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Can digital financial inclusion (DFI) as an emerging and innovative financial service encourage economic development?

Based on a Bayesian macroeconomic investigation framework, this research study presents the level of internet growth as a threshold variable and examines the influence of DFI on economic development based on state panel data from 2008 to 2021 in India.

The outcome of DFI on economic development through various mediation models. The results illustrate that DFI growth substantially contributes to economic development.

Encouraging small and medium-sized enterprise entrepreneurship and motivating populations’ utilization are two significant networks through which DFI progress affects economic growth.

This study explores digital transformation in the tea supply chain within developing economies, with a focus on smallholder tea producers in Sri Lanka. Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Among the tea producers, smallholder tea producers account for a substantial portion of total tea production in several countries. Mobile phones play a significant role in providing smallholder producers with access to crucial agricultural information, markets and financial services.

This study adopts a deductive approach, analysing mobile phone ownership, literacy, experience and perception among smallholder tea producers. The chi-squared test of independence and hierarchical clustering methods were used to test the hypotheses and address the research questions.

The study identifies four clusters of smallholder tea producers as Basic Tech Adopters, Digital Laggards, Skeptical Feature Phone Users and Tech-savvy Adopters based on their characteristics towards mobile-based technologies. Approximately 75% of the surveyed sample, which included both tech-savvy and basic-tech adopters, showed a positive attitude toward adopting mobile-based agricultural technologies.

The study suggests developing targeted strategies and policies to enhance the productivity of the smallholder tea production process in developing economies. The study highlights the importance of awareness, access, affordability and availability when implementing digital services for businesses at the base of the pyramid, such as tea smallholdings in developing economies.

The present study aims to address the lack of data-driven empirical studies on the use of mobile phones in smallholder settings. The findings of this study enable the enhancement of entrepreneurship within the tea production supply chain, especially, within stakeholders who deliver digital transformation support services.

Despite the vast potential of mobile phone use, grape smallholder farmers’ satisfaction with mobile phone use has attracted insufficient attention among scholars in Tanzania. The study examined factors influencing satisfaction with mobile phone use for accessing agricultural marketing information.

The study used a cross-sectional research design and a mixed research method. Structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to collect primary data from 400 sampled grape smallholder farmers. Data were analysed inferentially involving two-way analysis of variance, ordinal logistic regression and thematic analysis.

The findings indicate a statistically significant disparity in grape smallholder farmers’ satisfaction across different types of agricultural marketing information. Grape smallholder farmers exhibited higher satisfaction levels concerning information on selling time compared to all other types of agricultural marketing information (price, buyers, quality and quantity). Factors influencing grape smallholder farmers’ satisfaction with mobile phone use were related to perceived usefulness, ease of use, experience and cost.

This study contributes to scientific knowledge by providing actionable insights for formulating unique strategies for smallholder farmers’ satisfaction with agricultural marketing information.

Previous studies have identified concerns and anxiety in individuals who are without their mobile phones, which is known as nomophobia, an acronym for “no mobile phone phobia.” However, there is currently limited evidence of qualitative research that explores nomophobia. The purpose of this study is to explore personal experiences and individual meanings associated with mobile phone use and nomophobia.

To address this gap, the present study employed a Heideggerian phenomenological approach to investigate the issue. Ten college students, who have medium to high nomophobia were selected as respondents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which were then transcribed verbatim and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

A deep understanding of the psychological dynamics, experiences, meanings, perceptions and beliefs of individuals regarding smartphone use can only be explored through a qualitative approach that presents personal statements of individuals through in-depth semi-structured interviews. This study contributes to a deep understanding of the psychological dynamic of nomophobia.

This study has limitations that must be carefully considered. First, the respondents came from a university with a sample size of 10 people, which may not fully represent the phenomenon of nomophobia among students due to differences in cultural and academic backgrounds. However, we addressed this limitation by selecting only students who scored moderate to high levels of nomophobia. Second, the researchers acknowledge that the sample used in the study may not be fully representative of the broader target population or a larger group, as previously mentioned. Therefore, generalizing the findings of this research must be done carefully, being cautious and thoughtful to avoid hasty conclusions.

In the functional context, it is recommended for individuals to be more mindful of their smartphone usage and strive to strike a balance between utilizing their device's capabilities for productive purposes and avoiding excessive dependency that may lead to distractions or information overload. This includes limiting excessive smartphone usage for entertainment purposes, restricting aimless and irrelevant Internet browsing and implementing effective time management when using smartphones. For smartphone users from the ontological context, the advice is to critically evaluate their digital presence and ensure that their online activities align with their true values and self-perception, promoting responsible and ethical smartphone use. Engaging in fasting or break sessions by completely turning off the smartphone at specific times and utilizing that time for activities such as reading books, writing and engaging in spiritual practices, or exercising is also advisable. In the anthropomorphic context, individuals are advised to reflect on the potential emotional dependence on their smartphones and consider establishing healthy boundaries to avoid excessive reliance on these devices to fulfill emotional needs. One practical recommendation is to engage in self-reflection, where individuals take some time to ponder their smartphone usage patterns and emotional attachment to the device. They should ask themselves why they feel the need to constantly check their phone and how it impacts their emotions and overall well-being.

