Does Gender Impact Technology Adoption in Dual-Purpose Cattle in Mexico?

This paper examines the role of women in the dual-purpose livestock system (DP) in Mexico through their technological adoption patterns and aims to evaluate whether there are significant differences between the technology adoption networks of men and women farmers. The sample was composed of 383 DP small farms with 20 or fewer cows and a high level of vulnerability. Social Network Analysis (SNA) was applied, and the centrality measures were calculated for the technological areas of management, feeding, genetics, reproduction, and animal health. Significant differences were found in reproduction levels between men and women farmers. Therefore, SNA was developed in this technological area where men mainly occupied central positions (brokers) while women were just close to the leaders in the network. The results have shown that farms run by women were smaller and presented higher levels of specialization and milk productivity (20% higher), and women prioritized those technologies linked to female reproductive efficiency. Moreover, women were deeply embedded in men's networks through numerous ties and were capable of building connections with groups of farmers outside of their own group.

Extension services can promote pasture restoration: Evidence from Brazil's low carbon agriculture plan.

Innovation and improved practices in the livestock sector represent key opportunities tomeet global climate goals. This paper provides evidence that extension services can pro-mote pasture restoration in cattle ranching in Brazil. We use a randomized controlledtrial implemented in the context of the ABC Cerrado (a large-scale program launched in2014 aimed at fostering technology adoption through a combination of training andtechnical assistance) to examine the effects of different types of extension on agriculturalpractices, input use, and productivity. Providing technical assistance to previously trainedproducers promoted pasture restoration, induced farmers to use inputs more intensively,helped them to improve their management and soil conservation practices, and substan-tially increased revenues. A cost­benefit calculation indicates that US$1 invested in theABC Cerrado program increased profits by US$1.08 to $1.45. Incorporating carbonsavings amplifies this return considerably.

A Novel Integration of IF-DEMATEL and TOPSIS for the Classifier Selection Problem in Assistive Technology Adoption for People with Dementia.

The classifier selection problem in Assistive Technology Adoption refers to selecting the classification algorithms that have the best performance in predicting the adoption of technology, and is often addressed through measuring different single performance indicators. Satisfactory classifier selection can help in reducing time and costs involved in the technology adoption process. As there are multiple criteria from different domains and several candidate classification algorithms, the classifier selection process is now a problem that can be addressed using Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. This paper proposes a novel approach to address the classifier selection problem by integrating Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets (IFS), Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The step-by-step procedure behind this application is as follows. First, IF-DEMATEL was used for estimating the criteria and sub-criteria weights considering uncertainty. This method was also employed to evaluate the interrelations among classifier selection criteria. Finally, a modified TOPSIS was applied to generate an overall suitability index per classifier so that the most effective ones can be selected. The proposed approach was validated using a real-world case study concerning the adoption of a mobile-based reminding solution by People with Dementia (PwD). The outputs allow public health managers to accurately identify whether PwD can adopt an assistive technology which results in (i) reduced cost overruns due to wrong classification, (ii) improved quality of life of adopters, and (iii) rapid deployment of intervention alternatives for non-adopters.

Implementing Vertical Integration in the Industry 4.0 Journey: Which Factors Influence the Process of Information Systems Adoption?

One of the key principles of Industry 4.0 is the implementation of vertical integration, which considers the integration of information systems from different hierarchical levels in a company to support decision-making with real-time data flows. Companies face challenges when they want to implement vertical integration, which is not trivial due to the risks inherent to the decision stages of adoption. We investigate the main factors influencing the different stages of adoption of vertical integration to provide a clearer view of what managers should consider at each stage. We adopt a multi-case study approach based on the investigation of ten companies that followed this adoption process. We develop a framework with 22 factors deployed in the three stages of decision (knowledge, persuasion, and final decision) and three main dimensions of analysis: technology, organization, and environment. We analyze the potential tensions between these factors and show how managers should balance such factors during the decision stages.

