Information Technology Demands Research Articles

Flexible Electronic Systems on Plastic Substrates and Textiles for Smart Wearable Technologies

AbstractThe future era of hyperconnected information technology demands smart wearable devices, which provide ubiquitous human‐oriented service platforms and imperceptible computing with hands‐free and lightweight gadgets. Wearable devices have progressively developed from accessories such as glasses, wrist bands, and watches to embedded types in fibers or textiles, skin tattoos, and even implanted in the user's body. As a crucial component of smart applications, the flexible electronic system should contain embedded active electronic components such as transistors and integrated circuitry for processing data acquired in sensors and transmitting them to wireless communication systems. The substrates of these flexible electronic systems have also expanded from flexible plastic substrates to conformable ones such as fabrics and textiles. Here, recent progresses in flexible electronic systems, composed of transistor‐based circuitry and active matrix built on plastics or textile substrates, with an emphasis on fabrication using the conventional technology for electronic materials, are reviewed. In addition, emerging application areas of smart wearable technologies in a health monitoring system are also presented.

Roles of government in regulating the sharing economy: A case study of bike sharing in China

The sharing economy has experienced tremendous growth as a result of rapid advances in information technology and user demand. Through a case study analysis of bike-sharing service providers in one of the largest cities in China, this paper examines the phases of regulation of the sharing economy from problem discovery, enacting regulation, and the aftermath of regulation. The public interest theory is used as a way of understanding the evolution of regulation of the sharing economy. Our analysis of the case study showed that the government took on three roles as protector, coordinator, and regulator that demonstrate working within the public interest theory. The results of this case study show the evolution of regulatory roles in a new and emerging industry within China and the lessons learned for public administrators.

Using the IDEAL model for the construction of a deployment framework of IT Service Desks at the Brazilian Federal Institutes of Education

Brazilian Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology (FIs) have expanded through multicampi structure, which has led to profound changes in their administrative and academic organization. As consequence of this expansion, the demand for services, systems, and information technology (IT) solutions has increased; and the support service’s provision has become much more relevant. However, a diagnosis of the quality of the IT support services, performed with the FI’s CIOs, has shown that the service’s provision in these institutions is below required. There are several problems encountered, such as political and cultural issues, lack of stakeholder involvement, insufficient staff, resistance to change, lack of priorities, excessive demands, lack of knowledge of best practices, and the use of inappropriate tools. So, there is a clear need to develop a proposal to help the FIs to improve their IT support services. The Service Desk is an alternative, since it implements a unique interface between users and the IT sector, however, with a broader role than just the technical support, as it embraces processes, people, and technologies geared to IT management. This work aimed to develop a framework, with a practical approach on “how to do,” which guides the implementation and/or the improvement of Service Desks of the Federal Institutes. The proposal sought incorporates several practices related to Service Desk, identified in ITIL, ISO 20000, CMMI-SVC, and MR-MPS-SV models, creating a deployment and/or improvement approach through a life cycle framework, based on the IDEAL model, and a process toolbox, structured according to the seven dimensions of the EPMF. The research is relevant due to the lack of guidelines for the implementation and/or improvement of Service Desks from a practical point of view, since the main models found focus on “what has to be done,” and little on “how to do.” The IT support service’s current situation diagnosis in the IFs showed that the service provisioning was less than expected. The need to develop a proposal to help the FIs to improve the IT support service became evident, and the QoS-IT framework emerged. After the framework’s development, it was evaluated by IFs specialists and, posteriorly, it was used and evaluated in the context of a specific Federal Institute. Finally, a gap analysis was done between user satisfaction surveys, comparing the results obtained before and after the Service Desk deployment at the Federal Institute, which presented evidences of a positive impact on the service provision after using the framework.

