Critical Factors In Electronic Health Readiness Assessment Framework For Iraq Health Services

Electronic Health (e-Health) is an application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) across the range of functions that affect health. e-Health has become a sturdy and versatile platform that can facilitate the enhancement of information and services delivery in the health industry. e-Health readiness assessment is a basis for ICT investments in healthcare organizations. Assessing health readiness is impacted by several factors. Even though there is an abundance of evidence of the subject of healthcare in the literature, studies that have investigated the factors affecting its assessment in the developing countries is still limited. In Iraq, e-Health readiness is still in its nascent stage. Therefore, this study aims to assess the contribution of the critical factors leading to e-Health readiness assessment in healthcare institutions in Iraq. The proposed e-Health readiness assessment framework consists of four dimensions. These are Individual Readiness, Environment Readiness, Core Readiness, and Technological Readiness. The fundamental theories applied to develop the framework were Theory of Transtheoretical Model, Activity Theory, Resource Based View, Theory of the Diffusion of Innovation, and Institutional Theory. The proposed framework was test with a self-administered survey, involving samples of 211 medical staff and 104 technical staff from various healthcare organizations in Iraq. The data collected from the survey were analysed using the Statistical Software, SPSS and Partial Least Squares, PLS for Structural Equation Modelling. The findings revealed that a number of factors, namely Attitudes, Training, Government Regulation, Economic, Genuine Need of change, Acceptability, Compatibility, Availability and Affordability of the hardware and software, ICT Support Service, Network Reliability, and Privacy and Security, were identified to have the most significant effect on the E-Health readiness assessment of these healthcare organizations. The proposed study is useful to the medical and technical staff with regard to their beliefs in the use of e-Health. In addition, the proposed model in this study was validated to be more effective for the assessment of e-Health readiness in Iraqi healthcare institutions with experts agreement rate of 87.3%. These significant findings have crucial implications and valuable contributions in the body of knowledge of e-Health, smart computing in particular and information system in general

Putting the Pieces Together for Good Governance of REDD+: An Analysis of 32 REDD+ Country Readiness Proposals

Developing countries are receiving new financial and technical support to design and implement programs that reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (referred to as REDD+). Reducing emissions from forest cover change requires transparent, accountable, inclusive, and coordinated systems and institutions to govern REDD+ programs. Two multilateral initiatives -- the World Bank-administered Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in developing countries (UN-REDD Programme) -- are supporting REDD+ countries to become "ready" for REDD+ by preparing initial strategy proposals, developing institutions to manage REDD+ programs, and building capacity to implement REDD+ activities. This paper reviews 32 REDD+ readiness proposals submitted to these initiatives to understand overall trends in how eight elements of readiness (referred to in this paper as readiness needs) are being understood and prioritized globally. Specifically, we assess whether the readiness proposals (i) identify the eight readiness needs as relevant for REDD+, (ii) discuss challenges and options for addressing each need, and (iii) identify next steps to be implemented in relation to each need. Our analysis found that the readiness proposals make important commitments to developing effective, equitable, and well-governed REDD+ programs. However, in many of the proposals these general statements have not yet been translated into clear next steps

The current state of E-commerce in Jordan: Applicability and future prospects

This study aimed at determining the current state of e-commerce in Jordan, as well as its future prospects. The research population consisted of all Jordanian industrial, service and/or trade companies that have a registered website. The population size was 712 companies. A total of 118 questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected companies and 95 were returned. Cronbach alpha measure was used to test the reliability of the organizational questionnaire and was calculated to be 0.80 reflecting stability and consistency of the scale and indicating the goodness of the measure. Other statistical tests were used to test the research hypotheses such as One-Sample t-test, Independent-Samples t-test, One-Way ANOVA, Chi-Square and Bivariate Correlations (Pearson). The research indicated that Jordan has adequate and efficient e-commerce requirements in general, but there is no suitable and appropriate Community Culture in order to reach E-commerce Readiness Stage. Some recommendations are then made based on research findings

Tracking REDD+ Finance: 2009-2012 - Finance Flows in Seven REDD+ Countries

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). This REDDX report tracks the 2009-2012 flow of REDD+ finance from a variety of donors to seven tropical forest countries for various types of REDD+ activities. It is based on the hard work and dedication of seven teams of national partners and other experts who surveyed donors, government agencies, implementing agencies, NGOs, and consulting firms involved in the management of REDD+ finance in key REDD+ recipient countries

Towards a network government? A critical analysis of current assessment methods for e-government

Contemporary public administrations have become increasingly more complex, having to cordinate actions with emerging actors in the public and the private spheres. In this scenario the modern ICTs have begun to be seen as an ideal vehicle to resolve some of the problems of public administration. We argue that there is a clear need to explore the extent to which public administrations are undergoing a process of transformation towards a netowork government linked to the systematic incorporation of ICTs in their basic activities. Through critically analysing a selection of e-government evaluation reports, we conclude that research should be carried out if we are to build a solid government assessment framework based on network-like organisation characteristics

Participation in PRSP processes Conditions for Pro Poor Effectiveness

The mandatory participation of civil society in the PRSP is hardly ever questioned. It is on the contrary generally applauded by the experts inside and outside of the aid business. If only there could be more of it, things would even be better than they already are, but any start, however modest, is to be welcomed. But is participation, no matter at what stage, where and with whom, always so precious or relevant? In this paper a more cautionary approach is proposed. A four level readiness assessment framework is being offered to guide donors in deciding when, if at all, such participation must be encouraged.

Power, Responsibility, and Accountability: Re-Thinking the Legitimacy of Institutions for Climate Finance

Offers lessons from current mechanisms to finance climate mitigation and adaptation and considerations for legitimacy in new ones: the capacity to determine outcomes, the exercise of power as intended, and standards and systems to ensure accountability