Implementing Rapid Whole-Genome Sequencing in Critical Care: A Qualitative Study of Facilitators and Barriers to New Technology Adoption.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the views of members of the multi-disciplinary team regarding the implementation of rapid whole-genome sequencing (rWGS) as a first-tier test for critically ill children in diverse children's hospital settings. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative interviews informed by implementation science theory were conducted with the multidisciplinary patient care teams and hospital leaders at each of the 5 tertiary care children's hospitals involved in a statewide rWGS implementation project. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed 5 key themes regarding the implementation process across the sites: the need for rWGS champions, educational needs and strategies, negotiating decision-making roles and processes, workflows and workarounds, and perceptions about rWGS. From the findings a composite clinical workflow diagram was developed to summarize all of the processes involved in the implementation of the test, and the key areas where implementation practices differed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide insights for design of interventions to support adoption, scale-up, and sustainability of rWGS and other novel technologies in neonatal and pediatric critical care settings.

Performance and financial efficiency of three dairy production systems in southern Brazil / Desempeño productivo y eficiencia financiera en tres sistemas de producción lechera en el sur de Brasil / Desempenho produtivo e a e iciência inanceira em três sistemas de produção de leite no sul do Brasil

Abstract Background: Factors such as herd composition, productivity, milk quality and technology level influence the costs and profitability of milk production. Objective: To evaluate indicators that could predict production performance and financial efficiency in three dairy production systems in southern Brazil. Methods: Monthly records of milk quality, production performance and costs from fifty dairy farms were collected. The farms were classified into grazing, semi-feedlot, or feedlot systems. Total revenues, effective operational cost, total operational cost, total cost, gross margin, net income, total cost leveling point, profitability and final milk price were calculated. Results: The feedlot system resulted in greater herd size and milk production per lactating cow (p<0.05), but greater variable costs compared to semi-feedlot and grazing systems. On the other hand, the grazing system achieved greater profitability per year. Factor II (fat and protein rates), and Factor III (herd size and productivity per area) were associated with milk price per liter paid to the farmer (p<0.05), together accounting for approximately 13% of this price. Conclusion: Dairy production systems are influenced by area, lactating cows, productive performance, productivity per area, milk quality, and use of artificial insemination as well as supplementation (concentrate and minerals). Nearly 13% of milk price can be attributed to its fat and protein content as well as herd size and productivity per area.

Resumen Antecedentes: Factores tales como composición del rebaño, productividad, calidad de la leche y nivel tecnológico pueden afectar los costos y rentabilidad de la producción lechera. Objetivo: Evaluar indicadores que puedan predecir el rendimiento productivo y eficiencia financiera en tres sistemas de producción lechera en el sur de Brasil. Métodos: Se recolectaron y analizaron registros mensuales de calidad de la leche, rendimiento productivo y costos de cincuenta granjas lecheras. Las granjas se clasificaron en tres sistemas: pastoreo, semi-confinamiento, y confinamiento. Se calcularon los ingresos totales, el costo operativo efectivo, el costo operativo total, el costo total, el margen bruto, el beneficio neto, el punto de nivelación del costo total, la rentabilidad, y el precio final de la leche. Resultados: El sistema de confinamiento presentó mayor densidad animal y producción de leche por vaca lactante (p<0,05), pero mayores costos variables en comparación con los sistemas de semi-confinamiento y pastoreo. Por otro lado, el sistema de pastoreo tuvo mayor rentabilidad por año. El Factor II (tasas de grasa y proteína) y el Factor III (tasa de ganancia y productividad por área) se asociaron al precio por litro de leche pagado al productor (p<0,05), representando juntos aproximadamente el 13% de ese precio. Conclusión: Los sistemas de producción lechera están influenciados por el área, las vacas lactantes, el rendimiento productivo, la productividad por unidad de área, la calidad de la leche y el uso de inseminación artificial, así como por la suplementación (concentrado y minerales). Casi 13% del precio de la leche se puede atribuir a su contenido de grasa y proteína, así como al tamaño de la granja y productividad por área.