Does India do IT? The nexus of IT, skills, organizational factors and productivity

PurposeThe goal of this study is to investigate the nexus among TFP (total factor productivity), IT (information technology) capital accumulation, skills and key plant variables of 34 Indian industries for the period of 2009–2015.Design/methodology/approachAnnual Survey of Industries (ASI) data series are extracted and formulated using Microsoft SQL server. The authors employ Wooldridge (2009) technique to estimate productivity. To investigate the linkages among productivity, IT, skills and key plant variables, the authors estimate specifications using system generalized method of moments (sys-GMM). Advanced estimation techniques such as Heckman two-step process, probit equations, inverse Mills ratio and panel cointegration are applied to overcome problems of nonstationarity, omitted variables, endogeneity and reverse causality.FindingsThe results indicate that the level of IT capital influences the TFP of Indian industries, so does the level of skilled workers. The outcome suggests that intermediate capital goods, location and ownership type enable the strength of IT capital and that in turn boosts productivity. The authors fail to find any impact of regional factors and contractual labor on IT capital and productivity. While medium-level gender diversity is statistically significant to influence productivity, however, no complementarities exist between gender diversity and IT capital accumulation. The results also indicate that IT demand of Indian industries is sensitive to availability of skilled workforce, fuel and electricity and access to short-term funding.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the nexus among TFP, IT capital accumulation, skills and organizational factors using ASI unit level data. Besides this, the paper offers two more novelties. First, it uses Wooldridge (2009) technique to estimate productivity, which is used by a handful of studies in the context of India. Second, the study identifies factors that impact productivity growth, IT demand and its adoption in Indian industries and thus contributes to growth and development literature.

Інформатизація державного управління та національного господарства як чинник інноваційного розвитку економіки

The scientific work is devoted to the coverage of problems and prospects of informatization of state administration and national economy, which is considered as a factor of innovative development of economy. It is shown that informatization makes it possible to reduce the cost of the national economy, to provide high efficiency of social management, to increase economic mobility (including investments, labor, resources, etc.). According to the author’s point of view, in modern conditions informatization should be considered not simply as a certain branch of state policy, or a set of measures, or a separate process, but as a result of economic activity of the national economy, which is able to satisfy the demand for information products and technologies. This happens under the influence of innovative transformations. The normative-legal and regulatory-technical support of the informatization process in Ukraine is analyzed. The provisions of the National Informatics Program have been evaluated. It is stated that in order to successfully implement the informatization policy, it is necessary to solve the problem of creating an attractive innovative climate. The problems of formation of attractive innovation climate in Ukraine and contradictions of organization of innovation process are described. The list of the main measures aimed at solving the problems of improving the innovation climate is presented. It is substantiated that the general model of regulation should be based on broadening the range of economic methods of stimulating innovative activity in the sphere of informatization, first of all in priority spheres and branches of the real sector of economy. The proposal on the feasibility of developing and adopting the State Targeted Economic Program for Informatization of Public Administration and the National Economy for the Period up to 2030 is justified. . Effective measures to stimulate and protect investment in the IT sector must be envisaged, as well as enhanced mechanisms for protecting intellectual property rights, taking into account the world-recognized principles and standards. The experience of EU countries on the use of tools to promote technology commercialization (including information technology) is analyzed. Proposals for the development of a draft law defining the general concepts of commercialization of information technologies and innovations in the field of informatization have been submitted. The list of elements of the process of commercialization of information innovations and information technologies is presented. Proposals for a set of economic instruments for stimulating customers (buyers) of information products and technologies of national origin are made.

