Showing papers by "Sajda Qureshi published in 2012"

As the global digital divide narrows, who is being left behind?

Abstract: There is a sense that information and communications technologies (ICT) have the potential to give people the freedom they need to lead the lives they value. Papers published in this journal consid...

Discovering development from information technologies: does open access to technology improve the lives of people?

Abstract: One of the most compelling problems facing society is how to understand the effects of Information Technology and that illusive “Communication” technology in the more contemporary term Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the lives of people – especially those living in marginalized circumstances. The ability to communicate through the use of information technologies has enabled access to skill, expertise and knowledge by people who are able to use these resources to improve their lives. This ability is also manifest in technologies, such as cell phones and internet chat rooms that allow innovative uses of the technology to bring about measureable improvements in the lives of people. Discovering these improvements in the lives of people who use these technologies to come out of poverty or deprivations, is the subject of the study of how Information Technology may enable Development. The effects of ICTs on Development can be studied to assess how economic growth, namely income generation and job creation may take place; how social development outcomes, such as the effects of technology on healthcare, government and education may be improved; and how human development outcomes of empowerment, participation in civic life and the achievement of individual freedoms may be enabled through access and use of information technology. These are just some of the many ways in which ICTs have been shown to bring about improvements in the lives of people. Researchers in the Information Technology for Development field have shown that there is a link between the adoption of ICTs by people in a region and an increase in incomes of people in that region (Baliamoune-Lutz, 2003; Bollou and Ngwenyama, 2008; Cecchini and Scott, 2003; Kottemann and Boyer-Wright, 2009; Kosempel, 2007). When appropriately implemented to suit local conditions and cultural sensitivities, ICTs can be successful in supporting development efforts. Recent examples of successful ICT adoption by farmers using cell phones to access better markets for their produce illustrate such successes. There is even a trend suggesting that Open Development is enabled by providing free access to ICTs. However, there appears to be little support for the replication of such efforts. Giving all marginalized people cell phones does not guarantee that they will be able to improve their lives using the technology. Giving people open and free access to the internet may not necessarily lead to improvements in their lives. While adoption of technology can lead to improvements in the lives of people, it appears that this alone cannot bring about improvements. Successful adoption of technology is often coupled with innovations, such as payment systems (MPesa), information literacy, and a host of social and economic factors (Pick and Azari 2008; Avgerou, 2008). Yet, little is known as to how this link between the adoption of ICTs and Development actually takes place. Some researchers suggest that the link between ICTs and growth is mediated by factors such as education, skill and openness of an economy (Kottemann and Boyer-Wright, 2009), while others suggest that government programs and interventions are a catalyst for such growth (Baliamoune-Lutz, 2003; Duncombe and Heeks, 2003;

Analysis of Information and Communications Technology Adoption between Small Businesses in China and the United States

Abstract: This paper reports on two case studies, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) adoption among small businesses conducted in both United States and China One small business from Nebraska (United States of America) and one small business from Sichuan (China) were chosen for comparison The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comparative case study based on the ICT adoption among small businesses in China and the United States This paper will: (i) build an understanding of small business ICT in both areas, (ii) explore the relationship between the ICT development in less cuttingedge areas of China and the United States The result shows that small business in the United States use more advanced ICT than China due to several factors This study paves the way for the future comparisons to be conducted between California and Zhejiang Also, this study contributes to and extends the understanding of how information is the driving force behind economic growth in both developing and developed countries

Cycles of Electronic Health Records Adaptation by Physicians: How Do the Positive and Negative Experiences with the EHR System Affect Physicians' EHR Adaptation Process?

Abstract: The integration of EHR in IT infrastructures supporting organizations enable improved access and recording of patient data, enhanced ability to make improved decisions, improved quality and reduced errors in patient care. Despite these benefits, there are mixed results as to the use of EHR. The literature suggests that the reasons for the limited use relate to policy, financial and usability considerations, but it does not provide an understanding of reasons for physicians' limited interaction and adaptation of EHR. Following an analysis of qualitative data, collected in a case study at a hospital using interviews, this research explains how physicians interact with EHR. The key contribution of this research is in explaining how physicians interact with EHR in terms of concepts that are grounded in the real world experiences of physicians. The model of positive and negative physician work cycles is introduced and discussed. Contributions to research and practice are presented.

Factors Affecting Information and Communications Technology Adoption of Small Businesses: Studies in China and United States

Abstract: Small businesses in China and United States generate the largest share of economic activity and employment. As the driving force behind the economic growth of both countries, Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) have fundamentally shaped the two countries. This research-in-progress paper reports the research model we conduct to analyze the factors that will affect ICTs adoption of small businesses in both countries. The purpose of the paper is to (1) report proposals of the current status of the research project (2) build an understanding of ICTs adoption in both countries (3) build the framework to explore the relationship between ICTs adoption in four areas of China and United States that we identify. Four small businesses in Nebraska, California, Zhejiang and Sichuan are chosen. A quantitative research method will be conducted to test the cases in the next step of the research.