IS DIGITALISATION A CATALYST FOR BRICS COUNTRIES’ EXPORTS? AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

In contemporary society, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is widely recognised as an effective tool for optimising the process of collecting tax revenue. However, the empirical literature is not conclusive, as several studies have indicated mixed effects of ICT adoption on tax revenue. Arising from this, the study investigated the cointegration relationship between ICT investment, ICT imports, internet usage, broadband penetration, Economic growth, and Tax revenue in Tanzania from 1997 to 2022. Findings from Autoregressive Distributive Lag(ARDL) Bound tests indicated all variable are cointegrated and the Error Correction Model (ECM) estimates confirmed that ICT investments, ICT imports and Broadband penetration has positive and significant influence on tax revenue in long-run. Only Internet Usage was found to have negative influence on tax revenue reflecting a warning on the effect of e-commerce on the current tax systems, specifically in developing country. With existing ICT infrastructures, Markov Chain Model exhibits a stable state after 4 years. Beyond this point, tax will continue to increase at a consistent rate. The Markov model findings suggest that there is a 0.628 probability of tax revenue being in an increased state. Conversely, the analysis reveals a 0.372 probability of a decrease in tax, suggesting probable difficulties in generating long-term revenue. These findings evidence that governments and policymakers should use technological improvements to better anticipate changes in revenue streams using the Markov chain and ARDL Model. The study recommends governments integrate electronic systems and align with tax laws to online resources to automate and modernise their tax operations.

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

This paper examines the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICTs), energy consumption, and economic growth in Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) from 1992 to 2022. Using an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, the study assesses the short-run effects of ICT and trade openness on economic development, addressing a gap in regional empirical research. The findings indicate a significant positive impact of ICTs on economic growth, particularly in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, where digitalization drives economic expansion. Trade openness is a key growth factor, underscoring the role of international trade in regional integration. Energy consumption is positively linked to GDP, reflecting industrial dependence on energy-intensive sectors, especially in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Diagnostic tests confirm the model’s reliability, absence of autocorrelation, and parameter stability. However, the impact of ICTs varies across countries due to differences in digital infrastructure, institutional factors, and government policies. The study has limitations, including its focus on short-term effects and the need for further research on ICTs’ role in sustainable energy use. It contributes to the literature by emphasizing digital infrastructure expansion, digital inclusion strategies, and energy-efficient development in Central Asia.

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

One of the areas in which these technological advances are dramatically influencing people’s lives is information technology and telecommunications hence the claim that we are in the midst of a ‘digital revolution’ that is driving us towards an ‘information society’. The development of human learning abilities has been changed over the past 60 years of technological innovation starting from the widespread use of the radio, through television, and finally to the mass implementation of computers and information and communication technologies (ICT). With information revolution on the go, shift towards knowledge-based economy is the prime target of all nations of the world. Also, there is a growing concern about the current trends in ICT adoption and use. Throughout the world communities are grappling with the concept of knowledge based development. Education is considered, as the most important contributing factor to nations development and achievement of knowledge economy in the era of information revolution. Education especially the primary and secondary education is important; as it is here the foundations of knowledge are led. The literature on educational technology lacks empirical research on the social practice of information and communication technology (ICT) that would enable us to extend our understanding of the barriers to adoption and integration of ICT in the educational context. The present field study was undertaken with teachers, students, parents and staff of a government primary educational institute in a disadvantaged rural area of India. Research was initiated with the investigation by adapting participatory appraisal methods suitable to a rural context. The anthropological approach used in the present research focuses on the influences of culture and society on the individual adoption behavior; it emphasizes participant observation and academic analysis of behavior through both management and consumer perspectives. The cultural capital in question includes knowledge about ICT product features and qualities, ICT skills, digital literacy, the level of education of family elders, and proficiency in English. Economic capital includes access to electricity, lack of knowledge of the ICT market, a transportation system, and ownership of ICT equipment. Social capital includes distrust of rural and semi-urban sources of ICT purchases, lack of motivation, and access to ICT. In addition to finding ways to facilitate the work of teachers and educational institutions in both formal and non-formal learning environments, the informal learning environment has to be considered. The paper explores that every culture, organizational or national, is different, and not all technologies are equally acceptable in all cultures. It brings forward the ground realities including policy concerns, failures in governmental efforts and community’s role in facilitating ICT adoption. It also highlights the role of teacher’s in promoting ICT adoption and use in education. The better we understand culture, the better we can maximize the usefulness of new information technology in the workplace. Keywords: ICT4d, educational technology, digital literacy, developing countries, barriers to technology, diffusion of innovations.