Memory materials and devices: From concept to application

AbstractMemory cells have always been an important element of information technology. With emerging technologies like big data and cloud computing, the scale and complexity of data storage has reached an unprecedented peak with a much higher requirement for memory technology. As is well known, better data storage is mostly achieved by miniaturization. However, as the size of the memory device is reduced, a series of problems, such as drain gate‐induced leakage, greatly hinder the performance of memory units. To meet the increasing demands of information technology, novel and high‐performance memory is urgently needed. Fortunately, emerging memory technologies are expected to improve memory performance and drive the information revolution. This review will focus on the progress of several emerging memory technologies, including two‐dimensional material‐based memories, resistance random access memory (RRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), and phase‐change random access memory (PCRAM). Advantages, mechanisms, and applications of these diverse memory technologies will be discussed in this review.image

RIGID- reversible lightweight, high payload semantically secured e-record hiding technique for smart city applications using pseudo-random matrices

An emerging paradigm for instituting smart city that incorporates information and communication technologies demands an exponential rise in networked infrastructure and advancement of IoT. The physical world has to be monitored in real-time to introduce smart services to the public in the areas of healthcare, entertainment, education, environment, transportation, etc., Conventional healthcare is profoundly transforming into electronic healthcare that anticipates a high degree of security and privacy. Computationally efficient, highly secured algorithms are to be developed to protect electronic health records used in real-time communication for telediagnosis and treatment. This necessitates the proposed scheme named as RIGID (Reversible lIght weiGht hIgh payloaD) for ensuring reversible data mechanism to handle high payload for processing electronic health record in smart city applications by using Pseudo Random Matrices(PRM) and scrambling technique. PRBM has been employed to find the position for permutation and Pseudo Random Number matrix (PRNM) can aid substitution. The proposed RIGID scheme has endorsed a promising result when tested with standard benchmark medical / images and a set of images chosen at random from UCID repository by supporting high payload and reversibility. This scheme is capable of detecting most of the intrusions caused by signal processing and geometric attacks. Experimental investigations disclose the proposed project as an ideal choice for the exchange of EHR in IoT based healthcare system for smart city applications.

A study on market intelligence: the professional, the applicability of information technologies to innovate and gain competitive advantage

With the evolving market of various industries, business management specialists are creating a demand for information technology to gain competitive advantage. Within this context, technology management specialists seek to innovate by creating systems that offer results with differentials. In this paper, we seek to present the connection between the study of Business Administration and Information Systems, addressing a brief history of Market Intelligence, its evolution and the importance it has for most business sectors. We have strengthened the argument why information technology is an essential investment for the success and survival of any organization today. We intend to contribute with theoretical material for future research on the subject.

Smart regions: insights from hybridization and peripheralization research

ABSTRACT In recent years, discourse on urban development and planning has shifted its emphasis to smartness. Latest studies might offer ideas about planning objectives regarding territorial cohesion and how to meet the demand for information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure. However, so far there is barely any literature on smart regions as relational and hybrid phenomena looking at urban and rural areas as being spatially interlinked. The article aims to generate a deeper theoretical understanding of smart regions by discussing hybridization and peripheralization processes and applying them to debates on smart regions. By merging these perspectives, these authors advocate a diversification of meaning and scope which underscores the involvement of actors in the social (re-)construction of regions. A new analytical perspective on smart regions will be suggested that distinguishes between the three dimensions of discourse, implementation and regulation and refers to concomitant spatial effects as well as to implications for planning practices and procedures. Therewith, the paper encourages critical reflection on normative concepts of smart regions as well as on the usability of ICT for solving local problems.

Digital technology for Indonesia’s young people

Indonesia has recognized the growing demand for information technology, with the most rapid adoption of this technology being amongst its young people. Within the perspective of a balanced knowledge information society, the adoption of technology is crucial for improving social development in developing countries and is considered a particularly important tool in education. The education sector is well-placed to harness the potential of ICT for the millennial generation in these societies. Based on a survey of students enrolled in a university in Jakarta, this study attempts to identify the learning and development opportunities available through digital technology by exploring both how university students in Indonesia use this technology, and how they experience and perceive the benefits of digital learning. In particular, we examine how their access to and use of technology is associated with their digital literacy and their perceived usefulness of ICT. In general, Indonesian university students are actively engaged in a number of diverse activities online, including educational activities, which in turn result in increased online learning outcomes. A better understanding of the role of digital literacy and learning environments and effective use of technology for learning can provide important insights into education and technology use in Indonesia and similar contexts.

