Communication Technology Sector Research Articles

Human resource training for digital economy: current problems and targets

This article reviews the problem of training a new generation of specialists in the sphere of information and communication technologies. Relevance of the problem is substantiated by the tasks for overcoming technological gap and human resourcing for the digital transformation of national economy. The theoretical and methodological framework is comprised of the provisions that reveal complex and contradictory nature of the digital transformation process due to being affected by various social, cultural, economic and political factors. The key role is assigned to the educational institutions intended for formation of the new set of knowledge, competences and values. The goal consist in determination of factors that define staff requirements of the information and communication technologies sector (ICT. It is demonstrated that targets in human resource training for the information and communication technologies sector rely on the overall evaluation of economic situation and do not take into account a number of specific factors. It is underlined that the key characteristics of the Russian ICT sector consist in its heterogeneity and dependence on the general trends in the economy and job market, and staff shortage is substantiated by the outcome of previous stage in the development of ICT sector and specificity of the country's economy. In conclusion, the author emphasizes the importance of differentiated approach towards determination of the need and requirements of training of digital personnel in the context of isolated branches, regions and development trends of with regard of information and communication technologies.

Influencing factors in M-learning adoption in higher education

The tremendous and rapid developments in the information and communications technology sector as well as mobile devices have resulted in modern technologies, one of which is Mobile Learning (M-learning). M-learning is a new technique for learning that helps students to do their educational activities and access the learning materials easily without temporal or spatial restrictions, with the help of mobile devices. It is a robust component to make learning easy and flexible. Recently, many applications and services related to it have been developed. Despite the large number of researchers who have dealt with the topic of M-learning, the issue of factors affecting the adoption of M-learning has not been dealt with adequately, especially in Palestine. Therefore, it becomes necessary to explore the factors influencing the intentions of the students of higher education institutions to adopt M-learning. Hence, the goal of this study is to inspect the factors that influence higher education students’ intentions in Palestine to adopt M-learning system in the learning process and use its applications based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and some external factors. Wherefore, built on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) integrated with some external factors (mobility, self-efficacy and enjoyment), this paper proposes a hypothesized model of M-learning in Higher education institutes in Palestine. Relevant data were gathered from a sample of 388 students. Participants, using a self-report questionnaire, reported data. Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to analyze the collected data. Results indicate that perceived usefulness and attitude have significant influence on M-learning adoption intention, while perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived self-efficacy significantly affect the attitude to use M-learning. Perceived enjoyment and perceived self-efficacy are predictors of perceived ease of use. While mobility and perceived ease of use have significant effect on perceived usefulness. These results validate the capacity of TAM constructs and the external variables used in this research for predicting acceptance of M-learning. Limitations and future work are highlighted.

The role of mHealth in chronic disease management in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Background The burden of non-communicable diseases has been increasing in Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly due to the adoption of behavioral risk factors by the population. At the same time, there has been an exponential growth in the information and communication technologies sector, which has attracted interest in the development of mobile health strategies (mHealth) through the potential use of mobile phones in the management of chronic conditions such as hypertension. Methods It was performed a systematic review of the literature using scientific databases (Cochrane, B On, Science Direct, and Google Scholar). Inclusion criteria included: quantitative and qualitative studies developed between 2010 and 2018 in Sub-Saharan African countries, with adult participants of both sexes, diagnosed with hypertension, with access to mobile phones and attending primary health care or outpatient appointments. Results Five studies were selected for review (four from South Africa and one from Ghana). However, only two studies managed to obtain results which proved that the use of text messages was efficient and accepted during hypertension treatment, as well as it could allow understanding the factors that influence and hinder therapeutic adherence. Those results were supported by information from a randomized trial (use of clinical comparators as evaluation of blood pressure values during a follow-up period of 12 months) and a qualitative study (self-reported changes in the knowledge and health behavior of 15 participants from focus groups and individual interviews). Conclusions There's still a lack of evidence available proving that mHealth can be efficient and feasible in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, it was possible to present a conceptual framework, adapted from the literature, which identifies potential strategies for the use of mHealth in areas of prevention and management of chronic diseases in the region. Key messages Provide guidance to improve research about the adoption of mHealth in low and middle-income countries. Promote the potential of this type of technology as a model for mutual health education.

