Topical Prescriptive Analytics System for Automatic Recommendation of Convergence Technology

Information and communication technology (ICT) has changed and continues to change almost every aspect of our daily lives. Our personal lives, social interactions, educational systems, business atmosphere, and corporate culture-everything has changed in one way or another due to advances in the field of ICT. The construction industry is no exception. ICT provides an unprecedented opportunity as well as enormous challenges to the construction industry.

Background. Life expectancy is an important health status indicator based on average number of years a person at a given age may be expected to live given current mortality rates. Given this significance, it would be necessary to probe into the factors affecting the life expectancy. Ensuring that information and communication technology (ICT) services are properly used could contribute to development and achievement, as it represents an important issue for the countries moving toward knowledge-based and information-based societies. Therefore, this study explored the impact of the information and communication technology on life expectancy. Methods. This study covers annual data from 2008 to 2018 for a group of countries in the Middle East. Data were retrieved from the Annual Reports such as World Bank and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) data sets. The effects of ICT on life expectancy are estimated with the Panel model. We also used the Hausman test to investigate fixed versus random effects. The data were analyzed by Stata 14 software. Results. The core findings of this study confirm the significant impact of ICT on life expectancy in the Middle East. The calculated Coefficient of the regression was 0.551 indicating how much life expectancy changes when ICT variable increases by one unit. Moreover, the rho (intraclass correlation) was found to be 0.975 showing that 97.5% of the variance is due to differences across panels. Conclusion. Considering the effect of ICT on life expectancy, policymakers of the Middle Eastern countries should integrate the use of ICT with the existing programs and systems. Technology is not an end in itself but merely the means to reinforce the existing system and to meet the locally determined goals. It can be used as a tool to attain broader health and development goals. Background Life expectancy is an important health status indicator based on average number of years a person at a given age may be expected to live given current mortality rates. Given this significance, it would be necessary to probe into the factors affecting the life expectancy. Ensuring that information and communication technology (ICT) services are properly used could contribute to development and achievement, as it represents an important issue for the countries moving toward knowledge-based and information-based societies. As ICT affects everyday lives, it also impacts the macroeconomic growth, which in turn further affects everyday lives by allowing improvements in infrastructures and a higher standard of living. ICTs inherently entail the economic development of countries, regions and cities, while also improving social inclusion, well-being and therefore quality of life. Therefore, this study explored the impact of the information and communication technology on life expectancy. Methods This study covers annual data from 2008 to 2018 for a group of countries of in the Middle East. Data were retrieved from the Annual Reports such as World Bank dataset and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) data set. The effects of information and communication technology on life expectancy were estimated through the Panel model. First, stationary tests were performed with the Fisher’s generalized unit root test. In the Fisher test for panel data, the null hypothesis of a unit root was rejected at the 5% level of significance. The cross-section correlation test was performed with the Freeze test. The null hypothesis of no correlation was rejected at the 5% level of significance. We also used the Hausman test to investigate fixed versus random effects. The null hypothesis of no fixed effects was accepted so the random effects model was used. The Hausman test detects endogenous regressors in a regression model. Endogenous variables have values that are determined by other variables in the system. The data were analyzed by Stata 14 software. Results The core findings of this study confirm the significant impact of information and communication technology on life expectancy in the Middle East. The Coefficient of the regression was 0.551 indicating how much life expectancy changes when information technology variable increases by one unit. The coefficient of ICT shows that 1% increase in ICT variable causes 0.551 % incline in life expectancy and this result is significant at 5% level of significance. Regarding control variables, we found that all have expected statistically significant effects on life expectancy. The intra-cluster correlation coefficient (rho) is a measure of the relatedness, or similarity, of clustered data. Values of rho range from 0 to 1 in human studies, and as the rho increases, more individuals within the clusters resemble one another. The rho (intraclass correlation) was found to be 0.975 showing that 97.5% of the variance is due to differences across panels. This research recommends that human development programs need to focus on polices which foster digital inclusion. Conclusion Considering the effect of information and communication technology on life expectancy, policymakers of the Middle Eastern countries should integrate the use of information and communication technology with the existing programs and systems. The digital citizen is happier and values living in regions with technological capacity, investing in research & development, and committed to achieving sustainable growth. ICT use leads to improved assessments of the efficiency and management of the public administration by more technological users, underlining the importance of an understanding between users and public services in the virtual sphere. Technology is not an end in itself but merely an instrument to reinforce the existing system and to meet the locally determined goals. It can be used as a tool to attain broader health and development goals. The findings from this study provide key insights that explain how life expectancy may be enhanced through ICTs. Practical Implications of Research According to the influence of information and communication technology (ICT) on life expectancy, policymakers should provide ICT infrastructures and adopt strategies integrating ICT policies with human life criteria such as education, health and work to improve life expectancy. Ethical Consideration The paper reflects the author’s own research and analysis in a truthful and complete manner. Conflict of Interests This study was an independent research and the author declares no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Acknowledgement I would like to thank Dr Marzieh Ronaghi for her guidance and assistance throughout this research.

