The adoption of immersive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), is transforming sectors like healthcare, education, entertainment, and retail by offering innovative, simulated experiences. These technologies provide significant benefits, such as enhanced learning, improved patient outcomes, and innovative rehabilitation tools. However, their use also raises concerns about user comfort and potential health impacts. This systematic literature review examines the positive and negative health implications of immersive technologies, drawing insights from 104 peer-reviewed articles. The findings highlight therapeutic and rehabilitation benefits, such as treating anxiety and improving motor skills, alongside physical health concerns like eye strain and cybersickness, and mental health challenges, including cognitive overload and addiction. The study identifies key demographics most susceptible to these effects, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Recommendations for mitigating risks include ergonomic device design, synchronized sensory inputs, and user training. This research underscores the need for the responsible and ethical development of immersive technologies, ensuring they enhance real-world experiences without compromising user well-being. Future studies should focus on long-term health implications, inclusive design, and establishing guidelines to maximize benefits while minimizing risks.

Human resource information systems (HRIS) are adopted and used in various organizations all over the world. Following on this trend, universities including those in South Africa have also adopted and are using such systems for their human resource (HR) purposes. However there is still a lack of understanding on how organizations such as universities adopt and use HRIS. This paper provides a conceptual research framework for HRIS adoption and use. Specifically the paper addresses the determinants and dimensions of HRIS as both a process (adoption and use process) and as an outcome in a university. The simultaneous examination of both adoption and use, and how the adoption process may influence use is a novel, holistic approach to understanding IS within organizations

Background: This article discusses techniques for effective government service delivery using e-participation to engage with citizens. It highlights the lack of literature detailing these techniques, despite previous initiatives to use information and communication technology (ICT) for citizen engagement. The study used institutional theory to describe the government’s environment. Objectives: The objectives were to investigate techniques for effective government service delivery using e-participation, explore open government initiatives in South Africa and propose a framework for open government alignment. Method: The method used was an interpretive inductive qualitative case study. Data were collected through open-ended semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic and content analysis. Results: The results indicate that the South African government still uses unstructured communication methods to engage citizens, lacks policies for open government initiatives and offers some services through the website, call centre and imbizo’s. Conclusion: The study concludes that developing ICT applications for real-time interaction between government and citizens could improve engagement and participation. Contribution: The study suggests that using the proposed framework for open government alignment can enhance citizen-government engagements.

The South African Journal of Information Management explores the latest developments and trends in information and knowledge management to offer research that can be used to further the application of sound information and knowledge management practice.

Learning management systems (LMS) have been developed and used by institutions of higher education in South Africa for a number of years. These systems have been put in place to make the teaching and learning process easier, to make learning resources more accessible, and for the general course administration. However, LMS environments are not without context sensitive challenges. To this point help alleviate some of these challenges, this paper proposes a framework for contextualised learner support in an open and distance learning (ODL) environment. The framework is informed by the empirical evidence collected during a case study at an ODL university. The study involved both learners and instructors in their use of the LMS for teaching and for learning purposes. Interpretive research paradigm was followed using Activity Theory as an analytical lens. The empirical evidence suggests that although LMS environments do provide the necessary access to resources and that it could support teaching and learning, there is a disconnect between how they are currently utilised and what its intended purpose and use are. This paper concludes that, for LMS to be inclusive, institutions of higher learning should develop and deploy the systems sensitive to the context and the diverse backgrounds of the learner population.

Background: Big Data, sourced from various digital sources, offers valuable insights for better decision-making, and organisations are implementing Big Data technologies to improve their services. This article is about how the City of Tshwane (CoT), a South African metropolitan municipality is using data collected from its various information and communication technology (ICT) projects to improve decision-making. Objectives: The study aims to identify the type of Big Data generated by South African municipalities and to establish ways in which knowledge, expertise and suitable management techniques impact the efficient application of Big Data in these municipalities. Method: A qualitative approach, a case study method and Semi-structured interviews were deemed fit to collect data while thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes associated with participants’ experiences. Structuration Theory was used to analyse existing social structures that govern how Big Data is used in the CoT. Results: There is a lack of data integration and a Big Data management system in the CoT. However, the CoT is ready to embrace Big Data and it is currently establishing a unit to effectively analyse collected data. Conclusion: Big Data’s potential for developing effective data management systems has garnered significant attention in the public sector and the CoT is also ready to fully adopt and implement these technologies. Contribution: South African municipalities can effectively utilise Big data by establishing skilled staff, good infrastructure and suitable policies for efficient data generation and interpretation.