Cidadania digital e democracia: modelo de avaliação de iniciativas públicas de inclusão digital

Information professionals in a globalized world: Digital inclusion initiatives in Brazil: Improving education and information seeking behavior through government‐academic partnerships

The Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Life Expectancy in the Middle East

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to investigate the empirical linkages between information and communication technologies (ICTs), digital inclusion and sustainable development. This research aims to address a gap in the existing literature by exploring how ICT policies and digital inclusion efforts contribute to sustainable development outcomes across countries in developed and developing regions. Governments around the globe are increasingly relying on ICT policies to promote development in societies. Specifically, access and use of ICTs have been found to promote sustainable development across countries. Studies further argue the need for countries to bridge the digital divide to reap the full benefits of sustainable development. However, the empirical linkages between ICTs, digital inclusion and sustainable development have seldom been explored. This study is conducted to fill this gap in the literature. Design/methodology/approach This study relies on the capability approach and archival data for 130 countries from the network readiness index for 2021 to examine the nexus between ICTs, digital inclusion and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using partial least squares structural equation modelling to validate the study’s hypotheses. Findings Findings show the positive effects of ICT access and ICT usage on digital inclusion. Digital inclusion was found to be significantly associated with SDGs. Furthermore, mediating effect results show the significant effect of digital inclusion on the nexus between ICT access and SDGs as well as ICT usage and SDGs. Originality/value To theory, this study uniquely shows through the capability approach how access and use of ICTs empower individuals to engage in information accessibility, sharing and communication and how it promotes safe and sustainable societies to achieve SDG11. To research, this study’s outcomes provide new insights into the links between ICTs, digital inclusion and SDG11. Unlike past studies investigating the nexus between ICTs in general and SDGs, this study shows how ICT access and use propels digital inclusion and SDG11.

This quantitative study surveyed 538 adults in isolated rural settings in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in order to examine whether telecenters operated by the non-profit organization Gems of the Earth in the area improve digital literacy and promote social change in those remote mountain communities. Using multivariate logistic regression, the study examined how individuals use information and communication technologies (ICTs) at the telecenter, and tested for predictors of their use. The findings confirm that these rural communities use ICTs for entertainment, to engage in civic participation, and to practice professional skills. Results also indicate greater odds of ICT use among individuals aged 18 to 24 and among those who seek diversion. The findings suggest that digital inclusion impacts these isolated communities by creating opportunities for entertainment, civic engagement, professional development, and education in ways that may positively impact human development.

1. Introduction The literature in social sciences relating to the information and communication technologies (ICT) addresses aspects of the problem of digital divide. Unfortunately, very little has been written on the legal dimension of the same problem. Even then, the focus has been on policy and regulatory issues surrounding access to ICTs (Gonzalez, 2005a, p. 73). Far less significance has been given to the problem in the intellectual property (IP) literature, though some of the debate on the continuing expansion of IP indirectly touches on it. This article aims to examine how IP might contribute towards the digital divide and the possible ways and means of reversing its negative impact. As already mentioned, the ongoing debate on the further expansion of IP to cover ('properties') every imaginable form of information and calls to curtail or revise such expansion indirectly link with the urge to lessen whatever impact IP might have on the digital divide. While the literature critiquing IP expansion towards the end of the 20th century has largely developed in the context of concerns for the continuity of creativity and innovation as well as cultural progress in the industrially advanced societies, this article seeks to scrutinise the narrower problem of how IP might have impinged on the digital divide. This can be achieved by moving beyond the general denunciation of current IP as somehow outdated and as a mere stranglehold over innovation and human progress; instead, the article explores the nature of IP and the manner of its evolution over the centuries within the framework of the demands and expectations of economies and societies, whether industrial or non-industrial. The benefits of such an approach are that the critique of the system will be grounded in the history, economics and technologies of countries and nations that gave rise to it as well as that any proposals for validating, reforming or overthrowing the system will not appear whimsical or utopian. The article is organised in four sections. Section 1 defines the concept of 'digital divide'. Section 2 outlines whether and how IP law has coped with the digital revolution. Section 3 then reviews the perspectives of the relevant stakeholders in stemming the digital divide: the OECD and the WSIS; global corporations such as Microsoft; NGOs and the Friends of The Intellectual Commons. Section 4 brings together, and critically assesses, the various strands of views on possible way(s) of bridging the digital divide in terms of current IP law and policy and in light of any emerging trends. The article concludes that, while IP does contribute to the digital divide, some of its critics fail to recognise the paramount role of the economic and social environment within which it has developed; consequently, any proposals for overthrowing IP leaving that environment intact will remain fanciful. 2. The 'Digital Divide' Defined The term 'digital divide' has become popular shorthand to refer to any perceived inequality in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT); however, no clear consensus has emerged in defining it (Ibid). More often, the term is used broadly to denote the gap the technology haves and have-nots as a whole. One commentator refers to the patters of development arising from the unequal access to the new world of instant communications and infinite information on demand (Alexander, 1996, p.195). He argues, In a world governed by information, exclusion from information is as devastating as exclusion from land in an agricultural age (Ibid). Occasionally, there is tendency to view the concept as equivalent to the gap in information; in other words, not just in access to facilities alone. A report prepared for UNESCO, by contrast, views gaps in the level of ICT introduced by countries, between 'ICT-haves' and 'have-nots' as a measure of 'the digital divide' (Sciadas, 2003, p. …

