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This paper explores the slowdown in labour productivity growth in the UK and other advanced economies by decomposing its growth into contributions from different sectors of the economy, looking at both within‐industry productivity growth and labour reallocation between sectors. We find that the within‐industry contribution is the main source of the slowdown. Comparing trends pre‐ and post‐2008, the aggregate productivity slowdown can be attributed largely to the manufacturing sector and the information and communication (ICT) sector. Disaggregating further, the UK productivity growth slowdown can be attributed mainly to transport equipment and pharmaceuticals within manufacturing, and computer software and telecommunications within ICT. Strikingly, these are advanced, high value‐added sectors considered to be strengths of the UK economy. Looking across other advanced economies, our results confirm that manufacturing and ICT sectors are the main drivers of the slowdown, to differing degrees. Part of the explanation for the slowdown in in these sectors may relate to the underlying question of how to construct deflators for a modern economy when technological and structural changes are leading to large relative price shifts. The structure and supply chains of the key slowdown sectors also merit further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 15 years, productivity growth in advanced economies has significantly slowed, giving rise to the productivity paradox of the New Digital Economy – that is, the notion of increased business spending on information and communication technology assets and digital services without a noticeable increase in productivity. We argue that time lags are the most important reason for the slow emergence of the productivity effects from digital transformation. This paper provides evidence that underneath the slowing productivity growth rates at the macro level, signs of structural improvements can be detected. In the United States most of the positive contribution to productivity growth is coming from the digital producing sector. The Euro Area and the United Kingdom show larger productivity contributions from the most intensive digital-using sectors, although the United Kingdom also had a fairly large number of less intensive digital-using industries which showed productivity declines. We also find that increases in innovation competencies of the workforce are concentrated in industries showing faster growth in labor productivity, even though more research is needed to identify causality. Finally, we speculate that as the recovery from the COVID-19 recession gets underway the potential for significant productivity gains from digital transformation in the medium term is larger than during the past 15 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Al-Muhajiroun and its offshoots 'no longer exist' as organised groups in the UK because they have been proscribed by the British government, their ideology and worldviews have gained a constituency in a number of European countries such as Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Norway. The evolution of these groups can be categorised into three generations, and parallels the commercialisation and the availability of new modes of communication technology. The first generation during the 1990s and early 2000s used VHS and audiotape, the second generation started to use personal computers, the Internet and CDs, while today's third generation, continues to use personal computers, but now also takes advantage of Smartphones, iPad and the emergence of Web 2.0 technology - social media platforms. These groups are best known for their 'shock and awe' activism, which often resulted in members burning the flags of Western nations, especially the American flag. Flag burning has become an iconic image and a frame to understand the groups. It was a powerful symbol because it aimed to subvert and reject, as well as symbolically challenge everything that Western countries represent. Great attention has been paid to these groups over the last two decades by the British and international media, and some academics and think tanks. Although there has been ample media coverage of the groups and their members, there are only a few academic publications. Among these, the best known are those by Wiktorowicz (2005) and Baxter (2005), Pargeter (2008) and a report published by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR) (Raymond, 2010). These works provide a good understanding of the history, ideology and activism of Al- Muhajiroun and its immediate offshoots but they do not consider how the groups laid down the foundations for a brand of political Islam, which I call 'brand Al-Muhajiroun', that is provocative, in your face, performance and salvation oriented. This paper focuses on how the first generation of Al-Muhajiroun groups started to develop their brand of political Islam. In doing so this paper will not try to establish connections with the Al Qaeda type groups or brand, nor will it detail the radicalisation processes, the ideology or the topologies that are used by experts, policy makers and the media to describe the groups because they are contingent and determined by a number of continuums that have different purposes, as well as members having a 'plasticity of positions' on a range of social issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which employees have benefitted in the internet age and to identify research gaps that surround such activities. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is a combination of a systematic literature review and an empirical analysis of secondary data drawn from press reports of emergent employee internet activities. Findings – The internet continues to provide fresh and exciting opportunities for the employee to explore in relation to furthering employment-related interests. However, the internet very much represents a "double-edged sword" in that the many advantages of the internet can be quickly cancelled out by employer attempts to monitor, control, and exploit for themselves such activities, for their own ends. It is also evident that a full assessment of some activities cannot be made without further research. Research limitations/implications – The paper is reliant on extant literature and resources that are known to have limited scholarly application. Practical implications – A broad and eclectic discussion of employee internet activities is likely to be of interest to academics and human resource practitioners whose interests are based on a blend of employee relations practices and new internet-based technological developments. Social implications – The study addresses how a distinct actor in employee relations has faired in an age denoted by shrinking opportunities for collective action, yet also denoted by rapid developments in empowering user-generated and social networking forms of information communication technology. Originality/value – This paper synthesises literature and data from a wide range of largely incongruous academic and non-academic sub-disciplines to provide a fresh and authoritative account of emergent employee behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the empirical research looking at girls' and boys' relationship to ICT in the UK secondary school context. The empirical evidence base is discussed in terms of differences in access, use and experience, attitudes, confidence and self-efficacy, motivation and attainment. This paper highlights the competing UK policy agendas operating in this sphere that attempt to address various 'problems', and which impact differentially on girls' and boys' relationship with ICT. The employment policy agenda responds to a context of a recognised skills shortage in ICT professions, where women are seen to be able to plug the 'skills gap'. This has lead to various initiatives to encourage school-aged girls to engage with ICT so that they do not automatically rule out ICT linked professions. This paper will discuss one such initiative, Computer Clubs for Girls - an out of school computer club for girls 10 - 14 which aimed to change the perception of an ICT career. Another competing policy agenda can be seen in ICT policy in secondary schools, which seems to be increasingly subsumed into the wider push to increase boys' attainment. ICT is seen as a way to motivate boys in school, thereby contributing to increased attainment. This paper argues that there is a clear need for more synergies to be created between the different policy agendas and that ICT and gender equality strategies need to be mainstreamed throughout the education and employment spheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tourism & Management Studies is the property of Escola Superior de Gestao, Hotelaria e Turismo, Universidade do Algarve and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose – While it is well known that leadership can play an important role in engendering effective knowledge management activity, relatively little is known about which styles of leadership are most appropriate for this task. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to theory by exploring dimensions of leadership as presented by Avolio and Bass (Transformational, Transactional and Passive-Avoidance Leadership) and the dimensions of organisational knowledge management activity as presented by Maier and Mosley through a survey of primary knowledge managers from information and communications technology (ICT) organisations in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents the results of a quantitative survey of 111 primary knowledge managers from ICT organisations in the UK. Findings – The key finding is that when primary knowledge managers within organisations adopt the Transformational and Transactional leadership styles, there is a notable increase in knowledge management activity. Given the results, the authors argue that organisations must be cognisant of the leadership style adopted by their knowledge managers and that it is important that both the Transformational and Transactional leadership styles are mastered and can be employed by knowledge managers within organisations. Originality/value – The paper provides analysis of two well-known leadership styles and a full range of knowledge management activity, providing insights for practitioners and theorists alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the domestication of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), particularly their use, in UK households reporting on research undertaken between 1998 and 2004. Issues raised are linked to the dominant discourse of the ‘digital divide’, which in the UK means engaging with ICTs in a ‘meaningful’ way to ensure the economic and social well-being of UK plc (public limited company—in the UK this refers to companies whose shares can be sold to the public. The acronym is used here ironically to indicate the motivation of the government to brand and promote the UK as a whole.). Utilising a framework of understanding digital inequality and the ‘deepening divide’, domestication theory is applied to discuss motivational, material and physical, skills and usage access in the gendered household, critically contrasting this approach to ‘smart house’ research. This qualitative enquiry contributes to the neglected area of domestication studies in Information Systems research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the adoption and