School of IT
Department of Informatics
Research interest of staff members
Last Revision: 26 October 2015
© Copyright reserved
Contents
1
Overview of Research interest in Department of Informatics .......................................... 3
1.1
Dr Funmi Adebesin ................................................................................................. 3
1.2
Dr Neil Croft ............................................................................................................ 4
1.3
Prof Carina de Villiers ............................................................................................. 5
1.4
Dr Sunet Eybers ..................................................................................................... 6
1.5
Prof Helene Gelderblom.......................................................................................... 7
1.6
Prof Aurona Gerber................................................................................................. 8
1.7
Dr Marié Hattingh .................................................................................................... 9
1.8
Dr Martina Jordaan ............................................................................................... 10
1.9
Prof Awie Leonard ................................................................................................ 11
1.10
Prof Machdel Matthee ........................................................................................... 12
1.11
Dr Tendani Mawela ............................................................................................... 13
1.12
Dr Rennie Naidoo ................................................................................................. 14
1.13
Mrs Komlay Pillay ................................................................................................. 15
1.14
Dr Henk Pretorius ................................................................................................. 16
1.15
Mr Jaco Pretorius .................................................................................................. 17
1.16
Mrs Tania Prinsloo ................................................................................................ 18
1.17
Dr Riana Steyn ..................................................................................................... 19
1.18
Dr Marita Turpin .................................................................................................... 20
1.19
Prof Alta van der Merwe........................................................................................ 21
1.20
Dr Phil van Deventer ............................................................................................. 22
1.21
Dr Lizette Weilbach ............................................................................................... 23
1
Overview of Research interest in Department of Informatics
1.1 Dr Funmi Adebesin
Position: Senior Lecturer
Office: IT Building 5-73
E-mail: funmi.adebesin@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124205667
Research
Keywords:
E-health, M-Health, Ubiquitous healthcare, Pervasive healthcare, Healthcare
information systems (HISs), Interoperability of HISs, Usability, User experience (UX),
Barriers to adoption, E-health standards, Human computer interaction (HCI), Eye
tracking
Domain:
Healthcare enterprise/Organisations, Government
Description:
My main research area is in health informatics and human computer interactions
I am interested in studies that focus on issues of interoperability among healthcare
information systems, barriers to the successful adoption of HISs, the technology-fit of
healthcare information systems to the African contexts, usability and user experience
of healthcare information systems. The role of ubiquitous/pervasive healthcare
applications in promoting wellness and preventative healthcare and the inclusion of
health informatics courses in the curriculum of medical and nursing students.
I am also interested in how research results/outputs can be used to influence
government policies on the funding of e-health/m-health programs
Projects &
Interests:
I can support students wanting to do research on:
 Mobile health applications
 Ubiquitous healthcare applications
 Electronic medical records(EMR) & electronic health records (EHR)
 Perception of healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, etc.) on the use of
technologies in delivery of healthcare services
 Inclusion of health informatics in the curriculum of medical and nursing
students
 Usability/UX studies on healthcare applications
1.2 Dr Neil Croft
Position: Senior Lecturer
Office: IT Building 5-101
E-mail: ncroft@cs.up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124203367
URL:
Research
Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
Projects & Topics
Mobile, Security, Privacy, Next generation networks, M-commerce, Integration
Mobile
Neil Croft obtained his PhD (IT) in mobile technologies from the University of Pretoria in
2011. His research interests lie in anything mobile related including SMS, USSD, NFC,
RFID, Mobile APPS, Mobile Sites, Mobile Analytics, Handset detection to name a few,
specifically where security and privacy is concerned. He studied under the guidance of
Professor Martin Oliver first at RAU (now University of Johannesburg) before continuing
on to the University of Pretoria. Some of his academic highlights include a 6 month
student exchange to the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada and a
presentation on SMS security to the industry heads of the Japanese network - DoCoMo
at their Munich based head-quarters. He has presented papers around the world
(Greece, Italy, Germany, Mauritius and Canada) and at local telecommunication
conferences (Cape Town, Stellenbosch and the Drakensberg).
