National ICT Research Articles

How are service automation and national ICT development associated with international trade in services?

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate how service automation is associated with the volume of international trade in services and how the interactions of automation, industry, and national ICT development are associated with it. We use data from the U.N. Comtrade, O*NET Online, the U.N. Global ICT Development Index, and the World Bank Open Data to test our hypotheses. We find that the marginal year-by-year growth rates of international trade in highly automatable services decreased in 2007–2017, whereas those of international trade in less automatable services have increased. ICT development is positively associated with the volume and annual growth rate of a country's service exports, but it is negatively associated with the volume and annual growth rate of the country's service imports. The growth rate of international trade in highly automatable services is lower for importing countries with advanced ICT, but it is higher for exporting countries with advanced ICT.

The role of ICT and effect of national culture on economic growth

ABSTRACT The ubiquitous nature of ICT makes it an inevitable choice to address economic growth of a nation. The literature indicates a positive significance of ICT on economic growth, but intensity of the usage of ICT highly depends on the nature of the society. This study uses the perspective that sustained usage of ICT is highly dependent on various factors and facets of the society. Using national culture as a societal facet, the study demonstrates the necessity of congruence between ICT usage and national cultural values to attain desired level of economic growth. The results indicate that national culture dimensions and ICT have a significant influence on the economic growth of a nation. The study demonstrates variations in using ICT for economic growth depending on cultures in different regions of the world. The study has implications for policy makers at national and international levels regarding the usage of ICT for economic growth.

The Influence Of Technological Factors On E-Business Diffusion In The Small-To-Medium Enterprise Sector In Zimbabwe

This article is a derivation from the researcher’s PhD thesis on e-business diffusion in the small-to-medium enterprise (SME) sector in Zimbabwe. The research examines the influence of technological dimensions, namely, relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability on e-business diffusion. A survey design, using a questionnaire based on Likert’s five point scale to collect data through online survey monkey, was adopted. A sample of 590 owners and managers of small-to-medium firms was obtained through probability random sampling. The research engaged a quantitative research design and used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to ascertain the dimensionality of factors adopted for the study and construct validity, respectively. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was engaged using AMOS SPSS v26 to determine which factors have a significant impact on e-business diffusion. The study concluded that only three out of the five technological dimensions have a significant influence on e-business diffusion in the Zimbabwean SME sector. Central government is urged to focus on establishing a fully equipped national ICT infrastructure and requisite training programmes to facilitate the diffusion of e-business in the fledgling small enterprises. SMEs in Zimbabwe are advised to adopt e-business operating systems as a survival and sustainability imperative in the current technology-driven global business environment necessitated by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

Influence of Contextual Factors on e-Business Diffusion in the Small-to-Medium Enterprise Sector in Zimbabwe.

This study, as a component of the researcher’s PhD thesis, explores the influence of contextual factors on e-business diffusion in the small-to-medium enterprise (SME) sector in Zimbabwe. Contextual factors define the context or the environment in which a firm conducts its business operations. The study focuses on the ICT infrastructure, legal context and economic environment of the market. The positivist philosophy was adopted, using a quantitative research design and a survey strategy, based on a five point Likert scale questionnaire. Survey monkey online data collection platform was engaged to reach out to SMEs registered with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). The research focussed on the owners and managers of the sampled firms as the key personnel responsible for strategic decisions and the information and knowledge repositories of their respective organisations. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used for data analysis. The results showed that two, out of the three analysed contextual factors, are significant in influencing e-business diffusion in the Zimbabwean market. The major recommendations were for Central Government to establish a fully equipped national ICT infrastructure in partnership with the private sector in order to develop a seamless national infrastructural backbone and a harmonised legal system to facilitate the development and diffusion of e-business. ICT should be made a compulsory subject in schools in order to develop future techno-literate generations that can steer the ICT programmes in any sector of the economy.

Pengembangan Keahlian Penggunaan Microsoft Excel bagi Instruktur Pelatihan TIK Nasional bagi Disabilitas

Bakti Kominfo has tasks in the ICT section, namely building IT network infrastructure in disadvantaged areas. In addition, BAKTI Kominfo also has a role in developing human resources who have expertise in the IT field and keep up with the current developments, namely the Digital world. Therefore, BAKTI Kominfo conducts training for ICT teachers to provide insight as a provision to guide students with disabilities to take part in National ICT Training and Competitions. One of the training materials is Excel. In this activity in collaboration with ISB Atma Luhur to train ICT teachers with Microsoft Excel material. This training lasts for 3 consecutive days using Zoom Meeting. In the conditions of the Covid-19 Pandemic, this did not discourage us from always innovating in making and holding training courses to develop skills from ICT teacher teacher resources to assist students with disabilities. The goal is to capture the hidden competences and talents of students with disabilities. With this training activity, the ability of ICT teachers to use Microsoft Excel 2016. And from the training participants suggested to always innovate in making training training similar to other materials and to always be accompanied during training and even after training.