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. …

Recent advances in data analysis and processing methods can improve the ability of computational applications to perform complex steps of different tasks. With the progress of information and communication technologies (ICT), Blockchain‐based complex data processing for transaction analysis and smart contract agreement has become a new research area in the fields of mathematics and computation. Stability of financial sector based on the ICT is a core component for growing the economics of medium and small enterprises. This stability brings the innovation to businesses productivity, while the management of information takes more prospective for improving the efficiency and more ways for innovating the business of products. In this study, we use the autoregressive distribution lag (ARDL) model with Blockchain‐based complex data processing approach to emphasize the role of ICT in the field of trade credit maintainability. Actually, the ICT connects the industries in the entire world and makes business sectors that use its technologies be more advanced. Based on the ARDL model conducted on the records gathered from 2000 to 2019, the analysis concludes that the ICT‐based complex data processing is a critical component of trade credit. The statistics of ICT are chosen based on the economy penetrations through the Internet and mobile phones. The causality exposed between the trade credit and ICT is bidirectional in nature. Also, it is found that the usage of mobile phones has a substantial influence on the business sectors, as a substantial amount of trading and business transactions are conducted over the phone. Therefore, the primary concern is the association between the Blockchain and trade credit, which is thoroughly discussed in this work. The trade credit improves the stability of financial sector and the Blockchain supports its maintainability by the role of ICT. The results of the study can help the business stakeholders and investors to estimate the marketing for future useful execution.

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

The rapid development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has driven the implementation of Smart City initiatives in Indonesia as a solution to urban challenges such as congestion, pollution, inefficient governance, and inadequate public services. However, disparities in technological infrastructure and digital literacy remain significant obstacles to equitable Smart City development across regions. This study employs a qualitative research method with a literature review approach to analyze the implementation of Smart Cities in Indonesia. Data were collected from scientific journals, government reports, and case studies from both domestic and international Smart City initiatives. Thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns and trends in governance and technology-based public services. This research aims to explore the challenges, opportunities, and impacts of Smart City implementation in Indonesia, with a focus on governance efficiency and technology-driven public services. It also seeks to provide recommendations for optimizing Smart City strategies. The results indicate that major cities like Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya have successfully implemented Smart City frameworks, improving public service efficiency and government transparency. However, rural and small urban areas face challenges such as digital infrastructure gaps, low public engagement, and regulatory weaknesses in data protection and cybersecurity. Despite these challenges, the integration of Smart City technologies has the potential to enhance public participation, optimize resource management, and drive sustainable urban development. The study concludes that successful Smart City implementation in Indonesia requires (1) equitable access to digital infrastructure, (2) enhanced digital literacy programs, (3) strong data protection and cybersecurity regulations, and (4) effective collaboration between the government, private sector, and society. Addressing these aspects will enable Indonesia to develop Smart Cities that are inclusive, efficient, and sustainable for long-term urban transformation

Poland has experienced a significant digital revolution, driven by technological advancements and supportive government initiatives. The increased use and integration of information and communication technology (ICT) have played a crucial role in this transformation. Understanding the economic impacts of these changes is essential, particularly through indicators such as gross fixed capital formation, labour force dynamics, human capital and education, technology/innovation, foreign direct investment (FDI), and ICT infrastructure. This research employs data spanning 33 years, from 1990 to 2022, to explore the relationship between ICT and economic growth in Poland. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing methodology is used to derive empirical results and assess both short- and long-term dynamics. The findings indicate that ICT, labour, and FDI have a positive and significant impact on Poland's economic growth, with labour exerting the most substantial influence. Conversely, capital investment demonstrates a negative effect on economic growth, likely due to inefficiencies in allocation and diminishing returns in certain sectors. Based on the results, several key policy recommendations are proposed to further enhance Poland's economic growth. This research also contributes to the macroeconomic theory of endogenous growth by providing new insights into the role of ICT and associated factors in an emerging digital economy.

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

The purpose of this article is to analyze the introduction and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the special disciplines of higher education, to teach teachers how to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning through information and communication technologies (ICT). This article discusses the issues of improving the knowledge and skills of students through the use of modern information and communication technologies in the preparation of designers, increasing students' interest in the educational process and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice in the future. The focus is on the need to develop appropriate strategies for a new educational role and, in addition, to enhance the role of learners in integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) into the educational process. The role and perspective of the teachers was very important, highlighting them as key players in the process. The data show that there is a belief that the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the educational process will help increase the effectiveness of education and facilitate the organization of the educational process. In particular, it shows that the contribution of information and communication technologies (ICT) to the improvement of the educational process in educational institutions, where information and communication technologies (ICT) is an innovative factor, is high. Achieving this high level means that the educational institution must not only modernize technological means, but also change the models of teaching. We need to acquire digital knowledge and modern information technology in order to achieve development. This will allow us to take the shortest path. Indeed, the deep penetration of information technology into all parts of the world today creates new opportunities.

