This paper investigates why and how systems approaches can help in evaluating the design of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as social learning platforms. It focuses on the prototypes created by the research project Virtualis, whose objective is to promote social learning on environmental concepts and practices amongst a variety of stakeholders. The paper presents the princ...

This paper examines the constraints that mediate the ability of individuals in developing country contexts to benefit from Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). We identify social constraints, such as low levels of education and literacy rates, as making it difficult to access ICTs. We outline an innovative approach to address these constraints with a text free user interface (UI) ...

This study compares how workers in Norway and the United States use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Our data—72 in-depth interviews of advanced ICT users – was coded and analyzed using a grounded-theory methodology. As our organizing structure of comparing the two countries, we use Hofstede’s four-dimensional framework of national culture. Our results show that ICTs have a ho...

In this study, nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in New Zealand were surveyed to explore influences on adoption and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). We sought to extend existing research by considering ‘‘institutional’’ influences alongside organizational and environmental features and by examining how institutional forces affect optimal use of ICTs. Findings suggest that ...

The traditional principles of adult learning are being subject to critical reconsideration from new adult teaching approaches and a growing use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). ICTs in adult learning have an ambivalent effect. On the one hand, they offer potential improvement in online communicative activities and the transmission of codified or explicit knowledge. On the o...

This paper provides an overview of emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs) that can be expected to become socially relevant in the next 10 to 15 years. It describes the results of a dual discourse analysis of publiccations on emerging ICTs. Sources were, on the one hand, government/policy publications and, on the other, publications by research institutions. This discourse an...

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are key economic sector in Malaysia and the Malaysian government have over the past decades promoted development and growth initiatives such as ICT implementation to advance their overall economic agenda. This paper, therefore, examines the factors and adoption patterns of Internet-based Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among SMEs in Malaysia...

The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has the potential to improve policy, enhance access and delivery of government services, increase government transparency, and strengthen the involvement of citizens in governmental affairs through “e-government.” Regardless of this potential, many e-government initiatives fail altogether. A need exists for more concrete empirical dat...