Teaching critical thinking about health using digital technology in lower secondary schools in Rwanda: A qualitative context analysis

IntroductionAdolescents encounter misleading claims about health interventions that can affect their health. Young people need to develop critical thinking skills to enable them to verify health claims and make informed choices. Schools could teach these important life skills, but educators need access to suitable learning resources that are aligned with their curriculum. The overall objective of this context analysis was to explore conditions for teaching critical thinking about health interventions using digital technology to lower secondary school students in Rwanda.MethodsWe undertook a qualitative descriptive study using four methods: document review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. We reviewed 29 documents related to the national curriculum and ICT conditions in secondary schools. We conducted 8 interviews and 5 focus group discussions with students, teachers, and policy makers. We observed ICT conditions and use in five schools. We analysed the data using a framework analysis approach.ResultsTwo major themes found. The first was demand for teaching critical thinking about health. The current curriculum explicitly aims to develop critical thinking competences in students. Critical thinking and health topics are taught across subjects. But understanding and teaching of critical thinking varies among teachers, and critical thinking about health is not being taught. The second theme was the current and expected ICT conditions. Most public schools have computers, projectors, and internet connectivity. However, use of ICT in teaching is limited, due in part to low computer to student ratios.ConclusionsThere is a need for learning resources to develop critical thinking skills generally and critical thinking about health specifically. Such skills could be taught within the existing curriculum using available ICT technologies. Digital resources for teaching critical thinking about health should be designed so that they can be used flexibly across subjects and easily by teachers and students.

Pre- and Post-COVID-19: Exploring Issues of Access in Higher Education in Botswana and Ghana

Against the background of the arrival of COVID 19 and its challenges, this paper explors the effect of the pandemic on access provisions in higher education in Botswana and Ghana. Relying on policy documents and secondary data, the paper examines trends in tertiary enrollment, and probes into the future of higher education in these countries. It analyzes the socio-economic backgrounds of both countries, as well as the state of higher education access pre-COVID 19, during the pandemic, and the post COVID-19 periods. While both countries differ in population and human development indices, they have high literacy rates, good technological platforms, and a growing culture of online learning. This culture, further enhanced by the growth of distance education systems, is enabled by national ICT policy platforms. The countries' commonality of colonial history, and long-held desires for educational access was noted. In the context of COVID-19, both are continually adopting online teaching and learning strategies in higher education. Overall, a gradual growth is observed in tertiary access provisions and the exploration of alternative pathways to learning. Notably, the Commonwealth of Learning and Coursera initiatives are enhancing access in higher education. The paper recommends, in line with Adarkwah (2020), that the fostering of collaborative eLearning, researching learner preferences, promoting digital literacy, and enhancing infrastructural support will go a long way into mitigating the effects of COVID-19 in the future. Similarly, removing barriers to access and increasing gross enrollment ratios are vital to promoting access in tertiary education provisions [End Page 125] in both countries.

Unequal Inclusion

Purpose ”“ The paper aims at assessing the evolution of the digital divide in Brazil in the last decade from a multidimensional perspective, going beyond the issue of access. How have the inequalities in the use of Internet in Brazil varied through time?
 Methodology ”“ The paper investigates the relationship between individual socioeconomic characteristics and household characteristics, and the pattern of Internet access and use in Brazil using multivariate analysis, drawing on data from national ICT surveys between the years 2000 and 2019.
 Findings ”“ The results show that increasing access do not necessarily result in a more equitable adoption and use of available online resources. They highlight a persistent “digital elite” capable of a more sophisticated use of the Internet. The maintenance ”” and even the increase ”” of differences in the use of Internet is in line with part of the literature on digital inclusion.
 Practical Implications ”“ The study underscores the importance of developing methodological frameworks to better measure the digital divide, allowing it to be used as the independent variable in broader analyses of income inequality and access to public services, for instance. Additionally, the persistence of a "second level digital divide" in Brazil points to the need for policies that address the "digital skills gap" enabling the realization of the Internet's potential to ease social disparities.
 Originality ”“ Despite the existing literature on the relationship between online inequalities and other kinds of inequalities, there are still few empirical studies, especially with a multidimensional perspective.

