ICT and sustainability: skills and methods for dialogue and policy making

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iordanis Kavathatzopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Classical Philosophy ◽  
The Way

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an overview and to discuss the following issues: most often, discussions about Information and communication technology (ICT) sustainability focus on environmental issues; however, there are other aspects referring to ICT internal sustainability and to its role as a tool in managing general sustainability issues. The way to handle ICT sustainability issues is also significant. Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses and investigates various aspects of ICT sustainability, and of methods to handle these issues and make decisions. Findings – Classical philosophy and psychological empirical research on decision-making demonstrate the way to take care of ICT sustainability issues. This way is philosophizing, which has to be trained and supported for people and organizations involved to acquire the necessary skills and to use suitable methods. Originality/value – The paper highlights other significant aspects of ICT sustainability rather than the environmental impact alone. It also proposes focus on the way ICT sustainability issues are handled rather than focus on normative or ideological aspects of it.

Associations Between Driving Forces to Adopt ICT and Benefits Derived from that Adoption in Medical Practices in Australia

2011 ◽  
pp. 652-668
Author(s):  
R. C. MacGregor ◽  
P. N. Hyland ◽  
C. Harvie
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Medical Practices ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Way

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is today seen as a catalyst for change in the way work is carried out. Over the past decade there have been a number of studies examining both the decision-making behind ICT adoption (the driving forces for adoption) as well as the perceived benefits from that adoption. However, no studies have attempted to determine, or indeed map whether emphasis given to specific driving forces have manifested in differing perceptions of perceived benefits. The purpose of this chapter is to examine whether emphasis on particular driving forces for ICT adoption are associated with the perception of particular benefits. A study was undertaken amongst 198 Australian GPs. Results suggest that greater emphasis on improving communications gives rise to higher perceived benefits both in terms of communications and practice effectiveness, while emphasis on other drivers does not significantly alter the perception of benefits derived from adoption.

Theory of advice as an information object targeted at an unmade decision

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 212-230
Author(s):  
Allen J. Flynn
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Object ◽  
Advice Giving ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Scientific Fields

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advance an understanding of the concept of advice and its relationship to documents, information and knowledge. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual analysis of a sample of 48 relevant advice studies and two books, directly informed by documentation and information theories, was conducted to find out how researchers have approached advice conceptually since 1940. Further gains in understanding advice came from analyzing its relationship with environmental uncertainty. Findings Researchers have studied advice in the context of human-human, machine-machine and information and communication technology-intermediated interactions. Advice has been conceptualized and categorized in many different ways. Over time, conceptualizations of advice have broadened and become more general. In this light, it is theorized that advice is as an information object targeted at an unmade decision. This conceptualization of advice permits situated and momentary advice documents. A newly developed content-based framework of advice leads to an advice typology with four content-based categories of best possible advice: correct answers, probabilities, possibilities, and acknowledgments of the unknown. Research limitations/implications The refined advice theory, content-based advice framework and related typology of advice contributed here are small steps toward improved clarity about the nature of advice. These findings are limited in their focus to advice theory and advice categorization. Practical implications Scholars, practitioners and information system developers may reconsider advice theory and make use of the content-based framework and related advice typology in their work. These contributions will help advice-givers and the developers of advice-giving information systems and advice networks to provide better advice. Originality/value This paper fills a need for a clear and straightforward overall conceptualization of advice that accounts for advice documents and is informed by how advice has been previously conceptualized in multiple scientific fields.

scholarly journals Navigating the tensions in environmental innovation: a paradox perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Di Paola ◽  
Tiziana Russo Spena
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Environmental Innovation ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Specific Attribute ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the hybrid nature and scope of environmental innovation (EI) by assuming a paradox perspective and developing it empirically. Specifically, the authors raise the questions of how the opposite elements of EI characteristics can be arranged and combined to generate benefits for companies and markets.Design/methodology/approachA fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is conducted to analyse European companies operating in telecommunications and in information and communication technology (ICT). This method helps us interpret the complexity occurring in the real world, in which the contribution of a specific attribute to the outcome might change according to other interacting and concurring aspects.FindingsBy recognising the conflicting aspects inherent to the complexity of EI, this study addresses how these tensions can be embraced. Specifically, the paradox logic is proposed to open EI strategy to a “both-and” perspective, with the purpose of making EI goals concretely feasible and integrated into a holistic view.Practical implicationsParadoxical resolution denotes purposeful iterations between alternatives to ensure simultaneous attention to them over time. A paradox logic can support managers in making the EI strategy more workable and reconciling the extremes as well as possible.Originality/valueThis study unpacks the multiple enactments of EI by exploring the factors enabling integrated EI benefits. By adopting a paradox approach, the EI strategy may be interpreted in a “both-and” perspective, allowing firms to concretely achieve integrated EI benefits.

