Looks at India’s extensive use and promotion of, ICT and informatization of the Indian society to enable the spread of literacy, education and excellence. Addresses relevant…
Abstract
Looks at India’s extensive use and promotion of, ICT and informatization of the Indian society to enable the spread of literacy, education and excellence. Addresses relevant issues and shows how development should be funded. Concludes India’s late start in ICT exploitation provides excellent lessons for developing countries and gives a number of bullet points to aid in direction.
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India responded to the Maitland Report’s recommendations to solve the “missing link” by deciding to establish community telephones in all of India’s 650,000 villages, a task that…
Abstract
India responded to the Maitland Report’s recommendations to solve the “missing link” by deciding to establish community telephones in all of India’s 650,000 villages, a task that is largely complete. The author argues that, similarly, the benefits of access to the Internet are so great that the government should employ a similar strategy. This should include improving affordability through a competitive environment, encouraging the use of radio technology and upgrading village public telephones to Public Tele Information Centers (PTICs). Obstacles such as illiteracy and lack of computer skills must also be tackled if India is to diminish the digital divide.
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Discusses India’s bungling of telecom reform (demonopolization) and answers the question of how India got it wrong, and what to do in the future to put it right. Looks at how the…
Abstract
Discusses India’s bungling of telecom reform (demonopolization) and answers the question of how India got it wrong, and what to do in the future to put it right. Looks at how the early (1855) Indian Telegraph Act governs telecommunications and the problems this had led to. Elaborates on the new information technology policy of 1998 giving full and complete explanations, using a Table for added emphasis.
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Abstract
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Md Aslam Mia, Md Imran Hossain and Sunil Sangwan
Digitalization is one of the major factors that fosters economic growth across the world. However, the level of digitalization varies significantly between developed and…
Abstract
Purpose
Digitalization is one of the major factors that fosters economic growth across the world. However, the level of digitalization varies significantly between developed and developing countries, with the latter often lagging behind. To bridge this gap, it is crucial to pinpoint the drivers of digitalization, specifically from the macroeconomic and country-level governance dimensions. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the determinants of digitalization, particularly for countries in Asia and the Pacific region.
Design/methodology/approach
Our study utilizes unbalanced panel data from 46 Asian and Pacific countries for the period of 2001–2021. Initially, we analyzed the data using conventional econometric methods, such as pooled ordinary least squares (POLS), random-effects model (REM) and fixed-effects model (FEM). Moreover, we employed endogeneity-corrected techniques and alternative proxies to enhance the robustness and reliability of our findings.
Findings
Our findings reveal that economic development progress, government expenditure relative to country size and political stability are key drivers of digitalization. In contrast, corruption at the country level emerges as a significant impediment. Notably, our results remain robust to endogeneity-corrected techniques and alternative proxies of digitalization. Overall, these insights can inform policymakers, helping them to understand the macroeconomic and governance factors shaping digitalization and guide their decision-making toward effective policy interventions.
Originality/value
This study’s empirical findings add significant value to the existing literature by quantifying the impact of macroeconomic and governance factors on digitalization in selected countries. This offers valuable insights for policymakers, particularly in nations with lower levels of digitalization.
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Matuka Chipembele and Kelvin Joseph Bwalya
The purpose of this paper is to assess e-readiness (preparedness) of the Copperbelt University (CBU) with a view to ascertain the likelihood of the university benefiting from…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess e-readiness (preparedness) of the Copperbelt University (CBU) with a view to ascertain the likelihood of the university benefiting from various opportunities unlocked by the adoption and use of ICT in advancing its core mandate of teaching, learning and collaborative research.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used the network readiness model emanating from the socio-technical theory, which underpins the extended technological enactment framework. Further, it employed a positivist approach and adopted a case study method coupled with methodological triangulation at data collection stage. With a 95 per cent confidence level of a possible sample frame of 2,980, the study sampled 353 respondents with a response rate of 81 per cent.
Findings
The results show that anticipated ICTs users have not leveraged available ICT infrastructure or are unaware of its existence. Further, quantitative constructs: “accessibility to ICTs” and “requisite ICTs skills” has significant impacts on e-readiness indicators and in integration of ICTs in CBU core business activities. Also, the study argues that institutional ICT policy and working environments reshape users’ perception of ICTs for teaching, learning and research.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed conceptual framework only accounted for 43 per cent variance of the factors determining e-readiness of CBU.
Originality/value
Investigating CBU’s e-readiness will enable policy-makers to prioritise interventions needed for transforming the university into an e-ready entity favourably placed to benefit from digital opportunities. Also the emanating conceptual framework is important to theory and practice in integrating ICTs universities business value chains especially in contextually similar environments.
