ICT Investment Research Articles

Information System Management and Zimbabwe Manufacturing Firms Performance. A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

There has been extensive research on how information communication technology (ICTM) management competencies might increase operational effectiveness. This study examined the impact of management ICT on the internal operations of a business, blending resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities theory (DCT) perspectives. The analyses in the study cover ICT support for management decision-making abilities on Harare's manufacturing operational firms' performance (OPF). Sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) is a mediator in the research model to enhance the firm's performance—data from 201 managers employed by the manufacturing firm informed the findings. The research hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) that was analysed using SPSS version 24 and AMOS version 21. The results reveal that investment in ICT should be linked to firms' core competencies to maximise firms' value. The results also indicate that effective management of ICT significantly impacts business performance by helping firms achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The study contributes to the literature by combining the RBV and DCT perspectives to explore the impact of ICT competencies on manufacturing firms' performance. The paper recommends that manufacturing firms in Zimbabwe invest more in information communication technology to compete effectively in global markets.

Nexus Among ICT Support for Core Competencies, Competitive Advantage and Firm Performance: A Managerial Phenomenology Approach

This study analysed the nexus among ICT support for core competencies, competitive advantage and firm performance using data obtained from managers of firms in Harare, Zimbabwe. The qualitative phenomenological approach focused on the manufacturing and service sub-sectors that informed the analysis. The study used purposive sampling to select a sample of 10 participants, five business managers and five ICT experts. In-depth interviews with chosen ICT experts from business organisations in Harare, Zimbabwe, were conducted to gather qualitative data. The study's findings were from using within-case and cross-case qualitative data analysis. Key results from the study indicate that ICT support for management talent is perceived to impact business performance and competitive advantage positively. ICT support for core competencies gives businesses a competitive advantage that positively impacts operational performance. When ICT investments combine with ICT management skills, a company's value maximises. For ICT-enabled core competencies to influence firm performance, firms need complementary managerial and strategic capabilities. This study is distinctive because it addresses the dynamic organisational capabilities and resource-based perspective as the base theories. The methodology goes against the innovation adoption theories of comparable earlier studies on ICT acceptability. Thus, this study contributes to the growing body of ICT literature by demonstrating that ICT-enabled core competencies are insufficient to establish and maintain a competitive advantage and singularly influence firm performance. It made it even more essential for a firm to consider how to meet better customer needs and capture value by having a well-thought-out ICT-embedded business model, business strategy, and innovation alignment

Use of ICT to Promote Literacy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Literacy, accessibility, technology and digital education are central concerns of this article. The iconic theme is the use of ICT to promote literacy in the region of Sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, today more than ever, literacy remains a major challenge for such region. In view of the social environment and economic crisis, the future of the strategies of literacy dependent, among other things, on Sub-Saharan of significant investments in innovation and ICT, in order to consolidate the integration of programs literacy in the recent approaches based on ICT. Indeed, the development of mobile technology, the convergence of all media to digital media and the rapid development of the Internet have changed the portrait of the sector of literacy on Africa. An important point to remember is that this region faces an illiteracy to double facet, digital illiteracy at the same time classic illiteracy. However, the efficiency of the integration of ICT in literacy does not depend so much on technological advances but rather on the effective implementation of these programs to improve the Sub-Saharan populations’ daily lives. In fact, this study highlights good practices and also a set of constraints and challenges that continue to hamper the creation, implementation of literacy programs and activities, notably through the use of ICT in the Sub-Saharan African countries. At the same time, this study allows to locate a number of challenges and opportunities for the ICT and literacy in the region.

Adoption of information and communication technology on service delivery in federal university libraries in Nigeria

The aim of this study is to investigate effects of the adoption of ICT facilities on service delivery in federal university libraries in Nigeria. With the advent of Information and Communication Technologies, provision of library services to users has considerably changed. As a result of these changes, library users are expected to witness changes in search of their day to day information needs in the library for maximum satisfaction. In order to be enterprising, library professionals have fully incorporated the use of ICT facilities in their operation and services. The study was purposively determined level of adoption of ICT facilities and services were survey research designed was adopted using the population of Two hundred and Seventy three (273) librarians as the sample size for the study. Data collection was carried out using questionnaire as an instrument where data analysis was done using frequency counts for answering research questions while hypothesis was tested using chi-square. The study found adequate level of adopted ICT facilities and library services in first-generation federal university libraries and concluded that since the findings of the study indicates a relationship between the level of facilities and services (including educational services) provided, the need for substantial investment in ICT and continuous upgrading of existing facilities and training become imperative for optimal benefits of modern education. The study finally recommended that; librarians should be given adequate and continuous training to effectively operate the ICT facilities.

