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Search | What's New?| Site Map | Discussion Lists CONNECTIVITY IN AFRICA: USE, BENEFTIS, AND CONSTRAINTS OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION - UGANDA CASE STUDY Jane Frances Kanyunyuzi
Asaba (Mrs.) Systems Librarian, Makerere University Box 7062 Kampala, Phone 256-41-531041 E-mail: Bazirake@hotmail.com Or mmlib@starcom.co.ug
SUMMARY OF THE STUDY The study was conducted in two phases in the period of March 1995 to March 1996 and April 1996 to December 1996 The study employed three approaches to data collection to assess the use of electronic communication. The three approaches were complementary. They focused on who uses the service, how much it is used, what has been achieved by this users, what problems inhibit its gainful use and suggested improvements to the service. Traffic data was collected from a Fidonet node and analysed to get the frequency of usage. This indicated how often users engaged in use of email especially in sending messages. The traffic data was also used to tabulate frequency of use as low, medium, high and very high to get the magnitude of usage. Basing on traffic data it was found that majority of users, in both phases of the study, were in the low usage range which was 0-10 messages sent a month and very few appeared in high usage range which was 61 and above messages sent in a month. A baseline questionnaire was sent to users who were active in using email to fill. The questionnaire aimed at getting users, profile, their experience in use of computers and indeed electronic communication, what they used it for, and their achievements, constraints and/or their suggestions for improvements on the electronic communication. It was found that most users of email were highly qualified professionals engaged in a variety of activities in different sectors both private and public (academic, research, self employed in business etc). The predominant indications were that email was used in academic/research work and for business. The major correspondences being sending and receiving personal messages. However, it is not clear whether these personal messages are of private nature or have educative and public value in them. The e-mail users were by and large experienced computer users though it was indicated that some still had some problems with applications of new software such as the communication software. Majority composed, wrote and sent their messages themselves and a few used some one else to send. The email users were a variety of both indigenous Ugandans and foreigners and of both sexes. Ugandans formed a majority of users and male sex dominated the use of e-mail according to the findings. Many facilities were being used on shared basis with an average of 5 users per point. A few were being used by single users. It seems that as the awareness of the use of e-mail increases the average number of users sharing at points will go up. The costs of email services were being met by the users organisations and projects with a few paying for the services themselves. Communication, was indicated as being predominantly outside the country and outside Africa to the countries abroad. Most users had achieved a lot from the use of electronic communication ranging from being able to communicate easily and with more contacts made to ability to transmit massive documents over e-mail at minimal costs. The constraints enumerated hinged mainly on the local facilities and equipment used such as fluctuating power supply, poor telephone lines connections and machine (modems) break down. There were also some constraints connected with lack of training in use of communication software and absence of tools like software manuals. Suggestions for improvements also dwelt on the improvements in local facilities and ISP quick responses to users complaints in case of machine break down. The need to step up training in use of software and making manuals available was among the suggested improvements. Interviews were conducted with some selected users to find out more information to supplement the baseline survey. Questions focused mainly on users activities, e-mail usage and improvements it brings to the individuals performance, problems related with use of email, advantages of e-mail over other means of communication and how so far the users were getting used to e-mail either with comfort and/or otherwise, were discussed with users. On the whole the users were comfortable with the user of e-mail despite some problems mainly of local nature. Many successful stories with the use of e-mail were cited. Advantages of the email usage over the other means were numerous. It was generally acknowledged that the use of electronic communication had brought some improvements in individual's tasks performance and output. In conclusion, the use of electronic communication in Uganda is held high with a lot of excitement. A lot is acknowledged achieved in the short span it has been in use and a lot more expected as the connectivity spreads and more experience with the usage of the communication is gained in time. The major negative effect that can be gathered from observations is that, like any other new and and developmental services introduced in Uganda, it will be mainly a major towns event than a rural spread service. If this problem is addressed and corrected for the communication to benefit the rural majority it will be a great achievement and a great impact on development in the country.
MAIN REPORT FI RST PHASE OF THE STUDY
1.0 INTRODUCTION This report covers a project originally entitled "Impact of electronic communications on development in Africa", consonant with the overall theme of the program of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada through which it was supported. The research team felt that this title sounded too broad and ambitious with respect to the actual scope and outcome of the project. It thus decided to use the above main title for the final reports. In Africa, four countries were selected for this study namely, include Ethiopia, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia. This report covers the study in Uganda. Data was collected, through a survey involving the users of the Mukla Fidonet Network, an electronic mail network which had a node at the Institute of Computer Science, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda,. Initially (from 1/01/1995 up to 5/03/1995), the study involved collection and analysis of E-mail traffic data in order to understand the usage patterns and to draw samples for the study. This data is presented in Appendix 1(A).
2.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The general objective of the study was to assess the use, benefits and constraints of electronic communication and to test the possible impact of information on development so as to come up with indicators to measure this impact.
3. 0 SCOPE AND COVERAGE Initially the study covered users of the Mukla Network (Fidonet technology) who were using E-mail services only, later it was broadened to include users of Full Internet services, a system which was introduced during the study period.
4. 0 CONTENT OF THE REPORT This report covers the first phase of the study. It gives the methodology, the problems encountered during its implementation, the findings such as: uses and patterns of use, benefits and constraints of electronic communication. Finally, the report discusses the major findings and gives conclusion and recommendations. The study instruments such as the Questionnaires, and the Interview Guide are attached as Appendices together with the Implementation Schedule and Traffic data. The report is closely related to the report on Phase Two of the same study which is presented separately.
5. 0 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY In Uganda, a survey of the E-mail users was conducted to elicit important facts such as usage, benefits, problems and constraints. The study was conducted over a period of nearly two years (Jan 1995 - Dec 1996) and was divided into two phases. Implementation of the first phase ran from January 1995 - March 1996 while the second phase was implemented during April 1996 to December 1996. The questionnaire and Interview methods were used to collect information.
5.1 Baseline questionnaire A detailed baseline questionnaire (Appendix 2(A) was sent out between March and December 1995, to collect information on the use of E-mail. During February and March 1996, a simplified Baseline questionnaire (Appendix 2(B)) and Internet Supplementation questionnaire (Appendix 4) were sent out to supplement the questionnaire sent out earlier and to capture information from Internet users, respectively. Out of a total of 279 registered users, 164 active users were drawn and the questionnaire was administered to them. Most of the questionnaires were sent by Email, however 50 were hand carried to a sample (i.e. 50) of selected users who were also identified to participate in the Interviews. The criteria for selecting this sample is given in the section on interviews below while the Framework for the sample is given in Appendix 1 B. The three groups of respondents to which the baseline questionnaire was dispatched are as follows: 5.1.1 The sample group of 50 E-mail users who were also selected for interviews. A total of 41 filled questionnaires were returned from this group. 5.1.2 Questionnaires were sent by E-mail to the rest of members of the original group of 164 active members, who were not included in the smaller sample of 50. From this group 9 questionnaires were returned. 5.1.3 Questionnaires were also sent by E-mail to all users registered with the MUKLA node by July 1995. From this group 14 questionnaires were returned. Altogether, 64 questionnaires were filled and returned giving a response rate of approximately 23%.
5.2 Interviews A sample of 50 users indicated above was drawn according to the following criteria: 5.2.1 Type of organization namely; Government, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO), Private, Academic and Research 5.2.2 Level of use of E-mail rated as: Low, Medium, High, Very High 5.2.3 Accessibility of user for the Interview (i.e. the by phone, E-mail or physical visit) It was not possible to carry out all the 50 interviews as envisaged. However a total of 38 interviews were carried out after administering the baseline questionnaire, i.e during March - December 1995 and February - March 1996 respectively. The Interview schedule is given in Appendix 3 while the distribution of the Interview sample is given in Table 1 below. A draft report of the first phase was compiled during December 1995 - Jan 1996 while the final report was compiled during April 1996.
