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1 – 10 of over 5000Stella Ngozi Anasi, Folasade Olufunke Lawal and Abiola Paul-Ozieh
Community pharmacists need good retrieval skills and competencies for effective use of online information resources for professional practice. This study aims to ascertain the…
Abstract
Purpose
Community pharmacists need good retrieval skills and competencies for effective use of online information resources for professional practice. This study aims to ascertain the internet literacy skills of community pharmacists in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey research design was adopted for the study. Convenience sampling technique was used in selecting community pharmacists. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection, whereas descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.
Findings
The study revealed that community pharmacists possess requisite internet literacy skills for effective use of online health information resources. There is a positive relationship between informational and operational internet literacy skills [r = 0.820, p(0.000) < 0.05], informational and strategic internet literacy skills [r = 0.838, p(0.000) < 0.05] and operational and strategic internet literacy skills [r = 0.810, p(0.000) < 0.05]. There is a statistically significant gender difference in the level of skillfulness in internet use based on self-reported skills. There is a significant relative contribution of demographic variables (gender, age, educational qualification and number of years in professional practice) to the level of skillfulness in internet use among community pharmacists.
Practical implications
To improve the use of online internet resources, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, should conduct training needs assessment regularly to offer the right levels of internet use skills. They must be proactive and incorporate training on computer and internet skills into their annual conferences and zonal meetings. They should also prepare and give internet use manuals to their members to read and understand how to use the internet more effectively. Community pharmacists, especially the female pharmacists, should also take advantage of free online training sessions called webinars to improve their internet literacy skills to cope with rapid changes in the e-environment, as well as to boost the quality of health-care services delivery. Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria, the agency responsible for regulating and controlling the education, training and practice of pharmacy, should include an internet literacy skills module in the Mandatory Professional Continuing Education Programme.
Originality/value
The study investigated the internet literacy skills of community pharmacists in Lagos State and identified the gender gap in level of skillfulness. This study also explored the relationship between level of skillfulness and internet use, as well as the relationship between community pharmacists’ informational, operational and strategic internet literacy skills.
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The significance of digital literacy in online social capital accumulation and surviving the contemporary society is widely recognised. Despite that the current generation is…
Abstract
Purpose
The significance of digital literacy in online social capital accumulation and surviving the contemporary society is widely recognised. Despite that the current generation is regarded as “digital natives”, their levels and nature of digital literacy vary. To generate educational insights, this study investigates the type(s) of digital literacy which are mostly related to the online social capital accumulation, and how one’s socio-economic background affects the connection between digital literacy and online social capital.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 1,747 participants aged 13–30 were invited to take part in a quantitative study. Spearman's rank correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis and mediation analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between participants' demographic background, engagement in the online platforms, digital literacy and online social capital.
Findings
The results showed that the creative dimension of digital literacy was mostly significantly predictive of online social capital accumulation. Also, education significantly affected the relationship between the creative dimension of digital literacy and online social capital more than demographic background.
Originality/value
Results suggest that education helps enhance digital literacy, offsetting the influence of socio-demographic background. The author examines the implications of how to implement training programmes in youth settings to enhance students' digital literacy and benefit those who are marginalised.
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The purpose of this paper is to find the factors that affect the “performance” of microfinancing institutions (MFIs) around the world and to further analyse the interaction and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to find the factors that affect the “performance” of microfinancing institutions (MFIs) around the world and to further analyse the interaction and higher order effects of these factors on the performance. Although MFIs can have various objectives from a commercial focus to a social focus when performing their operations, this study analyses the factors that contribute to “performance” of MFIs in relation to their ability to “alleviate poverty in a sustainable manner”.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the data relating to 234 MFIs across 63 countries, this study analyses eight factors that can affect performance of MFIs (as defined in this study) and their higher order and interaction effects using multiple regression models.
Findings
The results show that gender (female), literacy level of the borrowers, operational efficiency, offering only loans (not diversifying), age and emphasis on profitability have a significant effect on the performance. Analysis of higher order effects shows that the relationship of age with performance is a downward concave curve and that with operational efficiency is an upward concave curve. The interaction effects of gender and literacy, age and emphasis on female borrowers, and also age and emphasis on profitability were found to be significant.k
Originality/value
The findings contribute to understanding the factors that affect the performance of MFIs to alleviate poverty in a sustainable manner and help the policy makers and managers of MFIs to improve their performance in this area. Considering the hundreds of millions of dollars injected into microfinancing, improvement in performance as a result of these findings can lead to savings in millions of dollars.
