Back to future: International social work in the new era

An editorial is presented on International social work in the new era. Topics include number of infected cases being decreasing, the loss of life being reducing, and social and economic activities again started resuming;and globalization moving towards de-globalization and various supply chains such as human talents, financial capital, ideas, and information.

Conditioning factors in the remote learning context in higher education

With the epidemiological scenario produced by the COVID-19 pandemic, information technologies have increased their importance in education and become even more significant, forcing unforeseen and fundamental adjustments in the organization of work. To ensure that students continue to learn, these developments in educational institutions have led to the increasing use of remote learning. This study investigates the factors that facilitate or condition students' perception of their perceived efficacy and development of soft skills in a remote learning environment during the second COVID-19 blockade in Portugal. Between March 1 and 15, 2021, 258 students (higher education) who were enrolled in remote learning answered a web-based cross-sectional questionnaire. The results of the regression analysis revealed several conditioning factors for this type of learning that can impact on the effectiveness and development of students' competencies: technological issues, learning conditions (e.g., autonomy, study materials) and demotivation were significant factors. Given current and future generations of students, the results of this study provide clues for higher education managers and teachers to develop digital strategies to provide innovative, attractive and motivating learning environments.

ICT use, internal communication satisfaction, and engagement of working-from-home employees: The moderating role of affiliative tendency

This study examined the effect of information and communication technology (ICT) use on working-from-home employees' internal communication satisfaction and engagement level during the COVID-19 pandemic. The moderating role of individuals' affiliative tendency was also explored. Results of an online survey with a representative sample of U.S. full-time working-from-home employees after the pandemic suggested that formal use of ICT for work—e-mail, video-conferencing, instant messaging, and phone—was positively associated with employees' informational and relational satisfaction, which in turn, enhanced their engagement. Informal use of ICT was also positively related to employees' relational satisfaction and such an effect was particularly salient for employees high in affiliative tendency. Theoretical and practical implications for effective internal communication and ICT use are discussed. • The effect of ICT use for working-from-home employees was examined. • Formal ICT use satisfied employees' information and relational needs. • Informal use fulfilled relational needs of employees high in affiliative tendency. • Informational and relational needs increased employee engagement.

Assembly process based on supply chain management of prefabricated houses using BIM

The assembly of modular containers using building information modelling (BIM) technologies was studied. The purpose of this study was to analyse the literature on prefabricated (prefab) houses and explore the concept of creating a digital prototype of a building based on Huoshenshan hospital using Autodesk Revit software. This hospital was constructed to treat Covid-19 patients in early 2020. The article describes the methodology of installing modular containers and assembly structures using BIM technologies for rapid construction. The results of this study showed that building object implementation depends directly on a proper model with a step-by-step mechanism for installation. Due to the supply of prefab structures at the construction site, both initial project cost and project time can be reduced. Prefab house technology demonstrated the high efficiency of using BIM technology in the assembly of Huoshenshan hospital, which was constructed in 10 days. The need for information modelling data exchange with modern technology and systems, which allows the team to become acquainted with the project before installation work starts at the construction site, is investigated.

Consumers' acceptance of social commerce during COVID-19 lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, especially marketing, leading to increased digital usage. Social media allows faster connectivity among people and gives marketers new pathways to engage with consumers. The lockdown dramatically reduced economic activity by numbers that are worth understanding. This study examines the numerous aspects contributing to the consumer's favorable opinions toward their social commerce intents and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using SEM, the data examination of 297 respondents established that applying the social support theory and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model to the proposed theoretical framework is significantly associated with social commerce intentions. The results state that all the direct hypotheses have been supported, confirming that social support, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, offline subjective norms, and online subjective norms are significantly associated with social commerce intentions. The results also indicated that Information Technology Infrastructure (ITI) moderated social support, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and online subjective norms.

Teaching with technology-Matching pedagogy with purpose in radiology education.