Table 1: Distribution of Interview Respondents
5.3 Problems encountered: 5.3.1 Introduction of Healthnet in 1991 was closely followed by introduction of Fidonet E-mail and introduction of the Internet in 1995.These fast developments made it difficult to retain the same users throughout the study period as users shifted from one system to another over a short period. 5.3.2 Limited funding could not allow for initial training of the researchers. It also restricted the ability of investigators to make repeated travel for Interviews, collect questionnaires, or hold group meetings with respondents. 5.3.3 Low response rates: Sending Questionnaires by E-mail could not guarantee responses despite follow up visits and remainders. 5.3.4 Inadequate/incomplete responses: the timing of the study was rather early as use of Electronic Communication Technology was still new in the country, hence the responses were often inadequate. 5.4.5 Although this research was designed as a part-time activity, it demanded more time than what was originally anticipated.
6.0 Findings from the baseline questionnaire: users and patterns of use of electronic communication:
6.1 Profile of users
Table 2: Categories of respondents' Institutions
It was however observed that there was overlap between government and academic/research institutions as most of these institutions are government establishments. Most people in these institutions stated they were in government.
Table 3: Distribution of users per Point
Table 4: Principle activities of users
Most respondents seem to be involved in academic activities, because many academic institutions are government establishments. As observed above there is an overlap between government, research and academic institutions. 6.1.10 Only 17 (27.9%) of the respondents had membership to professional groups, 44 (72.1%) are not members of any professional group and 3 (6.25%) of the respondents did not answer the question. 6.1.11 Respondents’ education This question was not answered by all respondents as it was optional.
6.2 Uses and Patterns of use of Electronic Communication 6.2.1 Frequency of use of E-mail: The frequency considered for this study was in respect of the "sending messages". It was however, observed that the frequency of sending messages and that of receiving messages were almost equal. Details of E-mail Traffic data are given in Appendix 1. The frequency distribution for the different ranges was: 2.4% for VERY HIGH, 4.9% for HIGH, 46.9% for MEDIUM, and 45.7% for LOW usage.
Table 5: Dates when respondents started using E-mail
It was observed that many people started using E-mail in 1993 though it was introduced in 1991. There are two reasons for this. One is that it is by 1993 that it was widely used. The other is that awareness about electronic communication (E-mail) services has been slowly catching on. Sensitization has been done mainly through individual contacts.
6.2.2 Patterns of use of electronic communication
Table 6: Rate of sending E-mail messages
Table 7: Rate of receiving E-mail messages
Table 8: Rate of checking E-mail messages
Table 9: Rate of use of E-mail for different activities
Key: PM = personal messages
AM= arranging meetings
MP = managing projects (MP)
ERI= exchange of research ideas
RTA = receiving technical advice
PTA= providing technical advice
PTA = providing technical advice
LS= literature searches
EDOC = exchanging documents
EXDB= exchange of databases
Table 10: Destination of E-mail messages:
In the majority of cases, E-mail is being used to communicate outside Africa or within Africa but outside the country (Uganda). Sixty-four (64) respondents answered the question on the destination of the information delivered via E-mail and, the following answers were obtained: outside Africa, 35 (54.7%), within Africa but outside the country 16 (25%), and within the country, 13 (20.3%)
Table 11: Frequency of sending E-mail messages using communication channels other than E-mail
Key:
SAM = Surface or Air Mail
Tel = Telephone,
Travel for Doc = Travel for Documents h) The frequency by which E-mail has replaced different communication channels is given below as the % response and the corresponding number of responses.
Table 12: Frequency by which E-mail has replaced different communication channels
In descending order, the frequency at which E-mail is replacing the traditional methods of communication is as follows: Surface and Air mail, fax, telephone, telex, delivering information on meetings and travelling for documents.
6.3 Benefits to the use of E-mail
a) 12 (11.8%) of the respondents indicated that it was providing Electronic forms of Professional Journals and Newsletter's;
c) 39 (38.2%) indicated that it had reduced on the budget for telephone and fax services. d) 31 (30.4%) said it had reduced on courier and postal fees ; e) 10 (9.8%) indicated Local travel; while 2 (2.0%) indicated international travel.
6.4 Constraints to the use of E-mail
7. 0 Findings from Interviews
7.1 General Information 7.1.1 Respondents gave the following as principle activities of their institutions:
7.1.2. Activities that respondents identified as critical for the achievement of their institutional goals
Table 14 : Critical activities of institutions
7.1.3. There are various means through which respondents acquired E-mail addresses of partners:
Table 15: Means of acquiring communication patterns
7.2 Benefits 7.2.1 52.6% of the respondents had realized much improvement in communication since they got access to E-mail, however 47.4% said that they still had some communication problems despite having Email. Over 60% use the service mainly for general correspondences, thus it has provided an alternative means of communication besides telephone, fax and postal services. For the majority, E-mail has made communication easy as it transfers huge documents at low costs in comparison with fax. E-mail was seen to have higher comparative communication advantages. Users were acquiring and sending literature abroad via E-mail. One of these is an institute administrator was using E-mail to send students' theses abroad to external supervisors. Most communication partners and sources of information were abroad, rather than local. 7.2.2. 47.9% of the respondents had attained successes since getting access to email as indicated by the following multiple responses : a) 43.5% were able to meet deadlines for proposals, meetings, travel arrangements and other activities; b) 82.6% were able to communicate regularly with friends abroad; c) 65.2% were able to obtain urgently needed information at short notice; d) 13.9% were post-graduate students who had achieved fast communication with their supervisors/ examiners. e) 21.7% were able to network and discuss with colleagues on topical and urgent matters quickly; f) 65.2% indicated clarity of received messages and reduction in requirements for printing paper, as well as easy storage of messages (soft copies). g) 34.8% had experienced improvements in monitoring their projects (e.g Immunization. h) 8.7% experienced improvements in time management and delivery of teaching materials. 4.3% were able to take advantage of differences between time zones for prompt delivery of messages. 7.2.3. Respondents gave multiple answers on how Electronic communication had contributed to the performance of their duties: a) 73.7% achieved increased speed of communication and making of faster decisions; b) 10.5% had speeded up implementation action; c) 21% had achieved improvements in monitoring and management of their projects; d) 78% had reduced on going to the post office or other offices to send faxes and receive messages
of scientific literature; f) 5.3% had improvements in the quality of their work because of improved consultation with peers (discussion groups; conferencing; bulletin boards; chat). 7.2.4. All respondents said that E-mail had advantage over other communication means available in the organization, giving several reasons as follows: a) 13.1% of the respondents indicated that Email is more convenient when compared to fax as the sender can compose several messages off-line and send them later when the telephone line is secured; b) 68.4% said E-mail was cheaper than fax and snail mail; c) 94.7% said it was faster than ordinary (snail) mail; d) 13.1% indicated that if undelivered, messages are returned; e) 17.8% found Email convenient as messages could be composed, saved and later edited, and forwarded.
the same time; g) 5.2% respondents were able to store soft copies of messages. h) 10.5% said that E-mail messages can be redirected to relevant people. I) Journalists were able to contribute news to the Uganda network through E-mail.