EFFECT OF INVENTORY OPTIMIZATION ON PERFORMANCE OF STATE CORPORATIONS IN KENYA

Purpose: the general objective of was to determine role of inventory optimization on performance of state corporations in Kenya.Methodology: This research study adopted a descriptive research design approach targeting heads of procurement at the 187 state corporations. This method was preferred because it allowed an in-depth study of the subject. The study preferred this method because it allowed an in-depth study of the subject. To gather data, structured questionnaire will be used to collect data from 187 respondents. The research focused on primary data that was collected from questionnaires distributed to the target groups. This study collected both qualitative and quantitative data. After data collection the data was edited and coded in readiness for analysis by the researcher. The qualitative data collected was subjected to content analysis. On the other hand, the study used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze the quantitative data. This study utilized the SPSS version 23 software to perform correlation and regression analysis on the collected data. The analyzed data was presented using statistical and graphical techniquesResults: R square value of 0.768 means that 76.8% of the corresponding variation in performance of state corporations in Kenya can be explained or predicted by (safety stock management, inventory control techniques, information technology integration and demand and supply forecasting) which indicated that the model fitted the study data. The results of regression analysis revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between dependent variable and independent variable at (β = 0.761), p=0.000 <0.05).Conclusion: The findings of the study indicated that; safety stock management, inventory control techniques, information technology integration and demand and supply forecasting have a positive relationship with performance of state corporationsPolicy recommendation: the study recommended that public institutions should embrace inventory optimization practices so as to improve their performance.

EFFECT OF INVENTORY OPTIMIZATION ON PERFORMANCE OF STATE CORPORATIONS IN KENYA

Purpose: the general objective of was to determine role of inventory optimization on performance of state corporations in Kenya.Methodology: This research study adopted a descriptive research design approach targeting heads of procurement at the 187 state corporations. This method was preferred because it allowed an in-depth study of the subject. The study preferred this method because it allowed an in-depth study of the subject. To gather data, structured questionnaire will be used to collect data from 187 respondents. The research focused on primary data that was collected from questionnaires distributed to the target groups. This study collected both qualitative and quantitative data. After data collection the data was edited and coded in readiness for analysis by the researcher. The qualitative data collected was subjected to content analysis. On the other hand, the study used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze the quantitative data. This study utilized the SPSS version 23 software to perform correlation and regression analysis on the collected data. The analyzed data was presented using statistical and graphical techniquesResults: R square value of 0.768 means that 76.8% of the corresponding variation in performance of state corporations in Kenya can be explained or predicted by (safety stock management, inventory control techniques, information technology integration and demand and supply forecasting) which indicated that the model fitted the study data. The results of regression analysis revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between dependent variable and independent variable at (β = 0.761), p=0.000 <0.05).Conclusion: The findings of the study indicated that; safety stock management, inventory control techniques, information technology integration and demand and supply forecasting have a positive relationship with performance of state corporationsPolicy recommendation: the study recommended that public institutions should embrace inventory optimization practices so as to improve their performance.

O perfil do egresso de Análise e Desenvolvimento de Sistemas do IFPB – Campus Monteiro

The growing demand for Information Technology (IT) experts requires the training of highly qualified professionals. Thus, the present study aimed to trace the professional and socioeconomic profiles of the alumni of the Analysis and Systems Development course, of Federal Institute of Paraíba (IFPB)- Monteiro, in order to verify the actual situation after they have graduated. It also aims to check whether their profile matches the predetermined description established in the Pedagogical Project of the Course (PPC) and the National Catalog for Technological Higher Education Courses. Based on the results obtained through a survey analysis, we highlight the following findings: the family income of the graduate has increased after the conclusion of the course; the majority of graduates chose to work instead of (only) studying; the graduates are working as software analysts, developers or engineers; despite of the fact that some students were not working in IT, most of them remain in the area; the average of alumni monthly incomes is approximately R$ 2,862.00; and no graduate is unemployed

Temporal and spectral fingerprints of ultrafast all-coherent spin switching.

