An exploration of the attitudes and strategic responses of soleproprietor micro-enterprises in adopting information and communication technology

This article analyses longitudinal case-based research exploring the attitudes and strategic responses of micro-enterprise owners in adopting information and communication technology (ICT). In so doing, it contributes to the limited literature on micro-enterprise ICT adoption, with a particular focus on sole proprietors. It provides a basis for widening the theoretical base of the literature pertaining to ICT adoption on two levels. First, a framework is developed which integrates the findings to illustrate the relationships between attitudes towards ICT adoption, endogenous and exogenous influencers of these attitudes and subsequent strategic response in ICT adoption. Second, building upon this framework the article reveals the unique challenges, opportunities and implications of ICT adoption for sole-proprietor micro-enterprises. © The Author(s) 2012

Integrating information literacy in health sciences curricula: a case study from Québec

Objective: To portray an information literacy programme demonstrating a high level of integration in health sciences curricula and a teaching orientation aiming towards the development of lifelong learning skills. The setting is a French-speaking North American university. Methods: The offering includes standard workshops such as MEDLINE searching and specialised sessions such as pharmaceutical patents searching. A contribution to an international teaching collaboration in Haiti where workshops had to be thoroughly adapted to the clientele is also presented. Online guides addressing information literacy topics complement the programme. Results and evaluation: A small team of librarians and technicians taught 276 hours of library instruction during the 2011-2012 academic year. Methods used for evaluating information skills include scoring features of literature searches and user satisfaction surveys. Discussion: Privileged contacts between librarians and faculty resulting from embedded library instruction as well as from active participation in library committees result in a growing reputation of library services across academic departments and bring forth collaboration opportunities. Sustainability and evolution of the library instruction programme is warranted by frequent communication with partners in the clinical field, active involvement in academic networks and health library associations, and reflective professional strategies.

Re-engineering and Re-defining University Libraries in the context of modern Information and Communication Technologies: a study with special reference to the University Libraries in Kerala

Information and communication technologies are the tools that underpin the emerging “Knowledge Society”. Exchange of information or knowledge between people and through networks of people has always taken place. But the ICT has radically changed the magnitude of this exchange, and thus factors such as timeliness of information and information dissemination patterns have become more important than ever.Since information and knowledge are so vital for the all round human development, libraries and institutions that manage these resources are indeed invaluable. So, the Library and Information Centres have a key role in the acquisition, processing, preservation and dissemination of information and knowledge. ln the modern context, library is providing service based on different types of documents such as manuscripts, printed, digital, etc. At the same time, acquisition, access, process, service etc. of these resources have become complicated now than ever before. The lCT made instrumental to extend libraries beyond the physical walls of a building and providing assistance in navigating and analyzing tremendous amounts of knowledge with a variety of digital tools. Thus, modern libraries are increasingly being re-defined as places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many sources.The research was conducted in the university libraries in Kerala State, India. lt was identified that even though the information resources are flooding world over and several technologies have emerged to manage the situation for providing effective services to its clientele, most of the university libraries in Kerala were unable to exploit these technologies at maximum level. Though the libraries have automated many of their functions, wide gap prevails between the possible services and provided services. There are many good examples world over in the application of lCTs in libraries for the maximization of services and many such libraries have adopted the principles of reengineering and re-defining as a management strategy. Hence this study was targeted to look into how effectively adopted the modern lCTs in our libraries for maximizing the efficiency of operations and services and whether the principles of re-engineering and- redefining can be applied towards this.Data‘ was collected from library users, viz; student as well as faculty users; library ,professionals and university librarians, using structured questionnaires. This has been .supplemented by-observation of working of the libraries, discussions and interviews with the different types of users and staff, review of literature, etc. Personal observation of the organization set up, management practices, functions, facilities, resources, utilization of information resources and facilities by the users, etc. of the university libraries in Kerala have been made. Statistical techniques like percentage, mean, weighted mean, standard deviation, correlation, trend analysis, etc. have been used to analyse data.All the libraries could exploit only a very few possibilities of modern lCTs and hence they could not achieve effective Universal Bibliographic Control and desired efficiency and effectiveness in services. Because of this, the users as well as professionals are dissatisfied. Functional effectiveness in acquisition, access and process of information resources in various formats, development and maintenance of OPAC and WebOPAC, digital document delivery to remote users, Web based clearing of library counter services and resources, development of full-text databases, digital libraries and institutional repositories, consortia based operations for e-journals and databases, user education and information literacy, professional development with stress on lCTs, network administration and website maintenance, marketing of information, etc. are major areas need special attention to improve the situation. Finance, knowledge level on ICTs among library staff, professional dynamism and leadership, vision and support of the administrators and policy makers, prevailing educational set up and social environment in the state, etc. are some of the major hurdles in reaping the maximum possibilities of lCTs by the university libraries in Kerala. The principles of Business Process Re-engineering are found suitable to effectively apply to re-structure and redefine the operations and service system of the libraries. Most of the conventional departments or divisions prevailing in the university libraries were functioning as watertight compartments and their existing management system was more rigid to adopt the principles of change management. Hence, a thorough re-structuring of the divisions was indicated. Consortia based activities and pooling and sharing of information resources was advocated to meet the varied needs of the users in the main campuses and off campuses of the universities, affiliated colleges and remote stations. A uniform staff policy similar to that prevailing in CSIR, DRDO, ISRO, etc. has been proposed by the study not only in the university libraries in kerala but for the entire country.Restructuring of Lis education,integrated and Planned development of school,college,research and public library systems,etc.were also justified for reaping maximum benefits of the modern ICTs.

