Assessing Brunei Darussalam Public and Private Sector Readiness Towards Big Data Application

This exploratory study aims to assess and investigate Brunei Darussalam’s readiness in developing and applying big data technologies for its public and private sectors, using Social, Technological, Environmental and Policy (STEP) framework. The results show that the population are digitally literate (Social) and utilises smart devices as well as internet network connectivity that is widely offered by the local telecommunications company (Technology). The government of Brunei Darussalam established multiple digital transformation initiatives including implementation of 5G connectivity as well as digital economy masterplan to digitally transformed in the near future (Environment). Regardless of the absence of national digital data privacy policy (Policy) in Brunei, the recent nation’s successful big data application in public sector – BruHealth Application – to contain Covid-19 community spread was achieved. Alas, the existence of such policy in the near future will create opportunities for the local private sectors to capitalise big data technologies to their business strategies.

Assessing Brunei Darussalam Public and Private Sector Readiness Towards Big Data Application

This exploratory study aims to assess and investigate Brunei Darussalam’s readiness in developing and applying big data technologies for its public and private sectors, using Social, Technological, Environmental and Policy (STEP) framework. The results show that the population are digitally literate (Social) and utilises smart devices as well as internet network connectivity that is widely offered by the local telecommunications company (Technology). The government of Brunei Darussalam established multiple digital transformation initiatives including implementation of 5G connectivity as well as digital economy masterplan to digitally transformed in the near future (Environment). Regardless of the absence of national digital data privacy policy (Policy) in Brunei, the recent nation’s successful big data application in public sector – BruHealth Application – to contain Covid-19 community spread was achieved. Alas, the existence of such policy in the near future will create opportunities for the local private sectors to capitalise big data technologies to their business strategies.

Natural resources and economic growth: evidence from Brunei Darussalam

PurposeThis paper explores the relationship between natural resources and economic growth of Brunei Darussalam, an underresearched area in the available literature.Design/methodology/approachAnnual data are sourced from reliable sources for the period 1989–2020. Appropriate cointegration techniques for time series data are employed to estimate the specified models and extract results.FindingsThe results provide evidence about the positive and significant role that natural resources have played in the economic growth of Brunei Darussalam. Similarly, trade openness and domestic investment have also positively and significantly impacted the long-run economic growth. On the other hand, the impacts of government expenditure and the growth of human capital on economic growth are although positive but insignificant statistically in the long run. The short-run results show that natural resources, government expenditures and domestic investment have influenced economic growth both positively and significantly. Moreover, the positive and significant impact of trade openness on economic growth, which was observed in the long run, turned negative and insignificant in the short run. Finally, the insignificant positive relationship between the growth of human capital and economic growth observed in the long run remained the same in the short run.Originality/valueThis paper studies the resource curse hypothesis for Brunei Darussalam for the first time, and therefore, the findings will be of significant interest for policymakers and researchers.

Exploratory Study on User Satisfaction of E-HRM

With the high demands to provide service quality, growing workforce, and globalization of economy, HR has transformed into an inevitable power of technology that transforms HRM into electronic human resource management (E-HRM) systems. Brunei Darussalam without exception is also practicing E-HRM in the government sector called government employee management system (GEMS). This chapter investigates the user satisfaction of E-HRM by examining the current status of GEMS in Brunei Darussalam. The user satisfaction was studied through seven elements: the implementation of E-HRM, training, user-friendliness, infrastructure, data security, technical support, and user support. Qualitative interview and descriptive quantitative method were conducted on HR officers from the public organization. Findings revealed that the GEMS are not able to provide satisfactory system. This chapter has developed a theoretical framework as a recommendation to integrate relevant elements, together with the influence of age, gender, and years of service that impact user satisfaction.

An Explanatory Study of User Satisfaction

In achieving one of Brunei Vision 2035, which is to be among the top 10 in the world for quality of life, Ministry of Health (MOH) Brunei Darussalam has responded by implementing Brunei Healthcare Information and Management System (Bru-HIMS) that is equivalent to international best practices. Bru-HIMS has been implemented for about eight years since it first launched on 11 September 2012 where the outcome to user experience is unknown. Hence, this chapter investigates user satisfaction on Bru-HIMS specifically at RIPAS hospital and studies improvement towards providing quality healthcare in Brunei. DeLone and McLean Information System framework is applied to evaluate Bru-HIMS user satisfaction based on the six variables: information quality, system quality, service quality, intention to use and usage, perceived net benefits, and user satisfaction. Questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain primary data from Bru-HIMS. The findings demonstrate positive relationships between the six variables, which indicates Bru-HIMS has positively influenced Bru-HIMS users.

