Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Business logistics Electronic information resources'

The purpose of this study is to explore the theoretical foundation for conceptualizing information-sharing behavior and to develop a composite index or a global scale for measuring the overall level of information sharing in the context of supply chains. Specifically, the study investigates two research questions: What are the basic characteristics of information-sharing behavior? How can the overall level of operational information sharing of small- and medium-sized Canadian enterprises in supply chains be measured? Three major characteristics of information-sharing behavior are identified in the study: there must be mutual benefits, a mixture of collaborative and competitive actions, and a dependent relationship. Correspondingly, a theoretical definition of information-sharing behavior is proposed: information-sharing behavior is a type of information behavior in which two groups of actors connected by a certain type of relationship transfer information between them through collective actions in order to achieve individual or common interests. Furthermore, a general analytical framework of information-sharing behavior is developed. The analytical framework, which includes major factors involved in information-sharing activity, broadens the scope of interactions beyond the systems and information, and adopts a new perspective emphasizing incentives and interactions between actors in addition to the system-centered and user-centered views traditionally assumed in information behavior studies.
Le but de cette étude est d’explorer les fondements théoriques pour conceptualiser le comportement du partage d’information et pour développer un index composé ou une échelle globale afin de mesurer le niveau complet du partage d’information dans le contexte de chaînes d’approvisionnement. En pratique, le partage d’information entre les membres d’une chaîne d’approvisionnement est crucial afin d’augmenter la compétitivité et la performance des entreprises individuelles et de la chaîne entière. Néanmoins, le partage d’information rendu possible par les réseaux informatiques dans les entreprises canadiennes en ·est toujours à ses balbutiements, et il n’y a aucune méthode applicable pour évaluer les efforts des entreprises pour améliorer le niveau du partage d’information dans les chaînes d’approvisionnemeont. Spécifiquement, l’étude examine les deux questions de recherche suivantes: Quelles sont les caractéristiques de base du comportement du partage d’information? Comment peut être mesuré le niveau général du partage d’information opérationnel entre les petites et les moyennes entreprises canadiennes dans les chaînes d’approvisionnement? Trois caractéristiques majeures du comportement du partage d’information sont identifiées dans l’étude: il doit y avait un avantage mutuel, un mélange d’actions collaboratives et compétitives, et une relation de dépendance. Une définition théorique de comportement du partage d’information est proposée: Le comportement du partage d’information est un type de comportement informationnel dans lequel deux groupes d’acteurs sont reliés par un certain type de relations de transfert des informations par des actions collectives afin de réaliser des intérêts individuels ou communs. En outre, une structure analytique d’ensemble du comportement de partage d’information est développée. La structure analytique, qui comprend des facteurs majeurs dans l’

The purpose of the project was to examine the current situation of B2C e-commerce in Japan, consumers' online purchasing behavior, and attributes affecting online purchases. Since many companies are interested in starting or have started B2C e-commerce businesses, this study would aid companies in developing marketing strategies that would grow their businesses and build loyalty among consumers.

In this thesis I develop an approach to analyse and interpret internet documents belonging to a particular organisation in a State of Australia. My intention in the research is to find ways to protect a local government organisation from litigation and other threats due to weaknesses in information management on the internet. Based on Gadamer's (1985) approach to the interpretation of text discourse, this thesis is a critical hermeneutic ethnographic case study of one local government organisation investigating internet docunents from information warfare and legal perspective(s).

