Communication Technology Usage Research Articles

Navigating the nexus: unraveling technological innovation, economic growth, trade openness, ICT, and CO2 emissions through symmetric and asymmetric analysis

In Malaysia’s rapid economic growth and industrialization, environmental degradation and carbon emissions pose significant challenges. As urbanization continues to rise, there is a growing recognition of the imperative to tackle CO2 emissions. Trade openness and globalization drive economic activity but also heighten environmental pressures, including CO2 emissions from transportation and industry. Information communication technology (ICT) usage, shaped by infrastructure and regulations, can either improve energy efficiency or increase energy consumption. The study examines the impacts of economic growth (EG), trade openness (TON), technological innovation (TIN), and ICT on CO2 emissions in Malaysia, using both symmetric and asymmetric methods from 1985 to 2021. While many studies have explored environmental degradation, focusing on CO2 emissions and ecological footprint indicators, only a limited number have delved into the combined impact of sustainable EG, TON, ICT, and TIN on Malaysia’s CO2 emissions. Notably, these studies have often neglected the utilization of both symmetric and asymmetric methodologies. Hence, this study employed auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) and non-linear ARDL approaches to investigate the dynamic effects of the studied variables. The key findings from the symmetric analysis demonstrate that EG, TON, and ICT together take part in the increase of CO2 emissions in both the short and long run. Particularly, technological innovation plays a significant role in reducing CO2 emissions in the short term through the adoption of cleaner technologies. However, the results of the NARDL bound test reveal asymmetric long-term consequences of technological innovation, economic growth, and ICT on CO2 emissions. The study underscores the need for CO2 reduction policies in Malaysia, advocating for measures, such as incentivizing cleaner technologies and upgrading energy infrastructure. It also recommends implementing carbon pricing mechanisms for production and trade, alongside awareness campaigns to foster behavioral changes aimed at reducing emissions.

Availability and usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by research faculties of CCS HAU, Hisar

Availability and usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by research faculties of CCS HAU, Hisar

Enhancing spectrum utilization and primary user detection in cognitive radio networks through greedy cooperative spectrum sensing

The utilization of the spectrum is optimized through which primary users of modern wireless communication technologies might obtain a higher chance of detection. The research aims to study how the NI-USRP hardware platform can be used to set up greedy cooperative spectrum sensing for cognitive radio networks. Research primarily deals with energy detection and eigenvalue-based detection approaches, both of which are highly recognized for their capacity to sense the spectrum without having prior knowledge of the primary user signals. In the hardware arrangement, there is one transmitter and two cognitive radio receivers. LABVIEW makes it simple to deploy and maximizes the detection probability across a large sample. Here, it was demonstrated that cooperative spectrum sensing is superior to non-cooperative spectrum sensing, which results in a reduction in the risk of errors occurring during detection. The research discovered that the OR combination rule has a higher detection probability than the AND rule at the same time. The research emphasizes the significance of expanding cooperative spectrum sensing to improve overall detection capabilities. SNRs that are more than 10 dB allow the energy detector to operate, and the eigenvalue detector continues to work when the SNR drops to –9 dB.

Users of information and communication technologies in the context of digital inequalities and divides

The author notes, referring to the opinion of a number of well-known researchers, a significant level of interpenetration of physical and digital reality, as well as the intensity of their interaction. New forms of digital inequality are emerging, which coexist alongside and are interconnected with its traditional manifestations. The concepts of digital divides of the first, second and third levels are not replaced by the concepts of digital inequality, but continue to be used along with them, maintaining their attractiveness. The author believes that one of the most heuristic methodologies for studying digital inequality and digital divides is proposed in the approach of P. Bourdieu, who studied inequality through the prism of forms of capital and the concept of habitus. The empirical basis is grounded on the study Me and My Big Data1, which takes a multidimensional approach to digital inequality in constructing ideal-typical models of digital users. This study reveals the digital divide both through the unequal level of knowledge and skills of UK users, and through the social benefits they receive in social interaction.

