Availability Of Information And Communication Technologies Research Articles

Information and communication technology availability demand and leadership behavior: A daily diary experience sampling method analysis

The widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the hospitality industry has resulted in a new form of job demand: ICT availability demand. However, it remains unclear how ICT availability demand shapes leadership behavior. To address this gap, this paper develops a moderated mediation model within the job demands-resources (JD-R) framework. A daily experience sampling method was used to collect 1066 daily cases from 111 team leaders in hotels in China over 15 consecutive workdays. Multilevel regression analysis shows that daily ICT availability demand impedes supervisory coaching but enhances supervisor undermining on the following day; previous day relaxation mediates these two relationships. Moreover, previous day home autonomy buffers the indirect relationship linking ICT availability to leadership behavior. This study is an early attempt to highlight the potential of ICT availability demand to serve as an antecedent to daily supervisor undermining and supervisory coaching.

Bridging knowledge divides: Examining the dynamic landscape of ICT integration in Pakistan’s education sector

This study delves into information technology's (ICT) effects on educational curriculum development, specifically focusing on the Pakistani context. The effects of information and communication technology (ICT) on various nations’ educational curricula are global. Integrating ICT into the academic sector is crucial to advancing educational planning in today's technology-driven era. The research aims to scrutinize the utilization and influence of ICT in Pakistan's educational landscape. A straightforward sampling procedure systematically gathered data from 385 Lahore city respondents spanning five public universities. The outcomes elucidate a substantial positive correlation between the availability and utilization of ICT and the enhancement of students' knowledge and learning skills. The study accentuates the pivotal role of ICT in amplifying educational efficiency and underscores its significance in shaping policies within the education sector. The ramifications of the research extend to educators, policymakers, and stakeholders, emphasizing the imperative need to integrate ICT into educational practices to achieve optimal outcomes effectively. By acknowledging the affirmative impact of ICT on academic development, this study contributes valuable insights that can guide strategies for elevating educational quality and planning in the digital age, ensuring a more robust and technology-enabled educational system. This suggests that integrating ICT positively impacts educational effectiveness and is essential for informing policies within the education sector.

Examining the linkages between ICTs, economic development and the sustainable development goals: evidence based on the ICT4D value chain

Purpose Globally, information and communication technology (ICT) is regarded as a reliable tool that facilitates economic development and propels sustainable development. However, little empirical work exists on the specific effects of ICT access and usage on economic and sustainable development. This paper aims to investigate the nexus between ICTs, economic and sustainable development at the global level. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents ICT for Development (ICT4D) value chain empirical evidence on the linkages between ICTs, economic development and sustainable development goals (SDGs). The research model based on the capability approach is validated by using archival data from 130 global countries and partial least squares–structural equation modelling. Findings The findings reveal that ICT access and usage significantly influence a country’s attainment of the SDGs. Whilst ICT access plays a crucial role in promoting economic development, ICT usage does not. Also, findings show that economic development significantly mediated the nexus between ICT access and SDGs but not between ICT usage and SDGs. This calls for countries to ensure that access to ICTs is accompanied by a low cost of usage to achieve the full benefits of economic and sustainable development. Originality/value Using the ICT4D value chain, this paper empirically shows how ICT readiness and availability in the form of ICT access and ICT uptake (individual ICT use) promote economic development and SDGs (impact). Furthermore, with many studies conducted on SDGs at the country level, this study provides a broader understanding of the roles of ICT access and use on SDGs at the global level. This allows for easy generalisability and reproducibility of results.

ICT Adoption in TVET Sector of Pakistan

This research examines the challenges that impede the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the field of Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) accredited institutions in the Punjab, Pakistan and explores the potential of ICT to improve the TVET sector and alleviate poverty. The study employs a descriptive survey design, which is a type of research used to identify current conditions, processes, and relationships, as well as to determine the key characteristics of variables of importance in each context. The focus of the study is to analyze the adoption rates of ICT in TVET institutions and to validate the Technology Organization Environment (TOE) framework for the TVET sector, which aims to incorporate ICT. The scope of this research is to identify challenges that hinder the adoption of ICT, assess the levels of availability and usage of ICT, and determine what is needed by TVET-accredited institutions to overcome these challenges. With the aid of ICT, everyone who interacts with TVET institutions can process, store, retrieve, and transfer information, which can improve the quality of education and help alleviate poverty in Pakistan.

