Information And Communication Technology Policy Research Articles

Information and Communication Technology and Contesting Gender Hierarchies: Research Learnings from Africa and the Middle East

Abstract Communication policies intended to contribute to changing persistent inequalities need to be informed by an in-depth understanding of systemic barriers to gender equality and women's empowerment. Not taking into account complex, historically entrenched forces that perpetuate established gendered hierarchies may result in policies effecting only superficial change. The research presented in this article demonstrates how availability of information and communication technology (ICT) does not ensure equitable access and gender equality. Access needs to be imbedded in a women's empowerment and equality agenda to contribute to transforming gender relations. Understanding what that involves is critical to the design of ICT policies that challenge gender inequalities.

USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULUNATAL AND UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARIES

The use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) for knowledge management (KM) has become a critical success factor in present-day university libraries. University libraries have continued to use ICTs to foster and enhance the operations of information services on a daily basis in the library environment. The use of ICTs requires librarians to have proven knowledge and skills in order to achieve effective and efficient work performance in the libraries. This article focuses on the two research questions, namely: ‘What are the skills needed for ICTs by librarians at the university libraries?’ and ‘What are the challenges faced by librarians in the use of ICTs for KM at the university libraries?’ The research specifically targeted the libraries at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa, and the University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative research approaches were adopted in order to conduct data collection and data analysis. The research findings were that, when compared, the two university libraries showed a correlation in the skills required by librarians. This is accompanied by knowledge of ICT hardware and software; various subject areas in librarianship; structure and process of cataloguing, and classification, to function better in the library environment. Several challenges, including the high cost of hardware and software; lack of implementation of ICT policies; and inadequate in-depth knowledge of the library holdings were observed. In conclusion, the dynamic information environment requires librarians to be proactive and have enhanced education that would enable them to address change management, leadership roles, and technical information skills. Librarians need to constantly update their knowledge and skill-sets to keep up with current trends of technology in library and information services.

Evaluation of a Government ICT Policy Document from a Communicative Action Perspective: A Case of Bangladesh

AbstractThe literature on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy studies have revealed multiple limitations concerning design and implementation of policies adopted by many governments of developing countries, which include contextual limitations in design, a mix of incomprehensive projects and strategies, as well as gaps between addressed goals and actual outcomes. However, nothing is said about the policy document itself with regard to the communication of ideas, issues, themes, and perspectives of the policy. This article extends to do a discourse analysis of Bangladesh's ICT policy document to evaluate communicative aspects, using the framework of Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action (TCA). The findings uncover multiple limitations to the policy document in terms of four TCA validity claims: truth, legitimacy, sincerity, and clarity. The truth claim shows a lack in defining and describing multiple terms and issues, explaining varied ideological stances and accounting for benefits and challenges, along with interpretation of some facts. Similarly, the legitimacy claim reveals that matters that appeal to emotion, such as constitutional obligation, social equity, disabled people, minorities, and women and community issues, lie as foundation to justify that claim. The uses of connotative words and metaphors in addition to uses of jargon and unexplained terms are also found under the claim for sincerity and clarity, all of which ultimately are not compatible with the values of the validity claims.

E‐Government for Development: A Thematic Analysis of Zimbabwe's Information and Communication Technology Policy Documents

AbstractTraditionally, governments have been viewed as complex, large bureaucratic establishments with a set of information silos that erect barriers to the access of information and make the provision of services cumbersome and frustrating. However with the emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), there is evidence of improvement in efficiency and effectiveness of internal administration within governments and the relocation of government services from government offices to locations closer to the citizens. This paper is motivated by the need to investigate an e‐government phenomenon in a developing country context which is characterised by complex dynamics rooted in politics, economy and social setting. The paper has been scoped to explore the evolution of e‐government in Zimbabwe as articulated in ICT policy documents. The policy documents are analysed through the lens of thematic analysis which leads to critical narrative analysis. The use of thematic analysis as a theoretical foundation and a methodological approach for analysing text contributes to a better understanding of government publications. This study has identified that all documents are silent on the political and economic reality in Zimbabwe which directly influences the implementation of capital projects. The policy documents also make no reference to other considerations as funding models and execution plans under a complex political, social and economic environment. As a result, government policy documents remained only as blueprints without any impact towards the implementation of e‐government in Zimbabwe.

