A critical analysis of information and communications technology adoption: The strategy-as-practice perspective

Purpose: The ubiquitous pace of innovation is spawning a multitude of information and communications technology (ICT) products that are both redefining the manner in which organisations operate and have the potential to engender organisations with strategic advantage through the adoption of these products. However, the challenges that this presents to organisations include developing agile strategies that cater for market instabilities, determining what technology to adopt and ensuring that the appropriate technology is adopted. Thus, the purpose of this article is to perform a critical analysis of ICT adoption in an attempt to determine the influence that the pace of technology has on organisations in their endeavour to stay abreast of their market environment and to develop a comprehensive ICT adoption framework.Design/methodology/approach: This is exploratory research that concentrates on ICT adoption studied through the strategy-as-practice lens. Through critical analysis, the scientific literature was analysed to determine ICT adoption factors and to gain a better understanding of ICT adoption in the modern context. The principles of grounded theory were applied where repetitive reading of selected articles made it possible to identify factors that are associated with ICT adoption.Findings: The study identified three key factors of ICT adoption, namely ‘external’, ‘innovation’ and ‘organisational’. A number of ICT adoption characteristics were identified which were categorised against the three factors. In addition, the study identified critical management challenges associated with ICT innovation and the adoption thereof in the modern business context.Research limitations/implications: The proposed ICT adoption framework is based on scientific literature only and no popular writings, blogs or forums were included.Practical implications: Strategists need to understand that developing agile strategies involves more than discipline; it embraces an in-depth understanding of ICT adoption factors, insight into the daily operations of managers and an awareness of innovations in ICT.Originality/value: The article aims to enable organisations to better understand the effects of ICT innovation and the influence this has on management roles. Additionally, it presents a comprehensive ICT adoption framework that can aid strategists in understanding the factors that influence ICT adoption.

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Information and communications technology adoption amongst township micro and small business: The case of Soweto

SA Journal of Information Management ◽

10.4102/sajim.v16i1.618 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Carl Marnewick

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Small Businesses ◽

Information And Communications Technology ◽

Communications Technology ◽

Exploratory Research ◽

Doing Business ◽

Ict Adoption ◽

South African Township ◽

And Training ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Background: No empirical evidence is available on whether or not information and communications technology (ICT) is adopted by South African township micro and small businesses (MSBs) in order to grow the business. ICT, as an enabler, can grow the business. It is evident from literature that ICT enables MSBs to be more productive and efficient.Objectives: This research determines to what extent ICT is adopted by MSBs in Soweto, and whether or not a positive correlation exists between the adoption rate of ICT and the financial and growth performance of the MSB itself.Method: A structured questionnaire was completed by 978 respondents to determine the extent of ICT adoption and for what ICT is used. This exploratory research provides new knowledge about the acceptance of ICT within township MSBs.Results: The results indicate that ICT is not used to the fullest by MSBs. Rather, it is used as a basic tool for doing business but it does not form an integral part of the business. This research provides insight into the usage and adoption of ICT and it opens the door for further cross-analysis research.Conclusion: Education and training are needed to ensure that MSBs use ICT to the fullest. MSBs embracing ICT can evolve from a survivalist SME to a more sustainable micro and small MSB.

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ICT Adoption by Library Professionals in India: Challenges and Opportunities

International Journal of Management Research and Social Science ◽

10.30726/ijmrss/v8.i3.2021.83019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

Keyword(s):

Information And Communications Technology ◽

Technology Literacy ◽

Educational Institutions ◽

Communications Technology ◽

Training Environment ◽

Managerial Support ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Ict Adoption ◽

The Subject ◽

And Training

In this research, the use of ICTs in India by librarians, particularly in the use of mobile phones, was the focus of this study. To gather the required data for the research, surveys were performed and this approach was implemented. The questionnaire was presented to eight librarians from eight teacher college libraries in the subject of study who responded to it, and the results were used to inform the research. According to the conclusions of the study’s materials, ICT use by professional librarians in India is still a relatively recent phenomena, and as a result, it is still in its early phases. The study showed that while libraries utilise information and communications technology (ICT) to deliver some services, these services are insufficient in part as a result of challenges such as a lack of money, a scarcity of trained personnel, and a lack of managerial support. According to the findings of this study, college librarians should get training in information and communications technology literacy since ICT is a dynamic, continuously practising, and training environment that they should take advantage of, as demonstrated by the results of the study. It was proposed that students have access to contemporary ICT instruments, such PCs, printers and scanners, to help them with their home maintenance tasks in order to enhance the administration of educational institutions. The recommendation was also made that libraries should get sufficient help in this respect. The research also advised that college bibliographers participate in attachment programmes with the help of students at the major university libraries to understand the finest practises of modern librarians.