Technology convergence indicates that technologies of different application areas are converted into a new and common unity of technology. Its range spans from inter-field, whereby technologies are converged between heterogeneous fields in homogeneous sector, to a wider inter-sector, whereby technologies belong to heterogeneous technology sector are converged. This paper determined the definition of technology convergence from previous literature and classified patents into technology category depending on patent information. Furthermore, we empirically measure technology convergence degree based on co-classification analysis and estimate its diffusion trend at the entire technology domain level by using overall 1,476,967 of patents filed to the KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office) from 1998 to 2010. As a result, potential size and growth rate of technology convergence are varied by both technology and type of technology convergence, i.e., inter-field and inter-sector technology convergence. Diffusion pattern of inter-sector technology convergence appears as the more various form than that of inter-field technology convergence. In a relationship between potential size and growth rate of technology convergence, growth rate of technology convergence is in inverse proportion to potential size of technology convergence in general. That is, the faster the growth rate of technology convergence, the smaller the potential size of technology convergence. In addition, this paper found that technology convergence of the instrument and chemistry sector is actively progressing in both inter-field and inter-sector convergence, while the technologies related to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in electrical engineering sector have relatively mature progress of technology convergence, especially in inter-sector technology convergence.

Reviewed by: Information and Communication Technology in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Development Kwame D. Dakwa Akpan-Obong, Patience Idaresit. 2009. Information and Communication Technology in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Development. New York: Peter Lang Publishing. 203 pp. Since the early 1980s, information and communication technology (ICT) has permitted people to participate in a world in which school, work, and other activities have been increasingly enhanced by access to varied and developing technologies. ICT tools have helped people find, explore, analyze, exchange, and present information—most importantly, without discrimination. When efficiently used, ICT can provide quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and cultures. It is this aspect of modern society that Patience Akpan-Obong's book presents in a useful report on her native country, Nigeria—a book in which she carefully presents Nigeria's efforts to use ICT to drive socioeconomic growth. Readers might wonder how ICT has been integrated into Nigerian life and how it could be used to alleviate poverty. Akpan-Obong covers Aso Rock (the Nigerian White House) and shows how ICT has permeated the seat of government. She mentions how a fringe sector of the Nigerian community has used ICT in criminal activities—what has globally been referred to as "419." To help readers understand the problems in ICT in Nigeria, she analyzes the evolution of Nigerian economic development by addressing the [End Page 95] economic plans of previous colonial governing entities and successive governments since the achievement of independence. Though the book was published in 2009, she does not mention how "Vision 2010," a plan proposed by the Abacha regime in 1996, has been realized; its impact on ICT is not heavily discussed. We are made aware that the colonial government improved communication to "facilitate the administration of the colony," and governments of independent Nigeria improved ICT "to be in line with the modernization zeitgeist." However, a whole chapter is devoted to Nigeria's National Policy on Telecommunications and other matters that have dogged Nigerian telecommunication. It brings to the fore issues pertinent to the question of how ICT is being used in national development. This is broken down into the number of telephones, fax machines, computers, printers, photocopiers, and internet usage (dial up or VSAT). This pattern of usage helps readers grasp how the government and private sectors have applied ICT. With 66 percent of Nigerians reported to be living in poverty, coupled with a literacy rate of 69.1 percent as of 2003, it would have been interesting for Akpan-Obong to have addressed how ICT has been used in Asia, particularly in India, to create job opportunities through outsourcing. Several books addressing the global phenomenon of outsourcing only mention in passing the capabilities of African countries. Thomas Friedman's The World Is Flat (2005) does not mention the potential that ICT can have in elevating poverty in Africa. In addition, ICT is present in interesting ways; for example, a small number of Nigerians and other Africans use it for fraudulent purposes. It is hoped that a future edition of the book will emphasize more strongly critical business opportunities in the ICT industry and the educational options for rural education via ICT. In fact, as Bonk (2009) has argued, "It is the opening up of education that ultimately makes a fatter or more robust economic world possible. In the twenty-first century, education trumps economy as key card to participation in the world" (2008:26). Though some chapters of Akpan-Obong's book point out how approaches in ICT do affect the Nigerian economy and serve larger political and educational purposes, there is a wish for more. Of course, there is a limit to what a book can do, especially this book, a foundational publication for anyone interested in the history of ICT in Nigeria. [End Page 96] Kwame D. Dakwa Indiana University, Bloomington Copyright © 2010 Indiana University Press