The response to pandemic-related teaching disruption has revealed dynamic levels of learning and teaching flexibility and rapid technology adoption of radiology educators and trainees. Shutdowns and distancing requirements accelerated the adoption of technology as an educational tool, in some instances supplanting in-person education entirely. Despite the limitations of remote interaction, many educational advantages were recognized that can be leveraged in developing distance learning paradigms. The specific strategies employed should match modern learning science, enabling both students and educators to mutually grow as lifelong learners. As panel members of the "COVID: Faculty perspective" Task Force of the Association of University Radiologists Radiology Research Alliance, we present a review of key learning principles which educators can use to identify techniques that enhance resident learning and present an organized framework for applying technology-aided techniques aligned with modern learning principles. Our aim is to facilitate the purposeful integration of learning tools into the training environment by matching these tools to established educational frameworks. With these frameworks in mind, radiology educators have the opportunity to re-think the balance between traditional curricular design and modern digital teaching tools and models.

Comparing Student Learning in Face-to-Face Versus Online Sections of an Information Technology Course

Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic forced most universities into online course delivery. As such, the rapid expansion of online learning and the prospect of its permanent increase for many institutions have sharpened the issue of the efficacy of remotely delivered courses. Literature review: Past studies have compared face-to-face (FTF) courses with online courses, with mixed results. However, the broad understanding is that efficacy differs based on the subject area. Educators frequently view theory-based courses as being better suited to online teaching than hands-on or experiential courses. Research question: Can information technology courses—especially those that are more experiential and technical—be supported through online learning given the extent of differences in efficacy between online and face-to-face experiential, technical courses?Research methodology: We compared multiple sections of an experiential IT Outsourcing class over several quarters in two course delivery modes. The two modes were FTF delivery and online synchronous delivery. Students in each course section responded to two surveys where they rated their knowledge of different topics at the start and end of the course. Results: Online students reported greater increases in learning on average across all measured items. Self-reported knowledge gains were significantly greater in five items, mostly in soft skills and project management knowledge. The only significantly improved technical IT skill was in using software for virtual meetings. Conclusions and implications for education: We conclude that universities should embrace teaching experiential IT-based courses virtually, as it is possible to obtain greater improvements in self-efficacy, counter to much existing research. This is especially the case as instructional technology improves. IEEE

Measuring Internet banking service quality: an empirical evidence

Purpose>This study aims to empirically develop a reliable and valid instrument measuring the online service quality in the context of the banking sector in India.Design/methodology/approach>The methodological framework of this research comprises developing an instrument that is based on previous literature, qualitative and quantitative procedure. The study used the survey method and collected data via a well-structured questionnaire from a sample of active Internet banking users. The proposed instrument is identified by the data-reduction technique that is exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and validated through the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).Findings>The results confirmed that the digital banking service quality scale (DBSQual) contains 24 items in seven dimensions: (1) web architecture, (2) user friendliness, (3) efficiency of website, (4) reliability, (5) responsiveness, (6) security and (7) personalization. The relationship between digital banking service quality and e-customer satisfaction has also been found to be significant in this study.Research limitations/implications>The results of this study do not find general application for different banks operating in the same sector in India. More testing of DBSQual is required across various different contexts for validity augmentation. In addition, findings would be more reliable if the non-Indian context could be taken into consideration. Thus, such limitations open a window for future research.Practical implications>This study is quite fruitful for the banking organizations in measuring their online services, and enables them to implement their marketing and operational strategies more effectively and efficiently.Originality/value>The contribution of this study is the development and validation of a new instrument that is DBSQual that contains seven determinants of customers' e-service quality perception, emphasis on measuring online service quality in the Indian banking sector. These determinants will offer banks a promising starting idea for establishing an effective quality management for their online businesses. They will be able to increase the opportunities by tapping themselves at a competitive edge.

Information Communication Technology during Covid-19

This paper seeks to explore social work educators' experiences of using technology to teach during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last decade, there has been a move to digitalise higher education in many countries worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a mass exodus from the classroom to the home-based office at breakneck speed and highlighted, amongst other things, the digital divide that exists across the world. This research analysed data gathered from an international study that sought educators' views on various issues related to working during COVID-19. The data were analysed using a thematic approach. The results showed that social work educators, in general, were favourable to online teaching, although the findings highlight critical areas that require consideration in the climate of increased digitalisation and the uncertainty of when a return to a familiar teaching environment can occur. These findings are considered in terms of a social work education informed by critical pedagogy. The results have implications in terms of finding a workable balance between face-to-face teaching and online instruction.