Role of ICT Initiatives in Sustainable Progress of Rural Women in India

Abstract The lower status, lost dignity, and denied rights of women across the rural India comes out with a clarion call to promote sustainable progress in their lives. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has emerged as one of a dynamic tool in their lives. It has been successful in connecting the rural and remote population to the wider world. These tools are initiated for gender equality and women’s sustainable progress. Its success largely depends on the availability and accessibility for the rural women. The main objectives of the study was to present the successful elements of ICT initiatives in the significant process of sustainable development, to trace out the barriers and bottlenecks of ICT initiatives in rural India and to identify the areas of further strengthening the effectiveness of ICT initiatives in sustainable progress of rural women. Of the four sample ICT initiatives, two of the initiatives were situated in southern India i.e. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the other two were in the northern part of India i.e. Gujarat and Rajasthan. The study also identified the requirement for basic education, technical skills, tailored training for women and above all engendering of ICT policies. Women are one of the wonderful creations and co-creators of the universe. However, the history of human civilization testified to the changing status of women all through the history. In 19th and 20th centuries, reform movements led by great social reformers provided better avenues to women’s legal status. Nevertheless, independent India continued to witness upheavals against women oppression despite its Constitution providing equality.

The role of information and communication policies in the governance of the healthcare sector

Information and communication technology (ICT) is today an indispensable tool in the development of countries and economies, driving growth in many other sectors, including the health sector. The effective governance of the health sector demands enabling ICT policies. Healthcare is a key area in the development and growth of nations. A country that neglects this sector will definitely witness a decline in socio-economic development. Application of ICT in this sector is non-negotiable and an imperative. However, with diversities in policy ICT’s impact is not felt in many communities, and linking ICT and other business strategies is a big challenge. Availability of resources upon which ICT itself thrives is another factor limiting its impact upon the lives of the populations of most developing nations. Cultural diversity and technology problems seem to stand prominent among challenges impeding the impact of ICT on developing nations. Against this backdrop, this paper takes a critical look at the implementation and efficiency of ICT in healthcare delivery within the Nigerian context. The purpose is to assist those bodies responsible for ICT policy and implementation to enable the benefits of ICT to trickle through to the populace. We are also of the opinion that the adequate implementation of ICT policy in the health sector in the most populous black nation (Nigeria) will go a long way to influence its implementation in neighbouring nations

Education with ICT for developing employability in higher education institutions

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are expected to form responsible and employable citizens. But, they produced mere degree holders without having employability skills. There is a mismatch between the expectations of employers and the products of HEIs. The requirement of employability is continually changing because most sectors are connected to the global value chains and hence the skills required are often decided by the global markets. Employers place greatest importance on employee's attitudes and basic skills over job specific skills and having an understanding of the work environment. The demand for having basic and updated knowledge and skills of information and communication technology (ICT) along with basic, higher order and affective skills within the employee is growing day by day. As such, institutions of higher education today need to focus preferably on imparting education with ICT so that basic knowledge and skills of ICT can be acquired by the students in the process of education, i.e. teaching-learning. The basic task of HEIs is to create an ICT-enabled learning environment. For this, an ICT policy needs to be evolved strategically for institutional practice including well equipped ICT infrastructure, education-industry collaboration, competence building of teachers and pedagogy-ICT integration.)

Ex-Post Stakeholder Analysis of National ICT Policy Subsystem

This paper presents an analysis of stakeholders of the national Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy subsystem using the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF). The study focused on the context of a developing country, Malawi, which was analysed using qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews and policy documents. The findings showed there was diversity in the stakeholders for national ICT policy who were engaged in different roles of the policy process despite being a unitary policy subsystem. The stakeholders included officials from government departments, donors, academia, private sector organisations, the media, law enforcement agents and telecom operators. Some of the roles of the stakeholders were related to policy formulation, implementation, regulation, ICT investment, and support. The study contributes towards the literature of national ICT policy in the context of developing countries. A further study is recommended to consider the interests of informal stakeholders not represented in the national ICT policy subsystem.