Future information technology demands ever-faster, low-loss quantum control. Intense light fields have facilitated milestones along this way, including the induction of novel states of matter1-3, ballistic acceleration of electrons4-7 and coherent flipping of the valley pseudospin8. These dynamics leave unique 'fingerprints', such as characteristic bandgaps or high-order harmonic radiation. The fastest and least dissipative way of switching the technologically most important quantum attribute-the spin-between two states separated by a potential barrier is to trigger an all-coherent precession. Experimental and theoretical studies withpicosecond electric and magnetic fields have suggested this possibility9-11, yet observing the actual spindynamics has remained out of reach. Here we show that terahertz electromagnetic pulses allow coherent steering of spins over a potential barrier, and we report the corresponding temporal and spectral fingerprints. This goal is achieved by coupling spins in antiferromagnetic TmFeO3 (thulium orthoferrite) with the locally enhanced terahertz electric field of custom-tailored antennas. Within their duration of one picosecond, the intense terahertz pulses abruptly change the magnetic anisotropy and trigger a large-amplitude ballistic spin motion. A characteristic phase flip, an asymmetric splitting of the collective spinresonance and a long-lived offset of the Faraday signal are hallmarks of coherent spin switching into adjacent potential minima, in agreement with numerical simulations. The switchable states can be selected by an external magnetic bias. The low dissipation and the antenna's subwavelength spatial definition could facilitate scalable spin devices operating at terahertz rates.

Enhancing Teaching and Learning Technique via Flipped Learning: A Case Study

The demand for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been surging significantly due to the increasing the number of students and limited resources. Flipped Learning (FL) is a key technique in ICT to enhance Teaching and Learning (T&L) techniques. In FL, students attain necessary knowledge before class and teacher supervises actively to clarify and apply that knowledge during the class. With FL, students take responsibility to give frequent feedback on the course, in other words, the student role transforms from passive recipient to active constructor. Eventually, enhancement of T&L is achieved via FL. In this paper, a case study for both Traditional Learning (TL) and FL is performed for final year students of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) during the year 2017. Further, Feedback Index (FI), Examination Result (ER) and Attainment Level of Course Outcome (ALCO) are considered as metrics of T&L performance in our case study. The computer simulation results confirm that FL technique is superior when compared to TL.

Strategic Human Resource Management:The Calibrated Catalysts for Indian IT-SMEs Performance Optimization

In last few years, the emergence of globalization and liberalization across the world has enabled globaleconomies to explore and create more business opportunities to meet rising Information Technology (IT) or software related demands. In any economy ‘Small and Medium Size (SME’s) enterprises’, especially IT firms have been playing vital role. Organizations are focussing on exploring more opportunities to achieve competitive gain and success; however, in this journey the role of human resources can’t be ignored. To achieve competitive gain firms require introducing more calibrated and optimal resource management strategies to achieve higher productivity, competitive business advantages, etc. In any firm managing human resource optimal acquisition, retention, training and retraining etc., play decisive role for productive outcome. In current competitive scenario where, different IT companies provide healthier and more competitive facilities to it employees, implementing Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) becomes an inevitable need. With this motivation, this research paper presents an empirical research with mixed research paradigm to study efficacy of SHRM in Indian listed IT companies. Different stakeholders including HR managers and employees of IT SMEs have been interviewed for their perception towards the need of SHRM to achieve better firm performance. This study has revealed that SHRM can play vital role in employee’s retention and quality acquisition where training and retraining can help business houses to retain undisrupted pace of growth. This eventually augments firm performance.

