Information And Communication Technology Network Research Articles

Knowledge and ICT based networks: towards a taxonomy

Abstract Purpose The article proposes a taxonomy of knowledge-based and information and communication technology (ICT) networks based on a systematic literature review. The specific objectives focus on (1) presenting knowledge-based and ICT network models, indicating their theoretical context (trends); (2) identifying proposals for knowledge-based network models in the literature (based on SLR); (3) developing a taxonomy of knowledge-based network models; and (4) indicating the directions of their development. Design/methodology/approach The systematic literature review (SLR) methodology was used, which allows not only for a formalized and objectified synthesis of the existing scientific achievements or for the evaluation of previous research. In addition, the “snowball” method was used, and its application was supported by the use of the ResearchRabbit tool. In addition, the taxonomy method (typological analysis, typological approach) was used. Findings The results of SLR were presented: a list of selected types of knowledge-based and ICT networks along with a discussion of the results, and the author’s proposals for a taxonomy of knowledge-based and ICT networks were presented along with a synthetic description of the leading models. The directions of their development were also indicated. Practical implications (*if any, optional). The practical usefulness of the proposal contained in the study is related to the possibility of using the proposed concept to evaluate various types of network models, which will enable the formulation of diagnostic findings and conducting comparative and dynamic research in the field of analysis and evaluation of knowledge-based and ICT-based network models. Originality/value The added value of the article is related to the development of a proprietary taxonomy of knowledge- and ICT-based networks and, consequently, to the organization and systematization of models of these networks. This taxonomy is a valuable tool for organizing and categorizing information systematically. When it comes to knowledge and ICT-based networks, a taxonomy can help classify and understand the different types and components involved in starting point division into network models that were created as a result of the virtualization process and models that were created as a result of exchange processes and the flow of intangible assets. The added value is also related to the practical usefulness of the developed taxonomy.

Impact of ICT and social networks on students: An analysis of gender-based attitudinal profiles

High levels of Internet usage are prevalent among young people. Alongside this increased use, dangerous attitudes and practices among students have been observed. This study aimed to analyse the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) among high school students, their attitudes, and the relationship with gender. A sample of 869 participants aged 11 to 18 was selected, and we developed the Internet Use and Attitudes Scale for Virtual Social Networks (VSN). This scale comprises subscales assessing VSN dependence, parental control, enhancement of social relationships, and engagement in violent behaviour and consumption of inappropriate content. After validating this scale, we employed latent profile analysis to discern unique behavioural and attitudinal profiles among the students. The analysis yielded three distinct groups. The majority (66%) fell into the “Positive Attitude” group (52% female, 48% male). The “Negative Attitude” group represented 29% (49.5% female, 50.5% male), and the “Dangerous Attitude” group comprised 5% (28.3% female, 71.7% male). The “Dangerous Attitude” profile exhibited the highest levels of VSN dependency, violence, and inappropriate content consumption. Males were overrepresented in this category. These findings provide greater insight into problematic Internet use among students, revealing gender disparities. Males were more likely to engage in dangerous online activities like cyberbullying and accessing inappropriate content. Targeted interventions addressing negative attitudes and violent cyberbehaviours are needed, especially for male students. This research enriches our understanding of youth’s online habits, attitudes, and risks.

TARGETS OF MUSIC INDUSTRY IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES: A SHORT REVIEW

The object of this paper is to set grounds for future research in music business by carrying out scientific literature review analysing music industry from global economy perspective. Since technologies are sensitive to time a time frame for the research was set from 2020 until 2022. Only articles in English and Lithuanian were analysed. In total there were 75 articles used for the basis of the research in “Web of Science” database. According to their content, these articles were categorized into 5 sections: ICT (information and communication technologies) and neural networks; New business ventures; Creativity and education; Intellectual property rights and blockchain technology; Digitization, streaming. Research of scientific articles was a result of a compound search of keywords music industry and technologies. In order to widen the search keywords were used with a logic operator “or”. Scientific review of the articles showed that technologies affect the music business in these areas: lessened limitations, satisfied customer needs, digital economy force, overtaking old systems, collaboration, staying relative and creative, fighting against homogenization, digital education, increased safety and security, increased financial gain and market share, autonomous and transparent intellectual rights, eliminating piracy, content accessibility, artistic relevance. In order to carry out representative and valid research in music business, more research has to focus on the global aspects of how this industry operates. This article is a steppingstone in that direction showing which aspects of the business are discussed at the moment thus enabling other scientists to start narrowing the gap and provide more in-depth research. The findings suggest that research towards providing solutions to music industry participants on how to effectively deal with fast approaching technological advancements is necessary.