7.3 Constraints/Problems 7.3.3. Most respondents indicated that they face more than one problem while implementing their activities. These include:
Table 16 : Problems faced by respondents while implementing activities
7.3.2. Respondents gave the following as causes of communication-related problems: a) 31.5% experienced poor telephone lines which slow down communication b) 21.1% lacked adequate communication facilities (Telephone, Fax, E-mail). c) 47.4% lacked adequate funding (for communication activities.) 7.3.3. Other problems which led to a slow down and difficulties in conducting businesses: a) 45% respondents suggested increased budgets for communication activities; b) 30% of the respondents proposed improvement of telephone lines; c) 17.5% recommended installation and upgrading of telephone and fax; and d) 7.5% opted for installation of Email Internet. 7.3.4. 18.4% of the respondents indicated that they were comfortable with the use of Email while 81.6% said that they were not very comfortable with the same. 7.3.5. Users gave the following as constraints hindering communication:
Table 17 : Constraints to communication
7.3.6. Constraints which lead to low usage of E-mail: a. Lack of computer facilities among local users with whom information would be exchanged; b. Lack of organized information which can be exchanged i.e local databases; c. Insufficient equipment; d. Lack of competence in using e-mail software due to lack of user training; e. Lack of funds to subscribe for e-mail services (compared to other means of communication) as subscription is done irrespective of use or non-use of the service; f. Delays in communicating with the node due to congestion of telephone lines. g. 13.1% of the respondents had reduced on time spent on other activities as e-mail demands on users time to receive and reply to messages.
*** 8.2 Interviews with Internet Service Providers Contacts were made with Internet Service Providers in order to discuss with them matters related to electronic communication. There are two providers in Kampala. Several attempts were made before the right persons to provide the data could be obtained. Eventually one of the providers gave some data, but it was very difficult to get information from the second provider. The company that provided data was established in April 1995 and provided some information on internet use traffic and a user market survey that had been conducted in August 1996. The services offered include: E-mail, world wide web, TelNet, FTP, Archie; consultancies on e-mail, Internet and multi-protocol routing services. Clients include: business organizations, NGOs, Government ministries, institutions, and individuals. The company had instituted a monthly subscription fee that covers connection time of between 5 to 75 hours/month. Appendix 5 gives an extract from an application form for Internet Services. A copy of the report of a market survey was conducted for Analog & Digital Systems from August 1995 and traffic data were provided to the researchers. Relevant conclusions from the survey have been appended to this report (See Appendix 5) Traffic data for February, 1996 (Appendix 7) was analyzed as follows: a) There were a total of 24 users; b) The total number of calls made in February were 12077; c) On average each user made 59 calls. However, the calls per individual user ranged from 1-344.
9. 0 Observations and Conclusions
9.1 The study findings show that users were generally happy with the availability of the electronic communication though many were apparently not making much use of it. Many respondents did not discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the e-mail in concrete terms. This conclusion is confirmed by the major findings summarized below : 9.2 About 90% said that e-mail services had made life easy. They were particularly happy with e-mail’s ability to transfer large volumes of data. E-mail was being used for document delivery which would otherwise be very costly by alternative means 9.3 Users were still in the process of acquainting themselves with new technology and acquiring partner's to communicate with. Hence, 60% of the respondents were using the e-mail service mainly for general correspondence. 9.4 Nearly 90% of the users said they are far better off with e-mail than without it. Unlike the telephone, e-mail users do not need to be present in order to send or receive messages. 9.5 10% of the respondents were deliberately abandoning e-mail it because they considered it to be costly as payment for e-mail was fixed per month, irrespective of usage. 9.6 10% of the respondents indicated the service was helpful and resourceful for exchanging information for research and general document delivery. 9.7 Computer literacy in the country was still rather low and computers were not widely available. Some users could not perform tasks such as importing texts. Skills in using FrontDoor, the e-mail Software were inadequate. Training of users and promoting awareness of e-mail services was required. 9.8 80% of the respondents indicated that they were not exchanging information locally because of lack of computers among colleagues with whom they would communicate. 9.9 10% of the respondents indicated that shared telephone lines were a hinderance to optimum utilization of the E-mail service as they were most of the time engaged during working hours making it difficult to send or check mails. 9.10 10% of the respondents expressed lack of confidentiality of E-mail messages due to leakages. There was need to address this problem. 9.11 90% of the respondents experienced delays in sending or checking messages due to congestion in telephone lines 9.12 The major prohibitive factors to using E-mail services were: a) Lack of knowledge of computer applications in general. b) Lack of information to be exchanged hence the need for databases c) Demand on users time to key in information, every time it is requested for.
10. Recommendations and Suggestions for the next phase Electronic Communication was a new technology, the users were still getting acquainted to it had not quite exploited it fully. They were therefore not resourceful. The study team recommends a time lag( preferably 6 months) before beginning the second phase of this research in order to accommodate on-going changes in the communication field. A longitudinal study involving strict control of the environment should be carried out Homogeneity of the study population should be ensured. This would improve the quality of the findings. The scope of the study could be narrowed with a focus on a single aspect of electronic communication for example E-mail only or specific Internet services or the study could focus on the use of Electronic communication by a homogenous population/group e.g. NGO’s or Government departments so that its impact on the activities of such a group could be elicited and its role justified.
SECOND PHASE OF THE STUDY INTRODUCTION: The study: The report of the 2nd phase of a study project originally called "Impact of Electronic Communication on Development in Africa" is in consonant with the overall theme of the program of International Development Research Council (IDRC) Canada through which it was supported and conducted under United Nations Economic Commission for Africa/ Pan African Development, Information Systems (UNECA/PADIS). The research team felt that this title sounded too broad and ambiguous with respect to actual scope and the out come of the project. It thus decided to use the above main title for the final reports of the project. Objectives of the study: The study was conducted in the follow up of a 1st phase study conducted earlier in order to find out what changes could have taken place in the patterns of both the use of the e-mail, and the influence (impact) it had on the users as regards execution of their duties and tasks using the e-mail. Implementation, scope and coverage: As the introduction of the electronic communication in Uganda has been a rapid exercise, there have been a lot of changes in quite a shot time. This presented a problem in the follow up of electronic communication users in the 2nd phase. There was a slight change in the original member to whom the baseline questionnaire for the 1st phase was administered. Some of these users had in the meantime shifted to the newly introduced Internet e-mail or full Internet. As a result they had either de-registered at Fidonet node or were no longer active members on the Fidonet. Therefore, they did not feature in the second phase traffic data collected from Mukla Fidonet node. The baseline questionnaire for therefore, served to a smaller number than in 1st phase. Questionnaires were sent to 100 active users instead of the original 164 active users. However, the majority were users who had been part of the original number of 164 with very few newcomers. The original number of 50 users selected for interview for the 1st phase also participated in the 2nd phase interviews. They were also given the Internet questionnaire prepared for those who had acquired and were using the Internet. It was actually found that majority of the group who were reached for interviews had in one way or another connected to the Internet. Some had Internet e-mail only and others had got full internet. The results of this Internet questionnaire survey are also presented in this report. Contents and presentation: The report gives summary of the findings of the survey question by question with the responses both in number of respondent and percentages based on the total number of respondents. In some cases, however, where there were more than one alternative answers and the respondent could give more than one, the percentages have been based on the total number of responses to that particular question which are not necessarily the total number of respondents to the questionnaire survey. In such cases, therefore, the percentages give a different picture if one tries to interpret them basing on the number of respondents to questionnaire survey. The 2nd phase of the study in Uganda case was conducted between March and December 1996(see table below). Traffic data was collected from the Fidonet node and analyzed to get a general picture of the trend of use of email in sending messages. The analysis from the traffic data can be seen in the appendix I. The users who appeared in the traffic data were then served with the baseline questionnaire. The number of questionnaires filled and returned through this survey were 57 and it is from these that the findings below were compiled.
