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Increasing complexity towards harnessing the power of ICT on all levels has created uncertainty about higher educational technological capabilities and adequate strategies to develop e-readiness. In this study, an empirically grounded higher education e-readiness questionnaire in the domain of higher education was developed and validated. Exploratory factor analysis (n = 120) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (n = 336) was done which was presented in two forms; covariance model and the structural model. The covariance model showed that the 5 indicators (\"Innovativeness\", \"Infrastructure\", \"Collaboration\", \"Learning flexibility\", \"Student experience\") and assigned 24 items were important e-readiness dimensions from the learners' point of view. The structural models validated the previously extracted factors along with their indicators. As a practical tool, the e-readiness tool could assist institutions towards identifying issues that contribute towards e-readiness thereby formulating strategies accordingly. An example of how it can be used as a practical tool is presented in this paper.

BackgroundSouth Africa’s government departments use a manual paper-based procurement system with some electronic features despite the high level of human interference contributing to corruption, favouritism and inefficiency associated with manual paper-based procurement system. This suggests a lack of readiness towards full e-procurement adoption in South Africa’s public sector. However, studies on readiness factors affecting e-procurement adoption have been scantly investigated in multiple government departments in South Africa.ObjectivesThis study aims to determine the readiness factors that affect e-procurement in multiple government departments in South Africa.MethodA quantitative research design was adopted to sample 113 public procurement officials using a cluster sampling method from five identified national government departments across five ministerial clusters. The data were collected using an online self-administered survey questionnaire and processed and analysed through Stata Release 15 statistical analysis software.ResultsSix factors were identified to influence e-procurement readiness in South African government departments. These include technology and organisation’s finance, among others. These factors will aid in effective planning of government departments regarding e-procurement readiness.ConclusionGovernment departments should consider the factors that influence e-procurement readiness when deciding to adopt e-procurement system. This would help government departments to plan effectively e-procurement acquisition, running and training of users and thereby streamlining their procurement processes, reducing operating costs and minimising corruption.ContributionThis study fills a lack of knowledge on the readiness factors affecting e-PP adoption in the South African government department context. The knowledge of these factors, generated through empirical analysis, would guide government departments when deciding on e-PP readiness and streamline procurement processes in South Africa.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of strategic leadership (SL) on business operational resilience (OR) in the hotel industry in Egypt, namely, during and after the pandemic. This investigation also aimed to explore the mediating function of crisis response strategies (CRSs) and organisational e-readiness (Oe-R) in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire as the primary data collection method. Using partial least squares structural equation simulation (PLS-SEM), the study used a comprehensive sample that targets the general managers of all five-star hotels in Egypt. Findings Results indicated that SL has a positive impact on CRSs and Oe-R. Furthermore, the results reveal a positive influence of Oe-R on both CRSs and hotel OR. On the other hand, CRSs do not influence hotel OR. The findings showed that CRSs fully mediate the link between SL and OR. However, CRSs do not serve as a mediator between Oe-R and OR. Furthermore, the findings showed that Oe-R partially mediates the link between SL and both OR and CRSs. Practical implications The study yields unique and valuable theoretical and practical insights to guide hotel leaders and managers towards adaptive recovery and resilience in turbulent and crisis-ridden environments by demonstrating that the combined mediating function of CRS and Oe-R is more effective in strengthening the relationship between SL and OR. Originality/value This study represents a pioneering investigation that establishes a correlation between SL and OR, either through direct or indirect means. The research examines the involvement of CRSs and Oe-R as collaborative mediators in this relationship. Previous studies undertaken in the hotel industry and service sector have not investigated this specific element.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a mapping of the evolution of the United Nation's (UN's) e-Readiness assessments. The mapping highlights underlying assumptions and frames a set of recommendations for new secondary indicators to strengthen e-Readiness indices.Design methodology approach - This exploratory case study applies triangulated document review for the analysis.Findings - The UN's e-Readiness assessments have evolved from a focus on Member State governments as \"controllers of information and services\" to \"facilitators of information\". The mapping highlights the dynamic nature of understanding of e-Government and the role of information and communication technologies in transformation efforts. It also allows for new understanding of the influence of context-dependent imperatives, rankings, views and suggestions on Member State efforts to leverage technology toward the realization of transformation agendas. Framing assumptions for issue-based UN surveys pose a series of limitations in terms of interpreting the results. The case study highlights the evolutionary character of the e-Readiness assessment efforts and provides new insight for governments that rely on the assessments for decision making and planning.Practical implications - The UN e-Readiness assessments serve as a widely used point of reference for government officials, public administrators and researchers around the world. This study provides them with new understanding of the evolution of perspectives which frame and the tools used to assess e-Readiness.Originality value - The paper provides an original examination of the evolution of perspectives and tools used in UN's e-Readiness assessment efforts. This examination supports the identification of a set of secondary indicators in the form of a risk-to-reward indicator, an adoption indicator and a satisfaction indicator, to better inform and strengthen the UN e-Readiness indices.