The challenges of effective implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) in Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Libraries in Delta State, Nigeria

The digital age has brought about a completely different way of providing library services resulting in the development of new services. This study assessed the challenges of effective implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) in polytechnics and colleges of education libraries in Delta State. Descriptive survey research design was used for this study; data was collected by means of a questionnaire from thirty-nine (39) librarians of six (6) academic libraries in polytechnics and colleges of education in Delta State. The study revealed that the academic libraries under review is face with the following challenges in implementing ICT policy, thus, unreliable power supply, inadequate funding, shortage of manpower, lack of information and computer literacy skill among librarians. The study concluded that information and computer literacy skills are vital for the proper implementation of ICT in libraries for better information service delivery and therefore recommended that library administrators should introduce and organize different ICT training programmers for librarians at regular interval and federal government should provide adequate funding for ICT implementation.

Does Research on Technology Policy Reflect the Actual Trend of Technological Development?

본 연구는 네트워크 콘텐츠 분석 방법론을 사용하여 행정학회, 정책학회, 정보통신정책 학회 등 세 개의 학회에서 발간되는 학술지를 중심으로 정보통신기술 정책과 관련된 연구의 흐름 및 주제를 분석하였다. 본 연구를 통하여 다음과 같은 정보통신정책의 현황을 발견하였다. 첫째, 정보통신정책이 우리나라에서 차지하는 비중을 볼 때 이 분야에서 학문적 연구의 기여가 미흡하다는 점이고 앞으로 정보통신정책의 발전을 위하여 보다 활발한 연구조건 조성이 필요하고 본다. 둘째, 이전 연구의 주된 주제는 전자정부, 정보통신, 그리고 정보기술이었고, 이에 대하여 다양한 변수와 방법론을 이용한 분석이었다면, 현재의 연구주제는 주로 특정 정보통신정책, 시장, 정책수렴과 관련한 주된 요인과 효과를 알아내는데 그 초점이 있다. 그리고 세계적 흐름을 포섭하는데 일정한 시차가 존재한다. 세번째, 각 학문공동체 별로 다른 존재목적, 전문성의 차이, 학술지의 편집방향 등으로 인하여 연구주제에 있어서 상당한 차이가 존재한다. 그러므로 본 연구는 전일적 관점에서 정보통신정책의 발전과 집행을 위하여 상호 간에 융합하는 공동연구가 필요하다고 주장한다.This study conducts network content analysis with the purpose of examining main research trends and topics in the three academic communities – public administration, policy studies, and telecommunication policies – with regard to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). We found as follows: First, the academic contributions to ICT policy and system are not sufficient in numbers compared to the significance of ICT policies in South Korea, and thus it is necessary to set more active conditions for future policy. Second, the maininterests of previous studies were with general concepts such as ‘electronic government,’ ‘information and communication,’ and ‘IT’ which were analyzed through multiple variables and methodologies. Now, the research interests include the role of identifying the influential factors or effectiveness of specific ‘policies,’‘markets,’ or ‘convergence.’ However, there is a time lag in embracing the latest global trends. Third, we found that there is a considerable gap between ICT-related research topics because of differences in the mandate of each academic community, diversity in the expertise of members, and editorial direction of journals. Significantly, it is necessary to conduct joint-research that is mutually converging into a holistic approach to ICT policy development and implementation.

Information and Communication Technology, electricity consumption and economic growth in OECD countries: A panel data analysis

Abstract This study estimates the short- and long-run effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use and economic growth on electricity consumption using OECD panel data for the period of 1985–2012. The study employs a panel unit root test accounting for the presence of cross-sectional dependence, a panel cointegration test, the Pooled Mean Group Regression technique and Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality test. The results confirm that both ICT use and economic growth stimulate electricity consumption in both the short- and the long run. Causality results suggest that electricity consumption causes economic growth. Both mobile and Internet use cause electricity consumption and economic growth. The findings imply that OECD countries have yet to achieve energy efficiency gains from ICT expansion. Effective coordination between energy efficiency from ICT policy and existing emissions reduction policies have the potential to enable OECD countries reduce environmental hazards arising from electricity consumption for ICT products and services. Introducing green IT and IT for green are also recommended as potential solutions to curb electricity consumption from ICT use especially in the data centers.