The Prevalence of Information Technology in Indonesia's Accredited Hospitals

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, examination and relaying of important health information were done with the support of information technology. Therefore, this study measures information technology (IT) within hospitals through IT adoption and IT integration. The study uses data of 752 accredited in Indonesia. The study uses a descriptive analysis and ANOVA to identify the score of different locations, classes, and accreditations of hospitals to determine whether there are any associations or significant differences between the top- and lower-class hospitals. The results indicate that hospital classes A, B, C, and D in Indonesia apply information processing related to the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health services information for communication and significant decision-making. However, there are no significant distinction in the prevalence of IT usage among these hospitals. This study contributes to the understanding of the current rate of adoption and integration of information technology resources. © The Author(s) 2022.

COVID-19 and Technological Maturity of HEIs in Poland

Technology has become a crucial service medium also for higher education institutions (HEIs). Moreover, the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly underscored the relevance of studies on e-services. This article analyzes the technological maturity of HEIs in Poland with the obtained results analyzed against the backdrop of the current pandemic. The study considers the overall level of universities' virtualization, condition of their ICT infrastructure, IT services offered by public universities, and their use of advanced technologies. The results are analyzed in terms of two aspects: (1) the current technological maturity of HEIs in Poland and their ability to offer virtualized public services during the pandemic and (2) the dimensions of technological maturity that universities ought to focus on with a view to preventing the deterioration of e-services and their quality. Based on the above, recommendations are formulated in terms of improving flexibility to cope with the challenges of this difficult period.

The impacts of COVID-19 on the dependence structure of the stock market

This article uses Gaussian copula marginal regression and tail dependence estimation by copula to explore COVID-19's effects on the dependence structure of the US stock market. Specifically, we investigate the dependence between S&P 500 returns and returns in eleven sectors at the mean and the tails of the joint distribution prior to and during the pandemic. We uncover strong evidence of the pandemic's heterogeneous effects on dependence structures across sectors. Certain sectors, including information technology and health care, increase in importance as return determinants of the composite index during the pandemic. We also find that COVID-19 increases tail dependence, specifically lower tail dependence more than upper tail dependence. These findings will be useful to investors interested in managing risk, particularly during pandemics.

Adopting Haar Cascade Algorithm on Mask Detection System Based on Distance

COVID-19 which has hit almost the whole world, including Indonesia, which has become an epidemic in early 2020. Many cities and districts have enforced to comply with health protocols by using masks. All cities and regencies in South Sumatra are also required to follow health protocols by wearing masks and maintaining distance. So that the Mask Detection System program is a way to overcome public awareness, especially Bina Darma University that the importance of using masks today. In the case of making this mask detection system program using Python and using the Haar Cascade Algorithm. From experiments using the Haar Cascade method, the results show that this system can detect people who use masks and do not use masks. This test is also done by inputting images or videos. Futhermore, in testing this detection system, the approximate distance and angle also need to be considered because it will be very influential. © 2022 IEEE.

Information Technology in Health-Care Systems and Primary Health Care

BACKGROUND: Health information technology (HIT) is being increasingly necessary to manage the ever-increasing amount of data generate by the health system in general, including primary health care (PHC). AIM: This study aimed to provide an overview of HIT being currently use in the health systems and PHC as well as to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of HIT options. METHOD(S): This is a narrative literature review of papers, documents, and websites that address and discuss HIT for the health systems. The analysis of the retrieved materials provided an overview of the importance of HIT for the health system, the various options of health technology currently available, as well as the future trends. Strengths and weaknesses have been highlighted as well. RESULT(S): HIT is being increasingly used in the health sector, as an indispensable tool to handle the extraordinary amount of data being generated by the health system but also as an instrument to improve the quality of health care through the reduction of medical errors and health care-associated costs, improvement of patient follow-up and monitoring, and also as a tool that informs and guides clinical decision-making. A large variety of HIT options is available, including telehealth, telemedicine, mobile health, electronic medical records, electronic health records, personal health records, electronic prescriptions (e-prescriptions), wearables, metadata, and even artificial intelligence. Each HIT option has its own advantages and disadvantages. PHC could benefit from the implementation of various HIT options. CONCLUSION(S): The decision which HIT option(s) to employ will depend on many factors, but the process needs to employ small steps, strong political will, cooperation, and coordination between all stakeholders. Copyright © 2022 Erion Dasho, Loreta Kuneshka, Ervin Toci.

