Browsing by Author "Ongare, Roselida Maroko"

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Assessing ICT Infrastructure Requirements for AI-Powered Virtual Assistants in Delivering ICT Technical Support to Kenyan Public Universities
(International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering, 2023-08-14) Oyile, Paul Oduor; Ongare, Roselida Maroko; Ikoha, Anselemo Peters
In recent years, the global landscape has witnessed a significant surge in the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for devising intelligent solutions across corporate entities and institutions of higher education. This paper underscores the profound impact of AI in shaping the landscape of smart solutions and particularly emphasizes the deployment of AI-powered virtual assistants. These virtual assistants hold the potential to revolutionize ICT technical support provision in public universities by expediting the resolution of routine technical issues faced by students and potentially reducing dependency on dedicated ICT support personnel. However, the successful implementation of such transformative technology necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the requisite ICT infrastructure. This study aims to meticulously analyze the essential ICT infrastructure components crucial for the effective deployment of AIpowered virtual assistants. Employing a content analysis approach, the study gathered pertinent data from a corpus of 20 peer-reviewed journal articles centered on the themes of "ICT infrastructure" and "AI-powered Virtual Assistant." The investigation disclosed prominent AI platforms such as IBM Watson, Google Dialogflow, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Lex as prevalent choices for Natural Language Processing in constructing AI-powered virtual assistants. These platforms exhibited inherent capabilities encompassing natural language comprehension, processing, and generation. Programming languages such as JavaScript, Java, C#, SQL, Python, and Php emerged as popular choices for coding the AI-driven chatbot. Core hardware requirements included servers, smartphones, routers, and PCs. Pertinent software components encompassed Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Operating Systems (OS), and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). Furthermore, Facebook and WhatsApp emerged as prevalent messaging platforms for the testing, deployment, and user interaction aspects of the AI-powered chatbot. The outcomes of this study are anticipated to provide valuable insights for policy makers, IT practitioners, and university administrators, facilitating informed decision-making on the strategic integration of AI-powered virtual assistants to bolster ICT technical support for students.
Commonly Requested ICT Technical Support Services by Students in Public Universities in Kenya: A Case Study of Kibabii University
(Kibabii University, 2023-09-14) Oyile, Paul Oduor; Ongare, Roselida Maroko; Ikoha, Peters Anselemo
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional methods of instruction and learning, leading educational institutions to adopt online learning environments heavily reliant on ICT. However, providing effective and consistent ICT technical support posed challenges, with limited staffing and absences. This study aimed to investigate the commonly requested ICT technical support services by students in public universities in Kenya. The research questions focused on identifying the commonly requested ICT services and the frequently requested ICT technical support per service. The study utilized a case study research design, focusing on Kibabii University and involving 389 students and 16 ICT staff members. The student sample was selected through stratification into different faculties and schools, followed by random sampling. Data were collected through interviews and an online survey, and a descriptive analysis was conducted. The findings of the study revealed that the most frequently requested technical support services by students were related to eLearning services, email services, and online application and clearance services. Among these, eLearning support emerged as the most popular technical support service, while ERP support was the least popular. The results of this study hold significance for policy makers and university administrators as they seek to enhance the provision of technical support for ICT. The findings can inform decision-making processes regarding resource allocation, training, and infrastructure development to meet students' ICT support needs effectively. Moreover, the study sets the foundation for the development of a student-centered ICT technical support and infrastructure provision architecture, leveraging AI-powered virtual assistants to cater to students' ICT support requirements on behalf of ICT staff. In summary, this research sheds light on the commonly requested ICT services and technical support needs of students in public universities in Kenya, emphasizing the importance of a student-centric approach to ICT support.
Competency-Based Curriculum as a Catalyst for Enhancing E-Learning: An Empirical Review
(International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering, 2023-09-14) Ongare, Roselida Maroko
The educational realm has experienced substantial shifts due to the growing integration of e-learning and the emergence of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) as an innovative educational paradigm. This empirical review seeks to investigate the potential harmonization between CBC and e-learning through a thorough analysis of established research. The primary objective of this review is to uncover the synergistic possibilities between these two approaches and to present empirical substantiation of how CBC can strengthen the effectiveness of online learning. Through a comprehensive examination of diverse research studies, this review aims to determine the intrinsic benefits and challenges tied to the fusion of CBC within e-learning contexts. Moreover, it aims to clarify the far-reaching implications for educational institutions and policymakers as they navigate the complex intersection of these progressive methodologies.