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The tourism sector in the province is regarded as one of the major economic sectors that have been found to have significant growth prospects. Indeed it’s revitalising and captivating to see the provincial tourism industry organizing itself to adapt to the new challenges of the knowledge economy, while also retorting to the new demands emerging from the needs and the expectations of the customers. The Western Cape tourism industry is currently preparing itself for the knowledge intensive marketing of its products and services and is also faced with challenges arising from the need to exploit electronic business systems for the benefits of the entire industry and its role players. In a nutshell, this requires the Western Cape tourism industry to understand the operation of global economic systems and strive towards locating itself strategically within them, and also develop strategic alliances with developing countries in order to reshape the system of global governance to achieve more equitable outcomes. Simultaneously, it requires that it equip the provincial economy as a whole, its sectors and enterprises to meet the challenges facing it in becoming sustainable competitive environment. This is an exploratory study of which the research problem is whether the selected tourism institutions are ready to implement electronic business systems. The proposed research study findings indicate the readiness level of the selected institutions in implementing electronic business systems. The research methodology instruments of the study were twofold. Both a modified questionnaire designed by Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to evaluate companies’ readiness in electronic business systems application was used, as well as a structured interview to acquire qualitative data was also used. The paper is not only a result of my personal interest in electronic business field, most importantly, it is of necessity to understand the concepts and principles of ‘electronic business’ and ‘Destination Marketing Organisation’ as they apply to the Western Cape tourism industry.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die toerismesektor in die provinsie word beskou as een van die vernaamste ekonomiese sektore wat beduidende groeivooruitsigte toon. Dit is inderdaad opwindend en fassinerend om te sien hoe die provinsiale toerismebedryf homself organiseer om by die nuwe uitdagings van die kennisekonomie aan te pas, terwyl daar ook voldoen word aan die nuwe eise wat uit die behoeftes en die verwagtinge van die klante voortspruit. Die Wes-Kaapse toerismebedryf berei homself tans voor vir die kennis-intensiewe bemarking van sy produkte en dienste en kom ook te staan voor uitdagings wat spruit uit die behoefte om elektroniese besigheidstelsels tot voordeel van die hele bedryf en sy rolspelers te ontgin. Kortom vereis dit van die Wes-Kaapse toerismebedryf om die bedrywighede van wereldwye ekonomiese stelsels te verstaan en daarna te streef om homself strategies daarin te plaas, en ook om strategiese alliansies met ontwikkelende lande te vorm ten einde die stelsel van wereldwye bestuur te hervorm om billiker uitkomste te lewer. Terselfdertyd moet die provinsiale ekonomie as geheel, sy sektore en ondernemings toegerus word om te voldoen aan die uitdagings waarvoor dit te staan kom terwyl dit ’n volhoubare mededingende omgewing word. Hierdie is ’n verkennende studie waarvan die navorsingvraagstuk is, of die geselekteerde instellings gereed is vir die implementering van elektroniese besigheidstelsels. Die bevindings van die beoogde navorsingsondersoek sal die gereedheidsvlak aandui van die geselekteerde instellings om elektroniese besigheidstelsels te benut. Die navorsingsmetodologie het tweeledig van instrumente gebruik gemaak. Een daarvan was ‘n spesiaal aangepaste vraelys wat deur BDC ontwerp is om maatskappye se gereedheid vir die toepassing van elektroniese besigheidstelsels te evalueer, en die ander ‘n gestruktureerde onderhoud. Die studie is nie bloot ’n gevolg van my persoonlike belangstelling in die veld van elektroniese besigheid nie, maar die belangrikste is om die konsepte en beginsels van ‘elektroniese besigheid’ en ‘Destination Marketing Organisation’ te begryp soos dit op die Wes-Kaapse toerismebedryf betrekking het.

The primary objective of the research is to develop a methodology for monitoring and measuring IT risks, strictly focusing on internal controls. The research delivers a methodology whereby an organization can measure its system of internal controls, providing assurance that the risks are at an acceptable level. To achieve the primary objective a number of secondary objectives were addressed: What are the drivers forcing organizations to better corporate governance in managing risk? What is IT risk management, specifically focusing on operational risk. What is internal control and specifically focusing on COSO’s internal control process. Investigation of measurement methods, such as, Balance Scorecards, Critical Success Factors, Maturity Models, Key Performance Indicators and Key Goal Indicators. Investigation of various frameworks such as CobiT, COSO and ISO 17799, ITIL and BS 7799 as to how they manage IT risk relating to internal control.