Fiber wireless (FiWi) access network: ONU placement and reduction in average communication distance using whale optimization algorithm

Explosive growth in the field of Information and Communication Technology demands an access technology which can serve users better Internet speed in "anytime anywhere” manner. Fiber Wireless (FiWi) access technology is one of the existing technologies that fulfills the current demands of users in cost-efficient manner. Some of the important issues of the FiWi network are ONU placement and energy saving. ONU placement issue affects the deployment cost and network performance while energy saving is the need for green technology. On taking consideration of these two issues we propose a whale optimization algorithm for ONU placement for FiWi network. The proposed algorithm optimizes the position of ONUs in such a manner that all deployed wireless routers can connect to their primary ONUs with minimum possible average communication distance. Simulation is performed for varying number of wireless routers to check the worthiness of the proposed algorithm. Results show that the proposed algorithm reduces the average communication distance between ONU and its associated wireless routers hence, it may offer the best way to deploy energy efficient FiWi network.

Repeated exposure to high ICT demands at work, and development of suboptimal self-rated health: findings from a 4-year follow-up of the SLOSH study

PurposeThe knowledge about the association between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) demands at work and self-rated health (SRH) is insufficient. The aim of this study was to examine the association between repeated exposure to high ICT demands at work, and risk of suboptimal SRH, and to determine modifications by sex or socioeconomic position (SEP).MethodsA prospective design was used, including repeated measurement of ICT demands at work, measured 2 years apart. SRH was measured at baseline and at follow-up after 4 years. The data were derived from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH), including 4468 gainfully employees (1941 men, 2527 women) with good SRH at baseline.ResultsIn the total study sample, repeated exposure to high ICT demands at work was associated with suboptimal SRH at follow-up (OR 1.34 [CI 1.06–1.70]), adjusted for age, sex, SEP, health behaviours, BMI, job strain and social support. An interaction between ICT demands and sex was observed (p = 0.010). The risk was only present in men (OR 1.53 [CI 1.09–2.16]), and not in women (OR 1.17 [CI 0.85–1.62]). The risk of suboptimal SRH after consistently high ICT demands at work was most elevated in participants with high SEP (OR 1.68 [CI 1.02–2.79]), adjusted for age, sex, health behaviours, BMI and job strain. However, no significant interaction between ICT demands and SEP regarding SRH was observed.ConclusionRepeated exposure to high ICT demands at work was associated with suboptimal SRH at follow-up, and the association was modified by sex.

Photon-pair source working in a silicon-based detector wavelength range using tapered micro/nanofibers.

The development of quantum photonic information technology demands high-quality photon sources. Here we demonstrate a low-noise and high-speed photon source generated by the spontaneous four-wave mixing process in a micro/nanofiber (MNF). The pair generation in a MNF is tailorable by controlling its diameter and designed for creating signal and idler photons in the silicon-based detector wavelength range, yielding high detection efficiency and coincidence count rate. This MNF photon source can be coupled to other fiber systems with negligible coupling loss and can be efficiently exploited as fiber-based quantum light sources for quantum information applications.

Impact of Construction IT Technology Convergence Innovation on Business Performance

As the era of the fourth Industrial revolution begins, there is high demand for new information technology (IT) innovation to address the challenges of a dramatically changing industrial landscape. The construction industry, which is one the most important traditional industries in Korea, has adopted new IT innovation in their products to meet customer demand, regulation from government, energy efficiency, security, and so on. The aim of our study is to empirically clarify the impact of technology innovation on the business performance for Korean domestic construction conglomerates. The study performs an empirical analysis with time series analysis on business performance from the perspective of client satisfaction with the services the target companies provide and the production process improvement, as well as from a financial perspective. As analysis data, statistical data from the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning; Brand Stock; Bank of Korea; and each company are utilized, and the target companies for our study are limited to 19 construction companies with an apartment brand. Multiple regression analysis is used as a fundamental analysis methodology of our study. For Time Series Analysis, the Box Jenkins Model, namely, ARIMA is utilized. According to our results, it is found that any improvement of IT convergence innovation competence such as business efficiency IT index, collaboration IT index, and strategy management IT index has a positive impact on the production process, financial performance, and customer satisfaction with the services the companies provide.