PREDICCIÓN DEL ÉXITO DE PROYECTOS TIC MEDIANTE REDES NEURONALES ARTIFICIALES

There are different kinds of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN): Feed-Forward (FF), Radial Basis Function (RBF), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Convolutional, Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Modular, Sequence-To-Sequence Models, which have different fields of application. In this research, which arose from the requirement to optimize the business results of a large company in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector, the possibilities of success of any ICT project through the use of ANN are estimated.

From serendipity to sustainable green IoT: Technical, industrial and political perspective

Recently, Internet of Things (IoT) has become one of the largest electronics market for hardware production due to its fast evolving application space. However, one of the key challenges for IoT hardware is the energy efficiency as most of IoT devices/objects are expected to run on batteries for months/years without a battery replacement or on harvested energy sources. Widespread use of IoT has also led to a large-scale rise in the carbon footprint. In this regard, academia, industry and policy-makers are constantly working towards new energy-efficient hardware and software solutions paving the way for an emerging area referred to as green-IoT. With the direct integration and the evolution of smart communication between physical world and computer-based systems, IoT devices are also expected to reduce the total amount of energy consumption for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. However, in order to increase its chance of success and to help at reducing the overall energy consumption and carbon emissions a comprehensive investigation into how to achieve green-IoT is required. In this context, this paper surveys the green perspective of the IoT paradigm and aims to contribute at establishing a global approach for green-IoT environments. A comprehensive approach is presented that focuses not only on the specific solutions but also on the interaction among them, and highlights the precautions/decisions the policy makers need to take. On one side, the ongoing European projects and standardization efforts as well as industry and academia based solutions are presented and on the other side, the challenges, open issues, lessons learned and the role of policymakers towards green-IoT are discussed. The survey shows that due to many existing open issues (e.g., technical considerations, lack of standardization, security and privacy, governance and legislation, etc.) that still need to be addressed, a realistic implementation of a sustainable green-IoT environment that could be universally accepted and deployed, is still missing.

Infrastructure Disruption in ‘Silicon Savannah’: Exploring the Idea of the Creative Class and their Relation to Quality of Place in Nairobi, Kenya

AbstractDebates around urbanization, infrastructure disruption and the creative class rarely appear alongside each other in research on African cities. This article connects these different narratives, which are currently exerting their influence on the future direction of these cities. The economic value of the creative class is that their work centres on innovation—a quality seen as essential to ‘new‐economy’ urban growth. Quality of place (that which makes ‘New York New York’) is said to attract the creative class to certain cities, as lifestyle amenities are valued as much as employment opportunities. Nairobi is an example of an African city currently attracting both Kenyan and expatriate creative class workers, particularly in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. In this article we take Richard Florida's creative class theory as a departure point to offer insights into why this group chooses to live in Nairobi and to describe Nairobi's quality of place, with a particular focus on infrastructure disruption. The case study reveals that Nairobi's quality of place differs fundamentally from the normative attributes prescribed by creative class theory and, in some instances, it is considered to be highly frustrating and unattractive.

The Effect of Employee Desire and Employee Engagement on Organizational Performance: Evidence from ICT Sector in Kerala, India

This study analyses the multivariate effect of employee desire (ED) and employee engagement (EE) on organizational performance (OP). The data were collected from 352 executive employees belonging to public and private information and communications technology (ICT) sector organizations in Kerala, India. The stratified random sampling technique was applied for selecting the samples and the data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was applied to study the causal linkage among the variables. The analysis revealed that OP is positively influenced by ED and EE. The study further confirms the mediation effect of EE in the relationship between ED and OP. The effects are statistically significant. The study furnishes beneficial inputs for practising managers, which can encourage EE and strengthen OP. JEL Code: M54

