Search Results (25)

Introduction: African healthcare professionals face significant mental health challenges; therefore, telemedicine can overcome geographical barriers and improve access to mental healthcare. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the key factors influencing the adoption of telemedicine as a tool to support healthcare workers’ mental health in an Angolan healthcare network and develop a telemedicine model tailored to this context. Methodology: This mixed-method study collected quantitative data from a questionnaire applied to healthcare workers (n = 275), which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regressions. Qualitative data were obtained through structured interviews (n = 5) with psychologists and psychiatrists, and analyzed using thematic analysis in MAXQDA (Version 2022, VERBI Software, Germany), to identify recurring patterns and themes. The data were triangulated to ensure the rigor and consistency of the findings. Participation was anonymous and voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: Previous experiences with mental health consultations, perceptions of teleconsultations, and doctor–patient relationship were significant in influencing telemedicine adoption by workers. The thematic analysis revealed four themes: perception and ease of telemedicine use, intention to use, and the perception of mental health in Angola. The key adoption factors for providers included project feasibility, management support, training, payment policies, and adherence to legal, ethical, and deontological standards. Conclusions: The adoption of telemedicine for occupational mental health requires culturally adapted interventions and compliance with technological and data protection standards. Hospital management must address infrastructure challenges and mental health perceptions, and implement sustainable strategies that promote occupational well-being within the organization. Full article

This article summarizes the existing literature on the study of tax compliance at the individual and corporate levels and the investigation of the factors that shape and influence it. In addition, it assesses the relationship of digital transformation with the concept of tax compliance, as the former refers not only to the introduction of modern technological tools and procedures, but also to the shift of attention of tax administrations from ex post compliance and the imposition of fines, to voluntary compliance and the adoption of friendlier, cheaper and more efficient services for taxpayers. A special mention goes to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue of Greece, which, as the official tax authority, has introduced and continues to introduce innovative digital tools that increase tax revenues. Full article

When urban agriculture is addressed at a family scale, known as urban gardening, it is assumed as a non-commercial activity where some family members voluntarily take care of the plantation during their free time. If technology is going to be used to support such a process, then the solutions should consider the particularities of these gardeners (e.g., life dynamics and culture) to make them adoptable. The literature reports several urban agriculture experiences in Western countries and Southeast Asia; however, this activity has been poorly explored in South American countries, particularly at a family scale and considering the culture and the affordability of the solutions. This article presents an experience report of urban gardening in Peru, where a prototype of an IoT system and a mobile application were conceived, implemented, and used to support the gardening of vegetables at a family scale, considering the cultural aspects of the gardeners. This experience obtained positive results in terms of tomato production, mainly showing the system’s capability to self-adapt its behavior to consider the cultivation conditions of these urban gardeners. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first IoT system that can be iteratively adjust its behavior to improve the chances of being adopted by a particular end-user population (i.e., gardeners). Full article

This study determines to what extent Jordanian banks refer to and use artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in their operation process and examines the impact of AI-related terms disclosure on financial performance. Content analysis is used to analyze the spread of AI and related information in the annual report textual data. Based on content analysis and regression analysis of data from 115 annual reports for 15 Jordanian banks listed in the Amman Stock Exchange for the period 2014 to 2021, the study reveals a consistent increase in the mention of AI-related terms disclosure since 2014. However, the level of AI-related disclosure remains weak for some banks, suggesting that Jordanian banks are still in the early stages of adopting and implementing AI technologies. The results indicate that AI-related keywords disclosure has an influence on banks’ financial performance. AI has a positive effect on accounting performance in terms of ROA and ROE and a negative impact on total expenses, which supports the dominant view that AI improves revenue and reduces cost and is also consistent with past literature findings. This study contributes to the growing body of AI literature, specifically the literature on AI voluntary disclosure, in several aspects. First, it provides an objective measure of the uses of AI by formulating an AI disclosure index that captures the status of AI adoption in practice. Second, it provides insights into the relationship between AI disclosure and financial performance. Third, it supports policymakers’, international authorities’, and supervisory organizations’ efforts to address AI disclosure issues and highlights the need for disclosure guidance requirements. Finally, it provides a contribution to banking sector practitioners who are transforming their operations using AI mechanisms and supports the need for more AI disclosure and informed decision making in a manner that aligns with the objectives of financial institutions. Full article

