Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present results from an analysis of service processes regarding their optimization potential through mobile technologies. The analysis was performed with a company of the housing industry. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis was conducted with the aim of organizing business processes more efficiently in order to realize cost savings. Therefore, a method introduced in this paper was used. Findings – It is shown how the initial situation of the company was analyzed, which alternative process models on the basis of mobile technologies were developed and how these alternatives were economically evaluated. Furthermore, first restrictions for the software and system design were identified on the basis of one process model. Finally, it is shown how the method can be used to verify whether the adoption of mobile technologies is suitable to obtain a defined goal, and which requirements such a solution needs to fulfill. Originality/value – This paper shows practitioners how to conduct a systematic analysis of business processes regarding their optimization potential through mobile technologies.

Traveling salespeople usually play an integral part in exporting firms’ strategy. However, the Covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions have forced many businesses to rely on digital communication technologies for communication with distant customers and partners they usually would meet with in person. For collaborative relationships to function well, both parties must be able to understand and make sense of each other, which is why the sensemaking process has been a topic of interest. An aspect laid forth by research as a potentially prominent issue in inter-cultural relationships is ambiguity and misunderstandings, for which previous research has underlined two main mechanisms to mitigate ambiguity and misunderstandings, formalization, and socialization. However, this research has been conducted in a context where both in-person and digital communication has been available options. This qualitative study aims to examine export sellers' perception of sensemaking, misunderstandings, and ambiguity when relying on digital communication through semi-structured interviews. This paper's result suggests that digital communication tended to be more formal than in-person communication and that relying solely on digital communication has imposed significant challenges for establishing a new relationship while being less problematic to maintaining relationships.

This diploma thesis entitled The current situation of eGovernment in selected regional offices in the Czech Republic is centered on actual state of electronic public administration at Czech regional offices. Author of the thesis seeks to give an account of the E-government project in the Czech Republic, its development and strategic documents. Subsequently listed are examples of E-government in foreign countries and its current trends. Practical part is devoted to comparison of the financial costs and current stage of E-government projects at regional offices. Presented are results of the survey centered on the citizens' awareness about the E-government services in the Czech Republic. In the end of the thesis its author seeks to evaluate the findings and suggest recommendations for the future development of projects at regional offices. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Library and Information Science, in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2004. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the ditTusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the communication of agricultural information among agricultural researchers and extension workers in Kenya. In particular. the study focused on the public agricultural sector and covered the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD). A survey research method. comprising a self-completed questionnaire and a structured interview schedule was utilized to gather data from the respondents. This was supplemented by observation and document review. The questionnaire was used to solicit information from agricultural researchers and extension workers. while the face to lilCe interview was used to obtain information from the key informants of the study. The agricultural researchers were drawn from the 21 KARI research centres distributed in all the eight provinces of Kenya and strategically spread to cater for different agroecological zones and socio-economic systems. The extension workers, on the other hand. were drawn from the Uasin Gishu and Baringo Districts, while the Key informants of the study were drawn from all the institutions surveyed. A total of 356 respondents compnsmg 159 agricultural researchers, 138 extension workers and 59 key informants participated in this study. The completed questionnaires were reviewed to determine their usability. Two questionnaires were discarded because they were incomplete. A total 01'295 questionnaires (159 agricultural researchers and 136 extension workers) and 59 recorded interviews were usable. This brought the lotal number ofrespondents to 354. It was observed that KARI and MoARD had adopted a wide variety of ICT tools and services in an effort to facilitate information sharing and exchange among agricultural researchers. extension workers, farmers and other actors involved in research and extension. These ranged from modern ICT based on digital information that included computers, the Internet and emaiL electronic sources. scanners. digital cameras among others. Traditional ICTs based largely on analogue information wa\'Cs included radio VI cassettes, tape recorders, television. video cameras, VCR. telephone. fax (analogue and digital) among others. lt was further established that the Agricultural Information Centre (AIC) had a modern radio studio equipped with professional sound recording equipment and editing suites amongst a variety of other video production facilities. The wide range of leT models adopted addressed the ditTerent kinds of intormation needs and commtmication problems encountered by agricultural researchers. extension workers and fanners. The agricultural researchers and extension workers had a critical need for information that was specific to the nature of their work. In addition. they needed information on agricultural policies and meteorology. The intormation needs of the two categories of respondents were met through the use of print and electronic sources. Agricultural researchers obtained useful infornlation from the Internet and CD-ROM databases with TEEAL database having the most useful information, while the Kenya Agricultural Research Database (KARD) provided useful information on local content. In contrast. the extension workers were disadvantaged as the majority lacked skills and physical access to ICTs. Their information needs were, therefore, met through the use of printed sources of information, and by attendance of meetings, workshops and seminars, Most of the respondents used ICTs to communicate among themselves and also with actors involved in research and extension. The Internet and email was used for consultation purposes, for communicating agricultural information, for research purposes and for collaborative projects with other colleagues. Radio, television and video were used in disseminating agricultural information to the farming community. Mobile phones were found to be a convenient means of communicating short messages. It was observed that use ofICTs had increased the respondents' work productivity and creativity. Information literacy programmes were taking place in the institutions surveyed although at different levels of intensity and continuity. Through the programme most of the respondents had improved their skills on the use of computers. Internet, emaiI and VII electronic sources. The programmes were better coordinated and managed at KARI than the Ministry of agriculture. Although ICTs had facilitated communication of agricultural information among actors involved in research and extension. it was yet to improve the linkage between agricultural researchers and extension workers. For ICTs to be levera~ed in the agricultural sector. it ~ ~ was observed tbat the agricultural researchers and extension workers should work more closely as tbeir activities are interrelated. Each group should play their roles in the multifaceted process of transmitting new knowledge of farm technology to farmers and getting their leedback. An attempt had been made to formulate institutional ICT policies to guide the dilTusion of ICTs at KARl and the Ministry of Agriculture. Implementation of these policies had been hampered by the lack of adequate funds. poor infrastructure and lack of commitment by some of the policy makers. The policies had also failed to address the over-reliance of donor funded projects, capacity building and skill development and to bring institutional changes. It was observed that the Kenya Government had formulated policies to guide liberalization. privatization and tariff reform. These policies had been implemented to a greater extent and had paved the way for the involvement of the private sector in the development of the various sectors of economy in the country. The government was also in the process of formUlating a comprehensive national ICT policy to provide guidelines in the ICT sector. Despite the efforts to expand and modernize lCTs in the agricultural sector, its gro\\1h had been hampered by a number of constraints and challenges. Among them includc inadequate funding; poor infrastructure: inadequate skill development; lack of comprehensive national and institutional ICT policies: lack of monitoring and evaluation system; inadequate provision of ICTs tools and services; poor maintenance, and overreliance of donor funded projects leading to a low level of sustainability. To address these problems requires the intervention and interaction of all the stakeholders in the agricultura~ and ICT sector and also involvement of the government. The study viii recommends the following: improvement of telecommunication inti'astructure and rural electritication: tormulation of comprehensive institutional and national lCT policies: alternative sources of tinance: employment of more IT personnel: comprehensive strategies on lCT skills development: reduction of taxes on lCT tools and services: development of responsive content: development of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms tor lCT projects: improvement of communication between agricultural researchers and extension workers: and adoption of FAO Virtual Extension. Research and Communication Network (VERCON) system to improve the linkage among and between actors involved in research and extension. It is concluded that despite the constraints and challenges encountered in the application and use of lCTs in the agricultural sector. a wide variety of ICTs had been adopted to tacilitate information sharing and exchange among agricultural researchers and extension workers. The application and use of these lCTs have a greater role to play in the context of the changing paradigms in agricultural research and extension. where linear information flows are being replaced by pluralistic information flows.

