http://www.sajim.co.za/editorial.main.10nr4.asp?print=1


   
  Editorial Vol.10(4) December 2008 

The first article in this issue, by M.J. Scheepers, and with some very important research 
results, is entitled Entrepreneurial mindset of information and communication technology 
firms. The author argues that currently 'limited research focuses on the entrepreneurial 
mindset of ICT-related firms, despite the opportunities in and importance of this sector for 
economic growth'. The purpose of this article is therefore to describe the entrepreneurial 
mindset of ICT firms operating in South Africa and within the so-called e-business space. 
The e-business space in this article refers to e-business products, services, processes and 
strategies that firms pursue. The following are covered: 

Identification of the indicators and underlying dimensions of an entrepreneurial 
mindset.  
Description of the entrepreneurial mindset of South African ICT firms.  
Discussion of the findings and recommendations for managers and practitioners.  

Data were obtained using structured telephone interviews with 144 ICT firms. The findings 
indicate that the three indicators of an entrepreneurial mindset are associated and can be 
linked to performance. It is recommended that managers create a supportive climate for 
entrepreneurship by offering rewards, empowering employees and providing leadership and 
support for initiatives. 

Hierarchical analysis of acceptable use policies, written by P.A. Laughton, identifies and 
describes a fairly new concept within the Information Management domain, namely 
acceptable use policies (AUPs). According to him these are vital tools for enterprises to 
protect themselves and their employees from misuse of computer facilities provided. A well-
structured, thorough AUP is essential for any organization, the author argues. Furthermore, 
AUPs are often not seen as proactive tools in the prevention of misuse of computer facilities. 
AUPs work in conjunction with active tools such as content filters in ensuring the correct and 
optimum use of computer facilities. Today, AUPs have an increasingly important role to play 
in the enterprise to block unwanted online content. Although AUPs can be seen as a passive 
form of control, they do not physically restrict an enduser from inappropriate online 
behaviour; they rather act guidelines to appropriate use of computers made available to 
employees. 

The third contribution, by M.A. Mearns, seeks to cast more light on the question: What are 
the current trends in the theoretical and research methodological approaches as applied in 
research in the field of information and knowledge management in South Africa?. An 
investigation was conducted of the theories and research methodologies by doctoral 
dissertations completed in South Africa over the past ten years. Searching for relevant 
dissertations in this domain, descriptors and search strings (search terms or keywords, for 
that matter) such as 'information management', 'knowledge management' or 'information and 
knowledge management' were submitted to a number of online databases and/or search 
engines. Related terms, such as data mining, search engine optimizing or even 'business 
information systems' were not mentioned as viable, albeit wider terms that could effectively 
be incorporated in this research. 

Of the 47 South African 'relevant' dissertations, 30 from a possible 47 titles were included in 
the purposive sample analysed. This sample size constitutes a 63.8% representation of the 
population. The results of the investigation identified 'some' trends in the field of information 



and knowledge management research in South Africa. These are described under to the 
following headings:  

Research design  
Research design type  
Theoretical positions/paradigms  
Sampling types  
Data collection and analysis.  

Pieter van Brakel 
Editor  

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