Writing research reports at the undergraduate level is one of the obligations that must be fulfilled by students as a fulfillment of graduation requirements at a university. One of the independent learning programs implemented at Nusa Putra University is through the research method, where students are required to conduct research as a graduation requirement in the Study Completion Program course. The growing development of information and communication technology provides opportunities for students to determine research themes. However, sometimes students take research themes that are not in accordance with the concentration in the study program. This research was conducted with the aim of identifying how the LDA topic modeling method can analyze research topic trends by modeling topics on research titles that have been taken by students at the Informatics Engineering Study Program, University of Nusa Putra. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) is one of the most popular topic modeling methods today. This research uses a dataset in the form of 159 titles of study completion program research reports and tittles of final assignment reports for students of the Informatics Engineering study program, University of Nusa Putra. This research is expected to be a reference in conducting research by students based on the topics that have been modeled

The purpose of this article is to analyze the introduction and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the special disciplines of higher education, to teach teachers how to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning through information and communication technologies (ICT). This article discusses the issues of improving the knowledge and skills of students through the use of modern information and communication technologies in the preparation of designers, increasing students' interest in the educational process and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice in the future. The focus is on the need to develop appropriate strategies for a new educational role and, in addition, to enhance the role of learners in integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) into the educational process. The role and perspective of the teachers was very important, highlighting them as key players in the process. The data show that there is a belief that the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the educational process will help increase the effectiveness of education and facilitate the organization of the educational process. In particular, it shows that the contribution of information and communication technologies (ICT) to the improvement of the educational process in educational institutions, where information and communication technologies (ICT) is an innovative factor, is high. Achieving this high level means that the educational institution must not only modernize technological means, but also change the models of teaching.

Digital development for a progressive networked society

The current wide exploitation of information and communication technologies (I.C.T.) enhances students’ ability to further acquire knowledge and skills. In today’s era when society is overwhelmed by a multitude of gadgets (laptops, tablets, smart-phones, etc.), students adapt very easily to technologically supported learning environments and learn to utilize I.C.T. It is a fact that during the global pandemic (COVID-19) the I.C.T.’s implementation of modern and asynchronous distance education supported greatly the educational community at all educational levels. The purpose of the study was the detailed evaluation of the knowledge and skills of Greek teachers in the exploitation of I.C.T., and the comparison of their “armamentarium” with those of the pre-COVID-19 era, (where I.C.T.s’ tools in teaching were apparently very limited). Stratified sampling was carried out with proportional allocation (Panaretos & Xekalaki, 2000). Subsets of the population were selected which met certain properties. The method was used because there was an uneven population between the geographical prefectures of Greece from where the sample was collected. During the research process, appropriately structured questionnaires of 40 questions were fully completed by 130 teachers. The research questions were searching for: 1) The degree of satisfaction among teachers who used I.C.T. before and after COVID-19 pandemic. 2) The satisfaction rate of teachers towards the educational success of I.C.T.s’ tools, before and after COVID-19. With the term “success” we mean the degree of satisfaction with acquiring new knowledge thanks to the use of I.C.T.s’ tools in teaching. Following COVID-19 pandemic along with the forced implementation of distance learning, there was an increase in the number of teachers participating in I.C.T. training programs from 18.8% to 38%. The percentage of teachers who claimed that the quality of the provided education is improving, increased from 53.8% to 68%. Additionally, after the COVID-19 era, the percentage of teachers who were satisfied with the use of I.C.T. in theory courses increased from 47.5% to 64%, while the percentage of teachers who supported the use of I.C.T. in laboratory courses decreased from 60.9% to 51.3%. The percentage of teachers who wished for the existence of e-courses adapted to the students needs improved from 52.5% to 56%. An increase in teachers’ gaining satisfaction with school equipment was observed from 46.3% to 60%, while the percentage of schools that enhanced the implementation of I.C.T. techniques also increased from 37.5% to 58%. Teachers’ opinion over I.C.T. did not dramatically change after the implementation of distance learning. However, a more positive picture emerges regarding both the degree of satisfaction with the I.C.T. use, integration and implementation tools, as well as the degree of enhancement of students’ knowledge from the use of I.C.T.

