when organizations are making

decisions. In the study by Lam (1996), he cited customers and suppliers not yet being

connected, concerns about privacy and security issues, enforceability of contracts

negotiated over the network, high connection or usage charges as some of the barriers

for adoption of e-business. In a study on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)El-

Nawawy et al (1999) reported the main barriers for the adoption of e-business to revolve

around awareness and education, market size, e-business infrastructure,

telecommunication infrastructure, legal system, affordability and cost structure and

social and psychological factors. In an exploratory study by Zhu (2005) regulatory

support was noted to be the antecedents for the adoption of e-business. Regulatory

framework was seen to be a common finding amongst most of the studies as shown in

the three studies cited above. In Malawi, the Government had an ICT policy developed

in 2013 and ratified by the Parliament. The policy though was comprehensive on ICT

issues, there was very little in the policy relating to e-business. Could the absence of

clear mention of e-business in the ICT policy be one of the reasons acted as a barrier to

Save the Children in adopting e-business?

14

c) Security and trust

Most researchers identified trust as a major determinant in e-commerce

adoption(Rowley, 2002; Lawrence et al, 2010; Kirby & Turner, 1993). They argued that

trust was difficult to establish between partners in e-commerce than in traditional

commerce. Because online services and products were not immediately verifiable, trust

was more important in e-commerce than in traditional commerce (Gefen & Straubb,

2004; Lawrence & Tar, 2010). B2C e-commerce had failed to create the level of trust

that was normally found in “face-to-face” transactions. Due to lack of trust, businesses

as well as consumers needed the assurance of similar protections in the online world to

those that existed in the physical world (Rowley, 2002). In order to expand the digital

economy more attention should be given in promoting confidence in electronic

transactions. The e-business users needed to be assured that they were secure, their

private data was protected and that they wouldget what they paid for (Kirby & Turner,

1993). Malawi, being a landlocked country, most items was imported including vehicles.

While Malawians had developed trust in buying vehicles online, it had been noted that

the quality of the vehicles identified on the online catalogue and the vehicles they

received were not the same and thatdiscouraged most would be e-business users.The

element of security and trust needed therefore to be treated with some honesty and

integrity on the part of the suppliers.

d) Individual awareness

In their study on barriers to e-business adoption in developing countries Masa’deh,

(2009) identified unawareness among individuals as a major factor that hindered the

adoption of e-business. According to the Masa’deh, (2009), it was important for

individuals to have access to services and at the same time know how to use them.

Molla (2005) stated that lack of knowledge about the use and potential benefits of ICT

could hinder the growth of e-business. In an exploratory study to determine the use of

the Internet, Chitura et al, (2008)identified lack of awareness on the part of the customer

or supplier as the main inhibitor in the adoption of technology in small businesses.

Sometimes customers were not connected to the Internet or were too concerned with

privacy and security issues.

15

e) Economic conditions

The growth of e-businesswas highly dependent on the cost of the telecommunication

infrastructure. Thus, the overall technology infrastructure development of a country was

determined by the economic and geographical conditions in the country (Lawrence &

Tar, 2010). There was however disproportionate penetration of telecommunication

infrastructure in urban as opposed to rural more populated areas and thataffected

adoption of e-business. This was more relevant to Malawi where 85 percent of the

population lived in rural areas (Malawi Demographic Survey, 2010).The economic

condition therefore was a major drive for e-business adoption (Lawrence & Tar, 2010;

Molla, 2005; Roushdy 2012; Zhu, 2005). Kshetri, (2007) also cited low internet usage in

traditional economies like those that rely on agriculture as a significant proportion of the

developing countries’ economies.

In the study of Chitura et al (2008) in reviewing the barriers affecting Small and Medium

Enterprises from adopting e-business between 1990 to 1999 and 2000 and beyond, he

found that the factors affecting adoption in the period to 1999 were still there in the

period of 2000 and beyond. Further still, there were additional barriers noted in 2000

and beyond. With the findings of Chitura et al (2008) it could be safe to conclude that

barriers to e-business adoption were not changing with new innovations in technology

but were rather increasing with time.

The studies cited above however were mostly done in developed countries. The major

focus in the studies was on the technological, organizational, physical and socio-

economic factors that affect the adoption of e-business. As mentioned by

Kapurubandara (2009) the differences between developed and developing countries in

relation to infrastructure, social and cultural issues did not support generalizing the

findings for the developed world to developing world. With the foregoing, the relevance

of the findings needed to be treated with caution. This study though still referred to the

developed world findings and made its conclusions based on specific developing world

factors.

16

While some barriers might apply across a whole range of organizations, not all barriers

cited above could apply to non-governmental organizations as non-governmental

organizations were different from commercial organizations (Slack, 2010). Despite the

existence of these barriers, non-governmental organizations had no option but to adopt

e-technology as it was a prerequisite for competing well in the markets (MacGregor et

al, 2005).

With too many non-governmental organizations available in NGO sector, there was a

scramble for funding from donors. The NGOs had to apply for funding and demonstrate

the capability to deliver if they were to get the funding.In the case of United States

Agency for International Development (USAID), the criteria for assessing applications

for funding included technical merit of the applications, cost effectiveness and cost

realism of the applicant, past experience of the applicant and branding strategy and

marketing plan (ADS 303, 2012), To satisfy a criteria like that set by USAID, non-

governmental organizations needed to demonstrate that they could deliver not only

timely but also with quality and at the lowest cost possible. With the preceding, non-

governmental organizations had no choice but to work on removing the barriers and

adopt e-business in their operations.

2.3.1 Origin and Developmentof Non-Governmental OrganizationsThe non- governmental organizations were mostly task-oriented and driven by people

with a common interest. They performed a variety of services and humanitarian

functions, bringing citizen concerns to governments, advocating and monitoring policies

and encouraged political participation through provision of information. Some were

organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health (United

Nations, 2015).

The operations of non-governmental organizations transcended across the whole

spectrum of people’s lives from being development oriented, humanitarian oriented to

advocacy oriented. There was a commonly held view that non-governmental

organizations were known to be very innovative and quick to adopt new technologies

and innovations than the government and other parastatal organizations making them a

good fit for adoption of e-business (Chitura et al, 2008).

17

2.3.2 The role of non-governmental organizationsWhile there is not much literature about the operations of non-governmental

organizations, the few authors have praised the role non-governmental organizations

play in society. Osborne (1998) highlighted the support non-governmental organizations

provided to the local communities in post-communist Hungary to meet their social needs

including integrating people with disabilities back into the society. Also Werker (2007)

discussed how non-governmental organizations had been instrumental in changing

mindsets and attitudes. They were perceived to be more efficient in providing goods and

services evident by the increasing switch of developing countries, channeling most of

their funding to third world countries through non-governmental organizations from

negligible amount before 1980 to nearly two billion united states dollars in

2004(Werker,2007).

Despite the positive image, non-governmental organizations had been used by

developed countries to influence changes in governments of developing countries. For

example in Malawi, the civil society organizations with funding from western countries

had been quite influential in mobilizing the masses to rise up against the government for

the perceived evils.