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The Challenge of Information and Communications Technology in Education

SHS Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/shsconf/202110201009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 102 ◽

pp. 01009

Author(s):

Peter Ilic

Keyword(s):

Information And Communications Technology ◽

Educational Institutions ◽

Traditional Learning ◽

Instructional Designers ◽

Communications Technology ◽

Learning Approaches ◽

Body Of Knowledge ◽

Ict Adoption ◽

History Of ◽

Supported Education

The dramatic impact of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) on society suggests the potential for an analogous effect on education. The prospects for some benefit from the affordances offered by ICT are appealing but not entirely understood by many educators. The challenges of design, implementation, assessment, and analysis of ICT supported education are considerable. These challenges include how ICT can support traditional learning approaches, add new educational opportunities, and reduce resistance to introducing disruptive technologies such as smartphones. The affordances of ICT in education open many possibilities to integrate with and support existing curriculums. However, many educational institutions have not fully embraced these opportunities. This paper will explore some barriers to ICT adoption in the educational context. The first section is a brief introduction followed by a section on the history of educational theory to illustrate the considerable body of knowledge available on this topic. The third section introduces a type of case study of the challenges faced by a nation in providing the infrastructure needed to implement many of these technologies. Section four gives a summary of many, but not all, barriers to technology adoption faced by educational administrators, instructional designers, educators, and learners. And the final section is a brief conclusion.

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Sustainable Livelihoods of Township Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises towards Growth and Development

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12083149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 3149 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stella Bvuma ◽

Carl Marnewick

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Information And Communications Technology ◽

Historical Background ◽

Sustainable Livelihood ◽

Exploratory Research ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Ict Adoption ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Micro Enterprises

In South Africa, small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have been recognized as the critical driving force to alleviate some economic challenges that the country faces. The challenges, such as the alleviation of poverty and the unemployment rate, can be addressed by policies that encourage SMME developments and sustainability. The historical background of SMMEs in South Africa has left them operating in various locations, such as cities and townships. There is a growing concern of the lack of information and communications technology (ICT) adoption by SMMEs, in particular those operating in townships. The aim of this study was to develop an ICT adoption framework using the sustainability livelihood framework (SLF) to encourage ICT adoption and improve the livelihood of township SMMEs. This study used the sustainable livelihood framework (SLF) to explore the broader socio-economic contents of the township SMMEs on human, social, financial, and physical and natural resource-based assets that enable the poor to enhance their capabilities and reduce their vulnerabilities. This study deployed a qualitative exploratory research. A sample of 21 SMME owners/managers operating in Soweto was used, and data were collected using in-depth interviews and observations. The study revealed township SMMEs are complex and dynamic and need various interventions in order for them to be sustainable. The SLF for township SMMEs can be used as a guideline for SMME owners/managers and policy makers when formulating ICT adoption policy.

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Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) for Covid-19 Epidemic Affected People

South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities ◽

10.48165/sajssh.2021.2505 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (5) ◽

pp. 65-84

Author(s):

Zanab Safdar ◽

Kalsoom Safdar ◽

Ruqia Safdar Bajwa ◽

Shafiq Hussain ◽

Ahmad Karim

Keyword(s):

Health Systems ◽

Research Method ◽

Information And Communications Technology ◽

Communications Technology ◽

Exploratory Research ◽

New Approach ◽

Current Health ◽

Internet Of Medical Things ◽

Entire World ◽

Health Model

i. Purpose of the study: Due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, it has become challenging for the entire world to identify and treat infected patients at existing hospitals. In order to stop the spread of COVID-19, diseased persons need to be isolated for treatment. Hence, there is an enormous necessity to identify, monitor, and isolate patients to analyze their current situation and improve diagnostic accuracy to prevent more spread and deaths. ii. Methodology: Providentially, the recent advances in Information and communications technology (ICT) like the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) bring us opportunities to win the battle against the COVID-19 crisis. The exploratory research distributes practical assistance to the researcher for the rudimentary work. In this study, the exploratory research method was executed to explore the existing literature intensively and recognize the COVID-19 affected patients’ issues or challenges. iii. Main Findings: A new approach of IoMT-based E-Health has been designed and proposed for affected patient’s treatment in real-time. IoMT based E-Health model venture a prodigious promise to treat isolated patients where it applies existing technologies to increase quality control and access to patient healthcare centers in this COVID-19 pandemic effectively. iv. Applications of this study: IoMT-based E-Health involves significant components to track, identify, monitor, manage, store, and analyze patient information for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of the proposed approach, existing hospitals and healthcare centers can manage many infected patients, suggest treatment, and respond quickly according to their emergency alerts. v. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study aims to identify current health systems’ challenges and design a specialized model for the IoMT based E-Health systems by focusing mainly on the challenges that surfaced during COVID-19.

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