Analysis of the development of the economy digitalization monitoring system

The current stage in the development of the world community is characterized by high rates of development of digital technologies and their practical implementation in many areas of life. The purpose of the paper is the analysis of the system for monitoring for the development of the information society and the digital economy, both in the Russian Federation and abroad. The role of international organizations in creating methodological foundations for the study of the implementation of information technology has been revealed in the article. The chronology of the development and implementation of the main regulatory documents, on the basis of which data is being collected on countries and their comparison, has been considered. Particular attention to the study of Russia’s place in the ratings compiled by various international organizations has been paid. A system of indicators of a national system for monitoring the development of the digital economy has been adduced, which reflects the development factors of the information society and the use of information and communication technologies. The dynamics of the gross value added of the ICT sector of the Russian economy and the number of people employed in the information and communication technologies sector have been analysed. Significant variability in the intensity of the dynamics indicators, reflecting various aspects of the development of the information society, as well as a significant lag of Russia from the leading countries in certain areas of the ICT sector, have been identified. It has been shown that the key task aimed at correcting this situation is to improve the investment climate in the information and communication technologies sector. At the same time, the imperfection of the methodology for monitoring the development of the information society and the digital economy does not allow us to take timely measures to regulate digitalization processes. It has been concluded that it is necessary to continue work on improving indicators for monitoring the implementation of the government program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation”.

Windows of opportunities for catching up: an analysis of ICT sector development in Ukraine

Following long-standing calls to investigate information and communication technology (ICT) sector development in lesser-developed economies, this study examines the sector’s rapid emergence in Ukraine utilizing a catch-up cycle conceptual framework. Ukraine is a unique case due to the country’s location in Eastern Europe, the sector’s explosive growth within an otherwise stagnant economy, and related disconnectedness to other economic sectors. This study finds that the confluence of several windows of opportunity spurred an entrepreneurial response among hundreds of firms. However, most of these firms focus on low value-added segments of the ICT global value chain and lack the managerial and technical capabilities to compete globally, much less develop new products and services. As the global ICT services sector evolves, multi-level interventions are required to maintain the sector’s growth trajectory and realize the economic and social benefits normally associated the development of a domestically inter-connected ICT sector. In order for Ukraine to secure its digital future, it must seize windows of opportunity in the global and European data economy.

Inter-industry Linkages of ICT Sector in India

The information and communications technology (ICT) sector has a strategic importance in India, given it is export-intensive in nature and has network externalities characteristics. Thus, it is critical to understand whether such externalities or spillover of ICT affects other industries of the economy in order to make informed policy decisions. This paper attempts to understand inter-industry linkage of the ICT sector. Input–output transaction table (IOTT) has been used to analyse the backward and forward linkages of the ICT sector. The findings reveal that the demand of ICT services as an input and supplier has huge potential to increase the total output and employment. There is vast scope to increase the integration of ICT with other sectors. Scope for policy and planning in India is still large, considering ICT’s strong backward and forward linkages with other sectors of the economy. Although ICT usage in other sectors of the economy has increased, it is still much lower compared to other developing and developed countries. In particular, improving domestic productivity and linking it with the national manufacturing policy and the recent “Make in India” initiatives and other polices of the government can improve the production of ICT goods and usages of ICT by other sectors of the economy.

Araştırma-Geliştirme Harcamaları Ekonomik Büyümenin Nedeni Mi? Türkiye Bilgi ve İletişim Teknolojileri Sektörü Örneği

Ar-Ge harcamaları yenilikte, verimlilik artışında ve ekonomik büyümede rol alan önemli bir motordur. Ar-Ge harcamalarına gereken önemi veren ülkeler, bilim ve teknoloji alanında ilerlemiş ve daha rekabetçi hale gelmişlerdir. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’de Bilgi ve İletişim Teknolojileri Sektörü Ar-Ge harcamalarının gelişimi hakkında bilgi verilmiş, Ar-Ge harcamaları ve ekonomik büyüme ilişkisi Granger nedensellik testi yardımıyla 2003-2017 yılları arası veriler kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Dolayısıyla, Bilgi ve İletişim Teknolojileri sektörünün, sürdürülebilir ekonomik büyüme için önemi ortaya konulmuştur. Çalışmanın sonuçları, BİT Ar-Ge harcamaları ve BİT sektörü hasılası arasında iki yönlü bir nedensellik bulgusunu ortaya koymaktadır. Diğer bir deyişle, Ar-Ge harcamaları BİT sektörü hasılasını, BİT hasılası da Ar-Ge harcamalarını olumlu olarak etkilemektedir.

