To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Case technologies.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Case technologies'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Case technologies.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Davis, Matthew. "Commercialisation of Alternative Energy Technologies : A Case Study." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Industriell teknik, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-355373.
Full text
2
Ratcliffe, Julie. "Valuing the benefits of health care technologies : a case study of liver transplantation." Thesis, Brunel University, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.311267.
Full text
3
El-Hajaji, A. H. S. "Desalination technologies and environmental aspects : case study in Libya." Thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, 2018. http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/8585/.
Full textAbstract:
Water, otherwise known as the pool of life, is the very essence of all living things and as such is vital for survival, whether for living beings, social, economic development or for environmental sustainability. However, its continuing existence is severely threatened for future as a result of climate change, carbon footprint, population growth, environmental damage, combined with natural disasters like droughts and floods. The prospect of an alternative solution such as desalination of sea or brackish water to counter the limit on conventional water resources such as groundwater, which cannot meet demand, is therefore very promising, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where water scarcity and impaired quality prevails. Consequently, desalination technology has now become a burgeoning industry in North Africa or southern Mediterranean countries, such as in Libya. However, evidence suggests that as a result of by-products being discharged directly into the sea, particularly from coastal desalination plants, the physico-chemical parameters of the receiving water are changing and posing a threat to marine ecosystems. As a result of studies conducted on these parameters to analyse the brine emitted from the Zwuarah and the West Tripoli distillation plants (ZWDP & WTRIS) on the Libyan coastline, evidence shows there is a significant positive correlation at both sites between the biological data and physico-chemical parameters (rs=0.673; p=0.002) and (rs=0.637; p=0.003), which is a clear indication of the impact of brine disposal from both plants on the marine environment. For most of coastal desalination plants on the Libyan coastline, the most practical and least expensive brine disposal option is to discharge it into the sea. It is necessary therefore, to effectively manage desalination reject brine in order to ensure more efficient disposal and reuse. Therefore, it is suggested that experimental studies are aimed for dual benefit of on-site generation of sodium hypochlorite through brine electrolysis and to recover minerals and NaCl from the brine using evaporation ponds, while protecting the environment. Following the first experiment, the outcome of brine utilisation showed a significant production of NaOCl using graphite electrodes (MCCA 1.82 gr/m3). At interelectrode spacing 2 cm and 4 cm, the power consumption was higher, with a greater concentration of sodium hypochlorite generation varying between 10-25 kw/m3 (573-2140ppm) and 29-24 kwm-3 (572-2600ppm) than at interelectrode spacing 6cm 17-13 kwm-3 (350-1790ppm). Consequently, the selection of an optimum electrical consumption level is key in establishing the best scenario in terms of economy and efficiency. Subsequent to the second experiment of brine evaporation in the ponds, results showed that the evaporation rate in August was lower than in September (9.06 mmday-1, 14.63 mmday-1) respectively. The results of the SEM/EDS test showed that due to elevated surges of Na+ and Cl-, halite (NaCl) was the main mineral evident during crystallisation of the salt samples. Hence, the two experiments reveal that brine can be recycled productively, while protecting the environment.
4
Anand, Nippin. "New technologies, work, skills and identity : the case of maritime industry." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2011. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/54459/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is an empirical investigation of the implications of new technologies for work, skills and identity of workers in the maritime sector. The research question is focused on how employers and seafarers understand the changing nature of work and skills as a result of technological advances. This question will be answered within the wider context of global competition and the competitive reasons to promote new technologies in workplaces. The methods of data collection involve qualitative interviews with shipping company managers, training staff and seafarers. The findings reveal a significant mismatch between the competitive reasons to implement new technologies and its (un)intended consequences on the professional identity of workers. More specifically, the thesis highlights the tensions between management strategies aimed at profit maximization, cost control and safety concerns and the myriad perceptions of workers based on their understanding of the seafaring profession. The thesis provides a fresh perspective of the existing theories of technology in the context of global competition.
5
Morris, Alan. "Digital technologies and photographic archives Birmingham Central Library : a case study." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/126505.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis considers the use and potential of digital technologies for those responsible for photographic collections in public libraries. Using the Birmingham Central Library as a case study, the research has explored how information comn1unication technologies have impacted on the way in which photographic in1ages are created, stored and disseminated. The study provides an overview of both the British library service and the role of archives within this public provision. Following an examination of the characteristics of digital media and a range of issues relating to the preservation, dissemination and economic exploitation of photographic il1aterials in digital form, the thesis goes on to adopt a variety of research strategies, including a number of empirical projects used to assimilate information relating to the practical application of information communication technologies by those working in public libraries. The major outcome of the research, identified in the later sections of the thesis, has been to n1ake a unique contribution to the field of knowledge relating to the provision of digital resources by those responsible for photographic collections residing in archives within public libraries in the United Kingdom. The conclusions to emerge from the theoretical and empirical research contribute to knowledge by providing current information about the utilisation of digital technologies for the purposes of enhancing access to photographic material held within public library archives, whilst also considering possible future developments relating to the area of investigation.
6
CIRGIC, NERMIN. "The Simplicity of Adopting Technologies : A case study of cloud computing." Thesis, KTH, Hållbarhet och industriell dynamik, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-189449.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis addresses the issue of adopting cloud computing in two aspects. The first being the procedure of choosing a commonality that constitutes the base of comparing the most appropriate cloud platform from identified parameters. The second being to find constraints of adopting cloud computing related to the commonality. This commonality was identified in form of a process that portrayed characteristics which made it suitable for identifying parameters and comparing two cloud platforms (Azure and AWS). The comparison of platforms based on the parameters; lock-in, standardization and data security led to conclusive remarks that discouraged any further effort on comparing cloud platforms. Lack of standards and lock-in that cannot be avoided are traits of the unfitting environment the cloud platforms constitute. Furthermore, it was concluded that the adoption constraints are first priority when it comes to adopting cloud computing. Instead of choosing the cloud platform with least amount of constraints, it is recommended to firstly focus on the adoption constraints.Avhandlingen tar upp frågan om att införa molntjänster i två aspekter. Den första är proceduren att välja en gemensam nämnare som utgör basen för jämförelse av den lämpligaste moln plattformen. Den andra är att hitta begränsningar relaterat till införandet av molntjänster i samband med den gemensamma nämnaren. Denna gemensamma nämnare identifierades i form av en process inom en IT-avdelning som skildrar egenskaper vilket gjorde den lämplig för att hitta parametrar och jämföra två molnplattformar (Azure och AWS). Jämförelsen av plattformar baserades på parametrarna; lock-in, standardisering och datasäkerhet. Brist på standarder och lock-in som inte kan undvikas är egenskaper av den opassande miljön som molnplattformarna utgör. Dessutom drogs slutsatsen att de nämnda begränsningar är av första prioritet när det gäller att införa molntjänster. Istället för att välja en molnplattform med minsta möjliga begränsningar, är rekommendationen att först fokusera på begränsningarna.
7
Weisenbach, Keller Eileen Dolores. "Anatomy of disruptive technologies: analyses and comparison." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1133196965.
Full text
8
Towalski, Zbigniew. "The integration of knowledge within science, technology and industry : enzymes a case study." Thesis, Aston University, 1985. http://publications.aston.ac.uk/15166/.
Full textAbstract:
Enzyme technology is widely regarded as an exciting new technology possessing great opportunities for commercial interests and is one of a small group of key technologies singled out by the Science Research Councils during the 1960's as worthy of special support. In this thesis I outline the basic characteristics of this technology analysing the nature of the Government's policy towards it. The approach I have chosen requires an in depth analysis of the innovation process for enzymes which forms the basis for a model. This model is then used to focus on aspects of the UK science policy towards innovation in enzyme technology, assessing its impacts, and appraising the usefulness of this approach for future policy initiatives.
9
Noury, Pourya. "Fracture Mechanics in Design and Assessment of Existing Structures: Two Case Studies." Licentiate thesis, Luleå tekniska universitet, Byggkonstruktion och -produktion, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18294.