Catalysing regional integration in Africa: The role of infrastructure

Now, more than ever, infrastructure integration in Africa has become critical to recalibrating Africa's growth strategy toward increased intraregional trade, especially in an era of global isolationism, protectionism and supply chain disruptions from COVID and the war in Ukraine. This paper investigates the extent to which infrastructure development and integration can act as a catalyst for trade, innovation and income improvements in Africa. Using panel data analysis, we show that the infrastructure sector with the strongest multiplier effect on economic activity is the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, followed by the transport sector, the electricity sector and, last, the water sector. This ranking of the catalytic role of infrastructure sectors should guide policy prioritisation on infrastructure investments to accelerate growth and unlock the potential of the AfCFTA. Benchmarking exercises on infrastructures' catalytic role in the regional economic communities (RECs) show that infrastructure has had the strongest impact on economic outcomes in the East African Community bloc, making the EAC a type of flying‐geese RECs for other regions to emulate.

Radiotherapy teaching during COVID-19: An emergency teaching response

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in more than six million deaths in the first two years, a third of the estimated number of cancer-related deaths during this time. It directly impacted radiotherapy training in Africa. Aim(s): This study evaluated the changes applied to the Access to Care Cape Town Radiotherapy training programme during the pandemic. Setting(s): The training platform prior to March 2020 was used as a baseline and compared with the programme status in January 2022, representing the emergency teaching model. Method(s): Five themes were investigated: computer hardware and software changes;e-Learning resources;programme and curriculum changes;challenges experienced and alignment with modern medical education principles. Result(s): Reconfiguration of the computer laboratories was required, including additional computer monitors, web cameras and headsets, as well as installation of screen recording and teleconferencing software. The EclipseTM radiotherapy treatment planning laboratory was reconfigured for remote student access, with simultaneous monitoring by local assistants. Online learning was augmented by adding the University of Cape Town VulaTM system as resource, and courses restructured for delivery of short blocks. Five new courses were developed, including collaborations with international training partners, showing good alignment with the principles of modern medical education. Conclusion(s): Reconfiguration was performed at a manageable cost but required a high level of information technology support. Connectivity and bandwidth issues remain a challenge, as well as online engagement. Contribution: Despite these challenges, the virtualisation allowed for continued training between March 2020 and December 2021, with 18 departments attending remote teaching courses. Copyright © 2022. The Authors.

Is technology neutral for MSEs? Interdependencies, information transparency and power imbalances in e-commerce ecosystems: Journal international de la gestion technologique

Despite the evident upsurge of e-commerce (EC) over the past decades, the peak of online demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the huge involvement of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the online businesses to survive, the extant literature has neglected to analyse how MSEs orchestrate their resources between internal and external investments. Past studies, also in the case of SMEs, have tended to adopt a more firm-centric perspective focusing on the organisational conditions that determine firms' performance after the usage of EC, failing to explore the inter-organisational relations between MSEs and other actors in their ecosystem. Indeed, as MSEs may suffer from liability of smallness and lack of resources, they may rely more than other actors on the nexus of relations that emerge within the digital ecosystem generated through the usage of EC platforms. By relying on 37 interviews with owners or managers of MSEs operating in the food and beverage industry, we investigate the dynamics of resource distribution between MSEs and the other actors in the EC ecosystem. We identified the changes in interdependencies, the information asymmetries, and the power imbalances related to the interplay between MSEs and other actors within the EC ecosystem.

Analysis of Critical Success Factors in Information Technology Projects: A National Shipping Company Case Study

The positive of the Covid-19 pandemic is being a catalyst for the company's digital transformation plan. However, the targets set have not been achieved with the increasing demand for digitizing business processes and not being matched by increased resources. This research is focused on the IT projects that became quick wins for the Information Technology Division, which experienced delays in the middle of the year, but the target can still be achieved at the end of the year. This research aims to analyze the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) of Information Technology projects in a National Shipping Company. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used in this research to determine the ranking of the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) found so that company can set priorities in making decisions and project success can be achieved. Based on the analysis, the top three success factors that become the highest priority are User Involvement, IT Readiness, and Top Management Commitment & Support. In contrast, the bottom three success factors with the lowest priority are Trends, Hardware/Software Selection, and Change Management. © 2022 IEEE.