Exploring the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women Entrepreneurs through Digital Platforms: An Investigation into the Utilization of Social Media Platforms
(International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering, 2023-07-14) Ongare, Roselida Maroko
This study investigates the economic empowerment of rural women entrepreneurs by exploring the role of digital platforms, with a particular focus on social media platforms. The research aims to investigate how the utilization of these digital tools can positively impact the economic growth and empowerment of women entrepreneurs in rural areas. Data was collected from women entrepreneurs in Siaya County, Kenya, using a survey research design. The study analyzed the frequency and extent of social media platform usage for various business functions, such as sales, marketing, customer relationship services, and online banking. Additionally, the research examined the relationship between social media platform usage and women's economic empowerment using statistical models, including correlation and regression analyses. The findings demonstrate that social media platforms, especially WhatsApp and Facebook, play a significant role in advancing women's economic empowerment. However, the usage of these platforms by rural women entrepreneurs remains below average, indicating a need for increased awareness and support. The study highlights that digital platforms enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve business efficiency, leading to improved health outcomes and environmental benefits. Online sales, facilitated by social media, enable entrepreneurs to expand their markets beyond geographical boundaries, reaching a broader customer base and achieving higher profit margins. These higher profits contribute to business expansion, job creation, and improved living standards, while also offering opportunities for investment in environmental development initiatives. Overall, this research underscores the transformative potential of digital platforms, particularly social media, in fostering economic growth and gender empowerment among rural women entrepreneurs. Policymakers and stakeholders can leverage these insights to develop targeted initiatives and support mechanisms that encourage more women to embrace digital tools for business growth, ultimately contributing to economic development and gender equity in rural communities.
Internet Usage for Women Entrepreneurship Sustainability: A Study of Selected Rural Woman Entrepreneurs of Small Businesses
(International Journal of Computer Science Trends and Technology, 2021-04-14) Ongare, Roselida Maroko; Ikoha, Peters Anselemo; Wabwoba, Franklin
Sustaining technologies and innovations are important driving forces behind the modern day businesses and the working space. These technologies enable businesses to improve their products and services in a way that makes them compete with competitors in the same marketspace. The Internet is a sustaining technology that is currently altering the economic, social and political landscapes by changing the way people live, do business and work. The Internet if used properly can provide effective tools and services to support sustainable entrepreneurship with the potential of empowering women entrepreneurs economically, socially as well as contributing to environmental conservation and protection. This study sought to analyse Internet usage by women entrepreneurs of small businesses in rural areas. The study was premised on the fact that maximum utilization of the Internet by women entrepreneurs of small businesses in rural areas would provide opportunities to accelerate the country’s social, economic and environment well-being. The study initially sought to predict the relationship between usage of Internet and sustainable development of women entrepreneurs of small businesses, then explored the detailed views of these women concerning the use of the Internet and finally compared the relationship between its usage and entrepreneurship sustainability. The findings show that Internet usage has positive and significant effect on entrepreneurship sustainability of women entrepreneurs of small businesses studied. The target population was women entrepreneurs of small businesses in Siaya County. A sample size was 272 and a response rate of 91.91% was achieved. Simple random sampling and snowball sampling techniques were used to aid in data collection. Survey research design was used and questionnaires were used to collect data. Data analysis was done using PLS-SEM statistical model and descriptive, inferential and predictive statistics that encompassed regression and correlation were used to analyse the data. Ethical issues arising from the research such as informed voluntary consent, no harm to participants, confidentiality of information and data integrity were accounted for. The reliability of the research tool was arrived at using composite reliability test and Cronbach’s Alpha test. Validity of the research instrument was assessed using factor analysis. The significance of the study lies in its ability to provide valuable insights into the aspects of Internet usage in business and entrepreneurship sustainability.
IT as a Green Enabler to Save the World for the Future of Life on Earth: A Review.
