eregio Evaluation method for ICT regional use

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1 eregio Evaluation method for ICT regional use Jan Jarolímek a, Jiří Vaněk b, Pavel Šimek c, Markéta Pokorná d a Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, jarolimek@pef.czu.cz b Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, vanek@pef.czu.cz c Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, simek@pef.czu.cz d Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, pokornam@pef.czu.cz Abstract The new attitude to regional informatics requires new approaches,terms and structures, which define specifics of regional informatics. The Czech University of Agriculture in Prague carries out a long-term research on ICT use in rural regions. The result of this research is a definiton of new terms and structures that are important for ICT development in rural areas. Key words: regional information structure, regional information relation, eregio, ICT. 1 Introduction The development and use of modern technologies is above all connected to urban and industrial agglomerations. However, it brings about even broader disparities between urban and rural areas than those there are today. Information and communication technologies (ICT) could, on the contrary, play an important role if they were optimally used in rural areas. In this respect, Schiefer [1] describes a paradox of benefits to users and investors in rural regions. The key measure for evaluation of the development of information society is first of all a description of infrastructure [4]. Although this is a crucial initial phase it does not reflect much about the ICT use and benefits. The new approach to regional informatics requires new attitudes, terms and structures, which define the specification of regional informatics [2]. The Czech University of Agriculture in Prague has been carrying out a long-term research on ICT use in rural regions. 2 Objective The objective is to specify regional information structure of subjects providing information, information relations of these subjects and to describe the evaluation method of ICT use in rural regions. 3 Results and discussion If we want to research data and information transfer within the region, we need to set a certain structure, or types of structure, on which we can subsequently evaluate quantity and quality of data and information transfer.

2 It is not possible to use existing relations and structures between very different subjects in the region. Moreover, if we do not want to concentrate only on conditions of one country it is necessary to perceive also distinct legal and institutional frameworks of different states. Therefore, we need to set a specific virtual structure of subjects so that it is based on already existing and potentially available information flows and services Regional information structure, which includes: enterprises (organizations), municipalities, microregions, regional organizations and region. Structure of regional subjects Region (NUTS 3) Regional organization Microregions, groups, Municipalities (NUTS 5) Enterprises Fig.1 Information structure of regional subjects (Regional information structure) Information relations - individual Interconnection (links, manually) Fig.2 Individual regional information relations Individual information relations are one of the first phases of the Internet development, which prevails at the moment. Internet browsers are currently the main tool for information search on the Internet and from the global point of view this trend is likely to continue. These principles are, however, insufficient for ensuring availability of complete regional information and above all for the development of information society services. The reason is a high number and difference of regional subjects contributing to the information base in the region. It is right here where it is necessary to form regional information relations, which guarantee an access to complete and updated information and enable the development of services based on data exchange and transfer Structured regional information relation, created on the basis of cooperation (organization and technological).

3 Information relation - structured Interconnection (data transfer) Services Fig. 3 Structured regional information relations Indicator Regional information relation Individual Structured off line Structured on line Creation Individually Conception, cooperation Conception, cooperation Interconnection Random relations Structured relations Data transfer Data input Many times Many times Once Update Manually Manually Automaticly Current validity Very low Low Immediate Error rate Very high High None Accessibility Low High High Benefit Incomplete information Complete information Complete information, services Cooperation requirement None Low High Data structure Optional Optional Standardized Technology Optional Optional Open Development potential Low High Very high Tab. 1 Comparison of regional information relations

4 The evaluation method of ICT use in rural regions eregio estimates the level of information processing and their availability in the region. It is based on so called Regional information structure (RIS) and Regional information relation (RIR). A fundamental factor for such a way of the evaluation of information and services is their accessibility on the Internet. Evaluated issues: 1. documents on regional development 2. subjects of regional information structure 3. availability of information 4. availability of services 5. accessibility of information in foreign languages 6. accessibility of information and services via regional structures 7. information transfer between RIS If need be individual parts of the eregio method can be used. There is a catalogue of stages which is used for the evaluation and includes a description of five qualitative levels of all issues evaluated under the eregio method. Thanks to using the Catalogue of stages possible distortion of acquired results is limited by avoiding subjective comparison of inhomogeneous issues. eregio method has been proved in a number of surveys on the use of information and communication technologies in rural regions. All the regions in the Czech Republic (each of them at least four times with respect to varification of the method and results) and 57 regions in other EU countries have been evaluated. These surveys mainly resulted in proving the functionality of the proposed method. 4 Conclusion So far there have been two approaches towards rural development, depending on the field of study: socioeconomic and information; each one having its own rules, methods and terminology. Not only that representatives of these two diametraly different fields have not understood one another, professionally or in a human sense, but they have not even needed to comprehend since each one has been solving their topics; there have been exact and clear professional, economic and institutional demarcation. Nevertheless, this approach is now gradually changing, rural development and equal opportunities for citizens to be able to take advantage of modern technologies, i.e. Information society for all is the current EU policy. The strongest impetus for a change is funding from EU Structural funds. Therefore, researchers are trying to come up with new steps, rules and technologies integrating a number of fields and leading to the ultimate goal: higher quality of life in all regions. The tool for regional development is accessibility and transferrability of information and above all the development of services based on the Internet technologies and Internet economy. Information is essential for decision-making, meanwhile services represent a tool for creating economic goods. As well as information utilisation within an enterprise is defined and described in theory and practice, it is necessary to find similar structures in the utilisation of information in regions. The above mentioned findings are results of a long-term research at the Czech University of Agriculture in Prague and serve as an input knowledge base for solving the Research objective Economics of Czech agricultural resources and their effective use within multifunctional agrifood systems no. MSM

5 5 References 1. Schiefer, G.: Information Technology: Driver, Enabler and Integrator Challenges and Potential, In: EFITA/WCCA 2005 conference proceedings, Vila Real, Zelenka, J.: Internet and tourism, In: conference proceedings from the Internet in public administration and self-government, Hradec Králové, Mareth, F., Jarolímek, J., F., Kubata, K.: Data integration in agriculture, In: International conference Information systems in agriculture and forestry, Praha, May Vaněk, J., Jarolímek, J., Šimek, P.: Development of High Speed Internet services in the Czech Republic, In: International conference Information systems in agriculture and forestry, Praha, květen Čandík, M., Jarolímek, J.: Global information systems, In: Czech Society for Information Technology in Agriculture, Praha, 2005