2.4 Conceptual FrameworkBelow is the conceptual model that was used to try and analyse the barriers to the

adoption of e-business by international non-governmental organizations with specific

focus on Save the Children in Malawi

18

Figure 2.1

2.5 ConclusionThis chapter had looked at the origin of e-business and how its development had

benefited not only organizations but also the individuals that interacted with these

organizations. The chapter also looked at the challenges that impeded organizations

from adopting e-business processes in their operations. It had also discussed the

operations of non-governmental organizations with the view of relating their operations

to issues raised in terms of benefits and the barriers from adopting e-business.The

conceptual framework for exploring the barriers that impeded non-governmental

organizations from adopting e-business had been developed which would guide the rest

of the discussion.

19

CHAPTER THREE-RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 IntroductionThis section focused on how the research had been planned and the type of research

design adopted.The chapter first presented the main objective of the study and then the

specific goals that would to achieve. It thenoutlined the methods used in conducting the

research. It covered the research design used, the philosophy adopted, the target

population of the study, the sampling methods, the research instruments and the

limitations faced in conducting the study

3.2 Discussions

3.2.1 Theoverall objective of the StudyThe main objective of the research was to explore the barriers that prevent international

non-governmental organizations from adopting e-business in their operations and

suggested ways to overcome them.

3.2.2 Specific Objectives of the studyIn order to achieve the overall objective of the study, focus was placed on the following

specific objectives:

a) To establish the role of e-business in the operations of Save the Children in

Malawi.

b) To establish awareness levels among Save the Children employees on the

benefits of e-business.

c) To identify the internal and external barriers affecting Save the Children to adopt

e-business in its operations

d) To identify activities that can help Save the Children to overcome the barriers to

the adoption of e-business in its operations.

In trying to achieve the above started objectives, the study answered the following listed

research questions:

20

a) How were the operations of Save the Children influenced by e-business

d) What e-business processes did Save the Children employees utilize in the

operations?

e) What internal factors in Save the Children affected the adoption of e-business in

its operations?

f) What factors outside Save the Children affected the adoption of e-business by

the organization in its operations

g) What needed to be done by Save the Children to increase the level of e-business

in its operations?

The above five research questions were targeting at exploring information relating to

uncovering the level of awareness on doing business on internet by Save the Children

staff; identifying the internal and external factors that prevented Save the Children from

doing business on the internet; and the activities that needed to be carried out by Save

the Children to adopt doing business on the internet.

3.2.3 Research philosophy and toolsThe research used interpretivism qualitative research approach utilizing semi-structured

interviews in addition to a number of secondary resources as tools to collect the data.

These approaches were deemed necessary to realize the aim of the study. According to

Mlitwa (2012), a qualitative method seeks to explore and understand a “central

phenomenon” which is the concept or the process explored in the study.

The usage of questionnaire and semi- structured interviews was on the premise that the

study had no idea of what the respondents would say and also to get new ideas from

the respondents. The main advantage of using semi-structured interviews was the

flexibility they offered to collect more detailed information from the respondents by

getting closer to the interviewees, penetrate their realities and interpret there

perception(Roushdy,2013). The one known disadvantage of the semi-structured

interviews was the fact that subjects may have sought to mislead the researcher by

giving him what he wanted to hear. The foregoing provided the need for care when

analysing the material (Fisher, 2010).

21

From the literature review, a set of e-business benefits and barriers were identified.

These served as the foundation for developing an initial survey instrument which was

divided into four parts: profile of the respondent, knowledge and use of e-business by

staff, expected/experienced benefits of e-business technologies adoption, and

expected/experienced barriers to adoption of e-business. The instrument was given to

four experts to solicit objective and specialized technical input on questionnaire

development. According to Okoli et al (2009), an expert is an individual who has

acquired knowledge in a specific domain gradually through a period of learning and

experience. They offered a total of 14 suggestions out of which 9 were about improving

the clarify and readability of the tool, 4 were the inclusion of new benefits/barriers

related items and one was about removing a redundant items.

3.2.4 Research DesignThis was an exploratory cross-sectional study using Save the Children as a case

study.This cross-sectional design only required one contact with the study population. In

this type of study design, either the entire population or a subset of the population was

selected and from these individuals, data were collected to help answer the research

questions of interest. It was cross sectional study because the information from the

sample represents what was going on at only one point in time. This cross sectional

study design was deemed appropriate because it was relatively cheaper to carry and

easy to analyse as compared to other designs like pre-test and post-test design.

The adoption of single case study was to provide richness and help generate a more

substantive framework. Case studies are epistemologically justifiable when research

questions focus on reasons behind observed phenomena, when behavioural events are

not controlled, and when the emphasis is on contemporary events (Fisher 2010).Other

researchers have further argued that the case method is appropriate and essential

where either theory does not yet exist or is unlikely to apply(Saunders,

2007,Fisher;2010). Despite some disagreements, researchers agree that singlecase

studies are useful for inductive theory building, especially in the early development of a

field research such as e-commerce in the developing world (Kshetri 2007)

22

3.2.5 Target population of the studyThe population was categorised into two groups namely Managers and Directors. Fifty

four (54) staff members constituted the population frame broken down as follows; fifty

(50) Managers and four (4) Directors including the Country Director. Of the fifty

managers, seventeen (17)werebased in the field offices.All Directors were based at the

Country Office. The target sample size of (18) was chosen using a research randomizer

because of perceived fewer variations in the characteristics of the respondents.

3.2.6 Sampling MethodsIt is important to point out that two sampling strategies were adopted in order to capture

the information required for the study. The systematic random sampling strategy was

used to collect information from managers while purposive sampling was used on

directors. Using random process to select a sample from a population enhanced the

ability to generalize the findings and thus maximizing external validity. A systematic

random sampling of the managers was conducted using the research randomizer

results. Purposive sampling was used in picking directors staffs that were judged to be

typical of the population of Save the Children directors of course with an assumption

that errors in judgement in the selection will counterbalance one another.

3.2.7 Data collection toolsThe two major tools that were used for collecting data relating to the specific objectives

werequestionnaires and interviews

a) Questionnaire

The questionnaire was used for collecting qualitative and primary data relating to

knowledge of e-business, benefits of e-business and barriers from adoption of e-

business. The questionnaire was used on staff sampled randomly in the grade of

manager. It was advantageous to use questionnaire as a tool of data collection as it was

cost effectiveness and easy to administer. The questionnaire also provided respondents

with time to look up information to use in filling the questionnaire. The limitation of

questionnaire was that some questionnaires were not returned from the respondents.

The questionnaire was pre-tested among staff members working within the Save the

Children in order to check if it was capturing the intended information. The draft

23

questionnaire was sent to 3Save the Children Staff working in the field offices. These

staff members, despite working for Save the Children, they had characteristic and

exposed to similar environment as staff working in the main offices of Lilongwe, Blantyre

and Zomba (See Appendix F for SCI office locations). The feedback helped to revise

the questionnaire and made it ready for admission.

