Information And Communication Technologies Research Articles

The impact of information and communication technologies on international trade: A case of Sub-Saharan Africa

The aim of this research is to analyze the effect of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the bilateral trade flows of the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We use the method of generalized least squares (GLS) panel to correct for correlation and heteroskedasticity problems. We have employed the gravity model extended to ICT to examine the effects of key ICT indicators on bilateral exports and imports. The sample includes 44 African countries of the subcontinent, including 43 countries as partners (importers/exporters) and one reporter country (exporter/importer) and covers the period 2010 to 2019. The results show that access to mobile telephony and the internet, as well as the development of e-commerce, have a great potential for improving intra-African bilateral trade and that the effect of ICT is not unequivocal according to the category of flow considered. However, it emerges from these results that the development of ICT as it is today has not yet succeeded in overturning the argument of physical distance as a barrier to trade in sub-Saharan Africa. The key conclusion is that the establishment of better-quality ICT services and infrastructure is more critical to intra-African trade. African policymakers should accommodate sufficient support to establish the ICT infrastructure and expand ICT penetration by reducing the costs of communication, transactions and access to ICT.

Association Between Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Women’s Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017–2018

Many women justify intimate partner violence (IPV), resulting in adverse health outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between household ownership of information and communication technologies (ICTs), along with the frequency of listening to the radio and watching television with women’s attitudes towards IPV in Bangladesh. The cross-sectional study analyzed a weighted sample of 20,032 women and used a multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the association between predictor variables and outcome variables. The results showed that 19.47% of women justified wife beating for at least one reason. We found that household ownership of computers (AOR = 0.73 [95% CI = 0.57, 0.95]), women in households with three ICTs (AOR = 0.67 [95% CI = 0.47, 0.96]), and women who watched television at least once a week (AOR = 0.85 [95% CI = 0.74, 0.97]) were associated with decreased odds of justifying wife beating for at least one reason after adjustment for the frequency of reading newspaper or magazine, age, wealth, education, religion, and type of place of residence. The study suggests that not all ICTs affect women’s attitudes toward IPV equally. Computers and television were more influential than other ICTs. This finding suggests that awareness-building and educational programs targeted towards women via computer and television may deliver better outcomes about gender norms.

Influential academic factors in the integration of ICT in higher education after the COVID-19 pandemic

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the need to move educational processes to virtual environments and increase the use of digital tools for different teaching uses. This led to a change in the habits of using information and communication technologies (ICT), especially in higher education. This work analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of use of different ICT tools in a sample of 950 Latin American university professors while focusing on the area of knowledge of the participating professors. To this end, a validated questionnaire has been used, the responses of which have been statistically analyzed. As a result, it has been proven that participants give high ratings to ICT but show insufficient digital competences for its use. The use of ICT tools has increased in all areas after the pandemic but in a diverse way. Differences have been identified in the areas of knowledge regarding the use of ICT for different uses before the pandemic. In this sense, the results suggest that Humanities professors are the ones who least use ICT for didactic purposes. On the other hand, after the pandemic, the use of ICT for communication purposes has been homogenized among the different knowledge areas.

Co-Designing in Cultural Tourism: TExTOUR ICT Services and Performance Monitoring System

The enhancement of cultural heritage for tourism can greatly benefit from the opportunities offered by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), promoting greater interaction and integration between all stakeholders and service providers. In recent years, ICT applications and platforms have tended to provide a platform to translate the strategic goals and performance metrics of cultural heritage tourism into comprehensive services tailored to stakeholders’ needs by participating stakeholders. A successful co-designed platform integrates explicit services—requiring specialized software tools—and implicit services, facilitating evaluation processes. This adaptability ensures continuous improvement and alignment with evolving strategies and business objectives. As part of the European project, the development of the TExTOUR open ICT platform marks a significant advancement in leveraging technology within cultural tourism. It exemplifies the creation of a sustainable and adaptable framework, co-designed specifically to support and amplify the strategic objectives of cultural heritage tourism. This approach not only fosters better engagement and management within the sector but also sets a new standard for innovation in cultural tourism practices.

The Influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Supporting Front Office Operational Activities at SSU, Bali

This study aims to determine the influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in supporting front office operational activities at Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali. This study uses quantitative and qualitative descriptive methods. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 24 front office employees with 22 statement indicators based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) concept. The results showed that the majority of respondents strongly agreed with the ease of use of ICT (perceive ease of use), then the majority of employees strongly agreed with the usefulness of ICT (perceive of usefulness), and strongly agreed with the acceptance of technology (acceptance of IT) with the highest average value of 4.29. However, there are several obstacles faced in the use of software and hardware; such as frequent system errors, limited tools and devices that make it uncomfortable. This study concludes that the existence of ICT has a very important influence in supporting front office operational activities because it affects the quality of service provided to guests. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out maintenance and renewal of ICT devices periodically to overcome the obstacles that arise.

