Examining the Role of Transformational Leadership in Technology Adoption: Evidence from Bruneian Technical & Vocational Establishments (TVE)

This pioneering study discusses the thirty-five Bruneian technical & vocational institutions of top management (principals, deputy principals, senior masters, ICT coordinators and technical administrators) leadership style with the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The study uses a survey approach further to indicate that the majority of the Technical and Vocational schools leaders have transformational leaders style which is related with the various uses of ICT. The correlation analysis has also shown the significant relationship between transformational leadership styles and the technology development and operational phase. Therefore, based upon the analysis some recommendations are made for the relevant authorities. Keywords: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), technology leadership, technical and vocational institutions, leadership style, Brunei Darussala

Evaluating Information Technology Strategic Planning Process: Lesson Learnt from Bruneian Small Businesses

The chapter investigates the 85 small and medium organizations in Brunei Darussalam within the context of information technology (IT) strategic planning process. The study results reveal that although the surveyed Bruneian SMEs are familiar with IT strategy basic methods, however, the use of any of the basic IT strategic development process is at the grassroot level. The results further found that only three methods have indirect influence on IT strategy development such as critical success factors, transaction cost, and balanced scorecard. Conclusion from these findings further suggests that no statistical difference exists among SMEs on the basis of organization size and industry sector. These findings are useful for both the researchers and practitioners. For researchers, it helps in building a theoretical foundation in developing the repository of organizational use of IT strategy basic methods and for practitioners to gauge the performance of SMEs in relation with developing IT strategy basic methods in designing the relevant policies

Evaluating Students’ Perception of Teaching Learning Computer Programming: A Study in a Bruneian Technological University

The present study is part of one of the pioneering government funded research, conducted in one of the institutions of higher learning in Brunei Darussalam. The study validates the existing instrument through survey (factor analysis) among cohort of students in a programming class. The study results not only endorse the reasons of declining the art and science of teaching/learning computer programming but also have brought an interesting finding of pedagogy. The results indicate that teaching and learning strategies are more teacher-centered (mean=3.85) rather than student-centered (mean = 2.87). This is in contrast to modern approach of teaching-learning, where problem-based or constructivist approach dominates. Further 67% of the students considered lack of motivation, 80% considered the curriculum is less practical and 50% thought it was more teacher-centered, as key reasons of this decline. Based on the findings some recommendations were made to the relevant authorities to improve the practice

Organizational Readiness, Entrepreneurship, External Pressures Strategic Value of E-Commerce Adoption: Perceptions Of CEOs of Bruneian SMEs

Organizational Readiness, Entrepreneurship, External Pressures Strategic Value of E-Commerce Adoption: Perceptions Of CEOs of Bruneian SME

STUDENT USE OF THE INTERNET: AN EXTENSION OF TAM IN TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

In the educational setting, the Internet is profiteering among academics and students. In fact, this has changed the functioning of the educational establishments. However, the success of use of the Internet is largely dependent upon the user’s behaviour that in turn affects their attitudes. Even when the formidable opportunities exist for the deployment of technology, adverse attitude can inhibit the use. Keeping this in view, survey of 266 students of four technical and vocational colleges was conducted to study the attitudes of the students toward the use of the Internet. The present study develop a normative model by using Davis’s Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and validates two specific attitudinal variables; perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use that are hypothesized to be fundamental determinants of the attitude that in turn predict the students ’ use of the Internet. By adding external variables such as; demographics, task characteristics, computer exposure, and institutional support further test the parsimony of the model. A Structural Equation modelling techniques is used to validate the model. The study has confirmed that majority of the students (85%) are using the Internet. In the final model the external variables do contribute towards both of belief parts: perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness that further affects the attitude of the students in predicting the Internet usage

An Investigation of Perceived Benefits and Perceived Barriers of E-businesses among Bruneian SMEs

Abstract-This study initiates to identify expected and experienced benefits and barriers in adopting of e-business technologies among Bruneian SMEs in the supplier side. The overall findings indicate that adoption of e-business technologies was seen in a positive light by participating SMEs. These findings identified several key expected/experienced benefits. Among the top five experienced benefits are increased sale, managers' access to methods and models in making functioning area decision, increased flexibility in communicating with business partners, improved customer services, increased ability to compete, and providing managers better access to information. Despite of these benefits, there are encountered expected/experienced barriers to e-business technologies adoption by SMEs. The top five experienced barriers include: lack of technical competence, lack of financial resources, lack of compatibility, high implementation cost associated with e-business technologies, and, the high level of complexity associated with e-business implementation. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed and some conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made