Although mobile devices have added to our anti anti-social behaviour its far reaching
benefits of having access to information and people is unequalled by any other mass
media before it. It's interesting to note that more people own a mobile phone than own
a toothbrush and more people look at their phones first thing in the morning before
looking at their spouse. Yes these claims have been verified! Mobile is the new goldrush.
Outside of academic life he enjoys breeding race horses and racing pigeons, a good book
and fishing in the Transkei.
Looking for students interesting in mobile related projects.
1.3 Prof Carina de Villiers
Position: Professor
Office: IT Building 5-71
E-mail: carina.devilliers@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124203798
Research
Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
IS and Education / Training, Use of ICT in Higher Education / Training, ICT4D,
Collaborative learning, e-Learning
Developing countries, Education, Teaching, Training
My main research area focuses on the teaching of Information Systems. I have
extended the research done for my DCom, to develop a new technique for the
application of co-operative learning in the IS classroom. During the research period I
have also realised that we are working with a diverse population in our tertiary
institutions in South Africa and that normal methods of group work do not always
apply to our students. Another aspect that came to the fore is the use of different
theories in pure IS research that can be applied in research on the teaching of
Information Systems. This resulted in a number of publications. The most important
are briefly summarised as follow:
 Teaching IS soft skills to a diverse student population: Case studies using
JAD and Co-operative learning techniques
 Using actor-network theory to study a classroom situation: An example
from the IS classroom
 Handling diversity in group work in the Information Systems classroom
The second area of research covers research methodologies and methods applicable
to Information Systems research. I am continuously exploring this research field,
because I feel it is important in order to properly supervise postgraduate students.
The following important paper was published:
 The Applicability of Grounded Theory as Research Methodology in studies
on the use of Methodologies in IS Practices
With the advent of Web2.0 technologies, I have worked with postgraduate students
and produced a number of conference papers on the use of these technologies in the
classroom.
The third area of research that I am moving my research on teaching to is ICT for
development. I have participated in the workshop for the AIS Special Interest Group
for Global Development since 2008. The papers presented there explored the use of
computer-based teaching in South African mines and the ICT labour market in South
Africa. A student also recently looked at the use of mobile information about
government services in rural areas.
1.4 Dr Sunet Eybers
Position: Senior lecturer
Office: IT Building 5-63
E-mail: sunet.eybers@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124203709
Research
Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, Data Informatics, Organisational strategy,
organizational performance management
Business Intelligence, Data Science and Strategy
I obtained a general B.Comm degree with specialization in Industrial Psychology
and Information Technology at UNISA. I have worked more than 15 years in the
industry and held positions ranging from software developer, IT business
consultant, BI consultant, BI project manager and software project manager.
The main focus of my work in the industry was twofold. Firstly the emphasis was
on the development of Business Intelligence solutions to cater for organizational
specific needs. With the introduction of the concept of data science and analytics,
this focus area (also my primary research area) has been expanded to include the
data life cycle and analytical capability of software.
The second focus, and also my secondary research interest, is organizational
strategy and change management. I strongly believe that IT related solutions will
only have a profound impact on organizations in instances where the
organizational strategy and IT strategy is in alignment.
Project and Topics
I can support students wanting to do research on:
 All aspects of Data Science Information Systems and Applications
(including business intelligence)
 Project management
 Organizational strategy
1.5 Prof Helene Gelderblom
Position: Associate Professor
Office: IT Building 5-76
E-mail: helene.gelderblom@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124203352
Research
Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
Child-computer interaction; Designing with and for special user groups;
Interaction design; e-Learning; Eye tracking
Human-computer interaction (HCI)
I work primarily in the fields of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and ICT in
Education with my main research focus being the design of technology and
interfaces for special user groups. Besides e-Learning and Open Distance Learning
(ODL) research, designing educational technology for children and adults has been
my primary interest for the past eight years. I have also investigated aspects of
design for the elderly and the economically disadvantaged.
Specific research topics that interest me are: child-computer interaction,
participatory design (especially with teenagers), the use of eye tracking in design
and evaluation, and any psychological aspect of HCI. I am also interested in studies
to investigate problems experienced by beginner programmers and teaching
methods to address these problems.