Determining the factors affecting the ICT use of Turkish students attending PISA-2018: Multilevel profile analysis approach

AbstractThis study aims to classify student profiles based on the type and frequency of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage. Each profile exhibits homogeneous characteristics and heterogeneous characteristics compared to other groups. Additionally, the study investigates whether covariates at the school and student levels create differences in these profiles. For this purpose, a mixed-method analysis (Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), Multi-level Latent Profile Analysis (MLPA) and Multi-level Logistic Regression Analysis (MLRA)) were used to identify ICT usage profiles. The study analysed data from 6,890 Turkish students across 186 schools participating in PISA 2018 (Program for International Student Assessment), revealing three distinct ICT usage profiles: Profile-1 (Low-Level ICT Users (19.06%)), Profile-2 (Intermediate-Level ICT Users (71.10%)), and Profile-3 (Advanced-Level ICT Users (9.84%)). The MLRA showed that students with low ICT usage have less access to ICT resources. Students in the Low-Level ICT Users profile also had lower scores on ICT-related motivation factors (interest, competence, social interaction, and autonomy). No significant effect of ICT usage on mathematics, reading, and science scores was observed. Variance differences at student and school levels could not be fully explained by covariates at the school level (type of school, ratio of computers connected to the internet per student, lack of educational materials and personnel). However, the ratio of computers per student effectively explained these differences. According to an MLPA, schools were categorised into two groups based on ICT resources: 'high' and 'low'. In schools with high ICT resources, the proportion of students in Profile-2 was found to be 45.8%, while those in Profile-3 accounted for 9%. In contrast, in schools with low ICT resources, the percentage of students in Profile-2 was 22.45%, and in Profile-3, it was 1.82%. These findings indicate that the level of a school's ICT resources significantly impacts students' technology usage skills. A significant finding of the research is that most Turkish students use ICT at an intermediate level at home for school lessons. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the importance of studying at home using ICT resources.

Information and Communication Technology as a Determinant of Organizational Performance: A Study of Banks in Delta/Edo States

This study investigated information and communication technology (ICT) as determinant of organizational performance of selected commercial banks in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey design was used and one hundred and eighteen (118) questionnaires were administered to employees of four (4) commercial banks in Delta and Edo States. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive, diagnostic and inferential statistical tools. The regression results indicated positive and significant relationship between information and communication technology usage and improvements in organizational performance in areas of enhanced quality of service delivery, productivity, and customers’ base. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that commercial banks should expand the usage of information communication technology tools in their business processes in order to become more competitive and improve service delivery to customers, enhanced productivity and customers’ base. More importantly, commercial banks should strengthen their policies and procedures on information and communication technology targeted at retaining IT staff. Also, commercial banks should ensure an up-to-date training of IT staff to keep them abreast of current trends in the ICT environment.

Impact of financial literacy, perceived access to finance, ICT use, and digitization on credit constraints: evidence from Qatari MSME importers

This study investigates the role of financial literacy (FL), perceived access to finance (PAF), information communication technology (ICT) usage, and digitization in alleviating the level of credit constraint that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face in an emerging market. We draw on the economic research theories of human capital, knowledge-based view, and lifecycle hypothesis to explain the relationship between the variables. Using survey data collected from 333 MSME importers in Qatar—a country with heavy reliance on foreign goods—we find strong evidence that FL, PAF, ICT usage, and digitization are key determinants of Qatari MSME access to credit. In particular, PAF and FL are significant and have their expected signs in almost all the Probit regressions. For ICT usage and digitization, although they are key determinants of credit constraints, the findings are more sensitive and dependent on the type of financing and the resulting type of credit constraint.

Embracing digital health: German otolaryngology patients' usage and prospects of digital information and communication technologies for cross-sectoral care.

The usage of digital information and communication technologies in European healthcare is growing. Unlike numerous technological possibilities, the present use of these technologies and perspectives towards them in relation to otolaryngology care have so far been of less interest. This study evaluates the utilisation of and attitudes towards digital information and communication technologies in cross-sectoral otolaryngology care among German patients. A structured interview-based study was conducted at the outpatient facility of a tertiary hospital in Germany. It focused on chief complaints, current use of digital technologies, estimated benefits of increased digital technology use in otolaryngology care, and sociodemographic data. The detailed statistical analysis employed Chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regression. A total of 208 otolaryngology patients completed the interview. Digital communication technologies exhibited a high penetration rate (91.8%) and were regularly used in daily life (78.7%) and for health reasons (73.3%). Younger age (p ≤ 0.003) and higher education levels (p ≤ 0.008) were significantly correlated with the increased digital communication technology use. The overall potential of eHealth technologies was rated significantly higher by younger patients (p ≤ 0.001). The patients' chief complaints showed no significant influence on the current and potential use of these technologies for cross-sectoral otolaryngology care. Regardless of their chief complaints, German otolaryngology patients regularly use digital information and communication technologies for health reasons and express interest in their further use for cross-sectoral care. To enhance digital patient communication in otolaryngology, attention should be given to treatment quality, usability, data security and availability and financial remuneration for service providers.