У докторској дисертацији је разматрано прихватање информационих технологија у логистичким предузећима. Формирана су два истраживачка модела: DOI-TOE-1 и DOI-TOE-2. На основу DOI-TOE-1 модела утврђено је да фактори директне и индиректне предности, подршка топ-менаџмента, регулаторна подршка државе и ресурсна подршка државе имају позитиван статистички значајан утицај на прихватање е-пословања у предузећима која пружају логистичке услуге и предузећима која имају развијен сектор логистике. Испитивање је извршено над прикупљеним подацима у Републици Србији, Републици Хрватској, Босни и Херцеговини, Црној Гори и Републици Македонији. На основу DOI-TOE-2 модела утврђено је да у предузећима која пружају логистичке услуге у Републици Србији статистички значајан утицај имају фактори: број запослених и број инжењера логистике у предузећу на прихватање система за управљање складиштем, број инжењера логистике у предузећу и обим логистичких услуга на прихватање система за управљање транспортом, обим логистичких услуга на прихватање технологије електронске размене података, број запослених у предузећу на прихватање cloud computing технологије, број ИТ инжењера у предузећу на прихватање технологије радио-фреквентне идентификације и број запослених у предузећу на прихватање бар-код технологије.
U doktorskoj disertaciji je razmatrano prihvatanje informacionih tehnologija u logističkim preduzećima. Formirana su dva istraživačka modela: DOI-TOE-1 i DOI-TOE-2. Na osnovu DOI-TOE-1 modela utvrđeno je da faktori direktne i indirektne prednosti, podrška top-menadžmenta, regulatorna podrška države i resursna podrška države imaju pozitivan statistički značajan uticaj na prihvatanje e-poslovanja u preduzećima koja pružaju logističke usluge i preduzećima koja imaju razvijen sektor logistike. Ispitivanje je izvršeno nad prikupljenim podacima u Republici Srbiji, Republici Hrvatskoj, Bosni i Hercegovini, Crnoj Gori i Republici Makedoniji. Na osnovu DOI-TOE-2 modela utvrđeno je da u preduzećima koja pružaju logističke usluge u Republici Srbiji statistički značajan uticaj imaju faktori: broj zaposlenih i broj inženjera logistike u preduzeću na prihvatanje sistema za upravljanje skladištem, broj inženjera logistike u preduzeću i obim logističkih usluga na prihvatanje sistema za upravljanje transportom, obim logističkih usluga na prihvatanje tehnologije elektronske razmene podataka, broj zaposlenih u preduzeću na prihvatanje cloud computing tehnologije, broj IT inženjera u preduzeću na prihvatanje tehnologije radio-frekventne identifikacije i broj zaposlenih u preduzeću na prihvatanje bar-kod tehnologije.
Doctoral dissertation overviews the adoption of information technologies in logistics enterprises. Two research models were developed: DOI-TOE-1 and DOI-TOE-2. Based on the DOI-TOE-1 model, it was established that the determinants of direct and indirect advantage, top management support, government regulatory support and government resource support have a positive statistically significant influence on adopting e-business in companies providing logistics services and in companies with a developed logistics sector. The research was conducted using data from the Republic of Serbia, Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and FYR Macedonia. Using the DOI-TOE-2 model, it was determined that in companies providing logistics services in the Republic of Serbia, statistically significant impact can be attributed to the following determinants: the number of employees and the number of logistics engineers in a company influences the warehouse management system adoption; the number of logistics engineers and the range of logistics services in a company influences the adoption of transportation management system; the range of logistics services in a company impacts the adoption of electronic data interchange technology; the number of employees in a company influences the cloud computing technology adoption; the number of IT engineers in a company impacts the adoption of the radio-frequency identification technology; and the number of employees in a company impacts the barcode technology adoption.

This thesis reports findings from a survey comparing the use of internal and external information services by business persons in the City of Brisbane. The Business Information: an investigation of its sources and use survey was undertaken on behalf of Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Library's Expert Information Service. The study made steps towards the understanding of not only where information is currently sourced, but also why business people prefer the services they currently use to source their information needs. The study has corroborated previous studies into business people's use of information resources and has achieved a better understanding of information use patterns and the potential future role of libraries and library based Fee Based Information Service (FBIS) units. Comparative case studies were undertaken to understand the Australian FBIS environment. FBIS's have developed within the Australian library environment to serve the information needs of business people. They have also developed out of a drive to provide income generation, independent of government funding, for the library that establishes the FBIS. Libraries and FBIS units have resources and expertise of potential value to business people; however, business people still lack an awareness of available information services and resources in general, and specifically in libraries or FBIS units. The main findings of this survey are that: (1) Architects and Small Business Managers are primary markets for FBIS units; (2) The main sources of information currently accessed to make business decisions are internal information services and professional associations; (3) External information service units are favoured for their ability to provide information searching and patents & standards access; (4) The Internet is currently used more than any other electronic form of information resource and an increase is expected in daily and weekly use; (5) Information overload and a lack of time to search for information are major concerns to business people; (6) The majority of respondents have never used a library based FBIS; and (7) Almost 50% of business people report that they have difficulty with not having a budget to acquire information and approximately 35% have no authority to purchase information. Overall the findings suggest that FBIS units should aim to understand the commercial paradigm, providing accurate, timely and up-to-date information for their clients in the most convenient and specific manner possible. The research findings suggest a number of implications for practice for FBIS units, as well as for libraries in Australia.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Sydney, 2009.
A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney, College of Health and Science, School of Computing and Mathematics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Docteur de L'Université de Toulouse, Faculté d'Informatique, under a cotutelle agreement. Includes bibliographies.

Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM) bezeichnet eine Teildisziplin des Supply Chain Management und ist für Unternehmen ein Ansatzpunkt, durch frühzeitige Reaktion auf kritische Ausnahmeereignisse in der Wertschöpfungskette Logistikleistung und -kosten zu optimieren. Durch Rahmenbedingungen wie bspw. globale Logistikstrukturen, eine hohe Artikelvielfalt und volatile Geschäftsbeziehungen zählt die Modeindustrie zu den Branchen, die für kritische Störereignisse besonders anfällig ist. In diesem Sinne untersucht die vorliegende Dissertation nach einer Beleuchtung der wesentlichen Grundlagen zunächst, inwiefern es in der Modeindustrie tatsächlich einen Bedarf an SCEM-Systemen gibt. Anknüpfend daran zeigt sie nach einer Darstellung bisheriger SCEM-Architekturkonzepte Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten für eine Systemarchitektur auf, die auf den Designprinzipien der Serviceorientierung beruht. In diesem Rahmen erfolgt u. a. auch die Identifikation SCEM-relevanter Business Services. Die Vorzüge einer serviceorientierten Gestaltung werden detailliert anhand der EPCIS (EPC Information Services)-Spezifikation illustriert. Abgerundet wird die Arbeit durch eine Betrachtung der Nutzenpotenziale von SCEM-Systemen. Nach einer Darstellung von Ansätzen, welche zur Nutzenbestimmung infrage kommen, wird der Nutzen anhand eines Praxisbeispiels aufgezeigt und fließt zusammen mit den Ergebnissen einer Literaturrecherche in eine Konsolidierung von SCEM-Nutzeffekten. Hierbei wird auch beleuchtet, welche zusätzlichen Vorteile sich für Unternehmen durch eine serviceorientierte Architekturgestaltung bieten. In der Schlussbetrachtung werden die wesentlichen Erkenntnisse der Arbeit zusammengefasst und in einem Ausblick sowohl beleuchtet, welche Relevanz die Ergebnisse der Arbeit für die Bewältigung künftiger Herausforderungen innehaben als auch welche Anknüpfungspunkte sich für anschließende Forschungsarbeiten ergeben.

A model of simulation with mixed-integer programming was created to simulate ordering, production planning, and supplying activities with and without supply information sharing in a three-level capacitated supply chain consisting of multiple suppliers, one manufacturer and multiple retailers. The simulation results indicate that supply information sharing can significantly reduce total cost and enhance service level of the whole supply chain and its members. It can also lessen order variance of downstream members in the supply chain. In addition, the impacts of supply information sharing on the supply chain performance are heavily influenced by demand patterns, capacity tightness, forecast accuracy, product substitution, and the availability of raw materials.
Fierce business competition forces enterprises to pay more attention to the coordination with their suppliers and customers. Information sharing is a prerequisite for coordinated supply chain operations. A wide range of literature emphasizes the importance of information sharing to supply chain performance. According to the direction of information flow between supply chain members, information sharing can be classified into two categories: demand-side information sharing and supply-side information sharing. Previous literature already made a wide variety of insightful explorations into demand-side information sharing in supply chain, such as demand, forecasting, inventory, and order information sharing. However, research efforts have rarely been made into supply-side information sharing. Therefore, this dissertation explores the impacts of supply-side information sharing.
Keywords. Information Sharing; Supply Chain; Simulation.
This dissertation contributes to extending the content and scope of supply chain information sharing research. Managerially speaking, the findings of this dissertation provide important reference for supply chain managers to implement supply information sharing in order to improve decision-making process, reduce uncertainties, and increase visibility in supply chain operations.
Zhou Qiang.
"June 2006."
Adviser: Tien-sheng Lee.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-02, Section: A, page: 0648.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 170-176).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
School code: 1307.