Sustainable rural development is critical to improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of rural communities. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and limited access to essential services impede progress. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers innovative solutions to overcome these barriers. This research aims to explore the role of ICT in sustainable rural development, focusing on its applications in the agriculture, health, education and governance sectors. The research used a mixed approach, combining policy analysis, stakeholder interviews, case studies, as well as secondary data analysis and spatial modeling. Data were collected through surveys and GIS data analysis to identify the role of ICTs in sustainable rural development. Findings show that the use of ICTs, such as GIS and mobile applications, has improved land use planning and resource management. About 80% of respondents have access to mobile phones, but only 50% have internet access, suggesting barriers to digital adoption. While ICTs have the potential to enhance rural development, challenges such as digital literacy and infrastructure deficiencies remain a barrier. Strategic investments and collaboration between stakeholders are needed to maximize the impact of ICTs. This research demonstrates that ICT integration in rural planning can foster sustainable development. Although significant challenges exist, recommendations including investment in digital infrastructure and digital literacy training programs are essential to optimize the benefits of ICT for rural communities. Strategic implementation of such recommendations can transform rural communities towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

The use of information and communication technology (ICT) has become most influential and swift segment in library and information services. This study outlines the use of ICT by medical students and find out the significance of latest technology in central library. Presently, uses of electronic media and technologies are increased notably in healthcare profession, education and research. Medical students are often using ICT for an access to the library resources and online databases. In this study determine the requirements and use of the various tools and technique of ICT by healthcare students. Throughout, the study makes an effort to examine the use of ICT service by medical students at central library of C.U.Shah Medical College and Hospital, Gujarat. In this research apply different parameters like the purpose and frequency of visit, internet access and use of e-resource, attitude of medical students towards ICT, use of ICT for access resources, effectiveness of ICT on medical education and research, impact of ICT on library services and view related to its troubles and level of satisfaction of usage of ICT. Keywords : Information t echnology, communication technology, electronic technology, ICT, internet, library services, online access, healthcare professional, medical students, CUSMCH, Gujarat.

An examination of prospective teachers' information and communication technology (ICT) skills development in an undergraduate program indicated that the only course available to practice these skills was the teaching practice course. However, the practice and development of these ICT skills in the tea chi ng practice course has not been clearly elucidated. In other words, while the contribution of the teaching practice course in terms of theoretical ICT knowledge is known, how this knowledge is applied is unknown. Under such uncertainties, it is impossible to determine the roles of teaching practice course stakeholders play in terms of ICT integration. Based on transformative learning theory at a micro level, the ai m of this study was to analyze prospective Information Technology (IT) teachers' ICT transformations. Methodological triangulation, a mixed methods research design, was adopted arid designed as a survey method. Over an academic year, data was collected from 54 prospective IT teachers, two university supervisors, and six. practice teachers. Learning Data Collection Sets (questionnaire and interview form) were used to analyze the ICT practice transformations, with interview forms, focus group interview forms, and the researcher's diary being used as the data collection tools. The results showed that though a majority of the prospective IT teachers were likely to experience transformative learning, approximately one-third were able to achieve an ICT transformation within the scope of the teaching practice course. In this context, a more efficient model is proposed for ICT practices in the scope of a teaching practice course.KeywordsInformation and Communication Technology Integration, Information arid Communication Technology Integration in Adult Education, Teaching Practice Course, Transformative Learning Theory.It could be argued that all actors in education, such as teachers, prospective teachers, instructors, and administrators, regarding issues such as infrastructure requirements and education programs, are now interactively involved in the process of information and communication technologies integration. When ICT in Turkey is examined in terms of its historical developments, computers were first introduced to public schools in 1984 (Ozar & Askar, 1997) and computer courses were added to the curriculum as elective courses (Deryakulu, 2008). Though such a start could be considered a precursor to ICT integration, the combination of hardware and software at that time restricted overall integration (Earle, 2002). ICT began with the training of teachers rather than with the setting up of its substructure (World Links, 2007), and so ICT was defined as a tool for students to gain access to course achievements (Kocak Usluel, Kuskaya Mumcu, & Demiraslan, 2007; Fulton, Glenn, & Valdez, 2004). However, ICT has a very complex structure today, and needs to be viewed from the stakeholders' positions to allow for a more stringent examination. Semenov (2005) indicated teachers, students, and administrators as the ICT stakeholders in higher education. Teachers (Gorder, 2008; Okojie, Olinzock, & Okojie-Boulder, 2006; Summerville & Reid-Griffin, 2008), students (Chen, 2004; Davies, 2011; Dexter & Riedel, 2003) and administrators (Green & Gilbert, 1995; Hooper & Rieber, 1995; International Society for Technology in Education [ISTE], 2011; Schiller, 2003) have important duties in ICT integration, initiation, and implementation , and need to overcome the difficulties to encourage the use of ICT education as a part of school culture.In spite of the many technological opportunities for ICT in education, the instructional use of ICT in the classroom is a less common practice than imagined (Surry & Land, 2000; Turkish Council of Higher Education-Yuksekogretim Kurulu [YOK], 2007). …