use of information and communication technology (ICT) in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across four sectors in the UK. In the paper we report on a survey that explores the factors facilitating or hampering the successful adoption and use of ICT by SMEs. We find that SMEs are generally satisfied with their investments in ICT but that they are concerned about the cost of such investments and are uncertain about the business benefits. Much of the investment in ICT is directed at meeting bottom line issues of cost and productivity but little use is made of potential strategic applications. A particular case in point is the diffusion of ecommerce in which firms report increased consumer interest but there is little evidence in the survey to suggest that interest is being actively managed by SMEs. One concern that emerges from the survey is the SMEs' perceived dependency upon consultants. SMEs appear to be encountering knowledge/competency gaps related to ICT. They may be too small to be able to employ a dedicated ICT expert and lack the experience to have confidence in its reliability of consultancy advice. They often have limited experience in selecting, implementing and evaluating suggested ICT solutions. To help correct this gap in the provision of services, the government has tried to provide support with mixed success. Certainly, the UK government has had a strong interest in helping and supporting the SME sector. However, State sponsored solutions to meet this competency gap appear to be failing with little awareness or take up of such solutions by the SMEs that we surveyed. Something that remains unclear is whether this failure by SMEs to avail themselves of advice and guidance made available by the State reflects the quality of solutions offered or a more basic lack of awareness by SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we explore some of the results from a survey of 378 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in the southeast of England. The objective of this survey was to build a snapshot of the state of play of the information and communications technology (ICT) use by SMEs in economically significant sectors in this region. The sectors chosen were as follows: food processing, transport and logistics, media and internet services. More specifically, the survey was intended to answer the following questions: what types of ICT are in use by SMEs in this region, what prevents and facilitates the adoption and use of ICT amongst these firms, and where do SMEs acquire information on ICT related issues. Our survey suggests that most SMEs in the southeast of England are in general positively inclined towards adoption and use of ICT. However, this adoption and use of ICT is mainly focused on operational matters with few extensions into potential strategic use of such technologies in their business environments. SME owner/managers perceive ICT to be often costly and complex and are wary of consultants and vendor organisations. We also discovered, somewhat surprisingly, that SMEs are largely unaware of existing policy instruments at the regional, national and European levels, designed to help them in their adoption and use of ICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

‘Logo’ is the name for a philosophy of education and for a continually evolving family of computer languages that aid its realization. Developed in the USA in the late 1960s, it became the material embodiment of a radical educational philosophy and a potential vehicle for the transformation of education. In the early 1980s, Logo was introduced into mainstream education in both the USA and the UK. Within an increasingly conservative social and political context with different education policy priorities, Logo was gradually stripped of its radical potential, marginalized and, where it survived, remoulded as harmless to the mainstream educational system. This paper draws on empirical research that explored the evolution of Logo between the late 1960s and the late 1990s. The paper focuses on the social processes involved in the initial development and evolution of Logo. It shows that these processes were heavily contested. Logo was the product of complex social, technical, political and economic decisions, and the product of negotiation shaped by the concerns of the social players involved. The evolution of Logo was not linear or even primarily technical. Rather, it was a seamless web in which the technical was interwoven with the social, economic and political in ways that illustrate the dialectical interaction between historical contingency and the intentions and aspirations of individuals and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the application of a model of business that has been developed from an amalgam of sources covering a wide range of research literature concerned with the relationship between electronic communication and the business. This model outlines what is termed an "organisational profile" profile and allows the analysis of the business with respect to its ability to perform in four distinct quadrants: management, processes, organisational culture and human resources. It is then applied to the adoption of ICT in the business and the supply chain using a case study of the UK construction industry. The results are analysed to show which elements of the model are important for success. The model shows that to be successful in the adoption of ICT a business must have threshold scores in each of these quadrants that show its make-up or "organisational profile" (OP). It is this OP that is the most interesting point of the research. It has been found that certain OPs are more likely to succeed in this adoption than others and that the likelihood of success can be