1.6 Prof Aurona Gerber
Position: Associate Professor
Office: IT Building 5E-mail:
Telephone: 012420
Research
Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
Data Science, Data Informatics, Enterprise Architecture and Engineering,
Ontologies, Ontology engineering and applications,
Organisations/Enterprises; Business Intelligence; Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Informatics
I obtained an electronic engineering degree Bing at UP and a Ming at WITS. I
worked more than 15 years in industry doing system development, system
analysis and technical project management before I went to Unisa as senior
lecturer in 2007. Most of my system development included all aspects of database
design, development and implementation.
With the new emphasis on Data as a core component of disruptive technologies, I
am interested in all aspects of Data Science Information Systems or Data Science
applications applied to specific domains, including organisations, enterprises and
some of the natural sciences. This research interest includes the data lifecycle.
Project and Topics
My secondary research interest is in the development and use of models and
ontologies (DL based) in various domains, as well as ontology engineering and the
application of ontologies and conceptual models within data science and
information systems.
I can support students wanting to do research on:
 All aspects of Data Science Information Systems and Applications
 Ontologies and Modeling applications and systems
 Ontology Engineering and Conceptual Modeling
1.7 Dr Marié Hattingh
Position: Senior Lecturer Informatics
Office: IT Building 5-63
E-mail: marie.hattingh@up.ac.za
Telephone: +27 (0)12-420 5322
Research
Keywords:
Internet, culture, socio-technical, mobile learning, e-government, expatriate, sense of
community
Domain:
Social media, Internet studies, Community research, Crime
Theories:
Grounded Theory, Cultural Historical Activity Theory, Theory of Sense of Community
Description:
My research fields are associated with the softer issues of the use of ICT within the
social settings. My current research project focuses on the use of social media in the
fight against crime. I am also extending my grounded theory model developed as part
of my PHD regarding the mediating role the Internet plays in the lives of mobile
society.
Projects & Topics
I can support students seeking to research:
:
 Expatriate/Migrant use of ICT
 The role of culture in the usage of ICT
 Social Media Studies
 Social Media and Crime
1.8 Dr Martina Jordaan
Position: Senior Lecturer
Office: IT Building 5 - 82.3
E-mail: martina@up.ac.za
Telephone: 012-4203187
Research Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
Service learning, Blended learning, E-Service learning, Community Engagement
Education, Teaching, Training, Community engagement
I am responsible for the compulsory undergraduate module, Community-Based
Project module (service learning) of the EBIT faculty. Yearly more than 1700
students are involved in 600 different projects.
Have a look at the Facebook link of the module:
To manage this huge amount of students I use the Learning Management System
of the University. Many students also do various E-service learning projects.
E-service-learning occurs when the instructional component, the service
component, or both are conducted online.
I can support students seeking to research
- Various aspects of service learning
- Community engagement
- Sustainability of community engagement projects
- Campus-community partnerships
- E-service learning
- Use of blended learning methods for teaching
1.9 Prof Awie Leonard
Position: Associate Professor
Office: Room 5-74; IT Building
E-mail: Awie.Leonard@up.ac.za
Telephone: (012) 420-3375
Research
Keywords:
Project Management; service management; end user computing; relationship
Management; end users; Project Teams; Projects, social relationships, social
networks, communication; Cloud Computing; Outsourcing; IT-Business Alignment;
ITIL; COBIT; Organisational Issues
Domain:
Description:
IT Management; Information Systems in the Organisation
IT management is the discipline whereby all of the information technology resources
of a firm are managed in accordance with its needs and priorities. These resources
may include tangible investments like computer hardware, software, data, networks
and data centre facilities, as well as the staff who are hired to maintain them.
Managing this responsibility within a company entails many of the basic management
functions, like budgeting, staffing, change management, and organizing and
controlling, as well as those aspects mentioned above in terms of keywords.
The central aim of IT management is to generate value through the use of technology.
To achieve this, business strategies and technology must be aligned.
IT Management is different from management information systems. The latter refers
to management methods tied to the automation or support of human decision making.
IT Management refers to IT related management activities in organizations. MIS is
focused mainly on the business aspect, with strong input into the technology phase of
the business/organization.