Investigation of Research Topic and Trends of National ICT Research-Development Using the LDA Model

Investigation of Research Topic and Trends of National ICT Research-Development Using the LDA Model

Digital inclusion challenges in Bangladesh: the case of the National ICT Policy

ABSTRACT This study assesses the impact and effectiveness of the National Information and Communications Technology Policy (NIP) in Bangladesh, which is a key legal framework for ‘Vision 2021’ and ‘Digital Bangladesh’. It investigates the extent to which digital inclusion can be achieved by the NIP strategies, as well as exploring the conceptualisation of digital inclusion, which undergirds the contemporary debate on the digital divide and inclusion. The study employs a qualitative approach using policy goal-means analysis to explore critical scrutiny of the internal rationality and logic of the NIP based on three distinct criteria of the digital inclusion analytical framework: ICT access, use and skills. The analysis argues that the policy is ambiguous and techno-centric, with a narrow digitisation frame of reference, which does not comprehensively address the issues associated with digital inclusion. Policy needs to be consistent and relevant to a person’s daily life, giving the user a sense of empowerment and skill. The article concludes that a focus on a skill-based approach and the context of societal challenges of Bangladesh is crucial to ensuring digital inclusion.

An Administration of the New Electronic Identity Management System in Southwestern Nigeria

The implementation phase of any policy either at the global, national, regional or organizational level has one important driving force, the policy strategies. They serve as the mapping hedge for controlling potential deviation or shortfall from the policy targets using the policy outcomes as the checker. Drawing its strength from a wide gap between the targets and outcomes of the National Policy on Identification System in Nigeria, this paper examines the policy strategies employed by the relevant agency for the ongoing implementation of the new Identification System using a qualitative and quantitative method. 31 staff of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) representing 10% of the study population (311) was administered with a closed-ended questionnaire, and in-depth interview conducted among some senior officers of the Commission. Percentages and narrative analysis were used to analyse the data. Findings showed that deployment of a user-friendly pre-enrollment electronic interface (57.1%); deployment of national ICT infrastructure (57.1%); inter-agencies collaboration (50%) were the only effective strategies among those identified by the study. The study submitted that most of the existing implementation strategies employed for the new Identification Policy in Nigeria are not effective. It further recommended among others decentralization of the enrollment process as well as an effective deployment of mobile registration centers to fast-track attainment of the targets set out in policy under review.

Fostering the development of Oman’s knowledge economy pillars through ICT

Purpose Information and communications technology (ICT) is the driving force and key enabler of a knowledge economy. The purpose of this study is to identify the critical ICT indicators that foster the development of the knowledge economy and its main pillars (education, innovation and economic and institutional regimes) in Oman. Design/methodology/approach The study used a qualitative approach and conducted four Delphi studies on four groups of experts (ICT experts, educators, innovation experts and economists) in Oman. Findings The results indicated that the most commonly top-listed ICT indicators of a boost in the country’s knowledge economy are related to the national level (total research and development expenditure on ICT, ICT patents as a percentage of national total and ICT as an overall priority for the government), firm level (the proportion of businesses using the internet, the proportion of businesses using computers and the proportion of businesses with a Web presence), and inhabitant level (mobile phone subscribers per 100 inhabitants, internet subscribers per 100 inhabitants and personal computers per 100 inhabitants). Originality/value ICT is the driving pillar of a knowledge economy. The literature indicated that most of the ICTs for development studies are conducted in developed countries; hence, there is a great need for investigations in the context of less developed economies such as Oman. This study can provide insights for the country on how to develop and exploit ICT to boost the development of the overall knowledge economy and its pillars and to provide guidance for exploiting ICT to gain economic value. Oman’s vision for 2020 and 2040 aims at economic diversification; the knowledge economy is a critical aspect of the country’s economic diversification. In addition, the literature indicated that the relationship between ICT and development is still not clear; hence, this study provided some insights into the context of knowledge economy development.