The sampled participants were then approached and informed that they had been

randomly selected for the study. It was explained to them why the study was being

conducted. They were advised that filling of the questionnaire was voluntary. They were

also asked their preference of filling the questionnaire. Some chose to get hard copies

of the questionnaire while others preferred to have the questionnaire sent to them by e-

mail.

b) Interviews

The interviews were used to support the variation of information sourced for the study

during the literature review and questionnaire responses. The interviews were

conducted with the directors, as they were mostly senior staff and fewer in number. It

was important to have face-to-face interviews with this group of respondents in order to

have a high response rate.The interviews encouraged people to answer all the

questions, which were prepared for the study. The interviews also helped to explain

questions that the interviewee did not understand properly.

3.2.8 Data analysisThe study used qualitative data analysis which is a method that does not involve the

use of measurements and statistics.The qualitative methods protocols were used to

analyse both primary and secondary data. Qualitative data analysis was very useful in

assessing the awareness of staff on e-business and the barriers of adopting e-business.

The literature review was used as a tool to collect secondary qualitative data. It involved

a content analysis of textbooks, published and unpublished journals on e-business and

related issues. The major disadvantage of secondary data was the failure to know the

limitations in the data as it was collected and compiled for other purposes than the

24

present study. The positive side of secondary data was its cost effectiveness in

collection as compared to primary data.

The unit of analysis in the study was aggregate grouping of individual staff members’

under managers and directors. In some situations, the unit of analysis was aggregated

by gender.The choice of unit of analysis was influenced by the awareness of the

different traits in the individuals in the different staff categories in terms of the nature of

their functions. To increase the external validity of the study, three managers in each of

the Zambia and Zimbabwe Save the Children offices were requested to fill in the

questionnaire. Data collected during the study was analysed using Microsoft Excel

computer package and reproduced as graphs to highlight the weighting of one factor in

relationship to the other factors. The open coding was used to analyse responses from

open-ended questions in the questionnaire.

3.3 Research limitationsIt should be mentioned on the outset that at the stage of e-business in Sub- Saharan

Africa, it was not feasible to identify and contact a statistically meaningful sample of

organizations or individuals that used e-business to get a representative use

perspective. The author believed that the assessment of managers and directorswas an

acceptable substitute at that stage in e-business development. Similar studies had

taken similar approach in soliciting answers from managers or stakeholders about the

behaviour of organizations (Saidi, 2009).

It must also be pointed out that there were some limitations to the study, namely, time

constraint, difficulties in contacting staff and inadequate financial resources.

a) Time constraintTime was a major limiting factor to the study as the study was done while the author

was also doing the normal day-to-day work. The time to deliver and collect the

questionnaires was a problem as the only time when the author was free was during

lunch or after normal working hours and during these times the respondents had either

gone for lunch or had knocked off as not all SCI staff is located in one building. The

25

author then had to find time within the working hours to deliver and collect the filled

questionnaires.

b) Difficulties in contacting Staff

It was not easy to contact some members especially program staff due to the nature of

their work. Save the Children staff work in communities with children in the remote

areas as such their presence at the offices is limited to the beginning of the week.Also

the response from neighbouring SCI offices did not come through despite several follow

ups.

c) Inadequate financial resources

This study, was self-financed as the author was unable to get sponsorship therefore it

was costly to procure stationery for the questionnaires and transport for delivering

questionnaires and conducting interviews as not all Save the Children staff are located

within one premises.

3.4 ConclusionThis chapter haddiscussed the methodology which had been used in this study. It

hadlooked at the study’s main objective and the specific objectives that it wanted to

achieve. It also looked at the philosophy adopted and the design of the whole study.

The chapter had further discussed the population, the sample size and the tools used to

collect the data that was analyzed in the next chapter. The method in which the data

would be analyzed had also been covered in the same chapter. It had concluded by

citing the limiting factors that the study encountered.

26

CHAPTER FOUR- DATA ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION

4.1 IntroductionThis chapter presented the analysis and findings of the study as set forth in the

research methodology chapter above. The findings of the study were based on the

objectives that were to assess awareness by staff on e-business and identify the

internal and external barriers that prevent Save the Children from adopting doing

business on the internet and make recommendations to mitigate the barriers. The study

targeted 17 respondents out of which 13 respondents responded contributing to 76.47

percent. This response rate was sufficient and representative. The rate also conforms to

Kinuthia(2012) who said the response rate of 50 percent and above is adequate for

analysis and reporting and that a rate of 70 percent and over is excellent. The high

response rate was due partly to the good working relationship with most of the staff

members and also the follow ups made through telephone calls and email. The chapter

covered the background of the respondents based on the objectives. The study made

use of frequencies on single and unstructured question responses. On multiple

response questions, the study used a 5 point Likert Scale in collecting and analyzing the

data and then computed the mean. The frequencies and the multiple responses were

presented in graphs and charts with explanations in prose.

4.2 Discussion

4.2.1 Respondents background InformationDemographic data for the population sample on gender, roles and responsibilities, and

duration in the organization was collected and presented as in Appendix D. The aim of

collecting the demographic data was to find out the appropriateness of the respondents

to answer the questions on the barriers for the organization to doing business on the

internet.

To find the representativeness of the each gender, the respondents were asked to

indicate their gender as part of the responses. Of the 18 females in the population

frame, 5 females were sampled representing 28 percent of the women population. The

male gender on the other hand had 12 of the 36 in the population sampled representing

27

33 percent. The preceding depicts that the views of either gender were relatively well

represented and therefore the sample was a true representative of the population (See

Figure 4.1 in Appendix D).

In analysing the respondents’ roles and responsibilities, it was only the managers and

the directors that were considered as part of the population. The assumption of leaving

out the staff in the lower echelons was based on the fact that this staffs do not have a

say in the way their operations are done but are rather told on how to do the task as

such it was perceived that their inclusion or not could have not added any value to the

study. Figure 4.2 in Appendix D depicts the demographic data of the respondents by

roles and responsibilities.

In terms of the responses, the mean females’ ratings in theresponses were relatively

high in five of the eight areas that were investigated as compared to males. The

females’ responses were high in the e-business awareness by staff (M=21.25 as

compared to M=18.22 by males) the internet usage (M=16.0 against M=15.44 by

males); the external barriers influence on the organization (M=18.0 as compared to

M=15.0 by males); level of readiness by the organization (M=14.5 against M=12.33 for

males) and M=19 .25 against M=16.0 for males on the perceived benefits e-business

could bring. The foregoing data highlights the differences in perception that could be

attributed to gender as it had been demonstrated that the female respondents had a

different perception from males. It was therefore necessary that the organization

needed to be considering the gender element when making decisions on doing

business on the internet.

A further analysis of the demographic data of Figure 4.3 in Appendix D, it was noted

that the responses by the directors were different from those of the managers in most of

the areas investigated. On the proficiency of usage of computers and internet, the

directors’ responses were low on M=8.5 as compared to M=10.5 for the managers. This

difference depicts the differences in the perception on the usage of computers and

internet that is influenced by the level of staff in the hierarchy of the organization.

28

A similar observation on the differences in the responses between the directors and

managers was established on internal factors that acts as barriers to the adoption of e-

business in the operations of the organization M= 26 for directors and M=32 for the

managers.

There was a noted similarity between the responses by the directors and the program

operations staff. In the seven areas investigated the responses by the directors were

very close to those staff in the program operation unlike the program support staff.