A primary focus of IT management is the value creation made possible by technology.
This requires the alignment of technology and business strategies. While the value
creation for an organization involves a network of relationships between internal and
external environments, technology plays an important role in improving the overall
value chain of an organization. However, this increase requires business and
technology management to work as a creative, synergistic, and collaborative team
instead of a purely mechanistic span of control.
Historically, one set of resources was dedicated to one particular computing
technology, business application or line of business, and managed in a silo-like
fashion. These resources supported a single set of requirements and processes, and
couldn’t easily be optimized or reconfigured to support actual demand.[5] This led
technology providers to build out and complement their product-centric
infrastructure and management offerings with Converged Infrastructure
environments that converge servers, storage, networking, security, management and
facilities. The efficiencies of having this type of integrated and automated
management environment allows enterprises to get their applications up and running
faster, with simpler manageability and maintenance, and enables IT to adjust IT
resources (such as servers, storage and networking quicker to meet unpredictable
business demand.
1.10 Prof Machdel Matthee
Position: Associate professor
Office: IT Building 5-58
E-mail: machdel.matthee@up.ac.za
Telephone: 012 420 3365
Research
Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
ICT induced change, Internet studies, critical thinking, and community informatics.
technology and education
Developing context, educational settings, everyday use contexts, organisations
The influence of technology on the life worlds of people – this is very broad but my
focus is currently on learning environments. This is in line with my own
experience as lecturer as well as my PhD studies which focused on the use of
technology in the teaching of mathematics.
I am also interested in the way IT and the Internet influence the lives of people,
organisations and society, e.g. how does social media enable communities?
Topics
The implementation of e-textbook platforms in schools: This project provides
ample research opportunity: HCI, influence of way of working, way of learning,
way of interacting, parent-school relationship, new technology requirements, the
influence on the triangle, teacher, student, and curriculum and so on. Usually I
approach subjects of interest from interpretive lens but will consider quantitative
studies – especially for shorter studies eg honours.
1.11 Dr Tendani Mawela
Position: Lecturer - Informatics
Office: IT Building 5-102
E-mail: tendani.mawela@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124203372
Research
Keywords:
Electronic
Government
(e-Government),
e-Participation,
e-Democracy,
Transformational Government (t-Government), ICT for Development (ICT4D), Social
Media, Mobile Government (m-Government), Systematic Reviews
Domain:
Organisations / Government
Description:
My research is across various aspects of e-Government including:
 The use of Information and communication technologies towards
development.
 The use of information and communication technologies in all facets of the
operations of a government organization.
 The continuous optimization of service delivery, constituency participation
and governance by transforming internal and external relationships through
technology, the Internet and new media.
 The application of social media and other technologies in the public sector.
My current interests include the following areas:
Projects &
Interests:
Digital interactions between a government and citizens (G2C), government and
businesses/Commerce (G2B), government and employees (G2E), and also between
government and governments /agencies (G2G). The systematic reviews of existing eGovernment and ICT4D literature.
1.12 Dr Rennie Naidoo
Position: Senior Lecturer Informatics
Office: IT Building 5-71
E-mail: rennie.naidoo@up.ac.za
Telephone:
Research
Keywords:
Users, Use, Design, Decision-making, Ethics, Identity, Moral Disengagement, critical
discourse, socio-technical, Green IT, IT Projects
Domain:
Social media, electronic services, games, groups, firms, healthcare
Theories:
Actor-network theory, structuration theory, discourse analysis, technology
acceptance model, user satisfaction theory, socio-cognitive theory, social identity
theory and social representations theory.
Description:
My research fields are broadly in ICT and its influence in shaping society. I am
interested in a sociological and socio-cognitive analysis of IT design and use. I am
especially interested in the “predictably irrational” reasons why users use systems
and designers design them.
