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Objectives: The highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant (DV) has contributed to a surge in cases and exacerbated the worldwide public health crisis. Several COVID-19 vaccines play a significant role in a high degree of protection against the DV. The primary purpose of this meta-analysis is to estimate the pooled effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines against the DV in terms of risk ratio (RR) among fully vaccinated, compared to unvaccinated populations. Methods: We carried out a systematic review, with meta-analysis of original studies focused on COVID-19 vaccines effectiveness against a DV clinical perspective among fully COVID-19 vaccinated populations, compared to placebo (unvaccinated populations), published between 1 May 2021 and 30 September 2021. Eleven studies containing the data of 17.2 million participants were identified and included in our study. Pooled estimates of COVID-19 vaccines effectiveness (i.e., risk ratio, RR) against the DV with 95% confidence intervals were assessed using random-effect models. Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s regression test and funnel plot to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity and identify any differences in study design. Results: A total population of 17.2 million (17,200,341 people) were screened for the COVID-19 vaccines’ effectiveness against the DV. We found that 61.13% of the study population were fully vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The weighted pooled incidence of COVID-19 infection was more than double (20.07%) among the unvaccinated population, compared to the fully vaccinated population (8.16%). Overall, the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine against the DV was 85% (RR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07–0.31). The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines varied slidably by study designs, 87% (RR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.06–0.30) and 84% (RR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.02, 1.64) for cohort and case-control studies, respectively. Conclusions: The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines were noted to offer higher protection against the DV among populations who received two vaccine doses compared with the unvaccinated population. This finding would help efforts to maximise vaccine coverage (i.e., at least 60% to 70% of the population), with two doses among vulnerable populations, in order to have herd immunity to break the chain of transmission and gain greater overall population protection more rapidly. Conclusions: The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines were noted to offer higher protection against the DV among populations who received two vaccine doses compared with the unvaccinated population. This finding would help efforts to maximise vaccine coverage (i.e., at least 60% to 70% of the population), with two doses among vulnerable populations, in order to have herd immunity to break the chain of transmission and gain greater overall population protection more rapidly. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Refereed/Peer-reviewed The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated some of the challenges that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face in times of crisis, disrupting their operations, weakening their financial positions, and exposing them to a wide range of financial risks. While previous studies have viewed digital transformation as a vital source of innovation and productivity growth for economic recovery in SMEs, there has been limited focus on digital transformation in the regional context, with very little attention focused on women-led enterprises. This study aims to investigate(i) the determinants of perception of digital transformation among regional SMEs, and (ii) whether the gender of the SME owner or manager has an impact on the drivers of the digital transformation experiences of SMEs operating in regional Australia. Building upon the resource-based view, this study uses a unique dataset of 281 SMEs collected from a survey conducted within a regional area of Queensland, Australia. Employing Feasible Generalised Least Squares and Generalised Least Squares estimations, the study found that the perceptions of digital transformation can be explained by the use of social network platforms, innovation processes, workplace culture, and information and communication technologies. This study also found that there is a significant difference between female-led and male-led SMEs regarding their perceptions of digital transformation. This study offers two key policy and practical insights: (i) digital transformation of regional SMEs should be used as a fundamental tool for crisis recovery strategies, and (ii) the need for policymakers to mainstream gender into postcrisis transformative interventions and policies should be fast tracked.

Refereed/Peer-reviewed Managers need to better understand how information and communication technologies (ICTs) lead to informed decisions about the investment and advantages of such technologies. However, at best, the empirical evidence on the business value of technology is mixed in relation to small firms. A total of 43 firms satisfied the study's definition of start-ups. The final survey included 54 questions on access to and use of ICTs, innovation, firm characteristics, as well as the participants' demographics, of which 11 factors were analyzed as part of this study. We found compelling evidence to support the positive effects of ICTs on firm-level innovation and performance based on the primary survey data of 270 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in an Australian regional area. Moreover, we found that ICT strategies and skills are important factors that drive innovation and the overall performance of SMEs. In addition, various conditions, such as an agile workplace culture and international trade, can help firms improve their performance. Young businesses, particularly start-ups with ICT skills, show an improved innovation capability. However, remoteness appears to influence innovation negatively for nascent firms. Thus, managers should focus on improving ICT skills, strategies, and networking that help facilitate tangible ICT investments to foster innovation and growth.