ICT and literacy : information and communication technology, media, reading and writing.

Se examina la alfabetización en relación con una amplia variedad de nuevas tecnologías y medios de comunicación, especialmente, los llamados 'libros que hablan', el correo electrónico, la edición en video y los materiales multimedia y 'en línea'. En cada caso, los diferentes autores se basan en las investigaciones más recientes para explicar las implicaciones que suponen para la práctica educativa y la política. En este proceso, muestran la necesidad de reflexionar conjuntamente todos aquellos que proporcionan educación, orientación y recursos a los jóvenes.

IGCSE information and communication technology.

Explicaciones y muchas actividades, tanto en el texto como en el CD-ROM, facilitan a los estudiantes la preparación de la teoría escrita y de los dos documentos de la práctica de IGCSE en información y tecnología de la comunicación. El CD contiene los archivos para las tareas y actividades, así como preguntas y respuestas del modelo de examen. Tiene glosario.

Information and communication technology for Edexcel applied AS level single award.

Esta escrito para apoyar las nueva especificación Edexcel AS en las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (ICT). Su contenido se estructura en tres unidades: la edad de la información; la economía digital; y el trabajador del conocimiento.

Information and communication for AQA applied AS single award.

Esta escrito para ayudar a los profesores y estudiantes en la preparación del curso sobre las tecnologías de la información y de la comunicación (ICT) para las especificaciones AQA AS. Su contenido se estructura en cuatro secciones, la primera trata de las ICT y la sociedad; la segunda sobre las ICT y las organizaciones; la tercera sobre utilización de datos; y la última sobre portfolios.

The Minimum core for information and communication technology : knowledge, understanding and personal skills.

Guía práctica sobre tecnologías de la información y la comunicación para profesores en formación (nivel bachillerato). Les permite identificar y desarrollar sus propias habilidades tecnológicas aplicadas a la enseñanza y al mismo tiempo apoyar la evolución de los alumnos. Contiene todas las áreas claves de conocimiento, compresión y habilidades personales, además de analizar en un contexto amplio cómo las habilidades tecnológicas en información y comunicación se adquieren y se desarrollan a nivel personal, social y cultural. El contenido está adaptado para la obtención de los certificados QTLS (Qualified Teacher, Learning and Skills) y ATLS (Associate Teacher, Learning and Skills).

Information and communication technology for ISEB certificate of achievement (ages 8-13).

Libro de texto para alumnos de Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación de enseñanza primaria y primer ciclo de enseñanza secundaria, orientado a la consecución del certificado de ISEB (Information Systems Examinations Board). Está estructurado en seis módulos: presentación de la información (procesadores de texto y software de presentación de contenidos), tratamiento de datos, gráficos, programación y sistemas de control, uso de ordenadores, Internet y correo electrónico (búsqueda de información, diseño de páginas web y e-mail). Incluye un cd-rom con material de apoyo para el desarrollo de los contenidos del libro.

Information and communication technology for Edexcel applied A2 level single award.

Libro para estudiantes de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, de enseñanza secundaria - bachillerato, orientado a la consecución del certificado de Edexcel nivel A2. Contiene las unidades 7 a 12 y cubre las siguientes materias: uso de bases de datos, gestión de proyectos TIC, uso de programas multimedia, uso de hojas de cálculo, y personalización de aplicaciones. Incluye proyectos de ejemplo y casos de estudio que permiten al alumno entender cómo planificar, producir, revisar y presentar sus propios porfolios digitales. Cd-rom con material de apoyo.

OCR Information and communication technology GCSE : student's book.

Libro de texto sobre tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC), aprobado por el OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) para la especificación GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) de enseñanza secundaria. Cubre el temario de las cuatro unidades del examen oficial: las TIC en el mundo actual, aplicaciones prácticas de las TIC, las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en contexto, uso creativo de las TIC. Incluye ejercicios y preguntas tipo examen para controlar el progreso del alumno.

OCR Information and communication technology for A2 : revision guide.

Guía de repaso para los alumnos de enseñanza secundaria, bachillerato, que estén preparando el examen de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) según la especificación del OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) para el nivel A2. Es un resumen básico de los temas principales que se evalúan en la prueba oficial y cubre las siguientes áreas: ciclo de los sistemas, diseño de sistemas de información, redes y comunicaciones, aplicaciones de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, implementación de sistemas de información, implicaciones de las TIC.

OCR Information and communication technology for AS : revision guide.

Guía de repaso para los alumnos de enseñanza secundaria que estén preparando el examen de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) según la especificación del OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) para el nivel AS. Es un resumen básico de los temas principales que se evalúan en la prueba oficial y cubre las siguientes áreas: datos, información, conocimiento y proceso, componentes de software y hardware de los sistemas de información, características de las aplicaciones de software estándar y áreas de utilización, conceptos de hojas de cálculo, conceptos de bases de datos relacionales, aplicaciones de software usadas para la presentación y la comunicación de datos, papel e impacto de las TIC.

AQA Information and Communication Technology: The Essential Guide.

Este libro ha sido editado y actualizado para satisfacer las necesidades del AQA examen de secundaria de la asignatura Información y Tecnología de la Comunicación proporcionando grandes oportunidades para el trabajo práctico. Los temas del libro son: los sistemas de ordenador, el sistema operativo, redes de comunicación y entretenimiento, el ciclo de vida de los sistemas, procesador de textos Word, presentación del software, diseño de la Web, software para audio y DVD, transfiriendo datos entre aplicaciones, hojas de cálculo, bases de datos, redes sociales y foros, cuestiones legales relacionadas con el uso de las nuevas tecnologías, un comportamiento responsable online.