Proficie

ncy in usin

g computer

Using s

pecific s

oftwares

Usage o

f inter

net

Internal

barrier

s

Extern

al barr

iers

Readiness

for e

-business

Impact

of e-busin

ess

9

2016

2617 14 15

8

2016

2617 15 1613

20 17

2922

913

Similarities in Responses Directors Operations Support

Figure 4.4

From the above line graph, the line lines of responses by the directors and the program

operations staff were very close to each other depicting the similarities in the

perceptions by the two groups as compared to the program support staff. The foregoing

depicts that the decisions by the organizations in adopting doing business on internet

needed to take into consideration the views and concerns of program support staff as

had been shown that the perception by support staff on doing business on internet was

different from those of directors and program operations staff.

4.2.2 Level of Computer ProficiencyBeing a study on internet-based technology, the respondents were asked to rate

themselves on their level of proficiency on using a computer on internet based issues.

29

The respondents’ responses were rated on a five point Likert type Scale with 1 as No

idea and 5 as an Expert. These responses are presented in Table4.1 Below:

Item  Statement Mean

5.1 Use of internet to send and receive e-mail 4.92

5.2 Use of Microsoft Packages(Excel, Word, PowerPoint) 4.17

5.3 Use of communications tools (Skype, Lync, Lotus) 3.17

5.4Use of other specific work applications (Accounting, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relations Management (CRM),etc.)

1.92

Table 4.1

Most respondents thought that they are proficient in using computers with M>3 in the

use of internet[M=4.92], Microsoft packages[M=4.17] and communication tools like

Skype and Lync[M=3.17]. On the other hand, the respondents strongly disagreed on

using specific softwares to carry out their assignments[M=1.92].

These findings indicated that although Save the Children staff was proficient in using

computers, they did not use the computer and internet with specialized business

applications to facilitate their operations in achieving the organization’s objectives.

A further analysis of the proficiency in the use of computer and doing business on the

internet, 75 percent of the directors responded that the they were proficient. The

analysis of the directors’ responses however differ from the responses of managers.

Only 22 percent of managers indicated that they are proficient in the use of computer

and doing business on the internet. These findings could be explained by the fact that

most directors were foreigners and had been working in environments where their

working life involved use of computer and doing business on the internet.

30

4.2.3 Respondents awareness of e-businessTo appreciate the role of doing business on the internet in the organization, the

respondents were asked to indicate how much they agreed or disagreed that Save the

Children operations are affected by using specific software’s and applications on the

following areas of operationusing a five point Likert scale of 1 to 5 with 1 Not agree and

5 Highly agree.

Item Statement  MEAN

6.1 Timely submission of donor reports is due to the electronic processing of program data and financial transactions 3.31

6.2 Timely crediting of salaries in the staff members bank accounts is influenced by the Finance and Human Resource software systems 4.15

6.3 Timely availability of vehicles for use is due to the electronic tracking of the vehicles 3.00

6.4 Tracking of office assets is possible because of the asset tracking software 3.00

6.5 Timely procurement of program items is due to the communication with the suppliers using e-mails and other e-transactions 2.46

6.6 Low operational costs are low due to the integration of e-transactions in the operations. 3.23

Table 4.2

While most of the respondents scores had M>2.5 on five of the six investigated

operations, the weighting on each of the area investigated warrants further analysis.

The respondents rated timely submission of the donor reports due to electronic

processing of the program data as M=3.31. This positive rating could be due to the

nature of the work that was involved to produce the report. The electronic processing of

the program data simplified the production of the report as such the respondents

positive rating could be due to the appreciation of the electronic data management in

producing the donor reports. While the rating is high, it could also be affected by the fact

that part of the donor report production was still manually done and this could be an

explanation for the not-very high rating by the respondents.

The rating on the above could also be explained by the value the respondents attach to

the activity investigated. The findings of the respondents on salaries [M=4.15] showed

31

that, apart from being due to the electronic processing system, the importance placed

by management on having salaries timely processed and credited in staff members

accounts could also play a role in the work output.

The findings on respondents rating of availability of vehicles [M=3.0] and asset tracking

[M=3.0] depicted the role of the electronic applications in operations. These two areas

affected all groups of staff and the rating could not be explained by other confounding

factors.A similar explanation could also be the same with operational costs that were

rated at M=3.23.

The findings by the respondents on procurement of program items [M=2.46] depicted

the frustration staff members may have had with the delays in receiving the items they

requested for program implementation. The rating could be explained by both the effect

the procurement operation had on the staff members as well as the importance

attached to the procurement operation. Procurement was central to all program

activities and the need to have a robust procurement system could have weighed so

much in the respondents’ perception.

While respondents’ awareness could be concluded by analysing the responses, the

findings however still needed to be treated with caution as there were other confounding

factors to the responses. As discussed above, some of the confounding factors included

the value the respondents placed on the activity and how the activity affected the

respondents’ work.

4.2.4 Respondents’ views on internal barriersThe internal barriers were those factors that an organization had got control over and

had the ability to change them.The study sought to identify the elements within the

organization that couldinfluences adoption of doing business on internet by Save the

Children. The respondents (both Manages and Directors) were asked to indicate that

they neither agree nor disagree that Save the Children doing business on internet is

affected by the below listed factors. The responses were rated from 1 to 5 on a five

point Likert Scale with 1 not agree and 5 highly agree.

. Item Statement Mean

32

Senior Management

9.1 Senior Management is well knowledgeable of doing business on the internet 3.62

9.2 Senior Management is aware of the benefits of doing business on the internet 3.46

3.54

Organizational Characteristics

9.3 The amount of technology current being used and the use of e-mail can make the adoption of doing business on internet easier 4.54

9.4 The environment where Save the Children operates affects the adoption of doing business on the internet 2.92

9.5 The nature of the work and the final output affect the organizations willingness to start doing business on the internet 2.77

9.6 The nature of the sector/industry i.e. non-governmental has an effect on the adoption of e-business in the organization’s operations 3.08

3.33

Organizational Resources

9.7 The organization is impeded by the amount of funds it gets from its donors from doing business on the internet 2.00

9.8 The time-frame for implementing project activities affects Save the Children ability to adopt doing its business on the internet. 1.77

9.9 Save the Children has technical personnel to support adoption of doing business on the internet 3.92

2.56

Table 4.4

From the study findings above,the majority of the respondents agreed that the

management had influence on decisions to adopt doing business on the internet with

average mean on knowledge and benefits of [M=3.54.]The organizational

characteristics also had significant role in influencing the adoption of doing business on

the internet [M=3.33] whereas organizational resources influence was relevant though

minimal [M=2.56].

33

On organizational characteristics, the respondents agreed that the technology used in

the organization can make the adoption of doing business on the internet easier

[M=4.54]. The respondents also agreed though to a lesser extent that the environment

in which the organization operates [M=2.92] and the nature of their work in term of final

output [M=2.77] influence the decision to invest in doing business on the internet. The

respondents agreed that the nature of the industry in which the organization operates

influences positively the investment decisions in doing business on internet [M=3.08].

On resources, the respondent did not agree that the amount of funding the organization

received [M=2.00] affected its decision in investing in doing business on the internet.

The respondents also did not agree that the time-frame for implementing project

activities influenced the investment decision in doing business on the internet [M=1.77].