Impact of Poverty, Economic Growth, and Information and Communication Technology on Human Development

Human development is one of the main problems in developing countries, as seen from the relatively low Human Development Index (HDI) level. This study examines how poverty, economic growth, and information and communication technology (ICT) influenced the quality of human development in Indonesia in 2014–2020. The research method used was panel data regression analysis with cross-sectional observations of 34 provinces. The study results show that poverty has a negative and significant impact on the quality of human development in Indonesia. Meanwhile, ICT has a positive and significant impact on the quality of human development. There is no significant evidence of the effect of economic growth on the quality of human development. The results of this study are helpful for the central and regional governments in making policies related to human development in Indonesia. This finding implies that coordination of poverty reduction efforts between central and local governments is essential for human development. In addition, the government needs to pay attention to the quality of the distribution of ICT availability between regions to improve the quality of human development in Indonesia.

Teachers’ Readiness for Information and Communication Technology in Teaching of Biology in Secondary Schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study investigates the readiness of teachers for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration in the teaching of Biology in secondary schools within Emure Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The research aims to assess students' performance in Biology, examine the availability and utilization of ICT for teaching Biology, and explore the potential influence of ICT on students' performance. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected from 10 Biology teachers and 90 students across five secondary schools in Emure-Ekiti. The research instruments, Information and Technology Equipment Checklist (ITEC) and Biology Performance Inventory (BPI), were used to gather data on ICT availability, utilization, and students' performance in Biology. The study revealed a low level of availability and utilization of ICT facilities in the sampled schools. However, the level of students' performance in Biology was found to be moderate. The findings suggest that the availability and extent of ICT utilization have a significant impact on students' performance in Biology. Recommendations include government intervention to provide ICT facilities in secondary schools, enforcement of ICT utilization through inspectorate departments, and active engagement of Biology teachers in incorporating ICT tools in their teaching methods.

Rural-Urban Divide in Access to ICT Devices, Skills and its Usage among Government School Students and their Perception towards ICT Education

In the 21st century every sector has been emerging with new technological changes in terms of digitalisation and communication. Particularly in the field of industries and service sector rapid changes can be seen at all levels. In order to get jobs in this 21st century the students should equip with the required technical skills where they can sustain themselves for better future. In every individual’s day to day life activities the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become an essential part. Then how best the government schools in India are equipped with Information and Communication Technology (ICT)? As part of PhD the researcher has conducted the study to assess the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills among rural and urban school students and its usage in government secondary schools in Telangana State. A total sample of 1824 government secondary school students of 8th, 9th & 10th class were selected for the study from Warangal Rural and Warangal Urban districts. Chi-square test and t-test were performed to analyse the differences. The study reveals that there is statistical significant difference between the rural and urban students’ availability of ICT devices - smart mobile (p=0.0041) and computer (p =0.0042) at their homes. Only one-fourth of the rural and urban students had given correct answers to basic computer related questions and having very poor computer skills. Both urban and rural students had perceived positively asserting that there will be an impact of ICT usage on learning. Key words: digitalisation, jobs, skills, students, government schools, rural, urban.

Understanding’s barriers of implementing ICTs in Moroccan High Schools from teachers’ perspectives

Today, the enormous progress in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has encouraged many countries to take advantage of ICTs in education. Morocco is not in isolation from this. Yet, the progress has often been insufficient. There is still a substantial gap concerning the availability of ICTs and their implementation methods in the Moroccan High schools, resulting in several thoughtful questions being raised for decision-makers and teachers equally. One of the main questions is what factors affect the successful implementation of ICTs in Moroccan High schools? Hence, the prominence of this paper is to find the answer to this question and other related questions from teachers’ perspectives. This study uses both qualitative and quantitative stances. A closed questionnaire was used to collect data from (134) Moroccan high school teachers, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with (20) other teachers. Generally, the results showed that ICTs were a vital device in improving teaching and learning outcomes. However, lack of resources, ICT skills among teachers, the insufficiency in ICT training, and deficiency of clear ICT policies, among other influences, were some challenges that affect the implementation of ICTs in Moroccan high schools.