shown by the movement of the business in the four quadrants: thus the model can provide a rough prediction of the future success in various activities - such as adoption of ICT but can also be extended to other activities because of the widespread nature of the model developed. It is also planned to apply the model to different problems in the same domain in the near future so that further insights can be gained from the model and its application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking as its starting point the Grigg and Mager's paper "Public value and Learning and Skills" (2005), the present paper seeks to explore the articulation of the concept of public value in the context of post compulsory education in the United Kingdom. Where Grigg and Mager and other authors focus on the provider's role in developing public value through its activities, this paper looks at alternative articulations of the concept of public value to develop an outline of the contribution learners can make to public value through the media of ICT and e-learning. Drawing on previous work such as that of Garnett and O'Bierne (2005) and the perspectives of constructionist approaches in poverty and community studies, the potential role of ICT and e-learning in helping learners to create and record public value is outlined. A short outline of the development of this work, beyond this paper, is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of social transformation, the needs of society and individuals for information technology are changing, and discussions on the value and function of information technology are getting more and more attention. The purpose of this research is to clarify the value problems of the information technology curriculum and its function for nurturing students in primary and secondary schools. This research adopts content analysis and comparative research methods, which focus on the process, content selection, and implementation status of information and communication technology (ICT) in the Computing curriculum of British primary and secondary schools. This research content is based on an analysis perspective of curriculum value theory from levels of social and human development, and finally formed the analysis framework of value in information technology curriculum standards. The research results analyze reasons for changes in the value orientation and practical performance of the information technology curriculum standards in Britain to help understand trends and challenges of information technology reform in different contexts. Finally, this research finds the effects of content and value changes of curriculum standards on social and student development and puts forward conclusions for the position and value of information technology in the future of learning and teaching in the context of educational informatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our work addresses the influence of the growing adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) for campaigning purposes on the evolving dynamics of information flows from the eminently social beings that candidates are. Our approach combines an analysis of contents to technological and methodological concerns. The breadth of these objectives as well as the amount of data to be considered pointed to a need for collaboration between several researchers for sharing out tasks and bringing together expertise from various disciplines. This paper presents results concerning three of the data collections life cycle phases: collection, cleaning, and storage. The result is a data collection ready to be analysed for different purposes. In particular, in our experimental validation it has been used for comparing political campaigns behaviour in France and the United Kingdom during the European elections in 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Open Data' is collection of easily accessible data that is to be available for general use without any restrictions. 'Open Data' is gaining momentum in literature and language for the purpose of research. Therefore, many developed countries are planning to start getting involved with 'Open Data'. Moreover, the focus is shifting from opening as much data as possible towards realizing the benefits of 'Open Data'.'Open Data' analysis has been taken up contemporary as a new trend in the world of information and communication technology. With technological advancements many countries are showing interest in opening their governmental approved data to the public. Moreover, many benefits and positive impacts have been identified playing a role in the eagerness of countries to implement 'Open Data' programs. Some of the discovered benefits of 'Open Data' include transparency and credibility of the information, participation and self-empowerment to the citizens, reliability in news growth, and stimula tion of innovation through re-use of data.The research explained how the fact that when News Media (Media which covered political news) had opened their data both internally and externally improved their capacity to innovate. Lastly, this paper described how some of the tasks mentioned previously could be outsourced by the newsroom researchers, bringing a new actor in the ecosystem. There are plenty of data sources that might provide a different angle on the perspective and large public datasets from various authors, countries and literary agencies. With the access to 'Open Data' the impact in Urdu News media is largely observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Collected Papers of the Law Faculty of the University of Rijeka / Zbornik Pravnog Fakulteta Sveučilišta u Rijeci is the property of Pravni fakultet Sveucilista u Rijeci and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper offers a critical analysis of the UK coalition Government's educational computing policies. It argues that such policies must be viewed in relation to the broader ideological intent underpinning their development and the neo liberal orientation that seeks to further privatise and marketise education. In examining the related justificatory discourse, it is argued that the ideological origins of policy direction are masked through the use of selective and questionable 'evidence', which facilitates the further encroachment of vested industry interests. Furthermore, the symbolic re-presentation and repositioning of technology in schools through the disapplication of ICT Programmes of Study and a new emphasis on the teaching of computer science, not only diverts the purpose of education and educational technology further toward the needs of industry but may also lead to computer science being constructed as an elitist and selective subject. This is likely to have profound implications in terms of equality, with schools, individuals and groups who have less economic, social and cultural capitals being most at risk of a new form of digital exclusion. Similarly, in Higher Education, policy changes are in danger of excluding disadvantaged groups. Here too, technology is becoming an increasingly central tenet in the drive toward new forms of privatisation and marketisation. Educational technology therefore is an important site of struggle, where there is both the need and opportunities to challenge the increasingly prevalent profit and loss motives of business, and to also promote wider values associated with equality and social justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of patients in medical research is changing, as more emphasis is being placed on patient involvement, and patient reported outcomes are increasingly contributing to clinical decision-making. Information and communication technology provides new opportunities for patients to actively become involved in research. These trends are particularly noticeable in Europe and the US, but less obvious in Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the practice of active involvement of patients in medical research in Japan by utilizing a digital platform, and to analyze the outcomes to clarify what specific approaches could be put into practice. Methods: We developed the RUDY JAPAN system, an ongoing rare disease medical research platform, in collaboration with the Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases Study (RUDY) project in the UK. After 2 years of preparation, RUDY JAPAN was launched in December 2017. Skeletal muscle channelopathies were initially selected as target diseases, and hereditary angioedema was subsequently added. Several approaches for active patient involvement were designed through patient-researcher collaboration, namely the Steering Committee, questionnaire development, dynamic consent, and other communication strategies. We analyzed our practices and experiences focusing on how each approach affected and contributed to the research project. Results: RUDY JAPAN has successfully involved patients in this research project in various ways. While not a part of the initial decision-making phase to launch the project, patients have increasingly been involved since then. A high level of patient involvement was achieved through the Steering Committee, a governance body that has made a major contribution to RUDY JAPAN, and the process of the questionnaire development. The creation of the Patient Network Forum, website and newsletter cultivated dialogue between patients and researchers. The registry itself allowed patient participation through data input and control of data usage through dynamic consent. Conclusions: We believe the initial outcomes demonstrate the feasibility and utility of active patient involvement in Japan. The collaboration realized through RUDY JAPAN was enabled by digital technologies. It allowed busy patients and researchers to find the space to meet and work together for the Steering Committee, questionnaire development and various communication activities. While the practice of active patient involvement in Japan is still in its early stages, this research confirms its viability if the right conditions are in place. (331 words). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates the importance and limits to external knowledge collaboration across different geographical dimensions and the most innovative UK industries (knowledge‐intensive business services (KIBS), high‐tech manufacturing, information and communication technologies (ICT), creative industries). Traditionally, this issue has presented a challenge for the geography of innovation, external knowledge sourcing and open innovation literatures, in terms of first identifying the phenomenon and second measuring it. We propose and estimate a structural model that estimates the knowledge production function with innovation inputs and outputs at the firm level. Our sample includes 19,510 observations and 17,859 firms, mainly from the UK Innovation Survey and the Business Registry. We demonstrate that external collaboration may bestow a significant advantage for innovation developed by the firm and in collaboration with other businesses, but there are limits to collaboration. They are likely to be better offset by firms in knowledge‐intense sectors (KIS), while they remain consistent across collaboration with partners across four geographical regions. Our findings call for further research on innovation and revision of national and regional innovation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been a key agent of change in the 21st century. Given the role of ICT in changing society, this research explores