Based on the findings of previous studies, we propose that culture and management practices significantly influence ERP decisions that include using or not using ERP and using which type of ERP system. To provide more insights for the ERP vendors to develop systems which fit Chinese culture and practices as well as for Chinese manufacturers to choose a suitable ERP system, this study explores and aims to empirically validate factors influencing ERP decisions from the perspectives of organizational culture and SCM practices.
In the past decade, more and more Chinese manufacturers adopt enterprise resources planning (ERP) systems to facilitate their planning, manufacturing, logistics and other business processes and management. Meanwhile, how to choose a suitable ERP system becomes a difficult problem for many companies.
Scholars have conducted many studies related to ERP decision problem. Findings of those existing studies have provided important references for companies to make decision on using or not using ERP system. However, very limit insight can be found from the previous studies regarding of which type of ERP system should be chosen.
We propose two research models integrating organizational culture, SCM practices and ERP decisions, based on a comprehensive review on the literatures of IT and culture, management practices and culture. We conduct a survey in the manufacturing firms in five cities in Pearl River Delta (PRD) regions and empirically validate our research models. The empirical results indicate that process versus results oriented, open versus closed system and information sharing significantly influence the decision on using or not using ERP system; in addition, loose versus tight control, normative versus pragmatic, information quality and internal agile practices significantly influence the decision on using which type of ERP system.
Tang, Mincong.
Advisers: Xiande Zhao; Waiman Cheung.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-07(E), Section: A.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 179-205).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest dissertations and theses, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Abstract and appendix also in Chinese.

D.Litt. et Phil.
The purpose of this research was to determine the status of e-readiness of Small and Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ICT sector in Botswana with respect to information access using ICTs for competitiveness in the local and international markets. The population of study consisted of key informants from 114 SMEs in the ICT sector in Gaborone and Francistown, the capital city and the second largest city of Botswana respectively. The official list of ICT companies provided by the government of Botswana was used as the sampling frame. The research used a two-phase design - the preliminary survey and the main survey of the project. The preliminary survey consisted of two stages. During the first stage, a short structured questionnaire was administered to a census of 114 key informants from SMEs in the ICT sector. During the second stage, six focus group discussions were used to collect data from key stakeholders in the ICT sector who included representatives from: ICT companies, ICT professional body in Botswana, government utility corporations, academia and the business community. The participants in the focus group discussions involved representatives from 55 SMEs who were identified like in the first stage using the government official list of SMEs in Botswana. The quantitative data collected through questionnaire were analysed using SPSS while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were analysed using thematic tables. The results were represented using tables, pie charts, categories and narrations. The results of the preliminary survey of the project were used to characterise the ICT sector in terms of its size, key players, nature of businesses, products and services traded in, distribution of business by location and the issues that affected the sector. This characterisation was important in two main respects. Firstly, it provided a clear roadmap for the design of the main survey of the research since little information existed on the subject of e-readiness on Botswana in general and with respect to SMEs in particular. Similarly, the government had invested a lot of resources in ICT infrastructure development and was focusing on SMEs especially those in the ICT sector to diversify the economy from the dominant diamond mining to service industry. Secondly, the results of the preliminary survey of the project supported the development of a structured interview schedule that was used during the main survey of the project. During the main survey of the research data was collected from companies that participated in the focus group discussions. From the focus group list of participants, an alphabetical name list of 55 SMEs was created. There were 43 Small-Sized and 12 Medium-Sized enterprises that were represented during the focus group discussions. For the purpose of carrying out the structured interviews, SMEs were stratified into two (Small-Sized enterprises and Medium-Sized enterprises). From the Small-Sized enterprises stratum, 20 companies were systematically selected (from the 43) taking every other member on the list. On the other hand, in the Medium-Sized enterprises stratum, all the 12 enterprises were selected for interviews because the number of respondents was small. The data collected was analysed using categories and thematic tables because it was largely qualitative. The results were presented in the form of thematic tables and through narrations. The findings from the SMEs surveyed indicated that most of the SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana were Small-Sized enterprises that were largely not e-ready to participate in the global electronic business environment because of several impediments such as: the lack of awareness, inadequate policy and legislative framework, poor telecommunication and electricity infrastructures, poor e-commerce infrastructure, inadequate government support, the lack of access to credit, investment barriers, the lack of critical ICT skills and more. The major outcomes of the project include an exposition of the e-readiness status of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana, a road map that can assist the government of Botswana to establish a strong export-oriented ICT sector. The weaknesses and strengths of Botswana’s e-readiness status with regard to SMEs are brought to the fore, thus creating awareness upon which the government can design interventions that are tailored to meet Botswana’s SMEs’ specific needs. Similarly, this project provides a framework upon which the government can benchmark against its counterparts in the rest of the world in order to define its investment priorities. The project also provides baseline information which the government could use to implement appropriate policy and legislative decisions in order to enhance the e-readiness of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana. Finally, the new integrated e-readiness tool that was developed in this project is the first of its kind to bring the different major components of e-readiness (such as enterprise, ICT, human resources, information and external environment readiness) into a single assessment tool with great attention paid to information access. The tool is also modular in design and thus can allow specific e-readiness assessment of individual segments of society to be modelled independently of each other. The tool also enriches the qualitative aspects of e-readiness that are only minimally addressed in a few of the existing macro e-readiness assessment tools. Among the key recommendations from the research is the need for the government of Botswana to promulgate relevant policies and implement pragmatic programmes that would enable SMEs in the ICT sector in the country to use various information technologies in order to gain access to relevant information regarding access to credit, investment opportunities, partnerships, education and training opportunities so that they can effectively participate in both the local and international markets. The policy changes and programmes to be undertaken by the government should be underpinned by an effective legislative and regulatory framework that would enable the small business firms to identify, acquire, process, organise, disseminate and apply information for competitive advantage through the effective deployment and application of ICTs.