Projects & Topics
I can support students seeking to research:
:
 Moral disengagement in IT designs and use
 The contradictory discourses shaping ITs
 Group relations (conflict) and social media
 Decision-making in IT projects
 Personal Identity (who am I), Social Identity and IT use
 Ethical issues in IS
 Mobile devices as fashion statements (symbolic use)
 Making sense (sensemaking) of ICTs
 Socio-technical aspects of design and use
 Green IT or greenwashing
1.13 Mrs Komlay Pillay
Position: Lecturer
Office: IT Building: Office 5-100
E-mail: komlay.pillay@up.ac.za
Telephone: 012 4205422
Research Keywords:
Innovation, Systems analysis and design, Human Computer Interaction and
Mobile applications
Domain:
Description:
Education, Healthcare
My research interests include the design of information systems with a focus on
user interfaces. My research interests extend to the design of mobile
applications. I am particularly interested in the use of mobile applications as an
intervention tool for eHealth, eLearning etc. I am also interested in innovative
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) aimed at assisting
developing economies or promoting entrepreneurship.
1.14 Dr Henk Pretorius
Position: Senior Lecturer
Office: IT Building: Office 5-63
E-mail: henk.pretorius@up.ac.za
Telephone: 012 4203368
Research Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
Projects:
Governance, Business Process Management, Gender in ICT, Mobile, Crime
prevention, Sport-Heath and ICT
Governance and Technology; Gender and ICT, Sport and ICT
Interested in how various technologies (e.g. mobile, BPMs, apps, etc.) can further
governance in various areas and on various levels (to prevent crime). I am also
interested in Gender and ICT. Sport-Health and ICT also interest me. I am open
to anything interesting in the above domains.
Open to suggestions
I have funding for gender and ICT research. Please come and talk to me if you are
interested in this.
1.15 Mr Jaco Pretorius
Position: Lecturer
Office: IT Building 5-57
E-mail: jaco.pretorius@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124204189
Research Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
Database Design, System Analysis and Design; Data Warehousing, BI, Knowledge
Management.
Informatics (Organizations, IT and humans), Geography (Interaction between
humans, environment and Work Systems)
My main research area is Systems Analysis and Design with specific interest in
data, information and knowledge management, process management (specifically
Work Processes) and modelling. I am involved in studies where students focus on
the use of work systems in the environment (from a people, technology and
organization perspective).
I am also interested in how space and time impact on IS, the human and
organizations especially with regard to the BI environment in Data Warehousing.
Projects:
1.16 Mrs Tania Prinsloo
Position: Lecturer - Informatics
Office: IT Building 5-98
E-mail: Tania.prinsloo@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124205855
Research
Keywords:
ICT for Development, ICT for Agriculture, rural and communal farming, use of
technology in farming, gender studies, ERP system implementation.
Domain:
Agriculture and Development
Gender studies
Enterprise Resource Planning
Description:
My main research area is within ICT for Agriculture, focusing mainly on livestock and the
traceability of meat from Southern Africa to the rest of the world. I am particularly
interested in the discovery of the impact of new technologies on rural farmers to
determine if they are included or excluded from new technology trends.
My other focus area is looking at the role of gender in ICT for development, as well as
ICT for agriculture.
I also welcome research topics from companies implementing ERP systems, all the
challenges and successes, and combinations of ERP and its impact on an organization.
Projects &
Interests:
My current interests include the following areas:






The implementation of livestock traceability systems in Swaziland and Namibia,
looking specifically at the exportation of beef
Impact assessment studies of communal farmers
Southern African rural development
Ways of being more efficient in farming with the use of technology
Traceability
Future studies in ICT for Agriculture, specifically South Africa, including technology
use in communal and commercial farming
Projects include:
 Visits to Swaziland and Namibia to monitor the use of the new traceability systems
 Gathering data from communal farmers by means of personal interviews,
questionnaires and case studies
 Investigation into South African Citrus farms
 The use of mobile devices in Zimbabwe
1.17 Dr Riana Steyn
Position: Lecturer
Office: IT Building 5-66
E-mail: riana.steyn@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124203341
Research Keywords:
Domain:
Description:
Projects:
Entrepreneurship, teaching, e-skills, SMEs, teaching information systems,
absenteeism management
Organizations, Education
My main research area is specifically focused on entrepreneurs and how the
entrepreneurs can use technology to assist in enhancing their business.