This study explores the interplay between perceived organizational e-readiness (POE) and perceived External E-Readiness (PEE) in the adoption and integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies in Malaysian higher education institutions. The study employs a reflective Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) model, anchored in Babin et al.‘s (2019) framework, to elucidate the relationships between these constructs and their influence on Initial Adoption (IA), Institutionalization (INS), Change Commitment (CC), Change Efficacy (CE), Relative Advantage (RA), Compatibility (CM), and Complexity (COM). The results from 425 Malaysian university administrators and academicians that institutions perceived organizational E-readiness were more likely to perceive greater advantages and compatibility in adopting AR and VR technologies, while perceiving lower complexity in the process. Moreover, institutions operating in environments with strong market forces and government support showed higher degrees of perceived relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity, while institutions with lower level of perceived perceived relative advantages did not perceive greater compatibility. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a deeper understanding of the dynamics encompassing the adoption, integration, and enduring adoption of VR and AR technologies in higher education, particularly in the Malaysian context. The theoretical implications derived from this study provide a robust foundation for advancing the theoretical frameworks that guide technology adoption research.

The topic of the e-government e-skills of Serbian citizens has been largely unexplored. Thus, the study aims to explore the citizens' current level of e-government e-skills competencies. The data were collected from 2,894 citizens through a paper survey and analyzed using ANOVA and EFA. The empirical results suggest that there are significant differences between the regions, with the citizens of the Belgrade region being significantly more proficient than citizens in other regions of Serbia in all areas except digital certificate skills. The empirical results also suggest that women are more proficient than men, that the 65+ age group’s digital skills are completely inadequate, and that education level is a key factor.

A growing volume of literature proclaims the benefits of e-commerce for construction organizations in developing countries. However, it is questionable on what are determinants of a successful implementation of e-commerce in such a context. Furthermore, lacking a model or a method through which to discuss and assist for construction companies in improving their success rate of the implementation. This paper proposed such a method called the “integrated” e-commerce readiness method (IECR). In this method, the role of an organization’s perception of operating environment is highlighted, and e-readiness of an individual organization is considered as an integrated power of the internal and external resources.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been acknowledged to be an enabler of small businesses, including those in the informal sector. However, determining the relationship between the perception of technology by informal service providers and the readiness to use technology is critical. By adopting a survey research design, this study investigates how the perception of a web technology portal (WTP) by informal sector service providers in the Cape Town metropolitan area in South Africa affects their readiness to use WTP to support their businesses. The study involved a sampled population of 419 informal sector service providers within the Cape Town metropolis. A conceptual framework consisting of constructs from the self-efficacy theory (SET), the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the technology readiness index (TRI) was used as the theoretical reference for the study. We used a semi-structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale to collect data, which we analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that discomfort (p = 0.330), effort expectancy (p = 0.630), innovativeness (p = 0.620), optimism (p = 0.740), insecurity (p = 0.110), facilitating conditions (p = 0.160), and internal factors (p = 0.180) all had a non-significant positive influence on e-readiness. On the other hand, self-efficacy (p < 0.001), performance expectancy (p < 0.030), social influence (p < 0.001), and external factors (p < 0.001) had a significant positive influence on e-readiness. Gender and business type, the moderating variables for respondents’ e-readiness, were found to be insignificant (p > 0.005) for e-readiness for web portal technology utilization. This study identifies the key variables that could influence the readiness of informal sector operators to utilize web portal technology. It also provides a guide for designers and developers of digital platforms and government policymakers on critical factors germane to providing technology support for the informal business sector.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has revolutionized the lives of persons with disabilities globally through opportunities for improved social inclusion. Technology enables persons with disabilities to access information, media, education, employment, and ICT-related assistive technologies. Decision makers must clearly understand the current state of available ICT products and services, their compliance with international accessibility standards, and their usage within the country to propose effective inclusive policies and legislations. This paper presents an e-readiness assessment tool (called MARSAD) created and implemented from 2019 to 2021 to identify factors that influence the adoption of ICT accessibility for people with disabilities in Qatar. It aims to measure the national ICT accessibility adoption rate and develop key recommendations to improve digital access for persons with disabilities to access digital platforms of various Qatari government and semi-government institutions. The tool was administered to 14 institutions in the domains of education and culture. It was found that participating institutions had considerable gaps in their ICT infrastructure to offer an inclusive digital environment, which is in line with the principles of sustainability and SDG 11, to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The participating institutions demonstrated a genuine willingness to invest in implementing the required changes based on the results acquired by conducting MARSAD. As a suggestion, the tool can be used as a foundation to conduct e-readiness assessment studies to offer accessible ICT products and services catering to the needs of persons with disabilities, women, children, and older persons.

Background: Most developing countries, including Uganda, have embraced the use of e-Health and m-Health applications as a means to improve primary healthcare delivery and public health for their populace. In Uganda, the growth in the information and communications technology industry has benefited the rural communities and also created opportunities for new innovations, and their application into healthcare has reported positive results, especially in the areas of disease control and prevention through disease surveillance. However, most are mere proof-of-concepts, only demonstrated in use within a small context and lack sustainability. This study reviews the literature to understand e-Health’s current implementation status within Uganda and documents the barriers and opportunities to sustainable e-Health intervention programmes in Uganda. Methods: A structured literature review of e-Health in Uganda was undertaken between May and December 2015 and was complemented with hand searching and a document review of grey literature in the form of policy documents and reports obtained online or from the Ministry of Health’s Resource Centre. Results: The searches identified a total of 293 resources of which 48 articles met the inclusion criteria of being in English and describing e-Health implementation in Uganda. These were included in the study and were examined in detail. Conclusion: Uganda has trialled several e-Health and m-Health solutions to address healthcare challenges. Most were donor funded, operated in silos and lacked sustainability. Various barriers have been identified. Evidence has shown that e-Health implementations in Uganda have lacked prior planning stages that the literature notes as essential, for example strategy and need readiness assessment. Future research should address these shortcomings prior to introduction of e-Health innovations.