the responses and attitudes to change over time from ICT professionals and ICT academics in dealing with the potentially far reaching political challenge triggered by the UK's 2016 European Union Referendum and its decision to leave the European Union (Brexit). Whilst the vote was a UK based decision its ramifications have global implications and as such the research was not confined to the UK. This article presents the second phase of the research at the mid-point in the UK/European Union (EU) Brexit process, thus complementing the findings gathered immediately after the Referendum decision. The fundamental question being researched was: What are ICT professionals' personal and professional perspectives on the change triggered by Brexit in terms of opportunities and threats? Methods and findings: Data was collected through a survey launched in March 2018, one year on from the UK's triggering of Article 50 and marking the mid-point in the two-year Brexit process. The survey replicated the one delivered at the point of the Referendum decision in 2016 with some developments. In addition, two appreciative inquiry focus groups were conducted. The research sought to understand any shifting perspectives on the opportunities and threats that would exist post-Brexit for ICT professionals and academics. 59% of survey participants were negative regarding the Brexit decision. Participants noted the position post-Brexit for the UK, and the remaining 27 EU Member States (EU27), was still very uncertain at this stage. They observed that planned change versus uncertainty provides for very different responses. In spite of the uncertainty, the participants were able to consider and advocate for potential opportunities although these were framed from national perspectives. The opportunities identified within the appreciative inquiry focus groups aligned to those recorded by survey participants with similar themes highlighted. However, the optimum conditions for change have yet to be reached as there is still not an informed position, message and clear leadership with detailed information for the ICT context. Further data will be gathered after the UK exit from the EU, assuming this occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will present a Marxist analysis of the current function and role of information and communication technology (ICT) in education, with specific reference to schooling in the UK. Over the past five years the UK government has spent in excess of £2.5bn on ICT equipment for schools and in ‘training’ teachers to use the technology. Children and teachers are now clearly expected to function and develop within an online community and network, whilst schools are appraised, judged, measured and regulated through a series of online reports, league tables and data available to those with access to the internet. The paper will consider the implications of this significant increase in spending on technology and the promotion of ICT in schools, the links with global capital and the benefits for capitalism of the trend towards digital and electronic communication. Five enduring myths about the provision and use of ICT for educational ‘benefit’ are explored in order to develop a critical understanding of the ways in which ICT is used to reinforce state apparatus and redefine social and cultural practices within education. The paper will also contend that the apparent systematic exclusion of visible minorities and much of the working class from ICT orientated research is central to the maintenance of status quo and power and ‘conservative whiteness’ in technology education [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been a key agent of change in the 21st century. Given the role of ICT in changing society this research sought to explore the responses and attitudes to change from ICT professionals and ICT academics in dealing with the potentially far reaching political challenge triggered by the UK’s 2016 European Union Referendum and its decision to leave the European Union (referred to as Brexit). Whilst the vote was a UK based decision its ramifications have global implications and as such the research was not confined to the UK. Methods and findings: Data was collected through a survey launched on the first working day after the Brexit referendum vote to leave the EU and kept open for four weeks. The survey contained qualitative and quantitative questions. It sought to understand the opportunities and threats that would exist post-Brexit for ICT professionals and academics triggered by the decision. The research captured a complex rich picture on ICT professionals’ responses to the potential challenge of change triggered by the Brexit vote. Immediately after the Brexit decision the research reveals uncertainties amongst ICT professionals regarding what the decision would mean, with just under half of the participants not identifying any opportunities or threats. For those who did, threats outweighed opportunities by just more than double. Whilst understanding the global possibilities and dangers, participants saw their position from national and organizational perspectives. The highest frequency coded threats related to areas outside the participants’ control and the highest frequency opportunities related to areas where there was the potential for ICT interventions. This survey is part of longitudinal piece of research. Using the same methodological approach two further surveys are planned. The second survey will be one year after Article 50 was triggered on 29 March 2017. The final survey will be one year after the UK exit from the EU, assuming this occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a continuous commitment of policymakers in the UK to support innovation in small and