Perception of Ultimate Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an Impetus in Enhancing Employee Performance in a Few Selected Municipalities in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Protocol for a Systematic Review: Provision of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Improving Academic Achievement and School Engagement in Students Aged 4‐18

In today’s world, information and communication technologies (ICT) and the ability to use their potential effectively, provide access to the latest information, digital services, communication, prompt inclusion in the labour market, participation in lifelong learning, and are an integral part of the successful functioning of society (Ekbia, 2016; Fabre and Popova, 2017). At the same time, the growing importance of ICT creates new challenges in ensuring equal opportunities for all, without exception, to have access to technological equipment, the Internet, the development of digital competences and digital services, and to enable them to use ICT effectively. The need to increase digital inclusion is particularly important in this area. Digital inclusion is associated with enabling socially excluded groups in society to use digital technologies effectively: for effective communication, participation in various activities, involvement in society and community (Real et al. 2014; Newman et al. 2017). The goals of digital inclusion are inseparable from the goals of social inclusion (Farooq et al., 2015; Beyene, 2018), in which the inclusion of all persons without exception, especially those belonging to socially excluded groups, in society and community is important. Caruso (2014), Bertot (2016), Borg and Smith (2018), Beyene (2018), Strover et al. (2020) note that digital inclusion comprises three key principles: access to the latest technologies, ICT adoption and application. The principle of application is the most important principle. It comprises the effective use of ICT, digital information and digital competences for learning, employment, self-education, civic participation, health strengthening and other purposes.Public libraries are very important organizations in increasing digital inclusion. In order to increase digital inclusion, public libraries should carry out activities aimed at providing access to ICT and the Internet, improving the digital competences and offering digital services. In this area, it is particularly important for public libraries to exploit the potential of their wide network of institutions, the variety of free services and possibilities to cooperate with other organizations. These aspects exclude public libraries from other institutions, enabling them to involve more people in digital inclusion activities and reach the most vulnerable groups of society that often experience social exclusion (Yılmaz and Cevher, 2015; Casselden, Pickard and McLeod, 2015; Appleton et al. 2018; Wyatt, Mcquire and Butt, 2018). The need to foster digital inclusion highlights the necessity to assess the activities of public libraries in increasing digital inclusion empirically. The aim of this article is to investigate the activities of public libraries in increasing the digital inclusion and to identify possible directions for the improvement of digital inclusion. The case of Šiauliai region was chosen for the empirical research. The methods of scientific literature content analysis, structured E- mail interview, systematization and generalization of collected data and secondary data analysis were employed in this research.The empirical research has shown that the activities of Šiauliai region libraries in the field of increasing digital inclusion include the main ones discussed in the scientific literature (Caruso, 2014; Nemer, 2015; Bertot, 2016; Luterek 2017; Beyene, 2018; Gregg and McKendry, 2018; Strover et al. 2020); ensuring free access to ICT and the Internet, developing digital competences and providing digital services. Free access to ICT and the Internet offered by public libraries is important for people with disabilities and seniors, providing opportunities to take care of health, communicate with relatives and save money. Digital literacy training in libraries, individual consultations and some digital services (e.g. e-books, virtual events) are relevant to these target groups. However, the involvement of people with disabilities and seniors in these activities is insufficient, especially in the area of access to digital services. The empirical research showed that the involvement of these target groups in the digital inclusion activities offered by libraries is limited. This limitation is caused by such reasons as lack of personal motivation, lack of digital skills, not adapted libraries infrastructure and technological equipment and lack of information about these activities.Taking these aspects into account, it is recommended for public libraries to increase the diversity of access to digital services, intensify initiatives to publicize information about these services and develop cooperation with organizations, representing these target groups (care homes, associations of the disabled, organizations representing seniors, daycare centers, etc.). This cooperation could increase the involvement of people with disabilities and seniors in the activities offered by libraries and contribute to the increase of digital inclusion.