Actuality of the conducted research is practically oriented character. Without the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the field of higher education, it is impossible to carry out qualitative training of specialists in engineering, the results of which are necessary for the implementation of a national strategy for modernizing the economy and forming a progressive state of European type. Formulation of the task - the specificity of the use of ICT in the system of higher education has not been studied sufficiently. ICT form a complex environment, which includes a lot of information objects and the links between them. It can be argued that the structural and functional analysis of the use of ICT in higher education is the basis of the theoretical justification in the formation of technical professionalism of future engineers. ICTs form a complex system, which includes not only technical and software-hardware capabilities, but also psycho-pedagogical, organizational, methodological. Without taking into account all of these components, as well as the needs of the subjects of the educational process, the use of ICT tools (especially centralized) may be accompanied by risks and negatively affect the quality of high education. An analysis of recent research and publications-is actively exploring the experience of using ICT in high school, it is possible to distinguish the work of foreign specialists D. Stevenson, G. Reinhold, E. Wenger, S. Papierta, I. Zakharova, E. Patarakina, A. Khutorskogo, E. Polat The founders of this scientific direction in our country were M. I. Zhaldak, Y. I.Mashbits. The recent significant increase in the number of studies, the subject of which was the use of information and communication technologies in the educational process. Tsitemi in Ukraine is dedicated to the study of such scholars as V. Yu. Bykov, Ya.V. Bulakhova, O.M. Bondarenko, V.F. Zabolotny, G.O. Kozlakova, O. Moiko, O. Naumenko, Yu.Burovitskaya, I. Stavyts'ka, O.P. Pinchuk, O.V. Shestopal and others. Selection of unexplored parts of the general problem. The use of information technologies in the educational process is the foundation of innovative development of the educational system. The rapid development of ICT provides not only significant pace of innovative progress, but also requires the definition (limitation) of information resources that guarantee the quality of learning, the choice of techniques that are in line with the general strategy for the formation of professional competences. Therefore, the problem of choosing an approach to the process of learning with the use of ICTs remains one of the main tasks of education. Research methods. In theory and practice, the study of the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in high school uses empirical methods of collecting and analyzing information based on the results of the survey of 120 students. Presenting main material. The essence of professionalism of future specialists of the technical direction is revealed. The scientific point of view on the professionalism of the engineer is presented. The peculiarities of formation of the basis of technical professionalism of future engineers in the process of studying at a higher school are theoretically grounded. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the results of empirical researches of this problem is presented. The practical significance of the research topic is that the innovative approaches to the training of specialists in engineering specialties are differentiated, which differentiate in the educational concepts of teaching in higher educational institutions of European countries

