Mutanga, Murimo Bethel
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Social Media and the COVID-19: South African and Zimbabwean Netizens’ Response to a Pandemic Mutanga, Murimo Bethel; Ureke, Oswelled; Chani, Tarirai
Indonesian Journal of Information Systems Vol 4, No 1 (2021): August 2021
Publisher : Program Studi Sistem Informasi Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24002/ijis.v4i1.4338

Abstract

Since the end of 2019, the world faced a major health crisis in the form of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To mitigate the impact of the pandemic, governments across the globe instituted measures such as restricting local and international travel and in many cases, ordering citizens to stay indoors. Considering the social and economic impact of these restrictions it becomes crucial to investigate internet citizens’ (netizens) perception about the precautionary measures adopted. The study is anchored in the digital public sphere theory, which treats social media applications as virtual platforms where netizens commune to share ideas and debate about issues that affect them. Social media platforms already have critical public views on the current pandemic. However, the majority of this data is unstructured and difficult to interpret. Natural language processing (NLP), on the other hand, makes the task of gathering and analysing vast amounts of textual data feasible. Extracting structured knowledge from natural language, however, comes with unique challenges due to diverse linguistic properties including abbreviation, spelling mistakes, punctuations, stop words and non-standard text. In this work, The Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm was applied to tweeter data to extract topics discussed by netzens from Zimbabwe and South Africa.  The primary focus of this paper, is to comparatively explore the variety of topics that occupied twitter communities from the two countries. We examine whether or not the national identities that define and differentiate citizens of these countries also exist on Twitter as evident in the emerging topics. Furthermore, this work investigated public opinion by analysing how citizens discuss the issues around the COVID-19 pandemic on social media
An Experimental Study of The Efficacy of Prompting Strategies In Guiding ChatGPT for A Computer Programming Task Mnguni, Nompilo Makhosi; Nkomo, Nkululeko; Maguraushe, Kudakwashe; Mutanga, Murimo Bethel
Journal of Information System and Informatics Vol 6 No 3 (2024): September
Publisher : Universitas Bina Darma

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.51519/journalisi.v6i3.783

Abstract

In the rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI) era, optimizing language models such as Chatbot Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) for specialised tasks like computer programming remains a mystery. There are numerous inconsistencies in the quality and correctness of code generated by ChatGPT in programming. This study aims to analyse how the different prompting strategies; text-to-code and code-to-code, impact the output of ChatGPT's responses in programming tasks. The study adopted an experimental design that presented ChatGPT with a diverse set of programming tasks and prompts, spanning various programming languages, difficulty levels, and problem domains. The generated outputs were rigorously tested and evaluated for accuracy, latency, and qualitative aspects. The findings indicated that code-to-code prompting significantly improved accuracy, achieving a 93.55% success rate compared to 29.03% for text-to-code. Code-to-code prompts were particularly effective across all difficulty levels, while text-to-code struggled, especially with harder tasks. Based on these findings, computer programming students need to appreciate and comprehend that ChatGPT prompting is essential for getting the desired output. Using optimised prompting methods, students can achieve more accurate and efficient code generation, enhancing the quality of their code. Future research should explore the balance between prompt specificity and code efficiency, investigate additional prompting strategies, and develop best practices for prompt design to optimize the use of AI in software development.
An Investigation of Environmental Factors that Influence Student's Decision to Study Information Technology: A Qualitative Approach Piyose, Xolisa Philip; Mutanga, Murimo Bethel; Ndovela, Sithembile Lydia
Journal of Information System and Informatics Vol 6 No 3 (2024): September
Publisher : Universitas Bina Darma