Full textAbstract:
In the present thesis, the application of fracture mechanics in design and assessment of steel structures has been studied.The first case study concerns a ring-flange connection used in wind turbine towers. The flange is rolled from straight steel profile into a complete ring. Subsequently, at the ends of the ring are welded by way of electron beam welding. This weld providing the integrity of the ring-flange was designed against fracture. To avoid potential failure by fracture and/or fatigue, the fracture mechanics approach for engineering assessments (as described in the Swedish handbook for safety assessment of structures containing defects) was implemented to predict the maximum allowable crack size. Material properties along with the design stress and crack size are the three variables that must be taken in account in order to design a structure against fracture. To this end, toughness and mechanical properties of the weld metal were experimentally determined. The results confirmed that the material behaves in a ductile manner and the electron beam welding has a positive effect on material properties. The fatigue performance of the flange was examined using the fatigue load histogram experienced by the flange in its 20years lifetime. Detailed finite element analyses of the flange connection were conducted to determine stress distribution at the most critical location along a hypothetical crack plane. The stresses obtained from the finite element analysis were used to assess the fracture stability of the flange. The fracture and fatigue assessment results confirmed that the flange in question is susceptible to fatigue failure which turns out to be the governing criterion in order to define the maximum allowable crack size. Furthermore, a parametric study was carried out to investigate the effect of parameters such as crack eccentricity, material properties and crack geometry on the integrity of the flange connection.The second case concerned the maintenance problem of roller bearings of relatively old bridges. These tend to rupture and no satisfactory explanation exists in the literature. Two broken specimens were supplied by the Swedish Transportation Authority (Trafikverket). These were first subjected to fractographic examination to determine the crack initiation location. Afterward, Charpy, compact tension, tensile and chemical composition specimens were machined out of the broken roller pieces and the respective tests were conducted. The results showed a very brittle material but no deviations from the prescribed material properties that were set forth in the 1967 certificate of application (Zulassung) of the rollers in question. To explain the observed failures a mechanical over-stressing condition was sought. Two such over-stressing sources were investigated. First the Hertz contact solution traditionally used in the design of roller bearings (both DIN 4141 and EN 1337-4) is valid for an infinite length cylinder. At the edges of the roller contact zone, stress singularities of the sort appearing in the case of a rectangular rigid body indenting an elastic half-space are likely to appear: three-dimensional finite element analyses were conducted and a 30% edge stress increase was established. As a second source of over-stressing the imperfections of welded I-beams according to EN 1090-2 were introduced into the FE model including, as before, the girder end, the roller assembly and the abutment. A wedge-type imperfection between the lower flange of the bridge girder and the lower support plate of the roller can create detrimental stress concentrations even at values no higher than 50% of the EN 1090 limits. Finally, the effect of the contact stresses in the roller was examined with a linear elastic fracture mechanics approach. It was found that surface cracks at the roller edge may become unstable in Mode-II when traversing the limits of the contact zone as this is the area of maximum shear stress: daily thermal cycles cause such cracks to go through a full plastic cycle as they are forced to swing past both edges of the contact area of the roller. This causes plastic strain accumulation at the crack tip of even small stable cracks: this mechanism causes them to grow until they become critical. A fracture assessment diagram for one of the broken rollers was computed.Godkänd; 2014; 20141013 (pounou); Nedanstående person kommer att hålla licentiatseminarium för avläggande av teknologie licentiatexamen. Namn: Pourya Noury Ämne: Stålbyggnad/Steel Structures Uppsats: Fracture Mechanics in Design and Assessment of Existing Structures: Two Case Studies Examinator: Professor Milan Veljkovic, Institutionen för Samhällsbyggnad och naturresurser, Luleå tekniska universitet Diskutant: Professor Raid Karoumi, Brobyggnad inkl Stålbyggnad, Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, Stockholm Tid: Måndag den 15 december 2014 kl 13.00 Plats: F1031, Luleå tekniska universitet
10
Musila, Beatrice Wekesa. "Sustainable agriculture in rural development using local technologies, the case of Kenya." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ56716.pdf.
Full text
11
Abi, Ghanem Dana. "Renewable energy technologies and their users : the case of solar photovoltaic technology." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/1078.
Full textAbstract:
In recent years, renewable energy technologies (RETs) have been increasingly recognised among a range of solutions for addressing climate change and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, their implementation in the UK has been slower than expected, creating a gap between the potential of these technologies and their actual deployment. Acknowledging the importance of users in the diffusion of RETs, this thesis examines how these users are conceptualised during RET implementation and use. Using theoretical perspectives from science and technology studies, it analyses the configuration of users during the design and implementation of photovoltaic systems, taking as an example two case studies that took place as part of the UK government's Photovoltaic Domestic Field Trial. The study investigates the multiplicity of actors involved in the installation projects and demonstrates the negotiated nature of photovoltaic system design. During this process, the actors - the managers of the installation projects - constructed user identities based on the users' perceived expectations, preferences, behaviour and knowledge. These identities were materialised into the design of the system, thus creating a script that shaped the use of the technology. The study explored how the photovoltaics were appropriated within the home, highlighting the different modes of use and types of users in relation to the technology. In doing so, the thesis presents how the project managers 'write' the technology, and how the technology is in turn 'read' by the users. This perspective can be helpful in understanding the deployment of RETs, as it stresses their socially shaped nature. It shows how the design of the photovoltaic system was the result of a negotiated process of managers' knowledge and expectations regarding the users, the users' methods of appropriation, and the sociotechnical systems within which they operate. It also argues for the importance of situating the use of photovoltaics. and other related RETs in the domestic sector, within the wider sociotechnical landscape governing household energy consumption.
12
Basalike, Pie. "DESIGN, OPTIMIZATION AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PHOTOVOLTAIC WATER PUMPING TECHNOLOGIES, CASE RWANDA." Thesis, Mälardalens högskola, Akademin för ekonomi, samhälle och teknik, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-28674.
Full textAbstract:
Today agriculture sector has a big contribution to the development of economy for many countries. Irrigation is a method which supplies amount of water required in proper time to the cropped land and contributes to the increases of agriculture productivity. Using diesel pump to deliver water to the place of use causes problems both in terms of profitability and environmental perspectives. Higher price of diesel increases operation costs of diesel water pumping system thereby reducing the incomes. In addition the use of diesel pump emits a huge amount of CO2 emissions which cause global warming. A possible solution to those problems is to use solar energy, a source of energy which is environmental friend and available for free. The main target of this thesis is to design and optimize a cost effective PVWPs considering three alternatives with tank storage, battery storage and a system without storages medium. The two areas in Eastern province of Rwanda were taken as case study to grow coffee and cassava with five hectares each. To run simulations, different tools have been used. Those includes CROPWAT to determine water requirements for two crops; MS Excel to design a PVWPs directly connected to irrigation system, make economic analysis, evaluate CO2 emissions and calculate other parameters. Furthermore in PVsyst software the design and simulation for PVWPs with storages medium has been carried out. Results showed that using PVWPs directly connected to irrigation system is the most profitable way when compared to the rest two alternatives. They also showed that systems designed to irrigate coffee becomes the most profitable due to huge amount of electricity surplus and higher price per kilogram of coffee. Finally fully replacement of DWPs results in annual reduction of CO2 emissions by 6.6 tonnes. Keywords: Photovoltaic system, storages medium, pumping system, economic analysis, reduction in CO2 emissions.
13
Cheokul, Renu. "Advanced power generation and fuel conversion technologies in the case of Thailand." Thesis, University of Ulster, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.268625.
Full text
14
NILSEN, SAMUEL, and ERIC NYBERG. "The adoption of Industry 4.0- technologies in manufacturing : a multiple case study." Thesis, KTH, Industriell Management, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-190630.
Full textAbstract:
Innovations such as combustion engines, electricity and assembly lines have all had a significant role in manufacturing, where the past three industrial revolutions have changed the way manufacturing is performed. The technical progress within the manufacturing industry continues at a high rate and today's progress can be seen as a part of the fourth industrial revolution. The progress can be exemplified by ”Industrie 4.0”; the German government's vision of future manufacturing. Previous studies have been conducted with the aim of investigating the benefits, progress and relevance of Industry 4.0-technologies. Little emphasis in these studies has been put on differences in implementation and relevance of Industry 4.0-technologies across and within industries. This thesis aims to investigate the adoption of Industry 4.0-technologies among and within selected industries and what types of patterns that exists among them. Using a qualitative multiple case study consisting of firms from Aerospace, Heavy equipment, Automation, Electronics and Motor Vehicle Industry, we gain insight into how leading firms are implementing the technologies. In order to identify the factors determining how Industry 4.0-technologies are implemented and what common themes can be found, we introduce the concept production logic, which is built upon the connection between competitive priorities; quality, flexibility, delivery time, cost efficiency and ergonomics. This thesis has two contributions. In our first contribution, we have categorized technologies within Industry 4.0 into two bundles; the Human-Machine-Interface (HMI) and the connectivity bundle. The HMI bundle includes devices for assisting operators in manufacturing activities, such as touchscreens, augmented reality and collaborative robots. The connectivity-bundle includes systems for connecting devices, collecting and analyzing data from the digitalized factory. The result of this master thesis indicates that depending on a firm’s or industry’s logic of production, the adoption of elements from the technology bundles differ. Firms where flexibility is dominant tend to implement elements from the HMI-bundle to a larger degree. In the other end, firms with few product variations where quality and efficiency dominates the production logic tends to implement elements from the connectivity bundle in order to tightly monitor and improve quality in their assembly. Regardless of production logic, firms are implementing elements from both bundles, but with different composition and applications. The second contribution is within the literature of technological transitions. In this contribution, we have studied the rise and development of the HMI-bundle in the light of Geels (2002) Multi-Level Perspective (MLP). It can be concluded that an increased pressure on the landscape-level in the form of changes in the consumer-market and the attitudes within the labor force has created a gradual spread of the HMI-bundle within industries. The bundles have also been studied through Rogers (1995) five attributes of innovation, where the lack of testability and observability prevents increased application of M2M-interfaces. Concerning Big Data and analytics, the high complexity prevents the technology from being further applied. As the HMI-bundle involves a number of technologies with large differences in properties, it is hard draw any conclusion using the attributes of innovation about what limits their application.