Digital activity of Polish small enterprises

Purpose: Digital transformation affects all spheres enterprises operate in regardless of their size and industry. Its impact is analyzed by the representatives of various sciences and business practitioners as well as. The objective of the article is to present theoretical and empirical research on the digital activity of Polish small enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: Two methods were used to achieve the objective. The method of literature review consisted in the analysis of literature in the field of digitalization and digital transformation. It gave the foundation for the development of methodological assumptions. The diagnostic poll method with the use of the survey technique was employed to conduct the empirical study among Polish small enterprises. The results of the research allowed the organizations’ activity to be assessed. Findings: The study indicated that the digital activity of Polish small enterprises is not satisfactory. Their innovation is low, investment in ICT is sporadic and insufficient. Predominantly, the enterprises implement ICT solutions which do not require expert digital competences. The surveyed companies recognize the benefits of digitalization and its significant impact on opportunities for development. Digitalization is hampered by fears of incurring high costs, necessity of employing IT specialists or supplementing digital competences of the management and employees. Research limitations/implications: The present study examined the issue of digital activity of small enterprises and enabled the adopted research assumptions to be verified. Prospective research may analyze the digital activity of the surveyed enterprises in terms of age, size and industry groups. Practical implications: The research allowed practical problems of digitalization of small businesses to be identified. A consecutive round of the study conducted in the following year would be worthwhile in order to analyze the dynamics of digital transformation in this sector. Originality/value: The originality of the research consists in introducing the concept of digital activity of enterprises and its assessment exclusively in relation to small enterprises, which are the weakest link in the SME sector. Keywords: small enterprises, digital activity, digital transformation. Category of the paper: Research paper.

Determinants of Labour Force Participation in Nigeria: The Role of Expansion in Tertiary Education and Internet

The aim of this study is to examine the determinants of labour force participation in Nigeria. The Fully Modified OLS was used to investigate the relationship between labour force participation rate and, life expectancy rate, trade openness, education (% secondary), education (% tertiary), labour tax wedge, dummy variable for era of expansion tertiary education in Nigeria, ratio of service to industry, and number of internet users from 1990 to 2021. The series were tested for the stationarity with ADF and the results showed that all the series were stationary at first difference. The Johansen cointegration technique was employed to examine the existence of long run relationship among the series and the result showed the existence of six cointegration equation among the series. The findings of the study showed that life expectancy rate, internet, and the interaction of tertiary education, dummy variable for the expansion of tertiary education in Nigeria and internet contribute significantly to labour force participation in Nigeria. The authors concluded that expansion in tertiary education combined with access to internet is a necessity for labour force participation in Nigeria. The authors therefore recommended that there should be improvement in social infrastructure as to enhance good living conditions among the population; thereby, increase their lifespan. In addition, the recent investment in ICT should be sustained in order to ensure that great numbers of Nigerians, especially students have access to internet. Lastly, the government can liberalise the economy to give room for foreign investors’ involvement in manufacturing of ICT infrastructure and accessories.

ТЕХНОЛОГИИ КАК ДРАЙВЕР ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО РАЗВИТИЯ: РИСКИ И ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ПОЛИТИКИ «НОВОЙ ИНФРАСТРУКТУРЫ» В КНР

The author analyzes the new infrastructure development policy in the PRC, which implies the implementation of high-tech infrastructure projects aimed at digitalization and development of science. Similar to previous government infrastructure programs, it is intended to be a tool to stimulate economic growth. The prevalence of business investment over state funding, as well as the lower required amount of investment (less than RMB 20 trillion over 5 years) compared to traditional infrastructure, may reduce debt risks. However, relatively low utilization of new infrastructure facilities and the lack of a proven link between ICT investment and economic growth in less developed regions indicate that new infrastructure is unlikely to make the economic development of PRC regions more even.