Digital tools in education: Improving the project method

The relevance of the studied problem is determined by the need to improve creative teamwork skills among students by the usage of information and communication technologies (ICT). The purpose of the study is to identify the level of future physical education and sports teachers` motivation for project activities using ICT. Research methods of studying and analysing pedagogical literature on the problem were used to reveal the level of a scientific problem development. A student survey “Assessment of future teachers’ motivation level to use ICT in educational projects” developed by the authors made it possible to identify the level of students’ motivation for project-based learning. The study presents a pilot educational project “Sport adventures”, its content, methods and criteria of assessment. As a result of the study a special electronic course “Development and implementation of an educational project in physical education and sports” was developed and tested. The pilot pedagogical experiment demonstrates the superiority of experimental student group over control group in project skills. The survey reveals that future physical education and sports teachers have a high level of motivation and 84% of them are confident that the use of ICT helps to develop, organize and implement educational projects. The materials of this article can be used by researchers in the field of pedagogy.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN OLDER ADULTS WITH COGNITIVE DECLINE: THE USAGE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Abstract Background Cognitive decline is typical among older adults, affecting their activities of daily living and community participation. However, the advent of cognitive function support information technologies may improve their community engagement, perhaps more than memory training alone. This study examined information communication technology usage as a mediator of associations of cognitive decline and community engagement in older adults. Methods We sampled older adult cases from Round 11 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study data set (N=3817) with cognitive decline in community dwelling (mean age =81.38, SD=6.266), male (n= 1313) and female (n=1771). We utilized multi-level Structural Equation Model (SEM) to examine the mediation of cognitive decline and community connection through the ICTs, as well as direct relationships among memory, orientation, and executive function. Results From SEM analysis, an increase of ICTs usage has statistically significantly effects on older adults’ cognitive ability overall (Estimate = 0.103, S.E. = 0.023, C.R. = 4.438, p < 0.001). Cognitive function has a direct impact on the activity orientation function (Estimate=1, p < 0.0011.000). The greater usage of ICTs by older adults is associated with higher levels of community engagement (Estimate = 1.230, S.E. = 0.284, C.R. = 4.338, P < 0.001). Conclusion This finding highlights the potential role of ICTs in fostering older adults’ cognitive function for their social interactions and community involvement. Digital age older adults may have greater cognitive function than previous cohort, reducing demand for care services their community participation.

Assessment of regional digital divide in Türkiye

Technological advancement has not been equally distributed. It has differed from country to country, region to region, and even among individuals. As a result, the digital divide has emerged as an umbrella term to represent these disparities. Recently, the research focus has shifted to the outcomes of information and communication technology usage or tangible benefits (the third-level digital divide). As an emerging economy, Türkiye must overcome the digital divide to maximise tangible benefits. Thus, this research starts by determining the digital divide indicators for Türkiye and goes further to examine the digital divide between regions in Türkiye. The main aim is to present a comprehensive index for the regional scale that is currently missing in the literature. To do so, this research starts with exploring the digital divide indicators. Then, with the help of principal component analysis (PCA), a new index is formulated for Türkiye. The result maps indicate digital inequalities both at regional and city scales, yet inequalities are more remarkable at the city scale. Increasing the diversity of technology usage, focusing on gender equality, expanding R&D expenditures, and supporting initiatives, especially ICT initiatives, will assist Türkiye in reducing digital inequalities.

Unleashing the digital barrier: Obstacles and challenges of digital transformation amidst technological roadblocks

The widespread adoption of digital technologies in enterprises remains limited, prompting concerns over the sluggish pace of technological integration. Numerous articles emphasize the urgency of accelerating digital transformation and embracing new technologies. This paper focuses on identifying and examining obstacles hindering the effective utilization of digital tools and technologies in business settings. It conducts a comprehensive assessment of two primary aspects - external and internal factors - through a combination of secondary research and a comparative analysis of primary research findings. The research draws on data from diverse sources, including the ESTAT data repository, surveys on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises, and the European Commissions report on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, scale-ups, and entrepreneurship. By shedding light on these obstacles, this paper aims to provide valuable insights that can facilitate the successful implementation of digital technologies in enterprises.

