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This paper aims to examine how input from the digital restructuring of the workplace and productivity affects the risk of job loss and unemployment.

Relying on the concepts of technological unemployment and the productivity paradox as well as the theory of skills-biased technological change, the analysis incorporated micro-level individual determinants of job loss, macro-level economic determinants of input and the contribution from traditional (machinery and equipment) vs innovative (ICT) factors of production. The model has been also controlled for “traditional” indicators of “outsiderness” in the labour market. The Quality of Work Life Survey, which is a broad-based national interview survey produced by Statistics Finland, for 2018, the latest year available (N = 4,110) has been used in the analysis. Binomial logistic regression has been applied in order to estimate the effects of individual- and macro-level factors on the risk of job loss.

The results support arguments for the divergence between effects from labour- vs total-factor productivity on the risks of job loss, as well as the divergence between effects for temporary (layoff) vs permanent job loss (dismissal or unemployment). While the contribution from “traditional” factors of production to labour productivity potentially decreases the risk of permanent job loss, input from “innovative” factors of production on total-factor productivity potentially causes adverse effects (e.g. growing risks of permanent job loss).

The paper contributes to the theoretical discussion about technological unemployment and productivity by means of including two different concepts into a single econometric model, thus enabling examination of the research problem in an innovative way.

This article focuses on the Spanish labour market, and its primary objectives are to analyse the factors determining the ICTs usage at workplace, and examine how the workers' e-skills match with the job tasks requiring ICTs. Furthermore, it will explore whether doing ICTs training activities has a positive effect on the probability of carrying out appropriately the ICTs at work.

The methodology applied is an ordered response model analysing how the workers' e-skills match with the knowledge required to the ICTs usage at the job. This econometric specification will control by the selection bias generated because not all employees use ICTs to perform the job tasks. Data are obtained from the Survey on Equipment and Use of ICTs in Households (ICTS-H Survey).

Educational attainment and the type of ICTs training are the most relevant variables to explain the ICTs usage and the quality of the job match.

Data used are cross-sectional, and it excludes the possibility of observing how the workers' careers evolve depending on their ICTs training.

The methodology applied allows the authors to obtain the marginal effects to the variables explaining the probability of using ICTs at job, and how the workers' knowledge match with the e-skill required by the employers.

The results are a source of information to policymakers about how workers face the introduction of ICTs in the labour market.

To the best of author's knowledge, the article's topic and its methodology are unprecedented in the economic literature and, specially, in the Spanish case.

The purpose of this research is to look at the state, adoption and use of ICTs by students and academic staff at Mzuzu University.

The research used a survey method whose study population included students, academic and library staff. Data for the study were collected using an interview guide and questionnaires.

The research found out the state of ICTs at Mzuzu University was poor. In spite of this, adoption and use of ICTs was high. ICTs were mainly used for academic‐related word processing tasks, including internet access. However, most of the respondents used personal laptop computers connected to an MTL/TNM/AIRTEL dongle, a personal GSM phone, or commercial internet cybercafés off campus to access the internet. The university network was not used much. Obstacles to the adoption and use of ICTs included poor network infrastructure, the limited number of computers, the high cost of internet access, persistent power outages, and the lack of relevant ICT skills, among others.

The study did not involve postgraduate students because many of them pursue their studies by research, and hence they could have been difficult to contact. Adjunct academic members of staff were also excluded because of anticipated accessibility challenges. The findings of this study, therefore, may not necessarily apply to these groups.

The paper makes some recommendations, which, if acted upon by Mzuzu University management, would help improve the state of ICTs at the institution.

Malawi is a country that has generally lagged behind other countries in terms of ICT adoption and use. However, the magnitude of the problem, especially in institutions of higher learning, is relatively unknown owing to the lack of research undertakings in the field. This paper is therefore valuable because it gives a clear picture of the situation on the ground, and also suggests ways of how the problems faced could be solved.