Digital Language Teaching in Indonesia: A Framework on Covid-19 Pandemics

This article aims to formulate the concept of learning administration made in digital format and centralized in the database of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. In this study, learning administration starting from the Sillabus, Learning Process Design and Evaluation was inputted into the Ministry of Education and Culture's database for the next process, partner teachers who collaborated in the learning process could use it. This article produces a concept, namely (1) technically, teachers can enter learning administration data online as long as the existence of a fiber optic network is adequate, (2) digitalized and centralized learning administration can be carried out as long as regulations provide room for development and (3) from the point of view of the availability of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) it can be done with web database supporting software. The results of this research are expected to be input for policy makers in implementing the administration of Indonesian language learning in thematic elementary schools in a digitalized and centralized manner in a server room at the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Agro-Livestock Farming System Sustainability during the COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of Information and Communication Technologies

In the near future, the year 2050, agricultural production should expand to fulfill the needs of approximately 9.7 billion inhabitants. Such an objective should be harmonized with social, economic, and environmental sustainability aspects to maintain safe food production and food security worldwide. For more than a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has raised and is still strongly disrupting the agro-livestock production sector, similar to several other economic sectors. In this sector, the relationships between suppliers, producers, and consumers should always continue to maintain the activity of the production chain, which are impaired by social distancing decisions taken following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, a global cross-sectional survey (translated into four languages: Arabic, English, French, and Spanish) was shared with people belonging to the agricultural sector to identify: (1) the role of the agricultural information and communication technologies (ICTs) in agro-livestock farming systems sustainability during the period of COVID-19 pandemic, (2) the need for such technologies in the agricultural sector, and (3) the factors that affect the use of such technologies. The results showed that the most frequently used agricultural ICTs were social media (Facebook and/or WhatsApp; 27.3%) and online platforms and Internet services (26.3%), whereas robotic vehicles and/or drones (6.6%) were less frequently used. During the emergence of the pandemic, the major reasons impacting agro-livestock farming systems’ sustainability were social distancing (30.0%), shortage of labor (17.7%), maintaining precision farm management (14.8%), product marketing (14.2%), access production inputs (7.2%), and others (16.1%). Applying agricultural ICTs solved many obstacles related to the production process, such as maintaining precision farm management (25.6%), product marketing (23.6%), and access production inputs (16.1%). The subgroup analyses of the results considering the degree of country advancement, size of agribusinesses, and role/position of respondents in the farm highlighted the importance of supporting the use, availability, and awareness of agricultural ICTs at least for some groups of people such as those belong to developing countries, laborers, and small-scale agri-business holders. This cross-sectional study highlights the urgent need to turn to and to expand the use of new agricultural ICTs to meet the growing demand for food production in the world and to ensure the resilience and sustainability of farming systems, specifically under unexpected and extreme conditions.

Correlates of Utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in K to 12 Basic Education Program in Secondary Schools

The objectives of the study are to determine the relationship between the respondent's profile, availability of ICT hardware, software, and facilities, level knowledge of the respondents in using ICT hardware, software, and facilities, and extent of utilization of ICT by the respondents. Samples were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire. In analyzing the correlation of the profile of the respondents to the utilization of ICT, it can be seen that none of the variables exhibited a significant correlation. This signifies that the profiles of the respondents do not affect their capability in the utilization of ICT hardware and software. A negative correlation was exhibited between the availability of ICT to its frequency of use (-.052*). This indicates that the more the ICT hardware and software were available, the lesser the respondents utilized it. On the other hand, level of knowledge (.266**) and frequency of use (.276**) exhibited a positive and highly significant correlation with the utilization of ICT. This indicates that a higher level of knowledge leads to more frequent use of the ICT hardware and software.