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in English language learning at the primary school level is becoming increasingly important in line with digital developments and the demands of the Merdeka Curriculum. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in improving English proficiency among primary school students through a directed literature review of three experimental studies. These studies examine the use of visual media, interactive multimedia, and game-based learning as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based learning approaches. Data were analyzed using thematic-comparative techniques to identify patterns across findings. The analysis shows that Information and Communication Technology (ICT)consistently has a positive impact on improving vocabulary, listening skills, speaking skills, and student motivation. Visual media proves effective in supporting basic vocabulary acquisition, interactive multimedia enhances listening and speaking performance, while game-based learning significantly boosts motivation and student interaction. This study concludes that systematic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration has strong potential to improve the quality of English learning at the primary level. The study recommends selecting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) media appropriate to learning objectives and providing teacher training to optimize Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use in classroom settings.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) introduced in the second half of the last century have shaped substantially the mode of peoples’ interaction, business process, entertainment and learning. ICT are encouraging globalization, exchange of information and the proliferation of cyber space. The benefits of using these technologies are immense and they are here to stay. Today, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) acquisition and implementation are facing a lot of problems. Considering the enormous benefits that are experienced in the impact of ICT in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), NSCDC still experience some obstacles or hindrances in the effective and efficient use of the ICT resources in combating crime. This includes the problem of insufficient data, due to lack of strategic use of ICT as resources tools in combating crime. Secondly, inadequate government funding of the NSCDC leading to lack of relevant materials and equipment needed in cyber threat combating. Additionally, the lacks of competent ICT personnel or technical team engaged in such critical and sensitive operations seem to be another threat to the security or crime combat mission. This research has been conducted to expose some of the inhibiting factors, and to ascertain the impact of ICT on national security with special focus on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC’s) case. A hypothetic deductive methodology (quantitative approach) involving survey design, distribution, collation and computational analysis using, frequency distribution and percentage method, and Chi-Square; Discriminant Analyses using statistical packages such as SPSS. The results of such analysis would be discussed and interpreted in relation to the key issue of the research. The results of the analysis of the responses from the field work conducted reveal that the NSCDC do have the required ICT tools in combating crime, and that information gatherings do help the Corps in the actualization of their technological goals. The outcome of the research suggests from all indications, that using Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corp, FCT Command, Abuja as a study, ICT has tremendous impacts on security and fight against cybercrime. ICT has roles in the security of any nation. Impacts can be direct, through growth of the ICT sector and ICT-using industries, and indirect through multiplier effects.

The implication of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) convergence toward national legislation in the framework of ICT development requires understanding of basic principles in tec-hnology, industrial, and regulation aspects. The importance of establishing legal convergence con-cept is aimed at anticipating the implication of ICT convergence in regard to support Indonesian development in accordance with the role of technology in modern era especially for human life and its implication to their environment. This understanding will encourage the process of establishing legislation which governs all concerns which is closely relevant to regulated sectors or issues in such legislation particularly in telecommunications sector, in which such legislation becomes a regulation in accordance with the function of law. The legislation approach, regulation approach, and self-regulatory approach might be used to anticipate the ICT convergence implications.\n\n \n\nKeywords: convergence, regulation, telecommunications

본 연구에서는 국제 교육성취도 평가협회가 시행한 ICILS 2013의 교사 설문 자료를 활용하여 우리나라 중학교 과학 교사의 ICT 활용 실태를 다른 나라와 비교하였다. ICILS 2013은 중학교 2학년을 대상으로 하고 있으며, 18개 참여국 중 컴퓨터 정보 소양 점수가 높은 호주, 체코, 노르웨이, 폴란드와 우리나라 과학 교사들의 ICT 활용 실태를 비교하였다. 본 연구에서는 ICILS 2013의 교사 설문지 중에서 과학 교사의 ICT 활용 실태를 분석할 수 있는 9문항을 선택하였는데, 문항들은 교사의 컴퓨터 이용 실태, 수업에서 ICT 활용 현황, 학교의 ICT 활용 지원 환경의 범주로 나누어 분석되었다. 우리나라 중학교 과학 교사의 컴퓨터 사용 실태를 보면, 컴퓨터를 비교적 많이 사용하며 컴퓨터에 대한 자아효능감도 다른 나라에 비해 높은 편이었다. 그러나 일반적인 컴퓨터 활용은 잘한다고 응답한 비율이 높지만 교수학습과 관련된 컴퓨터 활용에서는 낮은 자신감을 나타내었다. 수업에서 활용에서도 비교적 다양한 응용프로그램을 사용하지만 프레젠테이션이나 그래픽 소프트웨어에 대한 활용의 비중이 높은 편이고 학습활동이나 교수활동에서도 교사주도의 정보 제공이나 과제 제시에 대한 활동의 비중은 높지만 협업이나 상호작용이 많은 활동에서는 낮은 응답을 나타내었다. 또한 우리나라 과학 교사들은 ICT 활용하는 것에 대해서 긍정적인 관점보다는 부정적인 관점을 많이 가지고 있었다. 학교에서 컴퓨터 관련 자원을 지원하는 정도는 지원이 부족하다고 응답하는 경우가 많았으며 조사 항목 대부분에서 호주나 체코에 비해 지원 정도가 낮다고 응답하였다. 또한 충분한 ICT 기기나 컴퓨터가 구식 모델이고 디지털 학습 자료가 부족하다고 응답하였다. 여기서 드러나 문제점을 개선하기 위해서는 ICT 교육 인프라에 대한 지속적인 지원과 더불어 학생활동 중심의 ICT 교수학습 방법에 대한 개발과 보급이 필요할 것으로 보인다. In this study, we compared the use of information and communications technology (ICT) by middle school teachers in Korea and other countries utilizing the teacher survey data of the IEA International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2013. The ICILS target population consisted of all students in the eighth grade. We compared Korea with Australia, the Czech Republic, Norway, and Poland, which are nations showing the highest achievements in computer and information literacy. We selected nine questions from the teacher questionnaire and divided them into the categories of computer use, use of ICT for teaching and learning, and the ICT support environment in school. In comparison to their counterparts in other countries, Korean middle school science teachers used computers frequently and also had high ICT self-efficacy. They were confident in their ability to use computers for general tasks, but not in their ability to use computers for teaching and learning. The Korean teachers also had a high percentage of utilization of presentation and graphics software. Also, the proportion of activities concerning the information provided and teacher-led tasks was high, but the proportion of activities for student collaboration or peer interaction was low. In Korea, middle school science teachers had more negative than positive views of using ICT in teaching and learning. The teachers thought that computer-related resource support and digital learning materials were insufficient and that the computer model was outdated in schools. Therefore, we propose to build an ICT infrastructure and to develop and disseminate ICT teaching and learning methods for student activities.