Resumo Antecedentes: Fatores relacionados à composição do rebanho, produtividade, qualidade do leite e uso de tecnologias podem impactar os custos e a lucratividade da produção de leite. Objetivo: Avaliar indicadores que possam predizer a produtividade e a eficiência financeira em três sistemas de produção de leite no sul do Brasil. Métodos: Registros mensais de qualidade do leite, desempenho da produção e custos de cinquenta fazendas leiteiras foram coletados. As fazendas foram classificadas em sistemas de pastejo, semi-confinamento ou confinamento. As receitas totais, o custo operacional efetivo, o custo operacional total, o custo total, a margem bruta, o lucro líquido, o ponto de nivelamento total do custo, a lucratividade e o preço final do leite foram calculados. Resultados: O sistema de confinamento apresentou maior taxa de lotação e produção de leite por vaca lactante (p<0,05), porém maiores custos variáveis totais em relação aos sistemas de semi-confinamento e pastejo. Por outro lado, o sistema de pastejo alcançou maior rentabilidade por ano. O Fator II (taxas de gordura e proteína) e o Fator III (taxa de lotação e produtividade por área) foram associados ao preço do leite por litro pago ao produtor (p<0,05), representando juntos aproximadamente 13% desse preço. Conclusões: Os sistemas de produção leiteira foram influenciados pela área, vacas em lactação, desempenho produtivo, produtividade por área, qualidade do leite e uso de inseminação artificial, bem como pela suplementação (concentrado e minerais). Quase 13% do preço do leite pode ser atribuído ao seu teor de gordura e proteína, assim como a taxa de lotação e a produtividade por área.

Towards Achieving Sustainable Development: Role of Technology Innovation, Technology Adoption and CO2 Emission for BRICS.

In the digital era, technology innovation and adoption trigger economic growth and enhance CO2 emissions through productivity, which places it in the mainstream policy debate. For BRICS economies, this paper uses the first method proposed in the literature to quantify their information and communication technology (ICT) and innovatively links each country to their information technology adoption rate, as a surrogate indicator for measuring information and communication technology. Environmental Kuznets curve evidence is also examined, using technology innovation, technology adoption, and trade openness as the control variables for sustainable development. The results show that two out of three technology innovation instruments, fixed telephone, and broadband subscriptions increase CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, mobile cellular subscriptions have a lowering effect on CO2 emission in BRICS. The technology adoption indicators, high-technology exports, and electric power consumption also cause an upsurge in CO2 emission. Moreover, trade openness also enriches the level of CO2 emission in the BRICS regions. There is a need to devise technology innovation and adoption policies to better use technology and to ensure a green environment.

Purchase intention and purchase behavior online: A cross-cultural approach.

This article aims to explore the key factors on e-commerce adoption from elements of social psychology, such as attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, ease of use and perceived usefulness, introducing the study of non-traditional elements like buying impulse, compatibility, and self-efficacy in online stores, contrasting relationships in a cross-cultural environment. The proposed model is tested from quantitative research with a sample of 584 online consumers in Colombia and Spain. The following statistical analyses were conducted: CFA, structural equations, measurement instrument invariance, and multi-group analysis with EQS 6.3 software. The study reveals that self-efficacy in online stores is a key factor in adopting electronic commerce above the cultures studied. Also, there is significant evidence that proves the moderating effect of national culture on several relationships of the model proposed. Results highlight the importance of national culture to understand impulsive buying behavior. The article presents several considerations toward the main elements to generate online purchase intention among consumers in an emerging country and finds substantial differences with consumers in a developed country. Practical implications are made for companies to adopt online channels and expand internationally.

The role of farmers' intrinsic motivation in the effectiveness of policy incentives to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

This paper examines the effectiveness of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations on the adoption intensity of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) among annual crop farmers in Chile. We use the farmers' attitude towards SAPs as a proxy of intrinsic motivation, while extrinsic motivation is represented by an economic incentive to promote the use of SAPs. The policy program we studied is administered by the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture under the name System of Incentives for the Agro-Environmental Sustainability of Degraded Soils (SIRSD-S. Sustainable behaviour was defined as the adoption of (1) minimum tillage, (2) improved fallow, (3) stubble incorporation, (4) use of manure, and (5) use of compost. A count model was estimated that showed that both sources of motivation, and the interaction between them, significantly predicted the adoption of SAPs. Farmers with low levels of intrinsic motivation depended largely on the SIRSD-S to adopt SAPs, while the incentive was ineffective for intrinsically motivated farmers who adopted more SAPs regardless the presence of extrinsic motivation. Finally, the perception of risk of soil erosion and perceived behavioural control of this risk were found to play a positive role in the adoption of SAPs.

