The global information technology report 2014

Executive summary When The Global Information Technology Report (GITR) and the Networked Readiness Index (NRI) were created more than 13 years ago, the attention of decision makers was focused on how to develop strategies that would allow them to benefit from what Time Magazine had described as “the new economy”: a new way of organizing and managing economic activity based on the new opportunities that the Internet provided for businesses. At present, the world is slowly emerging from one of the worst financial and economic crises in decades, and policymakers, business leaders, and civil society are looking into new opportunities that can consolidate growth, generate new employment, and create business opportunities. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) continue to rank high on the list as one of the key sources of new opportunities to foster innovation and boost economic and social prosperity, for both advanced and emerging economies. For more than 13 years, the NRI has provided decision makers with a useful conceptual framework to evaluate the impact of ICTs at a global level and to benchmark the ICT readiness and usage of their economies

Disruptive Business Model Innovation and Digital Transformation

Background: Innovating how organisations run their business is a strategic decision to create more value for customers using or consuming the product and/or service provided. In addition to the incentive of everybody embracing digital transformation, digital technologies, and digital innovation, which frame changes of operating business models today, disruptions, i.e., another incentive that occurs suddenly and impacts globally, all force businesses to adapt and change. Objectives: This research aims to provide a conceptual model that can be used for organisations to evaluate and propose feasible options for responding to disruptions that influence the businesses’ strategic innovation initiatives while assisting decision-makers in choosing the most appropriate option. Methods/Approach: Considering internal and external factors that influence digital transformation, the conceptual framework is designed to assess readiness and willingness to transform and create opportunities for future success digitally. Results: A conceptual framework was developed, tested, and demonstrated in a case study. The case study organisation rated positively the composition of steps to be perf readiness and willingness and choose the most feasible option to change. Conclusions: The digital environment and the influence of disruptions force organisations to change. The conceptual framework developed in this research helps the management choose the most feasible change option about the real as-is and the desired to-be state

Challenges of Building a Knowledge Based Economy in Croatia

The objective of this paper is to explore the essential nature of knowledge-based economy and to examine the current position of Croatian economy in the process of establishing sufficient conditions for transition to it. Particular attention is given to the production, transmission and transfer of knowledge and information and communication technology (ICT) in Croatia which determine the pace, direction and success of creating a knowledge-based economy. The paper concludes with the policy suggestions how to narrow the gap between Croatia and developed nations relying on the knowledge and ICT as two essential and interrelated core elements of any strategy aiming to build a knowledge-based economy.knowledge-based economy, knowledge, information and communication technology, Croatia

Maturity models for improving the quality of digital teaching

In this paper we present a primer on the state-of the-art of existing maturity models (MMs) for eLearning. By means of a traditional qualitative literature review, 29 different models are identified. Next, they are analysed and classified on the basis of a framework of 20 common properties derived from general theory on MMs, considering aspects related to their definition, structure and practical use. Results of the analysis suggest that existing eLearning MMs mainly address problems linked to eLearning management and organization at institutional level, educational technology, instructional design and faculty staff professional development. However, they tend to provide relatively moderate support for being effectively applied in practice, which clearly compromises and dismisses their power and utility as prescriptive tools for quality improvement. Our findings contribute to the current body of knowledge on eLearning by providing improved understanding, visibility, transparency and traceability of eLearning MMs designed to date, which may be of interest to both practitioners and researchersPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Governance and digital transformation in schools with 1:1 tablet coverage

There is an increasing trend of 1:1 coverage of tablets in schools in Scandinavia. Several studies have reported on pedagogical possibilities and challenges, but less is reported about how this change is perceived and practised by other stakeholders. We interviewed public school owners and leaders in Norway and found school owners used various models to support their schools, and school leaders held varied views on their roles in promoting the implementing 1:1 coverage in schools. Considering these findings, we discuss whether establishing overall national guidelines might help school owners and school leaders to effect digital transformation in schools and whether such guidelines would support or counteract school leaders’ autonomy and ability to adapt the digital transformation to their local context.publishedVersio