This study contributes to a deep understanding of the psychological dynamics of nomophobia by exploring the experiences, meanings, perceptions, and beliefs of individuals regarding smartphone use.

The television (TV) content ecosystem has shifted from traditional broadcasting systems to dedicated content producers and over-the-top (OTT) services. However, less empirical effort has been paid to the actual behaviors of the mobile users who watch TV content when explaining the impact of OTT service and mobile network profiles in watching TV content. This study aims to investigate the impact of gratifications and attitude formed by mobile TV users on actual mobile TV watching behaviors, as well as the moderating impacts of paid OTT service subscriptions and mobile network profiles, based on gratification theory, cognition–affect–behavioral (CAB) framework, sunk cost effect and walled-garden effect.

This study employs the generalized linear model (GLM) with generalized estimating equations (GEE) to test hypothesized relationships. A total of 338 mobile phone users who have been watching TV content using a mobile phone participated in the survey. The moderating variables, 4 types of paid streaming platform subscriptions, were classified based on the walled gardens formed by mobile telecom services.

The study’s results revealed that obtained gratifications and opportunity constructs substantially influenced a mobile phone user’s attitude and behaviors. Additionally, mobile network profiles and the degree of access to paid platform services played significant moderating roles in the relationship between users’ attitudes and behavior.

This research enriches the existing OTT service literature and is one of the pioneering studies investigating the walled-garden effect’s role in mobile phone users’ actual watching behaviors, offering valuable practical implications for the OTT platform providers.

This paper is a systematic review that aims to collect and review studies on library users’ smartphone use to access library services and resources. Another objective of the systematic review is to identify the challenges and benefits (reported in the reviewed literature) regarding using smartphones to access library resources and services.

The researchers searched the relevant literature from four databases: Scopus, Library and Information Science Technology Abstracts, Web of Science and Google Scholar. A total of 20 studies were selected, out of the 2,416 retrieved titles, for review in light of the PRISMA guidelines. This systematic review also used the quality assessment guidelines of Boynton and Greenhalgh (2004), to analyze the quality of the publications reviewed in the study.

The results highlighted that library users used smartphones to access a wide range of library services, including directions help, fresh arrivals, library news notifications, room and course reservations, library account management, circulation and the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). The libraries offered their users multiple mobile-supported services related to searching for resources and account management. The challenges, as well as the benefits associated with the use of smartphones for accessing and using library services, have also been reported. Most reviewed studies scored high (9–13 out of 13) in the quality assessment.

This research has some limitations. First, only the English-language research studies were included in the review. Therefore, it is possible that a significant study conducted in a language other than English was missed. Second, researchers performed a comprehensive search to collect the maximum number of relevant studies; there is a chance that an important study was missed during the search and retrieval process.

This research fills the research gap by advancing the literature on mobile device use for accessing library services and resources. The findings might help library professionals understand the current trends in accessing library services through smartphones. This also helps them plan the latest mobile-supported library services to meet the ever-changing demands of library users. Policymakers could also benefit from this research, as it could help them understand current trends in library services and facilitate them in making appropriate policies, funding allocations and implementing mobile services in libraries.

The researchers found that the use of mobile phones to access library services and resources impacts society in a discernible way. It provides a rich environment as users access a wide range of library services, including directions help, fresh arrivals, library news notifications, room and course reservations, library account management, circulation and the OPAC without any hindrances or hurdles.

This is the first review, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, that has systematically collected and reviewed the literature on the topic under study. This study also shares the theoretical and practical implications of the research and future research directions for researchers.

Post-harvest losses are becoming a huge issue globally and predominantly severe in developing countries. Food losses decrease farm income by 15% for about 480m small-scale farming households. With technology adoption, particularly, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage, minimising post-harvest losses will be more effective, because of its ability to build households’ human development by bridging the information gap.

This study empirically examines the impact of ICT usage on post-harvest losses in Nigeria, utilising Wave 4 (2018/2019) of the Living Standards Measurement Studies (LSMS), Integrated Survey on Agriculture (ISA). The study engages the Logit regression and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to analyse the data.

The findings show that post-harvest losses constitute about 38% of household agricultural production. In addition, it shows that the influence of ICT is statistically significant and positive in reducing post-harvest losses.

It implies that access to mobile phones and the Internet by households helps in developing their human capital through information access, for example, by linking them to the market and enhancing value chain participation. In addition, the implication is that mobile phone and Internet access contribute 1.87% and 2.68%, respectively, to reducing post-harvest losses. The findings suggest that there is a need for the government to improve support mechanisms for ICT usage among farming households.