Analysis of Economic and Business Factors Influencing Disruptive Innovation in Telehealth / Análisis de factores económicos y empresariales que influyen la Innovación Disruptiva en Telesalud

Abstract Objective. Analysis of economic and business factors influencing disruption innovation in healthcare taking as a reference Telehealth systems and technologies. Methods. Analysis of economic and business decision factors that influence the adoption of new technologies are qualitatively analyzed using as a case example Telehealth systems. Results. Main factors for the adoption of new technologies in healthcare are identified and analyzed. Factors include new technology adoption cost, usability, perceived value, competitive systems, old systems competitive cost and performance, and type of users, between others.

Resumen Objetivo: análisis de los factores que influyen en la adopción de nuevas tecnologías en el cuidado de la salud tomando como referencia la Telesalud o el uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en la asistencia sanitaria. Métodos: el análisis de los factores de decisión económica y empresarial que influyen en la adopción de nuevas tecnologías se analiza cualitativamente utilizando como ejemplo de caso los sistemas de Telehealth. Resultados: se identifican y analizan los principales factores para la adopción de nuevas tecnologías en la atención de la salud por Telesalud. Los factores incluyen costo de adopción de nuevas tecnologías, usabilidad, valor percibido, sistemas competitivos, costos y desempeño competitivos de los sistemas actuales, y tipo de usuarios, entre otros.

Adoption of beef cattle traceability at farm level in São Paulo State, Brazil / Adoção da rastreabilidade de bovinos de corte no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

This paper aimed to identify the determinants of beef traceability adoption at farm level in São Paulo State, Brazil. A sample survey of 32 farmers who adopted the European Union certified traceability and 52 other farmers who did not adopt traceability provided data to test hypotheses on determinant factors. Three binomial logit models were used in the analysis. Results suggested that capital-intensive livestock production system, high scale production, access to specialized information and high level of human and social capital play significant role in the adoption decision.(AU)

O artigo tem como objetivo identificar os determinantes da adoção da rastreabilidade por pecuaristas no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Uma amostra de 32 produtores que adotaram a certificação da rastreabilidade para a União Europeia e 52 que não adotaram a rastreabilidade forneceu dados para testar hipóteses a respeito de fatores determinantes. Três modelos logit binomial foram utilizados na análise. Os resultados sugerem que o sistema de produção pecuária intensiva, a elevada escala de produção, o acesso a informação especializada e a rede de relacionamentos desempenham papel significativo na decisão de adoção.(AU)

The Technology Acceptance of a TV Platform for the Elderly Living Alone or in Public Nursing Homes.

In Mexico, many seniors are alone for most of the day or live in public nursing homes. Simple interaction with computer systems is required for older people. This is why we propose the exploration of a medium well known by seniors, such as the television (TV). The primary objective of this study is to improve the quality of life of seniors through an easier reminder system, using the television set. A technological platform was designed based on interactive television, through which seniors and their caregivers can have a better way to track their daily activities. Finally, an evaluation of the technology adoption was performed with 50 seniors living in two public nursing homes. The evaluation found that the elderly perceived the system as useful, easy to use, and they had a positive attitude and good intention to use it. This helped to generate initial evidence that the system supported them in achieving a better quality of life, by reminding them to take their medications and increasing their rate of attendance to their medical appointments.

Adoption of beef cattle traceability at farm level in São Paulo State, Brazil / Adoção da rastreabilidade de bovinos de corte no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

This paper aimed to identify the determinants of beef traceability adoption at farm level in São Paulo State, Brazil. A sample survey of 32 farmers who adopted the European Union certified traceability and 52 other farmers who did not adopt traceability provided data to test hypotheses on determinant factors. Three binomial logit models were used in the analysis. Results suggested that capital-intensive livestock production system, high scale production, access to specialized information and high level of human and social capital play significant role in the adoption decision.