There is little shared understanding of the term “digital divide,” but this has not prevented the international community from investing a great deal of effort in projects that aim to reduce the digital divide by reducing disparities in access to information and communication technologies (ICT) (European Commission High Level Group, 1997; International Telecommunication Union [ITU], 1984, 2003; United Nations Economic and Social Commission [UN ECOSOC], 2000). The divergent rate at which ICT diffuses—the digital divide—is a reflection of broader socioeconomic divides, many of which exist within societies. The divide between men and women, rich and poor, young and old, urban and rural, literate and non-literate, also manifests itself in the digital world of media, computers, telecommunications, Internet, and jobs in software production. Information and communication flows carried by ICT are increasingly becoming an integral factor in international, institutional, and political processes. Lack of access to ICT therefore impacts on opportunities for developing countries’ economic growth, wealth distribution, social empowerment, and development. It is the digital divide which largely prevents the equal sharing of knowledge worldwide and leads to “information and knowledge poverty” among certain groups. If only a select number of countries, and within them certain groups, reap the benefits of ICT while others continue to lag behind, the digital divide will continue to grow and the virtuous cycle that ICT can create will not be enjoyed by many (Millward-Oliver, 2005). There is little acknowledgment and even less acceptance that gender constitutes an important influence in the structure of the “digital divide.” At first glance, this failure to admit context may seem strange and out of step with common sense. Why should gender relations, such an important and pivotal element of social structure, that is known to influence differentiated access to financial resources, employment opportunities, education and training, water and sanitation, health care, legal status, and enjoyment of human-rights not affect access to and control of ICT? This article will explore some of the key factors that lead to gender blindness in the digital divide debate and articulate a strategic response

Information and communication technology (ICT), digital divide and urbanization: Evidence from Chinese cities