The ubiquity of mobile technologies has sparked interest in their potential impact. However, current research predominantly concentrates on adults, neglecting the younger demographic that is more profoundly immersed in mobile technologies. To bridge this gap, this study introduces a specialized instructional design, integrating the widely used application Duolingo into English classes, to explore the ramifications of mobile technologies on the academic performance and social presence of high school students in their initial years. Conducted within a private school where English is mandatory, the research adopts a mixed-method approach, with quantitative and qualitative facets. Data collection comprises a needs analysis, a standardized English test (KET), a social presence scale and follow-up interviews. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, 16 students each for the experimental and control groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight voluntary participants. Analysis techniques, including t-tests for the social presence scale, descriptive analysis for interviews, and grading for exam results were applied. Noteworthy distinctions in students’ academic performances were revealed through effect size measurements in writing (0.78), listening (1.01), and speaking (0.82), with a minor change in reading (−0.1). Additionally, a significant variation in social presence emerged (t = −9.194; p < 0.05). Qualitative themes emerged, highlighting Duolingo’s entertainment value, curriculum alignment, content diversity, accessibility, parental consent, and teacher guidance. Quantitative results demonstrated Duolingo’s positive impact on academic performance, while qualitative insights reflected students’ enthusiasm for its integration. Findings invite a critical examination of the role of such technologies, prompting inquiries into their potential advantages and challenges. Full article

Technology acceptance in higher education, especially during and after the crisis of COVID-19, is very important in the current environment, especially in online learning adoption. This study aimed to determine the impact of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions on the adoption of the online line among university students in Dhaka in the post-pandemic period. In addition, the moderating role of voluntariness was also ascertained. In this quantitative study, primary data were collected using a survey method. The target population was students of private universities located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. There was a total of 130 respondents, and non-probability sampling was found to be more appropriate. Data were analyzed using the Smart-PLS system. The results revealed that effort expectancy was the most important predictor of intention to adopt online learning. The next significant predictor was facilitating conditions. However, it was found that performance expectancy and social influence were not significant predictors of intention to adopt online learning. Additionally, it was found that voluntariness was not a mediator. In terms of practical implications, educators and designers should focus on effort expectancy and facilitating conditions to increase online learning adoption. Full article

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of online learning for students and teachers in schools across the country has become more crucial than ever. Blended learning, combining online and offline learning, has gradually developed into a new normal mode in primary and secondary schools. However, the factors influencing the acceptance behavior of secondary vocational school students have been inadequately investigated and have failed to address if secondary vocational students are willing to accept this learning model. This study aimed to analyze the influential factors and measure the behavioral acceptance of blended learning. This study adopted the modified model of the unified theory of acceptance use of technology (UTAUT) to understand the behavioral acceptance of blended learning from secondary vocational school students. Multiple-item scales were established, based on validated previous measurement scales and adjusted following the characteristics of secondary vocational school students. Data from 240 valid samples were analyzed statistically, applying the partial least square structural equation modelling. The results indicated that the acceptance intention was positively influenced by students’ perceptions of social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived joyfulness, self-learning management and self-efficacy. Meanwhile, performance expectancy and effort expectation were insignificant. Personal characteristics, such as gender, grade, voluntariness and experience, insignificantly adjusted the influence of all factors on the acceptance of blended learning. The conclusion of this study can provide some theoretical support and practical guidance for the improvement of blended learning quality in secondary vocational schools. The results indicated that students’ perceptions of SI, FC, PJ, SM, and SE could positively anticipate the UA to accept blended learning, having a relatively strong influence from SE and PJ. Full article

Promoting the use of straw returning technology in rural areas is of great value to improve the use of agricultural technology and to reduce agricultural carbon emissions. However, the low proportion of straw recycling has also attracted more attention all over the world. An effective measure to solve this problem is to increase farmers’ internet use to encourage them to participate in straw recycling. Based on micro survey data from 2126 households obtained from China, this paper uses an ordered probability model (OPM) and seeks to measure the impact of internet use on farmers’ active use of straw returning and its heterogeneity. It aims to answer two questions: what the impact of internet use on farmers’ willingness to participate in straw recycling is, and whether there is heterogeneity. The study found that the use of the internet can significantly drive farmers to use straw to return to the field. Specifically, farmers using the internet are less likely to become non-adoption (−2.95%) or non-voluntary (3.09%), but have a greater probability of becoming voluntary (6.04%). Moreover, the heterogeneity analysis showed that older groups and lower income groups could improve their willingness to actively adopt straw returning technology after using the internet. According to this research, it is suggested to improve local network resources, guide farmers to effectively entertain, study, live, and better enjoy the dividends brought by the internet. In terms of environmental publicity and education, the government should make policy adjustments for older groups and low-income groups to promote the use of technology. Full article