Relationship between economic infrastructure and foreign direct investment within the framework of foreign aid in the MENA region

The aim of this paper is to study the interaction between aid allocated to infrastructure and the actual level of that infrastructure; as well as the impact of such interaction on the net inflows of foreign direct investment to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In order to achieve this goal, the simultaneous equations model used in the study of Donaubauer, Nunnenkamp (2015) was partially modified to make it suitable for the conditions of the MENA region; and the three-stages least squares (3 SLS) method was applied. The study results reveal a strong positive impact of infrastructure on foreign direct investment. Raising by one point the economic infrastructure index leads to an increase of 6% to 7% of GDP in foreign direct investment inflows to the MENA countries. The various conducted robustness tests also prove that such impact is robust and stable. However, foreign direct investment inflows are only indirectly influenced by aid via the channel of the actual infrastructure level. At the sectors’ level, the infrastructure of the information and communications technology sector had the greatest effect on attracting foreign direct investment to the MENA region, followed way behind by the infrastructure of the transport sector, then by the infrastructure of the financial sector and finally the infrastructure of the energy sector.

Evolution, challenges, and application of intelligent ICT education: An overview

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) aims at critically transforming the information and communication technology (ICT) sector through various technological advancements, such as machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. These technologies are meant to develop the process of communication, digital commerce, content, and apps. AI is also meant to initiate novel business frameworks and formulate a completely novel business opportunity as efficiencies and interfaces facilitate the engagement, which has been heretofore unintelligible. A number of industry verticals will be changed through this form of evolution, as digital and ICT technologies are critical in supporting the various aspects of industrial operations, which include sales, marketing processes, supply chains, product and service delivery, and support frameworks. For instance, substantial implication of the frameworks can be witnessed in medical and bioinformatics, including the financial service segments. Workforce automation is a field that will influence various industrial verticals, as AI significantly develops the flow of work, accelerations, and processes of the return on investment for intelligent workplace application. This paper signifies the role of AI in ICT education, including the way intelligent ICT education has significantly developed its application and challenges.

Sectorial Contributions of Non-Oil Revenue to Economic Growth in Nigeria

The study examined the sectorial contributions of non-oil revenue to economic growth in Nigeria from 1981 to 2018 with the aim of examining the effects of environmental, information and communication technology and financial sectors’ revenue to economic growth in Nigeria. Autoregressive distributed lag model was the main estimation technique applied. The time series data for the study on environmental sector revenue, information and communication technology sector revenue, financial sector revenue and real gross domestic product were secondarily sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Statistical Bulletin. The study found that environmental sector revenue has positive and insignificant contributions to economic growth whereas there information and communication technology and financial sectors’ revenue contributed positively and significantly to economic growth in Nigeria. The study, thus, implies that the sectorial contributions of non-oil revenue undermined. It is concluded that sectorial contributions of non-oil revenue is positive and significant to economic growth in Nigeria. Recommendations were made that, environmental, ICT, financial among others non-oil sectors should receive the same magnitude of fund as in the case of oil sector, i.e., the sector should be more funded and well equipped to ensure good outputs and contributions; government should review environmental factors and policy that may spur the economy significantly.

Effects of Paperless Trade Policy and Aid for Trade on Export Performance: Evidence from SASEC And CAREC Countries

The study aims to investigate the causal effect of cross-border paperless trade policy reforms and aid for trade on export performance in 14 Asian developing countries. Sample countries are selected based on membership of the South Asia Sub-regional and Economic Cooperation (SASEC) and Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC). This study uses annual panel data from 2005 to 2017, exploits the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Trade Facilitation Measures survey data to sort out the pre-treatment and post-treatment period of the paperless trade policy transformation, and employs the difference-in-differences method of estimation. The results show that the adaptation of paperless trade facilitation policy measures and aid for trade to trade facilitation and the communication technology sector has a positive and statistically significant impact on export performance in Asian economies including in SASEC and CAREC region. However, the findings of this study also point out that the economic growth, foreign direct investment and the labour force has a positive effect on export performance. Thus the results from this study suggest that the export performance in these regions could be enhanced by adopting paperless trade policy measures and more aid allocation for the trade facilitation and communication technology sectors.

