Technology Diffusion

Recent research works propose using Object-Oriented (OO) approaches, such as UML to model data warehouses. This paper overviews these recent OO techniques, describing the facts and different analysis dimensions of the data. The authors propose a tutorial of the Object Constraint Language (OCL) and show how this language can be used to specify constraints in OO-based models of data warehouses. Previously, OCL has been only applied to describe constraints in software applications and transactional databases. As such, the authors demonstrate in this paper how to use OCL to represent the different types of data warehouse constraints. This paper helps researchers working in the fields of business intelligence and decision support systems, who wish to learn about the major possibilities that OCL offer in the context of data warehouses. The authors also provide general information about the possible types of implementation of multi-dimensional models and their constraints.

The need for a high quality medical service challenged the medical educationists to come with new learning tools, and strategies that can be adapted by the current generation of learners, and on the same side based on scientific learning theories. The new learning theories and technology had an impact on the style, content, and organization of modern textbook, which highlights the need for medical teachers who can renovate their role as a resource developer in the digital age.

In this paper, the authors examine UK mobile users’ perceptions of m-commerce utilization. For this purpose, the authors devise a Mobile Network Utilization Model empirically tested in experimental settings. The empirical findings reveal strong support for the capability of the proposed utilization model in measuring the concept of Mobile Task-Technology Fit (MTTF) and explaining the utilization of m-commerce services among UK mobile users. In particular, their research finds that MTTF and m-commerce utilization are dependent on the interactions between the key components of a wider mobile network, namely mobile users, mobile devices, mobile tasks, mobile operators, as well as mobile vendors. The authors identify 15 factors as a result of such interaction and the importance of these factors in explaining MTTF and the utilization of m-commerce services.

In this article we highlight the importance of technology flows between sectors and their impact on the labour productivity of large-scale corporations. Based on theoretical considerations, we explore technological spillovers between the sectors of an economy. Large-scale corporations usually focus on certain sectors but make use of a wide range of technological knowledge from other sectors. Thereby, technological knowledge built

This article presents a detailed analysis of research in the field of adoption of wearable devices by taking into consideration existing literature and related theories, frameworks, research methods, type of wearable device under study, geographical distribution, type and level of analysis. A systematic review of related research has been conducted by exploring databases like Elsevier, Emerald, Springer, Sage, Taylor and Francis, the Wiley Online Library, the IEEE, etc., to find articles between 1990 and 2018. A total of 118 articles have been synthesized and reviewed for the analysis. The results show that most of the studies undertaken so far have been empirical and quantitative in nature. A majority of studies focus on more developed nations like USA and show the increasing demand of wearable devices for entertainment, healthcare and fitness purposes. The scope for future research seems to be bright as studies are showing an increasing trend of more studies from the past few years.

Since the arrival of the new millennium emerging economies (EEs) have been experiencing an unprecedented boom, which proved resilient to the latest financial crisis. At the same time, the arrival of new emerging market multinationals (EMNEs) from Asia and Southern Latin America is becoming rather common event. But whereas Latin American firms were actively present in previous waves, most of the more prominent EMNEs are actually coming from Asia. Certainly, it would be difficult to compare both periods, basically because of the new international context under which “older EMNEs” internationalized, but capacity for master new technologies and introducing innovative products plays a role. In a nutshell, the paper will try to compare the circumstances that favoured the rise of Asian EMNES and why most EMNES from Latin American countries laid behind. Could differences be explained by firm´s capabilities acquired through the process of technological accumulation? Or differences are mostly arising on generic skills that have been basically transferred throughout the national innovation system (NIS)? Or, finally, EMNEs triumph could be responding to both?

1. Abstract Traditional System Dynamics modelers ("Complex Modelers") view with distrust the often simple but participatively-developed results of "Insight Modelers". Both types of quantitative modelers often regard "Systems Thinking" as dangerously incomplete, and irresponsibly advocated. Yet nearly all modelers will sometimes be dissatisfied with the substantial experience and resource commitments required to create an adequate quantitative model. This paper suggests that Systems Thinking, Insight Modeling and Complex Modeling (and consultants and academics) each have their place within a larger system. This view arises from examination of the sales process, the technology diffusion process, and finally from analogy to the medical services delivery system. A number of practices likely are hindering growth and quality of the field, broadly: 1) Ignorance of the broad range of practices and skills now a part of modern System Dynamics practice, 2) Blanket...

In this study, we examine trust in information technology's (IT) relationship with postadoption exploration of knowledge management systems (KMS). We introduce and distinguish between trust in IT and trust in IT support staff as object-specific beliefs that influence technology's infusion into organizations. We suggest that these object-specific beliefs' influence on intention to explore KMS is mediated by behavioral beliefs about IT (e.g., perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use). To test the model, we completed two studies. Study 1 examined users' perceptions of a knowledge portal. Study 2 examined IT professionals' perceptions of KMS. Across studies, our analysis suggests that trust in IT exerts direct effects on behavioral beliefs leading to intentions to explore KMS. Further, when compared to trust in IT support, we found that trust in IT played a more central role in shaping behavioral beliefs leading to exploration of IT. Implications for research and practice are offered.

Environmental policy discussions increasingly focus on issues related to technological change. This is partly because the environmental consequences of social activity are frequently affected by the rate and direction of technological change, and partly because environmental policy interventions can themselves create constraints and incentives that have significant effects on the path of technological progress. This paper, prepared as a chapter

This study examines the extent and characteristics of ICT usage among 384 junior high and high school students in Israel. Its focus is on (a) the purpose and patterns of ICT usage, with focus on the Internet, by 12-18-year-old youngsters; (b) gender and age differences in ICT use; (c) the linkage between ICT usage and school activities; and (d) the students’ perception of their own ICT level of knowledge. The findings show that ICT is being used by 90% of the research population, and the Internet by about 50% of the students. The main purpose for ICT use is for computer games and word processing, and far behind spreadsheet, programming and information retrieval. Minor linkage was found between the Internet usage and school related tasks. The results showed significant gender differences in most aspects. In general, more boys used ICT more extensively than girls did. Differences among age groups were found mainly with respect to the use of complex applications, but not Internet use p...

This paper evaluates three energy-sector market transformation programs: the Environmental Protection Agency's on-going Green Lights program to promote on-grid efficient lighting, the World Bank Group's new Photovoltaic Market Transformation Initiative, and the federal ...

Pakistan is an agricultural country and irrigation plays an important role in better agriculture practices, about 90% of total agriculture is dependent on irrigation. Advanced irrigation technologies are a way to use limited water more efficiently. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the influencing factors and development of system dynamics model for the diffusion of water and energy conserving irrigation technologies, leads to sustainable agriculture in Pakistan. Punjab province of Pakistan has been selected for the case study. To achieve study objectives, quantitative data have been collected through a structured questionnaire. Quantitative data has been collected from 325 farmers of Punjab Pakistan. For the system dynamic model Vensim software has used and to explore influencing factors for the adoption of high-efficiency irrigation system exploratory research, Reliability, correlation, and multiple regression analysis has been conducted by employing SPSS. Study findings revealed that adoption of water and energy conserving irrigation technologies is highly affected by Demographic factors, electricity availability, Technical assistance, Farmer’ ability to pay, water availability, lack of awareness, after-sales, and service, and social networking factors. Study results will be very useful for the water management-planning unit of Pakistan and many other countries of the world working on high-efficiency irrigation systems. This saved water will help Pakistan improve agricultural land and production and be very imperative for drinking and power generation.