The study contributes to the society by examining how the well-being of farmers can be improved upon in order to increase their productivity.

The study on the contribution of ICT to post-harvest losses is relatively sparse in the extant literature. Therefore, this study is among the very few to empirically examine the impact of different ICT indicators, using the LSMS-ISA (2019) data and engaging propensity matching, while focusing on the household heads.

The agricultural sector has experienced a transformative impact through the adoption of digital technologies, particularly mobile applications designed for farmers. This study investigates the factors influencing smallholder farmers' willingness to adopt digital application tools in Ogun State, Nigeria, focusing on the IITA herbicide calculator and Akilimo mobile applications.

Data were gathered from 572 smallholder farmers participating in the Zero Hunger project. This research contributes to the limited empirical evidence in Nigeria concerning farmers' willingness to adopt digital application tools. The study analyzes the effects of education, training, access to internet services, smartphone ownership, willingness to use paid applications, awareness of application tools and the cost of digital tools on farmers' willingness to adopt. Gender differentials in willingness to adopt were also explored.

The results indicate positive and statistically significant effects of education, training, internet access, smartphone ownership, willingness to use paid applications, awareness of application tools and the cost of digital tools on farmers' willingness to adopt. However, female farmers exhibited a lower willingness to adopt digital application tools.

Policymakers are urged to create supportive policies promoting basic formal education and provide effective extension services to enhance farmers' training. Additionally, efforts should be made to reduce the cost of digital applications and improve internet accessibility in rural areas. Encouraging female farmers to adopt advanced agricultural technologies is essential. Stakeholders are advised to raise awareness of digital application tools to expedite the adoption of agricultural technologies in the country.

This study will be helpful for the government to determine the state’s readiness for digital agriculture, it will help technology developers and agricultural technology startups to understand the factors determining farmers willingness to adopt digital application tools.

This study offers insights into the readiness of Ogun State, Nigeria, for digital agriculture. It provides valuable information for technology developers and agricultural startups to understand the determinants of farmers' willingness to adopt digital application tools, contributing to the advancement of the agricultural technology landscape.

This paper argues that the psychological impact of mobile phone loss and compromised personal information necessitates a comprehensive approach to mental health and data security. It advocates for the development of robust coping strategies, including digital detox practices and enhanced security measures, to mitigate the adverse effects.

This position paper explores the psychological implications of mobile phone loss, particularly focusing on depression and information access anxiety resulting from compromised personal information. The paper synthesizes existing literature and theoretical frameworks to examine the multifaceted impact of mobile phone loss on mental health and proposes strategies to mitigate these effects. This paper uses a qualitative approach, analyzing data from various studies that have investigated mobile phone addiction, data breaches and the psychological effects of mobile phone loss. The analysis focuses on identifying common themes and patterns related to emotional distress, anxiety and coping mechanisms. The psychological impact is contextualized within the broader framework of digital dependency and mental health.

The phenomenon of information access anxiety, especially in the context of mobile phone loss, represents a major concern in the digital age. Information access anxiety describes the psychological distress and anxiety experienced by individuals when they are unable to access indispensable information or digital communication tools, typically due to the loss or theft of a mobile device.

This study acknowledges several limitations that should be considered when interpreting its findings. First, the analysis is based predominantly on secondary data sources and literature reviews, which may not fully capture the nuanced experiences of individuals suffering from the psychological impacts of mobile phone loss. Future research could benefit from primary data collection, such as surveys or interviews, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of these phenomena.

This position paper contributes to the burgeoning discourse surrounding the psychological ramifications of mobile phone loss, with a particular emphasis on the manifestation of depression and information access anxiety stemming from compromised personal information.

This study aims to investigate the usability of a public university website for measuring its efficiency, users’ satisfaction or anxiety while searching for and retrieving information through different devices.

A task-based approach was adopted for the study. Twenty-eight participants were asked to complete 11 information-searching tasks on the website. The participants were divided into two groups. The tasks were carried out by members of each group, using desktop and mobile devices in a rotating fashion. Volunteers observed the participants' actions and recorded information regarding their productivity, time usage (using a timer), satisfaction or annoyance while performing each task. Finally, based on the use of the devices, a comparison was established between the participants' performance accuracy, efficiency and anxiety.

The study provides an overview of a task-based user experience carried out on the university website using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. According to the results, participants' satisfaction levels were generally high, and their anxiety levels were low while completing the tasks on a mobile device. In comparison to the desktop, it took less time overall to complete all tasks. On the other hand, using a desktop computer (97.1%) resulted in better task completion success rates for participants than using a mobile device (85.7%).

No previous task-based evaluation study of this kind has been conducted to assess the usability of any university website in Bangladesh.