ВПЛИВ ЦИФРОВОЇ ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ НА КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНІСТЬ СЕКТОРА ІНФОРМАЦІЙНО-КОМУНІКАЦІЙНИХ ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ

The article examined the development of the digital economy, we gained an understanding of its main characteristics, key factors of growth and the main directions of digital transformation in the economic sphere of organizations. These results are aimed at improving the quality, efficiency and reliability of information analysis when making management decisions aimed at increasing the innovative capacity of the digital economy and removing obstacles to its transformation. The main focus is on how the latest digital innovations and their application in other industries affect the position of the ICT sector in the market. The authors analyze how digital transformation can become a tool for increasing efficiency and competitive advantages in the field of ICT, as well as what challenges and opportunities arise in this context for representatives of the industry. The results of the study can be useful for entrepreneurs, researchers and government structures interested in the development of information and communication technologies and their role in the modern digital economy. The main findings of our research include a new concept and classification of spheres of activity and ensuring the competitiveness of the digital economy, which divides it into the digital sector and the sector where digital technologies are used. A system of indicators was created to study the development of the digital economy, which is based on international standards of ICT statistics, national accounts, investments and foreign trade. In addition, indicators based on a new classification of spheres of activity in the digital economy were introduced. It was established that the content of the elements of the digital economy can be revealed based on the results of the digital transformation of the economic activity of organizations. This system is divided into five blocks, including ICT indicators, indicators of the specific digital sector, organizations' spending on technology, digital skills of the population and indicators of company transformation. A methodology was also developed for a detailed assessment of the ICT sector, including calculation methods for determining the contribution to various aspects of the digital economy.

Financial inclusion and post-harvest losses in West African economic and Monetary Union

PurposePost-harvest losses are major problems faced by farmers and this is due to their poor access to credit considered as a low rate of financial inclusion. This paper aims at analysing the relationship between financial inclusion and post-harvest losses in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).Design/methodology/approachThe study engaged data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO] for post-harvest losses. Also, it engaged data from Banque Centrale des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest [BCEAO] for financial inclusion over the period 2000 to 2020. The study applied the Instrumental Variable Two-Stage Least Squares (IV-2SLS) and Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) to test the robustness of the results.FindingsThe results show that financial inclusion reduces post-harvest losses by 1.2%. Therefore, given this result, policies to improve farmers’ access to credit by increasing the rate of financial inclusion, is a necessary condition for the reduction of post-harvest losses.Social implicationsSocial implication of this study is that it contributes to the policy debate on the enhancement of food security by reducing post-harvest losses. The reduction in post-harvest losses and food security, will improve the welfare and livelihood of the society. This aims for the actualization of sustainable development goal of food and nutrition security (SDG-2).Originality/valueThe findings imply that efforts by governments and policymakers to improve farmers’ access to credit by increasing the rate of financial inclusion would reduce post-harvest losses in West African countries that are members of the WAEMU. Also, investment in education, ICT and building warehouse for farmers will help in reducing post-harvest losses. It implies that educated farmers have more opportunities to be financially inclusive than those who are not educated.

The effects of urbanization, ICT, fertilizer usage, and foreign direct investment on carbon dioxide emissions in Ghana.

Rising levels of carbon dioxide emissions in emerging countries has become a concern to all and there are calls for urgent action to curtail this. Ghana's government has in recent times sought to achieve higher economic growth at a lower carbon emission rate. With the current development of the country, this study analyzed the effect of urbanization, fertilizer usage, foreign direct investment (FDI), and ICT development on carbon dioxide emissions in Ghana. Time series data for 1971-2018 period was analyzed using autoregressive distributed lag regression approach within the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework. From regression analysis, while the EKC hypothesis was not validated for aggregate carbon emissions, it was found that urbanization has a negative and significant impact on aggregate carbon emissions, whereas FDI and ICT infrastructure have positive impacts on the same in the both long run and short run. Fertilizer usage is seen to interact with urbanization to reduce carbon emissions at the aggregate and sectoral levels. It was found that although ICT helps reduce emissions at some sectoral levels, it was not enough to lower emissions at the aggregate level. Among other things, it is important for Ghana to take a critical assessment of its FDI sources and engagements to ensure that it does not become a sink for high toxic-emitting industries. Intensive education on efficient usage of fertilizer is also needed. It is important for policymakers to critically assess ways and means by which ICT development can be deployed to reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions in the country.