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Communication Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / Majority of developing societies are usually succumbing to numerous socio-economic challenges. Communities in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, are not excluded from this trend. Online collaborations are consequently at the heart of addressing these challenges. This study examines the probability of encouraging and engaging online communication for social and economic development in Maseru. The promises of online communication for transforming society and advancing the new economy have rested on the arguments that online communication could expand and widen access to electronic commerce, enhance the quality of distance education, improve the general quality and standard of living , and eventually improve the economy of Maseru. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) are very powerful tools for diffusing knowledge and information to society which is a fundamental aspect of the development process. The presence of new communication technologies has a greater influence on human lives than we ever thought. It is imperative that every community in Lesotho examines ways and means of adopting their information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure as soon as possible or face the possibility of social and economic stagnation and isolation. The Internet has ushered in innovative ways of socialising and conducting business. Although it has, through the process of globalization, created a wide space to engage in business and eradicate poverty, many societies are still isolated. There are many reasons for this which could range from voluntary isolation, inadequate infrastructure, ignorance or sheer laziness. The study was conducted within the paradigm of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used and this allowed the researcher to divide the population of Maseru into various Strata. This research explored why Maseru is slow to adopt ICTs to enhance their economic and social development. Revelations from the study will benefit this community and will also assist in making recommendations for overcoming economic and social decline.