International Telecommunication Union’s ICT Development Index and related measures of a country’s ICT development maturity suffer from several limitations, including subjective estimation of the weights of individual indicators and sub-indices, use of inappropriate quantitative models, specification bias arising from the exclusion of potential predictors from the estimation models, and a failure to capture the disparities among different groups of countries. To overcome these problems and provide a more reliable measure of ICT development, this study develops the Modified ICT Maturity Level Index using the 2015 data of 166 countries. This index adds affordability, efficiency, and quality to the existing sub-indices of access, use, and skills. Sub-index and indicator weights are determined in an outcome-orientated way using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. We find that affordability, quality, and efficiency significantly explain the variation in the level of maturity of ICT development in addition to the previously used dimensions of International Telecommunication Union’s ICT Development Index and modified ICT Development Index (mIDI) developed by Gerpott and Ahmadi, and that their explanatory power differ by a country’s level of economic development. The new index produces significantly different country rankings. This has important implications for ICT policy priorities and provides a measure of ICT development maturity less prone to the innocent or intentional distortion of such policy priorities. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

The impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on human development depends on the distribution of income and affordability of ICT services. This study explores the responsiveness of ICT affordability to income distribution and socio-economic inequality. Applying a generalised linear mixed model and a random effects model based on Australian household panel data covering 2011–2017, this study finds that gross ICT affordability is positively associated with income distribution and socio-economic inequality. Interestingly, for low-income subgroups, inequality reveals to have a positive impact on ICT affordability, whereas for high-income household, the impact is reversed. These findings provide insights that are useful in the design of policies and strategies to promote ICT affordability and penetration. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Background Any form of long-term physical or mental impairment might negatively influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL, as an independent concept, covers a wide range of characteristics that includes physical, mental, social, and spiritual functions. People with disabilities are continuously exposed to multiple barriers that deteriorate their HRQoL. It also creates impairment in performing physical activities. However, experts opine regular physical exercise as an intervention to help disabled people. This research aims to investigate the association between disability and physical activity with HRQoL among the adult population in Australia. Design A retrospective cohort study. Methods This study utilized the most recent 19 waves of data (2002–2020) from the nationally representative Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. Component summary scores such as physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS), and SF-6D utility scores were utilized to measure HRQoL. Random-effects GLS regression technique was fitted to estimate the association between disability and physical activity with HRQoL, after adjusting for a range of socio-demographic and health-related characteristics. Results Disability was negatively associated with the PCS (-5.95), MCS (-2.70) and SF-6D (-0.060) compared with non-disabled counterparts. However, respondents engaged in the recommended level of physical activity had substantial gain in PCS (b = 0.96), MCS (1.57), and SF-6D (0.021) scores. Besides, the results showed that performing the recommended level of physical activity in the presence of disability has lessen the negative effect of disability/ positive moderating effect of physical activity on PCS, MCS, and SF-6D scores by 1.84 points, 0.82 points, and 0.013 percentage points, respectively. Conclusion This study found an inverse association between disability and HRQoL among Australian adults. However, physical activity was associated with improved HRQoL. Therefore, public health interventions, such as the orientation of physical activities, have a higher potential to dwindle the burden regarding HRQoL.