The respondents however agreed that the organization had the personnel with the

technical capacity [M=3.92] to support the organization to start doing business on the

internet.

These findings could indicate that Save the Children has the senior management team

that is conversant with doing business on the internet and its associated benefits of e-

business. While this finding encompassed the views of the directors as well as the

managers, the finding could be based on speculation especially on the part of the

managers. In the discussion with one of the directors, he indicated that the senior

management may have the knowledge but argued that knowledge alone may not

translate into implementation as such a further analysis of low implementation still

needed to be done.

The findings on organizational characteristics indicate that the organization had modern

technology to support business operations on internet. While these findings could be

superficial as most of the respondents were lay in terms of knowing the appropriate

technology to conduct business on the internet, the presence of computers and internet

can be construed to be a strong basis to conclude that the organization had adequate

modern technology to support business on the internet.

34

The environment, in which Save the Children operated and the nature of its work, did

not affect its decision from doing business on the internet.The nature of the

organizations output and the industry in which the organization operated had no

influence on the organizations to adopt doing business on the internet.

The organizational resources in terms of funds and time, as per the findings, did not

affect the adoption by Save the Children in doing business on internet though it had well

competent technological personnel. The findings show that respondents didnot attribute

the funding the organization receives and the time frame of the projects life-span as to

have any relevance to the adoption of e-business by the organization.

4.2.5 Respondents’ views on external barriersThe external barriers were those factors that the organization could not directly

influence to overcome them.The study sought to find out the external factors that

influenceSave the Children investment decisions in doing business on internet. The

respondents were asked to indicate that they neither agree nor disagree that Save the

Children investment decisions in doing business on internet are influenced by the

various external factors. The responses were rated from 1 to 5 on a five point Likert

Scale with 1 not agree and 5 highly agree.

Item  Statement MEAN

10.1 Information Communication and Technology prevalence in the country. 3.85

10.2 Absence of regulatory framework of doing business on internet in the country 2.69

10.3 Lack of security and trust in the absence physical face-to-face interaction and transaction 2.69

10.4 Lack of knowledge of potential benefits of doing business on the internet 3.38

10.5 Level of economic development of Malawi 3.62

Table 4.5

35

From the respondents, on Information Communication and Technology(ICT) prevalence

in the country, the majority indicated that ICT prevalence influences Save the Children’s

decision to invest in doing business on the internet [M=3.85]. Although not as strong as

ICT prevalence, the respondents cited the absence of the regulatory framework and the

lack of security and trust as also affecting the adoption of doing business on the internet

with [M=2.69] respectively. The respondents also indicated that lack of knowledge of the

potential benefits of doing business on the internet influences the organization’s

decision to adopt doing business on the internet [M=3.38]. The level of the country’s

economic development was also cited by the respondents [M=3.62] as affecting the

organization decisions to adopt doing business on the internet. Thefindings indicated

the negative role the external factors playin organization’s decisions in doing business

on the internet.

Despite the responses in all the five areas investigated having M>2.5, the influence of

individual factors weighed differently on the adoption of e-business. While external

barriers were beyond the control of the organization, the respondents still strongly felt

that the infrastructure of information technology acted as a hindrance to doing business

[M=3.85]. The weak information technology infrastructure outside the organization made

it difficult for the organization to collaborate with external partners.

The other finding on lack of knowledge of potential benefits [M=3.38] was also

highlighted by the respondents as a major element that still played a role in the adoption

of e-business by the organization despite not being directly under organization’s control.

By virtue of constant interaction with partners in program implementation, vendors in

procurement of program items and suppliers of goods and services, the organization

faced challenges to interact with the other parties that were not well conversant with

doing business on the internet.

The findings on lack of regulatory framework and security and trust findings by the

respondent [M=2.69] respectively was cited not as a strong external factor in doing

business on the internet by the organization. The low influence of the first factor could

be eminent from the respondents’ awareness of the pace of government on issues of

policies and regulations. The perception by the respondent on the low rate of doing

36

business on internet could have had an influence on the respondents to attach little

emphasis on security and trust as a barrier to doing business on the internet.

4.2.6 Respondents’ perceptionof e-businessimpact on operationsTo find out the perceived changes that would result by Save the Children starting doing

business on the internet, the respondents were asked to indicate the level of their

agreement with the several statements on areas they thought would change due to

adoption of doing business on internet. These statements were rated on Likert Point

Scale of 1 to 5 with 1 not agree and 5 highly agree.

71 71 80 58 60

Impact of change due to e-business%GE

Figure 4.5

From the findings, the respondents indicated that the adoption of doing business on the

internet would increase the accuracy and timeliness of reporting by71percent

respectively. The respondents also indicated that operational costs would improve by 80

percent while achieving of organizations objectives would increase by 58 percent. The

organizations influence on other non-governmental organizations would increase by 60

percent if Save the Children adopts doing business on the internet.

The findings depicted that adopting doing business on the internetwould result in above-

average performance of the organizations in the five areas that the respondents

answered.It needed however to be pointed out that the respondents viewed operational

costs as an area that would improve more with doing business on internet as it had

37

been rated highly. While there could be different explanations behind the high rating on

operational cost, it was an area that was well known by all the staff in the organization

as such the respondents could easily visualize the benefits that could accrue from e-

business.

A further analysis of the findings depicts the level of closeness the respondents had on

the issues that were investigated. Operational costs are felt by almost every staff

member as such the respondents felt that doing business on the internet would result in

the lowering the cost of operation [80%].On the other hand, achievement of objectives

[58%] is an organization-wide issue that is not directly linked to any specific individual

as such respondent would not have looked at it as an area that would greatly be

impacted by the adoption of e-business.

4.2.7 Respondents recommendations on adoption of e-businessTo find out the areas that Save the Children could concentrate on to increase doing

business on the internet, the respondents were asked to suggest three areas that could

improve the adoption of e-business in the organization. Open coding was used to break

down, examine and categorizing data that is presented below in afrequency chart.

Awareness Capacity building Internet upgrade Change of mindset leadership

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

12

34

5

11

9 9

3

7

Frequency of Recommendations Frequency

Figure 4.6

38

From the findings presented above, awareness (11) was frequently cited as an area that

needs more attention if Save the Children is to successfully move to doing business on

the internet. Capacity building (9) and internet upgrade (9) were the two areas

respondents recommended followed by leadership (7). The last recommendation was

on the change of mind-set by the staff if the organization is to adopt doing business on

the internet.

These recommendations showed that most staffs were not aware of doing business on

the internet despite the respondents saying that they were aware. The organization had

a role to play in not only bringing the awareness but also in building the capacity of the

staff on e-business. The other area that the organization needed to focus on was the

upgrading of the internet as this was equally cited as an area of concern by the

respondents.

In the follow-up discussions of the suggestions the respondents made to the

organization, it transpired that most respondents felt that awareness is not the

prerequisite to adoption of doing business on the internet despite the frequency being

high in the responses. The members felt that the change of the mind-set is the central

prerequisite than awareness. The respondents felt that it is incumbent upon the staff

members to challenge themselves then suggest to the leadership on areas that would

ease the way they perform their functions and improve the delivery of their tasks.