Usage of Information technology for the success of managing various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

This study explores the crucial role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on its impact on surveillance, contact tracing, patient monitoring, telemedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), vaccination logistics, communication, and public education. ICT has facilitated the collection and analysis of real-time data, enabling authorities to make informed decisions about containment strategies. Digital contact tracing systems have been instrumental in limiting the virus's spread, while remote patient monitoring and telemedicine have allowed healthcare services to continue with minimal transmission risk. AI and machine learning have enhanced the speed and accuracy of COVID-19 diagnosis, and ICT has streamlined vaccine distribution and monitoring to ensure equitable access. Additionally, online platforms have played a key role in public education, fostering collaboration among researchers and promoting interdisciplinary research efforts. The study emphasizes that the continued integration of ICT into healthcare systems is critical for addressing future global health crises. However, policymakers must invest in ICT infrastructure, bridge the digital divide, and ensure that marginalized populations have equitable access to these technologies. The findings highlight the importance of ongoing ICT development to improve healthcare outcomes in future pandemics and suggest that collaboration across sectors is essential for maximizing the potential of these digital tools. Ultimately, ICT has been pivotal in the effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be vital in future crisis preparedness.

Exploring The Perceptions and Use of Information and Communication Technology Tools Among High School Mathematics Teachers in The Northern Region of Ghana

This study explored the extent to which senior high school mathematics teachers in the Northern Region of Ghana use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in teaching and learning mathematics. A descriptive survey design was employed for the investigation. Using a stratified sampling technique, 20 public high schools in the northern region of Ghana were selected for the study. A simple random sampling was used to select 100 teachers (i.e., 50 teachers from urban and 50 teachers from rural schools) from the 20 schools for the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data for the study. The findings revealed that the mathematics teachers’ perceived knowledge of the benefits of ICT usage for instructional delivery, assessment, and professional learning networks in mathematics were low compared to their actual usage of the ICTs for the same purposes. The findings suggest that the participants utilize ICTs more for social networking than for instructional delivery, assessment, and professional development in mathematics. Further, the findings showed a positive relationship between the teachers’ perceived knowledge of the benefits of ICTs usage for instructional delivery and their actual use of ICTs for instructional delivery. Mathematics teachers from urban schools use ICTs for all instructional purposes more than their peers from rural schools. Implications for ICT policies, teacher training, and professional development are provided.

ICT Integration and Students’ 21st-Century Learning Skills in ELT

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become essential in developing nations in recent years, greatly influencing a number of industries, including ELT and education. However, although incorporating technology into instruction is emphasized in today's educational environment, research on how these affects students’ abilities for 21st-century learning has yielded mixed results that leads to the inconsistent information, including in Indonesia. Therefore, to address this issue, ICT integration in ELT and its impact on students' learning capabilities at SMA N 3 Yogyakarta are examined in this qualitative case study. Data from 10 grade X participants spread across five classrooms were collected through document analysis, classroom observation, and in-depth interviews. The results showed that ICT integration is common, mostly at the passive and amplification levels. Citizenship, collaboration, creativity, and communication all showed positive effects; however, critical thinking and character still need further evaluation. To get the most out of ICT and help instructors develop 21st-century abilities, effective teaching methods and frameworks are advised. It is also suggested that standardized rules and guidelines should be established for the incorporation of ICT in education.

A two-tier database architecture framework for combating cyber threats

The 21st century has witnessed a lot of advancements in science and technology. One may not be wrong to assert that the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and its allied disciplines like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Nanotechnology have taken the lead as we witness new developments in these areas year by year. The products and services we utilize and enjoy are evidence of the usefulness of this advancement in science and technology. It is worthy of note that the interest of many (both good and bad in the discipline of ICT), is being ignited by the fact that ICT finds its applicability virtually in every area of human endeavor. In this study, we propose a two tier database architecture that employs an Object-Oriented Analysis Design Methodology (OOADM) using the Unified Modelling Language (UML). The choice of this methodology is because we need to present every stage of the study from analysis to the design phases. With the help of the chosen methodology, we analyzed the existing frameworks, identified the weaknesses, and as a result, we further surveyed algorithms used for reliable data security. From the results obtained from the survey, we employed the SHA-256 algorithm because of its strength in data security, and the Argon2 hashing algorithm which is one of the best algorithms for securing database credentials. In the end, we provide an enhanced framework made up of the chosen algorithms and a two-dimensional database (2-DDb), which could be implemented to effectively combat attacks on important databases.

