To meet or to connect? Face-to-face contacts vs ICT in cluster organisations

Abstract The main purpose of the paper is to explore how cluster organisations (COs) take advantage of direct (F2F) and indirect (ICT) contacts in fulfilling their main roles. The paper addresses the research question: “How important are Information and Communication Technologies at each level of advancement of cluster cooperation?” The research was conducted in 2016 in four purposefully selected cluster organisations representing metal and ICT industry. The basic method of data collection was an in-depth individual interview. The authors applied the qualitative content analysis as the procedure to analyse the interviews. The research sample comprised of 30 cluster members. The research was based on an original theoretical concept referring to the trajectory of the development of cooperative relationships in cluster organisations. Four levels of development of cluster cooperation as well as three main roles of cluster organisation were distinguished. At each level, COs play one of three identified roles: a direct resource supplier (providing access to resources), a broker (facilitating resource exchanges) and an integrator (integrating into different dimensions), which gives a total of 12 specific roles. The research has shown that both direct and indirect contacts were significant both in fulfilling the roles assigned to the cluster organisations as well as in developing the cluster cooperation. It has been also observed that ICT importance was slightly different at each level of a CO’s development. Only in one identified role (at level II: Process integrator) the importance of ICT tools was at least as great as F2F contacts. The research study contributes to the literature which refers to the question of face-to-face contacts established in geographical proximity versus the ones set up by using Information and Communication Technologies in cluster organisations. It was noticed that even though ICT plays a significant role in the functioning of COs, they cannot replace face-to-face contacts. They can only be their important complement at every level of CO development. There are also some limitations connected with the qualitative approach, which does not allow the author to generalise the findings. The first limitation is the small research sample. The second limitation is the subjectivity characterising qualitative research, mainly due to the applied techniques of data collection and analysis.

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Gauteng Paperless Classrooms: Fantasy, Fiction, or Reality?

Mousaion ◽

10.25159/2663-659x/7323 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rehana Minty ◽

Ian Moll

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Research Question ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Main Research ◽

Face To Face ◽

Fantasy Fiction ◽

Postgraduate Studies ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Ict Training

The South African government has invested substantial funds into providing information and communication technologies (ICTs) to schools and ICT training for teachers. However, these projects have not been as successful as anticipated. Internet connectivity and a lack of ICT skills among teachers continue to plague ICT integration at schools. Despite the challenges, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) established “paperless schools” at selected sites. This article emanates from the postgraduate studies of the first author, entitled “The Viability of Teaching and Learning Mathematics Using Information and Communication Technologies in a Paperless Environment”. The main research question was: “How are teachers teaching Mathematics in a paperless environment?” A qualitative research method and a multiple case study design were employed. Semi-structured, in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with sixteen Mathematics teachers, one deputy principal, two ICT committee members, and a member of the Harry Gwala Support Centre. Classroom observations were also conducted. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that Mathematics is being taught in a blended environment in all four cases, contrary to what the Gauteng MEC expected. Teachers articulated their preference for a blended teaching and learning environment and their belief that Mathematics cannot be taught solely with ICTs. It is recommended that the GDE change their expectations of requiring teachers to teach in a paperless context. Instead, it should be the teacher’s choice when to integrate technology to enhance teaching and learning.

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An analysis of the policies of Information and Communication Technologies for Agriculture in Mali

The Journal of Community Informatics ◽

10.15353/joci.v16i0.3489 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

pp. 100-117

Author(s):

Macire Kante ◽

Patrick Ndayizigamiye

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

National Policy ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Policy Documents ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Production Areas ◽

National Framework

To harness the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), developing countries need to develop national ICT policies that will serve as a framework for integrating ICTs at all levels of society. In the absence of that, different actors often engage in various actions for the same beneficiaries and in pursuit of the same objectives. That raises the need to define a national framework for the promotion and application of ICTs in the various production areas, particularly agricultural ones. It is for that reason that this study examined through qualitative methods (policy documents and semi-structured interviews) the national policy of Mali on the use of ICTs in agriculture. Data was analysed using the Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) method with the aid of NVIVO 12 software. The results showed that the country has two policy documents that articulate the country’s strategy towards the use of ICTs in the agricultural sector, that is, the Agricultural Orientation Law and the National Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy. Further examination revealed that that these two policy documents are neither appropriate nor coherent in today's Malian landscape. This has resulted in an underutilisation of digital tools by agricultural extension officers which led to the low agricultural productivity in the country. This study recommended therefore the recasting of both documents to take into account the reported observations

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La colaboración mediada por tecnología como estrategia para potenciar visitas guiadas

10.35537/10915/112369 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Analía Roxana Dávila

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Formal Education ◽

Science And Technology ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Open Science ◽