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.51519/journalisi.v6i3.815

Abstract

Selecting a career path is crucial for students' future success and job market readiness. This study underscores the need to align education with career goals for an easier transition from school to work. It highlights the importance of environmental factors, academic performance, and personal factors in influencing students' career decisions. While many studies focus on social and academic impacts, few explore the environmental aspects affecting the career choices of Information Technology (IT) students. This research aims to fill this gap by investigating these environmental influences using a qualitative approach, concentrating on comprehensive examinations through questionnaires and focus group discussions. The specific scientific research objectives are to identify and analyse the key environmental factors that influence IT students' career choices; and to understand how these factors interact with personal and academic considerations to shape career decisions. By exploring the effects of technological advancements, media trends, societal expectations, and access to IT resources, the study seeks to uncover the core substance of environmental influences on career orientation within the IT field. It involves a diverse student group from various educational and socio-economic backgrounds. The findings reveal a strong influence of technological advancements and media trends on students' perceptions of IT careers, showing a keen responsiveness to new technologies and media representations. In contrast, societal and cultural factors like family expectations and peer pressure have a lesser effect. The study emphasises the importance of resources like IT infrastructure and early technology exposure in career choices. It suggests that educational institutions and policymakers should consider these elements to develop effective strategies. Addressing societal norms, ensuring equal resource access, and improving information availability are key. Such measures can help prepare a skilled generation, contributing to the technological field and societal advancement.
Gender Motivations for TikTok Content Creation: A Comparative Study of Male and Female Students’ University Students Ndou, Ananias; Magcaba, Mfanafuthi; Mthembu, Nompumelelo; Jugoo, Vikash; Mutanga, Murimo Bethel
Journal of Information System and Informatics Vol 7 No 2 (2025): June
Publisher : Universitas Bina Darma

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.51519/journalisi.v7i2.1130

Abstract

TikTok has rapidly become a leading platform for youth self-expression and digital participation, yet little is known about how gender influences motivations for content creation. This study explores gender-based differences among South African university students, addressing a key gap in the literature. Using a mixed-methods design, 100 students (50 male, 50 female) were surveyed and focus groups with 25 participants were conducted to examine content types and motivational drivers, over a three-month period. Findings reveal clear distinctions: female students are primarily motivated by self-expression, social connection, and stress relief, favoring fashion, lifestyle, and dance content. Male students, by contrast, focus on entertainment, follower growth, and raising awareness, often creating comedy and educational videos. These patterns reflect broader social norms and platform dynamics, emphasizing different gratifications by gender. The study is guided by the Uses and Gratifications Theory in understanding these gendered motivations is essential for fostering more inclusive and responsive social media environments. It offers practical insights for educators designing digital literacy interventions, as well as for platform developers aiming to enhance inclusivity and user engagement.
Information Cascades in Professional Networks: A Graph-Based Study of LinkedIn Post Engagement Revesai, Zvinodashe; Mutanga, Murimo Bethel; Chani, Tarirai
Journal of Applied Informatics and Computing Vol. 9 No. 4 (2025): August 2025
Publisher : Politeknik Negeri Batam

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.30871/jaic.v9i4.10212

Abstract

Information cascades in professional networks represent a critical mechanism for knowledge transfer and career development, yet their dynamics remain poorly understood. This study presents a comprehensive empirical analysis of information cascades in LinkedIn professional networks, focusing on computer science professionals and academic-industry knowledge transfer. We analysed 50,000 CS professionals, 500,000 connections, and 100,000 technical posts over 12 months using a Modified Independent Cascade Model that incorporates professional context factors. Our analysis reveals that hybrid professionals, representing only 25% of the network, account for 52% of inter-cluster connections and achieve 2.8× higher cross-domain transfer rates. Educational content demonstrates superior cross-domain appeal (0.47) compared to research papers (0.23), with optimal posting windows between 10 AM-12 PM achieving 23% higher cross-domain engagement. Bridge users in academic-industry transitions show significantly higher transfer effectiveness (Cohen's d = 1.47, p < 0.001). These findings provide evidence-based strategies for optimising professional networking and knowledge dissemination across academic and industry domains
Instagram Through Her Eyes: Exploring Female Instagram Content Creators’ Motivations for Content Creation Mlangeni, Senamile; Nyawo, Thulebona; Nyathi, Mpumelelo; Mhlongo, Xolani Vincent; Mutanga, Murimo Bethel
Indonesian Journal of Information Systems Vol. 8 No. 1 (2025): August 2025
Publisher : Program Studi Sistem Informasi Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24002/ijis.v8i1.11668

Abstract

Instagram has emerged as a dominant social media platform globally, particularly among young female users who engage actively with visual content and digital narratives. While existing studies have explored the psychological implications of social media usage, few have specifically focused on the motivations behind content creation and the nature of posts, especially within the context of South African universities. This study investigates these motivations among female students aged 18–35 at a University of Technology. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating structured surveys, semi-structured interviews, and content analysis of Instagram posts over a three-month period. The findings indicate that motivations such as self-expression and validation underpin much of the content shared. The study contributes to the understanding of online identity construction and emotional regulation in digital spaces, offering insights into mental health awareness, digital literacy education, and inclusive platform design. By examining female students' Instagram engagement in the Global South, this research fills a contextual and theoretical gap, shedding light on the intersection of social media with unique cultural, academic, and technological dynamics.