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Rupali Misra, Puneeta Goel and Sumita Srivastava
Even after appreciating multi-faceted merits of retail participation in stock markets and extensive efforts by policymakers and financial service industry to increase it, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Even after appreciating multi-faceted merits of retail participation in stock markets and extensive efforts by policymakers and financial service industry to increase it, the present low retail participation in Indian stock markets is cause of grave concern. The purpose of this paper is to identify plausible drivers and deterrents of prospective and current household individuals through a multi-stage qualitative enquiry.
Design/methodology/approach
Two qualitative studies are conducted. In Study 1, scholarship of stakeholders is engaged through participative diamond model to propose behavioural classification of retail investors based on two-parameter framework. In Study 2, behavioural substructures of retail investors that drive or deter investment intentions and actions are identified through in-depth interviews.
Findings
Financial self-efficacy, past experience (own or peer group), financial eco-system, operational literacy, higher charges by financial experts and low liquidity in the hands of the investors are some key factors that influence investment intension and action of individual investors. Though digital platforms have helped to overcome hurdles faced by an investor but its availability, awareness and ease of use still remain a concern.
Practical implications
The inductive findings of this study uncover some important take-aways for the financial service industry – improve operational literacy, digital awareness, ease of use and incorporate risk assessments in client portfolios – and for the policymakers – improve investment eco-system through digital availability, financial literacy workshops focussed on operations.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the initial attempts to adopt a multi-stage qualitative enquiry to propose behavioural classification of retail investors and uncover reasons that drive or deter individual investors’ intentions and actions in the context of Indian stock market. Moreover, this study provides necessary impetus to analyse and improve operational literacy (instead of financial literacy) and financial eco-system for higher retail participation.
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Godfred Matthew Yaw Owusu, Teddy Ossei Kwakye, Edem Emerald Welbeck and Charles Gyamfi Ofori
This study examines the multidimensionality of the environmental literacy concept among university business students in Ghana. The study also investigates the relationship between…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the multidimensionality of the environmental literacy concept among university business students in Ghana. The study also investigates the relationship between students’ interests in environmental issues and knowledge levels of environment and assesses how these two constructs influence students overall environmental behaviour and actions.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a total of 591 business students from the University of Ghana Business School, the study uses exploratory factor analysis to examine the multidimensionality of environmental literacy concept. A structural equation modelling-based approach was used to examine the relationship among the study constructs.
Findings
Based on the factor analysis results, the study documents that environmental literacy concept can be grouped under four distinct factors (general environmental factors; industry-related factors; environmental assessment factors; and accounting-related factors). The regression results indicate a direct and positive relationship between students’ interest in environmental issues and their environmental literacy level. Also, students’ interest and their knowledge levels of environmental issues were found to be good predictors of actual students’ involvement in activities that promote sustainable environment.
Research limitations/implications
The conclusions of the study are based on only data from one public university, which limits the generalizability of the findings.
Originality/value
The study is unique as it is the first empirical study to investigate environmental literacy levels in higher education in the Ghanaian setting.
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A wide choice of varied information and data-based tools is reviewed in order to determine their ability treating symptoms of the COVID-19 infodemic. Several literacies and…
Abstract
Purpose
A wide choice of varied information and data-based tools is reviewed in order to determine their ability treating symptoms of the COVID-19 infodemic. Several literacies and derived literacies, presumably having the ability to fulfil these roles are enumerated. There is also a review of the impact of applying deconstruction, understanding, and anticipation as well as of tools for mitigating overload phenomena, and communication overload.
Design/methodology/approach
The article reviews literacies deemed to promise reducing the impact of the information crisis, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Findings
A non-exhaustive review of literature, taken from sources of varied disciplines, resulting from reverse snowballing and forward citation mining confirmed that there is a wide choice of solutions from among literacies, derived literacies and other approaches that have the potential to combat annoyance and anxiety, caused by the infodemic.
Originality/value
No other, published research has looked at such a wide range of literacies and derived literacies, as well as other, related approaches linked them to the COVID-19 infodemic.
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Research shows that postsecondary students are largely unaware of the impact of algorithms on their everyday lives. Also, most noncomputer science students are not being taught…
Abstract
Purpose
Research shows that postsecondary students are largely unaware of the impact of algorithms on their everyday lives. Also, most noncomputer science students are not being taught about algorithms as part of the regular curriculum. This exploratory, qualitative study aims to explore subject-matter experts’ insights and perceptions of the knowledge components, coping behaviors and pedagogical considerations to aid faculty in teaching algorithmic literacy to postsecondary students.