COVID-19: Repositioning Nigeria’s Economy for the Now and the Tomorrow

The failure of past and present administrations to diversify Nigeria’s economy evident in the dependence on oil exploration and export is one among the factors responsible for the economic challenges affecting the country. The economic situation of Nigeria has since worsened at the instance of the outbreak of the coronavirus and its attendant ramifications on international trade; manifest in the fall price of crude oil, low foreign and domestic investments, heightened level of unemployment and poverty etc. Interestingly, the agricultural and information communication technology (ICT) sectors have since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic proven to be among the thriving sectors in Nigeria despite the seeming neglect of the sectors by the government. This paper examines the extent to which the potentials in the agricultural and information communication technology (ICT) sectors may be utilized to drive sustainable development in Nigeria, at the instance of the Coronavirus pandemic. The study adopts qualitative data method. Purposively selected respondents with expertise on the subject were interviewed. They include economists, agricultural-economists, farmers, software consultants and developers, personnel of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Further, the study adopted comparative advantage and structuralism theory as a means of advancing the exigency of diversifying Nigeria’s economy. The study concludes that for Nigeria’s economy to thrive due to the covid-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to harness the potentials inherent in the agricultural and information communication technology (ICT) sectors of the country; as this will drive sustainable development.

Foreign ownership and domestic cooperation for innovation during good and harsh economic times

A sample of firms active in the Spanish information and communication technology sector during 2003-2014 is analysed to assess whether foreign subsidiaries are likely to make a technological contribution to domestic innovative capabilities during expansive phases of the business cycle and during recessions. Domestic firms are used as a control group. Innovative foreign subsidiaries are more likely than non-innovative foreign subsidiaries to cooperate for innovation with local partners. However, the most advanced foreign subsidiaries seem reluctant to engage in local cooperation for innovation. Foreign subsidiaries have shown greater capability than domestic firms in increasing their collaboration with local partners during the 2008 crisis.

Foreign ownership and domestic cooperation for innovation during good and harsh economic times

A sample of firms active in the Spanish information and communication technology sector during 2003-2014 is analysed to assess whether foreign subsidiaries are likely to make a technological contribution to domestic innovative capabilities during expansive phases of the business cycle and during recessions. Domestic firms are used as a control group. Innovative foreign subsidiaries are more likely than non-innovative foreign subsidiaries to cooperate for innovation with local partners. However, the most advanced foreign subsidiaries seem reluctant to engage in local cooperation for innovation. Foreign subsidiaries have shown greater capability than domestic firms in increasing their collaboration with local partners during the 2008 crisis.

State policy of maintaining the innovative forms of employment in the context of the economy digitalization

The purpose of the study is to analyze current trends in the evolution of forms of employment under the influence of the economy digitalization, as well as to substantiate the directions and means of public policy to regulate the conditions of effective employment in the new realities. Methods of synthesis and system analysis, groupings, logical analysis, strategic management, and system analysis were used in the research. The most significant characteristics of the sphere of employment in the conditions of the economy digitalization, in particular quantitative flexibility, functional flexibility, and space-time flexibility, are defined. The spheres of economy in which new professions are most in demand in Ukraine in the conditions of development of digitalization processes of the national economy are identified, in particular information and communication technologies, biotechnologies, medicine, energy, and its accumulation, power networks and energy consumption management, transport, especially water and air transport, education, and ecology. The directions, spheres, branches, and concrete sub-branches where new professions are in demand in the conditions of the economy digitalization are defined. The paper emphasizes the leading role of the information and communication technology sector, the development of which largely determines the emergence of new professions. The paper provides the conclusion that in this situation the new forms of employment cover great innovative potential, as well as shadow aspects (informal agreements), which exacerbate the problem of insufficient filling of social funds and reduction of tax revenues to the state budget. The priorities of effective employment policy in Ukraine in the global digitalization of economic relations are outlined based on the principles of flexicurity, best practices, and implementation of innovative solutions in building mutually beneficial and socially responsible relations between employer and employee.

