Future Of ICT Research Articles

Analysis of Challenges faced during Adoption of ICT by Small and Medium Enterprises in India

Purpose: This review article concentrates on the issue of SMEs' slower adoption of ICT. The review begins with the nature and characteristics of SMEs and their importance, moving on to the challenges in the implementation of ICT by SMEs. The potential use and drivers of ICT in SMEs, their conceptual framework, and the reduction of a gap in ICT adoption are discussed. ICT evaluation strategies in Indian SMEs and other developed countries are analyzed. Finally, before going into the future of ICT in SMEs, the tools used for the analysis of challenges in ICT are reviewed. Methodology: This paper explores the papers and articles available on challenges to the adoption of ICT to analyze various parameters in SMEs. Findings/Results: ICT adoption can assist SMEs in reducing costs by enhancing internal procedures and strengthening their business through better consumer interaction. SMEs appear to be delayed in adopting and using ICT in comparison to other sectors, despite the aforementioned knowledge and the relevance of ICT has long been acknowledged as a sector catalyst for other industries and economic prosperity. While large corporations have increased their use of ICT to obtain a competitive advantage, SMEs, who continue to confront restricted accessibility to markets and information, have shown little interest. Research Limitation: Though the review article has reviewed more than 200 papers, the work is based on literature rather than empirical findings, limiting the current work and paving way for future empirical research on the same. Originality/Value: Based on the findings ABCD analysis and research into the barriers to SMEs adopting ICT and other aspects detailed in this review are warranted. Paper Type: Literature review paper

The future of ICT for health and ageing: Unveiling ethical and social issues through horizon scanning foresight

This paper uses horizon scanning as a foresight methodology to investigate the opportunities, challenges and futures of ICT for health and ageing, particularly focusing on identifying the ethical and social issues associated with this sector. It uses empirical evidence gained from the analysis of interviews, literature reviews, and policy documents to identify the primary signals within the areas of future technologies, future environments, future companies, and future older people. In addition, we build on contemporary internet-based discussions amongst the general public and the ICT start-up sector to identify weak signals regarding ethical and social issues, based on and around these areas. Our findings show that the key ethical and social issues identified are concerned with the issue of the elderly being seen as collections of diseases, the human face of ICT, privacy and informed consent, autonomy, stereotyping of older people, and general anxieties around ICTs. We conclude our paper with recommendations for addressing these ethical and social concerns, specifically through the adoption of responsible research and innovation practices.

Az infokommunikációs eszközök jövője a mezőgazdaságban

Beszámoló az Európai Agrárinformatikai Szövetség 2017. évi konferenciájáról (2017 EFITA WCCA Congress, Montpellier, Franciaország, 2017. július 2-6.).
 
 ---
 
 The future of ICT in agriculture
 
 Conference report on the 2017 EFITA WCCA Congress dedicated to the future use of ICT in the agri-food sector, bioresource and biomass sector. Montpellier, France, July 2nd-6th

Innovación para el envejecimiento activo en la unión europea. Análisis del programa ambient assisted living joint programme (AAL) en el periodo 2008-2015

Los productos y servicios centrados en las personas, diseñados y seleccionados teniendo en cuenta las necesidades, las características de los usuarios y sus capacidades facilitan la vida independiente a todas ellas con o sin limitaciones funcionales. El programa Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme (AAL), es un ejemplo de cómo se pueden desarrollar proyectos basados en las TIC que permitan al adulto permanecer en su hogar el mayor tiempo posible de forma autónoma e independiente. Tomando como referente el Paradigma del envejecimiento activo y una vez conocidos y analizados los diferentes proyectos del Programa AAL (2008-2015) de desarrollo de tecnologías de ayuda y apoyo a las personas mayores, los tipos de proyectos financiados y las áreas de desarrollo, los objetivos que se plantea en esta investigación fueron: Analizar los proyectos evaluados positivamente y realizados en los últimos 7 años, y reflexionar sobre el futuro de las tecnologías en la promoción del envejecimiento activo. Metodología. Tras una lectura en profundidad de los propósitos de cada convocatoria y mediante una rejilla de análisis, dos expertos entrenados revisaron el grado de cercanía entre los objetivos de la convocatoria AAL y el Paradigma de envejecimiento activo. Resultados. Los proyectos revisados se han dirigido a la promoción de la salud y la actividad autónoma y a la monitorización de la salud, en áreas como la inclusión social, prevención, supervisión, detección, y apoyo. También ha habido proyectos dirigidos al fomento de la participación, algunos centrados en la seguridad, y otros que han buscado trabajar todas las áreas conjuntamente. Conclusiones. El artículo muestra la variedad de proyectos AAL centrados en tecnologías de ayuda y de apoyo a la vida independiente y al envejecimiento activo. Se posee la convicción de la necesidad de que los profesionales conozcan los proyectos que se están desarrollando en la Unión Europea y la importancia de conectar con los profesionales y con las personas mayores para la investigación e innovación en este ámbito.