The learning approach, understood as the process through which agribusiness creates knowledge and develops capabilities, is key to understanding the voluntary effort made by the firm to acquire the capabilities necessary to compete in an agricultural innovation system (AIS) and improve their transition to sustainability. In this framework, learning is understood as a complex phenomenon emerging alongside specialization. Agent-based modelling (ABM) has proven to be an appropriate method of analysis for such phenomena; however, existing models have limitations related to the bounded rationality of agents, their relational proximity, and market forces. In order to help overcome these limitations, we propose this model representing the local dynamics of competing and collaborating innovation agents, and the complementarity of their capabilities. The model makes it possible to study the dynamics of local learning and how patterns of specialization emerge, and to improve the transfer and adoption of technologies (smart farming), increasing their productivity and sustainability, and reducing their environmental impact in an agricultural innovation system. It also provides a point of reference to guide policies, programs, and strategies aiming to improve the system’s economic and innovative performance. To achieve this objective, we use a case study of the banana production chain to build an agent-based model. Full article

Enterprises in low-carbon supply chains have been exploring blockchain technology in order to make carbon data transparent. However, there is still some opaque information in the market, such as the value-added service efficiency. How do supply chain members make decisions between information sharing and blockchain adoption? This study considers blockchain adoption and information sharing in a low-carbon supply chain with a single manufacturer and a single retailer. The retailer has private information about value-added services and decides how to share it with the manufacturer. We examine six combined strategies comprised of blockchain scenarios and information sharing formats (no sharing, voluntary sharing, and mandatory sharing). The results indicate that supply chain members prefer blockchain technology under no sharing and voluntary sharing. Under mandatory sharing, supply chain members have incentives to participate in blockchain when the value-added service efficiency exceeds a threshold value. While the manufacturer prefers to obtain the value-added service information, the retailer decides to share information depending on the value-added service efficiency. Besides, supply chain members’ attitude toward the sharing contract also depends on the value-added service efficiency. Full article

Potato crops are one of the main sources of income for farmers living in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. Given the high sensitivity of potatoes to water stress, water shortages can cause considerable losses in terms of potato yield and quality. To overcome this challenge, the use of water-saving technologies such as micro-irrigation systems are very important. However, the adoption of this technique remains quite low among potato farmers in the Bekaa region, who still use ordinary sprinkler systems. In this study, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) serves as the conceptual framework for investigating these farmers’ behaviour in adopting a new micro-irrigation system. To achieve this objective, we extended the UTAUT model by considering farmers’ risk perception of the use of a new micro-irrigation technology. The moderators tested were age, previous experience, voluntariness of use, gross unit margin and educational level. Examining the standard regression coefficients, i.e., the β weights, the results indicate that performance expectancy raised behavioural intention for investment in micro-irrigation (β = 0.29) while for effort expectancy the β weight value was 0.24. Overall, an increase of 1 standard deviation of the behavioural intention strongly impacted investment in micro-irrigation systems, β = 0.8 standard deviation of the effective adoption of the technology. Risk perception (β = −0.08) negatively affected farmers’ performance expectancy, i.e., the higher the perceived risk, the lower the perceived performance of the investment, which in turn affected their intention to use micro-irrigation systems. Age (β = 0.11) exerted a significant effect on effort expectancy. Finally in this paper, the policy implications of the results are discussed. Full article