15
Beale, Jeremy Dick Chiverall. "Technical innovation, European integration, and the case of information and communication technologies." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.240533.
Full text
16
Odam, Neil. "Developing infant technologies in mature industries : a case study on renewable energy." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/6503.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the development of new technologies in the energy industry and to explore how it is possible for these technologies to compete with incumbent technologies in a mature market. The pursuit of renewable energy has been at the forefront of national government and international institutional policy in recent years due to the desire to improve the security of energy supply and to reduce CO2e emissions. This thesis aims to contribute to this policy debate, particularly by focussing on the issue of governmental support for infant energy technologies. In order to conduct this investigation, two main topics have been analysed. Firstly, learning curves have been studied to establish whether support for new technologies can be justified by the potential cost reductions which arise from learning-by-doing. This research evolved into the investigation of econometric issues which affect learning curves. Patent counts are used to demonstrate an alternative output-based measurement of industry wide knowledge stock, which is used as a proxy for innovation. This alternative specification of knowledge stock corroborates recent findings in the literature, that learning curves which model cost using only cumulative capacity leads to the over-estimation of cost reductions from learning-by-doing and the failure to capture cost reductions resulting from innovation. This suggests that government support for infant technologies should form a dual strategy of incentivising the deployment of generators as well as encouraging innovation, instead of using feed-in tariffs or renewable obligations which narrowly focus on increasing deployment. A great deal of progress has been made in identifying further econometric problems affecting learning curves in recent years. In the progress of this study, it was identified that cumulative capacity, the cost of wind power and knowledge stock are all non-stationary time series variables. The hypothesis that these variables are cointegrated was rejected by the Westerlund test, which implies that learning curves produce spurious results. This has major consequences for government policy as it suggests that learning curves should not be used to justify support for infant technologies. Secondly, a choice experiment was conducted to determine Scottish households’ willingness to pay for electricity generated from renewable sources compared to conventional sources such as coal, oil and gas. A labelled choice experiment was used to determine whether households have preferences between onshore wind power, offshore wind power and wave power. The results of a latent class model reveal that the majority of households (76.5%) are willing to pay an additional £89-£196 per year to obtain electricity from renewable resources instead of conventional sources. However, there is no statistically significant difference in the willingness to pay between the renewable technologies included in the choice experiment. The latent class model also illustrated that there is a sizeable minority (23.5%) who are opposed to renewable energy development. Older respondents and those less concerned about CO2 emissions are significantly more likely to form part of this group at the 5% level of significance. The study also included a unique addition by identifying households which purchased a house in the previous seven years. Interacting the actual transaction prices of these houses in a multinomial logit model suggested that households may be concerned about renewable energy developments devaluing their properties or the additional expense required to power larger houses. Due to the increasing difficulty of conducting choice experiments in the UK, a novel method of eliciting choice experiment responses from online advertising was tested and was found to be a cost-effective method of eliciting choice experiment responses. Overall, the research indicates that caution should be exercised when interpreting the results of a choice experiment which elicits responses using Internet advertising. It can be observed that the pseudo R2 of the Internet-based sample is lower than the mail-based sample and that the mean respondent to the Internet-based choice experiment is willing to pay significantly more for renewable electricity than the mean respondent to the mail-based choice experiment at the 5% level of significance. Furthermore, the mean willingness to pay estimate in the Internet-based choice experiment appears to be unrealistically high. Further research investigating the elasticity of survey responses to the prize fund on offer would be valuable in identifying the most cost-effective strategy to obtain responses and to generate a more representative sample.
17
Pontual, da Rocha Falcão Taciana. "Discovery learning with tangible technologies : the case of children with intellectual disabilities." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2014. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10021669/.
Full textAbstract:
Intellectual disabilities cause significant sub--‐average achievement in learning, with difficulties in perception, attention, communication of ideas, language acquisition, abstraction and generalisation. From a socio--‐constructionist perspective, digital technologies can provide resources to help addressing these difficulties. Tangible technologies are considered particularly promising tools for children with intellectual disabilities, by enabling interaction through physical action and manipulation and facilitating representational concrete--‐ abstract links by integrating physical and digital worlds. However, hands--‐on learning activities remain a recommended but problematic approach for intellectually disabled students. This thesis investigates how and which characteristics of tangible interaction may support children with intellectual disabilities to productively engage in discovery learning. Empirical studies were performed where children with intellectual disabilities used four tangible systems with distinct design characteristics. Four broad themes emerged from qualitative analysis which are central for identifying how to best support exploratory interaction: types of digital representations; physical affordances; representational mappings; and conceptual metaphors. Guidelines for the development of tangible artefacts and facilitation of discovery learning activities with tangibles were derived from these themes. A complementary quantitative analysis investigated the effects of external guidance in promoting episodes of discovery in tangible interaction. This thesis argues that providing tangible interaction alone is not sufficient to bring significant benefits to the experience of intellectually disabled students in discovery learning. Visual digital representations, meaningful spatial configurations of physical representations, temporal and spatial contiguity between action and representations, simple causality and familiar conceptual metaphors are critical in providing informational intrinsic feedback to exploratory actions, which allied with external guidance that creates a minimal underlying structure for interaction, should establish an ideal environment for discovery.
18
Salehi, Yazdi Fatemeh. "Commercializing emerging technologies through networks : case of nanotech SMEs in the UK." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.684809.
Full textAbstract:
This research aims at understanding how business networks influence the commercialization of emerging technologies. It focuses on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the field of nanotechnology in the UK and aims to identify what types of networks they use for commercialization. It also examines how different types of networks can explain success or otherwise in commercialization with respect to the position of the SME in the value chain and the type of resulting innovation. Various streams of literature including debates on SMEs and innovation, open innovation, the innovation systems literature, and the industrial networks approach are used to develop a conceptual framework that guides this research. Using a case study approach, 23 Nanotech SMEs in the UK are investigated. Secondary data on firms are gathered from various sources including company websites and the FAME database. Primary data are collected through 40 semi-structured interviews with SMEs’ senior managers and key informants. Data analysis is based upon thematic analysis. The findings present a typology of networks based on a combination of network structure and actor roles, including six network types: incumbent-oriented network with reactive SME, incumbent-oriented network with proactive SME, SME-oriented network, broker-oriented networks, hybrid networks and interrupted networks. The findings indicate that a reactive approach towards networking is less conducive to commercialization, regardless of the innovation type or value chain position. SMEs can proactively create incumbent-oriented, SME-oriented or broker-oriented networks to facilitate commercialization. Incumbent-oriented networks with proactive SMEs are conducive to commercialization of both nanomaterials and nano-intermediate products and can facilitate commercialization of moderately and highly radical nanotechnology. SME-oriented networks are also conducive to commercialization of moderately and highly radical nanotechnology, but have been used for commercialization of nano-enabled products. Broker-oriented networks can facilitate commercialization of technologies or products developed in the upstream part of the value chain and are more influential in the commercialization of moderately or highly radical nanotechnology. Some Nanotech SMEs are simultaneously involved in more than one network type, i.e. have hybrid networks, pursuing multiple strategies for commercialization. All SMEs with hybrid networks have broker-oriented networks in common and in some cases the broker-oriented network has caused formation of other network types. Finally, the findings show how interrupted networks pose the biggest challenge for commercialization. The thesis contributes to the debates on SMEs and innovation and the gap on how open innovation is implemented within the context of SMEs and emerging technologies. This research also informs SME managers' strategies and choices related to participation in business networks. It provides further insights for policy makers regarding the networking behaviour of SMEs and contribution of various network actors to commercialization and in this way assists with devising policies for encouraging and facilitating collaboration for commercialization.
19
Gordon, Joan M. "New decision making for new media technologies : an educational organization case study /." The Ohio State University, 1992. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487779914826719.