Activities and duration of data collection table
Activity Instruments DurationTraffic data Collection and analysis of data from the Node April - Oct. 1996 Baseline survey-Baseline Questionnaire April - Dec. 1996 Interviews- Interview questions and physical visits July - Dec. 1996
FINDINGS OF THE BASELINE QUESTIONNAIRE: User profile1. 53(93.0 %) of the total respondents responded to question one with full addresses, 3(5.2%) did not indicate names and 1(1.8 %) did not indicate any of the two.2. 53 (93.0%) respondents indicated their contact telephones3. 12(21.1%) indicated they were sole users of their E-mail 45 (78.9) indicated they shared the E-mail service with others. 4. Those sharing the services indicated numbers of people sharing in a range 1-20 people per point. The average at the shared E-mail points was 5 users. 5. 18 (31.6%) of the users were female and 39 (68.4%) male. 6. 16 (28.1%) users were foreigners and 41(71.9%) were Ugandans. 7. 5 (31.2%) of the foreign users indicated they were permanent residents and 11(68.8%) were temporary residents. 8. Regarding level of education, 6(10.5%) did not indicate their level of education, 15 (26.3%) were Diploma or 1st degree holders, 21 (36.8%) had Master degrees and 15 (26.3%) had PhD. 9. On the level of computer skills, 3 (5.3%) were beginners 13(22.80%) had intermediate level and 41(72%) were experienced users. 10. The respondents belonged to organizations engaged in different activities: I. Education (or training) and research 20 (35.1%). ii. Agricultural and environmental research 9 (15.8%) iii. Social Science Research 4 (7.0%) iv. Business 10(15.8%) v. NGOS & IGOS 7(12.3%) vi. Government Ministries/Institutions 4 (7.0%) vii. Those who did not indicate 3(5.3) organizational affiliation 11. Jobs held by respondents in these organizations: i. Lecturers/trainers/researchers 11(19.3%) ii. Researchers/Research Administrator 8 (14.0%) iii. Administrators a. Secretaries 7 (12.3%) b. Administrative Assistants 7 (12.3%) c. Top Public Sector/Business managers 6 (10.5) d. NGO & IGO officers and directors 5 (8.8%) iv. Technical Assistants to Projects 4 (7.0%) v. Those who did not indicate 9 (15.8)
Communication and facility assessment: 12. In regard to whether communication outside the country was essential for conducting their business, 35 (61.4%) said it was essential, 10 (17.5%) said it was sometimes important 12(21.1%) said it was seldom required. On adequacy of communication facilities in their institutions, 35 (61.4%) said they were adequate, 21 (36.8%) said they were inadequate and one (1.8%) said the facilities were not available. Apparently, this was a misunderstanding of the question since this respondent had said that at least he had e-mail facilities. General remarks i. Shortage of communication (telephone) lines, sharing one line for telephone, fax and e-mail ii. E-mail available on only one stand-alone computer in the institute iii. Lack of fax facilities iv. Costs are prohibitive for overseas communication for the fax especially with out a communication budget v. There is need for efficient telephone lines for international communication and radio links to contact up country institutes and individual researchers vi. Restrictions on use of e-mail facilities vii. LAN facilities are badly needed viii. Frequent technical problems with computers ix. Outdated/Obsolete technologies in use e.g. 286 computers that lack adequate hard disk and memory capacity x. Facilities are adequate, but there is need for further improvements in the utilization. 14. In response to the question whether information facilities e.g. the library facilities at the respondents institutes were adequate or not, 23 (40.4%) said they were adequate, 21(36.8%) said they were inadequate, 10(17.5%) said they were not available, and 3 (5.3%) did not indicate. Remarks . i. Library is not easily accessible ii. Library needs modernization iii. Library is good, however records unit is manual and poorly organized therefore hard to use. iv. Users lack skills in accessing information and there is no skilled librarian to guide them. v. Library lacks adequate facilities vi. Lack of access to up-to-date literature vii. Library lacks catalogue viii. Lack of professional staff to run the library ix. Lack of space to organize a proper library 15. As regards the location where users send/receive e-mail messages, 38 (66.7%) said they sent/received messages in their offices, 14 (24.6%) sent/received messages both at home and at their offices and 5 (8.8%) said they sent/received messages at home. One respondent said that he sent/received messages at home because connections are difficult during office hours due to congestion in telephone lines. 16. On whether the users send messages by themselves 32 (56.1%) said they sent messages themselves, 15(26.3%) said they sent messages through someone else, 9 (15.8% sent by both methods and 1(1.8%) did not indicate by what method. 17. As to whether E-mail transactions at the respondents organizations were carried out by the originators/recipients or some one else, 31(54.4%) said transactions were carried out by the originators/recipients, 17 (29.8%) said they were carried out by someone else, 8 (14.0%) said it was both originators/recipients and someone else and 1 (1.8) did not indicate. 18. The respondents indicated the length of time they had used e-mail as follows: 18 (31.6%) had used E-mail for less than 2 years. 24 (42.1%) had used E-mail for 2-3 years 15(24.6%) had used E-mail for more than 3 years. 19. On whether users subscribed to one or more electronic networks, 32 (56.1%) said they subscribed to only one, 24 (42.1%) subscribed to more than one and 1(1.8%) did not indicate. 20. In regard to who pays the cost of electronic communication, 13(22.8%) said they met the costs for e-mail themselves, 31 (54.4%) said their organizations met the costs, 12(21.0%) said their projects met the costs and 1 (1.8%) said that costs are shared between self and organization. 21. On the frequency of use of e-mail, 32(56.1%) indicated they sent/received messages more than once a day, 16(28.1%) sent/received messages 1-5 times a week 9 (15.8%) sent/received messages 1-4 times a month. 1 (1.8%) sent/received messages 1 (once) a month. 22. On average respondents indicated that: 7 (12.3%) Sent 1 message/week, 9 (15.8%) Sent 2 messages/week, 6 (10.5%) sent 3 messages/week, 4 (7.0%) sent 4 messages/week, 8 (14.0%) sent 5-8 messages/week, 16 (28.1%) sent 10 messages and above per week and 7 (12.3%) did not indicate 23 The rate of receiving messages was indicated as follow:- 7 (12.3%) received 1 message/week, 6 (10.5%) received 2 messages/week, 5 (8.8%) received 4 messages/week 6 (10.5%) received 5 messages/week, 6 (10.5%) received 7 messages/week, 21 (36.8%) received 8 and above messages/week, 6 (10.5%) never indicated 24 In regard to the major uses of electronic communication it was indicated as follows: Activity Number and % of responses Exchanging personal messages 29 (19.7%) Arranging meetings 8 (5.4%) Implementing business 19 (12.9%) Managing projects 11 (7.5%) Exchanging research ideas 18 (12.2%) Receiving technical advice 18 (12.2%) Providing technical advice 6 (4.1%) Literature searches 13 (8.8%) Exchanging documents 20 (13.6%) Listserv/discussion groups 5 (3.4%) 25. Different destinations of user's messages were indicated as presented in the table below: Destination Ranges 0-20% 21-40% 41-60% 61+% Outside Africa 4(7.0%) 9(15.8%) 17(29.8%) 26(45.6%)
Within Africa but outside the country 26(46.6%) 14(24.6%) 8(14.0%) 8(14.0%) Within Country 4(58.6%) 13(22.8%) 4(7.0%) 6(10.5%) 1 (1.8%) did not respond to this question.