This empirical investigation sheds new light on a neglected topic of research on mobile phone use among the youth population of refugees that can help understand better how vulnerable youth can maximize the use of available resources in an active attempt to reduce their distresses and overwrite a better future for themselves and their families. Therefore, in light of James Coleman's social capital theory, I examined the use of mobile phones and social networking sites among 64 young Syrian refugees aged between 14 and 25 years old living in Lebanon. / 博士(グローバル社会研究) / Doctor of Philosophy in Global Society Studies / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

On February 24, 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. This quickly escalated into a full-scale war that is still ongoing. The current war has forced drastic changes to all sectors in Ukrainian society, one of the most affected is the higher educational sector. As a result of the war all higher educational institutions (HEIs) have been forced to adjust the entire educational process to an online education environment. In order to maintain the educational process, HEIs have come to rely on the use of various Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). However, militarization of regions, limited Internet access and destruction of university infrastructure are all the war-related challenges that aggravate the use of these digital technologies. Today, significant research has been done on ICTs in higher education as well as on wartime conditions. However the convergence between the two concepts are rarely explored in scientific research. Thus this study aims to explore the interrelation between the integration of ICTs in higher education and wartime in Ukraine. To address the research problem, two research questions have been formulated: (1) What is the current state of ICT integration in higher education in Ukraine? and (2) How have the ICTs helped sustain the higher educational process in Ukraine during wartime? In order to answer the research questions, this thesis applies a strategy of systematic review along with the application of thematic analysis. Data was collected through a document study approach. The scope of the systematic review is limited to the last decade (2013-2023) and in order to facilitate the data collection process, the PRISMA framework has been used. The findings conclude that the level of ICT integration in higher education is limited. The findings further indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic did increase the awareness and need for ICTs, thus has managed to change the attitude toward the use of ICTs. Additionally, the thesis suggests that four main categories of ICTs are currently used to maintain the educational process during the war in Ukraine: (1) Learning management systems, (2) Digital learning platforms, (3) Video communication platforms and (4) Social media networking platforms. The findings in this thesis contribute to the area of Technological Enhanced Learning by providing some valuable insights on ICTs in higher education in relation to the current war in Ukraine.

Digital technologies has become the leading way for individuals to communicate, but despite its many advances it may also be misused for harmful behaviors. Over the last decade cyberbullying has become a serious social health problem worldwide. It has been estimated that roughly 20 to 40% of all adolescents will experience at least one act of cyberbullying. Even though an extensive amount of research has been carried out some uncertainties remains, for instance whether there are any gender differences in experiences. The overarching aim with the current review was to analyze the role of gender in cyberbullying victimization among European adolescents. The specific aspects explored were gender differences in victimization and misused technological platforms. In order to achieve the aim a systematic review of recent evidence was carried out. Based on established inclusion criteria searches for both published and non-published articles were made in the databases of EBSCOhost, ProQuest and other sources. The selection process identified seven eligible studies that were included for analysis. The prevalence rate of cyberbullying victimization was ranging from 5% to 28%, with one study reporting higher frequencies. The findings implied a slightly higher likelihood among girls. However, the technological platforms used for victimization were similar for both boys and girls, some of the more frequently misused platforms were social networking sites, instant messaging and text messages. The review findings suggest prevention strategies are directed toward the most popular technological environments, with a somewhat stronger emphasis on girls.

Background: Much research consistently shows that there are disparities in healthcare delivery. Healthcare disparities affect individuals across a broad range of demographics such as gender, race or ethnicity, and it is also related to socioeconomic factors such as income levels, access to health benefits and insurance, and health literacy. Recent immigrants to Canada encounter a different and unfamiliar healthcare system. This situation presents challenges to the practice of health care delivery. Therefore, it is crucial that innovative strategies be identified to reduce disparities in health care to promote the overall quality of care and public health services. Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation research was two-fold: (1) to examine cultural competence strategies, if any, that are used by healthcare organizations to improve interaction and communication between healthcare providers and their immigrant patients with the purpose to reduce healthcare disparities; and specifically, (2) to explore the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) to improve communication between healthcare providers and immigrant patients with the objective of reducing healthcare disparities. Methods: This dissertation research employed a mixed methods approach for data collection and analysis. The research was carried out in three phases. In the first phase, a series of focus group discussions with a sample of recent immigrants was conducted. In the second phase, an online survey was conducted to gain insights from healthcare providers regarding the role of ICTs in improving communication with immigrant patients to help reduce healthcare disparities. In the third phase, healthcare providers who participated in the survey were invited to participate in face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interviews to further reflect on and extend the survey responses. Campinha-Bacote's Cultural Competence Model and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology were employed for this dissertation research as its theoretical framework. Results: The findings indicated that the absence of effective communication as well as cultural and language barriers were major issues related to communication between healthcare providers and immigrant patients. The findings also indicated that immigrant patients might need to improve their digital and health literacy skills in order to improve their communication with their healthcare providers. Further, the findings indicated that it was important for healthcare providers to have access to more demographic data on immigrant patients because such data will allow healthcare providers to be better informed on how to most effectively tailor their healthcare services to this population group. Conclusion: Findings obtained from this dissertation research shed light on cross cultural communication issues related to working with immigrant patients that may lead to disparities in health care. Healthcare organizations may use these findings to better inform their decision making with regard to effective patient-provider communication. Finally, the findings bear important implications for the line of research that examines patient-provider communication from immigrant patients' perspectives. They can inform the design of cultural competence strategies for healthcare organizations.

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