Use Of Information Technology Applications Research Articles

The use of information technology applications by faculty members at the college of basic education in the public authority for applied education and training in the state of Kuwait

This study sought to determine the importance of the use of information technology by faculty members in the educational departments of the College of Basic Education in the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training in the States of Kuwait. A descriptive survey method is used to achieve these goals. A questionnaire is utilized as the main tool for the study on a stratified random sample of 42 faculty members. One of the most prominent results is that a large number of faculty members do not deal efficiently with information technology, and are not aware of all the available technological tools. The study also concluded with a proposed vision to increase the efficiency of information technology performance, including training, periodic updating, and permanent empowerment to use it as an integral part of the quality of the educational process in the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training.

The use of information technology applications in the provision of health care to a COVID-19 patients

At the time of writing this study, the COVID-19 virus continues to spread through its multiple mutants, the latest of which is (Omicron). Therefore, it was necessary to use effective and unconventional treatments to reduce the spread of this virus and to deliver health care to its infected without the need to be exposed to the risk of infection. This research paper presents valuable solutions for communicating with COVID-19 patients through the use of information technology applications. This method contributes to reducing the consumption of medical resources, reducing contact with patients, and helping with social distancing, which contributes to reducing the spread of this virus. The process of using information technology means to provide medical advice and treatment to patients by telemedicine doctors has been clarified. More importantly, the results of this study presented the factors affecting the use of these applications in terms of social, technological, and organizational.

Greece 2.0, Health Economics and Outcome Research and the Rise of Artificial Intelligence: Another Missed Opportunity or it's Time for Brilliance?

The EU National Recovery and Resilience Plan "Greece 2.0" includes, among other priorities, a framework to promote and reform the health system, with a focus on digitalization of health and the use of information technology applications. Greece 2.0 may offer a chance to address the current scarcity of high-quality, reliable data sources, which is limiting the spread and impact of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR). We also suspect that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in HEOR will play an important role in Greece's health-care reform and that it will be critical for making real-world data-driven decisions, reducing policy uncertainty. Greece has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to start from scratch and potentially build data-centric AI systems that prioritise data quality over quantity and are built on scalable, flexible, and governable data collection. This commentary explains and critically considers the significance of developing and funding an innovative plan for using AI in HEOR as part of the Greece 2.0 framework. It also discusses ethical issues and the larger role of HEOR in health-care reform.

Sub-optimal knowledge with positive attitude and belief of frontline health workers toward the use of information technologies: A mixed-method study from rural Haryana, India.

Information technology (IT) can be used by frontline health workers (FLWs) to connect and deliver care to the community. Various studies in India have assessed the beneficial impact of IT usage by FLWs, but for the long-term sustainability, the attitude and belief toward IT usage have not been adequately studied. We conducted this study to assess the knowledge and attitude and to explore the beliefs of FLWs toward the use of IT in a rural area of Haryana. We conducted a mixed-method study (qualitative and quantitative approach) in a rural setting of Haryana, India. We included FLWs of two primary health centers (PHCs). Data were collected from October 19, 2020 to December 31, 2020. We collected data from 75 accredited social health activists (ASHAs), 37 Anganwadi workers (AWWs), 28 multi-purpose workers (MPWs), two information assistants, and two medical officers using a semi-structured interview schedule. Their knowledge about the benefits of IT use, past use of IT applications and devices, and self-rating of knowledge regarding computers or laptops were collected. We used 14 attitude statements, each with a five-point Likert scale to assess the attitude; a total score ≥35 was considered a positive attitude. We conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) to explore the beliefs regarding IT usage (four FGDs with ASHAs, two FGDs with AWWs, and two FGDs with MPWs). A descriptive analysis was performed for the quantitative data, and a thematic analysis was performed for qualitative data. Knowledge about the benefits of IT use was present among 77.8% of FLWs. Among the FLWs, 79.2% self-rated their knowledge of computers/laptops as 'do not have knowledge', 16% self-rated as 'low knowledge', and 4.8% self-rated as 'good knowledge'. The median total score for attitude statements among all the FLWs (n = 144) was 54 [inter-quartile range - 48-59]. Four themes emerged for beliefs toward IT usage, namely, positive beliefs, negative beliefs, challenges anticipated in adopting IT use, and facilitation factors. The positive beliefs were related to improvement in work efficiency and social status, less paperwork, timely report generation, and better learning. The negative beliefs were related to an increase in working hours, close monitoring, and feeling over-burdened. We found that FLWs had knowledge regarding the benefits of IT use, but they lacked knowledge regarding laptop/computer use. They had a satisfactory level of confidence in using smartphones, and most of them were using mobile applications. The majority of the FLWs had a positive attitude and beliefs toward IT use and wanted to use it in the future.

