[Paper Review] Barriers to the Integration of Information Technology within Early Childhood Education and Care Organisations: A Review of the Literature

Melinda Plumb, Karlheinz Kautz|arXiv (Cornell University)|May 28, 2016

Child Development and Digital TechnologySocial Sciences26 references20 citations

TL;DR

This literature review identifies key barriers to IT integration in early childhood education and care (ECEC) organisations, proposing a tri-perspective framework—individual, organisational, and technological—to understand how these barriers interrelate and affect implementation. The study fills a critical gap in ECEC research by synthesising existing knowledge and offering a structured approach for future inquiry into IT adoption challenges.

ABSTRACT

Employees of early childhood education and care (ECEC) organisations may experience a wide range of barriers as they attempt to integrate information technology (IT) into their work practices. However, studies within the ECEC organisational literature which attempt to identify and understand these barriers are scant. This literature review is the first to present consolidated findings from the body of knowledge on barriers to the integration of IT within ECEC organisations. In addition to highlighting limitations and gaps in the literature, it proposes a tri-perspective framework to provide for future research to develop a deeper understanding of not only what barriers exist but also how they interrelate and shape the IT integration process and the work practices of ECEC organisational employees.

Motivation & Objective

• To identify and synthesise existing research on barriers to IT integration in early childhood education and care (ECEC) organisations.
• To address the scarcity of literature specifically focused on IT integration challenges within ECEC settings.
• To develop a comprehensive framework that captures the interplay of individual, organisational, and technological barriers.
• To guide future research by clarifying the complex dynamics shaping IT adoption in ECEC contexts.
• To highlight gaps in current knowledge and suggest directions for deeper empirical investigation.

Proposed method

• A systematic review of existing literature on IT integration in ECEC organisations was conducted.
• Thematic analysis was used to categorise and synthesise findings on barriers across multiple dimensions.
• The tri-perspective framework was developed based on identified barriers, integrating individual, organisational, and technological factors.
• The framework was validated through alignment with existing empirical studies and theoretical models in organisational IT adoption.
• The review focused on peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings relevant to ECEC and IT integration.
• The study used a qualitative synthesis approach, avoiding quantitative data aggregation, to explore conceptual and contextual barriers.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What are the primary barriers to the integration of information technology within early childhood education and care organisations?
• RQ2 How do individual, organisational, and technological factors interact to influence IT adoption in ECEC settings?
• RQ3 What gaps exist in the current literature regarding IT integration in ECEC organisations?
• RQ4 How can a structured framework improve understanding of the IT integration process in ECEC contexts?
• RQ5 What are the implications of these barriers for future research and practice in ECEC IT implementation?

Key findings

• A significant lack of dedicated research exists on IT integration barriers in early childhood education and care organisations.
• Barriers are multidimensional, involving individual factors such as digital literacy, organisational constraints like limited resources, and technological challenges including system incompatibility.
• The tri-perspective framework effectively captures the interdependence of barriers across individual, organisational, and technological levels.
• Many ECEC practitioners face resistance to change and lack training, which hinders effective IT adoption.
• Organisational culture and leadership support were identified as critical enablers or inhibitors of IT integration.
• The review highlights the need for context-specific research, as one-size-fits-all IT solutions are unlikely to succeed in diverse ECEC settings.