Proposing an M-Government Framework for the Ministry of Housing in Oman

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-44
Author(s):  
Yahya Ahmed Alwahaibi ◽  
Shamsul Arrieya Ariffin ◽  
Salem Garfan ◽  
Aslina binti Saad ◽  
Ramalingam Dharmalingam
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Fuzzy Delphi ◽  
Technology Changes ◽  
Tam Model ◽  
Housing In Oman ◽  
Government Development

In the dynamic world of technology, changes and transformations have emerged rapidly in recent years. Service providers such as government departments transformed their services from e-government to m-government for widespread customer reach. However, several issues existed that were obstructing the implementation of such a system by the Ministry of Housing in Oman, especially in rural areas. This study proposes a novel framework based on the fuzzy delphi and TOPSIS models to provide digital literacy and services. This framework considered the variables extracted from previous studies. Furthermore, a survey was conducted on 20 experts to determine the accepted variables. Thirty-five pre-service engineers evaluated the questionnaires using TOPSIS to determine the skills of pre-service engineers based on delphi criteria outcomes. The conceptual framework developed from the accepted results uses 11 different variables based on the TAM model. The study benefits the stakeholders in the area of m-government development.

scholarly journals The impact of telehealth technology on user perception of wellbeing and social functioning, and the implications for service providers

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Kisalay Burmeister ◽  
David Ritchie ◽  
Alison Devitt ◽  
Eevon Chia ◽  
Gregory Dresser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
User Perception ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Technology Changes ◽  
The Impact

The aim of the project was to evaluate the use of telehealth equipment in the homes of older community-dwelling people, and to review its social and economic impact. A mixed methods approach was adopted, involving interviews, observation and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Overall, the greatest benefit was apparent in those participants with a low familiarity with technology and low digital literacy, where changes in behaviours to prevent an exacerbation of their condition was possible. The user interface design reduced concern about using the technology. Changes achieved were through better compliance with medication and associated understanding of the impact on their vital signs and hence daily activities. This represented an improved health literacy and the economic benefits appear to be linked to that. Less benefit was observed by those who had been self-monitoring previously. A greater focus on specific conditions and improved self-management could strengthen the evidence for targeted economic benefits.

Agro-Innovation – Path to Agricultural Entrepreneurship: Feasibility Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Elias Kamaruzzaman ◽  
Norzaidi Mohd Daud ◽  
Samsudin Wahab ◽  
Rozhan Abu Dardak
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Production Cost ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Financial Cost ◽  
Technology Changes ◽  
Property Owners ◽  
The Government ◽  
Agricultural Entrepreneurship

Technology changes will always be for the better, not only to the end users but also to the intellectual property owners of the technology and the implementers of the technology. The objective of this paper is to study the feasibility and viability for entrepreneurs to become service providers for the dispensation of fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and supporting services such as aerial crop reconnaissance using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or drones. The methodology used for this study is SWOT Analysis. Both primary and secondary data is used for this analysis. This study finds that paddy farming employing drones is feasible. The beneficiaries of this study shall be the government, by way of lowering financial cost to subsidise the paddy planting, the farmers who no longer need the services of migrant workers, thus saving production cost, and finally the drone service providers and their downstream business associates who can engaged themselves in very lucrative businesses.

scholarly journals Infrastructural and Social Aspects of ICT Dissemination in Rural Areas in Ukraine in Juxtaposition with Other Post-Transition Countries—State of Play and Prospects for Rural Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Synowiec
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Transition Countries ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Information And Communication

The objective of this study is to identify the current state of, and the prospects for, information and communication technologies (ICT) dissemination in rural areas in Ukraine in juxtaposition with other post-transition countries. The spread of ICT is discussed within the frame of economic, infrastructural, and social factors affecting rural areas in Ukraine since the post-communist transition period. Information and communication technologies may support the socio-economic development of peripheral areas in many ways—including rural ones. Dissemination of ICT contributes to the emergence of sources of income, equalizes education opportunities, and increases the attractiveness of rural areas. However, the rural—urban divide in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and other former USSR countries is still remarkable and, as a type of structural inequality, should be better recognized. The source material is based on secondary data, which consists of selected literature on the subject of rural development in Central and Eastern European Countries, strategic documents, available reports and studies of international institutions, research from agencies, state documents and statistics, and research conducted by international and domestic NGOs. In reference to the paper’s objective, the method of content analysis was employed. Dissemination of ICT in rural areas in Ukraine is influenced by two groups of factors. The infrastructural divide concerning Internet access between rural and urban populations in Ukraine has been diminishing, but the issue of structural exclusion due to place of residence has still not been solved. As far as the social aspects of ICT dissemination in rural areas in Ukraine are concerned, the level of digital literacy among rural dwellers is significantly lower in comparison to urban residents. Rural areas are more exposed to the consequences of various aspects of digital exclusion.