Face To Face ◽

Technology Centers ◽

Use Of Technology ◽

National University ◽

Information And Communication

It is proposed to analyze the scope and limitations that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) offer as collaboration mediators; and enhancers of innovative experiences in non-formal education spaces. To this end, it is proposed to implement a methodology mediated by ICTs to promote and achieve greater use of the guided visits to the interactive science and technology centers. The work contemplates, firstly, carrying out a bibliographic inquiry and background review of interactive science and technology centers in different Ibero-American countries and secondly, it is proposed to design a methodology to enhance collaboration mediated by technologies in the framework of visits to centers interactives and then apply this methodology to a particular case study to measure its impact. The experience will take place at the Open Science and Technology Interactive Center (CICyT) of the National University of Lanús and proposes, through a specific intervention, comparatively analyzing 3 types of guided visits: a) traditional in-person visit format, b) visit face-to-face with instance of collaboration activities without the use of technology, c) interaction mediated by ICTs prior to the visit, face-to-face visit with use of ICTs, and instance of interaction mediated by ICTs after the visit, which will then be contrasted with the antecedents and theoretical studies found in the bibliography.

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The complex geographies of telelactation and access to community breastfeeding support in the state of Ohio

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0242457 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0242457

Author(s):

Tony H. Grubesic ◽

Kelly M. Durbin

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Community Support ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

The State ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Breastfeeding Initiation ◽

Breastfeeding Support ◽

Face To Face ◽

Support Resources ◽

Information And Communication

The availability of breastfeeding support resources, including those provided by Baby-Friendly Hospitals, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, breastfeeding counselors and educators, and volunteer-based mother-to-mother support organizations, such as La Leche League, are critically important for influencing breastfeeding initiation and continuation for the mother-child dyad. In addition, the emergence of community support options via information and communication technologies such as Skype and Facetime, social media (e.g., Facebook), and telelactation providers are providing mothers with a new range of support options that can help bridge geographic barriers to traditional community support. However, telelactation services that use information and communication technologies to connect breastfeeding mothers to remotely located breastfeeding experts require reliable, affordable, high-quality broadband connections to facilitate interaction between mothers and their support resources. The purpose of this paper is to explore the complex spatial landscape of virtual and face-to-face breastfeeding support options for mothers in the state of Ohio (U.S.), identifying barriers to support. Using a range of spatial and network analytics, the results suggest that a divide is emerging. While urban areas in Ohio benefit from both a density of face-to-face breastfeeding support resources and robust broadband options for engaging in telelactation, many rural areas of the state are lacking access to both. Policy implications and several potential strategies for mitigating these inequities are discussed.

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M-Governance

Advances in Electronic Government, Digital Divide, and Regional Development - Technology Development and Platform Enhancements for Successful Global E-Government Design ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-4900-2.ch013 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 247-262

Author(s):

Hilda Moraa ◽

Anne Salim ◽

Albert Otieno

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Communication Channels ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Service Levels ◽

Water Service ◽

Face To Face ◽

Level Of Satisfaction ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Levels Of Service ◽

Study Participants

iHub Research conducted a study on 896 citizens to establish whether citizens raise alarm when faced with problems related to water. The study aimed to ascertain the communication channels they use to forward complaints to relevant authorities and the level of satisfaction obtained by the citizens after their complaints have been received. The study found that 68% of the respondents had faced challenges while trying to access their main source of water and were not able to complain to anyone about the problems affecting them due to inexistence of appropriate communication channels. A lack of understanding with regards to whom or where to complain was cited as one of the major reasons as to why most respondents do not complain about the water service levels. Majority of the citizens interviewed use face-to-face communication to raise their water grievances. Levels of satisfaction were found to vary when it comes to rating the action taken on water complaints raised. This study opines that with the emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) this scenario is poised to change. The study participants revealed that they are motivated to utilise ICTs to air their complaints with regards to their levels of service satisfaction. Emerging ICT applications, especially those accessible on mobile devices, provide a lot of promise for enhancing water service delivery in Kenya because feedback on water/service quality can be received ubiquitously.

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E-Therapy

Electronic Services ◽

10.4018/978-1-61520-967-5.ch118 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 1921-1942

Author(s):

Catarina I. Reis ◽

Carla S. Freire ◽

Josep M. Monguet

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Therapeutic Process ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Future Trends ◽

Face To Face ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Health Field

Nowadays, information and communication technologies (ICT) are being used in the mental health field to improve the quality of the services provided. Several studies refer both advantages and disadvantages for these practices. E-therapy appears as a new way to help people in their life and existing relationships, and there is proven evidence that online therapy helps, for instance, to reduce depression symptoms. It is also seen as a complement of the technological and traditional techniques, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the therapeutic process. As a matter of fact, some people tend to be more comfortable with the computer than in face-to-face therapy. Besides patients and physicians, other direct players could be found in this domain, namely, families and caregivers. All players will be directly affected by the use of existing services and thus, a correct assessment of the effectiveness of e-therapy solutions and studies is required. eSchi is a multimedia portal that enables an e-therapy setting for schizophrenia patients. Currently under development, the system is described and future trends in the area are depicted.

