National Information Technology Policy Research Articles

Internal and External Factors to Adopt a Cyber Security Strategy in Iraqi Organisations

Cyber security has become one of the main focus areas in developing and maintaining a country’s information technology (IT) infrastructure. In a country like Iraq, there is an urgent necessity to strengthen its overall cybersecurity framework and reorganise the whole industrial and security infrastructure with the help of advanced technology coupled with integrated cyber security policy. The main aim of this paper is to devise a cyber security strategic framework for Iraqi organisations. This framework will be organised on the basis of the internal and external factors that must be considered at both the deployment and the policy levels of infrastructure development and management. An integrative or critical literature review has been embarked on for generation of themes on the bases of which the proposed cyber security framework would be modelled. This literature review is designed such that it would not only help in diagnosing gaps in knowledge but also assist to overcome the barriers in research and development. The literature reviews along with the case studies of Oman, Singapore, Malaysia, and the UK can be used to understand that a decentralised cyber security framework for national or private organisations across a country is yet not possible. However, every country must have a national level framework for a cyber security enforcement that is capable of handling both the internal and external threats. A set of recommendations were taken in this study began with Identify and technically segregate the external and internal stakeholders, formulate and implement even-handed cyber rules and regulations, devise training and awareness programmes on cyber security across the Iraqi organisations to create a fleet of capable CERT groups, innovate a cyber security framework that would encompass both the internal and external factors to be taken in account and ended with future research must be focussed on ways to assimilate cyber security specific policies within the national IT and ITeS policy framework.

Evaluation of Sectoral Implementation of Nigerian National Information Technology (IT) Policy

The Nigerian National IT policy (USE IT) was formulated in March 2001 with sixteen sectoral application areas and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) was established as the implementation agency. Out of these sixteen sectoral applications, this study sought to determine the extent of implementation of the policy in six of the sectors - health, agriculture, urban and rural development, arts, culture and tourism, national security and law enforcement as well as research and development. Ministries and agencies relevant to each sector were studied and the extent of implementation of the IT policy was evaluated. The study also assessed the newly drafted national ICT Policy to determine whether areas in the current national IT policy that are yet to be satisfactorily implemented has been taken care of and then make recommendations. Fifteen Heads of departments across selected sectors were interviewed face-to-face, one online interview via e-mail as well as fifty-nine copies of questionnaire administered. Interview responses were transcribed verbatim based on extent of implementation of each of the objectives of the IT policy that each sector seeks to achieve. Questionnaires were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and inferences were drawn by rating responses on a scale of 1-5 (excellent to not satisfactory respectively).The study adjudged that the extent of implementation of the national IT policy in health, agriculture, Nigeria Police Force as well as in the research and development sector was very satisfactory. Implementation in urban and rural development and in the Nigeria Immigration Service was seen as average; while it was adjudged unsatisfactory in Arts, Culture and Tourism sector. A review of the newly drafted national ICT policy revealed that some of the identified gaps in the current national IT policy had been incorporated to an extent while recommendations were made for the other areas. The study recommended among others, that the arts, culture and tourism sector should not be neglected as it is critical to transforming the country’s economy if properly managed by harnessing IT capabilities in its transformation. The Nigerian national ICT policy (draft) should put appropriate measures in place to create an enabling environment that will enhance effective and coordinated ICT development across all sectors, especially in the arts, culture and tourism sector.

Teacher Readiness to Integrate Information Technology into Teaching and Learning Processes in Nigerian Secondary Schools: A Case Study

The first mission statement of Nigerian National policy for InformationTechnology (IT) is to use IT for education and a major underlining factor in achieving the goals of the National IT policy is the readiness of teachers to use IT. It is against this background that this study was set to investigate the readiness of teachers in Nigeria to integrate IT in instruction. Three research questions were generated and answered in the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey design using two questionnaires (Teachers Information Technology Preparedness Questionnaire and Basic Information Technology Practical Skills Activities) to collect data from a total of 470 teachers who were selected through the simple random sampling technique. Data analysis for the research questions was done through the use of simple percentage and frequency calculation. The results revealed that majority of the teachers have low level of knowledge about IT. In the same vein, majority of teachers in the schools in this study did not have adequate IT skills. However, the teachers have positive attitude toward the use of information technology.

