Technology Integration Efficacy (TIE) in ICT and AI Adoption: A Case Study Approach
Abstract
Underdeveloped regions like Nepal face persistent inequalities in adopting information and communication technologies (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI), despite their growing global relevance in business and higher education. Existing research predominantly focuses on developed economies, leaving significant gaps in localized studies addressing policy and infrastructure constraints.
Methodology: This study systematically evaluates AI and ICT adoption in Nepal using the Technology Integration Efficacy (TIE) framework, focusing on four dimensions: Infrastructure Quality (IQ), User Proficiency (UP), Policy Alignment (PA), and Output Efficiency (OE).
Findings: Findings reveal that inadequate infrastructure, skill deficits, weak policy frameworks, and ethical concerns are major barriers to AI adoption in Nepal’s higher education sector. Nonetheless, opportunities exist in AI-driven research, technology-enabled business models, and predictive analytics applications, particularly in human resource management.
Conclusions: The study emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary research, robust policy development, and sustainable infrastructure investments to enhance technological integration. Practical recommendations are provided for policymakers, educators, and business leaders to ensure ethical and effective AI deployment within Nepal's socioeconomic context.
References
economics. 2013 Dec;41:757-74.
2. Adhikari, S. (2022). AI platforms fostering student entrepreneurship: A case study of Karkhana. Journal of
Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 11(2), 45–62.
3. Basu S, Phelps CC, Kotha S. Search and integration in external venturing: An inductive examination of
corporate venture capital units. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal. 2016 Jun;10(2):129-52.
4. Bai, X., Xu, J., Liu, J., & Liang, Y. (2021). Artificial intelligence in education: A review and research agenda.
Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(3), 1275-1300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-
09956-1
5. Bates AW. Teaching in a digital age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning. BCcampus; 2015.
6. Bhandari, R. (2023). AI-powered Chatbotsand their impact on HRM in Nepalese universities.International
Journal of Higher Education Studies, 15(3), 78–95.
7. Brown, I., & Adams, A. A. (2021). Ethical challenges of AI in higher education: Privacy, bias, and data
protection. AI & Society, 36(4), 735-750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-020-01012-5
8. Brown, T., & Taylor, J. (2022). AI-driven recruitment and workforce analytics in human resource management.
Journal of HR Technology, 19(4), 211-230.
9. Brynjolfsson E, McAfee A. Machine, platform, crowd: Harnessing our digital future. New York: WW Norton &
Company; 2017 Jun 27.
10. Brynjolfsson E, Mitchell T. What can machine learning do? Workforce implications. Science. 2017 Dec
22;358(6370):1530-4.
11. Bughin, J., Hazan, E., Ramaswamy, S., Chui, M., Allas, T., Dahlström, P., Henke, N., & Trench, M. (2019).Notes
from the AI frontier: Tackling Europe’s gap in digital and AI. McKinsey Global Institute.
12. Chen, L., Wang, J., &Xu, M. (2021). AI-based literature review automation and data analytics in higher
education research. Education and Information Technologies, 26(5), 1023–1041.
13. Chui, M., Manyika, J., &Miremadi, M. (2018).The impact of AI on employment and productivity.McKinsey
Global Institute.
14. Davis FD. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS
quarterly. 1989 Sep 1:319-40.
15. Kizgin H, Dey BL, Dwivedi YK, Hughes L, Jamal A, Jones P, Kronemann B, Laroche M, Peñaloza L, Richard MO,
Rana NP. The impact of social media on consumer acculturation: Current challenges, opportunities, and an
agenda for research and practice. International Journal of Information Management. 2020 Apr 1;51:102026.
16. European Commission. (2020). Ethics guidelines for trustworthy AI. Publications Office of the European
Union.
17. Floridi L, Cowls J, Beltrametti M, Chatila R, Chazerand P, Dignum V, Luetge C, Madelin R, Pagallo U, Rossi F,
Schafer B. AI4People—an ethical framework for a good AI society: opportunities, risks, principles, and
recommendations. Minds and machines. 2018 Dec;28:689-707.
18. Gekara, V. O., & Snell, D. (2021).Automation and the future of work: Exploring the impact of technology on
employment. Palgrave Macmillan.
19. Ghimire, S. (2023). AI bias in recruitment: Gender discrimination in automated hiring systems. Nepalese
Journal of Employment Studies, 7(1), 30-47.
20. Smolka M, Böschen S. Responsible innovation ecosystem governance: socio-technical integration research for
systems-level capacity building. Journal of Responsible Innovation. 2023 Jan 2;10(1):2207937.
21. Jarrahi MH. Artificial intelligence and the future of work: Human-AI symbiosis in organizational decision
making. Business horizons. 2018 Jul 1;61(4):577-86.
22. Xu C, Du X, Fan X, Giuliani G, Hu Z, Wang W, Liu J, Wang T, Yan Z, Zhu J, Jiang T. Cloud-based storage and
computing for remote sensing big data: a technical review. International Journal of Digital Earth. 2022 Dec
31;15(1):1417-45.
23. Kaplan A, Haenlein M. Siri, Siri, in my hand: Who’s the fairest in the land? On the interpretations, illustrations,
and implications of artificial intelligence. Business horizons. 2019 Jan 1;62(1):15-25.
24. Valentín-Sívico J, Canfield C, Egbue O. Push them forward: Challenges in intergovernmental organizations'
influence on rural broadband infrastructure expansion. Government Information Quarterly. 2022 Oct
1;39(4):101752.
25. Makridakis S. The forthcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution: Its impact on society and firms. Futures.
2017 Jun 1;90:46-60.
26. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST). (2022). Challenges in ICT and AI adoption in Nepal’s
higher education institutions. Government of Nepal.
27. Mishra AK, Bhandari S. Performance assessment of ongoing construction projects under town development
fund, Nepal. Int J Adv Res Civil Stru Engr. 2018;1(1&2):27-39.
28. Mishra AK. Sustainability and risk assessment of Salyankot water supply project in post-earthquake scenario.
International Journal of Operations Management and Information Technology. 2018;8(1):1-30.
29. Mishra, A. K., &Rai, S. (2017). Comparative performance assessment of eco-friendly buildings and
conventional buildings of Kathmandu valley. International Journal of Current Research, 9(12), 62958–62973.
30. Selwyn N. Should robotsreplace teachers?: AI and the future of education. John Wiley & Sons; 2019 Oct 11.
31. West DM. The future of work: Robots, AI, and automation. BrookingsInstitution Press; 2018 May 15.
32. World Bank. (2021). Digital Nepal: Harnessing technology for growth and inclusion. The World Bank.
33. World Economic Forum. (2020). The future of jobsreport 2020. World Economic Forum.
34. Zhang, Y., Liu, Q., & Zhao, P. (2023). AI-driven market analytics: Impact on digital business success. Journal of
Business Intelligence, 22(3), 178-195.
35. Zhou, X., Sun, L., & Feng, Y. (2020). AI research as a foundation for commercialization and business ventures.
Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 157, 120034.