Challenges to the Digital Inclusion of Women in a Vulnerable Area in ColombiaDesafios da inclusão digital das mulheres em uma área vulnerável na Colômbia

To identify women's technological capabilities and describe their appropriation and use of technology in a community in a vulnerable area of Colombia. Observational cross-sectional study conducted in the subregion of Urabá, Colombia. A survey was conducted in primary health care centers, in which 1478 women between 18 and 49 years of age responded to questions about their technological capabilities, their experience with the use of web-based information, and their appropriation of technology. Access to and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) varied according to age, educational level, and socioeconomic stratum, with observed differences in preferences and critical consumption of information. The women in this study faced multiple access barriers to appropriate use of ICTs for health promotion. The appropriation of these tools in Colombia, specifically in the Urabá subregion, is a complex challenge that requires a comprehensive and multidimensional approach.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION

This paper aims to describe, based on an analysis of what is contained in the literature, the introduction and evolution of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education, thus constructing a historical record of these technologies. The project is justified by the relevance of the topic and the importance that ICT represented during the pandemic period, practically saving education from two years of social isolation, leaving millions of students out of school, enabling, even with some difficulties encountered by teachers and students, the continuity of pedagogical activities, minimizing the educational losses of a period never seen before in the history of education. It is clear that these ICT should be incorporated into the pedagogical projects of the courses, since Ifes has an academic environment Moodle (Modular Dynamic Object-Oriented Learning Environment) available that enables pedagogical activities for teachers and students. Given the many new digital technologies that have emerged in recent times, it is possible to see that digital communication and information technologies have become a fertile field for technology companies, developers, and researchers in the area of ​​technology and education, since they have seen technologies as a tool capable of providing a transformation of teaching-learning methods and practices that are important for achieving pedagogical objectives, thus not diminishing the role of educators, nor even replacing them, but allowing some tasks and functions to be expanded and diversified. It is also worth noting that TDCI encompasses other sectors, becoming multidimensional with roots spread throughout society. The legislation that governs the introduction and use of technological equipment in the classroom has advanced and encouraged its use in everyday school activities.

The Impact of ICT on Fostering Creativity in Business Education Pre-service Teachers: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Creativity is a global issue in higher education in the 21st century since it has shifted teaching and learning into learner-centered approaches meant for skills development. Studies show that 21st century skills foster creativity through technology and change how teaching can be approached in higher education. Since the workforce demands that students be able to apply their creativity, higher education must recognize its critical role in helping students get ready for it. Despite the benefits of creativity to students, literature shows that there is a profound gap between the knowledge and skills that students learn in higher education and the knowledge and skills they need in 21st century community and workplaces. Hence, this study explores the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on fostering creativity in Business Education pre-service teachers as well as suggests the strategies that could assist students to develop creative skills. The study followed the systematic literature review method PRISMA in selecting studies to be included and excluded in the synthesis of the study. The process commenced by identifying the problem and screening studies to include and exclude in the study. Only 30 studies conducted between 2013 and 2023 were screened for inclusion. Based on the literature and the two-tier model of creativity, it was identified that creativity empowers learning through interactive learning tools; can be used for personalized learning; can also be used for global collaboration; and cultivates innovative minds. The paper also suggests strategies that can effectively foster creativity, such as pedagogical training and support, professional development, mentorship programs, resource accessibility, an ICT-infused curriculum, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and technology-enhanced assessment.

Exploring Social Support Strategies and Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing Social Isolation and Loneliness: The Role of Digital Literacy

Background/Objectives: Social isolation (SI) and loneliness (L) are the long-standing critical concerns impacting the mental well-being of older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, leading to a notable rise in perceived social isolation (PSI) and its associated risks among an aging population. Reportedly, nearly 35% of older Americans felt lonely before the pandemic, with the pandemic further intensifying these feelings. This commentary examines the multifaceted factors contributing to PSI, including demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Methods: We outline the health risks associated with PSI, including cardiovascular diseases and mental health conditions. Results: This commentary addresses the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) to alleviate loneliness, despite significant barriers such as the digital divide and technological anxiety among older adults. Conclusions: This commentary advocates targeted digital literacy interventions and theoretical frameworks to enhance technology adoption and mitigate PSI, ultimately aiming to improve health outcomes and quality of life for the aging population.