The role of information technology applications in profitability

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the role of information technology (IT) applications in the profitability of the Indian travel and tourism industry. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research was conducted and an in-depth interview technique was applied for the collection of primary data. Traditional travel agents, tour operators, online travel agents and hoteliers in Gurgaon were investigated to explore issues pertaining to the study, and all responses were recorded and later transcribed. The identities of interviewees and their properties are not revealed to preserve confidentiality. Findings The analysis reveals that IT plays a significant role in the profitability of the tourism and travel industry. These include competitive pricing attained via dynamic pricing especially in the hotel industry, promotion and improved efficiency in rendering services to tourists and access to tourists virtually anywhere and at any time. Practical implications The findings have direct and indirect implications for different stakeholders – notably, travelers, owners and executives of businesses in the travel industry, as well as for researchers. Executives and owners can discern the critical implications of adopting IT to take their businesses to a new level. They should also be able to appreciate the fact that to remain competitive, practitioners must explore the potential opportunities emerging through IT. Originality/value Organizations in this sector are moving from traditional business models to more technologically dependent approaches. In particular, this study shows how the use of IT applications is influencing the profitability of the travel and tourism industry especially in India.

Pilot Study on the Application of Telemedicine as a Tool for a Population-Based Cancer Registry in Hlegu Township, Yangon Region, Myanmar

Abstract 57 Purpose The cancer burden is rising and threatens the social and economic development of low- and middle-income countries, including Myanmar, in the ASEAN region. A quality cancer registry plays a unique role in planning, the evaluation of cancer control program, treatment, and palliative care. To date, there is a paucity of studies in Myanmar that have focused on the implementation of a population-based cancer registry. In addition, the concept of telemedicine with the use of information technology applications as appropriate during implementation needs to be introduced. Such an approach may be beneficial to those working at the grassroots level for the overall improvement of the processes of community reporting, confirmation of diagnoses, effective referral for palliative care, and the establishment of cancer registries. Methods A pilot study was therefore carried out to formulate the strategic approach for establishing a population-based cancer registry in Hlegu Township in Northern Yangon District, Myanmar. First, the cancer data entry software was created and installed on mobile phones as an information technology tool to initialize telemedicine. Next, 15 health assistants in Hlegu Township were trained in the collection of data and the entry of basic information on patients with cancer, including name, age, gender, national ID, education, occupation, primary diagnosis, and the site of metastasis of confirmed cancer cases through mobile phone applications and reported to the cancer database unit at the Department of Medical Research. Results A total of 126 patients with cancer were registered in Hlegu Township from June 2016 to May 2017. The estimated prevalence of disease is 4.6 per 10,000 people. The most common age at cancer diagnosis was 46 to 65 years (73.58%). Female sex was 2.5 times predominant than male sex (72% v 27%). Among 91 registered female patients with cancer, the three most common cancers were breast (32.35%), cervix (16.17%) and uterine (15.17%). Eighty-five patients with cancer (67.46%) received their diagnosis in public hospitals. Overall, 59% of patients received combination treatment, 19% received surgery only, 16% were treated with traditional medicine, 3% were treated with radiotherapy only, and 3% were treated with chemotherapy only. Conclusion This study is a first step in applying the concept of telemedicine to the creation of a population-based cancer registry in a resource-limited setting. More concerted efforts are needed to move toward a well-established population-based cancer registry in Myanmar. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from the authors.

Cloud, Big-Data and Human Centered Computing towards better Information and Technological Solution in MGNREGA: An Existing and Possible Overview

The use of Information Technology applications in almost all the sections of the society became one of the common practices in the society. Education, health, government, business, commerce, environment, and other areas, IT and Computing are plays a leading role. The Information Technology is also changing its shape and expanding its components every day. The latest in the list are Cloud Computing, Green Computing, Human Computer Interaction, Big-Data, Analytical Tools, and parallel computing. In the Government sectors, these technologies have valuable contribution and the magnitude of such contribution is increasing day by day. In the MGNREGA project, India, huge amount of information and computers are used and here these emerging technologies may be applied based on requirement and need. This paper discusses the potential applications of Cloud Computing, Big Data. Human Computer Interaction and Parallel Processing to improve the magnitude and speed of information processing in this rural employment project, which is officially termed as MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005).

