Search results for "Social aspects"
showing 10 items of 54 documents
Exploring the Link between ICT and Development in the Context of Developing Countries : A Literature Review
2014
Published version of an article in the journal: Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries. Also available from the publisher at: http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc/article/view/1332. Open Access The article contributes to the ongoing discussion on relating information and communication technology (ICT) to development (D). The quest to relate ICT to D is a topic of open deliberation and critical scrutiny in ICT4D research communities. To enhance the understanding in this regard, we conducted a literature review. The review examines 80 articles to identify various development theories and the role of technologies in the development process. While scanning the …
Understanding ICT in ICT4D : An Affordance Perspective
2017
Understanding the role of ICT for development is at the core of ICT4D research. However, prevailing research in this field most often focuses on access or readiness of a technology, or on the outcomes of the technology use. Less attention has been paid to understand the mechanism of the technology use that leads to the outcomes. The question of why ICT in a development context sometimes work and sometimes does not work still remains a subject of enquiry. To enhance our understanding in this regard, we propose to use the concept of affordances to unfold the “black boxed” nature of ICT. We revisited a case from Kenya to illustrate the application of affordances in a ICT4D context. The finding…
Dark Design Patterns : An End-User Perspective
2020
The number of websites and mobile applications available is growing continually, as are the persuasive approaches to influence human behavior and decision making. Although designing for persuasion offers several potential benefits, recent developments expose various deceptive designs, that is, dark patterns, that utilize psychological factors to nudge people toward, from someone else’s perspective, desired directions. This paper contributes to an increased awareness of the phenomenon of dark patterns through our exploring how users perceive and experience these patterns. Hence, we chose a qualitative research approach, with focus groups and interviews, for our exploration. Our analysis show…
Digital competence across boundaries - beyond a common Nordic model of the digitalisation of K-12 schools?
2021
This paper explores policy related to digital competence and the digitalisation of Nordic K-12 schools. Anchored in some key transnational policies on digital competence, it describes some current Nordic movements in the national policies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The concept of boundary objects is used as an analytical lens, for understanding digital competence as a plastic and temporal concept that can be used to discuss the multi-dimensional translation of this concept in these Nordic countries. The paper ends with a discussion of the potential to view digital competence as a unifying boundary object that, with its plasticity, temporality and n-dimensionality, can show sign…
A holistic perspective on the theoretical foundations for ICT4D research
2018
While many theories have guided research Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), we are yet to construct a clear and coherent narrative that would help us answer the question of how ICT fosters development in underdeveloped communities. In this paper, we argue that one of the main reasons for this is that our holistic understanding of ICT4D is seldom grounded in theories to understand the core areas that define the field, namely, ICT, Development, and, ‘4’ which are the transformative processes that link the two. Through a brief literature review, we list theories that have informed ICT4D research in each of these areas. We present examples of theories, namely, C…
Short-time non-work-related computing and creative performance
2014
It has been argued that non-work-related computing (NWRC) takes time away from work and, hence, decreases work productivity. On the other hand, it has also been claimed that short-time non-work-related computing (STNWRC) (a maximum of 15 minutes), has a positive impact on work productivity, including relief from boredom, higher creativity, and the underlying recovery mechanisms. To examine the impact of STNWRC on creative performance, we draw on Fredrickson's broaden-and-build theory, the concept of recovery with mental well-being and low cognitive effort. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment with 40 subjects was conducted. The results indicate that STNWRC has a positive effect on creative performa…
Willingness to Adopt Biochar in Agriculture: The Producer’s Perspective
2017
Most research on biochar has focused either on the mechanistic or the biophysical aspects, and there has been relatively little research into the social applicability and acceptance of biochar as a soil enhancer in agriculture. However, whether to adopt biochar in their practice is ultimately the farmers’ decision, and their willingness to do so is crucial. Here, we show the producer’s perspective on adopting biochar, using Polish farmers as a case study. Poland is an interesting case study because biochar has only recently attracted the attention of researchers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders there. We performed standardized, semi-structured interviews with 161 Polish farmers to eva…
Case-based portraits of contrasting micro-interaction processes during online assessment of collaborative problem solving
2017
This study recognizes the role and the quality of social aspects in collaborative problem solving (CPS) processes and outcomes. The aim of this study, relying on multiple data and phases of analysis, is to explore and visualise, through contrasting case-based portraits, how micro-interaction processes at pair level evolve during CPS assessments in an online environment. The assessment is designed for a student pair in the STEM domain. The results show that in despite students’ similar CPS performance scores, variations in micro-interactions occurred across pairs. It is expected that studying these patterns at pair level may provide new insights into CPS processes and so to support acquiring…
Generic Data Models for Semantic e-Government Interoperability : Literature Review
2014
Interoperability of e-government systems is suggested to increase transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service in the public sector. Generic data models are often seen as a way for achieving especially semantic interoperability. To assess how the contemporary data models support semantic egovernment interoperability, we reviewed literature on data models suggested for the public sector in light of four features: standard modelling language, entityrelationship modelling, vocabulary for data exchange and methodology. The review contributes previous research by introducing a four-feature framework for assessing capability of e-government data models to enhance interoperability…
Food allergies among children as a social and medical problem
2021
Background: In recent years, food allergy has been diagnosed more frequently in children and adolescents. The environment is more toxic and chemical substances that are additives to food dominate the diet. Also, a changing lifestyle, exposure to stress, and a poorly balanced diet may have an impact on the occurrence of allergies. In society, more children suffer from food allergies than adults, and food allergies are becoming an increasingly serious social and medical problem. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to review the subject of food allergies in children, with a focus on the social and medical problems associated with this condition. Material and methods: 31 studies, publish…