The Impact of ICT Investments on GDP in Central and South-East Europe

The Impact of ICT Investments on GDP in Central and South-East Europe

Performance analysis of telecommunications regulations in Nigeria: A quality of service approach

The revolution of wireless communications regulations in Nigeria signifies enhancement in ICT innovation, investment opportunities, fair competition and inclusive growth through, strategic collaboration and partnerships to protect and empower consumers. The demand for data in the 4G (Fourth Generation networks) and 5G (Fifth Generation networks) is becoming excessively high and the solution is being investigated to effectively utilize the available spectrum at the physical layer across different protocols to speed-up bandwidth access from 2.5 to 10 times to support new high-performance applications (e.g. e-health, high definition video streaming, network gaming, e-commerce, e-government etc.) To realize the above targets the operators need to provide some form of Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) assurance. The 8-Point Agenda of the EVC/CEO of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) factored upon a tripod of Availability, Accessibility and Affordability of Service, the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the National Telecommunications Policy, the Strategic Management Plan of the Commission, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy and other extant regulatory provisions are utilized to regulate telecommunications services and promote universal access in Nigeria. This paper reviewed the QoS Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) like The CSSR, DCR, SDCONG, and TCHCONG CSSR, MTTR, and Power Availability for 2G, 3G and 4G according to the International Telecommunications Union Standards (ITU-T) and NCC criteria. Literature review on QoS and congestion control analysis were conducted and the research gaps were identified for the development of effective regulations and operational excellence. Recommendations were made on the way forward to explore the optimization of electricity supply to base station using hybrid system, renewable and green energy to reduce operational cost and emissions.

Towards the Tyrell corporation? Digitisation, firm-size and productivity divergence in Spain

Digitisation has raised concerns about how it can transform the growth of productivity in firms and its divergence around the world. Given that literature has focused mainly on confirming firm productivity gaps, research on the explanatory role of digital-based complementarities in productivity gaps has been scarce. This work aims to provide evidence on the digital divide and its causes in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and in large firms. Using a sample of 5,840 Spanish SMEs and large firms during the 1991–2016 period, results reflect a growing divergence in total factor productivity, both for SMEs and for large firms. Moreover, they also show that the productivity gap becomes more evident when firms develop digital-based complementarities, particularly those derived from ICT investment, R&D activities and product innovation. Firm strategies and policy implications of the results obtained are also discussed.

Fast as a gazelle – young firms gaining from educational diversity

ABSTRACT Young, high-growth firms, so-called gazelles, are an important source of growth and industry dynamics. However, our understanding is lacking on how knowledge competences support high growth among young firms. This article aims to fill this gap by utilising firm and employee knowledge stocks, and diversity in educational backgrounds. The firm’s stock of knowledge capital is measured by intangible capital that is calculated from organisational, product development and ICT investments. The employees’ knowledge stock is approximated by their completed educational degrees. Our data originate from Danish registers and covers 2000–2016. The findings indicate that intangible capital has the potential to increase the likelihood of becoming a gazelle. We further find that educational diversity is beneficial but is moderated by firms’ knowledge intensity.

Information and Communications Technology and the Level of Income in Africa

Information and communications technology has been identified as a factor that drives income, economic growth, and development. Because of this, several studies have been conducted to ascertain ICT's effects on economic growth. However, such studies failed to examine whether real per capita income influences the effect of ICT on income level and whether the effect of ICT on income level differs among regions of African countries. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of ICT on income level. Specifically, it examined whether real per capita income influences the effect of ICT on income level and whether the effect of ICT on income level differs among the sub-regions of African countries. Thus, empirical models were estimated using the panel regression analysis with fixed-effect and random-effect estimators. The results show that ICT positively affects income level in Africa, and real income per capita influences the effect of ICT on income level. In contrast, the effect of ICT on income level differs among African regions. The effect is larger in Eastern, Southern, and Northern African countries than in other regions. Therefore, authorities should consider investment in ICT as a tool or mechanism for enhancing income.