The experience in Ethiopia rapid development of Information and Communication Technologies, which facilitates the flow of data and information, has tremendously enhanced the knowledge management practice in agriculture. The objective of this paper is to review the impact of information and communication technologies to improve agricultural productivity and rural income in Ethiopian and review the recently developed agricultural knowledge and information systems in Ethiopia and others related documents. The study is based on a systematic review of existing literature of agricultural information communication and knowledge management system work in the country and supported documents of others countries. The review paper is organized in four sections. Section I focuses on importance of Information and Communication Technologies to the Ethiopian agricultural extension system. The second section discusses types of Information and Communication Technologies used by the farmers in Ethiopia. The third section to review the challenges and opportunities of Information and Communication Technologies ICT in provision of information services for the developments of agricultural production and generates rural income in Ethiopia. The findings of this study reveal that the various forms of Information and Communication technology have been used in agricultural service delivery and were more in tune with the circumstances and requirements of smallholder farmers. Therefore, the emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in this era has opened new opportunities in agricultural knowledge management that could play an important role in meeting the prevailing challenges related to innovation, sharing, exchanging and disseminating agricultural information, knowledge and technologies to the intended smallholder farmers. Keywords: Information communication technology; Agricultural Information ; productivity; Rural Income; knowledge management system; Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/IKM/10-5-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2020

Research on multiculturalism and information and communication technology (ICT) has been important to understanding recent history, planning for future large-scale initiatives, and understanding unrealized expectations for social and technological change. This interdisciplinary area of research has examined interactions between ICT and culture at the group and society levels. However, there is debate within the literature as to the nature of the relationship between culture and technology. In this synthesis, we suggest that the tensions result from the competing ideologies that drive researchers, allowing us to conceptualize the relationship between culture and ICT under three primary models, each with its own assumptions: 1) Social informatics, 2) Social determinism, and 3) Technological determinism. Social informatics views the relationship to be one of sociotechnical interaction, in which culture and ICTs affect each other mutually and iteratively, rather than linearly; the vast majority of the literature approach the relationships between ICT and culture under the assumptions of social informatics. From a socially deterministic perspective, ICTs are viewed as the dependent variable in the equation, whereas, from a technologically deterministic perspective, ICTs are an independent variable. The issues of multiculturalism and ICTs attracted much scholarly attention and have been explored under a myriad of contexts, with substantial literature on global development, social and political issues, business and public administration as well as education and scholarly collaboration. We synthesize here research in the areas of global development, social and political issues, and business collaboration. Finally we conclude by proposing under-explored areas for future research directions. Table of Contents: Introduction / Social Informatics Approach to Multiculturalism and ICT: Bidirectional Impacts / Social (Cultural) Deterministic Approach to Multiculturalism and ICTs: ICT as the Dependent Variable / Technological Deterministic Approach to Multiculturalism and ICT: ICT as the Independent Variable / Conclusions / Author Biographies