Benefits and constraints: 26. On improvements brought to users of electronic communication. The list below gives the improvements indicated. a. Increased speed and efficiency - [19 responses.) b. Reduced costs - [14 responses) c. Increasing partners/ and widening contacts - [4 responses) d. Easy Exchange of literature and research data (4 responses) e. Easy contacts to business partners - [4 responses) f. Easy sending and receiving personal messages (4 responses) g. Effective co-ordination with project financing organizations, Abroad - [3 responses) h. Has provided a means of sending or receiving documents of large sizes at minimal costs- [3 responses) i. Information obtained through electronic means can be easily and conveniently stored for future use - [3 responses.) j. E-mail has improved contact/co-ordination of upcountry offices/institutions in Uganda [3 responses.) k. Access to Internet information resources and ability to download programs such as anti-virus programs, etc. is a great improvement to computer management [1 responses.) l. It has added and widened range of communication channels in addition to telephone and fax - [2 responses) m. Transmission of documents from e-mail to fax modems is easily done [2 responses) 27. Difficulties resulting from the use of electronic communication a. There is some delay in dispatching or receiving messages from Mukla Fidonet network - [5 responses.) b. The cost of accessing Internet sources is prohibitive for most users, therefore some users opted not to install full Internet services - [4 responses.) c. E-mail lacks confidentiality - [4 responses.) d. Frequent breakdown of equipment and delays in providing maintenance/repair services by Internet providers - (3 responses.) e. Delay in connections due to poor telephone lines [6 responses] f. Frustration when the system is down [3 responses) g. Prompt responses expected by users, therefore extra time required to attend to mail - [2 responses) h. Senders have no way of verifying that the messages sent have arrived - [2 responses) i. Uncertainty concerning delivery of messages sent. At times messages do not reach their destinations - [2 responses)] j. An official document does not bear a signature so there is lack of authenticity, hence communication is restricted to documents that do not require signature or stamps as such where letters require signature and stamps, copies have to be sent by fax or ordinary mail [3 responses]. k. It is a rigid system of communication where both correspondents must have computers and one has to be at the computer in order to communicate [2 responses] l. Lack of control of in-coming mail, hence a lot of junk mails. [2 resp.) m. There was little user training, hence few people know how to access information on the Internet [5 resp.). n. Sometimes messages take more than 4 days to arrive 28. Technical difficulties experienced in using electronic communication: Respondents gave the following as technical difficulties brought to their work as a result of use of electronic communication: a. At times users remain incommunicado for days due to technical problems - [5 resp.) b. Getting fast technical assistance where there is modem failure. [5 resp.) c. Constant power fluctuations, distract the use of electronic communication facilities and also resulted in modem failures -[5 resp.) d. Because electronic communication services are centralized (mainly in and near towns such as the Kampala and Entebbe, there is little access to these services while out of Kampala - [4 resp.) e. Lack of user training, therefore, a few people use electronic communication facilities effectively and profitably - [4 resp.) f. Poor telephone lines interrupt communication - [4 resp.) g. Difficulties in reading attached documents sent by people using other systems e.g. Macintosh - [3 resp.) h. Sending fax messages through e-mail fails most of the times [3 resp.) i. Users who are not connected on full Internet, often take time to send/ transmit messages especially when the system is busy - [3 resp.) j. There are problems in accessing some WWW (web) addresses - [2 resp.) k. The E-mail software in use lacks facilities for spell checking, copying, moving document, and other formatting functions - [3 resp.) l. In some locations such as Entebbe, it is almost impossible to use e-mail during office hours. E-mail is used after office hours or at home in the evening - [2 resp.) m. In some institutes, e-mail services need to be networked in order to reduce dependence on stand-alone machines, which are often in the hands of secretaries - [2 resp.)
FINDINGS OF THE INTERNET QUESTIONNAIRE The Internet questionnaire was circulated to the respondents who were at the same time interviewed. Twenty six responses were obtained tallying with the number of those who responded to the interview. Below are their responses. 1. The 26 users contacted were in one way or another connected and using Internet. 2. 11(42%) users had full Internet connectivity through private Internet Service Providers. 3. 8 (53%) of those who did not have full Internet connectivity, indicated they were planning to get connected within a year. 4. Some of the 15 (58%) users without full Internet connectivity gave reasons such as: - - prohibitive costs - Lack of interest by the organizations. - Lack of facilities 5. Services that attract users to subscribe to full Internet - Faster and efficient e-mail communication - Conducting searches on web sites, etc. - Communication and exchanging literature. - Obtaining up-to-date information - Ordering goods, equipment and supplies - Electronic publishing and creating own web pages - Obtaining information for research 6 . Internet services in use:- 11(42%) users with full Internet services indicated they were using electronic mail, world wide web and search engines i.e. Infoseek, Yahoo, Excite, etc and they were very useful. Some indicated that they were aware of FTP, Telnet, and WAIS but were not being used frequently. 7. Improvement brought to users by use of E-mail: a. Easy communication i.e. fast and efficient b. Keeping up-to-date with current research developments in fields of interest c. Ability to meet deadlines for submission of papers d. Ability to obtain free shareware e.g. anti virus software. e. Increased confidentiality of information for single users.
8. Difficulties brought by using electronic communication: a. Some collaborators no longer plan far in advance since they rely on Email for fast communication. b. High costs of communicating by E-mail for nationals c. Uncertainty of delivery of E-mail in Africa hence the need to send airmail copies. d. Communication over load e. High expectations e.g. prompt responses and follow up action by users. 9. Technical or other constraints brought about by using electronic communication a. Poor telephone lines b. Frequent power cuts and load shedding (power rationing) c. Delays in repairing machines when they break down. 10 Major improvements expected by future Internet users a. Easier communication with multiple partners and improved business. b. Access to more sources of information c. E-mail conferencing 11 Major difficulties expected to be brought to future Internet users work: a. Information pirating b. Communication overload c. Computer over-dependency d. Increased communication costs e. Loss of information due major machine faults. 12. Major technical constraints expected to hamper future use of Internet a. Prohibitive costs b. Lack of wide connectivity particularly in Uganda c. Poor machine care and servicing d. Disruption in communication due to power cuts Poor telephone lines FINDINGS OF THE INTERVIEWS: The interviews were conducted with 26 out of the 50 people selected for interview as it proved practically impossible to reach and get all the 50.This was mainly due to the contact points being scattered and repeated failure to fulfill appointments by the people expected to be interviewed. Generally, time was a constraint for the survey team and the users. Since movements by the survey team involved paying for travel, it became costly when repeated visits had to be made. The interview responses have been classified and presented in their broad and implied meanings and not as individual verbatim answers. Representation of interviewed users. Users Organizations Low Medium High V. High...Total Private/Individuals 2 1 0 0 3 Academics/Researchers 5 2 3 1 11 NGOs 2 1 0 0 3 IGOs 1 1 0 0 3 Government 3 2 1 0 6 (1) Organizations major activities Academic/Teaching 23.1% Research 19.2% Government work 15.4% Health service/care 7.7% Business/trade 3.8% Business/service provision 7.7% Social development work 11.5% IGO various development work 11.5% (2) Critical organizations activities Teaching/training 23.1% Research 19.2% Planning 11.5% Health cares 7.8% Business 11.5% Relief supplies 3.8% Rural development 7.8% Environmental 11.5% Serve provision 3.8% (3) 19.2% had major problems; 80.8% had no problems while executing their duties (4) The major problems mentioned were classified as: * Lack of operational budget to meet costs as e-mail bills. * Operating old and slow machines with limited storage capacity * Lack of teaching materials * Insufficient research funds and materials (5) Problems connected with communication include: * Lack of budget for communication, therefore no funds available to cover the costs of electronic communication. Most users are liable to being cut off by ISPs or the telephone providers * Unreliable power supply * Poor telephone lines and phone exchanges make it unreliable when one can go through to send a message on email or access the Internet. * Lack of sufficient training in use of communication software * Shared facilities for electronic communication (few machines for so many users) * Lack of manuals accompanying communication software Some of the major causes indicated * Operating on meager budgets always at the bare minimum * Lack of commitment on the side of ISP to train their clients * Because of lack of funds computer programs are not acquired as originals and, therefore users have no manuals Some of the likely solutions put forward * An increase in budget allocation to include IT expenditure can solve some of the problems like affording more machines, paying the communication bills and buying software manuals. * An increase in ISPs can stiffen the competition and make them care for customers. The few that are there are relaxed and know that customers