The second area that the follow-up discussions with the respondents unveiled was the

upgrade of the internet. The respondents felt that the current speed and frequent

disconnection in internet connectivity frustrated the innovative ideas staff might have

proposed to the management.

4.3 ConclusionThis chapter had presented the finding of the data that was collected from the

respondents after administering the questionnaire and selected semi-structured

interviews with some of the respondents. The findings were on the background of the

respondents, the awareness of e-business by the respondents, the internal and external

barriers affecting Save the Children to adopt e-business. The Chapter had also

39

presented the findings on what the staff felt needed to be done for Save the Children to

adopt e-business in its operations.

40

CHAPTERFIVE- SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS,CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

5.1 IntroductionThis chapter presented the summary of the findings, conclusions and recommendations

of the qualitative study on the barriers to the adoption of e-business by International

non- governmental organizations- the case of Save the Children International in Malawi.

The findings of the studywere based on the objectives of the study which were to

establish the role of e-business in the operations of Save the Children in Malawi;

establish awareness levels among Save the Children employees on the benefits of e-

business; identify the internal and external barriers affecting Save the Children to adopt

e-business in its operations; and suggest activities that can help Save the Children to

overcome the barriers to the adoption of e-business in its operations.

5.2 Discussions

5.2.1 Summary of the findingsThe study assessed the role, awareness and barriers, both internal and external,

whichpreventedSave the Children International Malawi from doing business on internet

and find ways to overcome them.

From the study findings, the staffs of Save the Childrenwere aware of doing business on

the internet and they knew the role of e-business in relation to timeliness of their outputs

including production of reports, preparation of salaries, vehicle allocation, asset tracking

and also in the lowering of operational cost.

On the internal barriers to the adoption of doing business on the internet, the study

established that the senior management did affect the adoption of doing business on

the internet in the organization.Whereas (Olatokun et al, 2011) identified senior

management as core to adoption of e-business if it was conversant with it, thestudy

found that Save the Children senior management despite being knowledgeable and

aware of the benefits of e-business, they had not taken the lead in implementing

measures of doing business on the internet.

41

In the literature review, Mashanda et al (2012) identified lack of equipment as one of the

internal barriers for e-business adoption.As one of organizational characteristics, the

study found that Save the Children had modern technological equipment with capacity

to support the adoption of doing business on the internet. The lack of technological

equipment therefore was not a barrier to the adoption of e-business by Save the

Children. The study also established that Save the Children staffs did not consider the

environment in which the organization operated, the nature of its activities and also the

industrial sector it operated, that they hindered the organization from doing business on

the internet.

On the organizational resources, Kapurubandara et al (2005) argued that time, finances

and personnel are among the internal barriers to the adoption of e-business. The study

however established that Save the Children staffs did not consider that the amount of

funding the organization was getting and the projects life-spans affected the adoption of

e-business.The study also found that the organization had personnel with technical

competencies in information technology.

On external barriers, several studies identified ICT infrastructure and e-business

awareness among the general publicas affecting the adoption of e-business (Okoli et al,

2009; Roushdy, 2012).Thisstudy established that information technology infrastructure

was the major hindrance to e-business adoption together with lack of knowledge of the

benefits of e-business by the general public. Despite citing regulatory framework and

security as among external barriers (Zhu, 2005; Lawrence et al, 2010), the study

established that Save the Children staff did not consider the government regulatory

framework and the security and trust on e-business transactions as significant barriers

in the adoption of e-business by the organization.

5.2.2 ConclusionsThe study concluded that there is a combination of both internal and external factors

that affect the adoption of e-business by Save the Children International.

42

The study concludedthat despite being aware of e-business and its associated benefits,

the senior managementhad not spearheaded the adoption of e-business in the

organizations operations.

The study hadalso concluded that the technical staff in Save the Children had not used

their technical knowledge to encourage the staff to adopt doing business on the internet.

It had also been established that the organization had good modern technological

equipment that had the capacity to support e-business in its operation. The study had

however concluded that the information technology capacity was only utilized for basic

simple office operations yet the technology had the capacity to support doing business

on the internet.

The study had also found that the organization’s adoption of e-business was affected by

factors outside its control including the underdeveloped ICT infrastructure andlow

awareness of e-business amongst the general population in the country.

5.2.3 RecommendationsAs per the study finding that the senior management had not taken a lead in

spearheading the adoption of e-business in the organization’s operations, the study

recommended that the senior leadership team at Save the Children should prioritize e-

business and took deliberate steps to ensure that e-business became part and parcel of

the organizations operations.

The study also found that the organization had competent personnel with technological

capacity to effectively support the adoption of e-business. The study therefore

recommended that the staff with the technical capacity should utilize their expertise to

drive the staff thatwas already aware of the benefits of e-business, to adopt e-business

in their operations.

The study had also found that the organization had modern technological capacity in

computers and internet. The study therefore recommended that the organization should

exploit the technological capacity and use it more than the current usage to include

doing business on the internet. The study further recommended the upgrading of the

43

internet as the study noted from the recommendations of the respondents the need for

internet upgrade.

While it may be outside the organization’s control, the study found that the external

factors like ICT infrastructure and e-business awareness by the general public affected

the adoption of e-business.The study recommended that the organization should take

advantage of any opportunity available to lobby the government to make ICT and e-

business as major priority areas for national development.

5.3 Limitations of the studyThe research findings might not be generalizable and not applicable to other

international non-governmental organizations due to differences in organizational

structures and internal policies and procedures in the organizations.

The study also faced the challenge posed by data quality from the respondents since

the respondents felt that by virtue of sending their responses by e-mail, their anonymity

would be revealed and the confidentiality of their responses would be compromised.

5.4 Suggestions for further studiesSince this study looked at awareness, roles, the internal and external barriers to the

adoption of e-business and ways of coming them, the study recommended that:

i. A similar type of study should be done in Malawi involving both local and

international non-governmental organizations for comparison purposes and

toallow generalizations of the findings of the internal and external barriers to

the adoption of e-business and ways to overcome them.

ii. The study recommended that a more comprehensive study be done among

international non-governmental organizations where all staff members would

be involved in Malawi in analyzing the internal and external barriers to the

adoption of e-business and how the barriers could be overcome.

44

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50

APPENDIX A- QUESTIONNAIRE

Barriers to adoption of e-business - A case of Save the Children in Malawi

The questionnaire is part of my study that will lead to an award of a Master’s degree in

Supply Chain Management offered by Bolton University. You have been randomly

selected to participate in the study that is trying to find the factors that are preventing

Save the Children from doing its operations on internet and find ways to overcome

them. The filling in of the questionnaire is voluntary and you are free to choose whether

to fill a hard copy or an electronic copy. All information that you will provide will be

treated with the strictest confidence.Please do not write your name on the questionnaire

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Questionnaire ID

Location

Date Administered

SECTION A: General Information

1. Indicate the sex of the respondent (Tick (√) where appropriate)

(1) Female (2) Male

2. Kindly indicate the section belong to? (Tick (√) where appropriate)

Program Support

Program Operations

51

Other (specify) _________________________

3. What is your job category? (Tick (√) where appropriate)

Manager

Director

Other (specify) _________________________

4. How many years have you worked for Save the Children? (Tick (√) where

appropriate)

Less than 10 years

Over 10 years

5. In what group is your highest level of qualification? (Tick (√) where

appropriate)

Graduate and under

Post Graduate

Other

6. Kindly indicate the level of your proficiency in using computer on a scale of 1

to 5 with 1 as No idea and 5 as an Expert on the following areas. (Tick (√)

where appropriate)

Item Statement 1 2 3 4 5

6.1 Use of internet to send and receive e-mail

6.2 Use of Microsoft Packages(Excel, Word,

PowerPoint)

6.3 Use of communications tools (Skype, Lync, Lotus)

6.4 Use of other specific work applications(Accounting,

ERP, CRM etc)

52

Section B:Role of e-business

7. To what extent do you agree that Save the Children operations are affected by

using specific software’s and applications on the following? Using a scale of 1

to 5 with 1 Not agree and 5 Highly agree.