My PhD studies focused on entrepreneurs and investigated an entrepreneurial
model which is used to train entrepreneurs but technology was never
incorporated. I included technology on this model to expand the model.
In addition to this, I am starting to venture into the motion of absenteeism
management and how systems can be used to assist an organization to manage
their absent employees in real-time and how these employees can be assisted
should they require any medical interventions which an occupational health clinic
can assist with.
I am also a passionate teacher and thus I also do some research on teaching
practices and new ways of teaching the next generation of students.
E-skills: I worked on the project in 2012 as part of my PhD studies
1.18 Dr Marita Turpin
Position: Senior Lecturer, Informatics
Office: IT Building 5-66.1
E-mail: marita.turping@up.ac.za
Telephone: 012 4205351
Research
Keywords:
Domain:
ICT4D (ICT for socio-economic development), impact assessment, monitoring and
evaluation, systems thinking and systems methodologies, decision-making.
ICT4D, Organisations
Description:
Within ICT4D, I am interested in evaluating the contribution of ICT interventions
on the broader community – what is the long term impact of ICT4D, and what are
the unintended consequences? Does ICT4D really lead to socio-economic
development? How should we evaluate the impact of ICT4D? How can ICT be
utilised to strengthen a community and to make it more sustainable?
I am an advocate for using systems thinking to analyse and assess impact in ICT4D.
I am also interested in finding alternative ways to conceptualise and evaluate
socio-economic development.
Another interest area is decision-making, in particular decision-making processes
and how these are (not) supported by ICT. Often, BI research focuses on decision
support applications and technologies. In contrast, the emphasis of my research is
to study the messy decision-making context in organisations, and to consider
technology as a role-player in the larger context.
Projects &
Interests:

Impact assessment (monitoring and evaluation) in ICT4D, using various
frameworks

Applying systems methodologies to understand/analyse the ICT4D context.

Investigating decision-making processes, e.g. the rational model, bounded
rationality, garbage can and political models, and to see what role technology
plays to support these processes.
1.19 Prof Alta van der Merwe
Position: HOD Informatics
Office: IT Building 5-78
E-mail: alta.vdm@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124203798
URL: www.altavandermerwe.com
Research
Keywords:
Design, Enterprise Architecture, Socio-technical systems, Acceptance and use of
technology in different domains;
Keywords: Requirements, Processes and IS issues in organizations; New trends;
Supervision and research in IS; Social media; Crowdsourcing, Contextual awareness;
Ownership
Domain:
Organizations, Education,
Description:
My main research area is within Enterprise Architecture with specific interest in data
management, process management, modelling and adoption aspects. I am involved in
studies where students focus on the design of environments but also aim to understand
the use of technology in that environment (from a people, technology and organization
perspective).
I am also interested in technology impact in society and on organizations and am involved
in projects where there is a focus on the unique use of mobile technology, crowd sourcing
and cloud computing.
My last research focus area is related to research and design topics where I am interested
in the supervision process and the different research approaches used by researchers.
Projects:
InnXchange
innXchange is a capacity building project aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial training
and encouraging entrepreneurial thinking through the development of partnerships
between academic institutions and commercial research organizations from Africa and
Europe.
Looking for
students
interested in:
Investigating design aspects from different angles (including a user perspective), how
to design for ownership, how to use unique aspects such as crowdsourcing in your
business model, user adoption / acceptance studies of new environments (e.g
business using innovative technologies such as social media);
Topics related to using technology in business - Enterprise Architecture topics, IT
Strategy and alignment,
In the development cycle interested in innovative SA&Design e.g. Bimodal IT.
1.20 Dr Phil van Deventer
Position: Lecturer - Informatics
Office: IT Building 5-97
E-mail: phil.vandeventer@up.ac.za
Telephone: 0124205219
Research
Keywords:
Unstructured Data Analytics, Text Analysis, Data Visualisation, Enterprise
Architecture, Data Science, Knowledge Systems, Data Organisation And Retrieval,
Information Organisation And Retrieval, Data Management, Information
Management, Knowledge Management
Domain:
Organisations
Description:
My main research area is Knowledge Representation - What do we know, Why do we
know, When do we know, Where do we know, How do we know. As such, most of my
ideas and research revolves around Knowledge as a construct and how it is
represented, presented, applied, collected and leveraged in different construct. For
example, I believe that Enterprise Architecture is a type of Knowledge
Representation.