have no alternative. (6) Some improvements since users got access to e-mail. There have been improvement in: - * the rate of communication, sending and receiving messages * easy communication, ability to send messages any time * sufficiency in communication * no need for elaborate messages, * one can communicate easily as need arises. * increased contacts, in the country and abroad * Cut on the cost of envelopes and stamps * Acquisition of large documents at low costs (7) Successes attributed to email communication. Below are some stories. from 19 (73.1%) respondents The stories are given in broad categories: * Exchanging research views frequently with colleagues in the field * Able to receive several replies in writing from abroad on the same day * Getting answers to academic questions and journal articles from colleagues easily * Contacting external examiners where necessary, on a daily basis. * Able to send whole theses to external examiners for marking very easily and cheaply. * Arranging meetings, seminars, conferences and workshops with email communication * Arranging travel with travel agents anywhere in the world with email communication * Receiving quick help from professional colleagues on time to save situations at hand. * Receiving experts help on how to go about using some software or being able to get out of a problem * Ordering and paying for the materials with the help of email communication * Acquiring reading materials from abroad on contacts made through electronic communication (8) Email contributions to performance of users. * Makes it easy to communicate and consult * It is quick to reply to since it needs no elaborated work and many materials like paper, pen and envelopes. * Its informal way of communication, hence it is easier to make various contacts * It makes access to teaching materials reasonably easy. * As communication is effected at the same spot, it does not distract other engagements * When ordering materials one can send lists of any sizes easily and cheaply and can supplement or change them anytime when needs arises. * For research workers any observation or finding can easily be communicated to colleagues any moment it is observed. (9) Advantages provided by email over the other means of communication. * It provides higher confidentiality where users have personal folders which are protected with passwords. * Messages can be sent anytime as long as one is at the machine. * No need to bother about pen and paper to write a message * It makes it easy to send one message to several people by sending copies * Messages can be redirected or forwarded to other people easily. * A user is alerted when a message bounces. (10) Addresses of Partners with whom users correspond are acquired through * Friends and colleagues * Business cards * On-line directories * Addresses in magazines and journals * Official letter heads * Television programs * Newspaper advertisement (11) Most respondents were comfortable with the email apart from local problems that needed to be addressed. Among the problems to be addressed were: * Poor telephone lines * Lack of training in use of the software used for communication. * Operating old and slow machines with limited storage capacity. * Sharing facilities which do not allow one to communicate using e-mail as much as one would like. * Lack of manuals for effective use of the software.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: CONCLUSIONS Although the Internet E-mail is quickly gaining popularity over the Fidonet E-mail, Fidonet as the first electronic communication technology in Uganda has had a substantial impact. It introduced users to fast and cheaper electronic communication services and still many users who cannot afford Internet connectivity are using it. Fidonet is particularly suited to the available telecommunication facilities e.g. poor telephone lines. Although Mukla, the Fidonet system was originally not so fast, it is fairly reliable and efficient. The Mukla network (Fidonet) has recently been upgraded and is now faster and could attract more users. So it is likely to run side by side with the Internet system. On the other hand, E-mail users who are connected to Internet system have suffered from frequent modem break down. However this was mainly due to poor quality of modems rather then the Internet System itself. Electronic communication and in particular E-mail has had a positive impact in several areas of development such as implementation and management of commercial businesses, academic and research programs; development activities such as facilitating the work of government and especially, non-government organizations, including those working in rural areas; and improving personal contacts. However, its impact on development activities could be greater if there was wide connectivity throughout the country. The present state of connectivity (concentrated around the capital Kampala, Entebbe and a few other towns) cannot give conclusive results for the whole country. (4) Furthermore, the impact though apparent cannot be quantified at this point in time as the impact or consequences of using electronic communication may take some time to be realized. Nevertheless, the increase in number of users per point and in frequency of use of E-mail qualifies the above conclusion that electronic communication has had and will continue to have positive impact on development. RECOMMENDATIONS The period spent on this study has been rather short, but also crowded with rapid developments in the communication sector even at country level. For this reason, most users were going through a period of adopting and trying the new innovations and had, in most cases, not reached a stage of fully exploiting the services (Email/Internet) for implementing their work. Therefore, the impact of electronic communication on their work could not be fully realized. We recommend that further investigations on this subject be undertaken to verify what has been established (by this study) and to identify any further developments in the use and impact of this technology. For purpose of comparison, two separate studies could be carried out, one on Fidonet services and one of Internet Services. It may be noted that already some individuals have expressed interest in carrying out related studies such as: The use and impact of the Internet on the activities of specific sectors such as NGO's. If undertaken, the findings of such studies could be incorporated in the findings of future impact studies in order to arrive at parameters for measuring the impact of electronic communication on development. In order to be able to make realistic inferences from our studies, there is need to work closely with internet providers (ISP's), in our country. So far, this has not been possible mainly because the IP's were "protecting their business interests", thus it was not possible for us to establish basic facts or obtain data such as the number of registered users by the providers, those who are using E-mail, and those who are on full Internet, etc. We therefore recommend that alternative strategies for approaching ISPs be exploited, for instance IDRC, UNECA or other interested donors could in future, approach the ISPs on behalf of the researchers to ensure their (the ISPs) co-operation. To ensure the possibility of measuring the impact of "electronic communication on development" which in our understanding is the consequences of the changes brought about by using Electronic communication., there is need to undertake side by side investigations on two groups of people, those using and those not using this service. The two should be living under the same situations and conditions and probably carrying out similar activities. It would be interesting to find out what the users have achieved and the non-users have not. This could work as one of the impact indicators of the use of electronic communication in the country. We would, therefore, recommend a study of users and non-users of electronic communication in future.
APPENDIX 1(A): E-MAIL TRAFFIC DATA FOR THE PERIOD 1ST JAN- 5TH MARCH 1995 Source: 25 E-mail traffic reports from Mukla Node Systems Operator
N.B. The frequency considered for this study was in respect of the "sending of messages". This was to ensure that the data used reflects the users’ personal engagement in composing and sending messages. However, it was observed that the frequency of "sending messages" and that of "receiving messages" were almost equal.
APPENDIX 1(B) : DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE FOR INTERVIEW
APPENDIX 2(A): BASELINE QUESTIONNAIRE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION ON DEVELOPMENT This questionnaire is being circulated to users of E-mail to assess the IMPACT of the use of Electronic communication (mainly Email) on your activities under a study aimed at assessing the IMPACT of the use of Electronic communication on development in Africa. We kindly request you to complete this questionnaire and return it to us at the addresses given at the end of this questionnaire. It is hoped that the results of this study will be used to influence our leaders on the role and importance of electronic communication in development. Copies of the final report of this study will be made public and you will receive your own copy. We thank you very much for taking time to complete this questionnaire. Yours sincerely, Mrs. Jane Frances K. Asaba Mr. B. Bazirake Bamuhiiga
A. USERS IDENTIFICATION 1. Full name: .................................................................................................... 2. Organization: ................................................................................................ 3. Billing Address: ............................................................................................. 4. Personal Mailing Address (if different from 3)................................................. 5. Street Address............................................................................................... 6. Personal Phone Number...................... Fax number....................................... 7. Email Address (Point Number)....................................................................... 8. Are you the sole user of your e-Mail address? YES [ ] NO [ ] 9. If not, are you the systems Administrator? YES [ ] NO [ ] 10. How many other users have access to this E-mail address?.........................