O artigo tem como objetivo identificar os determinantes da adoção da rastreabilidade por pecuaristas no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Uma amostra de 32 produtores que adotaram a certificação da rastreabilidade para a União Europeia e 52 que não adotaram a rastreabilidade forneceu dados para testar hipóteses a respeito de fatores determinantes. Três modelos logit binomial foram utilizados na análise. Os resultados sugerem que o sistema de produção pecuária intensiva, a elevada escala de produção, o acesso a informação especializada e a rede de relacionamentos desempenham papel significativo na decisão de adoção.

Adoption of beef cattle traceability at farm level in São Paulo State, Brazil / Adoção da rastreabilidade de bovinos de corte no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

ABSTRACT: This paper aimed to identify the determinants of beef traceability adoption at farm level in São Paulo State, Brazil. A sample survey of 32 farmers who adopted the European Union certified traceability and 52 other farmers who did not adopt traceability provided data to test hypotheses on determinant factors. Three binomial logit models were used in the analysis. Results suggested that capital-intensive livestock production system, high scale production, access to specialized information and high level of human and social capital play significant role in the adoption decision.

RESUMO: O artigo tem como objetivo identificar os determinantes da adoção da rastreabilidade por pecuaristas no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Uma amostra de 32 produtores que adotaram a certificação da rastreabilidade para a União Europeia e 52 que não adotaram a rastreabilidade forneceu dados para testar hipóteses a respeito de fatores determinantes. Três modelos logit binomial foram utilizados na análise. Os resultados sugerem que o sistema de produção pecuária intensiva, a elevada escala de produção, o acesso a informação especializada e a rede de relacionamentos desempenham papel significativo na decisão de adoção.

Evolution of the knowledge system for agricultural development in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico.

Knowledge systems-networks of linked actors, organizations, and objects that perform a number of knowledge-related functions that link knowledge and know how with action-have played a key role in fostering agricultural development over the last 50 years. We examine the evolution of the knowledge system of the Yaqui Valley, Mexico, a region often described as the home of the green revolution for wheat, tracing changes in the functions of critical knowledge system participants, information flows, and research priorities. Most of the knowledge system's key players have been in place for many decades, although their roles have changed in response to exogenous and endogenous shocks and trends (e.g., drought, policy shifts, and price trends). The system has been agile and able to respond to challenges, in part because of the diversity of players (evolving roles of actors spanning research-decision maker boundaries) and also because of the strong and consistent role of innovative farmers. Although the agricultural research agenda in the Valley is primarily controlled from within the agricultural sector, outside voices have become an important influence in broadening development- and production-oriented perspectives to sustainability perspectives.

Technologies that affect the weaning rate in beef cattle production systems.

We investigated the differences between weaning rates and technologies adopted by farmers in cow-calf production systems in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Interviews were carried out with 73 farmers about 48 technologies that could affect reproductive performance. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis using a non-hierarchical cluster method. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Three distinct clusters of farmers were created (R (2) = 0.90), named as low (LWR), intermediate (IWR), and high (HWR) weaning rate, with 100, 91, and 96 % of the farmers identified within their respective groups and average weaning rates of 59, 72, and 83 %, respectively. IWR and HWR farmers used more improved natural pasture, fixed-time artificial insemination, selection for birth weight, and proteinated salt compared to LWR. HWR farmers used more stocking rate control, and IWR farmers used more ultrasound to evaluate reproductive performance compared to the LWR group. IWR and HWR adopted more technologies related to nutrition and reproductive aspects of the herd in comparison to LWR. We concluded that farmers with higher technology use on farm had higher weaning rates which could be used to benefit less efficient farmers.

Obstacles to integrated pest management adoption in developing countries.

Despite its theoretical prominence and sound principles, integrated pest management (IPM) continues to suffer from anemic adoption rates in developing countries. To shed light on the reasons, we surveyed the opinions of a large and diverse pool of IPM professionals and practitioners from 96 countries by using structured concept mapping. The first phase of this method elicited 413 open-ended responses on perceived obstacles to IPM. Analysis of responses revealed 51 unique statements on obstacles, the most frequent of which was "insufficient training and technical support to farmers." Cluster analyses, based on participant opinions, grouped these unique statements into six themes: research weaknesses, outreach weaknesses, IPM weaknesses, farmer weaknesses, pesticide industry interference, and weak adoption incentives. Subsequently, 163 participants rated the obstacles expressed in the 51 unique statements according to importance and remediation difficulty. Respondents from developing countries and high-income countries rated the obstacles differently. As a group, developing-country respondents rated "IPM requires collective action within a farming community" as their top obstacle to IPM adoption. Respondents from high-income countries prioritized instead the "shortage of well-qualified IPM experts and extensionists." Differential prioritization was also evident among developing-country regions, and when obstacle statements were grouped into themes. Results highlighted the need to improve the participation of stakeholders from developing countries in the IPM adoption debate, and also to situate the debate within specific regional contexts.