Myanmar Media in Transition: Legacies, Challenges and Change ed. by Lisa Brooten et al.

Reviewed by: Myanmar Media in Transition: Legacies, Challenges and Change ed. by Lisa Brooten et al. Kristina Simion Lisa Brooten, Jane Madlyn McElhone, and Gayathry Venkiteswaran, eds. 2019. Myanmar Media in Transition: Legacies, Challenges and Change. Singapore: ISEAS. 407 pp. ISBN 9789814843409 This edited collection of twenty-one chapters provides a thorough introduction to developments in Myanmar’s media sector since the country’s political opening enhanced by valuable historical glimpses. The book fills an important gap in the existing literature on media and transition by moving beyond a focus on economic forces of change to covering grassroots change agents and the “non-state and non-commercial efforts that also compel and propel change during transition” (p. 8). The book gathers overviews of topics linked to Myanmar’s media landscape: social and digital media (chapters 18–20), the music and film industry (chapters 14–16), the literary scene (chapter 17), questions of law and regulation (chapters 2 and 11), international aid (chapter 3), the emerging information and communications technologies sector (chapter 5), regional and local media as well as media coverage (chapters 6, 9, and 10), media coverage of natural disasters and elections (chapters 7 and 13), and issues of male domination over the sector (chapter 12). In addition, interviews with key figures of Myanmar media in chapters 4 (Thiha Saw) and 8 (Ye Naing Moe) add personal insights into print media and watchdog functions. The interviews capture the voices of actors with firsthand insights into Myanmar’s media landscape [End Page 325] during years of military rule, censorship, and persecution for their engagement in the sector. Overall, the book nicely brings together contributions from activists, academics, journalists, writers, and development practitioners from Myanmar and beyond to provide a rich and vibrant account of the field and its dynamics. The book is divided into four parts: “Structural Constraints and Opportunities,” “Journalism in Transition,” “Creative Expression,” and “Society and Media.” Although not stated explicitly, several chapters address issues of reporting on Rakhine as well as challenges facing the Rohingya. The book ends with a thought-inspiring epilogue that includes the important question of “Where do we go from here?” Myanmar Media in Transition: Legacies, Challenges and Change would serve as a great companion for journalists, practitioners, and activists who are deployed to Myanmar or those who have an interest in the media sector as well as for students and academics searching for theoretical and practical insights. The introductory chapter sets the scene by presenting a comparative perspective on media and political transitions. It is useful for understanding the challenges facing the media and state/media relationships in countries with hybrid regimes. It also summarizes the contemporary media landscape and issues that reformers face. The chapter nicely summarizes key historical events and delves into “the country’s long struggle with censorship and control, religious and state involvement with media (and its) vibrant, yet tumultuous, journalistic past” (p. 13 ff). Highlights include descriptions of the postindependence press as one of the liveliest in Asia functioning as a watchdog against corruption (p. 17), the expulsion of foreign correspondents and banning of foreign journalists after 1974 (p. 19), the various forms of creative expressions that thrived as a functioning television service was lacking (p. 20), and the practice of reviewing printed material post print (p. 25). One particularly interesting chapter is chapter 2: “Legal Changes for Media and Expression: New Reforms, Old [End Page 326] Controls.” The chapter provides an introduction to the planned legal reforms that had activists and others hoping for a more enabling media environment. However, as the chapter tells, instead disappointment became vast as the National League for Democracy–led government failed to reform the existing legal framework in line with international standards, thus continuing the use of draconic colonial criminal laws to silence critical voices and journalists. Importantly, the chapter however provides a comprehensive guide to any changes to laws related to media and free expression that have been made since 2011. The chapter also critiques international actors that continue to stress the importance of “laws as fundamental to the transition . . . in a country where the judicial process has been used to imprison critics and censor the media” (p. 60...