At present, the average employee is being bombarded with an ever-increasing number of messages information on his/her company, its products and services, as well as information on its strategy all flooding in from a myriad of sources, including internal vehicles such as e-mail, the intranet, management memoranda, internal publications, as well as the external media, such as the Internet, the local newspaper, television news and national business and industry magazines. The term “information overload” is usually understood to present a state of affairs where an individual’s efficiency in using information in his/her work is hampered by a surplus amount of relevant and potentially useful information available to him/her. The principal aim of this study, therefore, is to establish the extent and impact of information overload on the knowledge worker in the banking industry, with special reference to the part that e-mail technology plays in the creation of such overload. Broadcasting, the telephone and the Internet have revolutionised the way in which workers communicate around the globe. Electronic-messaging systems such as e-mail have become the medium of choice in many organisations, and hold significant and valuable business data, information and knowledge. These systems have had a profound impact on the way in which personal and business communications are effected in the office. With e-mail having acquired mission-critical status, a number of concomitant circumstances and consequences have arisen that present organisations, such as banks, with a variety of challenges, among which • the impact on employees’ productivity, owing to the time spent on e-mailing activities • employees’ attitudes towards e-mail • compliance with corporate policies, such as those policies governing electronic communication and computer use • surveillance and monitoring of e-mail • the quest for finding formal archiving solutions.
Prof. C.W. Rensleigh

M.Tech.
Information is a company’s greatest asset that is continually under threat from human error, technological failure, natural disasters and other external factors. These threats need to be identified and quantified and their relevant protection techniques need to be deployed. This research will allow businesses to ascertain which of these data protection strategies to embrace and deploy, thereby highlighting the balance between cost and value for their business needs. Every commercial enterprise should understand the business value of their data and realise that protecting this data is of utmost importance. However, company data often resides on different mediums, in different locations and implementing a data protection strategy is not always cost effective in terms of the cost of storage mediums and protection methods. The challenges that businesses face is trying to distinguish between mission-critical data from other business data, excluding any non-business or invaluable data that resides on their systems. Thus a cost-effective data protection strategy can be implemented according to the different values of business data. This research provides a model to enable an organisation to: · Utilise the model as a framework or guideline in determining a strategy for protection, storage, retrieval and preservation of business critical data. · Define the data protection strategy to meet the organisation’s business requirements. · Define a cost effective data protection solution that encompasses protection, storage, retrieval and preservation of business critical data. · Make strategic decisions based on an array of best practices to ensure mission-critical data is protected accordingly. iii · Draw a conclusion between the costs of implementing these solutions against the real business value of the data that it protects.