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL GAP: ANALYSING THE IMPACT OF ICT DIFFUSION ON INCOME INEQUALITY IN INDONESIA

The development of information and communication technology (ICT) has significantly transformed the socio-economic structure of society, particularly in terms of income distribution. This study aims to analyse the impact of ICT development on income inequality across 34 provinces in Indonesia from 2012 to 2020, employing econometric methods based on panel data through a fixed effects model. Empirical findings reveal that ICT readiness and ICT skills tend to exacerbate income inequality, while ICT use and its quadratic form contribute to reducing it. These results suggest that although ICT infrastructure and skills are crucial, their uneven distribution and utilisation can widen income disparities. Consequently, this study highlights the importance of ensuring equitable access to ICT across Indonesia to mitigate economic inequality. The study's recommendations stress the pivotal role of the government in expanding ICT infrastructure, fostering a research and innovation climate conducive to digital transformation, and formulating policies that enhance ICT skills nationwide. These measures would improve digital literacy, upgrade workforce capabilities, and promote inclusive digital economic growth. Ultimately, comprehensive and equitable ICT development can play a critical role in reducing income inequality across Indonesia.

Training of women in the methodology of Gamification for the promotion of healthy habits in children

Abstract Background It has been evidenced that gamification has scope in the change of people behavior and in the acquisition of knowledge, therefore this methodology contributes to the promotion of health and adapts to the needs of children from the language of play, which increases their motivation in health literacy processes, so it is necessary to encourage the acquisition of new methodologies for community mothers and women caregivers, who are configured as promoters of healthy habits with their children. Objectives To train 150 women in the methodology of Gamification for the promotion of healthy habits in children; for which 20 sessions were developed addressing the following modules: a) Empowerment of women b) Gamification methodology c) Healthy habits and lifestyles d) Healthy eating e) Physical activity. Results The training of women evidenced a) the empowerment and recognition as health promoters for their life and that of their community b) the identification of the methodology of gamification and its application in processes of promotion of healthy habits c) a high adherence in the participation and learning through gamification methodology, training 150 women through sessions mediated by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Learning and Knowledge Technologies (TACs) and Technologies of Empowerment and Participation (TEP) enabling the participation of women from urban and rural territories, which accounts for an inclusive process and democratization of health knowledge, impacting both women and their families, communities and children under their care, an average of 5 members per woman, benefiting 750 people in health promotion actions. Conclusions 150 women were certified, who from the application of the gamification methodology promote healthy habits in children, in their families and their communities, starting from the recognition of the experience of these in themselves to be health promoters in their territories. Key messages • Training women in gamification methodologies to promote healthy habits in children strengthens the health system by empowering them in their role as health literacy teachers in their territories. • ICT, TAC and TEP enable access to health education from an inclusive process that democratizes knowledge so that communities are active agents in health promotion activities.

Information and communication technology-based patient education for autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases: A scoping review

ObjectiveThis review aimed to map the existing the information and communication technology (ICT)-based patient education for autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases and identify key effectiveness factors and guidelines for professionals. MethodsA scoping review systematically reviewed PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE and Web of Science. We designed search strategies to identify ICT-based patient education for autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases focused on rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, published between January 2011 and October 2023. Data extraction was independently screened by two reviewers according to the eligibility criteria. ResultsOf 13,861 records, 18 met the eligibility criteria. Most studies were randomized controlled trials, primarily conducted in the USA, focusing on rheumatoid arthritis. ICT-based interventions included web-based platforms, aiming to improve self-management, medication adherence, with most interventions showing significant improvements. Digital tools such as websites, chatbots were common. Five groups representing the ICT functions were identified: digital self-management tools, multimedia learning materials, personalized educational sessions, behavior change and empathy games, and interactive online communities and peer support. Most studies lacked theoretical frameworks, or guidelines for developing patient education. ConclusionICT-based patient education has significant potential for enhancing self-management and behavior changes in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

A Strategy for Predicting the Performance of Supervised and Unsupervised Tabular Data Classifiers

AbstractMachine Learning algorithms that perform classification are increasingly been adopted in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems and infrastructures due to their capability to profile their expected behavior and detect anomalies due to ongoing errors or intrusions. Deploying a classifier for a given system requires conducting comparison and sensitivity analyses that are time-consuming, require domain expertise, and may even not achieve satisfactory classification performance, resulting in a waste of money and time for practitioners and stakeholders. This paper predicts the expected performance of classifiers without needing to select, craft, exercise, or compare them, requiring minimal expertise and machinery. Should classification performance be predicted worse than expectations, the users could focus on improving data quality and monitoring systems instead of wasting time in exercising classifiers, saving key time and money. The prediction strategy uses scores of feature rankers, which are processed by regressors to predict metrics such as Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) and Area Under ROC-Curve (AUC) for quantifying classification performance. We validate our prediction strategy through a massive experimental analysis using up to 12 feature rankers that process features from 23 public datasets, creating additional variants in the process and exercising supervised and unsupervised classifiers. Our findings show that it is possible to predict the value of performance metrics for supervised or unsupervised classifiers with a mean average error (MAE) of residuals lower than 0.1 for many classification tasks. The predictors are publicly available in a Python library whose usage is straightforward and does not require domain-specific skill or expertise.

