Exploring the Pattern between Education Attendance and Digital Development of Countries

AbstractThere is a clear belief among academics and policy makers about the importance of ICT for sustainable development and welfare. Thus, all across the world, a variety of strategies to promote the digital development have been proposed and implemented by national and international authorities. Simultaneously, academics have been dedicating their efforts to understand what explains the international digital divide. Within the academia, one can find the education of the individuals as one of the most popular reasons for the digital divide across countries. We tasked ourselves with analyzing this last correlation between digital development and educational attendance of countries and, with data pertaining to 105 countries and we conclude that the correlation is significant and surprisingly high, emphasizing the role of educated individuals in ICT adoption at country level

Digital Divide Across the European Union

Dissertação apresentada como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Estatística e Gestão de InformaçãoOur research analyzes the digital divide within the European Union 27 (EU-27). To achieve this objective we use multivariate statistical methods, more specifically factor and cluster analysis, to address the disparities in the digital development levels between EU countries. Our results lead to an identification of two latent dimensions and five groups of countries when it comes to the digital development. We conclude that a digital gap does, in fact, exist within the EU. Moreover our results suggest that there is a relation with the entrance year to the Union with the digital development stage, considering that newer member presents lower digital developments

Understanding the determinants of users’ continuance intention to buy low-cost airline flights online

TTam, C., Barroso, M., & Cruz-jesus, F. (2022). Understanding the determinants of users’ continuance intention to buy low-cost airline flights online. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 13(2), 264-280. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-12-2020-0316Purpose Low-cost carriers’ (LCC) worldwide market share is gaining momentum. This paper aims to propose using the expectation confirmation model (ECM) combined with brand awareness and image, website quality and visual appeal to evaluate the continuance use intention of low-cost airlines (LCA) websites. Design/methodology/approach The empirical approach was based on an online survey of 272 individuals collected in Portugal. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings Brand awareness, brand image and satisfaction are the variables that best explain continuance intention. The leftover constructs can empirically explain ECM. Originality/value This study seeks to understand the significance of brand awareness and image, website quality and visual appeal in LCA websites’ confirmation and continuance use intention. Understanding the influence on confirmation and long-term viability, strategies based on these conclusions are proposed for LCC companies to better promote consumers’ continuance use intention.authorsversionpublishe

A proposed model for Process Mining Adoption: Using a Mixed-Methods Approach

Driven by digital transformation, Process Mining represents one of the biggest analytical trends in the Software-as-a-Service technology market, providing companies with transparency of their processes in place. As such, there has been little research about what are the factors that influence the decision of companies to adopt Process Mining in their organization. Hence, this study aims on developing a comprehensive research model that sheds light on the most decisive Process Mining adoption drivers among European firms. A Mixed-Method design was applied to ensure a tailored IT adoption model for Process Mining. Based on a qualitative pre-study with expert interviews as well as a thorough literature review about the IT adoption theories of TOE, DOI as well as OIPT we derived the most essential antecedents of Process Mining adoption and proposed to our knowledge the first Process Mining adoption research model on firm-level

A sustainable bottom-up approach for Non-Governmental development organizations

Martin, R. S., Painho, M., & Cruz-Jesus, F. (2019). Addressing geospatial preparedness inequity: A sustainable bottom-up approach for Non-Governmental development organizations. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(23), [6634]. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236634In less developed areas, the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to coordinate disaster response is hindered by a lack of geospatial preparedness. Humanitarian missions often rely on OpenStreetMap as a source of information to overcome this limitation. In these places, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) might already be using GIS to implement development projects before the disaster. This study considers the management of geospatial information by those NGOs and whether they could improve geospatial preparedness from within the communities. This bottom-up approach would allow the inclusion of information relevant to the community in the disaster response decision-making process. The research method was an online survey with a worldwide sample of more than 200 development NGOs. The results show that many NGOs use digital geographic information, mostly open-data. They could indeed improve geospatial preparedness while using open-data and community mapping for the implementation of their projects. There is, however, a limitation; most of the development NGOs using open geographic data are not familiar with the open platforms used by the humanitarian community (i.e., OpenStreetMap). Therefore, the study indicates that the sustainability of this synergic approach requires further harmonization between development and humanitarian organizations working for the wellbeing of the same communities.publishersversionpublishe