The use of digital tools can positively impact higher education for both scholars and faculty. In recent years, it has become apparent that podcasts are a suitable medium for use in teaching. They are provided almost exclusively by lecturers for students, with students passively listening to them rather than actively participating in their production. However, this could also be valuable for students. Therefore, this pilot study investigated the extent to which the creation of a podcast would be accepted by students as a method for capturing pharmacy students’ understanding of the learning content. The evaluation was performed as part of the “Clinical Chemistry” practical course, which was attended by third-year pharmacy students in groups of three. After passing the station dealing with practical clinical chemistry relevant diagnostic systems, the groups were asked to produce an educational podcast covering the essential content on the topics of urine test strips or pulse oximetry, respectively. Student attitudes toward the adoption of podcasts as a tool for performance assessment were determined with an anonymous and voluntary survey. The respondents reported that they had fun creating the podcast, which enabled them to look at the instructional content from a different perspective. Competencies such as social and communication skills and media literacy as well as self-organized and self-directed learning were also promoted. However, the students assumed that the tool is not ideally suited for dealing with extensive topics. Nonetheless, the students clearly support the continued creation of podcasts as a performance assessment tool. In addition, they suggest integrating podcasts into other courses within the pharmacy curriculum. This may also be related to the infrequent use of novel technologies, such as podcasts, in their education thus far. Full article

Engaging firms to generate and adopt energy efficient innovation is crucial for balancing energy needs for sustainable development. In addition, a reduction in energy consumption can address environmental problems and lower production costs by reducing materials and/or energy costs and costs related to compliance with regulations. Considering the lack of systematic reviews focused on the determinants of energy efficient innovation, we address this gap and set forth to enhance the body of knowledge in the field of energy efficient innovation. To achieve the research aim, a systematic literature review and qualitative content analysis were conducted. This study offers two contributions. First, the study distinguishes the determinants of energy efficient innovation in three levels: micro-level, meso-level, and macro-level. According to the findings, the following determinants of energy efficient innovation are highlighted at the micro-level: (1) cost savings; (2) previous experience; (3) technological capabilities; (4) green capabilities; (5) innovation capabilities; (6) knowledge development; (7) organizational innovations; (8) financial resources; (9) investment in tangible assets. Meanwhile, the determinants are distinguished at the meso-level: (1) competitive pressure; (2) customer and provider pressure; (3) external knowledge cooperation; (4) social pressure; (5) voluntary agreements. Finally, the determinants are disclosed at the macro-level: (1) government subsidies; (2) current or future regulation. Second, the study provides insights on the determinants of energy efficient innovation and sets an agenda for future research. The study demonstrates the need for further investigations on the drivers of energy efficient innovation as compared to general eco-innovation. Full article

China currently adopts voluntary principles to disclose sustainable development information, and so considerable numbers of listed companies have chosen not to disclose such information. Since disclosure and non-disclosure groups face different production opportunities, this research uses the meta-frontier framework to completely analyze sustainable development practices of China’s artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Empirical results show that the disclosure group outperforms the non-disclosure group in operating scales, efficiencies, and technologies, while the superior efficiency of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) comes entirely from the non-disclosure group. Hence, the government should mandate or actively encourage capable corporations, especially SOEs, to disclose sustainable development information, as doing so improves the overall sustainable development of society and also enhances these firms’ performance. Finally, the authority can formulate a nationwide disclosure policy regardless of the existing differences in regional development. Full article

Environmental regulations (ER) affect enterprise behaviors. Nevertheless, whether the state ownership influences the relationship between environmental regulations and enterprises’ green intentions and behaviors need to be explored further. In this paper, the effects of environmental regulations on enterprises’ intentions to adopt green technologies, especially the moderating role of state ownership between environmental regulations and green technologic adoption intentions (GTAI), are proposed. An empirical study is carried out with the questionnaire data collected from 207 Chinese managers and executives in order to explore the influence of environmental regulations. With the perspective of ownership, the results confirm that the three kinds of environmental regulations (command-and-control (CAC), market-based incentives (MBI) and voluntary environmental (VER) regulations) have positive effects on enterprise green technology adoption intention. Furthermore, the state ownership of enterprise plays a positive moderating role in the relationship between command-and-control environmental regulations and green technology adoption intentions, but plays a negative moderating role in the relationship between voluntary environmental regulations and green technology adoption intentions. It generates no significant moderate effect on the relationship between market-based incentives environmental regulations and green technology adoption intentions. The work verifies that the differences of ownership would lead to varying effects on the intentions of enterprise green technology adoption imposed by regulations. Managerial implications, as well as the limitation of the work, are concluded at the end of this paper. Full article