Conventional Convergence models usually oversee the role of information and communications technology (ICT) as a determinant of convergence. This paper introduces ICT as a factor contributing towards economic convergence in Asian countries. In addition to ICT, other factors like demographic traits, level of human development and electricity consumption are used as regressors. System GMM technique is used to estimate convergence regression for selected Asian countries for data of time span 2001-2010. Support for ICT-augmented convergence is found, implying that ICT has the tendency to participate in convergence process. Suitable demographic features, human development and electricity consumption are also found to contribute to economic convergence in the sample countries of Asia. Findings of this paper indicate the need to complement the favorable demographic endowments in Asian economies with economically productive usage of ICT to proceed towards economic convergence in Asian Region.Keywords: Convergence Models, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), System Generalized Method of Moments (SYS-GMM), Human Development Index (HDI), Electricity Consumption(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)1 IntroductionImportance of information has been pivotal since beginning of human civilization. Since time immemorial the information has been serving as a competitive edge for its possessors [12], During 20th century, the advent of digital devices has hotfooted the flow of information and ability to process it. This technology is termed as Information and communication technology (ICT). During the last half of 20th century, 'information revolution' was made possible through the 'digital' Information and Communication Technology 'ICT' [12], The ICT revolution is crucial insofar as it involves technologies geared to the production and dissemination of knowledge and information. These new technologies, that first emerged in the 1950s and then really took off with the advent of the Internet, have breathtaking potential. It is worth noting that the differences between communication technology and information technology have become fuzzy, e.g. mobile phones are principally tools for communication. But with the invention of wireless technology, users can access information via cellular phone. Internet is primarily a tool of information technology, yet many Internet users communicate mutually through their personal computers.Economic convergence refers to the process by which relatively poorer regions or countries grow faster than their rich counterparts. The convergence hypothesis is advanced by [22] and is documented by [8] and [5], This paper includes ICT and in economic convergence and calls it ICT-augmented. For the sake of simplicity, the word 'Economic convergence' is interchangeably used as 'convergence' . As documented in empirical literature, conditional beta convergence is a more realistic exercise because it reflects the convergence of countries after controlling for differences in steady states. Absolute sigma (o) convergence is another form of convergence theory but suffers with lack of empirical evidence. Conditional convergence is simply a confirmation of a result predicted by the neoclassical growth model: those countries with similar steady states exhibit convergence. This does not imply that all countries in the world would converge to the same steady state; rather they would converge to their own steady states.2 ObjectiveThis paper inquires the role of ICT in achieving economic convergence among Asian countries. It is expected due to miraculous ability of ICT to process information and hence become economically meaningful. Classic evidence of this ability is Moore's law that purports an exponentially increasing 'information processing' capability in microelectronics, society and economy. Another instance is Gilder Law that asserts bandwidth of network would triple each year for the span of 25 years. …

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in all areas of the education sector, particularly in developed economies as well as developing countries, regardless of preparedness. This is because, under the new normal, ICT adoption has become ubiquitous and fast-moving, even in the face of impending challenges. In the case of education, in particular, the disruption caused by the pandemic has caused ICT to become an instantaneous apparatus that has sustained the teaching and learning sector during the global lockdown that ravaged the world between 2019 and 2020, with consequences that are still visible today. Once more, the pandemic's outbreak made it clear to world leaders in numerous developing nations that they had no option but to use an ICT tool that was accelerating the growth of their countries' national knowledge bases. Notwithstanding the apparent difficulties integrating ICT into teaching and learning, the COVID-19 pandemic's effects accelerated the spread of ICT, forcing teachers and students in Nigeria and, in fact, around the world, to work online despite their readiness in terms of knowledge, abilities, and resources. In today's globalized world, ICT has become indispensable in filling gaps in the education sector, but it is also important to recognize the role of green information technology. This study examined how ICT instantly filled in the educational gaps during a pandemic-related lockdown, as well as how Green IT impacts our ecology. In order to truly close the digital divide that existed in the education sector in today's carefree world, the research has supplied the essential information and details, as well as recommendations for how to best use ICT tools to secure the ecosystem. Keywords: ICT, Covid -19 Pandemic, Green IT, Digital Divide. Aims Research Journal Reference Format: Malasowe, B.O., Okpor, M.D. & Edim, B.E. (2024): Tackling Digital Degree in Education: Optimal Use of Green Information and Communication Technology (GICT). Advances in Multidisciplinary and Scientific Research Journal Vol. 10. No. 1. Pp 67-76. www.isteams.net/aimsjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/V10N1P5

The development and application of new information and communication technology (ICT) have opened many possibilities in education. In Environmental Education, the use of ICTs can provide awareness, as well as virtual knowledge of differentiated places and their social and environmental problems, no matter how spatially distant users are from the visited environment. Considering these issues from an Environmental Education outlook linked to pedagogy of complexity, a course material was built focused on Victorio Siquierolli Municipal Park in Uberlândia, in the state of Minas Gerais, which images, texts and sounds were implemented in digital form. The hypermedia has been tested and evaluated by students, and the results are the basis for reflection on the hypermedia’s architecture and potential for its use in Formal Environmental Education. Key words: formal environmental education, Victorio Siquierolli Park, hypermedia.