BREVE COMPREENSÃO DA CONJUNTURA BRASILEIRA QUANTO À INTEGRAÇÃO DAS TIC E INTERNET NA EDUCAÇÃO

This study aims to investigate Brazilian scenario regarding the integration of ICT and Internet in education. It aims to investigate these effects by means of a bibliographic research, with a qualitative approach and exploratory and descriptive nature. It presents a brief explanation about cyberculture, information society and the presence of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Internet in educational scenarios, considering the ponderations of authors as Castells (2003), Levy (2010), Primo, Valiati, Lupinacci and Barros (2017), Santaella (2013), among others. It discusses data about schools’ structure in terms of ICT and Internet availability, Internet connection, teacher’s formation to use digital technologies in the teaching and learning process, use of ICT and Internet by students, etc. It highlights the advances and limitations of Brazilian schools towards the integration of technologies for learning. It recognizes that Brazilian public schools are the most limited in this context, especially those that work with the elementary level. It observes that students are every day more connected to the Internet through mobile technologies and, therefore, they could be better explored for educational purposes. It notes that, in general, the North and Northeast regions are those with more struggles to integrate ICT in pedagogical practices.

The role of information and communication technologies in cultural tourists’ journeys: the case of a World Heritage Site

ABSTRACT Information- and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play an increasingly important role in cultural and heritage tourism. Therefore, it is crucial for cultural institutions, and heritage sites as part of it, not only to understand what kind of ICTs their visitors actually use and why but also what kind of ICTs are used in what phase of the customer journey. However, there is still a lot of information missing on the demand side. This study attempts to close this research gap with a visitor survey at the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our results show that, currently, heritage visitors are using ICTs primarily to obtain information, to better plan their visit and to better understand the cultural offerings. At all stages, the website is by far the most frequently used ICT. By contrast, new technologies, such as augmented reality, are still barely used and to some extent even unknown. Our results permit important insights for a considerate use of scarce resources, especially in heritage tourism practice, particularly with regard to what kind of ICTs should be given priority. They confirm that different visitors segments have different preferences and they also show that it is highly necessary to communicate the availability of ICTs.

Development of a software for mobile devices designed to help with the management of individuals with neglected tropical diseases

Classified as neglected tropical diseases, leishmaniasis have received attention because of their expansion in Brazil. The advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) has made it possible to apply tools/softwares to the diagnosis of tropical diseases considering the availability of ICT in areas endemic for these diseases. This study describes the step-by-step development of a smartphone application that would help health professionals during the diagnosis and management of leishmaniasis in endemic areas. For programming and adjustments of the application, a team of specialists from two areas, technology and leishmaniasis, was assembled. The software developed prioritized multimedia features that would run on smartphones with the Android operating system. The application called LeishCare uses Java programming language and, in this project, version 25.2 of Android SDK. LeishCare possesses features for the recording of patient information and for the editing and sharing of medical records. In addition, the application contains image features that serve as a reference for subsequent images and permits to monitor the evolution of lesions, creating a GIF with successive images. LeishCare also allows the calculation of the visceral leishmaniasis severity score and provides updated guides and informative materials. Tools like LeishCare are an interesting approach to facilitate the successful diagnosis, management, and timely treatment of patients with neglected diseases in remote areas.

Expert System for the Selection of the Rational Method for Collecting and Processing Information During Russian Census Based on Geographical and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Regions

Expert System for the Selection of the Rational Method for Collecting and Processing Information During Russian Census Based on Geographical and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Regions

Linking ICT Availability Demands to Burnout and Work-Family Conflict: The Roles of Workplace Telepressure and Dispositional Self-Regulation

The advancement of technology has led to an increasingly permeable boundary between work and off-work time. As such, employees may face pressure to immediately respond to work-related information and communication technology (ICT) messages during off-work time. This study examines the mediating role of workplace telepressure on the relationships between ICT availability demands with burnout and work-family conflict, as well as the moderating effects of self-regulation on these relationships. Data were collected from 185 full-time employees at two time points. Results indicated full support for the moderated mediation model, demonstrating that workplace telepressure mediated the relationships between ICT availability demands and burnout and work-family conflict. Moreover, dispositional self-regulation strengthened the direct effect of ICT availability demands on workplace telepressure and the indirect effects of ICT availability demands on burnout and work-family conflict. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

An Assessment of the Factors that Influence the Use of Digital Technologies in Teaching: A Case Study