Characteristics such as speed of reaction, order accuracy, operational flexibility and sustained quality have become fundamental in successful business today. The success of aligning a supply chain to attain these characteristics depends largely on the use of efficient communication and information technology. Communication between supply chain members requires that relevant information is transferred from its point of inception to the next point(s) of use. The transfer of information entails an efficient flow of information between systems, between systems and humans and between humans, which is directly associated with the effective interoperability between the various entities handling the relevant information. Accordingly, the realisation of interoperability will mean a faster information flow and, thus, an effective decision-making process. This research, therefore, will propose indicators and metrics for the assessment of the information flow efficiency of a business and, in particular, of a supply chain, examine the existing techniques of information flow measurement, and identify inherent weaknesses. New information flow efficiency metrics are developed and categorised into different indicators, which are based on the quality of the information as it is applied in finance, information technology and the principles of business performance measurements. This research will illustrate that these quality characteristics drive an effective and efficient information flow which, in turn, enables them to be used both as indicators and as associated metrics of information flow efficiency. Explorative analysis and statistical cluster analysis identified the most important indicators and associated metrics based on the results of a survey instrument designed specifically for this purpose. Scales were developed to facilitate the numeric assessment of the metrics and indicators. In order to prove the ability of the new indicators and associated metrics to differentiate between different levels of information flow efficiency, the new metrics were applied in sample organisations and the responses evaluated. This research lays an important foundation in terms of the ability to assess information flow efficiency which is, in turn, necessary in order to gain a better understanding of the performance of supply chains in a time where real-time information flow and electronic integration are becoming strategic business success factors.
Business Management
D. Com. (Business Management)

In the age of the digital society, a new paradigm of de-materialization crosses all dimensions of the organizations, and to the activities regarding Human Resources Management, this new digital imperative is no exception. Despite extensive theory that shows the financial and operational benefits inherent to the implementation of HR Information Systems, this theoretical research is not that much consistent when it comes to finer dimension of analysis. Starting from a case study approach, within a multinational corporation, operating in Portugal, this study had as its main goal to determine value creation dimensions upon the implementation of HR Information Systems, by crossing both emerging dimensions from existing empirical theory and testing its adherence to what would be reported by the interviewed sample of key stakeholders within the mentioned multinational organization, providing as well a decision model to future implementation projects. For that, several interviews were conducted with strategic stakeholders in the HR Organization, in the observed organization, and the qualitative data analysis procedures followed. The results of this analysis allowed to confirm that the key stakeholders adhered to the six main dimensions that were seen as critical to the organizational stakeholders involved in strategic human resources management policies design, and allowed the suggestion as well of a model for strategical orientation built upon the compliance on those very same strategic focus points.
Na era da sociedade digital, um novo paradigma de desmaterialização atravessa todas as dimensões das organizações e para as atividades afetas à Gestão de Recursos Humanos o imperativo digital não é exceção. Apesar da extensa bibliografia acerca dos benefícios financeiros e operacionais inerentes à implementação de Sistemas de Informação de RH, este levantamento não existe de forma tão consistente em dimensões mais finas de análise. Partindo de um estudo de caso de uma empresa multinacional a operar em Portugal, este estudo teve como principal objetivo apurar possíveis dimensões de criação de valor aquando da implementação de sistemas de informação de RH, ao cruzar as dimensões emergentes da teoria e testar a sua aderência empírica, providenciando também um modelo de decisão para futuras implementações. Para isso foram conduzidas entrevistas a stakeholders estratégicos de RH na organização estudada e seguiu-se o posterior tratamento de análise qualitativa de dados. Os resultados permitiram confirmar a aderência a seis dimensões vistas como mais críticas para os stakeholders organizacionais envolvidos no desenho de políticas de gestão estratégica de RH, e sugerir um modelo de orientação estratégica assente na compliance com estes mesmos focos.