Full text
20
Dabasia, Priya. "A study of the role of advanced technologies in glaucoma case-finding." Thesis, City University London, 2014. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/12364/.
Full textAbstract:
In the UK, 11,000 new cases of open angle glaucoma (OAG) are diagnosed annually in people aged 40 to 70 years. However, two-thirds of UK OAG cases may remain undiagnosed, highlighting the need for improved detection. UK optometrists generate more than 95% of referrals for suspected glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Case-detection of glaucoma may be improved by using screening tests with better diagnostic accuracy, but standardised protocols for advanced technologies used alone, or in combination, to detect glaucoma are lacking. Chapter 2 reports on two cross-sectional surveys of UK community optometrists, determining the equipment and information technology (IT) used in optometric practice, and exploring the rationale behind the uptake of ophthalmic equipment and IT. UK optometrists are increasingly investing in new ophthalmic equipment and IT, including the latest technology. Longitudinal comparisons with previous surveys revealed an increase in use of Optical coherence tomography (OCT), Goldmann/Perkins tonometry and pachymetry. Variations in responses reflected differences in General Ophthalmic Services provision across the UK and involvement in community enhanced services. There was general agreement that specialised equipment enhances clinical care and permits increased involvement in enhanced services, but initial costs and ongoing maintenance can be a financial burden. Chapter 3 summarises a prospective cross-sectional study investigating the diagnostic accuracy of four advanced technologies for detecting POAG, used alone and in combination, in a representative sample (N=505) of the UK primary care population aged ≥60 years, and compared to a reference standard ophthalmic examination. Structural imaging using the iVue SD-OCT provided better discrimination between POAG and non-POAG/non-OHT subjects than either visual function test (Frequency Doubling Technology or Moorfields Motion Displacement Threshold). The low specificity of visual function tests precludes their use in isolation, but their use together with objective evaluation of optic nerve head structure by SD-OCT should improve case-detection of glaucoma. Chapter 4 describes a case-control study (N=78) evaluating the diagnostic effectiveness of two slit-lamp based techniques (van Herick and Smith’s) and imaging-based systems (Pentacam and Visante OCT) when compared to the reference standard gonioscopic observation, to screen for individuals at-risk of angle closure glaucoma (ACG). Overall, the van Herick test and Visante OCT, used either alone or in combination, showed best discrimination between narrow and open angles. Recording of either the temporal or nasal van Herick grade would be sufficient for case-finding in at-risk individuals. Chapter 5 summarises preceding chapters and details recommendations for future research.
21
Bonecchi, Martha Burkle. "The impact if information and communication technologies on higher education systems. A case study of the Monterrey Institute of Technologies , Mexico." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.666766.
Full text
22
Cassens, Jörg. "Explanation Awareness and Ambient Intelligence as Social Technologies." Doctoral thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-2122.
Full textAbstract:
This work focuses on the socio-technical aspects of artificial intelligence, namely how (specific types of) intelligent systems function in human workplace environments. The goal is first to get a better understanding of human needs and expectations when it comes to interaction with intelligent systems, and then to make use of the understanding gained in the process of designing and implementing such systems.
The work presented focusses on a specific problem in developing intelligent systems, namely how the artefacts to be developed can fit smoothly into existing socio-cultural settings. To achieve this, we make use of theories from the fields of organisational psychology, sociology, and linguistics. This is in line with approaches commonly found in AI. However, most of the existing work deals with individual aspects, like how to mimic the behaviour or emulate methods of reasoning found in humans, whereas our work centers around the social aspect. Therefore, we base our work on theories that have not yet gained much attention in intelligent systems design. To be able to make them fruitful for intelligent systems research and development, we have to adapt them to the specific settings, and we have to transform them to suit the practical problems at hand.
The specific theoretical frameworks we draw on are first and foremost activity theory and to a lesser degree semiotics. Activity theory builds on the works of Leont'ev. It is a descriptive tool to help understand the unity of consciousness and activity. Its focus lies on individual and collective work practise. One of its strengths, and the primary reason for its value in AI development, is the ability to identify the role of material artefacts in the work process. Halliday's systemic functional theory of language (SFL) is a social semiotic theory that sets out from the assumption that humans are social beings that are inclined to interact and that this interaction is inherently multimodal. We interact not just with each other, but with our own constructions and with our natural world. These are all different forms of interaction, but they are all sign processes.
Due to the obvious time and spatial constraints, we cannot address all of the challenges that we face when building intelligent artefacts. In reducing the scope of the thesis, we have focused on the problem of explanation, and here in particular the problem of explanation from a user perspective. By putting social theories to work in the field of artificial intelligence, we show that results from other fields can be beneficial in understanding what explanatory capabilities are needed for a given intelligent system, and to ascertain in which situations an explanation should be delivered. Besides lessons learned in knowledge based system development, the most important input comes from activity theory.
The second focus is the challenge of contextualisation. Here we show that work in other scientific fields can be put to use in the development of context aware or ambient intelligent systems. Again, we draw on results from activity theory and combine this with insights from semiotics.
Explanations are themselves contextual, so the third challenge is to explore the space spanned by the two dimensions ability to explain and contextualisation. Again, activity theory is beneficial in resolving this issue.
The different theoretical considerations have also led to some practical approaches. Working with activity theory helps to better understand what the relevant contextual aspects of a given application are and helps to develop models of context which are both grounded in the tradition of context aware systems design and are plausible from a cognitive point of view.
Insights from an analysis of research in the knowledge based system area and activity theory have further lead to the amendment of a toolbox for requirements engineering, so called problem frames. New problem frames that target explanation aware ambient intelligent systems are presented. This is supplemented with work looking at the design of an actual system after the requirements have been elicited and specified. Thus, the socio-technical perspective on explanations is coupled with work that addresses knowledge representation issues, namely how to model sufficient knowledge to be able to deliver explanations.
23
Kabwe, Gillian. "Dissemination pathways for agroforestry technologies : the case for improved fallows in Eastern Zambia." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52239.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agroforestry researchers in Eastern Zambia have identified improved fallows as an intervention for soil fertility problems faced by small-scale farmers. In both on-station and on-farm research experiments which have been conducted since 1989, results have shown that improved fallows can mitigate soil degradation and eventually improve land productivity. Both researchers and extensionists have since embarked on disseminating these fallows to the farming community. Researchers were initially entirely dependent on the conventional agricultural extension services to disseminate the technology to the farmers but the process was slow and so was the uptake for the technology by farmers. As researchers were anxious to see that farmers took up improved fallows in a fastest possible way, they opted to use alternative dissemination pathways such as farmer trainers and local leaders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the three dissemination pathways and determine their effectiveness as regards improved fallows. This study assumed that farmers were not taking up improved fallows because they lacked knowledge of it, and also that the lack of knowledge was exacerbated by the ineffective pathway used to reach the farmers. The study was conducted in Chadiza, Chipata and Katete districts of Eastern Zambia. Data were collected using questionnaires in 28 villages across the three districts. Included in the sample were 296 small-scale farmers for whom this technology is intended. Additionally, 51 farmer trainers, 15 local leaders and 14 agricultural extension officers were interviewed as disseminators of this technology. Farmers were randomly sampled; local leaders were systematically sampled while a total enumeration was done for farmer trainers and agricultural extension officers present at the time of the interviews. This study found that 92% of the farmers were aware of the technology, with 68% having only known about it between 1998 and early 2000. This was the period when farmer trainers were already working. Farmer trainers were source of initial information to 41% of the farmers and yet they only started working recently. Although 92% of the farmers had heard about improved fallows, only 33% had ever planted some. Ten percent cf the entire population of farmers could be said to have adopted improved fallows because they have planted more than one fallow. Lack of knowledge is therefore not the only reason that farmers were not taking up improved fallows. Farmer trainers were found to currently be a more effective dissemination pathway as they were able to reach more farmers even in areas where agricultural extension officers had not been before. Local leaders have not been involved with disseminating improved fallows. Agricultural extension officers were hampered by lack of resources but were still trying to assist farmers with resource assistance from external institutions such as NGOs. The findings point to a need for participatory extension approaches as well as participatory monitoring and evaluation systems.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agrobosbou-navorsers in Oos-Zambië het braaklandbewerking geïdentifiseer as ingryping in grondvrugbaarheidsprobleme wat ondervind word deur boere wat op klein skaal boer. Die resultaat van eksperimente wat gedoen is as deel van beide proefplaas- en plaasnavorsing sedert 1989 het daarop gewys dat die bewerking van braaklande die agteruitgang van grond kan temper en geleidelik die produktiwiteit daarvan kan verhoog. Navorsers sowel as voorligtingsbeamptes het sedertdien onderneem om braaklandbewerking aan die boeregemeenskap bekend te stel. Navorsers was aanvanklik ten volle afhanklik van die konvensionele landbou-voorligtingsdienste om die verspreiding van tegnologiese kennis onder boere te hanteer. Hierdie verspreidingsproses was egter stadig en die boere het ook te lank geneem om die tegnologie in werking te stel. Aangesien dit vir die navorsers belangrik was dat boere braaklandbewerking so spoedig moontlik begin. het hulle daarop besluit om alternatiewe metodes van kennisverspreiding te gebruik. Hierdie alternatiewe metodes het behels dat inligting versprei is deur opleidingsbeamptes onder boere sowel as deur plaaslike leiers. