scholarly journals Agro-Livestock Farming System Sustainability during the COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of Information and Communication Technologies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6521
Author(s):  
Nesrein M. Hashem ◽  
Eman M. Hassanein ◽  
Jean-François Hocquette ◽  
Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes ◽  
Fayrouz A. Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Information And Communication

In the near future, the year 2050, agricultural production should expand to fulfill the needs of approximately 9.7 billion inhabitants. Such an objective should be harmonized with social, economic, and environmental sustainability aspects to maintain safe food production and food security worldwide. For more than a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has raised and is still strongly disrupting the agro-livestock production sector, similar to several other economic sectors. In this sector, the relationships between suppliers, producers, and consumers should always continue to maintain the activity of the production chain, which are impaired by social distancing decisions taken following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, a global cross-sectional survey (translated into four languages: Arabic, English, French, and Spanish) was shared with people belonging to the agricultural sector to identify: (1) the role of the agricultural information and communication technologies (ICTs) in agro-livestock farming systems sustainability during the period of COVID-19 pandemic, (2) the need for such technologies in the agricultural sector, and (3) the factors that affect the use of such technologies. The results showed that the most frequently used agricultural ICTs were social media (Facebook and/or WhatsApp; 27.3%) and online platforms and Internet services (26.3%), whereas robotic vehicles and/or drones (6.6%) were less frequently used. During the emergence of the pandemic, the major reasons impacting agro-livestock farming systems’ sustainability were social distancing (30.0%), shortage of labor (17.7%), maintaining precision farm management (14.8%), product marketing (14.2%), access production inputs (7.2%), and others (16.1%). Applying agricultural ICTs solved many obstacles related to the production process, such as maintaining precision farm management (25.6%), product marketing (23.6%), and access production inputs (16.1%). The subgroup analyses of the results considering the degree of country advancement, size of agribusinesses, and role/position of respondents in the farm highlighted the importance of supporting the use, availability, and awareness of agricultural ICTs at least for some groups of people such as those belong to developing countries, laborers, and small-scale agri-business holders. This cross-sectional study highlights the urgent need to turn to and to expand the use of new agricultural ICTs to meet the growing demand for food production in the world and to ensure the resilience and sustainability of farming systems, specifically under unexpected and extreme conditions.

scholarly journals Innovación en los procesos de distribución, mediante el uso de las TIC. Un estudio exploratorio en las mipymes

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-122
Author(s):  
Paula Rosalinda Antonio Vidaña ◽  
Daniel Martínez Navarrete ◽  
Luz del Carmen Muñoz Palacios ◽  
Carlos Alberto Ruiz López
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Redes Sociales ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Medium Enterprises

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar el nivel de adopción de las TIC´s en los procesos de distribución de las Micro, Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (MIPyMES). El estudio fue concluyente de tipo descriptivo, que por tomar la muestra en un momento específico es transversal simple, aplicando una muestra de 483 encuestas en un periodo de febrero y mayo 2020, en los municipios de Orizaba e Ixtaczoquitlán.  Se obtuvieron resultados, que en un 23.1% consideran que no necesitan medios como redes sociales, el 34.1% consideran no necesario el usar el servicio de paquetería, lo cual fue un punto discursivo como parte del análisis, entre otros resultados mostrados. Abstract The objective of this research consisted of identifying the level of impact Information and Communication Technologies (Ict) had in distribution processes in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The study consisted of a conclusive descriptive type: which, due to the application of a survey during a specific period, it is a simple cross-sectional study applying a sample of 483 surveys between the months of February and May 2020, in the municipalities of Orizaba and Ixtaczoquitlan, in the State of Veracruz. Results showed that 23.1% considered that they had no need for media such as social networks, 34.1% considered the use of postal or parcel services unnecessary, which was a discursive standpoint as part of the analysis among other given results.

scholarly journals Uses and Resources of Technologies by Mathematics Students Prior to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1630
Author(s):  
Hassan Hossein-Mohand ◽  
Melchor Gómez-García ◽  
Juan-Manuel Trujillo-Torres ◽  
Hossein Hossein-Mohand ◽  
Moussa Boumadan-Hamed
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mathematics Learning ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mathematics Students ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Information And Communication

Digital competence in education includes, amongst other things, the ability to create and manage content and information, mastery of communication tools, and solving technological problems. The access to information and communication technologies (ICT) for educational purposes could have affected the academic performance of mathematics students prior to COVID-19. The objectives were to (1) analyze family and economic factors that could influence the use of ICT for educational purposes, and (2) determine what attributes of Melilla’s mathematics students could explain an additional variation in the use of ICT for academic purposes before COVID-19. A total of 2018 students at secondary schools in Melilla were included in this cross-sectional study. A validated questionnaire with 14 questions regarding ICT and its uses and resources in mathematics learning was administered to students. Statistical analysis revealed that 63.81% of students used ICT to study mathematics and 36.19% did not. Of this percentage, 30.22% failed mathematics and 68.43% reported that ICT does not help them improve their grades. The use of ICT to study mathematics was influenced by students’ perceptions of its usefulness for their academic performance and learning. We also found an association with educational level and time spent on the Internet.