medium-sized firms. For these policy initiatives to be successful, an understanding of the factors driving innovation activities is required. In this study, the focus is upon the role that information and communication technologies (ICT) play in the innovation performance of UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Using data drawn from the 2004 Annual Small Business Survey (ASBS) database, it is shown that ICT operate primarily as efficiency-enhancing technologies, although specific market-oriented applications (that is, website development) exhibit the potential to create competitive advantage through product innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article uses findings from a UK Department of Health funded research study known as Net.Weight to reflect on the concept of information literacy as it relates to consumer health. It explores how the results support and develop an understanding of information and health literacy and it offers recommendations for policy and practice. The study was located in the city of Brighton & Hove and examined the potential for information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support people who were self-managing their weight. The research comprised five interlocking components, at the heart of which was a series of participatory learning workshops designed to develop participant skills in relation to ICTs, information, and health literacy. The results indicate that a broader and more social understanding of information literacy is needed to ensure a better "fit" between the provision and use of health information. They also indicate that ICTs can augment information provision and support activities, but that a "blended" approach is necessary, where online and "real world" communication work in tandem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wikipedia (WP) as a collaborative, dynamical system of humans is an appropriate subject of social studies. Each single action of the members of this society, i.e., editors, is well recorded and accessible. Using the cumulative data of 34 Wikipedias in different languages, we try to characterize and find the universalities and differences in temporal activity patterns of editors. Based on this data, we estimate the geographical distribution of editors for each WP in the globe. Furthermore we also clarify the differences among different groups of WPs, which originate in the variance of cultural and social features of the communities of editors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a case study of an initiative to support women returning to ICT after a career break, which was run in the UK and Ireland between 2005 and 2011. The article starts by outlining how the UK government's concern about women failing return to SET careers led to the setting up of a national campaign (RETURN) to address this issue. A brief overview of previous research about women's reasons for leaving ICT employment and the difficulties and barriers they encounter in returning to work, sets the context for the development of the online course Return to SET. An outline of the course and its innovative support model is then described followed by a discussion about measurement of impact and concluding with some suggestions for future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on integrated digital strategies. It explains digital strategy and defines the requirement for utilizing technology to develop knowledge-based economy and service society, and provide better service delivery, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. It describes the concept of E-government and the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) for improving quality of economic and social life. It cites the countries with digital strategy such as Great Britain and Greece.

We outline selected central results from a formative evaluation of four pilot sites in England and Wales of the Integrated Children's System (ICS) - one part of the UK's e-Government strategy. We concentrate on the aspiration of the ICS towards 'integration' and 'systematization' of services within children's services, at local and national levels. We look in turn at, the use of the ICS as a foundation for aggregate statistical profiles; the experience and views of the social workers; and the implications of ICS for social work practice as exemplified in social workers' use of time. The evidence suggests substantial problems in accomplishing government policy aspirations in each of these areas. We review the likely reasons for these problems, and recommend a review of the ICS on the grounds that the difficulties are inherent rather than transitory, and have arisen at least in part from uncertainty as to whether the ICS is fit for purpose. The authors seek to promote the open and thoughtful debate that a major innovation of this nature requires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health authorities increasingly request that general practitioners (GPs) use information and communication technologies such as electronic patient records (EPR) for accountability purposes. This article deals with the use of EPRs among general practitioners in Britain. It examines two ways in which GPs use the EPR for accountability purposes. One way is to generate audit reports on the basis of the information that has been entered into the record. The other is to let the computer intervene in the clinical process through prompts. The article argues that GPs' ambivalence toward using the EPR makes them active in finding ways that turn the EPR into a meaningful tool for them, that is, a tool that helps them provide what they see as good care. The article's main contribution is to show how accountability and autonomy are coproduced; less