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die drie kanale wat gebruik is om inligting te versprei, te ondersoek en die effektiwiteit daarvan vas te stel. Hierdie studie het voorveronderstel dat boere nie braaklandbewerking gebruik nie omdat hulle nie oor die nodige kennis beskik het nie, en dat die gebrek aan die nodige kennis veroorsaak en vererger is deur die oneffektiewe kanale wat gebruik is om die inligting onder boere te versprei. Die studie is uitgevoer in die distrikte Chadiza, Chipata en Katete van Oos-Zambië. Data is ingesamel deur die gebruik van vraelyste in 28 dorpe dwarsdeur die drie distrikte. Dié steekproef sluit 296 boere in wat op klein skaal boer en op wie dié tegnologie gemik was. Onderhoude is gevoer met 'n aantal addisionele persone, as verspreiders van tegnologiese kennis, bestaande uit Slopleidingsbeamptes onder boere, 15 tradisionele plaaslike leiers, en 14 landbou-voorligtingsbeamptes. Boere is lukraak getrek vir die steekproef Plaaslike leiers is sistematies getrek, terwyl die totale aantal opleidingsbeamptes en landbou-voorligtingsbeamptes wat teenwoordig was ten tye van die onderhoude, as proefpersone gebruik is. Daar is bevind dat 92% van die boere bewus was van dié tegnologie, waarvan 68% eers tussen 1998 en vroeg 2000 daarvan gehoor het. Dit was die periode waarin opleidingsbeamptes alreeds onder die boere werksaam was. Opleidingsbeamptes was vir 41% van die boere die bron van die oorspronklike inligting, en tog het hulle onlangs eers onder die boere begin werk. Alhoewel 92% van die boere al van die bewerking van braaklande gehoor het, het slegs 33% al ooit braaklande aangelê. Daar kan gesê word dat tien persent van die totale boerebevolking braaklandbewerking prakties toegepas het omdat hulle meer as een bewerkte braakland aangelê het. Die gebrek aan kennis is daarom nie die enigste rede vir boere se traagheid om die praktyk van braaklandbewerking te aanvaar nie. Opleidingsbeamptes blyk tans die mees effektiewe verspreiders van inligting onder boere te wees aangesien hulle daartoe in staat was om meer boere te bereik, selfs in gebiede waar landbou-voorligtingsbeamptes nog nooit voorheen was nie. Plaaslike leiers was nie betrokke by die verspreiding van braaklandbewerking me. Landbou voorligtingsbeamptes is gekniehalter deur'n gebrek aan hulpbronne, maar het steeds probeer om boere by te staan met behulp van bystand wat verleen is deur eksterne instellings soos Nie-Regeringsorganisasies (NRO's). Dié bevindinge dui op 'n behoefte aan voorligtingsbenaderings sowel as monitering- en evalueringstelsels wat deelnamegeoriënteer is.
24
Laranja, Manuel Durate. "Small firm entrepreneurial innovation in Portugal : the case of electronic and information technologies." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.294418.
Full text
25
Rodríguez, Benítez Javier. "Spatial diffusion of multimedia technologies among educators a case study of Puerto Rico /." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2009.
Find full text
26
Lynch, Jay S. (Jay Sylphide). "Introducing geographic information systems technologies to public authorities : a case study of MASSPORT." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/68246.
Full text
27
Dikosso-Bebe, Lydie Marina. "Mobile Technologies for Language Learning: A Case Study of Beginning Learners of French." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2020. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1703419/.
Full textAbstract:
Over the past 25 years, research on the effectiveness of new technologies in teaching has been constantly evolving as teachers try to keep up with educational trends. With the current evolution of technology, it is important to find out how students feel about the use of technologies in both the classroom setting and the non-traditional learning environment. The objective of this project is to determine which applications the students of French 1010 (first semester of college-level French) at the University of North Texas use for language learning to supplement and reinforce the concepts learned in class. Two questions guided this project: (1) what are the new technologies that students in French 1010 use? and (2) if UNT were to implement hybrid classes, would students be interested in taking them? In order to answer these questions, a survey was distributed to 184 students of French 1010 at UNT during the fall 2019 semester. From these surveys, 100 were selected for analysis in the present study, and three students were interviewed as a way to collect additional data. The results of the survey showed that Duolingo was the most used application for language learning purposes, while the interviews showed that the students would be open to the possibility of taking hybrid classes. From these results arise questions related to ways in which mobile applications can be effectively incorporated in language classrooms.
28
Galimberti, Ilaria. "Large chemical firms in biotechnology : case studies on learning in radically new technologies." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1993. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.358457.
Full textAbstract:
The thesis analyses how large European chemical companies assimilated biotechnology during the 1980s and what effect this had on the structure and organisation of their innovative capabilities. Since their establishment in the early 1900s these companies have grown, through a process of innovation and technological diversification, into very large and successful multinational and multiproduct firms today world-wide leaders in their sector. This was to a large extent made possible by their ability to develop internally their own technology and master scientific and technological advance in synthetic chemistry. The emergence of biotechnology (one of the most important and powerful generic technologies of the 20th century) in an institutional and scientific setting largely external to their core competences, posed them the problem of "learning" and "innovation" in new terms. New strategies for "learning" had therefore to be developed and implemented. Biotechnology was largely assimilated by these firms as an enabling technology rather than a product technology and this had for them a number of implications for the organisation of the R&D function and of searching procedures. Differences in strategic behaviour and decision-making in the process of learning and capability building in the new technology can be related both to structural differences in their own national system of innovation (i. e. science system) and differences in corporate cultures (i. e. visions and beliefs). On a theoretical ground these case studies of learning in a radically new technology question directly the concept of learning developed within an evolutionary approach to the theory of the firm and of innovation, and provide some theoretical insights on the links between organisational and technical change in a case of a very science based technology
29
Östlund, Fredrik. "Designing a Digital Service for Users with Low Understanding of a Language : A Case Study." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för tillämpad fysik och elektronik, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-172984.
Full textAbstract:
During the last decades Europe has seen an increase in the number of refugees coming to the region. When arriving in a new country one faces several challenges to overcome. In Sweden, a lot of the services the government provides regarding immigration, social insurance, and health care are digital. This can on some occasions create a situation where the user of these services can not speak or write any of the languages available in the service. This thesis aims to investigate what aspects of user experience design that could support a user completing tasks and understanding context in a digital setting even though the language might not be fully understood. By looking at the aspects of cross-cultural design, design for illiterate users, and understanding icon design, a prototype was developed and tested on users not literate in the language used. The results showed that the users were able to complete the task given, and understand the context.
30
Abrahamsson, Hanna, and Linn Karlsson. "Case Study: Digitization of a User Interface : Investigating the use of a touch screen in Helicopter 14." Thesis, KTH, Maskinkonstruktion (Inst.), 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-276838.
Full textAbstract:
A user interface should be intuitive to allow efficient and safe execution of tasks. Helicopter 14 (HKP 14) has operator consoles with an analog user interface, called Programmable Keys (PK), to control a Mission Management System (MMS). The idea of replacing the PK with touch technology has arisen. To understand operators’ working environment, this case study was conducted with inspiration from ethnography. The PK have been studied by reading system manuals and familiarizing with the MMS in Saab’s test rigs and in HKP 14. This study aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges with implementing a touch screen to replace the current PK. Interviews have been conducted with operators and one technician working with HKP 14. To highlight additional perspectives on usage of touch technology, interviews with employees at FMV and Saab were carried out. This study found both benefits and drawbacks with implementing a touch screen in the helicopter. The most common concern was that touch screens lack tactile feedback. This study exemplifies how physical support can be achieved on a touch screen and how a Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be designed with regards to this.Se filen
31
LLORET, CENDALES KEVIN. "Robustness simulation ofbus crew schedules : Case Study Frihamnen Depot (Stockholm)." Thesis, KTH, Transportplanering, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-258798.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis develops a model aimed at predicting the performance of bus crew schedules and study their operational capacity to face disruptions, that is, its robustness. It is based on the relation among schedule deviation, passengers and slack times, considered as non-productive times before trips.Optimization of Public Transport is a challenge that main cities are facing since this type of transport is the backbone of mobility. New powerful versions of transport planning software are providing more optimal schedules to operators, therefore decreasing their costs, but increasing the risk of delays due to more gathered schedules that can cause fines and passengers’ dissatisfaction.A trade-off between production and fines costs is needed to find the optimal slack times. To reach that goal, the Frihamnen bus depot in Stockholm (Sweden) was selected as case study, having historical data of all their lines for last year. A regression model for schedule deviation was calculated which served to create a computer tool in Microsoft Excel, giving the possibility to checking the performance of new schedules based on that historical data.The results showed an inverse relation between schedule deviation and slack times. Moreover, short non-productive times before trips also mean high delays on departures. A positive output is that adding a stop of at least 10% of the total trip time, the first departure would be on time or 2 minutes late as maximum. Several software developers are applying similar studies to their products to keep optimizing bus schedules while taking an economic and social approach.