Information and communications technology (ICT) offers enormous opportunities for individuals, businesses and society. The application of ICT is equally important to economic and non-economic activities. Researchers have increasingly focused on the adoption and use of ICT by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the economic development of a country is largely dependent on them. Following the success of ICT utilisation in SMEs in developed countries, many developing countries are looking to utilise the potential of the technology to develop SMEs. Past studies have shown that the contribution of ICT to the performance of SMEs is not clear and certain. Thus, it is crucial to determine the effectiveness of ICT in generating firm performance since this has implications for SMEs’ expenditure on the technology. This research examines the diffusion of ICT among SMEs with respect to the typical stages from innovation adoption to post-adoption, by analysing the actual usage of ICT and value creation. The mediating effects of integration and utilisation on SME performance are also studied. Grounded in the innovation diffusion literature, institutional theory and resource-based theory, this study has developed a comprehensive integrated research model focused on the research objectives. Following a positivist research paradigm, this study employs a mixed-method research approach. A preliminary conceptual framework is developed through an extensive literature review and is refined by results from an in-depth field study. During the field study, a total of 11 SME owners or decision-makers were interviewed. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using NVivo 10 to refine the model to develop the research hypotheses. The final research model is composed of 30 first-order and five higher-order constructs which involve both reflective and formative measures. Partial least squares-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is employed to test the theoretical model with a cross-sectional data set of 282 SMEs in Bangladesh. Survey data were collected using a structured questionnaire issued to SMEs selected by applying a stratified random sampling technique. The structural equation modelling utilises a two-step procedure of data analysis. Prior to estimating the structural model, the measurement model is examined for construct validity of the study variables (i.e. convergent and discriminant validity).

The estimates show cognitive evaluation as an important antecedent for expectation which is shaped primarily by the entrepreneurs’ beliefs (perception) and also influenced by the owners’ innovativeness and culture. Culture further influences expectation. The study finds that facilitating condition, environmental pressure and country readiness are important antecedents of expectation and ICT use. The results also reveal that integration and the degree of ICT utilisation significantly affect SMEs’ performance. Surprisingly, the findings do not reveal any significant impact of ICT usage on performance which apparently suggests the possibility of the ICT productivity paradox. However, the analysis finally proves the non-existence of the paradox by demonstrating the mediating role of ICT integration and degree of utilisation explain the influence of information technology (IT) usage on firm performance which is consistent with the resource-based theory. The results suggest that the use of ICT can enhance SMEs’ performance if the technology is integrated and properly utilised. SME owners or managers, interested stakeholders and policy makers may follow the study’s outcomes and focus on ICT integration and degree of utilisation with a view to attaining superior organisational performance.

This study urges concerned business enterprises and government to look at the environmental and cultural factors with a view to achieving ICT usage success in terms of enhanced firm performance. In particular, improving organisational practices and procedures by eliminating the traditional power distance inside organisations and implementing necessary rules and regulations are important actions for managing environmental and cultural uncertainties. The application of a Bengali user interface may help to ensure the productivity of ICT use by SMEs in Bangladesh. Establishing a favourable national technology infrastructure and legal environment may contribute positively to improving the overall situation. This study also suggests some changes and modifications in the country’s existing policies and strategies. The government and policy makers should undertake mass promotional programs to disseminate information about the various uses of computers and their contribution in developing better organisational performance. Organising specialised training programs for SME capacity building may succeed in attaining the motivation for SMEs to use ICT. Ensuring easy access to the technology by providing loans, grants and subsidies is important. Various stakeholders, partners and related organisations should come forward to support government policies and priorities in order to ensure the productive use of ICT among SMEs which finally will help to foster Bangladesh’s economic development.

The purpose of this paper is to explore upper secondary school students’ voices on how information and communication technology (ICT) could structure and support their everyday activities and time at school.

In all, 11 group interviews were conducted with a total of 46 students from three upper secondary schools. NVivo PRO 11 was used for a qualitative content analysis.

The results show that ICT plays a central role in the students’ schooling, not in terms of “state-of-the-art” technology, but rather as “state-of-the-actual”, by for example supporting the writing process and for peer support, digital documentation and storage.

A relatively small number of students in three schools and three specific programmes make generalisations difficult.

Students’ perspectives on the “state-of-the-actual” could influence teachers’ use of ICT in education, their professional development activities and the development of an in-school ICT infrastructure.

The study could lead to a better understanding of students’ expectations and use of ICT at school and in everyday life.

The originality of this paper is the focus on students’ voices about how the basic use and functionality of ICT could structure and support their everyday activities at school.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of intentional change theory (ICT) at the organizational level through the lens of a case study.