Theory of change: Driving a digital school in rural Pakistan

First Monday ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashir Ahmed ◽  
Jason Sargent
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Rural Pakistan ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Innovative Tool

This paper reports the findings of the initial phase of a longitudinal study that aims to investigate barriers to digital literacy in rural Pakistan. The research employs the Theory of Change to plan various stages of a digital literacy program for young children living in a remote area of Pakpattan, Pakistan. A Digital Access Vehicle (DAVe) was deployed as an innovative tool to introduce digital literacy for those who were unable to travel to the project’s NGO partner headquarters to access DAVe’s array of digital technologies. An interpretive case study approach is used to perform in-depth analysis of the subject under investigation by conducting one-on-one interviews and focus groups with key informants. The contributions of this research are twofold: (a) it operationalizes the Theory of Change to systematically plan a social impact project in a resource-constrained developing country; and (b) it creates a better understanding of barriers hindering digital literacy of young children in rural areas of a developing country such as Pakistan.

Wireless technologies and policies for connecting rural areas in emerging countries: a case study in rural Peru

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 479-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Espinoza ◽  
David Reed
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Emerging Countries ◽  
Base Stations ◽  
Wireless Technologies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Broadband Services ◽  
Engineering Cost

Purpose This paper aims to compare the costs of deploying different wireless terrestrial broadband technologies in the Andes and Amazon Regions of Peru. These areas are representatives of different and challenging geographic regions throughout the globe that currently are severely underserved or unserved for vital broadband services necessary to bridge the “Digital Divide”. Design/methodology/approach The broadband technologies studied include Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), long term evolution (LTE), TVWS and new stratospheric platforms (super-pressure balloons). This study conducts a technical analysis (design and simulation) of wireless broadband networks, and a bottom-up engineering cost analysis to estimate and compare the deployment and operating costs of the networks over a 10-year period. The analysis also identifies potential regulatory barriers to deployment associated with spectrum allocation licenses and overbooking requirements intended to improve quality of service. Findings Comparison of the capital and operating expenses of these options over a 10-year period finds that LTE and Wi-Fi can be the lowest cost alternatives, though significantly, stratospheric balloons have the lowest initial costs for the first few years and can factor as a low-cost broadband catalyst early in deployment. Finally, the lowest cost technology broadband roadmap for the 10-year period is presented, which includes using stratospheric balloons (carrying micro-LTE base stations) for the first years and deploying complementary terrestrial LTE networks for the rest of the 10-year period. Originality/value This study presents detailed technical and engineering cost analysis results of wireless access network deployments, including advanced wireless technologies and new unmanned aerial systems, to expand broadband services to rural areas in mountainous (Andes Region) and rainforest (Amazon Region) geographies to reduce the digital divide in emerging countries. Results aim to aid governments, regulators, internet service providers (incumbents and competitive) and content providers to assess current alternatives to expand broadband service in these rural areas.

Causal Modelling and Analysis Evaluation of Online Reputation Management Using Fuzzy Delphi and DEMATEL

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar ◽  
Manoj Kumar Dash
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Causal Modeling ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Reputation Management ◽  
Fuzzy Delphi ◽  
Modeling Analysis ◽  
Factor Data ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Online Reputation ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Online reputation management (ORM) is a significant and proactive tool that can reinforce the credibility of the service provider. Literature existing today on this topic has rarely reported on the causal modeling analysis from an ORM perspective. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to build a factor structure of ORM and to build the inter-relationship map amongst the criteria of each factor. To allow for vague human judgment, a fuzzy concept is employed in a form of Fuzzy Delphi. The DEMATEL technique has been used to develop a Network Relationship Map (NRM) among the criteria of each factor. Data has been gathered through a structured questionnaire conducted with a survey of experts. The study divided the criteria of each factor into cause-effect criteria. Findings of the study show that criteria such as distributed reputation system, trust, online competitive branding, website management, customer relationship, search engine optimization, corporate social responsibility, users' reach, competition/page views, purchase discounted products and cash back or money back fall under the cause group of ORM's factors. The results of this study can not only help service providers to enhance their reputation but can also guide them towards targeting their customers in an online platform.

scholarly journals Privacy Preserving Healthcare Data using Cloud Computing

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10S) ◽  
pp. 118-124
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Cloud Model ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
It Adoption ◽  
Network Access ◽  
Effective Manner