This thesis, Utilising Open Educational Resources in support of curriculum transformation at Africa Nazarene University: A participatory action research approach, derives from a multi-year project implemented by OER Africa, and funded by the Hewlett Foundation, to explore the potential of Open Educational Resources (OER) in support of pedagogic transformation in African universities. The project involves four institutions: Africa Nazarene University (ANU) in Kenya, the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), and the Universities of Pretoria and the Free State (UP and UFS) in South Africa. This study centred on ANU only in the period 2013 to 2016, with a focus on the period 2015-2016, and was timed to inform ANU’s new strategic planning process from 2017. The wider project adopted a participatory action research process in its engagement with the four core institutions. Within this over-arching project methodology, this study made use of an analytical autoethnographic approach to capture and analyse data and to make recommendations, to acknowledge the researcher’s dual role as both a co-participant and an institutional project lead. The approach was informed primarily by hermeneutics and systems thinking and involved multiple in-country engagements with ANU and the triangulation of information derived from document review, observation and iterative focus group discussions and individual interviews. An OER Maturity Index and Planning Tool was also developed and used to inform planning and reflection and to provide a barometer of changing attitudes and activities regarding engagement with OER. Initially the engagement focused on developing a supportive policy and capacity-building environment for individuals to integrate OER into specific Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) courses and to publish revised course materials under an open licence. However, as the initiative progressed, it became apparent that there was need to revisit the institution’s overall business model considering increased competition, new regulatory requirements and a growing demand from students for more flexible forms of provision. In fact, the key finding of this study is the suggestion that engagement with OER is unlikely to move from being an individual to an institutional focus unless such engagement is aligned with the overall vision, mission and business model of the university.
Curriculum and Instructional Studies
D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

This study identifies, tests and modifies factors for effective corporate online communication using a marketing public relations (MPR) perspective. An MPR perspective entails an integrated cross-disciplinary approach with a strong product and/or service focus. The need for the study is underscored by the fact that there is undoubtedly a lack of a theoretical framework in which to practise corporate online communication in the context of selling the organisation's products or services. In order to test the identified factors for effective corporate online communication, namely credibility, trust and long-term relationships, this study uses Q methodology as a research method and applies Q sorting as a means of data collection. Participants are asked to sort statements about corporate online communication in their preferred order of importance on a large board in the presence of the researcher. This is known as the Q sorting process. The identified factors are tested among 20 communicators and 20 receivers of corporate online communication. The participants' sortings of statements are compared by means of Q factor analysis and then analysed. The results of the study indicate that only one factor is perceived as an absolute significant factor for effective corporate online communication and that two of the factors necessitate modification. Consequently, based on the results, four factors are identified for effective corporate online communication, using an MPR perspective. These four factors are derived from the perspectives of both the communicators and receivers of corporate online communication and are included in a proposed theoretical framework of corporate online communication using an MPR perspective.
Communication
D. Litt et Phil.

This research investigated the potential benefits, risks and challenges, innovation properties and viability of cloud computing for records management on an Australian organisation within the mining software development sector. This research involved the use of a case study results analysis as well as a literature analysis. The literature analysis identified the ten potential benefits of cloud computing, as well as the ten risks and challenges associated with cloud computing. It further identified aspects, which needed to be addressed when adopting cloud computing in order to promote innovation within an organisation. The case study analysis was compared against a literature review of ten potential benefits of cloud computing, as well as the ten risks and challenges associated with cloud computing. This was done in order to determine cloud computing’s viability for records management for Company X (The company in the case study). Cloud computing was found to be viable for Company X. However, there were certain aspects, which need to be discussed and clarified with the cloud service provider beforehand in order to mitigate possible risks and compliance issues. It is also recommended that a cloud service provider who complies with international standards, such as ISO 15489, be selected. The viability of cloud computing for organisations similar to Company X (mining software development) followed a related path. These organisations need to ensure that the service provider is compliant with laws in their local jurisdiction, such as Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Australia, 2011:14-15), as well as laws where their data (in the cloud) may be hosted. The benefits, risks and challenges of records management and cloud computing are applicable to these similar organisations. However, mitigation of these risks needs to be discussed with a cloud service provider beforehand. From an innovation perspective, cloud computing is able to promote innovation within an organisation, if certain antecedents are dealt with. Furthermore, if cloud computing is successfully adopted then it should promote innovation within organisations.
Information Science
M. Inf.