The nexus of ICT, electricity consumption and economic growth in India: an ARDL approach

This study examines both the short-run and long-run relationship among information and communication technology (ICT), economic growth and electricity consumption using annual time-series data for India for the period 1991-2014. All the variables under study are I (1) as per Dickey-Fuller-Generalised least square unit root test results. For cointegration test and causality analysis, we have used autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) bounds test and vector error correction model (VECM) Granger causality test respectively. ARDL test results suggest that ICT stimulates economic growth in the short-run but not in the long-run, whereas electricity consumption has significant and positive impact on economic growth in the long-run and short-run as well, which supports the energy-led growth hypothesis. However, there is no cointegration when electricity consumption becomes a dependent variable and other variables are independent. Economic growth does not Granger cause electricity consumption in the short-run. These findings suggest that India should focus on ICT expansion to accelerate economic growth in short-run and India should not follow energy conservation policies as it might adversely impact economic growth in both short- and long-run. Instead, India should focus on energy efficient policies. This study has crucial policy implications. Hence, proper balance and coordination among ICT policy, energy policy, and economic growth policy are recommended.

VIABLE DIAGNOSIS OF ICT POLICY MANAGEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy is a code that clarifies the duties, responsibilities and rights of technology stakeholders and specifies acceptable and efficient ICT utilization. ICT policy is very fluid and rooted in a fast changing technology generating new issues and requirements. The study of ICT policy requires the organization to continuously adapt without having to make dramatic structural changes and with keeping long term focus. ICT policy life cycle encompasses four main processes which are: development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. In many cases, the processes that form the life cycle of ICT policy usually stopped or failed at starting phase(s), including the case study in this research. Failures in ICT policy management may compromise ICT security, control and strategy in addition to incurring unnecessary expense. This study explored the challenges and issues in managing ICT policy in one of the Malaysian Public Institutions of Higher Education. An in-depth analysis and elaboration is performed using Viable System Model (VSM) and Hermeneutics method to diagnose and identify weaknesses, mismatches and viable requirements. The case documented here underlines the vast potential of the VSM in ICT policy analysis due to its flexibility and robustness that are a prerequisite in fast-changing environments. The evidence documented here represents the power of VSM through the application of its systemic functions and organizational structure that accommodates environmental dynamism, encourages sustainable development and provides sound theoretical platform. The paper demonstrates practical application of the VSM in diagnosing the organization that contribute towards the maturation of the field.

Antecedents of continued usage intentions of web-based learning management system in Tanzania

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine factors that predict students’ continued usage intention of web-based learning management systems (LMS) in Tanzania, with a specific focus on the School of Business of Mzumbe University. Specifically, the study investigated major predictors of actual usage and continued usage intentions of e-learning system, and challenges of using the e-learning system. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 300 third year undergraduate students, with a rate of return of 77 per cent. A total of 20 faculty members were also interviewed. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was utilized in the study. Findings – The results show that actual usage was determined by self-efficacy, while continued usage intentions of web-based learning system was predicted by performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, self-efficacy, and actual usage. Challenges for using web-based LMS were related to information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure barrier, LMS user interface was not user friendly, weak ICT policies, management and technical support, limited skills, lack of awareness, resistance to change, and lack of time to prepare e-content and use the e-learning system. Practical implications – The study findings are useful to e-learning managers and university management to identify important factors and develop appropriate policies and strategies to encourage long-term usage of e-learning systems for future studies and lifelong learning. Originality/value – By using UTAUT in the context of continued usage intentions and the integration of an additional construct (“self-efficacy”), the extended UTAUT model fits very well in the web-based learning systems in Tanzania, in particular where such studies are scant. The findings can be used in other institutions with similar conditions in investigating the continued usage intentions of e-learning systems.

Street-Level Strategies of Child Welfare Social Workers in Flanders: The Use of Electronic Client Records in Practice.

The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in child welfare services has increased significantly during the last decades, and so have the possibilities to process health data. Parton (2009) states that this evolution has led to a shift in the nature of social work itself: from ‘the social’ to ‘the informational’. It is claimed that social workers primarily are becoming information processors concerned with the gathering, sharing and monitoring of information, instead of being focused on the relational dimensions of their work. However, social workers have considerable discretion concerning the way they use ICT. In this paper, we investigate (i) the street-level strategies social workers develop regarding ICT and (ii) how these relate to a narrative social work approach. To illustrate this, an evaluation of Charlotte was conducted, a client registration system that is used by social workers in child welfare services in Flanders, Belgium. Based on fifteen interviews, we find that social workers develop various strategies regarding Charlotte to preserve a relational and narrative work approach. These strategies not only result in a gap between ICT policy and the execution of that policy in practice, but also decrease the extent to which accountability can be realised via registration data.