ICT Coordinators’ Perceptions on ICT Practices, Barriers and its Future in Malaysian Secondary Schools: Correlation Analysis

ICT is seen as an important component of the teaching and learning process in classrooms. In Malaysian schools, ICT coordinators have a huge responsibility in managing ICT matters, including the facilities, hardware and software, monitoring ICT activities, as well as planning and conducting the trainings for teachers and students alike. As the resource personnel who coordinate ICT matters, it will be interesting to investigate their perceptions on the practices and issues pertaining to ICT at their school setting. In specific, this study intends to investigate the practices, barriers and future of ICT as perceived by ICT coordinators in Malaysian secondary schools. A survey research method by using a questionnaire was employed to collect data on ICT coordinators. Using a stratified sampling technique, a total of 400 secondary schools were randomly selected to participate in this study, and the questionnaire was then distributed to the ICT coordinators from each of these schools. A total of 236 questionnaires were returned (59% response rate). The results indicated a significant and moderate positive correlation between ICT in professional practice and future of ICT in schools (r: 0.521, p: 0.00). On the other hand, a significant, negative but weak correlation was observed between barriers in ICT practice in school and the future of ICT (r:-0.393, p: 0.00). Additionally, a significant, negative and moderate correlation was observed between barriers in ICT practice in school and ICT professional practice (r: 0.409; p: 0.00). These findings suggest that the future of ICT in Malaysian schools is very much associated with the current practice of ICT both by the teachers and the students as well as the barriers faced in using ICT in classrooms.

Editor’s Remarks

Editor’s Remarks

In the next five weeks, we will carry a series of articles from Becta, the government's education ICT agency. To kick us off, chief executive Stephen Crowne explains their strategy for the future of ICT in schools

SecEdVol. 2008, No. 9 OthersIn the next five weeks, we will carry a series of articles from Becta, the government's education ICT agency. To kick us off, chief executive Stephen Crowne explains their strategy for the future of ICT in schoolsStephen CrowneStephen CrowneSearch for more papers by this authorStephen CrownePublished Online:18 Feb 2014https://doi.org/10.12968/sece.2008.9.1270AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextView EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 1 September 2008Volume 2008Issue 9ISSN (print): 1479-7704ISSN (online): 2755-290X Metrics History Published online 18 February 2014 Published in print 1 September 2008 Information© MA Education Ltd 2008

The role of soft computing in the future of ICT

The role of soft computing in the future of ICT

The Impact of ICT on Professional Practice in the Nigerian Construction Industry

AbstractThe potential of ICT for improving the quality of professional services in the construction industry is generally acknowledged. While reports abound on ICT in the construction industries of developed countries, very little exists for developing countries. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the current state of ICT in professional practice in the Nigerian construction industry in the context of a developing economy.A survey of the current state of ICT in architectural, engineering and quantity surveying practices in the Nigerian construction industry was conducted in South West Nigeria. The results indicated that while core architectural, engineering and quantity surveying functions (like drawing, engineering design and preparation of bills of quantities respectively) have been largely computerised, data and document management is still done in the traditional way in most cases. The Internet is gaining popularity with over 60% of the respondents currently connected. For now most of the professionals use the Internet mainly for e‐mails and its potentials in more strategically important areas like e‐business and electronic data transfer are yet to be fully exploited.The impact of ICT on professional practice has been mainly in making jobs easier for the professions, facilitating decision‐making and savings in operating costs, among others. The notoriously inefficient national electric power supply system and the high cost of computer hardware and software in relation to the dwindling fortunes of the professions in Nigeria's depressed economy are the key obstacles to increased investments in ICT. However, most of the respondents (about 80%) were optimistic about the future of ICT in the Nigerian construction industry, with plans for major new ICT investments in teleworking, videoconferencing and electronic data management (EDM). These findings, it is hoped, should guide the construction industry in Nigeria in adopting appropriate policies to internalise the globally acclaimed benefits of ICT.

Editorial: Rhetoric and reality—the present and future of ICT in education

Editorial: Rhetoric and reality—the present and future of ICT in education

Africa and ICT: A Chance for Breakthrough?

This article reviews the current situation of ICTs in Africa and assesses the degree of proliferation of new technologies around the continent. Particular attention is paid to exploring the problem of the digital divide and specifying the key factors that impede the spread of ICT progress on the continent. There are several realistic ways in which African nations may benefit from ICT, including immediate and tangible results in medicine, education and economic development. The authors set forth a number of recommendations on bridging the infrastructure and knowledge gap. They also evaluate the efficiency of regional initiatives and international assistance programmes to Africa for enhancing the ICT sector and study the phenomenon of cultural imperialism in this respect. In conclusion, the authors speculate on the future of ICT in Africa and on the continent's ability to bridge the development gap with the help of new technologies.