Review of Policy and Development of Teacher Education in Bangladesh in the Perspective of 21st Century Education

Educationists may describe year 2010 as a turning point for education sector in Bangladesh because this year the government came out with a ‘National Education Policy 2010 (NEP2010)’ which is termed as complete policy and, in turn, involved scholars and practitioners in the process policy formation, and NEP2010 has, gradually, been implemented. This policy put emphasis on teacher education for uplifting the quality of the education. In addition, the country has some policy documents, say, Five Year Plan (FYP), Education Reports, Education Strategy 2021, National ICT Policy 2015, and Master plan for ICT in Education (2012-21) which also have the teacher education sections. Hopefully, the increased level of involvement through review will result in additional scholarly analyses of policy issues with particular emphasis on teacher education. Calls for the reform of teacher preparation were very long and have seldom come from as many quarters. This paper focuses on the issues that characterize the educational reform movements as they relate to teacher education and offers a perspective on the challenges before teacher educators and certainly there are implications. A framework is applied in this paper for the case study of Bangladesh for addressing questions: Were these implications fully evaluated in terms of their desirability, affordability, and implementability? Was the impact of the policy properly assessed to determine whether to continue the policy, modify it, or go on to a new policy cycle? To answer these questions, the policy process was analyzed, step by step, examining events within the context of the conceptual framework. The policy and development of teacher education in Bangladesh is designed to equip a teaching profession to meet the needs of the 21st century where blended environment has been the integral part of education system. Various ministerial projects, say, a2i (Access to Information) and TQI (Teaching Quality Improvement), implement CPTD (Continuing Professional Teacher Development), and Teacher Training Institutes (TTIs) and universities provide IPET (Initial Professional Education of Teachers) to cope with the teaching environment in 21st century education.

THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE E-GOVERNMENT PROJECT IN JORDAN AND ITS BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES

Today, it is expected that governments will respond to public needs, manage public funds efficiently and transparently, and adapt to social changes. In this transitional process, public administration gains inspiration from private companies, goal-driven management, and custom. At the same time, the resistance to such a large organizational change is enormous. The huge size of the government makes it slow to change, especially when the implementation of e-government is only one of the many challenges that the government must deal with e-oriented policies. The quest to implement e-government projects is motivated by the fundamental policy goals of (i) increased effectiveness, efficiency, and information quality; and (ii) improved interaction mechanisms, and in turn better governance tools. In Jordan, e-services initiative is the heart of the e-government. Therefore, the ICT sector is best served and is able to deliver e-government services in an integrated manner, as a result since 2000, many national ICT projects have been launched to sustain and support the e-government program.

A Framework for ICT Implementation in School Education in India

It is widely accepted that digital technologies (popularly known as Information and Communication Technologies or ICT) have the potential to strengthen and reform school education. However, in the absence of clear framework for program design, the impact on learning processes and outcomes from numerous attempts by different governments and other actors has not lived up to this potential. This note provides a holistic framework for such a design, covering infrastructure, teacher education, curriculum and content and education administration, aiming to support the creation of an ecosystem of ICT integration. The note assumes certain principles- firstly ICT program should aim to support the achievement of educational aims. A deep understanding of aims, philosophies, contexts, needs and priorities of education in India, is indispensable for meaningful and effective program design. Secondly, ICT implementation must support the achievement of education policy. The thrust of these policies has been to support constructivist classroom pedagogies, make learning connected to local contexts and responsive to learner needs, make the school culture democratic and participatory, support decentralized school system administration by strengthening school autonomy, teacher agency and connecting the school to the local community, going beyond a narrow focus on learning outcomes. The ‘public’ nature of education aligns strongly with free and open ICT architectures. It is recommended by the National ICT policy that the ICT implementation in school education use free and open technologies, including FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) and OER (Open Educational Resources). The design of ICT programs must consciously aim for sustainability, where the schools and other institutions can continue the integration of ICT beyond the initial investment period. Developing in-house capacities of teachers and teacher educators to appropriate free and open ICTs for their work, can sustain the use of ICT, freed from vendor lock-ins. Using ICT to build peer networks of teachers can support continuing professional development and sustain ICT implementation in the school.

National ICT policy challenges for developing countries: a grounded theory informed literature review

National ICT policy challenges for developing countries: a grounded theory informed literature review

The Qualitative Study on Input – Output Channel Configurations in Wireless Body Area Network

Abstract Increasing interest in wireless networks and the electrical devices with the help of semiconductor technology has empowered the active participation of people in the development of Wireless Body Area Networks. Sensor network’s environment for using free space is different from that of Wireless Body Area Network as it transmits signals through body parts. There are lots of areas which need to be taken care of during the transmission of signals. One of the predominant points is fading.This manuscript deals with simulating transmissions over fading channels and presents a comparative study of various input-output channel characteristics in Wireless Body Area Network. The power profile of Wireless Body Area Network with various input-output channel configurations is generated using Weibull characteristics according to NICTA’s (previously known as National ICT Australia Ltd) measurement in MATLAB software. It is known that as the distance increases fading occur in the signal as well as in the channel. This work basically deals with the various type of power profile which will be achieved by changing input and output channel configurations. Moreover, channel’s power profile has been plotted to get mean fading values using carrier frequency, relative body movement, and scattering density. Here few of the mitigation methods to remove the effect of fading are also discussed.