Expediting ICT Policy Implementation in Malawi Through Public-Private Partnership

This paper analysed the role of public private partnership (PPP) in expediting ICT policy implementation. The study used the case of Malawi as an example of a low-income status country in Africa. Data for the study was gathered through key informant interviews and verified using secondary data. The findings showed that public private partnership supported the development and endorsement of the ICT policy as a priority of government activities. Further, the public private partnership supported ICT sector improvements in legal and regulatory frameworks, human capacity, telecommunications infrastructure, and ICT access in public institutions. The government benefited from the external parties in supporting the ICT investment programs. To some extent, ICT policy implementation focused more on the strategic level of government programs and the supply side of the ICT sector. The study offers insights into how the public private partnership supported execution of ICT policy programs, processes, and politics in the context of a developing country.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] CHALLENGES CONFRONTING MULTI-CAMPUS INSTITUTIONS GIVEN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT LACUNA

This qualitative study examines the experiences of undergraduate students at the University of The Free State to ascertain ICT teaching-learning challenges resulting from the abrupt switch to e-learning in developing countries vis-à-vis the effects of social development lacuna. The finding revealed a lack of learning devices by some students, internet connectivity issues, high data cost, need to upgrade the technological knowhow of education participants, limited classroom engagements due to large classes, and a lack of foundational social development facilities that can augment smooth transition into the post-pandemic predictable future of education. The study recommends that (1) disadvantaged background students lacking learning devices be assisted; (2) the University continue to strengthen blended learning; ICT upskilling for the students and staff; increase investment in ICT and maintain continuous training to improve staff’s technological skills; (3) reduce large class sizes; and (4) indulge in more collaboration towards solving the problems of resource constraints. The also recommends that the mental health of students be monitored frequently given the pressure of enduring hectic COVID-19-induced challenges relating to the abrupt switch to e-learning. The study anticipates setbacks regarding the use of ICT in teaching and learning going into the post-pandemic. It, therefore, recommends an upgrade of social development, especially in the area of ICT infrastructure and digitalisation in developing nations.

Application of the technology acceptance model to assess the use and preferences of ICTs among field-level extension officers in Bangladesh

Investment in ICTs has not always yielded the expected results due to inadequate usage of ICTs by extension staffs. Our study aims to present a more general account of the use of ICTs and preferences of extension and advisory workers at the grassroots level. Following the technology acceptance model (TAM) and Dillman survey method, a google form was used to collect data from 131 sub-district level extension officers covering 48 (out of 64) districts of Bangladesh. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling was used to analyse the data and test the complex causal relationship of TAM components. Results revealed that the extension and advisory workers obtained ICT tools from the extension organization but received insufficient organizational supports to purchase internet packages, maintenance costs, and training to continue the use of it. Factor like perceived usefulness of ICTs positively influenced the extension workers' intention to use ICT-based information systems. A better understanding of the underlying reasoning behind the intention to use ICTs could aid future intervention design and facilitate ICT adoption in extension services in Bangladesh and beyond.

Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Public Sector Productivity Growth in Nigeria

This paper examined the impact of information and communication technology on public sector productivity growth from 2000 to 2019 in Nigeria. It also explained the effects of past or lag productivity growth values on current productivity growth in Nigeria. The paper employed the autoregressive model and technique to estimate and analyze the data. The study reviewed relevant literature on the impact of ICT on productivity. The literature review suggests that ICT is positively related to productivity, but a large number of studies have not demonstrated that in Nigeria. The results revealed that ICT had a significant positive impact on public sector productivity growth in Nigeria. The result also indicated that past-period productivity growth significantly influences current-period public sector productivity growth in Nigeria. That explained the autoregressive nature of productivity growth. The paper also provided evidence that capital, labour, education output and foreign direct investment significantly influence public sector productivity growth in Nigeria. The policy recommendations of the paper include that the Public Sector should be provided with more ICT investments and infrastructures by the Government to optimize ICT potential in the country. The Government should upgrade the ICT skills deficiency among employees in the Public Sector to improve performance, to mention but few.

Leveraging ICT investments in financial institutions in Oman

Leveraging ICT investments in financial institutions in Oman