Perception of Ultimate Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an Impetus in Enhancing Employee Performance in a Few Selected Municipalities in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Perception of Ultimate Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an Impetus in Enhancing Employee Performance in a Few Selected Municipalities in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Assessing the Role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Enhancing Employees’ Performance in a Selected Local Government Administration (LGA) in South Africa

Assessing the Role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Enhancing Employees’ Performance in a Selected Local Government Administration (LGA) in South Africa

Regional ICT Innovation in the European Union: Prioritization and Performance (2008–2012)

In the current programming period, European Union (EU) regions and member states that want to use European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) are required to develop innovation strategies for smart specialization (RIS3) based on the idea of rational strategic management. In order to explore the relationship between strategic policy design and policy performance, this article maps regional strategies for information and communication technologies (ICT) and their effects in the period 2008–2012. Furthermore, it generates suggestions for relevant case studies. We first conduct a quantitative analysis of the effects of ICT strategies and ERDF expenditure on regional ICT performance in Western European regions. ICT is a relevant priority for many regions, and it reflects EU priorities fostering ICT activities through regional development funds. Second, we propose a framework to categorize EU regions in the context of ICT policy based on the expected distribution of regional ICT performance. Our analysis covers 97 regions in 9 EU member states, out of which 29 have had a dedicated ICT strategy. In line with ideas of rational strategic management, our working hypothesis states that regions with a dedicated strategy should display better performance. However, our findings suggest that having a dedicated ICT strategy has not had a clear effect on performance in terms of Internet and broadband access, while allocating dedicated ERDF and other expenditure to Internet infrastructure has had a positive effect. At first sight, this questions the effectiveness of rational strategic management. Yet, more research is needed to assess the quality of ICT strategies and their fit with broader innovation agendas. It is indeed the degree of embeddedness of ICT in the regional innovation ecosystem that is likely to condition the effect of strategies on performance. To this end, our mapping indicates interesting case studies, and we suggest additional factors to be taken into account in future analyses. New insights into strategy design and performance will also be important to inform the implementation of the new generation of innovation strategies for smart specialization.

Kenya's ICT Policy in Practice: The Effectiveness of Tablets and E-readers in Improving Student Outcomes

Kenya is investing in information and communication technology (ICT) to improve children’s learning outcomes. However, the literature on ICT is pessimistic about the ability of ICT alone to improve outcomes, and few ICT programs have created the instructional change necessary to increase learning. The Primary Math and Reading (PRIMR) Initiative implemented a randomized controlled trial of three ICT interventions to enhance learning outcomes: tablets for instructional supervisors, tablets for teachers, and e-readers for students. All three showed significant impacts in English and Kiswahili above the results of the control group. The impacts of the three interventions were not statistically significantly different from each other. Based on the findings, we recommend that Kenyan policy makers embed ICT interventions in a larger instructional reform, using ICT to support particular instructional improvement challenges. We also suggest that policy makers incorporate empirically derived cost-effectiveness analysis into investment decisions, to ensure that ICT provides value for money. The full text of the article can be found at 10.18275/fire201502011025

A Comparative Study of ICT Innovation Policy for the Countries Development Perspective

In the globalized environment, the economic growth significantly depends on the countries capacity to develop, to apply new technologies and vice versa. Diffusion of information communication technologies is a global phenomenon. Despite of rapid globalization there are considerable differences between nations in terms of adoption and usage of new technologies. This paper aims to draw together the highly eclectic literature on the diffusion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Innovation in order to know what have been done, highlight the generic issues, relevant to policy and will initiate further research and develop potential opportunities. This paper also highlight the low level and high level income countries data and ICT policies frame work to draw conclusions and some case studies as an example. The objective is to review the finding the social economic factor for diffusion of ICT Innovation to make policy recommendation for the development of the country.