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The purpose of the paper is to identify the factors that have moved some regulators around the world to restructure their regulatory agencies towards an integrated information and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to identify the factors that have moved some regulators around the world to restructure their regulatory agencies towards an integrated information and communication technology (ICT) regulator.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses the theory of transaction costs as an analytical framework to analyze the regulatory convergence efforts of the UK, India, Malaysia, and South Africa. It relies on case study methodology to elucidate the obstacles towards a converged policy framework.
Findings
The cases show that these countries moved towards a converged regulator and laws to eliminate obsolete rules that were hampering investment and slowing competition in the ICT sector. The governments also wanted to eliminate some redundancies and simplify the rules used in regulating ICTs. For some countries the ICT regulator maintains traditional industry distinctions but others moved towards an issues‐organizing framework. The challenges included training, consultations with affected parties, changes in the law, and coping with rules that were still valid.
Practical implications
Given the rapid development of technology and the blurring boundaries of ICTs, regulators are advised to make changes to their regulatory bodies and adopt a more flexible regime of laws and regulators that are able to accommodate technological and industry changes.
Originality/value
The paper makes a unique contribution by linking the theories of collective action and transactions cost to explain why convergence of telecommunications regulation happens and the obstacles that regulatory agencies face in the process.
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Boppana V. Chowdary and Deepak Jaglal
This paper aims to present a reverse engineering (RE) approach for three-dimensional (3D) model reconstruction and fast prototyping (FP) of broken chess pieces.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a reverse engineering (RE) approach for three-dimensional (3D) model reconstruction and fast prototyping (FP) of broken chess pieces.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study involving a broken chess piece was selected to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed unconventional RE approach. Initially, a laser 3D scanner was used to acquire a (non-uniform rational B-spline) surface model of the object, which was then processed to develop a parametric computer aided design (CAD) model combined with geometric design and tolerancing (GD&T) technique for evaluation and then for FP of the part using a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine.
Findings
The effectiveness of the proposed approach for reconstruction and FP of rotational parts was ascertained through a sample part. The study demonstrates non-contact data acquisition technologies such as 3D laser scanners together with RE systems can support to capture the entire part geometry that was broken/worn and developed quickly through the application of computer aided manufacturing principles and a CNC machine. The results indicate that design communication, customer involvement and FP can be efficiently accomplished by means of an integrated RE workflow combined with rapid product development tools and techniques.
Originality/value
This research established a RE approach for the acquisition of broken/worn part data and the development of parametric CAD models. Then, the developed 3D CAD model was inspected for accuracy by means of the GD&T approach and rapidly developed using a CNC machine. Further, the proposed RE led FP approach can provide solutions to similar industrial situations wherein agility in the product design and development process is necessary to produce physical samples and functional replacement parts for aging systems in a short turnaround time.
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V. Chowdary Boppana and Fahraz Ali
This paper presents an experimental investigation in establishing the relationship between FDM process parameters and tensile strength of polycarbonate (PC) samples using the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents an experimental investigation in establishing the relationship between FDM process parameters and tensile strength of polycarbonate (PC) samples using the I-Optimal design.
Design/methodology/approach
I-optimal design methodology is used to plan the experiments by means of Minitab-17.1 software. Samples are manufactured using Stratsys FDM 400mc and tested as per ISO standards. Additionally, an artificial neural network model was developed and compared to the regression model in order to select an appropriate model for optimisation. Finally, the genetic algorithm (GA) solver is executed for improvement of tensile strength of FDM built PC components.
Findings
This study demonstrates that the selected process parameters (raster angle, raster to raster air gap, build orientation about Y axis and the number of contours) had significant effect on tensile strength with raster angle being the most influential factor. Increasing the build orientation about Y axis produced specimens with compact structures that resulted in improved fracture resistance.
Research limitations/implications
The fitted regression model has a p-value less than 0.05 which suggests that the model terms significantly represent the tensile strength of PC samples. Further, from the normal probability plot it was found that the residuals follow a straight line, thus the developed model provides adequate predictions. Furthermore, from the validation runs, a close agreement between the predicted and actual values was seen along the reference line which further supports satisfactory model predictions.
Practical implications
This study successfully investigated the effects of the selected process parameters - raster angle, raster to raster air gap, build orientation about Y axis and the number of contours - on tensile strength of PC samples utilising the I-optimal design and ANOVA. In addition, for prediction of the part strength, regression and ANN models were developed. The selected ANN model was optimised using the GA-solver for determination of optimal parameter settings.
Originality/value
The proposed ANN-GA approach is more appropriate to establish the non-linear relationship between the selected process parameters and tensile strength. Further, the proposed ANN-GA methodology can assist in manufacture of various industrial products with Nylon, polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and PET as new 3DP materials.