scholarly journals Using the Pandemic to Accelerate 21st-Century Learning at a Rural University in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
pp. 34-44
Author(s):  
Vusumuzi, Maphosa
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Utaut Model ◽  
Actual Usage ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
E Learning

This study responds to the disruptive environment in which educational institutions globally find themselves in the COVID-19 lockdown, where remote-based teaching was adapted to ensure continuous learning. Globally, over 90% of learners are affected by the closure of learning institutions. The study evaluates the digital transformation necessitated by the COVID-19 lockdown through the perception of faculty. Despite the rapid technological developments and high adoption of technology-mediated tools in most developed countries, developing countries lag. E-learning adoption has remained low in most developing countries, and this study aims to investigate the acceptance of Moodle at a rural university in Zimbabwe. This quantitative study utilised the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to explore how the institution used the COVID-19 pandemic as a springboard to accelerate the adoption of virtual learning systems. Very few studies have been conducted to evaluate Moodle acceptance in a developing country context using the UTAUT model during a pandemic such as the COVID-19.  An online questionnaire was distributed to 200 faculty members. The results revealed that performance and effort expectancy and the facilitating conditions positively influenced the behavioural intention to use Moodle. However, in contrast, social influence did not positively influence the actual usage of Moodle. Educationists and technologists can use the results of the study to improve e-learning deployment in developing countries. The study also builds on ongoing research on e-learning implementation and evaluation using the UTAUT model. Future studies should be conducted across several institutions and involve students to come up with more generalisable results.

scholarly journals Promoting Clusters and Networks for Small and Medium Enterprises to Economic Development in the Globalization Era

SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401769715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Foghani ◽  
Batiah Mahadi ◽  
Rosmini Omar
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Global Arena ◽  
Asian Developing Countries

This research attempts to explore the importance of cluster-based systems in preparation for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to go global, and it is an ongoing research. The findings of this research are aimed at providing insights to policy makers, academicians, and practitioners with the objective of creating initiatives, strategies, and policies, which reflect the primary aim of supporting SMEs in managing global challenges. SMEs that are cluster-based have the potential to facilitate the successful inclusion of SMEs in the growth of productivity and networks of global distribution. Most Asian developing countries are in the dark when it comes to this matter. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relations between the capabilities of the networks and clusters in developing SMEs’ preparedness in facing business players in the global arena. This study’s scope includes specific Asian developing countries. Even though the issue of clusters in SMEs has been well researched in developed countries, such empirical studies are still lacking in the Asian region despite its prevalent collectivism practice. In the concluding analysis, the study intends to develop a model emphasizing the cluster-based industrial SMEs toward globalization.

scholarly journals The adoption of an indicator panel in educational management to decision-making support

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 266-290
Author(s):  
Miguel Fabrício Zamberlan ◽  
Carolina Yukari Veludo Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support System ◽  
Support System ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Paraconsistent Logic ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Utaut Model ◽  
Use Of Technology

The use of technology to assist in the performance of daily activities and to carry out communication between individuals has become a necessary task in the face of technological advances. In the context of public institutions, the insertion of technology is also based on the possibilities of making the activities of this sector more efficient and better quality, in addition to allowing greater transparency and accessibility of information for society. For public managers, the information and communication technology tools allow for a more accurate assessment of the variables and possibilities involved in a decision-making process and, thus, to make better decisions in a sector whose main customer is society (users). Therefore, this paper aimed to analyze the use and acceptance of a decision support tool in a public educational institution called the Indicators Panel. For this, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was used, and the results were measured using the paraconsistent logic. The results indicate that it is possible to consider the use and acceptance of the decision support system in the public educational institution by reducing the propositions of the UTAUT Model in three factors: Usability, Performance, and Relationship. Regarding the UTAUT Model, it was found that the moderating variables of gender, age, and experience do not significantly influence the adoption of the decision support system. It is important to note that managers point the tool as very important for the development of their activities and emphasize that ease of use is one of the main points for the adoption of technology.

scholarly journals Modern Services Exports from Emerging Countries—Perspectives and Opportunities

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (4II) ◽  
pp. 209-226
Author(s):  
Shahbaz Nasir
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Comparative Advantage ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Emerging Countries ◽  
Export Growth ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Emerging And Developing Countries ◽  
Technological Improvements ◽  
Modern Services