B. PERSONAL DATA 1. Gender: Male [ ] Female [ ] 2. Age............................................. 3. Nationality ................................................. 4. If expatriate, are you a permanent resident? YES [ ] NO [ ] or a temporary resident(<5 years)? YES [ ] NO [ ] 5. Highest educational qualification or degree..................................................... 6. Place and year of qualification/degree ............................................................. 7. In which foreign languages do you consider yourself to be fluent? ............................................................................................................................. 8. Would you rate your computer skills as (tick appropriate box): ( ) experienced ( ) intermediate ( ) beginner 9. List the professional societies you belong to ............................................................................................................................. 10. What are the principal activities of your organization? .............................................................................................................................
C. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 1. What is your professional specialization?......................................................... 2. What is your current title/ position?................................................................... 3. What are currently your principal professional activities? 4. What are your administrative duties?................................................................... .............................................................................................................................. 5. How many persons are under your direct supervision?......................................... 6. Whom do you report to (indicate title/position)?.....................................................
D. ORGANIZATION 1. What is the mission of your organization?............................................................. ................................................................................................................................... 2. What are the principal activities of your organizations?...................................... ................................................................................................................................ 3. What is the size of your organization’s staff ?........................................................ 4. For the conduct of your organization's business, is communicating outside the country (tick appropriate box): [ ] essential [ ] sometimes important [ ] seldom required
E.COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION FACILITIES OFTHE ORGANIZATION 1. What are the major communication facilities (e.g. phone, fax, radio, computer systems, LANs) available in your organisation? ................................................................................................................................. 2. What are the computer facilities available in your organization? (Indicate number and types of computers, operating systems, networks, etc.) .............................................................................................................................. 3. Which electronic communication networks (e.g. Mukla (Fidonet), Healthnet, etc.) does your organization currently use? ............................................................................................................................... 4. Are information facilities (e.g. library, records unit, documentation center) at your organization (tick appropriate box) [ ] Adequate [ ] Inadequate [ ] Not available
F. INDIVIDUAL COMMUNICATION FACILITIES 1. Do you send/receive electronic messages (tick appropriate box):
2. If you use your own computer, please indicate the brand, type, operating system, communication software and modem speed ............................................................................................................................. 3. Do you usually send Electronic message by (tick one) [ ] logging in and typing yourself [ ] bringing a diskette with your messages to another operator [ ] bringing a hard copy of your messages for entry by another operator [ ] dictating or describing your messages for entry by another operator [ ] other (specify) 4. How long have you been using this electronic communication network?............... 5. Did you use electronic communication before) YES () NO() If yes, which one?.................................................................................................. 6. Do you currently uses another communication network? YES [ ] NO [ ] If YES, Which one?................................................................................................... 7. Is the cost of your electronic communication supported by (tick one) [ ] yourself [ ] your department or any other part of your organization) [ ] your organization [ ] a project of your organization [ ] other (specify):
G. USE AND BENEFITS 1. How often, on the average, do you send electronic messages (tick one): ( ) less than once per month ( ) 1 to 4 times per month ( ) 1 to 5 times per week ( ) once or more per day 2. How often, on the average, do you receive personal messages other than multiple recipients' ones e.g BBS? (tick one): ( ) less than once per month ( ) 1 to 4 times per month ( ) 1 to 5 times per week ( ) once or more per day 3. How often, on the average, do you yourself log on to check incoming messages? ( ) rarely or never ( ) 1 to 4 times per month ( ) 1 to 5 times per week ( ) once or more per day 4. Tick the appropriate box to indicate the frequency of each type of use (either sending or receiving):
<1/m= less than once a month 1-4/m = 1 to 4 times a month,
1-5/w = 1 to 5 times/week 1/d = once a day) 5. Approximately what percentage of the electronic messages you send are destined:
100%(Total) 6. Indicate the frequency with which you send messages or pass information using each of the following channels:
7. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 major improvements brought to your work by the use of electronic communications (feel free to explain) 8. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 difficulties brought to your work by the use of electronic communications (feel free to explain) 9. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 major constraints preventing you from making more effective use of electronic communications: (feel free to explain) Mr Bernard Bazirake Bamuhiiga, Senior Librarian, Makerere University Library, P. O.Box 7062, Kampala, Phone 531041 (for any queries) Local contact: E-mail: No. 1.58
or Mrs Jane Frances K. Asaba, NADIC, P.O.Box 10098, Kampala E-mail: nadic@Mukla.gn.apc.org
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION ON DEVELOPMENT This questionnaire is being circulated as a follow up to the earlier, longer questionnaire circulated to you with the aim of assessing the IMPACT of the use of Electronic communication (mainly Email) on your activities. Incase you did not complete the earlier longer questionnaire, we kindly request you to complete and return this questionnaire and return it to us at the addresses given at the end of this questionnaire. It is hoped that the results of this study will be used to influence our leaders on the role and importance of electronic communication in development. Copies of the final report of this study will be made public and you will receive your own copy. We thank you in anticipation of your cooperation. Yours sincerely, Mrs. Jane Frances K. Asaba Mr. B. Bazirake Bamuhiiga 1. Full name: ........................................................................................................ 2. Organization:.................................................................................................... 3. Contact phone number: ...................................................................................... 4. Are you are the sole user of your E-mail address? No ( ) Yes ( ) 5. If not, how many other users are there? 6. Gender: Male ( ) Female ( ) 7. Nationality: .......................................................................................................... 8. If expatriate, are you a permanent resident: Yes ( ) No ( ) or a temporary resident ( 5 years)? Yes ( ) No ( ) 9. Highest educational qualification: place/year. (optional) ................................................................................................................................. 10. What is your level of Computer skills (tick as appropriate): ( ) experienced ( ) intermediate ( ) beginner 11. What are the principal activities of your organization? ...................................... .............................................................................................................................. 12. What is your job?.............................................................................................. 13. For the conduct of your organization's business, is communicating outside the country (tick appropriate box): [ ] essential [ ] sometimes important [ ] seldom required 14. Are communication facilities (e.g. phone, fax, radio, computer systems, LANs) at your organization (tick appropriate box): [ ] adequate [ ] inadequate [ ] not available for full internet access Remarks ............................................................................................................... 14. Are information facilities (e.g. library, records unit, documentation center) at your organization (tick appropriate box) [ ] adequate [ ] inadequate [ ] not available Remarks ................................................................................................................ 15. Do you send/receive electronic messages (tick appropriate box): [ ] At the office [ ] At home [ ] Both 16. Do you usually send electronic messages (tick appropriate box) [ ] by yourself [ ] through someone else ( an operator, secretary etc.) 17. At your organization are e-mail transactions mostly carried out by: ( ) the originator /recipient ( ) someone else 18. How long have you been using this electronic communication network? 19. Do you currently subscribe to more than one electronic communication network? ( ) Yes ( ) No If yes, please list: 20 Who pays the cost of your electronic communication (tick one) ( ) yourself ( ) your organization ( ) a project/other (please specify) ................................................................. 21. How often, on the average, do you send/receive electronic messages (tick one): ( ) less than once per month ( ) 1 to 4 times per month ( ) 1 to 5 times per week ( ) once or more per day 22 How many electronic messages do you on average send per week one receive per week? 23. Tick the five major uses you make of electronic communication. Exchanging personal messages [ ] Arranging meetings [ ] Implementing business [ ] Managing projects [ ] Exchanging research ideas [ ] Receiving technical advice [ ] Providing technical advice [ ] Literature searches [ ] Exchanging documents [ ] Listserv/discussion groups [ ] 062, Kampala, Phone 531041 (for any queries) Local contact: E-mail: No. 1.58 24. Approximately what percentage of the electronic messages you send are destined:
100% (Total) 25. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 major improvements brought to your work by the use of electronic communications (feel free to explain) ................................................................................................ 26. Cite, in order of importance, any difficulties brought to your work by the use of electronic communications (feel free to explain) ......................................................................................... 27. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 major technical difficulties you experience in using electronic communications: (feel free to explain) ......................................................................................................................