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 2024-09-30) Afwande, Margaret; Wabwoba, Franklin; Ongare, Roselida Maroko
As global environmental challenges escalate, the role of Information Technology (IT) as a catalyst for sustainable development has become increasingly significant. This research explores how IT can be leveraged as a green enabler to address environmental issues, reduce carbon footprints, and foster ecological resilience. This study illustrates how digital technologies contribute to energy efficiency, resource optimization, and the transition to a circular economy by critically reviewing current IT innovations, such as cloud computing, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), additionally, the study examines the potential of IT to influence behavioral change, enhance environmental monitoring, and support policy-making aimed at sustainability. The findings suggest that by integrating IT into environmental strategies, we can create scalable solutions that not only mitigate the impact of climate change but also ensure the preservation of life on Earth for future generations.
Modelling Utilization of the Internet and Social Media Platforms for Sustainable Development of Women Entrepreneurs of Small Businesses
(International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2022-02-14) Ongare, Roselida Maroko
Sustaining technologies and innovations are important driving forces behind the modern day business and the working space. Sustaining technology and innovation enables businesses to improve their products and services in a way that makes them compete with competitors in the same market space. The Internet and social media platforms are sustaining technologies and innovations that are currently altering the economic, social and political landscapes by changing the way people live, do business and work. Proper and informed usage of these technologies in business can have the potentials of empowering entrepreneurs economically, socially as well as contributing to environmental conservation and protection. This research sought to develop a model that would encourage utilization of the Internet and social media platforms by women entrepreneurs of small businesses in rural areas. This was achieved by analyzing Internet usage, evaluating social media platforms usage by women entrepreneurs in rural parts of Siaya County in Kenya and developing a model of utilization of the Internet and social media platforms for sustainable development. The six social media platforms that were evaluated are Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. The target population was women entrepreneurs of small businesses in Siaya County. Cochran formula was used to calculate the ideal sample size and sample size of 272 was used. A response rate of 91.91% was achieved. Simple random sampling was used to select one county out of 45 counties and snowball sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The reliability of the research tool was arrived at using composite reliability test and Cronbach’s Alpha test whereas the validity of the research instrument was assessed using content and construct validity. Ethical issues arising from the research such as informed voluntary consent, no harm to participants, confidentiality of information and data integrity were accounted for. Data analysis was done using PLS-SEM statistical model and descriptive, inferential and predictive statistics that encompassed regression and correlation were used to analyze the data and develop and validate the model. The validity of the model was assessed and approved by ten SME experts and its applicability in business for sustainable development of entrepreneurs of small businesses was ascertained through simulation. The purpose of the study was achieved.
Social Media Platforms Usage for Entrepreneurship Sustainability: A Study of Selected Rural Women Entrepreneurs of Small Businesses
(International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies, 2021-07-14) Ongare, Roselida Maroko; Wabwoba, Franklin; Ikoha, Anselemo Peters
Social media platforms are sustaining technologies that are currently altering the economic and social landscapes by changing the way people live, do business and work. Social media platforms if used properly can provide effective tools to support sustainable entrepreneurial activities with the potential of empowering women entrepreneurs economically, socially as well as enabling them to contribute positively to environmental conservation and protection. This research study sought to evaluate social media platforms usage by women entrepreneurs of small businesses in rural areas for entrepreneurship sustainability. This was achieved by evaluating the usage of Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn by women entrepreneurs in selected rural market centres of Siaya County in Kenya. The study was premised on the fact that maximum utilization of the social media platforms by women entrepreneurs of small businesses in rural areas would provide opportunities to accelerate the country’s social, economic and environment well-being. The study initially sought to predict the relationships between usage of Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn and entrepreneurship sustainability of women entrepreneurs of small businesses in rural areas, then explored the detailed views of these women concerning the use of these social media platforms and finally compared the relationship between their usage and entrepreneurship sustainability. The target population was women entrepreneurs of small businesses in Siaya County. A sample size of 272 was used and a response rate of 91.91% was achieved. Purposive, simple random and snowball sampling techniques were used to aid in data collection. Survey research design was used and questionnaires were used to collect data. Data analysis was done using PLS-SEM statistical model and descriptive, inferential and predictive statistics that encompassed regression and correlation were used to analyse the data. Ethical issues arising from the research such as informed voluntary consent, no harm to participants, confidentiality of information and data integrity were accounted for. The reliability of the research tool was arrived at using composite reliability test and Cronbach’s Alpha test. Validity of the research instrument was assessed using factor analysis. The significance of the study lied in its ability to provide valuable insights into the aspects of social media platforms usage in business and entrepreneurship sustainability.