Evidence from a Mediterranean country

ousa, D., Cruz-Jesus, F., Sousa, A., & Painho, M. (2021). A multivariate approach to assess the structural determinants of large wildfires: Evidence from a Mediterranean country. International Journal Of Wildland Fire, 30(4), 241-254. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF20119This paper analyses the factors behind wildfire propagation in a Mediterranean European country, Portugal, using a set of variables related to vegetation and climatic, topography and human aspects. Spatial cluster analysis was used to find homogeneous regions, and two-part regression models were used to model the contribution of the different elements driving extensive fire propagation. Our findings confirm the presence of spatial variability in the contribution exerted by most structural factors driving large wildfire spread. Additionally, the results of this study show that vegetation types, in particular the presence of shrubs, and a lack of human activities, such as agriculture, represent the main factors facilitating fire spread in this region, corroborating information from previous work. This research provides relevant input for implementation in different fields, from large fire awareness and prevention to the development of wildfire policies, as well as addressing methodological concerns in fire danger and fire risk analyses.publishersversionpublishe

how parents and teachers influence high school students’ performance

Nunes, C., Oliveira, T., Castelli, M., & Cruz-Jesus, F. (2023). Determinants of academic achievement: how parents and teachers influence high school students’ performance. Heliyon. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13335 ---This work was supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia [DSAIPA/DS/0032/2018].This study explores the contribution of various drivers of attainment in secondary education in Portugal. We propose a model explaining the influence of students, teachers, and parents’ traits on high school achievement, measured by the self-reported Math and Portuguese final grades of 220 students. Using PLS-SEM, we show that previous achievement predicts current achievement in both subjects; however, noteworthy differences were found. Portuguese grades are significantly better for students whose parents have post-secondary education and communicate higher expectations about their offspring’s school careers. At the same time, Math achievement is influenced by students’ perception of teachers’ involvement but not by parents’ expectations or education. Previous retention and receiving educational allowance impair Math achievement, but not Portuguese. Results and implications are discussed.proofepub_ahead_of_prin

Evidence for Eastern and Western European countries

Chipeva, P., Cruz-Jesus, F., Oliveira, T., & Irani, Z. (2018). Digital divide at individual level: Evidence for Eastern and Western European countries. Government Information Quarterly, 35(3), 460-479. DOI: 10.1016/j.giq.2018.06.003The current study explores the digital divide by checking the phenomenon at the individual level. It digs into the individual pattern of adoption and use of a broad set of information and communications technologies (ICT) by introducing a conceptual model combining the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and the five-factor model of personality. By doing so it provides insights on factors affecting technology adoption and the role of personality on individual usage behavior. Most of the UTAUT2 hypotheses are supported, with performance expectancy being the strongest predictor. Openness is a significant predictor of behavioral intention, whereas for usage behavior the significant personality predictors are openness, extraversion, and agreeableness. Moreover, as data were collected in Bulgaria and Portugal, a multi-group analysis revealed significant country differences. The effect of performance expectancy, habit, agreeableness, and neuroticism on behavioral intention, as well as the effect of age on usage, are stronger for Bulgaria, whereas the effect of hedonic motivation on behavioral intention and the effect of behavioral intention on usage are stronger for Portugal.authorsversionpublishe

evidence from a South American country

Pazmiño-Sarango, M., Naranjo-Zolotov, M., & Cruz-Jesus, F. (2021). Assessing the drivers of the regional digital divide and their impact on eGovernment services: evidence from a South American country. Information Technology and People. [Advanced online publication in 21 September 2021]. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-09-2020-0628Purpose: The paper explores the main drivers of the regional-level digital divide in Ecuadorian cities and the extent to which the information and communication technology (ICT) adoption by citizens influences local-level policymakers' decisions to develop eGovernment services. Design/methodology/approach: The paper used an exploratory approach. The authors empirically assessed the provision of eGovernment services in each of the 36 Ecuadorian local governments following the Local Online Service Index (LOSI) measurement scale proposed by the United Nations, and then evaluated the drivers of the eGovernment divide at a local level. Ordinary least squares regression analysis was used. Findings: The findings indicate that the digital divide is driven by income and education disparities, and that eGovernment availability is driven by ICT use. It appears that proper attention to technology use by its citizens is not being given by local-level policymakers in Ecuador when they devise their eGovernment strategy. Research limitations/implications: Because the data were available at different levels of aggregation, there may be some inaccuracy of the indicators and lack of generalizability. Researchers are encouraged to test this hypotheses with data at lower levels of aggregation and from different latitudes to provide a comparative view between countries. Practical implications: The paper includes implications for policymakers and local authorities regarding how the limitations on eGovernment development may be mitigated. Originality/value: This study fulfils the need to assess digital development and its impact on eGovernment services at a city level in a developing country.authorsversionepub_ahead_of_prin

Investment and innovation as drivers

Lehmann, C., Cruz-Jesus, F., Oliveira, T., & Damásio, B. (2022). Leveraging the circular economy: Investment and innovation as drivers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 360, 1-10. [132146]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132146The circular economy plays a central role in Europe's new agenda for sustainable economic growth. Using Eurostat and United Nations data from 28 European countries pertaining to the years between 2011 and 2017 we identified two underlying dimensions of the circular economy — environmental degradation and resource efficiency. Then, using dynamic panel models we assessed the impact that investment, human capital, innovation, and previous circularity levels have on each dimension of the circular economy identified, comparing their impacts on both. Our substantive findings demonstrate that innovation and investment significantly reduce environmental degradation, whereas only investment is also significant in promoting resource efficiency. Furthermore, our study suggests that circular economy levels have an inter-annual dependence.publishersversionpublishe