Contact Address : Mr Bernard Bazirake Bamuhiiga, Senior Librarian, Makerere University Library, P. O.Box 7062, Kampala, Phone 531041 ( for any queries) Local Contact : E-mail : No. 1.58
or Mrs Jane Frances K. Asaba, NADIC, P.O.Box 10098, Kampala E-mail: nadic@Mukla.gn.apc.org
APPENDIX 3: INTERVIEW QUESTIONS. 1- What are the major activities of your organization? 2- Among these activities, which activity do you consider critical for your organization to achieve its goals? 3- Do you face any major problems while implementing this activity? 4- If so, what is the nature of the problem? 5- Is the problem related to communication? Can you please explain the causes, effects and possible solutions of the problem. 6- Has there been any improvement your performance since you got access to electronic communication (e-mail)? 6- Can you talk of any communication successes with the e-mail in the past. 7- How does the e-mail communication contribute to performance of your duties. 8- Does the e-mail provide any advantages over the other communication means available in your organization? 8- How do you acquire the partners you communicate to through the e-mail. 9- Are you comfortable with the use of e-mail? If not, what are the problems hindering you in the use of this communication means.
Contact Address : Mr Bernard Bazirake Bamuhiiga, Senior Librarian, Makerere University Library, P. O.Box 7062, Kampala, Phone 531041 (for any queries) Local contact: E-mail: No. 1.58
or Mrs Jane Frances K. Asaba, NADIC, P.O.Box 10098, Kampala. E-mail: nadic@Mukla.gn.apc.org
APPENDIX 4: INTERNET SUPPLEMENTATION QUESTIONNAIRE 1. Are you currently using Internet? [ ] YES [ ] NO If no go to item 3 2. Do you have full Internet Access? [ ] YES NO [ ] If YES, through which service provider(s)? 3. Do you plan to obtain full Internet access in the year to come? YES [ ] NO [ ] If yes go to Item 5 4. If not, why (tick appropriate box(es) ? [ ] do not feel it is needed [ ] would be interested but [ ] cost prohibitive [ ] lack computer facilities [ ] lack telecommunication facilities in house [ ] others (Please explain) 5. What type of Internet services prompts/prompted you to subscribe? (If user go to Item 10) ................................................................................................................................ 6. What services do you mostly use and feel useful (tick appropriate boxes)?
Key : Ftp =File transfer Protocol WWW= World Wide Web 7. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 major improvements brought to your work by the Internet (feel free to explain) .............................................................................................................................. 8. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 difficulties not previously experienced, brought to the implementation of your work by the Internet (feel free to explain) ..................................................................................................................................... 9. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 major technical or other constraints preventing you from making more effective use of the Internet (feel free to explain) ....................................................................................................................................... 10. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 major improvements which you expect to be brought to your work by the use of Internet (feel free to explain) ....................................................................................................................................... 11. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 difficulties not previously experienced, which you expect to possibly be brought to the implementation of your work by the Internet (feel free to explain) ........................................................................................................................................ 12. Cite, in order of importance, at least 3 major technical or other constraints which you expect to prevent you from making more effective use of the Internet (feel free to explain) ..........................................................................................................................................
Contact Address: Mr Bernard Bazirake Bamuhiiga, Senior Librariain, Makerere University Library, P. O.Box 7062, Kampala, Phone 531041 (for any queries) Local contact: E-mail: No. 1.58
or Mrs Jane Frances K. Asaba, NADIC, P.O.Box 10098, Kampala. E-mail: nadic@Mukla.gn.apc.org
APPENDIX 5 : EXTRACT FORM FILLED BY APPLICANTS FOR INTERNET SERVICES BY ONE OF THE ISPs (INFOMAIL) We hereby subscribe to (tick to select):
(Courtesy of INFOMAIL (U) Limited) 1) Organizations which are not interested in the Internet have their own e-mail systems or use alternative means of communication. The rest of the organizations showed interest in the Internet. Thus, if the Internet is cost saving to start off with, people would commit themselves to it.
Recommendations from the market survey:
APPENDIX 7: TRAFFIC DATA FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1996 (INFOMAIL)
Users Over 200 users are registered. All were using the service. About a third (30%) were very active users. The average login times were not less than 70 a month. The login time was constantly short, this could imply that users are very conscious of high costs.
APPENDIX 8: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OBTAINED DURING THE SURVEY Knowledge about E-mail Respondents got initial information on E-mail through: documentation on E-mail, 3(6.8%); seminars, 3(6.0%), personal contacts, 38(76.0%) and other means, 6(12.0%).
Contribution of E-mail to professional activities: E-mail was contributing to teaching in the following way: strengthening teaching, 4(28.6%); improving teaching methods, 3(21.4%); providing information for program development, 5(35.7%); and providing career development, 2(14.3%). Information delivered through E-mail is being used for several purposes namely: development of policies, 13(32.5%0; strengthening technical basis of programs, 11(27.5%); improving management strategies/practices, 12(30.0%); and increasing awareness of sources of funding, 4(10.0%). The contribution of E-mail to research was given by the respondents as: improving research collaboration, 23(34.4%); improving research management, 11(16.8%); broadening participation in research agendas, 8(12.3%); identification of research priorities, 6(9.2%); strengthening research methodologies, 5(7.7%); interdisciplinary approaches to research, 4(6.2%); reducing duplication of research, 14(6.2%); and increasing awareness of sources of funding, 4(6.2%).
Use and benefits of Information Regarding dissemination of information sent via E-mail, respondents gave the following answers: Rarely (i.e 5%), 10(21.7%); occasionally (i.e. 5-20%), 10(i.e. 21.7%), frequently (i.e, 20-50%), 9(19.6%) and often (greater than 50%), 17(37.0%). On the possibility of hoarding information, 19(45.2%) of the respondents said it was not possible, only 5(11.9 %) said that it was possible; and 18(42.9%) were not aware. As to whether the respondents were using the E-mail facilities optimally (i.e to satisfy their needs). Four (11.1%) indicated they were doing so, 5 (13.9%) were not and 27 (75.0%) were not sure whether they were optimally using the E-mail services. E-mail is strengthening professional contacts as follows: outside Africa, 35 (49.3%); outside the country but within Africa; outside the Institution but within country, 13 (18.3%); and 15 (20.1%) within institutions, 8(11.3%). The methods of replying to E-mail messages that were in use are: Bulletin Board, 10 (13.9%); distribution of printed copies, 23 (31.9%);
Improving E-mail services Twenty nine (60.4%) of the respondents gave suggestions for improving E-mail services:
j) Development of more services namely;
Database search services (local and International).
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