The impact of digital services through ICT on business creation around the world

ABSTRACT We explore the effect of digital services on entrepreneurial activity in 153 countries during 2006–2019. Digital services are measured by the volume of the digital services that can be delivered over information and communication technologies (ICT) networks, including among others, sales and digital marketing. Entrepreneurship is measured by the number and density of new business registrations. Controlling for other economic, institutional, and technological factors, fixed effects regression was used to capture country heterogeneity. Our results show a significant positive association between the level of digital services and entrepreneurial activity across countries through ICT networks represented mainly by digital marketing, which is found to have a direct effect on new business opportunities. Our results remain robust after applying sensitivity tests and endogeneity analysis as well as using alternative control variables. These results have important implications for entrepreneurs and policymakers. Entrepreneurs are provided with insights about the importance of encouraging digital entrepreneurship by focusing on ICT infrastructure, mainly digital marketing. Second, governments need to pay more attention to promoting digitization policies to encourage entrepreneurship.

The impact of ICT use on entrepreneurial performance: evidence from Chinese microenterprises

ABSTRACT Following the outbreak of COVID-19, information and communication technology (ICT), as a part of digital technology, was of particular help to microenterprises in obtaining resources. Drawing upon Conservation of Resources Theory, we investigated the impact of ICT use on entrepreneurial performance. To examine our hypotheses, data were collected from 206 Chinese microenterprises. The results suggest that ICT use was positively related to entrepreneurial performance, that network capabilities mediated the relationship between ICT use and entrepreneurial performance and that perceived ICT usefulness moderated the relationship between ICT use and network capabilities. Finally, the implications, limitations and future research directions will be discussed.

Relationship between internet attitude and internet self-efficacy: ICT competence and network interaction as mediators

Exploring mechanisms to enhance students’ internet self-efficacy is of great importance for improving students’ online learning. This study examined the relationship between internet attitude and internet self-efficacy along with the mediating roles of information and communication technologies (ICT) competence and network interaction. The sample included 931 K-12 students from 18 classes in Hubei Province, China. Multilevel regression analysis revealed that ICT competence and network interaction play critical and comparable mediating roles in the relationship between internet attitude and self-efficacy, accounting for about half of the total effects. These findings indicate that improving student ICT competence and facilitating their network interactions during the learning process are effective alternative ways to develop K-12 students’ internet self-efficacy.

The influence of teacher support on vocational college students' information literacy: The mediating role of network perceived usefulness and information and communication technology self-efficacy.

This paper uses the network perceived usefulness scale, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) self-efficacy scale, teacher support questionnaire and higher vocational students' information literacy scale to explore the multiple intermediary functions of network perceived usefulness and ICT self-efficacy in teacher support and higher vocational students' information literacy from the perspective of multiple intermediary effects, and uses structural equation model for data modeling and analysis. The results show that the information literacy of higher vocational students is positively correlated with teacher support, usefulness of network perception and ICT self-efficacy. Teachers' support is positively correlated with ICT self-efficacy and network perceived usefulness, and network perceived usefulness and ICT self-efficacy play a significant mediating role between teachers' support and information literacy of higher vocational students. Based on the research results, some suggestions are put forward to guide teachers to help students clearly recognize the role of information technology, improve ICT self-efficacy, improve information literacy and better integrate into digital society.

“You only do it with people you know”: A case study of acquisition strategies by cannabis engagers in Riga, Latvia

This paper explores the cannabis market dynamics in a country that is not known for generating its own novel evidence-base or policies, using 27 in-depth semistructured interviews with primary cannabis engagers in Riga, Latvia. Primary cannabis engagers are defined as those with first-hand cannabis experience (e.g. use, production or distribution). Recent studies from other nations demonstrate the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) in unregulated substance markets. While darknet marketplaces or social media applications are increasingly positioned as alternatives to the offline market, this study finds that digital tools are seldom used for purchasing cannabis in Riga’s sample. Offline social networks and social supply play a vital role in the acquisition of cannabis and mediate access to commercial dealers. Both ICT and social networks are, however, used for learning about strategies for cannabis harm reduction.