Developing a National Innovation System in Small States

This study shares some empirical insights for adopting a national innovation system (NIS) to catalyze capacity building in small states with relatively low technology-based research and development resources. These countries may have to start further back than other nations; however, this chapter maintains that with the right NIS, latecomers can have the advantage of catching up economically. This study explores Brunei Darussalam's journey to catalyze innovation for sustainable economic growth, particularly digitalization and deep tech. The study found that establishing a national innovation ecosystem could be effective with national consensus and acceptance behind the approach. It emphasizes building critical infrastructures, institutions, and governance to promote efficient knowledge flow, talent development, digital literacy, and overall absorptive capacity. Because Brunei is a small state, coordinating and facilitating cohesive linkages among its key stakeholders can strategically mobilize change. As Brunei Darussalam embarks on such a trajectory, it must determine a relevant model.

Green Consumerism in Brunei Darussalam

The aim of this chapter is to analyze the relationship of the demographic and socio-psychological determinants on consumers' green purchase behaviours in Brunei Darussalam, with the application framework of the affect-behaviour-cognition (ABC) model. A total of 119 consumers from different backgrounds participated in this study, whereby 113 respondents participated in the online questionnaire, and the other six respondents were interviewed. It is discovered that consumers who are more environmentally conscious are not necessarily likely to purchase green products, but are actually involved in green behaviours. However, in the environmental aspects of awareness, concern, and knowledge, the other factors, monthly income and educational level, did not possess major significance. The product attributes such as price and availability of the green products played a significant role in consumer buying decisions which will lead to the value-action gap phenomenon. Moreover, this study discovered the government is needed to promote and encourage green purchase behaviours in Brunei Darussalam.

Extended Preface

The 11th Annual International Conference 2021 on Environmental and Life Sciences Universitas Syiah Kuala “Connecting the World through Innovation and Sustainable Development” Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia September 29-30, 2021 The AIC 2021 is organized by the Institute of Research and Community Services (LPPM), Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Banda Aceh, Indonesia, located in Banda Aceh. This city had amazingly recovered post Tsunami disaster in 2004. Banda Aceh is widely known as one of the most cultural and historically rich cities in Indonesia. It offers you an enjoyable stay with its interesting culture, tourism places, and unforgettable culinary options. This year, just like the previous year, the conference was held virtually through zoom meeting. Despite the online mode, the conference allowed all presenters to promote their current research and innovations through discussion, sharing ideas and best practices among researchers and academics under the theme of “strengthening the dissemination of research and innovation to enhance the transfer of knowledge in the fourth industrial revolution.” The keynote speakers presented at this year conference were Prof. A. Min Tjoa, the Vienna University of Technology (Austria), Prof. Dr. Michele Notari; University of Teacher Education (Switzerland); Prof. Siti Azizah Mohd Nor., University Terengganu (Malaysia), and the invited speakers were Dr. Hawis Maduppa, B.Sc., M.Sc., Institut Pertanian Bogor (Indonesia); Prof. Amirul Mukminin, S.Pd., M.Sc.Ed., Ph.D., Universitas Jambi (Indonesia) and Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Roil Bilad, Faculty of Integrated Technologies, University of Brunei Darussalam (Brunei Darussalam). Two keynote speakers and three invited speakers were presented on the first day, and one keynote speaker was presented on the second day. All keynote and invited presentations were run smoothly despite the time difference between Aceh, Indonesia, and the keynote and invited speakers’ time zone. The online oral presentation sessions also run well with the excellent teamwork between the host, moderators, and operators. I would like to express our thanks to Prof. Dr. Taufik Fuadi Abidin, S.Si., M.Tech., the Head of Institute for Research and Public Services of Universitas Syiah Kuala; Dr. Dra. Sulastri, M.Si., the Secretary of Institute for Research and Public Services of Universitas Syiah Kuala; Prof. Dr. Nasrul, S.T., M.T., the Head of Scientific Journals Center of Universitas Syiah Kuala; and Dr. Syamsulrizal, M.Kes, the Dean of Teacher Training and Education Faculty of Universitas Syiah Kuala, for their wise advice and suggestions. We also would like to acknowledge the conference secretary, treasurer, chief editors, and track editors for managing the paper review and organizing the technical program. Of course, we also would like to thank the rest of the committee members of AIC 2021 who have the spirit of volunteerism to succeed this conference. Sincerely, Dr. Iskandar Abdul Samad, S.Pd., MA Chairperson List of Advisory Board, Organizing Committee, Editorial Boards Documentation are available in this pdf.