32
Lam, U. Tong. "The impact of technologies on organizations : the case of the Leal Senado de Macau." Thesis, University of Macau, 1996. http://umaclib3.umac.mo/record=b1636737.
Full text
33
Bektas, Hayrettin Onur. "Developing A Methodology For Finding Network Water Losses Using Information Technologies: A Case Study." Master's thesis, METU, 2010. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12612773/index.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This study aims to develop an integrated methodology for finding water leaks in a water distribution network. The integrated methodology is formed from SCADA System, Customer Information System (CIS), and Geographic Information System. The methodology is based on forming district-metered areas (DMA) and sub-DMAs in pressure zones by isolation of the network. Leaking spots in the network are localised by step testing within the DMA. With leak noise loggers leaking spots are localized with an increased accuracy and finally pinpointed by ground microphones. Minimum night flows are observed from the SCADA system before and after the repairs of the leaks to calculate physical water loss percentage in the DMA. Monthly non-revenue water percentage is calculated using the data obtained from SCADA and CIS. With a buffer analysis on the water distribution network data, the benefit of the leak noise loggers is maximized and the working time with the ground microphones are minimized. The methodology is applied in two different DMAs in Antalya water distribution network with different characteristics. In the first DMA, only the developed methodology is applied and a decrease of 19.2% is achieved in physical water losses. In the second DMA, pressure reduction is added to the methodology and a decrease of 4.9% is achieved.
34
Bashir, Muhammad Shahid, and Mohd Zalmy Zakaria. "Hesitation on adoption Self-Service Technologies (SSTs) : A case study on self payment machine." Thesis, Umeå University, Department of Informatics, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-34814.
Full textAbstract:
Self service providers are making such systems which offer faster and more flexible service to the user. Most of us are familiar about self service technologies such as Kiosk, Auto Teller Machine, Self Check in machine, Self payment machine etc. Unfortunately, users are not using these SSTs commonly as advancement has been occurring in SSTs. Sometimes, people look annoyed and feel fear to use such kind of technology at public spaces. Generally, these systems need interaction between users and technology to create service outcome instead of interacting with a service personnel. These technological interfaces have been called Self-service technologies (SSTs). Yet, not all users choose to use the new technologies and they still feel some hesitations to adopt this technologies in this case SSTs. This study investigated the factors that make users hesitate to use and adopt SSTs.
35
Lafferty, Susan. "The Australian Digital Theses Program and the theory of disruptive technologies : a case study /." Electronic version, 2003. http://adt.lib.uts.edu.au/public/adt-NTSM20040714.170215/index.html.
Full text
36
Nam, Kyung-min. "Impacts of information technologies on regional structure focusing on the case of South Korea /." [S.l. : s.n.], 2004. http://books.google.com/books?id=NO1OAAAAMAAJ.
Full text
37
Thuvara, Vineet. "The Peloton Approach : forecasting and strategic planning for emerging technologies : a case for RFID." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/35096.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (p. 140-144).
The RFID industry is going through a sea of change and at different levels within the industry. Forecasts have been done on different facets of the RFID/EPC industry like the market size or the possible financial returns. However, the forecasts to date are not based on a collective view on the evolving, dynamic and inter-relating nature of such technology covering Retailers, Suppliers and Industry experts on the same landscape. The EPC Peloton Forecasting and Strategic Planning Tool was developed out of a need to collaborate and form consensus around the events and milestones that are critical for the widespread adoption of EPC for the Fast Moving Consumer Goods ("FMCG") industry. Though developed around its need in the RFID space, this tool can be used for decision making around any emerging technology. We are at a critical juncture in the history of RFID where there is excitement among stakeholders and the technology's promise needs to be harnessed by providing the stakeholders with a clear idea of (a) where the technology's future lies and (b) how consensus on how to achieve such a future can be facilitated.
(cont.) The Peloton Approach deals with how to identify or develop a technology forecasting methodology that could capture inputs from all dimensions of the industry and lay down a range of possible future paths. To address the latter issue of collaboration, the Peloton aids in identifying the various stakeholders and their stages of adoption and provide a platform for people at a similar level of adoption to collaborate or enable those seeking information to be able to get into the bandwagon and adopt relevant strategies.
by Vineet Thuvara.
S.M.
38
Tunroth, Lovisa, and Linda Mokvist. "Information and Communication Technologies Impact on Social Capital : A case study in northern Uganda." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-161371.
Full textAbstract:
The distance between the third world and the western countries is continuing to increase. The continent of Africa is home to many of the absolute poorest nations on this planet, making development even more difficult in the region. The slow development is the result of many factors, after the colonial times, the continent was left with civic wars and violence while trying to establish stable governments. In Uganda, it took several decades of bloody massacres and fights before the country reach relative stability. Other factors, leaving war to the side, are now affecting the development of the nation. High technological illiteracy outside the central region is prohibiting the Ugandan citizens from accessing information and the global market, leaving them with the opposite to a competitive advantage. The government has recognized the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the country’s development, and heavy investment programs and acts has been carried out. The infrastructure is there, but the knowledge of how to utilize it is not. To solve this problem, private actors and non-government organizations has taken on the responsibility of educating the population in technological usage. A research gap was found of how ICT impacts the youth in agrarian areas of developing countries. The purpose of this thesis was therefore to explore the impact access and knowledge of ICT has on Social Capital in rural villages in Northern Uganda. The research will also address how these two components could affect the economic performance in the area. To fulfil the purpose, a qualitative study will be carried out with in-depth interviews held at the learning sites of Whitaker Peace & Development Imitative in northern Uganda. Through the research process, the interviews will be continuously analysed using grounded theory. The results confirmed that ICT has a positive relationship to Social Capital, enabling the community to grow at a faster pace than it otherwise would. ICT also increase competitiveness among the youth and creates job opportunities as well as access to external funding and grants. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of the results concluded in the development of a model for how ICT access among the youth can impact Social Capital and lead to sustainable community development. Keywords: Information and Communication Technology, ICT, Social Capital, Sustainable Development, Economic Performance, Youth, Developing Economy, Uganda, Ericsson, WPDI
39
Wolfeld, Bruce R. 1963. "A case study in the deployment of digital access technologies : DSL vs. cable modems." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/9447.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (S.M.M.O.T.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Management of Technology Program, 1999.Includes bibliographical references.
From its start in the early 1900's, the communications business has been a regulated industry with little or no competition. The economic incentives to deploy new technological innovations were often overshadowed by the regulatory environment and a lack of competitive pressures. The 1982 divestiture of AT&T successfully created competition in the long distance market, however the local access market continued to operate as regulated monopoly. As the primary access point between users and the telecommunications network, the local access providers have extracted significant value from the telecommunications market. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (T A96) was designed to open up the local access market to competition. The incumbent suppliers were required to enable competition by making their assets available to competitors. At the same time, Internet data transport was becoming the dominant telecommunications revenue source and new technologies that offered high-speed Internet access were becoming available. This thesis demonstrates that the three types of competitors defined by TA96 have evolved different strategies for maximizing the value that they can capture from the telecommunications market. By applying a case study for Cable Modems and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modems, it is shown that the economic incentives to deploy new technologies are not necessarily aligned with the needs of the telecommunications consumer.
by Bruce R. Wolfeld.
S.M.M.O.T.
40
Barnes, Jake Peter. "The local embedding of technologies through community-led initiatives : the case of sustainable energy." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2016. http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/61170/.