Item Statement 1 2 3 4 5

7.1 Timely submission of donor reports is due to the

electronic processing of program data and financial

transactions

7.2 Timely crediting of salaries in the staff members

bank accounts is influenced by the Finance and

Human Resource software systems

7.3 Timely availability of vehicles for use is due to the

electronic tracking of the vehicles

7.4 Tracking of office assets is possible because of the

asset tracking software

7.5 Timely procurement of program items is due to the

communication with the suppliers using e-mails and

other e-transactions

7.6 Low operational costs are low due to the integration

of e-transactions in the operations.

Section C: Employee awareness and extent of e-business in the organization

8. On the below listed statement, indicate the extent of your usage of internet to

accomplish your assignment. On a Scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is to No extent and

5 is to a Great extent. (Tick (√) where appropriate)

53

Item Statement 1 2 3 4 5

8.1 Keeping and accessing files

8.2 Processing data and generating reports

8.3 Collaborating with fellow staff and partners outside

8.4 Communicating with fellow staff and partners within

and outside the office

8.5 Others (Specify………………………………………..)

9. How does the following apply to your work? On a Scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is No

extent and 5 is Great extent. (Tick (√) where appropriate)

Item Statement 1 2 3 4 5

9.1 You have unlimited access to internet and e-mails

communication

9.2 You use a specific software and application to facilitate

your daily work assignments

9.3 You use communication and collaborative tools(Skype,

Lotus, Lync)for communications

9.4 Others (Specify………………………………………..)

Section D: Internal barriers

10.To what extent do you agree that Save the Children investment decisions in

doing business on internet are influenced by the following, using a scale of 1 to

5 with 1 not agree and 5 highly agree? (Tick (√) where appropriate)

Item Statement 1 2 3 4 5

Management and Leadership

10.1 Senior Management is well knowledgeable of doing

business on the internet

10.2 Managers are aware of the benefits of doing

54

business on the internet

Organizations Characteristics10.3 The amount of technology current being used and

the use of e-mail can make the adoption of doing

business on internet easier

10.4 The environment where Save the Children operates

affects the adoption of doing business on the

internet

10.5 The nature of the work and the final output affect the

organizations willingness to start doing business on

the internet

10.6 The nature of the sector/industry i.e. non-

governmental has an effect on the adoption of e-

business in the organization’s operations

Resources

10.7 The organization is impeded by the amount of funds

it gets from its donors from doing business on the

internet

10.8 The time-frame for implementing project activities

affects Save the Children ability to adopt doing its

business on the internet.

10.9 Save the Children has technical personnel to

support adoption of doing business on the internet

Section E: External barriers

11.To what extent do you agree that Save the Children investment decisions in

doing business on the internet is affected by external factors as the following

below listed on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 not agree and 5 highly agree. (Tick (√)

where appropriate)

Item Statement 1 2 3 4 5

55

11.1 Information Communication and Technology

prevalence in the country.

11.2 Absence of regulatory framework of doing business

on internet in the country

11.3 Lack of security and trust in the absence physical

face-to-face interaction and transaction

11.4 Lack of knowledge of potential benefits of doing

business on the internet

11.5 Level of economic development of Malawi

Section F: Recommendations

12.To what level of achievement has Save the Children reached in doing its

business operations on internet? On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 low satisfaction

and 5 as high satisfaction. (Tick (√) where appropriate)

Item Statement 1 2 3 4 5

12.1 There is management awareness of doing business

on internet

12.2 Office technology is capable of supporting doing

business on the internet

12.3 There is competitive pressure from within the NGO

sector to push for the change in business

operations

12.4 The society is changing that is compelling the

organization to change its business operations

13.Which of the following would be affected most if Save the Children starts doing

business on the internet? On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 not agree and 5 highly

agree. (Tick (√) where appropriate)

56

Item Statement 1 2 3 4 5

13.1 Accurate reports

13.2 Timely submission of reports

13.3 Low operational costs

13.4 Speedy achievements of objectives

13.5 Greater influence among INGOs

14.What three things can Save the Children do to increase the level of its

business operations to be done on the internet?

a)_____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

b)_____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

c)_____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

End of questionnaire

Thank you for taking your time to fill in the questionnaire.

57

APPENDIX B- POPULATION FRAMESTAFF LIST AS OF JANUARY 2015  

Item Name

Employ No.

Sex Title Section

Location

1 Alick Tahuna4540251 M Senior Logistics Manager Support Lilongwe

2 Ann Chikoko4540095 F YIA Project Manager program Lilongwe

3Anna Chinombo

4540059 F

Senior Technical Advisor CM&CB program Lilongwe

4Archangel Bakolo

4540502 M Project Manager program Lilongwe

5 David Melody4540482 M Director, Health program Lilongwe

6 Brenda Phiri 4540526 F Child Protection Specialist program Lilongwe

7Catherine Mkangama

4540207 F

Senior Tech Advisor - Nutrition program Lilongwe

8Charles Nzawa

4540459 M MEAL Manager program Lilongwe

9Chrispin Magombo

4540516 M

Senior Manager - Food Security & Livelihoods program Blantyre

10Dickens Chaula

4540578 M

Senior Human Resources Manager Support Lilongwe

11Donnex Bengo

4540032 M Project Manager program Lilongwe

12Doris Mphande

4540057 F Health & Nutrition Specialist program Blantyre

13Dyson Likomwa

4540489 M MEAL Manager program Lilongwe

14 Elvis Sukali4540291 M

Senior Manager - Advocacy & Communications program Lilongwe

15 Emily Maosa4540259 F

Adolescent Development Specialist program Zomba

16Emmanuel Banda

4540105 M

M&E Manager Livelihoods & Food Security program Blantyre

17 Esther Gama4540498 F Project Manager program Blantyre

18Esnart Mkandawire

4540577 F

New Business Development Specialist Program Lilongwe

19 Felix Mtonda4540039 M

Program Manager - Cash Transfer program Lilongwe

58

20Frank Mwafulirwa

4540550 M Project Manager program Lilongwe

21 Frank Tembo4540121 M Grants Accounting Manager Support Lilongwe

22 George Botha4540435 M UBALE Project Manager program Blantyre

23George Chidalengwa

4540528 M

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning Manager program Lilongwe