Design/methodology/approach
Eleven semistructured interviews and one focus group were conducted with scholars and teachers of critical algorithm studies and related fields. A content analysis was manually performed on the transcripts using a mixture of deductive and inductive coding. Data analysis was aided by the coding software program Dedoose (2021) to determine frequency totals for occurrences of a code across all participants along with how many times specific participants mentioned a code. Then, findings were organized around the three themes of knowledge components, coping behaviors and pedagogy.
Findings
The findings suggested a set of 10 knowledge components that would contribute to students’ algorithmic literacy along with seven behaviors that students could use to help them better cope with algorithmic systems. A set of five teaching strategies also surfaced to help improve students’ algorithmic literacy.
Originality/value
This study contributes to improved pedagogy surrounding algorithmic literacy and validates existing multi-faceted conceptualizations and measurements of algorithmic literacy.
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Traditionally, demographic factors have been recognized as important factors of social capital accumulation. Owing to the differences in social structure and relationships…
Abstract
Purpose
Traditionally, demographic factors have been recognized as important factors of social capital accumulation. Owing to the differences in social structure and relationships resulted from the Internet development, the social capital accumulation mechanism is likely different. Hence, this study investigated the significance of the demographic factors and the Internet-related factors (Internet mobilization, collective identity, and digital literacy) of social capital accumulation nowadays, so as to understand the factors contributing to social capital accumulation nowadays, and reflect upon the applicability of traditional social capital accumulation mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
There were 1,747 participants aged between 13 and 30 taking part in this quantitative study. Correlation analysis was performed to find out the relationship of participants' demographic background and Internet-related factors with offline and online social capital. Structural equation modeling, hierarchical regression analysis, and mediation analysis was performed to investigate how these factors were related to the social capital accumulated from the Internet.
Findings
Results showed that demographic background and engagement in Internet activities affected the acquisition of social capital from the Internet. Digital literacy displayed the largest mediating effect on online social capital accumulation. Corresponding implications were discussed.
Originality/value
Informed by the literature and theories of social capital, this study investigates the mechanism of online social capital accumulation by exploring its contributing factors.
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Lilian Anthonysamy and Pravina Sivakumar
This study aims to examine how digital literacy competency can mitigate misinformation in social media among young adults. In recent years, concerns over misinformation have…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how digital literacy competency can mitigate misinformation in social media among young adults. In recent years, concerns over misinformation have triggered a renewed interest in the aspect of digital literacy. Many young adults in Malaysia are not able to differentiate between real news and fake news. Although there are plenty of studies examining fake news, studies examining the mitigation of misinformation through the lens of digital literacy are still rudimentary.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopted a quantitative approach by conducting a cross-sectional survey among university students in Malaysia to examine how their digital literacy competency influences misinformation. The sample size was estimated GPower software. A total of 134 respondents between the age of 19 and 25 were sampled because young adults in this age group tend to show little difference in their digital literacy level. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the proposed model.
Findings
The study results reveal that two of the three domains of digital literacy competence, technical literacy and cognitive literacy, have a positive association in reducing misinformation among university students; however, socio-emotional literacy has the opposite effect. Additionally, the survey also explicates that hedonic motivation helps in misinformation mitigation, whereas habit does not.
Originality/value
Theoretically, this study contributes to the literature by revealing how digital literacy can help in identifying misinformation masquerading as valid information through proper verification and analysis, especially in the digital age where everyone is susceptible to misinformation. The results of the study also contribute to the development of a new digital literacy framework that can cultivate a digitally literate generation who can navigate the informational landscape smartly and therefore distinguish between facts and fake news.
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This research investigates the critical role of data governance (DG) in shaping a data-driven culture (DDC) within organizations, recognizing the transformative potential of data…
Abstract
Purpose
This research investigates the critical role of data governance (DG) in shaping a data-driven culture (DDC) within organizations, recognizing the transformative potential of data utilization for efficiency, opportunities, and productivity. The study delves into the influence of DG on DDC, emphasizing the mediating effect of data literacy (DL).
Design/methodology/approach
The study empirically assesses 125 experienced managers in Indonesian public service sector organizations using a quantitative approach. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis was chosen to examine the impact of DG on DDC and the mediating effects of DL on this relationship.
Findings
The findings highlight that both DG and DL serve as antecedents to DDC, with DL identified as a crucial mediator, explaining a significant portion of the effects between DG and DDC.
Research limitations/implications
Beyond unveiling these relationships, the study discusses practical implications for organizational leaders and managers, emphasizing the need for effective policies and strategies in data-driven decision-making.
Originality/value
This research fills an important research gap by introducing an original model and providing empirical evidence on the dynamic interplay between DG, DL, and DDC, contributing to the evolving landscape of data-driven organizational cultures.
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