Background: Existing studies have demonstrated that behavioural barriers impede eHealth usage among senior citizens. However, thus far, no analysis of how such barriers affect elderly people with disabilities (PwD) has been conducted. Thus, the study investigates the predictors of eHealth usage among elderly PwD. Methods: Using data from a 2018 nationwide disability survey comprising 14,798 respondents in Australia, multivariate logistic regression models are used to predict the relationship between eHealth usage and the various characteristics of respondents, including access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), socioeconomic status, and level of education. Results: Although most participants (approximately 88%) have access to ICTs, few (only around 9%) have used eHealth services. The results show a number of factors are associated with an increased likelihood of using eHealth services, including higher educational attainment (odds ratio [OR] = 3.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.38, 4.24), employment (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.94), higher household income (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.96), and ICT access (OR = 15.92, 95% CI: 10.51, 27.01). The probability of eHealth use is lower for the oldest-old (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.45). In addition, the estimates from interaction effects suggest the effect of ICT penetration on use of eHealth falls by a negligible amount because of resistive attitudinal barriers (OR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.06). Conclusion: Given the challenges of ageing populations and pandemics, such as COVID-19, eHealth services are a vital part of an effective, inclusive, and robust health care system. This study demonstrates the presence of a significant digital divide among elderly PwD and suggests that public and private efforts should be made to increase the availability of ICT infrastructure. Training could also increase inclusion in this regard. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

This study measures the concentration of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and expenditure inequality in the disaggregated spatial unit of various locations in Australia. Using survey data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia, a composite concentration index for ICT infrastructure is constructed for urban and rural households. In addition, the Gini coefficient of ICT expenditure is computed to measure the concentration of affordability of ICT services. Findings demonstrate that the concentrations of ICT infrastructure and affosrdability are profound in the Greater Sydney and Greater Melbourne areas. Nevertheless, results indicate that the remoteness of spatial units has a noteworthy impact on the concentration of ICT infrastructure. In addition, canonical correlation analysis reveals that the association between the concentration of ICT infrastructure and inequality in the affordability of ICT services is statistically significant. These findings imply that policy makers should employ a holistic approach that will not only include technological and economic considerations but also examine place-based context in designing an all-inclusive ICT policy. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

The evidence on the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in enhancing quality of life (QoL) is mixed and the precise nature of this relationship is not yet fully understood. Existing single equation-based empirical works have provided a number of specific insights, but there remains a gap in our understanding of the association between digital inclusion and QoL. The current study seeks to fill this gap by capturing the simultaneous association between digital inclusion and QoL. This study employs simultaneous equation models based on a two-stage and full-information likelihood method using a household-level longitudinal dataset of Australia to explore the relationship between QoL and digital inclusion. This research confirms that digital inclusion significantly predicts QoL and vice versa. Socio-economic advantages, remoteness, rural-urban divide and lifestyle also appear to be significant determinants of the QoL. Findings from the study imply that to promote digital inclusion, policymakers should emphasise not only supply-side issues but also demand-side strategies including the enhancement of digital skills and affordability for the users. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Existing studies have demonstrated that people with disabilities (PwD) face a range of technological and behavioural barriers to successful adoption of information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled health services. However, there has been little examination and no scholarly consensus on the relative impact of each factor. This study investigates the determinants of ICT usage for health care among PwD. Using national-level disability survey data in Australia, several multivariate hierarchical regression models are deployed to predict the relationship between ICT-enabled health service adoption and the explanatory variables. In addition, several measures of the overall goodness-of-fit are estimated for each model. The results indicate that age, gender, income, level of education, language proficiency and geographical remoteness are significant predictors of ICT-enabled health care usage among PwD. It is also found that technological constraints have a stronger moderating effect than behavioural factors. This provides valuable insight for policymakers and private organisations on which approaches and interventions are most likely to narrow the digital disability divide. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of information and communication technology (ICT) on the nexus between quality of life (QoL) and assistive technology among people with communication disabilities. Using a national-level disability survey data in Australia, this study employs a series of causal mediation models based on counterfactual framework for mediation analysis. The results indicate that about 61% to 73% of the impact of assistive technology on QoL among people with communication disabilities is mediated through ICT use. Furthermore, it is evident that the degree of communication impairment partially moderates the impact of ICT-enabled assistive technology on QoL. The findings of the study have several practical implications. First, this study indicates that better integration of assistive technology with ICT will enhance the quality of people with communication disabilities. The second broad recommendation is that improved accessibility with affordable high-speed broadband Internet can deliver services that people with disabilities need. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Despite rapid digital development in the past two decades, the remote parts of Australia still experience disadvantages with the adoption and diffusion of digital technology. As the adoption of information and communication technology continues to increase at a significant rate, investigating the underlying factors of the digital divide in general and also in the context of social exclusion in Australia is pertinent. The current study fills the gap in the existing body of knowledge by exploring the effect of socio-demographic factors and remoteness on the digital divide landscape with a country-specific focus on Australia. Using state-wide longitudinal data covering the 1998–2015 period within the panel data estimation framework, this study finds that digital divide is significantly associated with socio-demographic factors and remoteness in Australia. Moreover, the findings affirm that in addition to telecommunication infrastructure development, policymakers should also underscore socio-demographic factors in shaping digital inclusion strategies. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

