II. International Conference on Communication, Media, Technology and Design 02-04 May 2013 Famagusta – North Cyprus 281 THE EXISTANCE OF THEORY ELECTRONICS PROPINQUITY AND ICT COMPETENCY AMONG NURSES STAFF: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY Nik Adzrieman Abdul Rahman Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia adzrieman@uum.edu.my Haslina Halim Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia Romlah Ramli Universiti Utara Malaysia Nor Ashikin Abdul Rahman Astro Awani Abstract This research has been exploring the existence of the theory electronic propinquity by using the facilities of modern technology such as the computer and internet in the communication process. This research also looking examines the Information Technology competency among the hospital staff such as nurses. Electronic Propinquity theory is one of the theories under the Media and Communications theory developed by Korzenny in 1978. Although this theory has been used extensively, studies concerning the advantages of using information technology in management communication in hospital management are not as common. The results of this study also attempt to update Korzenny’s theory to the present generation. This study uses a Qualitative methods approach on 22 respondents. This study was conducted at the four government hospitals in Malaysia: Selayang’s Hospital, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Putrajaya Hospital. These hospitals are chosen because they are the first four hospitals in Malaysia using full computerised technology in management. Furthermore, they were also recommended by the Ministry of Health in Malaysia. Basically, the questions in the survey form are based on the elements contained in the theory of electronic propinquity. The result of the study found that, the staff is aware of the existence of Electronic theory Propinquity when using communication technology and the level of IT competency is high among staff Nurses. Introduction In Malaysia, ICTs are now used as a channel for communication among the staff at government hospitals. As a developing country, Malaysia is trying to achieve maximum development; so, currently there is an increased need to develop technology in management. At this time, technology facilities are considered to be a basic need in the administration of a country. Some countries have been assisted by ICT, including South Korea, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, Demark, Australia and several other developed countries. Malaysia is trying to place themselves in an active list of the top countries using the application of technology in management. Thus, the existence of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) in Malaysia is considered one of the hallmarks of the sincerity of the government in this regard. However, the quality of the e-services is also important. Despites the existence of the best systems and facilities, it is useless without the high quality of maintenance and services from the providers. To ensure the highest quality of e-services given, it should be maintained and reviewed regularly from time to time. Thus far, the Malaysian government already applies information technology in public development including in education, accounting, medical, safety, and in almost all sectors under government administration. At this level, implementation only has been achieved; however there is not much research concerning explained about the advantages when the tech administration systems used in serious. This study focuses on the use, and feedback of information systems in hospitals by the hospital nurses. In reality, hospitals are faced with hundreds of patients every day and this number is increasing over time. This scenario, of course, requires nurses to operate an effective information management system in order to assist in expediting patients’ treatment or to help expediting nurses in managing the patients’ records. In Malaysia, with a population of 27 million, the government has limited channels to disseminate important information to its citizens. This increase in population also results in a gap in the relations among the communities themselves. This can be seen in organizations; the number of employees has increased. Increase in the number of government workers leading to increase in the number of buildings provided for sufficient workstation. This scenario creates communication gap between workers and staff within the same organization because of the separate workplace and workstation. Thus, telecommunication system is considered to be able to bridge this gap among the staff and workers of an organisation and in this instance, a hospital. An organization will normally be divided into certain departments and units. Some buildings also act as a boundary between departments, thereby increasing the relationship gap. Thus, inter-departmental relationships become increasingly distant and disconnected. The problem in communication between the staff is that information flow becomes slow and less efficient. In other words, as a company increases the number of workforce, so it will increase the number of its buildings, thereby creating a division between departments. This, in turn, increases the communications difficulties between staff, and information transfer becomes slow and less efficient. This occurred in Malaysia when the number of nurses increased in line with the increase in the number of patients over time. Therefore, improvements in the channels of communication and management also have to be made in line with the government's goal to create electronic government. The Ministry of Health has already taken some steps to achieve the goals of the country using electronic systems in management. One of its efforts is the Malaysian 6th plan where the government suggested that all hospitals in Malaysia fully utilise aspects of information technology management. The results of this are recorded in the 2000 Malaysian Health Ministry Annual Report. Some hospitals have also introduced an electronic based management system, i.e. in 1998, Selayang’s Hospital, followed by Putra Jaya Hospital in Selangor, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Kedah and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Sabah. By 2007, all hospitals in Malaysia were equipped with electronic facilities. As a combination of Malaysia’s population increase and the increase in the total expenditure in the government sector, all hospitals in Malaysia have complete communication technology facilities to support the integration of electronic propinquity in hospital. For the long term, the introduction of information technology systems is necessary, due to the terrain in Malaysia. The structure of land area in Malaysia, comprising of hills and mountains, requires the use of new media to disseminate information to residents who live in rural areas or far from the city centre. Transport or communication costs will be higher if the hospital maintains traditional ways to communicate with those who live remotely. With the creation of new media, dissemination of information related to the development of community health is cheaper and faster. Hence the construction of an infrastructure of information technology in Malaysia can be considered as a positive move toward disseminating information to the population in Malaysia. Based on the scenarios that occur in Malaysia, this study is important because the findings may provide answers to the government with regard to its revenue concerning the introduction of new media as a medium of communication. If there is no effort to use technology to improve the facility level, the level of productivity among the staff in the organisation in terms of receiving information is diminished. Long-term efforts to improve the quality of