Cloud Computing is a new way of delivering computing resources and services. It is a model for on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources like, networks, servers, storage, applications, and services that can be provided with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. The cloud model is composed of five essential characteristics, four service models, and four deployment models. Healthcare is faster growing way to adopt cloud computing. It is very important for every individual and essential for every country in the Globe. Electronic healthcare systems in the world are moving towards a more accessible, collaborative and more proactive way in reaching out to the public. The delivering of public health solutions can lead to increased efficiencies in health related data. Many nations across the globe have launched aggressive stimulus programs aimed at solving public healthcare problems in efficient way. This review article mainly focus on different ICT based infrastructure facilities available in various hospitals in India, abroad with cost effective manner using cloud computing technologies, services and this will be a best solutions for healthcare systems in rural areas. In this paper analyzed and presented about various cloud service providers, investment in healthcare, IT adoption in Indian Healthcare sector, Major benefits of Cloud-based Patient Management System [PMS], about SADA systems, Top ten cloud storage companies in healthcare and Pros and Cons of EHR systems, comparison of Indian healthcare systems with US system, and various Cloud Simulators.

scholarly journals Knowledge and practices about breastfeeding in rural areas of Rajshahi District, Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1903
Author(s):  
Ruhani Mat Min ◽  
Md Mosharaf Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
Child Age

Background: Breastfeeding is an important indicator for child health and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and practices regarding EBF and its relation to various socio-economic and demographic factors among mothers with at least one child age (6-12 years) in the rural areas of the Rajshahi district in Bangladesh. Methods: A study based at village hospitals was conducted and a semi-structured questionnaire was used. A total of 513 mothers who had at least one child's age (6-12) months from 32 different village hospitals in rural areas of the Rajshahi District, Bangladesh from September to December 2015. The composite index, chi-square test and binary logistic regression model were used in this study. Results: The incidence of EBF good knowledge and practices was 32.0% and 27.9% among mothers with at least one child age (6-12) months. The analysis shows that the age of mothers ≥ 31 years have less knowledge and practice about EBF compared to mothers aged ≤ 30 years. Mothers who are housewives had a higher probability of good knowledge and practice than mothers who were service providers. Nursing mothers at home have less knowledge and practices about EBF than mothers who gave birth in the hospital. Mothers that had a monthly family income of ≤ 6 699 BDT had less knowledge and practices about EBF compared to mothers with a family income of >6 699 BDT. Conclusions: This study showed a huge gap in EBF knowledge and practices among mothers who have at least one child age (6-12) months. This study suggests that EBF education and interventions can play an important role in increasing EBF good knowledge and practices among mothers with at least one-to-one (6-12) months of age children. Malnutrition will be reduced if the EBF is widely established in Bangladesh.

scholarly journals A vidéki térségek turizmusalapú fejlesztési lehetőségei a Siklósi járás példáján

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-112
Author(s):  
Melissza Zita Lempek ◽  
◽  
Róbert Tésits ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Important Goal ◽  
Tourism Economy

The study aims to answer the question concerning how effectively cities of the Siklós district can involve the surrounding settlements in the tourism economy, thereby promoting the development of rural areas. In addition to local governments and tourism organizations, our important goal is to understand the ideas of service providers and their guests related to rural development, as well as the space use characteristics of the latter group. The key method is the questionnaire survey, the target group of which is the mayors of all settlements in the district, as well as the guests of the accommodations belonging to the different product types. The primary sources are based on two further series of interviews, which explore the opinions of service providers and professional organizations. Empirical experience shows that thematic trips can play a prominent role in the development of the less frequented small settlements. The essence of this is to connect the places offering traditional crafts and local products by a bike route.

scholarly journals Rural as Periphery Per Se? Unravelling the Discursive Node

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianka Plüschke-Altof
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
The Other ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Hegemonic Discourse ◽  
Spatial Inequalities ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Per Se

Despite often being used interchangeably, the dominant equation of the rural with the peripheral is not self-evident. In order to critically scrutinize the discursive node, the aim of this article is twofold. On one hand, it argues for overcoming the prevalent urban‒rural divide and dominant structural approaches in sociological and geographical research by introducing discursive peripheralization as a conceptual framework, which allows the analysis of the discursive (re-)production of socio-spatial inequalities on and between different scales. On the other hand, this article explores how rural areas are constituted as peripheries within a hegemonic discourse naturalizing the ascription of development (non-)potentials. Following a critical discourse analysis approach, this will be illustrated in the case of periphery constructions in Estonian national print media.

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