To date, definitions of information and communication technology (ICT) development used in quantitative studies on the relationship between economic development and ICT are incomplete and often based on single indicators. Thus, this study investigates the link between ICT maturity and economic development in the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. A novel composite index of ICT maturity that includes previously neglected dimensions of ICT maturity, such as affordability and quality of internet connectivity, is utilised. The baseline estimations using the feasible generalised least squares indicate that ICT maturity is associated with an increase in economic development by 1%–3.8% in OECD countries. These findings have been cross-validated by applying the generalised method of moments estimation. Results imply that the holistic development of ICT, including infrastructure, skills, and affordability, can augment economic development. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Purpose This paper aims to investigate and comprehend the nature of the relationship between e-government development and the digital economy. Design/methodology/approach A multidimensional research paradigm is developed on the basis of the technology adoption model and Fountain’s technology enactment theory. The model is empirically examined using a regional study of 20 Asian countries. Findings A positive two-way relationship between e-government development and the digital economy has been indicated by the findings. Moreover, along with social, economic, political, technological and demographic factors, certain national cultural characteristics have significant effects on the digital economy and e-government development. Research limitations/implications One of the key limitations of the study is that it is based on publicly available secondary data. Therefore, some degree of caution should be kept in mind when making generalisations about the findings of this study. Originality/value The contribution of this study is that it provides a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the dynamic association between e-government development and the digital economy by providing aid to policymakers in understanding the nature of dynamic relationships between the digital economy, government organisations and citizens’ adoption of technologies.

Course Management System (CMS) is now probably the most used educational technologies in higher education, behind only the Internet and common office software. It can facilitate posting content, participating in discussions, maintaining a grade book, tracking participation and managing learning activities in an online environment for instructors and learners. But question arises to what extent these systems are successful in developing countries like Bangladesh. Unfortunately there are very few reports and publication that have tried to focus on above issues. In this study, an evaluation and analysis of CMS in developing countries like Bangladesh was carried out to assess the success of the system by using “ITPOSMO' model. The study found that CMS is partially failing in higher educational institutions in Bangladesh. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Electronic Commerce or e-commerce implies such an industry goods and services are bought and sold over electronic systems. This is rapidly growing sectors in Bangladesh which influence local and international trade. Government of Bangladesh has also initiated quite a good number of measures for the expansion of e-commerce. However, low adoption of e-commerce is not uncommon in Bangladesh. The objective of this study is to determine the factors that influence the adoption of e-commerce services in Bangladesh. Extended version of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is envisaged as the theoretical backbone of the study. Reliability analysis using Cronbach’s Alpha test indicates that the research model is internally consistent. The study reveals that 35 percent of respondents became interested in e-commerce services from advertise-ment on Internet or other electronic media. The findings of the study shows that all the four constructs, namely-Computer Self Efficacy, Perceived Credibility, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use have significant effect on the adoption of e-commerce. The study has also demonstrated that Perceived Usefulness appeared as the most important factor in describing user’s adoption of e-commerce. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

This paper focuses on the lessons learnt from the delivery of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); points out specific implementation issues reflected in various post-2015 reports; analyses the financial and nonfinancial means of implementation as well as highlights different institutional arrangements of delivery.