Traditionally, developed countries are the major exporters of services; however, technological developments in IT and communications over the last two decades have made it possible for developing countries to exploit their comparative advantage in some modern services. The driving force for this comparative advantage is the large pool of semi-skilled and skilled graduates in emerging countries who can deliver their services across borders, using advanced communication technologies. Why do emerging countries have increasing modern services exports? How are these exports explained by theory? What are the factors behind this export growth and the reasons to expect future growth? These are some of the important questions that researchers and policy-makers would like to find answers to and an attempt has been made to answer these questions in this paper. Identification of the sources of services export growth from emerging and developing countries can be attempted through established theories of goods trade and production. This paper reviews selected theory and empirical work in order to explain the underlying causes for growing exports of services. Causes for the export of modern services may include a comparative advantage of the exporting country, cost reduction for the importing firm through outsourcing, reduction in trading costs due to technological improvements and an increase in gains from services trade.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the technology adoption in dairy agribusiness

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 9221-9226
Author(s):  
Dursun Barrios ◽  
Fernando José Restrepo-Escobar ◽  
Mario Cerón-Muñoz
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Structural Analysis ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Internal Variables ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Two Factors

The adoption of adequate technologies is essential to improve the performance of different kinds of companies. Although there is literature related to the adoption of technology in dairy agribusiness in developed countries, information about it is scarce in developing countries. The objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with the adoption of technology by dairy agribusiness. A structural analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationships between the internal variables of Antioquia province farms, Colombia, and their technology adoption process. This process was explained by two factors: production-related variables and management-dependent traits. The variables resulting in the greatest impact were pasture improvement, genetics, administration, and technical procedures.

scholarly journals The Use of the UTAUT Model in the Adoption of E-Learning Technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 38-51
Author(s):  
David Abdou ◽  
Sajjad M. Jasimuddin
Keyword(s):  
Banking Sector ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Utaut Model ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Process Learning ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Effective Development

E-learning is treated as a learning approach in higher education worldwide. E-learning systems are all about using digital technologies to acquire, store, and process learning resources. This article aims to examine the end-users' acceptance of e-learning in the banking sector using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model. The paper reviews the extant literature from which a theoretical model is developed and tested empirically in the French context. The UTAUT is extended by incorporating one additional factor (top management support). A quantitative approach based on cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from 133 bank officials. Data was analyzed using, statistical software SPSS version 15. The article successfully confirms the applicability of e-learning in France-based banks. The model developed in this paper helps the practitioner to understand the factors that should be given emphasis to ensure the effective development and acceptance of the e-learning technologies in a commercial setting.

Students’ Views On The Use Of Book And Web-Based Materials For Their Elt Classes: A Study On Ict-Based Education In Indonesian Context

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Isnawati
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
English Department ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Technology Students ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The Developed Countries

<p>This study examined students’ views on the use of web-based materials in ELT classes. It was triggered by the findings of some previous studies done in the developed countries showing that, in this digital era, teachers and students still have not abandoned traditional materials despite the growing interest in digital/web-based materials (Allen, 2015; Jarvis and Szymczyk, 2010). Therefore, this study tried to reveal students’ attitude on their lecturers’ use of technology for ELT in Indonesian context where, as one of developing countries, the technology is booming nowadays. The focuses of this study were the students’ preference on the use of book-based and web-based materials, the motivational impacts of the use of book-based and web-based materials for the students, and the problems in using book-based and web-based materials. This study involved students of English Department at IAIN Tulungagung. They were given questionnaires on their lecturers’ materials used in their ELT classes and some of them were then interviewed in details for their further responses. The findings of this study reported the students’ real preference, advantages, and problems related to ELT materials which can be used as a reference for the lecturers or teachers in selecting the materials for their students in similar context.</p><p> </p><strong>Key words:</strong> <em>Book-based materials, web-based materials, technology, students’ preferences.</em>

scholarly journals GHANA’S ROAD TO CASHLESS ECONOMY: THE E-ZWICH EXPERIENCE

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-67
Author(s):  
Bismark Addai ◽  
Benedict Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Intentions ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Utaut Model ◽  
Actual Usage ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
System Acceptance ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Facilitating Conditions