Pro-environmental practice among young population: A scoping review.

There is an inequality between pro-environmental knowledge acquisition and behavior. A change in behavior is required to solve both current and future environmental challenges since human behavior has an influence on pro-environmental practices. Of the study was to carry out a critical analysis of current literature on Pro-environmental practices among the Young population. The research question formulation on PICO served as the foundation for the search approach. Keywords were searched in different combinations from the popular databases SCOPUS, PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Google and Cochrane library Boolean operators (AND and OR) and keywords were employed in the search to avoid oversaturating the data. Fifteen full-text articles were selected for the study. Review studies confirmed that youth engagement is highly valued, with evidence from increasing usage of information and communication technologies (education and environmental consciousness among young people. Analysis of pro-environmental practices and environmental behavior has to be given greater attention considering to the adverse impacts of the existing lifestyle on the environment. This made it possible to incorporate and simultaneously explore a variety of variables and effects on environmental practices, furthering the understanding of how these are interpreted. This study pointed up and made contributions to the expanding field of environmental practices barriers. The challenges found should be taken into account in its entirety and utilized to directly inform policies and procedures in order to promote adoption for practices reduction and remove the obstacles inhibiting change.

Competency Development in Industrial Engineering and Related Academic Programs Regarding the Optimization of Production and Logistics Processes: The Case of Medellín

This study examines the correlation between the skills and competencies developed in engineering programs and those required by the most representative economic sectors in Medellín for optimizing their production and logistics processes. In general terms, this paper aims to contribute to the research on higher education institutions and the alignment of their programs with the expectations of businesses in emerging countries. Thus, the proposed research question is as follows: What is the systemic relationship between academia and businesses in Colombia regarding the development of skills and competencies related to the optimization of production and logistics processes? To address this question, the study methodology starts by defining the target population (Industrial Engineering and related academic programs) and the dialogue methods adopted. Subsequently, a morphological space is created to establish systemic interconnections among the study variables and factors. Finally, patterns and qualitative/quantitative relationships are identified and grouped into two drivers that support the optimization of production and logistics processes. These drivers, in turn, consist of five key driving variables: quality defects, work environment, information and communication technology usage, operation traceability, and logistics and planning. The results indicate a correlation of 60% between courses and job competencies, 85.71% between academic skills and job competencies, and 71.88% between courses and academic skills. These findings provide insights to enhance cooperation between the academic and business sectors and foster the development of new local competitive capacities.

Digital technologies, learning capacity of the organization and innovation: EU-wide empirical evidence from a combined dataset

Abstract This paper investigates the effects of digitalization and organizational practices on innovation in Europe, between 2010 and 2016. We analyze the cross-country and industry differences in firms’ investments and capabilities to adopt and use new technologies and their effects on innovation outputs. Along with traditional drivers of innovation, such as research and development (R&D) expenditure, two composite indicators are constructed. One encompasses direct measures of the adoption and use in enterprises of a set of digital technologies. The other measures the learning capacity of organizations, which captures the use of management tools and organizational practices concerned with the improvement of individual and organizational learning. Product, process, organizational, and marketing innovations are identified as well as their combinations within companies. Empirical evidence is provided by a unique dataset based on the integration at the sector within the country level of European Union (EU)-wide employers’ and employees’ surveys: the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), the Community Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises survey (Eurostat), and the European Working Conditions Survey (Eurofound). The descriptive evidence shows that Digital technology adoption and use is rapidly growing across Europe, while the Learning capacity of organizations remains stagnant. By contrast, our results from the econometric analysis show that these investments can favor all forms of innovations and that, further, they may show some complementarity. Overall, a mix of product/process innovations and organizational/marketing innovations rests on joint investments in R&D, digital technology adoption and use, and learning capacity of the organization.

Exploring the Relationship Between Techno-Unreliability at Work and Burnout.

