http://www.sajim.co.za/editorial.main.10nr3.asp?print=1


   
  Editorial Vol.10(3) September 2008

Not many articles have been published in the ten year of SAJIM’s existence on research 
methodology within the informational sciences or related disciplines. The first article of this 
issue is such a contribution. Authors Pather and Strümper argues that given the widespread 
use of survey design in both the academic and practitioner environments, it is important that 
sound survey design techniques are adhered to. In Using scale reduction techniques for 
improved quality of survey information,the authors provide an analysis of survey design 
techniques in articles published over a two-year period in SAJIM and of a sample of 
completed post-graduate research. It was found that an area that requires greater attention is 
scale development. In particular it was found that researchers are generally not implementing 
pilot tests of questionnaires in order to improve the scale reliability thereof. The primary 
objective of this article was therefore to highlight this problem, and to advocate improved 
practice in survey design.  

Competitive intelligence in support of strategic training and learning is the title of the 
second article (Botha and Boon). The authors argue that a more holistic approach to strategic 
thinking must take place in the enterprise, more specifically the idea of strategic training. A 
so-called holistic approach should be followed, which implies that strategic training is pre-
ceded by a competitive intelligence process to enable decision makers to learn about their 
emergent strategic environment. According to the authors, strategic training is aimed at 
improving the managerial capabilities and competencies of decision makers responsible for 
strategic processes in the enterprise, and therefore also for strategic thinking. Strategic 
training will ensure that decision makers are better prepared to detect changes in the 
emergent strategic environment of companies. 

We all know that Southern Africa is a water stressed region. Therefore, Government sees the 
effective management of water as crucial to eliminate supply backlogs and as such to 
improve living standards. 'Water demand management' (WDM) is introduced in the article by
Jacobs (Residential water information management) as part of the overall water scarcity 
solution in South Africa. More specifically, WDM ensures that the water service provider 
gains detailed knowledge of the water use on residential properties. This type of detailed 
focus is known as end-use modelling or micro-modelling of water use. In the article, Jacobs 
illustrates how a Web-based approach can create a household application to regularly and 
effectively monitor household usage of this very scare commodity. 

The last article of this issue reports on an in-depth investigation into the Uses and 
gratifications of mobile Internet among South African students. Drawing on previous studies 
on mobile phone and traditional Internet usage, a model has been developed by the author 
(Chigona) to establish the proposed uses and gratifications of users. The model was then 
validated with information gathered through interviews conducted with South African 
university students. The findings of this study correlate in general with previous studies. In 
addition, this research has shown that there is a strong social motivation for mobile Internet 
use and mobile Internet may be the preferred and, in some cases, the only means of Internet 
access. 

  

Pieter van Brakel 
Scientific Editor  



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