Professional Background: Professor Osden Jokonya is an academic and NRF C2-rated researcher at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa. With a career spanning over two decades in both academia and the IT industry, Jokonya has established himself as a researcher in emerging technologies adoption. Before transitioning to academia, Jokonya amassed extensive industry experience, holding senior management IT positions across diverse sectors including mining, retail, manufacturing, financial services, insurance, utilities, and education. His industry experience equipped him with practical insights that complement his academic endeavors, enabling a holistic approach to teaching and research in Information Systems. Before joining UWC in January 2018 as an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Systems, Jokonya worked at the University of South Africa and North-West University as a Senior Lecturer. He served in various capacities at various universities including curriculum development committees, and industry advisory bodies, and participated actively in faculty and university committees.
Educational Background: Professor Jokonya holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University of South Africa (UNISA), awarded in 2015. His doctoral research focused on developing a framework to assist organizations with information technology adoption governance. He also earned a Master of Commerce in Project Leadership and Management from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in 2010, complemented by an MBA majoring in Information Management and E-Commerce from UKZN, in 2008 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (Natal University) in 2004. His academic journey includes a diverse range of qualifications from institutions such as The University of Manchester (Post Graduate Certificate in Information Management) and BTech. Computer Studies (HEXCO Zimbabwe).
Areas of Expertise: Jokonya’s current research focuses on exploring the adoption of emerging technologies like Big Data, AI, IoT, Immersive Technologies, and Blockchain across industries and communities. He has contributed extensively to understanding digital transformations in sectors such as the food supply chain, emphasizing the integration of digital solutions in agriculture value chains, and logistics. His scholarly contributions extend beyond publications to supervising postgraduate students. He is actively involved in several professional bodies including the Association for Information Systems (AIS). Professor Jokonya’s expertise is sought globally, evident from his participation in international collaboration and conferences across continents.