With the growing dissemination of digital technologies in the workplace, technologies itself and related factors are increasingly discussed as an additional source of work stress, often referred to as technostress. This article explores whether techno-unreliability as a dimension of technostress is associated with burnout. We perform linear regression analyses based on a large representative sample of German employees collected in 2019. We distinguish between information and communication technology users ( n = 4702) and tool users ( n = 1953). Interaction models explore whether individual and workplace-related factors might moderate the relationship. The results indicate that the more frequently employees experience techno-induced interruptions (as an indicator for techno-unreliability), the stronger their burnout symptoms. Interaction models reveal that social support and job autonomy might buffer this association. Ensuring reliable technology and technical support can reduce employee stress.

Nightmare in remote mode: Evidence of remote abusive supervision in Indian organisations

Drawing support from the conservation of resources theory, cognitive appraisal theory and self-determination theory, we investigate the link between remote abusive supervision (RAS) and life satisfaction (LS) through the mediating roles of obsessive work passion (OWP) and work-to-life conflict (WLC). We also examine the moderating role of information and communication technology (ICT) usage through the underpinnings of self-determination theory. Hypotheses were tested using SEM on 236 adults working from home for an Indian ITES company. RAS is found to be negatively related to LS, and OWP and WLC positively mediate the relationship; additionally, ICT usage moderates between OWP, WLC and LS.

Differential impact of ICT on MSMEs' productivity in Africa’s emerging market

The observed low level of information and communication technology (ICT) usage among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) firms in many African countries may serve as a major constraint to their productivity. The productivity of service and manufacturing firms is impacted differently due to this low uptake of ICT. This paper seeks to examine the differential effects of ICT on MSMEs’ productivity in emerging African economies, specifically Egypt and Nigeria. This study evaluates the effects of ICT on MSMEs’ productivity across different sectors (services and manufacturing), by size and aggregated. The estimated results support the positive impact of MSMEs’ website presence and use of email on their productivity, though the magnitude varies across different analyses and sectors. This appears to support the differential sectoral impacts of ICT on MSMEs’ productivity across countries in emerging markets. Specifically, this study finds evidence for a higher impact of firms’ website presence on productivity in the manufacturing sector than the services sector across emerging economies. The study, therefore, recommends that emerging markets economies that want to implement appropriate national technology policies to enhance their firms’ productivity should always consider their differential effects on various sectors, as universal ICT policies may not achieve the desired objectives.

М. Маклюэн: между медиумом и медиатизацией

Introduction. The article is devoted to the key ideas of the media theorist M. McLuhan. The Canadian culturologist and philologist conceptualized the advent of the era of a new, “electronic”, person and new electronic media. Theoretical analysis. M. McLuhan’s works, in a certain sense, shaped the direction and style of studying media in a social context, “The Mechanical Bride: Folklore of Industrial Man” (1951), “The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man” (1962), “Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man” (1964). According to his position, electronic media technologies can be understood as a medium, a means of communication. They have evolved from the simplest sound signals to signs on various surfaces (from rock art to the modern alphabet) and an electronic signal. Conclusion. Despite the inconsistency of the figure of M. McLuhan among media theorists, the view on electronic media, according to which the author offers a kind of “Renaissance”, turning prism, is of epistemological value, which, among other things, is used in the concept of the global village. The value of this idea is due to the tendency towards convergence of users of modern communication technologies (for example, social networks) and the media transformation of the era.

Secured Framework for Smart Farming in Hydroponics with Intelligent and Precise Management based on IoT with Blockchain Technology

Hydroponics is a type of soil-free farming that uses less water and other resources than conventional soil-based farming methods. However, due to the simultaneous supervision of multiple factors, nutrition advice, and plant diagnosis system, monitoring hydroponics farming is a difficult task. Hydroponic techniques utilizing the IoT show to deliver the finest outcomes, despite the usage of various artificial culture methods. Though, the usage of smart communication technologies and IoT exposes environments for smart farming to a wide range of cybersecurity risks and weaknesses. However, the adoption of intelligence-based controlling algorithms in the agricultural industry is a good use of current technical advancements to address these issues. This paper presented a secured framework for smart farming in hydroponics system. The proposed architecture is characterized into four-layer IoT based framework, sensor, communication, fog and cloud layer. Data analytics is performed using supervised machine learning techniques with intelligent and precise management and is applied at the fog layer for efficient computation over the cloud layer. The data security over channel is protected by using Blockchain Technology. The experimental results are evaluated and analyzed for several statistical parameters in order to improve the system efficacy.