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Does Digital Competence Really Matter? The Impact of Attitude and ICT on Research Performance

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Title: Does Digital Competence Really Matter? The Impact of Attitude and ICT on Research Performance
Language: English
Authors: Shiva Rani (ORCID 0000-0003-0410-3253), Abhishek Danu, Himanshu (ORCID 0000-0001-5706-6148)
Source: Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. 2026 18(4):1125-1147.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Researchers, Information Technology, Computer Mediated Communication, Research, Higher Education, Digital Literacy, Innovation, Foreign Countries, Attitudes, Interpersonal Competence, Thinking Skills, Skill Development, Performance, Universities
Geographic Terms: India
DOI: 10.1108/JARHE-07-2024-0351
ISSN: 2050-7003
1758-1184
Abstract: Purpose: This study assesses the effect of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage, knowledge and attitude on Digital Competence (DC). It further explores the role of DC in enhancing research and innovation performance in higher education. Design/methodology/approach: A survey involving faculties and full-time research scholars from different institutes and universities was conducted. The study utilized Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the data and test the hypotheses. The study used Smart PLS 4.0 software to employ the PLS-SEM approach. Findings: The study found that the attitudes of researchers and ICT usage positively affect their DC. Moreover, DC significantly mediates the relationship between researchers' attitudes, ICT and research performance, demonstrating that improved DC can enhance research outcomes among faculties and research scholars. Originality/value: This research contributes to the limited literature on DC among faculties and research scholars. It provides valuable insights into how attitudes and ICT usage can influence DC and research performance. The findings emphasize the need for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to develop robust digital infrastructures and training programs to support the DC of their faculties and scholars.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507647
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Does Digital Competence Really Matter? The Impact of Attitude and ICT on Research Performance
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shiva+Rani%22">Shiva Rani</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0410-3253">0000-0003-0410-3253</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Abhishek+Danu%22">Abhishek Danu</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Himanshu%22">Himanshu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5706-6148">0000-0001-5706-6148</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Applied+Research+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 18(4):1125-1147.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 23
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Label: Descriptors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Researchers%22">Researchers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+Technology%22">Information Technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Mediated+Communication%22">Computer Mediated Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research%22">Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Digital+Literacy%22">Digital Literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Innovation%22">Innovation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitudes%22">Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+Competence%22">Interpersonal Competence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thinking+Skills%22">Thinking Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Performance%22">Performance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Universities%22">Universities</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22India%22">India</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/JARHE-07-2024-0351
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2050-7003<br />1758-1184
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: This study assesses the effect of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage, knowledge and attitude on Digital Competence (DC). It further explores the role of DC in enhancing research and innovation performance in higher education. Design/methodology/approach: A survey involving faculties and full-time research scholars from different institutes and universities was conducted. The study utilized Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the data and test the hypotheses. The study used Smart PLS 4.0 software to employ the PLS-SEM approach. Findings: The study found that the attitudes of researchers and ICT usage positively affect their DC. Moreover, DC significantly mediates the relationship between researchers' attitudes, ICT and research performance, demonstrating that improved DC can enhance research outcomes among faculties and research scholars. Originality/value: This research contributes to the limited literature on DC among faculties and research scholars. It provides valuable insights into how attitudes and ICT usage can influence DC and research performance. The findings emphasize the need for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to develop robust digital infrastructures and training programs to support the DC of their faculties and scholars.
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  Data: 2026
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  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1507647
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        Value: 10.1108/JARHE-07-2024-0351
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 23
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Researchers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information Technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Mediated Communication
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      – SubjectFull: Research
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      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
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      – SubjectFull: Digital Literacy
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      – SubjectFull: Innovation
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal Competence
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      – SubjectFull: Thinking Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
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      – SubjectFull: Performance
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      – SubjectFull: Universities
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      – SubjectFull: India
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      – TitleFull: Does Digital Competence Really Matter? The Impact of Attitude and ICT on Research Performance
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