Information, knowledge and technology management: national information technology policies for sustainable development

The paper discusses the relationship among information, knowledge and technology management, with special emphasis on their applications in developing economies and how they relate to sustainable development. It also discusses the role of the national Information Technology (IT) policies in providing enabling environments for Knowledge Management (KM) for sustainable development. Finally, the paper appraises the national IT policies in two African countries (Nigeria and Ethiopia) to further provide insight into the provision of enabling environment that can lead to the process of KM for sustainable development.

National Information Technology Policy in Thailand: A Comparison among Organizational Sectors

AbstractThis study was motivated by the challenges confronting the developing Southeast Asian nation of Thailand in realizing national policy objectives aimed at creating a knowledge‐based society. The study determines and compares the development plans of 72 medium to large sized organizations representing 7 organizational sectors in terms of the relative and changing importance assigned to a range of technologies, professional activities, and IT knowledge/skills and assesses the alignment of these development plans with national policy objectives.

Towards an Effective National Policy on Information and Communication Technologies for Nigeria

Examines the reasons for the ineffective implementation of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Policy and its shortcomings as a comprehensive and functional ICT policy for Nigeria. Outlines the efforts made by government agencies and professional associations towards evolving a sustainable national policy, as well as thefactors that have militated against it. Offers suggestions towards the emergence of an appropriate national ICT policy.

Analysis of firm-level computer investments: a comparative study of three Pacific-rim economies

The impact of information technology (IT) on firm level productivity has been a subject of considerable research. Although a number of empirical studies have been reported, results are far from conclusive. Almost all of these studies are based on secondary data collected in the United States, which makes it impossible to compare productivity impacts under different economic and demographic settings. It remains unclear whether empirical findings obtained from US firms are also applicable to firms residing in other parts of the world. To answer this question, an empirical study was conducted to assess the impact of IT investment in firms operating in three economies (Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia) in the Pacific Rim from 1983 to 1991. Our results indicate that while still small as a percentage of total capital compared with the United States, computer capital stock increased substantially in all economies during the period. Our production function estimates suggest that there are positive and excess returns in one of the three economies. Results of the analysis provide the basis to address issues such as national IT policy and the effect of economic dynamics on IT adoption.

Information technology promotion in Thailand: Constraints and challenges

Recent technological developments in Thailand fall into three categories. First, early industrialisation promoted efficiency and employment in Thai industries. However, this did not support skills development among the Thai work-force. Second, the government became increasingly involved in the promotion of science and technology in addressing previous problems, particularly in information technology (IT). An institutional framework to assist IT developments was initiated, resulting in the setting-up of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre and a National IT Committee, and the formulation of a National IT Policy. Lastly, a mismatch between the demand and supply of qualified manpower, particularly in IT, has been cumulative and remains pervasive. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Information technology strategies for Africa's survival in the twenty‐first century: IT all pervasive

Abstract This paper discusses the status of information technology (IT), at national, organisational and individual levels, as we approach the twenty‐first century. The paper is written within the context of developing countries, particularly Africa, and identifies some of the common problems and constraints militating against effective IT adoption and utilisation in these countries, such as low IT literacy, inadequate human resource capacity for IT development, inadequate information and communication infrastructures, absence of action oriented national IT policies, poor IT delivery by vendors, lack of co‐operation among and within countries, etc. The paper asserts that in the twenty‐first century, IT will inevitably pervade all aspects of our lives and, as such, there is need to prepare ourselves at national, organisational and individual levels. Strategies for such preparation are suggested. The paper cites some success stories in harnessing IT for socio‐economic development with reference to the area ...