professional autonomy does not follow from more requests to document one's work. Instead, new forms of autonomy are produced in the sociotechnical network that is made up by health policy and local engagements with patients and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assumption tested here is whether the introduction of enhanced communication technologies in the form of high-speed broadband connectivity has removed or ameliorated any of the barriers to efficient and effective teaching and learning.i Evidence is presented of how enhanced communication technologies have facilitated self-regulated learning. The examples are drawn from a range of subject areas in secondary (11–18 years) and primary (5–11 years) schools in the UK. Evidence is also presented of the new challenges to self-regulated learning that are created by enhanced communication technologies, for example, non-selective searching, plagiarism and issues of filtering. Case studies were developed in 37 schools in the public sector, from rural and urban areas. Field workers conducted interviews with teachers and made classroom observations. Further interviews were also conducted with headteachers and ICT coordinators. These studies showed some outstanding examples of students taking ownership of the learning process. However, these enhanced communication technologies raised concerns for school management, for teacher workloads and for the parents. These findings are not parochial. International comparisons indicate that we are studying a trans-national phenomenon. Similarly, costs and benefits of such technologies are not sector specific; the outcomes of this research can inform debate in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Social Engagement Framework for Addressing the Chronic-disease-challenge (SEFAC) project intends to empower citizens at risk of or with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD) to self-manage their chronic conditions through the SEFAC intervention. The intervention combines the concepts of mindfulness, social engagement and information and communication technology support, in order to reduce the burden of citizens with chronic conditions and to increase the sustainability of the health system in four European countries.Methods: A prospective cohort study with a 6-month pre-post design will be conducted in four European countries: Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. A total of 360 community-dwelling citizens ≥50 years of age will be recruited; 200 citizens at risk of T2DM and/or CVD in the next 10 years (50 participants in each country) and 160 citizens with T2DM and/or CVD (40 participants in each country). Effects of the intervention in terms of self-management, healthy lifestyle behavior, social support, stress, depression, sleep and fatigue, adherence to medications and health-related quality of life will be assessed. In addition, a preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed from a societal and healthcare perspective.Discussion: The SEFAC project will further elucidate whether the SEFAC intervention is feasible and (cost-) effective among citizens at risk of and suffering from T2DM and/or CVD in different settings.Trial Registration: ISRCTN registry number is ISRCTN11248135 . Date of registration is 30/08/2018 (retrospectively registered). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on the UK context, and drawing on freely available information about online learning and the underlying commercial agreements between institutions, Massively Open Online Course (MOOC) platforms and Online Program Management (OPM) companies, this article shows how digitization and universities' global expansion strategies are involved in forms of transnational marketization. In particular, the article shows that the online learning marketplace in the UK shows signs of segmentation, with 'premium' offerings in the high-to-middle tier targeting socially advantaged students-as-consumers, and a bottom region of low-ranking institutions drifting towards low-grade 'unbundled' provision that targets middle-to-low income groups. The article argues that the current global landscape of online education is a shifting, unequal market place, and that more research is needed on how different groups from a range of socio-economic backgrounds successfully or unsuccessfully navigate an increasingly fragmented and 'unbundled' educational terrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present and critically examine the links between the role of formal appraisal procedures, appraisal teams, and project champions and their influence in the selection of information communication technology projects in the Czech Republic and the UK. Our research is empirical and uses comparative analysis and exploratory descriptive analysis to interpret the findings. We draw on the economic, management and consensus-performance literature, and optimism bias theory to support our research. Our findings show significant differences in the practices between the Czech Republic and the UK, which we believe are the result of cultural and economic diversities. There is a high level of involvement of a project champion in the selection of projects with concern being expressed over their excessive/biased influence in the decision-making process. An important finding from our research reveals that adopting clearly defined appraisal/selection procedures may reduce this biased influence. As project failure can result from the influence of a project champion at the project selection stage, it is important to fill this perceived gap in the literature. The research is the only empirical study of its kind conducted simultaneously in the Czech Republic and the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]