Full textAbstract:
It is widely acknowledged that existing low carbon technologies offer substantial means to reduce the carbon intensity of existing lifestyles. Yet the problem is not simply one of diffusion: commercially developed technologies need to be made to work in diverse local contexts of use. They need to be locally embedded. I approach the study of ‘local embedding' through a particular actor, community-led energy initiatives and the broad research question: how are community-led energy initiatives seeking to integrate sustainable technologies into local contexts of use? I explore the agency of community activists to locally embed technologies and the context dynamics influencing how their projects develop. In doing so, I identify a gap in current knowledge between the social embedding of technology by wider society (as conceptualised by sustainability transitions research) and the appropriation of technology by users (as conceptualised by domestication studies) and develop the concept of local embedding as a distinct conceptual contribution. Having identified community initiatives as performing a largely intermediary role I draw on insights from research on innovation intermediaries to understand their agency. A framework is constructed through building blocks from these approaches, then tested and refined through four comparative case studies on community attempts at local embedding. The research contributes a novel process model on community-based intermediation for local embedding. I identify an ideal-typical sequence to key community-based intermediary processes and identify a variety of context dynamics influencing project development. As such I contribute to current discussions within (a) sustainability transitions research, about actors and their agency, and (b) innovation intermediaries research, identifying an under-studied intermediary working at the user-end of innovation processes and refine an existing framework on key intermediary processes.
41
Sgoutas, Konstantinos. "Effectiveness of electric vehicles vs. vehicle technologies : a case study in environmental transportation policy." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/46448.
Full text
42
Pargianas, Michael. "Technologies for knowledge management : a case study of the Semantic Web in Rolls-Royce." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2004. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/45934/.
Full textAbstract:
The Semantic Web (SW) represents the next wave in the evolution of the World Wide Web (WWW). It is a web of interlinked documents containing information that can be processed, understood and reasoned over by machines. The machine is the primary user in this Web. The aim of the Semantic Web is to turn the WWW from what can be described today as a gigantic web of pages, to a global database that will permit a more fine-grained access to the information that resides on the Web. Queries initiated by humans or machines retrieve the information of interest. In this thesis the application of concepts of the Semantic Web is being investigated in the context of product unit cost modelling in Rolls-Royce plc. Parametric cost modelling is one of the approaches used to cost estimation. Parametric models rely on statistical techniques that analyse usually historical data to produce regression equations. During this process numerous assumptions become embedded in the models. Understanding the underlying data and assumptions enables judgements to be made about the suitability and applicability of a given cost model to the task at hand and leads to an understanding of the model in question. Passing knowledge intensive artefacts such as cost models over organisational boundaries requires a shared understanding between providers and consumers, of what the model represents and under which circumstances it can be used. A shared understanding is reached when ambiguity regarding possible alternative interpretations is eliminated. Currently this is achieved by providing cost model documentation to the end users. It is hypothesised that the use of explicit vocabularies a.k.a. ontologies to describe the data used in cost models will enable the effective dissemination of costing knowledge within Rolls-Royce plc, from organisations that possess such expertise to the engineering functions that consume it. A corporate semantic web drawing on its inference capabilities can remove some of the documentation overhead expended by the costing organisations in support of the tasks of producing, validating, disseminating, auditing and maintaining these parametric cost models. Such a semantic web can provide designers with cost models in a manner that reflects the change in availability of design information as the design definition evolves from abstract to concrete. Information resources from the corporate intranet can be integrated with costing data to provide contextual information in support of the statistical analysis and validation stages.
43
Dadi, Legesse. "Adoption and diffusion of agricultural technologies : case of East and West Shewa zones, Ethiopia." Thesis, University of Manchester, 1998. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.644348.
Full text
44
Chinseu, Edna Loga. "Smallholder farmers' dis-adoption of agricultural technologies : the case of conservation agriculture in Malawi." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2018. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/20773/.
Full textAbstract:
Dis-adoption of conservation agriculture (CA) remains a perplexing challenge in development efforts aiming to enhance sustainable agricultural production. While international development partners, governments and non-governmental organisations are actively promoting CA across sub-Saharan Africa, increasing evidence shows that farmers practice the technology for a short time, and then often dis-adopt. Due to limited scholarly attention to date, reasons for dis-adoption are not well known. Examining underlying reasons for smallholders’ dis-adoption is imperative to improve delivery of CA, achieve sustained adoption, improve agricultural production and ensure enduring impacts of agricultural development interventions more broadly. This research investigates why smallholders dis-adopt CA in Malawi by examining institutional arrangements of CA promoters, relevant national policies and farmers’ experiences and perception of CA. A mixed methods approach was used, involving key informant interviews, policy analysis, household questionnaire surveys, and focus group discussions across two study Districts. Findings reveal that complex, multi-dimensional and multi-layered drivers across the CA innovation system underlie CA dis-adoption decisions. Shortfalls in institutional arrangements play a critical role in dis-adoption as they promulgate unfavourable experiences and perceptions among farmers during CA implementation. Limited engagement of smallholders in project design and implementation diminishes local ownership and commitment while inadequate resources constrain extension service support. The study shows that smallholder farmers encounter various social, technological and economic challenges, which coupled with unfulfilled expectations, lead to dis-adoption. Findings suggest that to address CA dis-adoption in Malawi and similar contexts in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a need to: (1) collaboratively design projects to suit local needs, preferences and context; (2) emphasise environmental and climate resilience benefits of CA rather than economic benefits; (3) apply longer-term, flexible, low-cost and inclusive project management options; and (4) create an enabling policy and institutional environment for sustained CA adoption.
45
Vera, Molina Juan. "Technology Choices under Emissions Policy and Technology Diffusion constraints : the case of Passenger Vehicles." Thesis, Université Paris-Saclay (ComUE), 2019. http://www.theses.fr/2019SACLA021/document.
Full textAbstract:
Les instruments politiques sur les émissions de véhicules passagers visent à réduire les externalités négatives sur l'environnement causées par l'usage des véhicules. Des réglementations sur les émissions de CO2 ont été mises en place en Europe, aux États-Unis, en Chine et ailleurs. La cible réglementaire basée sur la moyenne des émissions des véhicules vendus par un constructeur devient plus contraignante au fil du temps. Cette thèse analyse comment les constructeurs automobiles anticipent et préparent leurs futurs portefeuilles de technologies afin de respecter les futurs objectifs politiques. Pour conduire cette analyse, cette thèse développe un modèle d'optimisation des choix technologiques sous la contrainte de diffusion technologique.Avec ce cadre de modélisation basé sur la limitation de la vitesse à laquelle une technologie peut se diffuser dans un marché, cette thèse étudie trois questions politiques. Dans un premier temps, nous analysons comment le type d'anticipation du futur peut modifier les choix technologiques faits à court et à long termes. Nous montrons qu'une anticipation du futur focalisée sur les objectifs de court terme peut empêcher l'atteinte de la cible à long terme. Respecter la cible à court terme n'est une condition ni nécessaire ni suffisante pour permettre le niveau d'émissions requis par la cible à long terme. De plus si l'anticipation du futur n'est pas parfaite, les choix technologiques vont être verrouillés dans des technologies à faible potentiel d'abattement créant ainsi une dépendance au sentier qui limite l'abattement potentiel à long terme.Dans un deuxième temps, nous nous intéressons à évaluer quantitativement comment l'indexation sur la masse des véhicules de la réglementation CO2 change les critères optimaux de choix. Nous montrons qu'il n'existe pas de différence significative dans le coût social de la mobilité entre les deux mécanismes de réglementation CO2 avec et sans indexation sur la masse pour une même cible d'émissions. Cependant les choix technologiques entre ces mécanismes sont différents, la réglementation CO2 indexée à la masse ne développe en aucun cas les technologies d'allègement.Dans un troisième temps, nous étudions comment les choix technologiques changent quand des politiques à objectifs multiples se superposent. Nous centrons notre analyse sur deux externalités associées à la mobilité: les émissions CO2 et la pollution de l'air locale. Nous montrons trois types d'impacts de la superposition de politiques. Premièrement, une politique technologiquement spécifique tel que le Mandat de Véhicule à Zéro Émission en combinaison avec la réglementation CO2 provoque le développement de technologies vertes coûteuses et empêche les technologies sales et peu coûteuses de disparaître. Dans le cas de l'application de la réglementation CO2 seule nous n'observons pas ce comportement. Deuxièmement, la superposition de politiques peut mener à un coût élevé quand les technologies adaptées à chacune des politiques sont très différentes. Troisièmement, nous trouvons un effet ambigu de la superposition de politiques relative à l'application d'une politique seule sur la performance environnementalePolicy instruments on passenger vehicle emissions aim at reducing negative environmental externalities from vehicles use. To regulate CO2 emissions, fuel economy standards have been put in place in Europe and in the US, among others. These standards are made more stringent over time. This thesis analyzes how automotive firms anticipate and prepare their future technology portfolio to comply with expected future standards. To do so, we develop a model of optimal technology choice that captures technology diffusion constraints.With this framework, this thesis investigates three policy questions. First, we ask how the form of anticipation can affect near- and long-term technology choices. We find that focusing solely on near-term objectives can lead to failure to comply with a long-term target. In fact, meeting the near-term target is not a necessary nor a sufficient condition to satisfy long-term compliance. Moreover, when there is partial anticipation, as in a myopic view of the future, technology choices will be stuck with low abatement technologies creating a path dependency that limits long-term abatement potential.Second, we ask how much indexing fuel economy standard to mass (as in Europe or China) changes the optimal technology. We show that, for the same emission target, there is no significant difference in the social cost of mobility for an average vehicle with and without mass index. Thus a heavier vehicle fleet has the same cost than a lighter one. However, the technology choices are different, and mass indexed fuel economy standards lead to sidestepping lightweight technologies despite being cost effective from a CO2 emissions abatement point of view.Third, we ask how technology choices change when policies with multiple objectives overlap. We focus on two externalities associated with mobility: CO2 emissions and local air pollution. We show three type of effects of overlapping policies. First, a technology specific policy such as the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate in combination with a fuel economy standard induces carmakers to develop more expensive green technologies and prevents cheap, dirty technologies from disappearing compared to the case of a fuel economy standard alone. Second, the combination of policies can lead to very high costs when technologies adapted to each policy are very different. Third, we find an ambiguous effect of overlapping policies relative to single-objective policy in terms of emissions performance
46
Williams, Tristan. "The management of renewable energy technologies implementations within a contracting organisation's processes." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2013. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/12802.
