https://jicts.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/udsm <p><span class="selectable-text copyable-text">JICTS is a refereed open access journal that disseminates original research on the design, development, implementation, management and evaluation of ICT systems. <a href="https://jicts.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/udsm/about">Read more.</a></span></p> University of Dar es Salaam en-US Journal of ICT Systems 2953-2590 https://jicts.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/udsm/article/view/56 <p>Free and open-source software (FOSS) are viable alternatives to pricey proprietary software due to their low total cost of ownership (TCO). They are predicted to have a bright future because of their advanced technologies in service delivery. Despite the availability of FOSS adoption studies, public discourse as well as information and communication technology (ICT) policies, FOSS applications are inadequately adopted in Tanzanian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) due to lack of institutionalization. This finding poses a need for examining the institutionalization status. Institutionalization occurs when FOSS adoption and use becomes a standard practice. This study analyses the institutionalization of FOSS adoption by examining the national and selected universities’ ICT policies and observing the evolution of public discourse towards FOSS by examining multiple articles. The study adopted a systematic literature review and was guided by an analytical framework that triangulated new institutional theory, the underlying concept of organizing vision, and rhetorical diffusion theory. The findings show that, although there are sporadic use of FOSS in some Tanzanian HEIs, FOSS adoption is generally not institutionalized. As a result, the study recommends adjustments in preparation of ICT policies, making adoption of FOSS part of organizational strategic plans for them to enjoy decision-makers’ support.</p> Phesto Namayala Tabu Kondo Leonard Mselle Copyright (c) 2024 Phesto Namayala, Tabu S. Kondo, Leonard J Mselle https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 2024-03-06 2024-03-06 2 1 1 18 10.56279/jicts.v2i1.56 https://jicts.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/udsm/article/view/39 <p><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p>The integration of Information Technology in Business processes supports automation which eventually adds to its value. The Social Assistance Grants Empowerment (SAGE) is a Uganda government social protection programme in which it supports the elderly needy through disbursement of direct income. The programme is executed through five phases. It however encounters several challenges that this paper addresses by leveraging technology. Among the phases, the complaints and grievances phase presented unique challenges that required quick intervention. The decision was achieved through application of a rank matrix technique. Using BPR and design science methodologies, the C&amp;G subprocess was reengineered, where new models were developed that informed the design of mobile and web applications to support the automation and process improvement. Moreover, simulation results from 2 scenarios are presented to compare the old and revised model. The revised model exhibited greater improvements where a case can be resolve in 8 days compared to over 2 months period in the old case. The tools are yet to be evaluated and fully deployed.</p> John Paul Kasse Charles Olupot Edward Kabaalea Clare Kaijabwango Samson Akol Copyright (c) 2024 John Paul Kasse, Charles Olupot https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 2024-04-27 2024-04-27 2 1 19 35 10.56279/jicts.v2i1.39