This paper is a case study of Roadway Express, a leading transportation provider of industrial and commercial goods throughout North America, which embarked on a journey of cultural transformation in 1999, using a popular change process known as appreciative inquiry (AI). The Roadway case study illustrates both the theory of intentional change and the method of AI in use and provides a platform upon which to observe change at the organizational level.

Roadway Express serves as a solid benchmark for organizations considering how to succeed in cultural transformation. The implementation of the philosophy and methodology of appreciative inquiry, played a key role in that success. Analysis shows the link between ICT and AI. From this observation, ICT emerges as a stand‐along theory upon which to interpret the success of Roadway's organizational change efforts.

Drawing insight from the Roadway case study, ICT provides us with a comprehensive model for understanding how to approach and sustain change at the organizational level.

For the past three decades, most of the work using intentional change theory has focused on individual change. This paper presents a different view of the same theory, this time at the organizational level. This insight may be of interest to leaders, managers and change agents.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the student perceptions of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the American University of Kuwait Library (AUK).

The study uses a quantitative research method in order to investigate the perceptions of a wide range of students who use the academic library. The sample consists of 95 student volunteers, who provided data that were then analyzed and compared with literature from other authors in this subject field.

The study found that the quality of the ICT equipment provided by the AUK library is very good, however training in how to use the library’s ICT is lacking.

The findings suggest that the academic library looks into the possibility of changing the layout of the library to incorporate more computer terminals, as clearly many students feel there are currently not enough. The academic library must offer a greater amount of ICT training for students, preferably relating to the use of electronic resources and journals for new students.

This study adds to the current literature on academic libraries in Kuwait, and is one of the first studies to look at students’ perceptions of ICT in a private university institution.

The purpose of this paper is to present the work of the European Network for Technology Enhanced Learning in an Inclusive Society project, which addresses the challenges of the digital divide for people with disabilities of all ages.

The project employs a number of activities and approaches which involve people with disabilities and other stakeholders, in order collect scientific knowledge, views, suggestions and experiences that will help in bridging the digital divide. These include literature review and qualitative methodologies of data collection, such as interviews with stakeholders, focus groups and living labs.

The benefits of (assistive) technology in the lives of people with disabilities are highly appreciated. However, a number of barriers, including lack of digital skills are identified. Thus the development of (assistive) technology competencies programmes is suggested. In addition, there is evidence of the need to further involve all stakeholders and increase awareness.

The most important implication of the project is the production of the manifesto against the digital divide. With this document the project consortium justifies for action on raising awareness regarding the rights of persons with disabilities of all ages to be digitally included.

The value of the project lies upon the publication of the manifesto against the digital divide, which has already been endorsed by a number of organisations in Europe and elsewhere, with the aspiration of influencing policy makers and practitioners to collaborate in order to bridge the digital divide.

Information and communication technology (ICT) is a general-purpose technology, which plays an important role in improving the efficiency of a business firm. Nowadays, investment on ICT has become necessary for every business firm in different sectors of the economy. However, firms need to be very cautious while investing on a particular ICT, which is suitable for their businesses. Thus, it becomes necessary for the firm to understand its internal organizational characteristics to invest better on ICT. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to understand the organizational factors, which influence investment on ICT at the firm level.

The technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework is adopted to understand the organizational factors which influence a firm's ICT investment. The sample for the study is the firms belonging to bakery and sugar confectionery sector, which is one of the important sub-sectors of processed food industry in India. The data for analysis is extracted from a secondary source, namely the Prowess Database. The study uses two-step system GMM, a method of generalized method of moment (GMM), to identify the organizational determinants of ICT investment at the firm level.

The study finds that previous-year investment on ICT has a significant impact on firms' present-year investment on ICT. The result of the econometric method also shows that firms which are larger, labour-intensive and highly liquidated are the ones investing more on ICT in the present study.

As mentioned, the study examines the ICT investment determinants of firms belonging to one of the important sub-sectors of processed food industry of the Indian economy. However, the result of the study is not to be generalized since it is related only to a specific industry. Further, the data used in the study is limited by secondary sources and therefore, requires data from primary sources for in-depth investigation of ICT investment determinants at the firm level.

This paper bridges a research gap by examining the determinants of ICT investment of one of the important industry sectors in particular to developing countries. The paper contributes to the growing research on information technology adoption by using factors within the TOE framework to explain a processed food firm's investment on ICT.