Students’ Attitude to Online Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy and Faculty of Maritime Studies Split during COVID-19 Crisis

COVID-19 pandemic has set new challenges to education systems in the Republic of Bulgaria and in the Republic of Croatia, particularly to higher education systems. In summer semester 2020/2021, emergency remote teaching (ERT) was imposed at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy (NVNA) and at University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies (UoS FMS) under the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. As researches related to the students’ satisfaction with learning in digital environment at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis are very rare in Bulgaria and in Croatia, the aim of the paper is to analyse students’ attitude to the quality of three-month ERT in specialized compulsory navigation courses at NVNA and at UoS FMS. Anonymous survey on students’ attitude was conducted on 154 students majoring in Navigation at NVNA and 98 students majoring in Nautical Studies at UoS FMS. The study revealed that students were generally satisfied with the quality of ERT at NVNA and at UoS FMS. The students’ primary concerns regarding ERT (online/hybrid) in navigation courses included the quality of ERT, difficulties with technology, motivation, as well as time management. This useful information can help both lecturers and faculty managements to adapt their teaching strategies and provide adequate support to the students. MET institutions should support students to build skills and behaviours based on students’ concerns, but also to train and support lecturers to develop and deliver high-quality hybrid courses. Although the study has limited value, it could be used as a reference point for further studies and should encourage MET institutions, as well as maritime administrations, to give strong support to the implementation of hybrid courses in MET. This study could also inspire maritime administrations to conduct pilot projects on hybrid courses introduction in MET, in line with global trends in education and stakeholders’ growing demand for distance learning, without compromising quality of MET

Landscape of e-Learning during Covid-19: Case Study of Economic Disciplines in Croatia

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the digitalisation level of education. Many institutions had some knowledge and practical background in delivering lectures online. Some countries apply a top-down digitalisation approach driven by policy or strategy and externally impacted by the government. Some other countries rather initiate digitalisation internally by teachers and universities. Objectives: The main goal is to investigate the digitalisation level of the higher education system in Croatia, exploring the digitalisation of economic disciplines compared to other scientific fields. Methods/Approach: We assess the digitalisation level of higher education based on the regulatory framework, applied approach of digitalisation, the agility of transition to online teaching and the existing number of courses and online study programs. Education digitalisation in different countries is compared with the Croatian experience. Results: Although the satisfactory level of higher education institutions’ agility to switch online exist, there hasn’t been a centralised project led by the government and supported by proper funds to increase digitalisation in Croatia. Even before the pandemic, many e-courses from economics and business had been offered to students, but online study programs were exceptions, covering mainly the economics and business field. Conclusions: The Covid-19 pandemic has improved the digitalisation process in the Croatian education system. A general framework for the digitalisation of education should be developed containing the detailed administrative processes and appropriate funds to be implemented

Digital Transformation: Book of Abstracts at BOBCATSSS 2021 Virtual Conference, 21st-22nd January 2021, Porto