Supply chain management in food processing sector: experience from India

Food processing is an important link between agriculture sector and the consumers. Importance of logistics and supply chain management is increasing at the global level especially in food processing. Present study is an attempt to explore the status of supply chain management in food processing industry of Punjab. Fifty food processing units were included in the study. Survey queries focused on a range of issues such as recognition of supply chain management as a separate functional area, use of information technology applications, and use of cold chain facilities. An attempt was also made to explore supply chain management practices adopted by food processing units. Results indicate that logistics and supply chain management is still in its infancy in food processing sector. There is considerable scope improving supply chain management practices especially in context of information quality, and postponement.

Facilitating knowledge management through information technology in hospitality organizations

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss how hospitality organizations can facilitate knowledge management (KM) better through information technology (IT) tools.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is developed based on a synthesis of previous literature.FindingsKnowledge can be seen as one of the key assets for hospitality organizations. Therefore, KM can help hospitality organizations create and sustain a competitive advantage. Use of IT applications can assist in creating, storing, transferring and using tacit and explicit knowledge. Hospitality organizations can use numerous IT tools in their KM practices, which include competency databases, decision support systems, online search systems, expert networks, e‐mail, groupware, teleconference, intranet, WWW, document management systems, video conferences, data warehousing, and workflow software.Research limitations/implicationsRather than looking at IT applications from a tactical and operational point of view, this article suggests that hospitality organizations need to view their IT initiatives strategically. It is important to connect such IT application with other ones and search for synergies among them and management practices to optimize these elements, and so that tacit and explicit knowledge from different functional areas and management levels can be created, stored, transferred, and used efficiently and effectively. To achieve this, hospitality organizations not only need to create a supportive organizational culture and structure, but also train and motivate their team members to manage knowledge through IT applications.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies in the hospitality field that offers discussions and recommendations on how hospitality organizations can better facilitate KM through IT. This paper provides discussions on potential challenges in utilizing IT tools in KM initiatives in hospitality organizations. The article further offers theoretical and practical implications, which should be useful for hospitality executives, researchers, educators, and students.

A Computer Literacy Scale for Newly Enrolled Nursing College Students

Increasing application and use of information systems and mobile technologies in the healthcare industry require increasing nurse competency in computer use. Computer literacy is defined as basic computer skills, whereas computer competency is defined as the computer skills necessary to accomplish job tasks. Inadequate attention has been paid to computer literacy and computer competency scale validity. This study developed a computer literacy scale with good reliability and validity and investigated the current computer literacy of newly enrolled students to develop computer courses appropriate to students' skill levels and needs. This study referenced Hinkin's process to develop a computer literacy scale. Participants were newly enrolled first-year undergraduate students, with nursing or nursing-related backgrounds, currently attending a course entitled Information Literacy and Internet Applications. Researchers examined reliability and validity using confirmatory factor analysis. The final version of the developed computer literacy scale included six constructs (software, hardware, multimedia, networks, information ethics, and information security) and 22 measurement items. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the scale possessed good content validity, reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. This study also found that participants earned the highest scores for the network domain and the lowest score for the hardware domain. With increasing use of information technology applications, courses related to hardware topic should be increased to improve nurse problem-solving abilities. This study recommends that emphases on word processing and network-related topics may be reduced in favor of an increased emphasis on database, statistical software, hospital information systems, and information ethics.

Logistics information systems: The Hong Kong experience

With the growing importance of logistics to the economies of Hong Kong and China, logistics information systems (LIS) are becoming essential tools for companies in Hong Kong and China to successfully compete in a global market. However, little empirical research has been conducted to study the use of information technology applications to support logistics operations and to identify the factors that are important to the adoption of LIS in Hong Kong logistics companies. This paper proposes a model for the adoption of LIS that examines the relationships among the organizational context, the perceived benefits of LIS adoption and the perceived barriers of LIS adoption. In addition, this research investigates the use of information technology (IT) applications to support logistics operations. We conducted a survey of 195 logistics companies in Hong Kong, and applied logistic regression to test the proposed model. The empirical results indicate that the use of IT in logistics is at a satisfactory level. Specifically, the logistic regression model shows that perceptions of resource barriers and a company's entire operations have a significant effect on the company's decision to adopt an LIS. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Leveraging information technology to achieve the IT2000 vision: The case study of an intelligent island

Although many developing and developed countries have major initiatives to promote the use of information technology (IT), Singapore is one of the few countries which not only has a comprehensive IT2000 vision, but which is also taking proactive steps to make the vision a reality. This paper examines how Singapore is currently leveraging IT applications to achieve the IT2000 vision. It also explores some of the uses of IT that will be deployed in the near future. Specifically, this paper discusses the use of IT applications to provide one-stop, non-stop government and business services, promote cashless transactions, provide more options for leisure, and facilitate easy commuting.