Efficient and Compressed Deep Learning Model for Brain Tumour Classification With Explainable AI for Smart Healthcare and Information Communication Systems

ABSTRACTThe detection of brain tumours presents a significant challenge in the medical domain, where prompt and precise diagnosis is crucial as patient outcomes depend on it. Conventional deep neural networks perform well in carrying out various imaging tasks within the healthcare sector; however, their effectiveness often falls short of expectations in practical applications due to the substantial computational resources required and issues with reliability. In this research, an optimised and effective deep learning model founded on the DenseNet‐169 architecture is introduced for the classification of magnetic resonance imaging brain tumours, which is particularly advantageous for smart healthcare systems and information and communication technology (ICT) settings with limited computational capabilities. The model compression methodologies, including pruning and quantization, have been employed to significantly diminish the dimensions and intricacy of the model while achieving a classification accuracy of 97.07%. Furthermore, this endeavour necessitates the enhancement of the model's interpretability through the utilisation of explainable artificial intelligence methodologies such as Gradient‐weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad‐CAM) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), which will aid clinicians in highlighting crucial areas of the images and validating feature importance concerning the decisions rendered by the model. A comparative performance evaluation is conducted against DenseNet‐169, ResNet‐50 and various other models to delineate the superior efficacy of our model, rendering it exceptionally adept for knowledge‐driven, real‐time brain tumour diagnosis within smart healthcare and ICT systems where resources are constrained.

Navigating the Social Shift: A Preliminary Study of Consumer Behavior on Malaysia's Social Commerce Platforms

The proliferation of online businesses coupled with the advancement of information and communication technologies (ICT) has led to the emergence of social commerce. The integration of social media platforms into e-commerce offers businesses a convenient avenue for engaging with consumers and a novel method for capturing additional sales volume. This seamless integration of social media platforms into current e-commerce practices has significantly increased its success. Research on the factors that affect purchase intentions in social commerce is still sparse, especially in the context of Malaysian consumers. In general, the causal model of purchase intentions on social commerce in this study aims to investigate the impact of the constructs of visibility and metavoicing on purchase intentions among Malaysian millennial consumers. Henceforth, this initial study specifically aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the IT affordance constructs of visibility and metavoicing through rigorous assessments. At the items-construct level, the internal consistency assessment was conducted using McDonald’s Omega, which is known for its robustness in measuring the reliability of multi-item constructs. At the construct level, discriminant validity and the strength of linear relationships among variables were assessed using Pearson correlation analysis. The pilot dataset gathered was analyzed with SPSS 29, and the results have validated that the predictive model achieved high levels of reliability and validity at both the item and construct levels. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the independent variables, metavoicing and visibility, have a significant association with purchase intentions, underscoring their importance in understanding consumer behavior.

Cloud-Based Automatic Configuration and Disaster Recovery of Communication Systems Applied in Engineering Training

Network management and troubleshooting require not only a grasp of advanced concepts but also the development of analytical and problem-solving skills. To bridge this gap, this paper introduces a novel network administration system, DRACSC (Spanish acronym for device for automatic recovery and configuration of communication systems), designed for the automatic configuration and disaster recovery of communication equipment. This system transcends the limitations of current hardware and software solutions by combining their advantages, boasting portability, automated functions, and a cloud-based repository as its main features. The DRACSC system, undergoing a comprehensive large-scale evaluation involving diverse user groups across multiple institutions, was tested with 89 users, including students and teachers at educational centers and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) professionals. The benefits of the system were evaluated through a training program based on simulated real-world ICT environments, focusing on both quantitative results on the reduction in time to complete user tasks, as well as qualitative results on the interface and usability of the system. Statistical analysis, including Welch’s t-test on opinion surveys, indicated a significant increase in knowledge and understanding, demonstrating the system’s potential to enhance education and practice. Moreover, the evaluation shed light on the user experience, with positive impacts observed for learning and teaching implications. As a result, the study has verified that the system has the potential to significantly influence network management practices, enhancing both learning and professional application through improved efficiency and usability.