Padrão de incorporação de fármacos antiretrovirais pelo sistema público de saúde no Brasil / Patterns of antiretroviral therapy adoption by the Brazilian public health system

OBJETIVO: avaliar o padrão de incorporação de fármacos antiretrovirais pelo Sistema Público de Saúde no Brasil (SUS). MÉTODOS: baseando-se em trabalhos prévios publicados na literatura médica foram propostos três indicadores a serem utilizados na análise da incorporação de fármacos: intervalo conhecimento-incorporação, massa crítica de conhecimento e intervalo validação-incorporação. Utilizando-se as bases de dados do Departamento de Informática do SUS (Datasus) e do Sistema de Controle Logístico de Medicamentos (SICLOM) foram selecionados dois grupos de tecnologias farmacológicas (medicações antiretrovirais e medicações de dispensação em caráter excepcional). RESULTADOS: os medicamentos antiretrovirais analisados foram incorporados de maneira mais precoce que os medicamentos de dispensação em caráter excepcional, tanto no que se refere ao intervalo "conhecimento-incorporação" quanto ao intervalo "validação-incorporação", e apresentam uma menor "massa crítica de conhecimento" para a incorporação. CONCLUSÃO: Os medicamentos antiretrovirais têm sido incorporados de maneira mais rápida, e após a publicação de um menor número de artigos científicos, quando em comparação aos medicamentos de dispensação em caráter excepcional.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present scientific study is to evaluate the patterns of antiretroviral technology adoption by the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). METHODS: Based on previous articles published in scientific medical literature, three indicators to assess antiretroviral technology adoption by SUS were proposed: knowledge-adoption interval; critical mass of knowledge; and validation-adoption interval. Using the databases from the SUS Department of Information Technology (DATASUS) and from the Brazilian Logistic Center for Medication Control (SICLOM), two pharmaceutical groups were selected (antiretroviral medications and a group of high cost medications). RESULTS: Antiretroviral medications were adopted faster than the high cost medication group when assessed on the basis of "knowledge-adoption" interval and "validation-adoption" interval. Yet, they require a lower "critical mass of knowledge" before adoption. CONCLUSION: Antiretroviral medications have been adopted faster and based on a lower number of scientific medical articles than a selected group of high cost medications.

Adoção de tecnologias de informação e comunicações nas clínicas de diálise da Bahia / Adoption of information and communication technologies in the dialysis clinics of Bahia State

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar a adoção e utilização de tecnologias de informação e comunicações nas clínicas de diálise da Bahia. Foi realizado um estudo de caso nas firmas, aplicando-se, junto aos gestores das clínicas, um questionário de pesquisa adaptado da RedeSist e da PINTEC. A amostra abrangeu as vinte empresas arroladas no CNES do Ministério da Saúde, tendo sido obtido 60 por cento de aproveitamento. As informações coletadas, de caráter quantitativo, foram analisadas a partir das distribuições de frequências das respostas dos entrevistados. Concluiu-se que o problema da adoção de tecnologias de informação e comunicações não está no acesso das clínicas de diálise às mesmas, mas sim no subaproveitamento do seu potencial econômico.

The aim of this article is to investigate the adoption and use of information and communication technologies within private dialysis clinics in Bahia State. A case study was developed with companies by applying, to clinics' managerial teams, a research questionnaire adapted from RedeSist and from PINTEC. The sample included 20 companies, listed by CNES of the Ministry of Health, and obtained a positive usage rate data of 60 percent. The collected quantitative information was analyzed by interviewees' answer frequency distribution. Conclusion indicates that the adoption of information and communication technologies by the clinics is not directly related to their access to these technologies but to the under usage of their economical potential.