Integrated care issues: Transfer of patient care information

Background : Transfer of patient care information between organizations is usually done by means of a transfer by paper: the patient himself hands the information over from the multidisciplinary team from one organization to another. In 2012, a stroke care pilot project regarding transfer of nursing and paramedical patient information, Cross-enterprise Document Sharing XDS, was started. Organizations from the Rotterdam Stroke Service n=19 in the Netherlands started a collaboration with “Care-portal Rijnmond”, a safe gateway where health care organizations can exchange information in an easy, safe and reliable way. The assumption is that health care will be delivered in a more efficient and effective manner when ICT is used, even when organizations have different electronical patient file systems. Methods : A panel of experts in stroke care stroke nurses, neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, elderly care physicians reached consensus about the content of patient information that is necessary for a qualitative good, timely and correct information transfer. They used the Delphi method, a structured communication technique to reach consensus. The national standards ICT institute in Healthcare, Nictiz, were integrated in the project. For the diverse parts of the project, different project leaders were installed. These project leaders developed detailed project-plans. The project leaders were also the ambassadors for the project and were seeking for funding. The involved professionals and project leaders had every week skype meetings or face to face meetings. They kept the project on the agenda in the health care organizations. Results : Already existing agreements concerning the collaboration in the integrated care service were adjusted and new agreements regarding the innovative project were made. The information about the project was shared with multiple stakeholders. The initial developed dataset was translated to the general information “building bricks” from Nictiz. Software was chosen and ICT systems were adjusted to the new working method. A viewer for viewing patient information was installed. Tests showed that information was received earlier and was more complete available for example for the rehabilitation unit after the patients’ discharge. The professionals were able to develop a rehabilitation plan for an individual patient, even if the patient was not transferred yet. When the patient was admitted, they could start immediately with rehabilitating that patient. Discussion/conclusion : Information is quickly available and therefore treatment can start earlier. It may benefit for example the rehabilitation process positively. Furthermore, this is an uniform solution based on standards, and therefore useful for multiple patient groups. It is assumable that the patient will profit and have better rehabilitation outcomes. Limitations and lessons learned : There were multiple new parties and it was therefore a challenge to reach consensus. Furthermore, because the delay there was a change of professionals over time, which means that these professionals had to be informed and introduced in the project. And lastly, over time safety and privacy regulations changed and new interventions were needed to cope with the new regulations. This is an ongoing project, with the goal to connect all organizations by means of XDS.

The dynamics of national ICT ecosystems

AbstractThe ICT ecosystem is a new and emerging concept which suggests that ICTs should not be viewed as technical systems in insolation, but rather as a part of a wider network that takes into account non‐technical dynamics, being socio‐economic, political, spatial, and such. Nguyen, Nielsen, and Sæbø (2017) have conceptualized the national ICT ecosystem which adequately describes the socio‐technical components surrounding an ICT embedded within a country. However, their conceptualization is merely a static description of the ecosystems' components without sufficient description of their dynamics. Based on a case study of a health management information system and its surrounding ecosystem in Tanzania, we contribute by identifying three dynamics of national ICT ecosystems: (1) evolution occurring in small and incremental steps; (2) co‐adaption in the ecosystem following integrations between ICTs; and (3) ICTs being integrated due to perceived network effects.

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE ARAB SECTOR IN ISRAEL AS A RESULT OF THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE INTEGRATION OF THE NATIONAL ICT PROGRAM IN TEACHING

This study aims to examine the relationship between principals' policies in the Arab sector in Israel and their attitudes towards the integration of the national ICT program in teaching, their implementation of this policy and the integration of ICT in their schools, as well as their impact on the implementation of ICT among teachers. The study included 20 schools and 345 teachers and principals.
 The results of the study indicate that the manager's positive attitude toward ICT improves the perception of teachers' responsibility and autonomy, while the perception of responsibility and autonomy among them significantly improves the implementation of ICT in practice.