Transaction formalism protocol tool in infrastructure management

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehan Zeb ◽  
Thomas Froese
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
Software Developers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Domain ◽  
Step Procedure ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an eight-step procedure – transaction formalism protocol (TFP) – in the area of infrastructure management. The proposed TFP is developed from two perspectives: TFP Specification (conceptual) and TFP Tool (application). This paper introduces the TFP Specification and discusses the TFP Tool in detail. Design/methodology/approach To develop the proposed TFP Tool, a five-step methodology was used: identify and select existing standards, benchmark standards, link and build on these standards, develop the proposed TFP Tool and validate the protocol. Findings The TFP Specification defines each step as a function for which inputs, controls, mechanisms, tools/techniques and outputs are specified. The TFP Tool comprises a set of forms and guidance that the transaction development personnel, including transaction analysts, transaction designers, software developers, process modellers and industry experts, will use to define transactions in infrastructure management domain. Practical implications The proposed TFP Tool enables transaction development personnel to define transactions effectively and efficiently for information and communication technology (ICT)-based solutions through defining information in a structured, consistent and easy way. Originality/value The TFP Tool was built on existing standards incorporating their shortcomings, including lack of a step-by-step procedure to help guide the personnel what to do next, lack of transaction monitoring and improvement steps and lack of standardised forms to collect information in a prescribed format for implementation in ICT-based collaboration systems. The proposed Tool was evaluated and found to be feasible, usable and useful.

Ethics and ICT: Why all the fuss?

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Warren ◽  
Richard Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Special Section ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology Ethics ◽  
Information And Communication

Purpose This paper aims to introduce a special section based on papers from Australasian Conference for Information Systems 2014. Design/methodology/approach This paper comments on key contextualisation moments in relevant history. Findings This paper describes the initiative in Australia to widen Information and Communication Technology ethics awareness. Originality/value This is a new attempt to bring Ethics and Information Systems academics closer together.

scholarly journals Corporations and professionalism: awkward bed-fellows?

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Kreps
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Situation ◽  
Information And Communication

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to respond to Burmeister’s paper on Professionalism in information and communication technology. Design/methodology/approach This is a short and simple response to an issue that seemed central to Burmeister’s paper. Findings A key conundrum between the definitions of professionalism and corporations needs addressing. Originality/value This conundrum is a global political situation outwith the ability of the profession to address.

scholarly journals Adopting a socio-technical perspective to rethink the use of ICT in VNFIL

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Fahrenbach ◽  
Karin Luomi-Messerer
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
Information And Communication

Purpose This paper aims to draw on a socio-technical perspective to explore how information and communication technology (ICT) supports the validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL) in specific practices and arrangements. Design/methodology/approach The authors use qualitative content analysis to analyse 43 country reports of the “European inventory on validation” published by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) in 2019. Findings This study conceptualises ICT supported VNFIL practices and arrangements from a socio-technical perspective. Given this, the paper finds that ICT is used mainly to provide information on validation practices and arrangements, store qualification registers online and identify and document learning outcomes. The use of ICT to assess and certify learning outcomes remains limited. Originality/value VNFIL is very rarely seen in a technical context. This paper contributes to a theoretical perspective and highlights the mutual interdependence of social and technical components. Furthermore, this study provides an overview of inasmuch ICT is currently used to support VNFIL practices and arrangements. Based on the results, validation researchers and practitioners can get inspiration on how to develop ICT supported VNFIL practices and arrangements further.

Use of ICT in Teaching Vocational Subjects

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 803-813
Author(s):  
Deepak Chakravarty, Dr. Mahima Gupta, Prof. Banhi Jha
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Physical Strength ◽  
New Information ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Way

In today’s modern world, globalization has completely changed the way of working. The way we live, learn, work, and even define work has changed due to new information and communication technologies—Hence, it can stated that human capital fuel up the modern economy. In reality, the information and communication technology revolution has turned intelligence into a valuable commodity. In today's economy, economic growth is based on mental intelligence rather than physical strength, and its worth is generated by recruiting knowledgeable workers and continuing to learn. Incorporating information and communication technology (ICT) into vocational and technical education and the educational system in general has a vast range of consequences on teaching and learning.

Reconsidering the digital divide: an analytical framework from access to appropriation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Ai-Chi Loh ◽  
Arul Chib
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comprehensive Index ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Methodological Problems

PurposeThis paper presents a framework to measure the digital divide by considering a more comprehensive index of information and communication technology (ICT) predictors. The authors also address the conceptual and methodological problems in the digital divide field, given that its focus has been shifted from technological access to higher-order divides over the years. The proposed framework is hypothesized and tested in the context of unemployed and underemployed residents in Singapore.Design/methodology/approachThrough a quantitative survey, 302 unemployed and underemployed workers were asked what ICT “access”, “usage” and “appropriation” meant to them. Factor analyses were deployed to identify the underlying, granular dimensions of ICT access, usage and appropriation.FindingsThe factor analyses revealed an interesting breakdown of the main factors of ICT access, usage and appropriation. The authors found that one's purpose for which technology is accessed, used and appropriated determines how each of the levels of ICT assets is defined. Thus, the authors propose new operational definitions for ICT access, usage and appropriation based on the analyses.Originality/valueThis study aims to provide a more robust measure of the digital divide from access, capabilities to outcomes. The authors hope that this framework, besides complementing current digital divide models, can be applied to different types of participants.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document