24George Kasawala

4540330 M Zonal Manager program Blantyre

25Grevasio Chamatambe

4540219 M Project Manager program Lilongwe

26Hellen Dzoole Mwale

4540239 F

Senior Technical Advisor-Community Based Services program Lilongwe

27David Onouda

4540585 M

Director - Education and Sponsorship Program Lilongwe

28Irene Betty Banda

4540127 F Project Manager program Lilongwe

29Kondwani Mtalimanja

4540312 M Regional IT Manager Support Lilongwe

30Lexon Ndalama

4540193 M

Basic & Non Formal Education Manager program Lilongwe

31 Lucy Chienda   FCapacity Strengthening Manager Program Blantyre

32Lydia Chimtembo

4540350 F

Maternity & Newborn Health Specialist program Lilongwe

33Mavuto Mizwa

4540252 M CM&CB Manager program Lilongwe

34Mac Pherson Mdalla

4540173 M

Communications, Campaign and Advocacy Manager program Lilongwe

35Margaret Masamba

4540491 F Project Manager program Blantyre

36 Martin Tembo4540337 M Project Manager program Lilongwe

37 Masida Nyoni 4540590 M

Finance and Administration Manager Program Zomba

38Moses Chikowi

4540593 M

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Program Zomba

39 Nobel Moyo4540465 M Capacity Building Specialist program Lilongwe

40Pamela Kumwenda

4540231 F Senior Grants Manager program Lilongwe

41Peter Ngalawa Phiri

4540131 M Project Manager program Blantyre

42 Matthew 454031 M Country Director Support Lilongwe

59

Pickard 8

43Prince Kasinja

4540093 M

Sponsorship Operations Manager program Zomba

44Robert Chizimba

4540268 M Deputy Chief of Party (INVC) program Lilongwe

45Rodgers Gondwe

4540515 M Senior Finance Manager program Lilongwe

46Rueben Ligowe

4540043 M MNCH Project Manager program Lilongwe

47Stanley Ngalazu Phiri

4540586 M Director, Child Protection program Lilongwe

48

Stella Kachiwanda Dr.

4540584 F Deputy Chief of Party Program Zomba

49Steven Kamtimaleka

4540558 M Project Manager program Lilongwe

50Steve Macheso

4540503 M Project Manager program Blantyre

51

Thandizo-lathu Kadzamira

4540527 F

Senior Manager - Child Protection program Lilongwe

52Thokozani Bema

4540208 M Zonal Manager program Zomba

53Thom Chabwera

4540113 M Procurement Manager Support Lilongwe

54Tiyese Chimuna

4540325 F

Child Health & Nutrition Advisor program Lilongwe

55Victoria Lwesha

4540210 F

Senior Technical Advisor - Newborn & Maternal Health program Zomba

60

APPENDIX C–DEMOGRAPHIC DATA ON RESPONDENTS

a) Respondents by sex.

Females 38%

Males62%

Respondents Gender1 2

Figure 4.1

b) Respondents by department

61

1 2

31%Program Support

69%Program Operation

Respondent Section

Figure 4.2

c) Respondents by Position

1

2

Managers -69%

Director-31%

Respondent Job Category

Figure 4.3

62

APPENDIX D–LIST OF INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN MALAWI

NGO BOARD OF MALAWI

LIST OF REGISTERED NGOs PAID UP AS AT 15 NOVEMBER, 2013INTERNATIONAL NGOs

1 ACDA/VOCA2 Action Aid Malawi3 Advancing Girls Education in Africa 4 Adventist Development, Relief and

Development

63

5 Africa Windmill6 African Institute for Development

Policy Research and Dialogue7 African Institute of Corporate

Citizenship8 Africare9 Agribusiness Systems

International 10 Amitofo Caring Centre11 BuildOn12 Canadian Physicians for Aid and

Relief13 Care International14 Catholic Relief Services15 Center for International Programs

/ICAP - Nurse Education Partnership Initiative

16 Chance for Change17 Children of the Nations18 Christian Aid19 Citizen Network for Foreign Affairs20 Clyde F. Green Foundation, Inc.21 Comitato Internazionale Per Lo

Sviluppo Dei Pepoli/CISP 22 Community for St. Egidio - ACAP23 Concern Universal24 Concern Worldwide25 Cooperazione Internazionale26 DABW Foundation27 Danchurch Aid28 Development Fund of Norway29 Dignitas International30 Direct Aid 31 D-Tree International 32 Education Development Center33 Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS

Foundation34 Emmanuel International35 Enter Aide36 Every Child37 Family Health International38 Feed the Children, Inc.39 Find Your Feet40 Freedom from Fistula Foundation41 Friends of Mulanje Orphans42 Future Vision Ministries of Canada43 Gift of the Givers Foundation44 Global Aids Interfaith Alliance Africa

International Trust

64

45 Goal Malawi46 Good Neighbors International47 Goods for Good Inc.48 H.E.L.P. Malawi49 Heifer Project International50 Henwood Foundation51 Hunger Project52 I – Tech Malawi53 Innovations for Poverty Action54 InterchurchOrganization for

Development Cooperation55 International Support and Partnership

for Health/St. Marys Hospital56 Islamic Relief International 57 Japan Overseas Cooperative

Association58 JHPIEGO59 John Hopkins University - Centre for

Communication Programs60 JSI Research and Training Institute,

Inc.61 Kids' World Outreach Society 62 Landirani Trust63 Link Community Development64 Lions Aid Norway65 Liverpool School of Tropical

Medicine66 Management Sciences for Health67 Medecins Sans Frontiers - Belgium68 Medicines Sans Frontiers - France69 Micro Loan Foundation70 Mother2Mother71 National Democratic Institute 72 Nippon International Cooperation for

Community Development 73 Norwegian Church Aid74 Oxfam GB75 Oxfam Ireland76 PACT, Inc.77 Pan African Civic Educators Network 78 Partners in Harvest/Iris Africa79 Partners In Health80 Plan International81 Population Services

International/Malawi82 Progressio83 Project Concern International84 Project Hope

65

85 Project Malawi - Onlus86 Pump Aid87 Rafiki Foundation88 Rainbow Children Development

Center89 Regional Schools and Colleges

Permaculture Programme90 Research Triangle Institute91 Ruth’s Shawls Inc.92 Save the Children Foundation, USA93 Save the Children International94 Scottish International Relief/Mary's

Meals95 Self Help Africa96 Seward Incorporated 97 Sight Savers International98 Smile Malawi99 Socio-Cultural Association 100 Solar Aid101 SOS Children’s Village102 Southern Africa AIDS Trust103 Stephano's Foundation104 Swedish Cooperative Centre105 Swedish Organization for Individual

Relief 106 Tearfund107 The Mellenium Promise108 Total Land Care109 Trocaire110 Village Reach111 Voluntary Services Overseas112 Water Aid 113 Water for People114 Water Mission International115 Weltihungerhilfe 116 William J. Clinton Foundation117 Winrock International Institute118 World Camp, Inc.119 World Medical Fund120 World Relief International121 World Renew122 World University of Services of

Canada123 World Vision International124 Zoe Ministry

66

APPENDIX F- MAP OF MALAWI WITH SCI PRESENCE

67

68