Full textAbstract:
The construction industry is facing ever more challenging targets to reduce the environmental impact of new-build and refurbishment projects. The construction industry has failed to adopt renewable energy technologies (RETs) into mainstream construction projects; however, this aspect of the construction challenge needs addressing by large contractors. This thesis has established that there is a need to educate contractor personnel in the application and integration of RETs into construction projects to ensure that the construction industry can preserve its legacy for future generations. In order to improve the construction industry s use of renewable energy in building projects, it was necessary to reassess how the industry viewed energy. Contracting organisations have a diverse workforce, a fact established through a company-based desk study, workshops, interviews and surveys; this guided the direction of the project to satisfy the aims and objectives. The initial research findings enabled development of a strategy to improve RET knowledge within a UK contracting organisation. This research has developed trialled and tested a training programme aimed at educating construction professionals on the application of RETs that are relevant to new-build construction projects, and at improving knowledge sharing within a contracting organisation. Training material has been developed that includes six RET handbooks, a sustainability workshop incorporating RETs, an e-learning suite of online modules designed to suit a range of construction disciplines from designers to site-based staff. In addition, the research improved business practice through supporting knowledge share across all business units in addition to identifying the benefits of post-occupancy evaluation. The research has impacted the sponsoring organisation on several business elements including creation of a new business unit to assess completed projects in order to inform design and construction on future projects leading towards improved knowledge management on RETs. The e-learning component uses a combination of graphical imagery, audio voice-overs, knowledge-checks and assessment gathered from active construction projects to enable employees to engage in knowledge and experience sharing on a project-by-project basis, and organisational learning through case studies and post-occupancy evaluation of completed projects. Feedback received from the pilot study of the training materials has been encouraging and positive. While further research is required to measure the long-term effect of the initiative on the workforce population, a six month review suggested that a refresher course is required bi-annually to ensure the workforce score consistent results in the assessment and to update the training with new project experience to share within the organisation. The wider impact on the industry is to showcase the potential learning benefits of post-occupancy evaluation (POE) to contractors and the industry as a whole. The research has highlighted typical industry practice within a contracting organisations regarding knowledge sharing within the company and has demonstrated the improvement on employee knowledge after introduction of a training initiative utilising POE (typically a consultant tool) during the construction phase to prevent re-inventing the wheel . Through regularly and collectively sharing information and project experience, it is envisaged that the full range of contractor disciplines will have increased interaction to ensure all perspectives are accommodated during the design, construction and facility management phases of a building s life cycle.
47
Mungai, Paul. "Understanding the types of knowledge demonstrated by social work students while developing ePortfolios : case of UWC." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11133.
Full textAbstract:
This study seeks firstly to understand the types of ePortfolios that the learners are expected to develop as per the rubric, secondly to understand the various types of knowledge that learners demonstrate during the process of creating ePortfolios, thirdly to determine the ePortfolio activity systems of second year learners and fourthly to determine the effectiveness of the rubric in assessing the various types of knowledge demonstrated by the learners while creating their ePortfolio.
48
Phakathi, Bekezela. "Impact of new media technologies on the production of economics news in South Africa : a case study of Fin24.com (www.fin24.com)." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007631.
Full textAbstract:
New media technology continues to provide journalists with sophisticated tools that are changing news processing and gathering. Economics journalists in particular have grasped the possibilities offered by new media technologies. Thus, this paper offers a theoretical and practical look at how new media technologies have impacted the production and processing of economics news in South Africa, with a particular focus on Fin24.com which is South Africa's biggest online economics news publication. Using qualitative research methods and the case-study approach, this thesis documents the impact of new media technologies on the production of economics news. It draws on Witschge and Nygren's (2009) framework which describes how new media technologies change the nature in which news is produced and processed. New media technologies in this study will refer to the Internet, particularly search engines like Google, social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, Blogs as well as mobile telephony. Economics journalism will here refer to all coverage of economics and business-related news. This is because the case study (Fin24.com) covers both business and economics journalism by strict definition. Findings reveal that these new media technologies have not only changed economics newsgathering and processing but also journalistic routines. The findings generally show that new media technologies make it easier for economics journalists to produce the news quickly and efficiently. Indeed, the most distinguishing characteristic of new media is its overall speed, which is both challenging and attractive. The findings also reveal that new media technologies within a newsroom can be problematic in a number of ways, mainly raising issues of accuracy and credibility thus challenging the profession of economics journalism more than ever.
49
Melin, Ulf, and Karin Axelsson. "Managing e-service development : comparing two e-government case studies." Linköpings universitet, VITS - Laboratoriet för verksamhetsinriktad systemutveckling, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-50600.
Full textAbstract:
Purpose – To contribute to a better understanding of the progress and the success vs. failure in e-government development, based on case studies of two inter-organizational e-service projects. Design/Methodology/Approach – The analysis in the paper is made from a) an e-government systems development life-cycle perspective and b) a challenge and success factor perspective. The point of departure is theory and a comparative analysis of two e-government projects. Findings – The main results in this paper are 1) a combination of perspectives (in a project stage and analysis grid) that can serve as a support when managing e-service development and 2) a set of identified crucial success factors within an inter-organizational e-government project including project manager skills and position in the agency organization as well as when and how systems maintenance issues are introduced into a project. Existing theory and perspectives are also criticised based on the present study. Practical implications – Lessons to learn from a challenge and success factors perspective in two different e-government projects, and suggestions to revise an e-government development life-cycle in order to perform a better practice in the field. The revised/developed project stage and analysis grid presented in the paper is one way to deal with the challenges related to the management of e-service development in the public sector. Originality/value – This paper addresses a number of challenges of complexity and risk that e-government initiatives face. It is not an easy matter to realize such initiatives’ potential. A key research issue for the e-government field, as well as the information systems field in general, is to understand why some projects progress to success while others end in failure. This is the niche for the present paper.
50
Magunje, Caroline G. N. "Using mobile phones to support learning : a case of UCT first year female science students in the Academic Development Programme." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11742.
Full textAbstract:
Includes bibliographical references.In recent years, South African universities have been faced with increased massification as a result of more students entering higher education institutions. Some of the students are from poor communities such as rural areas and former black townships which are still educationally disadvantaged. These students, who have been described as ‘digital strangers’ in other studies, have had very little access to or had never used computers prior to university. With increased computerisation in higher education institutions, digital strangers face problems integrating into computer based learning. In contrast to computer access, mobile phone ownership is pervasive and ownership is not socially differentiated in the South African context. This study therefore sought to explore the use of mobile phones to support learning by first year female science students in an extended academic program at the University of Cape Town. Using critical theory, Gee’s notions of Big (D) and little (d) discourses and a qualitative case study methodology, the study examined student’s technological identities. Whilst the results of the study show the powerlessness that digital strangers feel when exposed to computers during their first year of study, the results also show that students identify with their mobile phones because the technology is part of their Discourse. The mobile phone provides emancipation and empowerment that the students need to survive in a challenging science fields through informal and affective learning necessitated by the various internet enabled applications of the technology. The study also showed that students found transferable skills from their mobile phones to computers, thereby enhancing their transition into computer based learning. The study recommends that higher education institutions should consider mobile phones as viable learning tools and the technology should not be regarded as separate from the computer, but rather the two should be viewed as complimentary educational tools.