This Book of Abstracts provides an overview of all selected papers, Pecha Kucha and posters that will be presented at BOBCATSSS 2021 Virtual Conference on "Digital Transformation" (https://bobcatsss2021.sciencesconf.org/). The conference is jointly organized by the Porto Accounting and Business School - Porto Polytechnic (ISCAP), Portugal, University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT), Sofia, Bulgaria and University of Leon, Spain. BOBCATSSS is an international annual symposium which addresses hot topics for librarians and information professionals in a fast-changing environment. It is created by and for students, teachers, researchers and professionals in the information field. BOBCATSSS is held under the auspices of BOBCATSSS Association (https://bobcatsss.info/, former EUCLID (European Association for Library and Information Education and Research). It is a tradition which has been passed on from one European country to another since 1993, providing a rich professional conference, accompanied by numerous opportunities for networking, personal exchanges, discussions, and learning. The 29th conference of BOBCATSSS is a virtual edition, due to the COVID-19 worldwide crisis. This year, we have chosen “DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION” as the theme for BOBCATSSS 2021. Information and communication technologies have a great impact on society, namely concerning the immediacy of access to information, the constant increase in the available information volume, the automation of services, the dematerialization of processes, the change in supports and formats, the attention to the client and changes in the behaviour of individuals. These impacts are also felt in the way people interact with information, in professional, academic, personal and playful terms. Soon, half of the consumers will be digital natives, and this will force the digital transformation in organizations, creating new opportunities for change, including in organizational, cultural and legal standards. Digital transformation as an effect of a process marked by the influence of ICT in society will influence changes in every social dimension, including business models and in the way they develop, with ICT and, inseparably, information, having a leading role in any organization. According to Rogers (2016)1 and Herbert (2017)2, it is possible to identify five domains where the digital transformation takes place, and which are based on the transversal use of ICT: 1. Customers, who interact dynamically with organizations 2. Competition, which impliesa differentiation of organizations in relation to the consumer / final customer 3. Information, which due to its essential nature for the business, whether structured or not, will require an increasingly strict management 4. Innovation, focusing on the development of new ideas 5. Value, which becomes volatile in the face of market demand.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Information Society in Croatia, Landsc@pes of Knowledge for Development

Sabbatical Studies ReportCroatia has overcome a series of historical and cultural happenings. A war and serious internal conflicts after the break of Yugoslavia have left the country with structural problems that will need a few years to solve. With astonishing landscapes and a large stretch of coastline, Croatia has opened itself to tourism. Presidential and parliamentary elections at the beginning of 2000 ushered in politicians who pledged commitment to Croatia's integration into the European mainstream. Croatia Constitution was changed to accommodate the shift of power away from the President to the Parliament. Croatia joined the World Trade Organization and opened the economy. European Union accession talks were held up because the country's most prominent war crimes suspect, Ante Gotovina, remained at large until 2005. When finally convicted by the UN War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague in April 2011, Croatia successfully completed its EU accession negotiations. It is due to become the EU's 28th member state in 2013. A dispute with Slovenia over the sea and land borders - dating back to the break-up of Yugoslavia - also threatened to delay Croatia's membership until June 2010. The country's EU accession treaty was finally signed in December 2011, after years of tortuous negotiations. A referendum was made on the following month. Croatia was badly affected by the global financial crisis from 2008 up to 2009 and its tourism-oriented economy has suffered tremendous effects and the country has mostly been in recession since 2009. Confronted like other countries in transition periods, with fast privatizations, inefficient legal and administrative system, high unemployment rates, Croatia has imposed itself has one of the leading countries in the Balkans. After the conflicts that broke Yugoslavia apart, Croatia established his monetary and fiscal system initiating the first steps into a market economy. But the rigid mechanism used to regulate the national Kuna introduced several problems and generated an overvalued currency. The situation worsened the trade deficit and threatened the economic stability. The success of tourism, foreign investment and a considerable growth domestic product (above some European countries) can guarantee to Croatia a place among the EU like a modern democracy and a truly free market economy. The European Council granted the status of “candidate country” to Croatia in 2004 and Croatia opened EU accession negotiations on October 2005 and concluded them on June 2011. From an external observer, that is to be considered a tremendous success. However weaknesses in competitiveness have turned Croatia in a relatively small competitor when it comes to global markets. But although good results have been achieved by a strategic country alignment, the business’ location remains traditional - near big cities and large metropolitan areas, mainly Zagreb, Rijeka, Split and Dubrovnik. Like Portugal, Croatia seems to suffer from urban macrocephaly and rural exodus. Croatia remains a country with an historical problem concerning development asymmetries. That is also true when it comes to knowledge dissemination. But the Information and Communication Technologies sector (ICT) has to be considered crucial to leverage economic growth assuming at the same time an important role in particular aspects of the so called Information Society (IS). The ICT sector is also crucial for the decrease of territorial asymmetries. But the difference between numbers is larger when it comes to the big cities or metropolitan areas compared with its peripheries or rural regions

Cohesion, commonality and creativity: youth work across borders

No abstract available