In the last decade we have a great development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). As a result, educational institutions are increasingly incorporating these digital technologies into the teaching and learning process. Governments are making major investments to increase ICTs infrastructure in educational institutions and to train teachers to use these technologies in the teaching process. In this paper the main objectives of this study were to analyze ICTs availability and use by students and by their teachers, their knowledge of different computer applications as well as their opinion about ICT use in learning. The study was conducted in the Korca region, located in the southeastern part of Albania. We will begin with a quick look at the level of access to digital technologies. Next we will study the use, knowledge and behavior of teachers and students towards digital technology and how these factors correlate with each other. The main focus will be on students as well as their perceptions about ICTs. This will be done by examining how much students know, use and how motivated they are to use digital technology. Questionnaires for teachers and students will be examined separately for each high school to see how these factors relate to and affect each other. At the end we will draw conclusions and make recommendations on how to maximize access and use of digital technologies by students in high schools.

Availability and Use of Information and Communication Technology by Oil Palm Farmers in the Akyemansa District, Ghana

The use of ICTs forms part of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) especially ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all. In the agricultural sector, access to the right knowledge and information in a timely manner enhances agricultural production and thus increase food production. In Ghana, several studies have reported on the access and use of ICT tools by farmers in food crop and poultry sectors, however, much work has not been done in the tree crop sector, especially the oil palm subsector.
 This study sought to determine the availability and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by oil palm farmers in the Akyemansa District of Ghana. The primary data used in the study were collected through focus group discussions and structured questionnaires administered to 150 randomly selected oil palm farmers. Both descriptive and inferential statisticswere employed in analyzing the data. Results show that 99.00% of farmers have access to radio with very low availability and access to a computer. Chi-square test analysis showed that there was a significant difference p= (0.00 and 0.00) between farmers’ extent of access to ICTs and their use for oil palm production activities. However, there was no significant relationship p= (.8137, and .2233) between farmers extent of access to the mobile phone, radio and how often farmers used them for oil palm production. There is a need to improve organizational structures, technical and infrastructural facilities regarding ICT availability to allow more access to and use of these facilities.

The Relation Between ICT and Science in PISA 2015 for Bulgarian and Finnish Students

The relationship between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and science performance has been the focus of much recent research, especially due to the prevalence of ICT in our digital society. However, the exploration of this relationship has yielded mixed results. Thus, the current study aims to uncover the learning processes that are linked to students’ science performance by investigating the effect of ICT variables on science for 15-year-old students in two countries with contrasting levels of technology implementation (Bulgaria n = 5,928 and Finland n = 5,882). The study analyzed PISA 2015 data using structural equation modeling to assess the impact of ICT use, availability, and comfort on students’ science scores, controlling for students’ socio-economic status. In both countries, results revealed that (1) ICT use and availability were associated with lower science scores and (2) students who were more comfortable with ICT performed better in science. This study can inform practical implementations of ICT in classrooms that consider the differential effect of ICT and it can advance theoretical knowledge around technology, learning, and cultural context.

Telecenters and the expansion of human capabilities among rural women

PurposeThis study aims to assess the contribution of telecenters in expanding the capabilities of rural women to achieve their development outcomes in three rural districts in Tanzania.Design/methodology/approachThe study conducted 12 focus group discussions with 37 rural women users and 36 rural women non-users of telecenters and semi-structured interviews with telecenter managers in the selected districts. The framework for the study is based on Sen’s capability approach.FindingsThe study noted that telecenters may enable rural women to build some capabilities (social, financial, human and political capabilities), and inhibit others, resulting in diverse development outcomes, based on the choices made and conversion factors. These conversion factors included institutional factors (inadequate computers, space and personnel, unreliable electrical power and slow internet connectivity) and individual factors (multiple responsibilities, status, low-level of education, language barrier, lack of information and communication technology (ICT) skills and technology efficacy and inability to afford ICT short courses). Other conversion factors (e.g. availability of affordable ICTs) enabled rural women to build their capabilities.Originality/valueThis is a comprehensive study that provides findings for rural telecenters to plan and allow rural women to expand their capabilities and achieve their development goals in Tanzania or other settings with similar conditions.