Intrusion Detection Based on Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix and 2D Dispersion Entropy

The Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is an important tool to mitigate cybersecurity threats in an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure. The function of the IDS is to detect an intrusion to an ICT system or network so that adequate countermeasures can be adopted. Desirable features of IDS are computing efficiency and high intrusion detection accuracy. This paper proposes a new anomaly detection algorithm for IDS, where a machine learning algorithm is applied to detect deviations from legitimate traffic, which may indicate an intrusion. To improve computing efficiency, a sliding window approach is applied where the analysis is applied on large sequences of network flows statistics. This paper proposes a novel approach based on the transformation of the network flows statistics to gray images on which Gray level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) are applied together with an entropy measure recently proposed in literature: the 2D Dispersion Entropy. This approach is applied to the recently public IDS data set CIC-IDS2017. The results show that the proposed approach is competitive in comparison to other approaches proposed in literature on the same data set. The approach is applied to two attacks of the CIC-IDS2017 data set: DDoS and Port Scan achieving respectively an Error Rate of 0.0016 and 0.0048.

ПРОБЛЕМЫ ИНФОРМАЦИОННО-КОММУНИКАЦИОННЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ В ПЕРИОД СТАНОВЛЕНИЯ ЦИФРОВОЙ ЭКОНОМИКИ И ОБЩЕСТВА

Modern society develops under the influence of scientific and technological progress. New relationships in economy, production, education, personal life, new financial instruments and new threats arise. Relevant issues are identifying problems and prospects of development of information and communication technologies (ICT) during the formation of the digital economy and society. The purpose of the article is to systematize the major problems that arise in the development of ICT during the formation of the digital economy and to identify possible consequences of this process. It is proved that introduction of the newest ICT and digital services leads to significant changes in the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the life of the society and are of an institutional nature. Singled out a number of problems during the development of ICT in the digital society, including: digital divide; lack of funds for innovative upgrades; inconsistency of modern education and public administration with the requirements of a new society; shortage of skilled personnel; contradictions between traditional and up-to-date management practices and corruption; activation of cybercrime; the need to create a list of social digital services; international migration of highly skilled personnel. Positive signs in ICT: the continuation of old social and labor activity of citizens; change the semantic content of work towards its intellectualization with the possibility of additional income; increase of ecological economy; creation of new remote jobs; new opportunities for education, tourism, medicine, etc. Systematized negative consequences, namely the growth of cybercrime increasing psychological problems of personality, dependent on ICT networks and energy efficiency, the lack of security of personal space, the need for rapid response to innovative replacement. The proposed measures are aimed at transforming Ukraine into a center of information and communications and digital services for Eastern Europe that can lead to economic breakthrough and overcoming the existing socio-economic crisis. In further studies are planned to develop a model depending on the pace of digitalization processes of society on the pace of economic development.

ICT Performance and Robustness Investigations: Some Ethical and Human Behavior Aspects

There is, in general, no doubt regarding the ethical and human behaviour aspects of the research work of any type. The researchers are thought of working for society and are low paid. However, in the practice of science and technology, they should work, first of all, for system designers who need their support in designing, developing and implementing the systems under investigation. Unfortunately, this is not a popular case in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), where the support of the system and network researchers for the system and network designers, developers and operators is very limited. Considering that, the team of authors of the book (the team) decided to present the design experiences gained during designing, implementing and operating some line of the computer systems and networks in Poland (the country). The country was selected purposefully: Due to the political reasons, various embargos were imposed on the importation of modern equipment and methods of the computer industry, and the team needed very severely good support from the researchers to fulfil the design and development tasks successfully. However, in the ICT domain, which is a relatively new study and, thus, needing the significant support of science in every country, this support was a minute one in practice. In well developed countries, possessing a surplus of hardware and software components, the need for the support was also observed but could be bypassed through using a surplus of supplies or by learning from the design errors. This bypass was much less available in the country in severe economic conditions and the political conditions of the so-called Cold War. The objective of this book is to present the line of the ICT systems and networks under design and operation from the late 1960s and finishing when this book was written, and to present the requirements for the system and the basic support available from this science. The research aspects under consideration were, first of all, the performance evaluation and, for the systems of the 21st century, the robustness evaluation, with the system designers, implementers and operators being the ideal audience. (Imprint: Nova)

Closing the Loop Between Energy Production and Waste Management: A Conceptual Approach Towards Sustainable Development