I am generally interested in any type of analytics that accesses Knowledge in its
varying and intricate permutations and forms – from the individual to society at large.
Projects &
Interests:
My current interests include the following areas:

Enterprise Architecture (EA) – I view EA from the viewpoint that EA is a type of
Knowledge Representation that combines several domains of business,
technology, people, infrastructure and market forces to change the Enterprise
from one state to another. In this instance I am interested in how these forces
moulds and shape the nature of the Enterprise influencing all its potential future
states. For example; How does all the aforementioned forces mould and shape the
systematic migration and change of the organism known as the Enterprise?

Unstructured Analytics – I believe that all types of data, scenarios and situations
present a pattern of some sort. If one can identify the pattern, no matter how
abstract the source, one can obtain an understanding (limited however it may be)
regarding the data, scenarios and situation being presented. For example; one of
the major concerns in big data and behavioural economic is how does one
leverage value out of large scale unstructured sources of data?

Text Analysis – The symbolic representations of text has always intrigued me.
The meaning and relationships between text and textual symbols. How these
symbols are processed cognitively, neurobiologically and programmatically.
1.21 Dr Lizette Weilbach
Position: Senior lecturer
Office: IT Building, Room 5-69
E-mail: Lizette.weilbach@up.ac.za
Telephone: (012) 420 3376
Research
Keywords:
Business Analysis/Requirements analysis; IT change management; Soft/Social
issues of IS implementation; IS Education; Mobile Learning
Domain:
Organisations; Government; Education and Training
Description of
Research Interests:
My first research interest boils around the development and implementation of
Information Systems. I am specifically interested in business analysis and the way
in which requirements are gathered and transformed into system functionalities. I
believe the modelling of these requirements is just as important, and maybe even
more important, and the representation of such requirements in a complete and
understandable way is therefore essential.
As the implementation of IS brings about change in an organisation, IT change
management happens to be my second research interest. In this regard I’m
specifically interested in understanding and ‘managing’ the soft human issues, such
as technological frames of reference, culture and organisational politics, which
form part of the social context within which IS are implemented. The research that
I’ve done for my PhD thus also focussed on IS implementation with a very specific
emphasis on the social context within which it was implemented. The thesis
described a case study in which a Government department moved from a
proprietary software (PS) package to an Open Source Software (OSS) Package.
Institutional theory was used as a theoretical lens to enhance the understanding of
the change that took place during the process of implementation.
My third research interest is nestled in the passion I have for the teaching of IS. I’m
interested in new and different ways and platforms which could be used to better
teach IS to both students and people from the IT industry. With mobile learning
becoming a bus word in IS education, this area has become one of my latest
interests, as it opens up so much more learning opportunities to both individuals
and groups of learners. In this regard I’m interested in the social context of mobile
learning; how the mobile platform could be used to leverage educational
opportunities; and what changes or potential threats this new ‘type’ of learning has
brought to both the educator and the learner. Understanding the change when
moving from printed platforms to e-platforms is therefore also high on the list of
my research interests, in an attempt to know or to better understand how to
possibly facilitate this change to gain the best possible implementation results.
Due to my research interests I consider myself to be more of an interprevistic
researcher, although I will also consider positivistic approaches in situations
where this lens seems to be more applicable.
Projects &
Interests:
I am currently involved with Prof Machdel Matthee in a project where e-textbooks
are implemented in local secondary schools, allowing teachers to push content to
e-textbooks. Other school implementations will also be investigated, aiming at
understanding the change and the training needed to get teachers and learners
ready for implementation. We also aim at investigating the usability/user
experience of teachers and students using these e-textbooks.
Topics:
I can support students wanting to do research on:
 Business and Systems Analysis
 The social/soft issues of IS implementation
 IS Change & Change Management
 IS and Education
 The social/soft issues of mobile learning
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