In 2008, the Government of Ghana (GoG) through the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GHIPSS) launched a smart card called e-zwich which formed a central part of the government’s plan to move the country towards a cashless economy. Modernization of the cash sector has remained at best in a confused state since it was launched and at worst an embarrassing drawback. In this article, we employ the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the structural equation model to estimate users' behavioral intentions and actual usage of the cashless system. The structural results show that eleven out of the fourteen hypotheses are statistically significant, while the remaining three are statistically insignificant. The results also indicate that performance efficiency, effort efficiency, and social influence significantly influence the behavioral intentions of people to use the cashless system, and the age and gender of users significantly moderate the three constructs. Behavioral intentions and facilitating conditions are also found to influence actual usage of the cashless system significantly. This study fills the gap in the applicability of the UTAUT model in a central cashless system acceptance and usage. The study also provides empirical evidence on how demographic factors such as age, education, and gender moderate the relationships among the major constructs of the UTAUT model. For the first time, we support the empirical findings on the moderating effect of age in the UTAUT model with established economic theory, the life-cycle theory. We have outlined recommendations in detail on some important considerations needed to achieve smart financial economy in Ghana, and such achievement could be emulated by other countries that are yet to implement a central cashless system. 

scholarly journals Rethinking Zimbabwean Education During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-306
Author(s):  
Memory Rumbidzai Virginia Mandikiana
Keyword(s):  
Developed Countries ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Learning Gap ◽  
Education Innovation ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Competency Based ◽  
The Government ◽  
Set Up

Background: This paper was premised on the educational learning gap created by the COVID-19 Pandemic induced schools’ closure in Zimbabwe and the world in 2020. Approximately, 1,576 billion, 297 million and 4,6 million learners globally, in Africa and in Zimbabwe respectively, are attending schools and their learning process is interrupted because of the COVID-19 Pandemic in many different ways across the globe. Developed countries adopted innovations to ensure continuity of educational learning, however, developing countries like Zimbabwe, were caught unaware. Already battling with a crippled economy, severe natural disasters induced by climate change, this paper investigates a relatively new and demanding curriculum, the Zimbabwe education system’s capacity to adopt to the changes induced by COVID-19 Pandemic. Objective: The study has three objectives: to unearth if stakeholders are appreciative of the importance and dictates of Zimbabwe’s Competency-Based Curriculum; to ascertain if e-learning can ensure the continued provision of education during and after the COVID-19 era and other pandemics that may arise in the future; and to establish which method of education instruction is preferred by Zimbabweans, either during or after the COVID-19 Pandemic period. Methods: A mixed method research design was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Considering that data collection was done at the peak of the COVID-19 period, physical contact was avoided and the research was largely hinged on an online questionnaire and interview sessions. Focus group discussions were however, also conducted when it was expedient to do so, to qualify some of the quantitative responses provided by respondents. Results: Results showed that stakeholders were inadequately consulted about the ‘new curriculum’, that education innovation to adopt e-learning is required, and that Zimbabweans prefer to have a dual method of education instruction through e-learning and in the traditional classroom set-up. Conclusions: The government needs to consult stakeholders, create synergies with partners to implement educational technologies and provide the necessary precautionary equipment in schools prior to re-opening.

Digital Engineering Campus

2011 ◽  
pp. 344-358
Author(s):  
Milind J. Mahajan ◽  
Sunil S. Umrani ◽  
Narendra S. Chaudhari
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Educational Facilities ◽  
Web Based ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Web Based Education ◽  
Digital Engineering

In this chapter, we introduce two existing web-based, e-learning approaches, and examine economic and social aspects of their usage in society. Specifically, we briefly introduce an e-learning initiative in Singapore. Secondly, we give a detailed description of a case study regarding the experiment called “Digital Engineering Campus,” which is an NGO initiative to provide supplementary educational facilities for engineering colleges in India. Considering the economic as well as social benefits, using our detailed case-study of Digital Engineering Campus, we argue that developing countries like India have tremendous growth potential in web-based education. Further, the experiences of developed countries with web-based education will prove to be highly beneficial for developing countries like India.

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