Interactions between technological solutions for managing waste and energy supply chains are multilateral and can vary significantly, depending on multiple criteria and different characteristics. This concept paper puts forward a conceptual framework for sustainable development based on the notion of “intelligence” for Waste-to-Energy (WtE) strategies. The pillars of intelligence are defined and the quadruple helix model for energy transitions based on waste management is established. The “smart” nodes of a WtE supply chain management are analytically presented and discussed. Nevertheless, the intelligent notion for a supply chain cannot stand on its own. Systematical support of a participatory process is needed via Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and e-techniques to be promoted for collective facilitation and sustainable management. This process encompasses intelligent residents and professionals as producers of waste and smart managers to supervise the supply chain towards sustainable management of energy and waste resources. It is argued that the ICT participatory interface has a multiplying effect, especially when adopting the middle pathway approach in local and/or decentralized level towards smart energy production from waste. Innovative solutions to maximize waste efficiency through the collaborative power of ICT networks is critical to be deployed within local communities. These can be based on internet of things, big data, operational modeling, complex systems science, games and narratives, and social networks. The conceptual framework presented herein provides a basis for decision support towards sustainable development and interaction through a creative pathway of collaboration applicable to all the levels of potential synergies. Main conclusions and future challenges indicate that more research effort is required by the scientific community to leverage on the collaborative power of social networks and to efficiently apply ICT methods for adopting the “socially-oriented” middle pathway approach within communities’ empowerment. Only on this basis may the tale of two challenges have a happy end, both for energy transition and waste management.

Structure and resilience of local knowledge networks: the case of the ICT network in Trentino

ABSTRACT Literature on regional innovation systems (RIS) points to the importance of the knowledge network inside the RIS. Empirics have shown the importance of certain pivotal actors for the RIS, however, their identification differs from case to case due to the different embeddedness of the actors to the knowledge network. This paper traces these influential actors for the Trentino information and communication technologies (ICT) innovation system, by analysing its knowledge network, for understanding their contribution to the resilience of the network. The local knowledge network is developed around a tightly knit core of key actors, whose malfunction would raise several issues for knowledge management and funding.

Innovative Social Media for Foreign Language Learning: A Review of Social Media Types and Their Effects

This review sets out to summarize studies that consist of research-based evidence indicating the effect of social media on language teaching and learning .We probed Information and Communication Technology (ICT), social media, different social networks, and language teaching and learning in academic databases such as ERIC, Springer, Taylor and Francis, Sciencedirect, ProQuest, Elsevier, Scopus, Wiley, and Google Scholar. From 350 studies related to the effects of ICT and social networks on language teaching and learning in the literature, 9o Iranian and international core papers were reviewed. This meticulous review showed that SNSs positively influence the process of the teaching and learning foreign language.

Innovative Social Media for Foreign Language Learning: A Review of Social Media Types and Their Effects

This review sets out to summarize studies that consist of research-based evidence indicating the effect of social media on language teaching and learning .We probed Information and Communication Technology (ICT), social media, different social networks, and language teaching and learning in academic databases such as ERIC, Springer, Taylor and Francis, Sciencedirect, ProQuest, Elsevier, Scopus, Wiley, and Google Scholar. From 350 studies related to the effects of ICT and social networks on language teaching and learning in the literature, 9o Iranian and international core papers were reviewed. This meticulous review showed that SNSs positively influence the process of the teaching and learning foreign language.

Impact of the Integration of Information and Communication Technology on Power System Reliability: A Review

There has been a progressive development in the synthesis of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in power networks recently. ICT systems have become a vital part of every aspect of our daily lives and its integration into the electric power system has become paramount. ICTs support efficient incorporation of activities of all stakeholders of the power system to certify a more cost-effective and sustainable power system. The power system will exhibit intelligent monitoring and control, bidirectional communication between stakeholders and power system elements, security and safety of supply and self-healing qualities. However, asides from the vast benefits ICTs, their implementation within the power network come with some drawbacks which include element failures, failures due to interdependencies as well as vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks. These drawbacks can impact the reliability of the power network negatively. The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of ICTs integration on the reliability of power networks in terms of empirical validation of standard reliability indices. This study groups the findings into four perspectives, including the effects of cyber power interdependencies, ICT infrastructure failures, cyber-attacks and environmental conditions. As expected, results show that failures and maloperations in the ICT network have adverse effects on system reliability and careful considerations need to be made to dampen these shortcomings.