The concept of the digital divide is becoming more and more complex as access to computers and the use of computers, changes over time. When the existence of a “digital divide” first emerged, it revolved around access to computers and related technologies. The high cost of computers and related technologies creates a large divide between people who could afford them, and who had access to all the advantages of Information technology in general, and those who could not. ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) have become an indispensable tool for businesses. Competitiveness and productivity depend on them. Cloud Computing has also generated new business opportunities for companies that have understood the key to this new social and commercial space. Cloud Computing on education can bridge the knowledge divide, the resource divide and the digital divide, teachers could be empowered under the cloud warning. It can be on devices, notebook, e-book and cell-phone. Cloud Computing in order to reduce digital divide has come as a friendly way to provide computer applications to users without the need for those users to purchase, install or support software on their local computers and/or servers. This research will cover the facts and issues discovered into the Digital Divide, after exploring details and points of views from experts. Also, this research will provide two models and one framework to describe, explain and finally reduce the gap or as most of the researchers has been looking for building a bridge in order to reduce the digital divide. Since computers and, later, the Internet became popular and came to our business, there has been a different degree of acceptance thereof by the people. The variety of profiles ranging from the 'early adopter', that is one that is to last forever in this new technology, to the 'allergic' to the computer, because they do not know how to use password to login and/or prefers to work as they always have done. Is not the first time we hear about people who cannot make simples actions in a computer because their capabilities are very low. I'm talking about everyday situations, rather than more complex ones such as maintenance of machinery. This research will treat the Cloud Computing concept as a tool to Reduce Digital Divide; the digital divide will be related to issues of educational access to the benefits of digitalization and the capabilities of a group of students in three different high school centers to use ICT appropriately and contribute to sustainable development.

PurposeDigital divide is lack of access to and effective use of information and communication technology (ICT). It represents the difference between people with access to ICT and who use it effectively and those who do not. The aim of this study is to determine the level of digital divides amongst estate surveyors and valuers (recognized real estate practitioners in Nigeria). This is with a view to turning the identified digital divides into digital dividends for sustainable real estate practice in Nigeria and elsewhere.Design/methodology/approachIn attaining the aim, primary data were collected on 3,627 corporate members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) with questionnaires administered through the internet using SurveyMonkey, an internet‐based software complemented with bulk sms to alert them about posting of the questionnaires into their e‐mail addresses. The Culbertson's constructs for evaluating digital awareness in the USA were adapted for inclusion in the survey instrument. The finding on the estate surveyors and valuers was also compared with those on comparable professionals in the building industry to determine if the respondents are lagging behind in adopting ICT.FindingsBased on the Culbertson's constructs, there is great digital divide between practising estate surveyors and valuers and their counterparts in advanced countries. The analysis indicated that 33.75 percent of the respondents were not committed to ICT, 26.25 percent were slightly committed, and at least 38.75 percent were somewhat committed; and the respondents were classified as “low‐tech high‐touch” professionals; and their level of ICT deployment found to be appropriate within the framework of the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics. This implies that digital divide is not a challenge to real estate practice in Nigeria.Research limitations/implicationsThe study serves as good starting block for further analysis of the setting, challenges, and practice of real estate profession in Nigeria and elsewhere with regards to ICT applications. The research posited the implication for the NIESV to organize mandatory continued professional development workshops on ICT to remain relevant in the fast moving digital society. The IT requirements, current skill base, and curricula in the higher institutions were however not examined. It is therefore necessary to carry out further research on students and faculty in the higher institutions to identify the gaps in skill and technological capabilities.Originality/valueThe findings help in specifying development activities that will enhance improvements in professional standards, build local capacity and improve transparency expected by international investors. Also, the findings provide professional bodies and policy‐makers with indications to improve and ensure sustainable real estate professional practice through continuous and life‐long training of members in ICT. It recommended capacity building, reviving of interests of practitioners, direct investment of software companies, and research as approaches to reducing the level of digital divide between practitioners in advanced countries and Nigeria in order to remain relevant in the technologically‐driven and competitive world.