scholarly journals Undergraduate information literacy self-efficacy: a cross-sectional study of Cambodian provincial universities

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheyvuth Seng ◽  
May Kristine Jonson Carlon ◽  
Jeffrey Cross ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
T Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Information And Communication

Introduction. This paper examines the information literacy self-efficacy of undergraduate students at provincial universities in Cambodia, and to determine whether there are significant differences in information literacy self-efficacy in terms of sex, academic year, faculty and university. Method. We adapted the information literacy self-efficacy skills survey by Kurbanoglu and administered to 1,009 undergraduate students at three public provincial universities to measure their confidence on information literacy. Analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics using independent sample t-test (t-test) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyse the responses. Results. The results indicated that the information literacy self-efficacy of provincial universities in Cambodia was low as the mean scores were lower than the midpoint value of the original scale. Significant differences were also observed across the faculties and universities. This study revealed no significant difference of information literacy self-efficacy between male and female students. However, significant difference was observed between universities due to the performance of infrastructures and supporting funds. Conclusions. The findings indicated that undergraduate students at the provincial universities in Cambodia exhibited low confidence in information literacy. Policy making on information and communication technologies should be well implemented to provide practical skills to students from first to fourth year.

scholarly journals Tecnologia, geração e status ocupacional: um estudo sobre a apropriação das tecnologias da informação e comunicação na Universidade Federal de Viçosa

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-261
Author(s):  
Neide Maria De Almeida Pinto ◽  
Joyce Keli Do Nascimento Silva ◽  
Ana Louise Fiuza
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Occupational Status ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Social ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Technological Capital

The article discusses the so-called “digital divide”, related to inequality in ownership, use and benefits extracted from technological resources due to the social stratification that imposes economic, political, social and cultural cleavages. Based on studies of the sociology of technique and Bourdieusian concepts of socialization, technological capital and informational habitus, the objective is to analyze the ownership and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) from the perspective of generation and occupation. Conducting a cross-sectional study, with the application of questionnaires to a sample of 324 students, teachers and technical-administrative servants (active and retired) at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) revealed that generation and occupational status have an effect on tenure, forms/frequencies of use and in the self-perception of technological capabilities, also being associated with factors such as gender, education and income. The results showed that a large number of students, active and retired teachers and active technical-administrative servants carry out multiple online activities, declare long use of ICTs and a more favorable perception of digital skills. Meanwhile, retired technical-administrative servants registered the lowest percentages in online practices, the lowest frequencies of use and a less favorable perception of their skills. Other statistically significant differences were also observed.

scholarly journals Use and Perceptions of Information and Communication Technologies Among Ecuadorian Nurses: A Cross-sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-17
Author(s):  
Ivan Chérrez-Ojeda ◽  
Miguel Felix ◽  
Valeria L. Mata ◽  
Emanuel Vanegas ◽  
Daniel Simancas-Racines ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Time To Learn

Background: Nurses represent a key group for the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), however, few studies have explored the current use of these technologies among healthcare professionals in developing countries. Our study aims to achieve a better understanding of how Ecuadorian nurses perceive the theoretical advantages and limitations of ICTs, as well as to explore the current use of these technologies in the setting of the professional nursing practice. Methods: We conducted an anonymous survey-based cross-sectional study where 191 nurses rated their frequency of use and level of agreement to specific statements on perceptions related to ICTs. For the statistical analyses, adjusted binomial logistic regressions and the chi-squared test for association were applied. Results: In general, 96.3% of nurses reported the use of ICTs to communicate with colleagues, and 80.1% reported the use of ICTs to communicate with patients. More than 70% of participants agreed that ICTs can be useful to promote professional services, help in the search for new job opportunities and/or professional development, foster health promotion, and improve the workflow with colleagues. Meanwhile, 78.6% of nurses had privacy or security concerns about personal and/or patient information, and 60.6% reported not having enough time neither to learn how to use ICTs nor to use them. Conclusion: High use of ICTs was found among Ecuadorian nurses for communicating with both colleagues and patients. Most of the participants had a positive perception of the use of ICTs in the healthcare practice, particularly among younger nurses. Finally, the major reservations perceived were related to privacy and patient confidentiality, and lack of time to learn how to use, or use ICTs.

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