Mathematical Models of Information Operations

The changes occurring in the contemporary world are related to the dynamics of the development of modern technologies and its impact on life of almost every person. Currently, as never before in human history, “everything is interconnected” through ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) networks and systems, creating the so-called cyberspace. Due to wide access to the Internet, social media started to play more significant role in the shaping of public opinion on basically every subject and to broadly impact the way of world perception by people, social groups or whole societies. Current studies presented in the paper, center, around the consistent model of information operations based on the theory of reflective control, disinformation theory and at the same time has regard to information diffusion models in network systems.

The Effects of Information and Communication Technology on Health Service Delivery at Tafo Government Hospital

This study sought to find out the effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on health service delivery at Tafo Government Hospital. A descriptive survey design was used. Data were collected through the use of semi-structured questionnaire and administered to 50 respondents where stratified random sampling technique was used by ranking position as strata. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. From the findings, 56% of the respondents overwhelmingly agreed to the fact that the applications of ICT provide quicker medical diagnoses, reduced workload among users, improvement in patients’ waiting time and information accessibility. Nonetheless, 72% bemoaned lack of ICT infrastructure, poor ICT network concerns coupled with that insufficient knowledge on the use of ICT could impede the impact of ICT in quality service delivery. This could be deduced from the findings that ICT improves collaboration and clinical decision support in facilitating clinical work flow integration among nurses and other medical professionals. Moreover, the findings above affirm the fact that without electricity, ICT infrastructure, insufficient skills and technical knowledge in dealing with ICT innovations, it is impossible to successfully adopt ICT resources in health care delivery. The above findings show that the majority of healthcare professional generally had a positive attitude towards ICT prospects as they rated their skill as fairly well. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health plays a supporting role by investing in health care ICT.

An investigation into the influence of land-use, social networks and information and communication technologies on destination choice for social activities

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) enable individuals to travel more flexibly. The choice of location for social activities has become very flexible. In addition to this, land-use characteristics also play a vital role in the location of social activities. This work aims to analyse the influence of land-use characteristics, ICT use, and social networks in the destination choices for face-to-face social activities of university students during both weekdays and weekends. Students from the two different campuses of the Instituto Superior Técnico were presented with an online questionnaire, which was intended to collect information about their use of ICT and social networks, in addition to their travel characteristics and socio-demographics. Emphasis was made upon capturing the characteristics of social networks and ICT usage. Information on land-use characteristics was obtained from secondary sources. Factor analysis was initially carried out to extract factors related to the use of ICT and social networks; these were later used to model the destination choice for social activities. The alternatives considered for destination choice included: home or the vicinity thereof, university or the vicinity thereof, other locations (further away from home and university), and evenly spread locations – having no specific priority for any of the other three locations considered. The analysis was performed separately for travel during weekdays and weekends so that an understanding of the differences and similarities in behaviour during these different time periods could be garnered. A multinomial logit model was estimated to model this choice. The results point to the relevance of land-use characteristics, the location of close friends, and modes of interaction. Individuals residing in more accessible central, and denser areas, were more likely to have activities distributed evenly across the city. These results stress the relevance of accessibility in allowing larger and more diverse spaces to be used for social activities.

Towards energy efficiency and green network infrastructure deployment in Nepal using software defined IPv6 network paradigm

AbstractThe use of information and communication technology (ICT) has resulted in significant impacts on social welfare, economic growth, transparency, and good governance in developing countries like Nepal. Due to the diverse geographic and economic situations, ICT network and service expansions throughout Nepal have been becoming quite challenging. Private network operators mostly have confined their services to urban areas. Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) collects 2% royalty form Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telecom Operators as Rural Telecommunications Disbursement Fund (RTDF) to enhance ICT services to rural Nepal. Broadband expansion projects initiated by utilizing RTDF to expand ICT infrastructure throughout Nepal are expected to have considerable societal and economical transformations in the rural communities of Nepal. This paper not only presents the current ICT deployment scenario of Nepal but also studies design, analysis, and evaluation of green networking that leverages both software defined networking (SDN), and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)—aka Software Defined IPv6 (SoDIP6)—for energy efficient networking, robust services, and sustainable ICT ecosystem for developing nations like Nepal. We evaluate the SoDIP6 network by considering a typical ISP with end access networks and present benefits and recommendations. Experimental results show that the proposed SoDIP6 network help significantly reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint leading to overall economic benefits to service providers and the society. Furthermore, energy‐saving practices through SoDIP6 networks and some policy directions to the government to focus on green networking considering sensitivity of climate change and global warming impact in the mountainous and developing countries like Nepal are presented.