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E-Therapy

Handbook of Research on Developments in E-Health and Telemedicine ◽

10.4018/978-1-61520-670-4.ch042 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 882-903 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Catarina I. Reis ◽

Carla S. Freire ◽

Josep M. Monguet

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Therapeutic Process ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Future Trends ◽

Face To Face ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Health Field

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Collaboration Among Multicultural Virtual Teams

Encyclopedia of Distance Learning, Second Edition ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-198-8.ch044 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 306-313

Author(s):

Kursat Cagiltay ◽

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer ◽

Michael A. Evans ◽

Trena M. Paulus ◽

Jae Soon An

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Virtual Teams ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Face To Face ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Problem Solve ◽

Virtual Setting ◽

E Mail

Due to the increasingly widespread use of various information and communication technologies (ICT), individuals from different countries and cultures are able to learn and work collaboratively in virtual environments (Mowshowitz, 1997). Electronic communication tools, such as chat, e-mail, and the World Wide Web, now make it possible for students and employees to communicate and problem solve with colleagues irrespective of geographical location (Scott, 2000). One of the major downsides of this form of collaboration, though, is that members of a virtual team do not have the advantage of face-to-face interaction and communication. Instead they must rely solely upon an assortment of computer-supported cooperative-learning and class-work tools and strategies—some planned, some ad hoc—to coordinate resources (Bichelmeyer, Cagiltay, Evans, Paulus, & An, 2004). Unfortunately, little research has been conducted to systematically investigate the dialectic between culture and computermediated communication (CMC). There is currently an insufficient understanding of how individual learning and work, cultural features, and CMC mutually influence one another in a purposeful, virtual setting.

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Using Zoom Videoconferencing for Qualitative Data Collection: Perceptions and Experiences of Researchers and Participants

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/1609406919874596 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 160940691987459 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Mandy M. Archibald ◽

Rachel C. Ambagtsheer ◽

Mavourneen G. Casey ◽

Michael Lawless

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Data Collection ◽

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

Practice Nurses ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Conducting Research

Advances in communication technologies offer new opportunities for the conduct of qualitative research. Among these, Zoom—an innovative videoconferencing platform—has a number of unique features that enhance its potential appeal to qualitative and mixed-methods researchers. Although studies have explored the use of information and communication technologies for conducting research, few have explored both researcher and participant perspectives on the use of web and videoconferencing platforms. Further, data are lacking on the benefits and challenges of using Zoom as a data collection method. In this study, we explore the feasibility and acceptability of using Zoom to collect qualitative interview data within a health research context in order to better understand its suitability for qualitative and mixed-methods researchers. We asked 16 practice nurses who participated in online qualitative interviews about their experiences of using Zoom and concurrently recorded researcher observations. Although several participants experienced technical difficulties, most described their interview experience as highly satisfactory and generally rated Zoom above alternative interviewing mediums such as face-to-face, telephone, and other videoconferencing services, platforms, and products. Findings suggest the viability of Zoom as a tool for collection of qualitative data because of its relative ease of use, cost-effectiveness, data management features, and security options. Further research exploring the utility of Zoom is recommended in order to critically assess and advance innovations in online methods.

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Identification of Variables that Predict Teachers’ Attitudes toward ICT in Higher Education for Teaching and Research: A Study with Regression

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12041312 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 1312 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Francisco D. Guillén-Gámez ◽

María J. Mayorga-Fernández

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

University Professors ◽

Teaching And Research ◽

Face To Face ◽

Survey Technique ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Teachers Attitudes

The aim of this research is to analyse the attitudes towards information and communication technologies (ICT) of higher education teachers from an affective, cognitive and behavioural model for teaching and research. It also aimed to explore different factors that can predict such attitudes. A non-experimental study was proposed using a survey technique and descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out using a multiple linear regression model (MLR). In total, the sample was formed by 867 university professors from Spain belonging to different areas of knowledge. The results show that these teachers have a medium total attitudinal level, so the lowest attitudes have been represented by the behavioural ones, followed by the affective ones. Regarding the predictor variables, variables that can predict such attitudes were found to be age, participation in projects, gender and teaching in face-to-face and/or online universities (ordered from highest to lowest priority).

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