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Bäckman, David. "EVALUATION OF MACHINE LEARNING ALGORITHMS FOR SMS SPAM FILTERING." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för datavetenskap, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-163188.
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The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate different machine learning algorithms and methods for text representation in order to determine what is best suited to use to distinguish between spam SMS and legitimate SMS. A data set that contains 5573 real SMS has been used to train the algorithms K-Nearest Neighbor, Support Vector Machine, Naive Bayes and Logistic Regression. The different methods that have been used to represent text are Bag of Words, Bigram and Word2Vec. In particular, it has been investigated if semantic text representations can improve the performance of classification. A total of 12 combinations have been evaluated with help of the metrics accuracy and F1-score.The results shows that Logistic Regression together with Bag of Words reach the highest accuracy and F1-score. Bigram as text representation seems to work worse then the others methods. Word2Vec can increase the performnce for K-Nearst Neigbor but not for the other algorithms.
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Martin, Wickus. "A lossy, dictionary -based method for short message service (SMS) text compression." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6415.
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Short message service (SMS) message compression allows either more content to be fitted into a single message or fewer individual messages to be sent as part of a concatenated (or long) message. While essentially only dealing with plain text, many of the more popular compression methods do not bring about a massive reduction in size for short messages. The Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) specification suggests that untrained Huffman encoding is the only required compression scheme for SMS messaging, yet support for SMS compression is still not widely available on current handsets. This research shows that Huffman encoding might actually increase the size of very short messages and only modestly reduce the size of longer messages. While Huffman encoding yields better results for larger text sizes, handset users do not usually write very large messages consisting of thousands of characters. Instead, an alternative compression method called lossy dictionary-based (LD-based) compression is proposed here. In terms of this method, the coder uses a dictionary tuned to the most frequently used English words and economically encodes white space. The encoding is lossy in that the original case is not preserved; instead, the resulting output is all lower case, a loss that might be acceptable to most users. The LD-based method has been shown to outperform Huffman encoding for the text sizes typically used when writing SMS messages, reducing the size of even very short messages and even, for instance, cutting a long message down from five to two parts. Keywords: SMS, text compression, lossy compression, dictionary compression
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FONSECA, JESSICA MATTOSO DA. "SMS ADOPTION BY MOBILE USERS: A PROPOSAL BASED ON THE TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL." PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO, 2006. http://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/Busca_etds.php?strSecao=resultado&nrSeq=8858@1.
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As operadoras celulares estão vivendo um momento no qual a
comunicação
por voz praticamente já chegou ao seu ápice e os serviços
de valor agregado estão
se tornando peças fundamentais para o sucesso de uma
empresa móvel. O Serviço
de Mensagem de Texto (SMS) é o serviço de valor agregado
mais difundido
atualmente, sendo responsável por aproximadamente 80% da
receita de dados da
maioria das operadoras móveis no Brasil e no mundo. Esta
dissertação busca
compreender os motivadores que levam os usuários de
celular a adotarem o
Serviço de Mensagem de Texto. Para compreendê-los foi
realizada uma análise
baseada no Modelo de Aceitação da Tecnologia (TAM -
Technology Acceptance
Model) incluindo as variáveis qualidade do serviço
percebida e custo percebido. A
análise de dados foi feita por meio de análise
multivariada utilizando o software
estatístico SPSS 13.0, e o sistema de equações estruturais
foi suportado pelo
software AMOS 4.0. Constatou-se no modelo que, apesar das
variáveis Facilidade
Percebida, Qualidade do Serviço Percebida e Custo
Percebido influenciarem a
Atitude em Relação ao Uso; a Utilidade Percebida é o
constructo mais relevante
na determinação da Atitude em Relação ao Uso e da Intenção
de Uso, e que a
Intenção de Uso é fundamental para o constructo Uso Real.<br>Mobile operators have been challenged since voice
communication reached
its peak and value added services became crucial for
success. SMS is the most
adopted value added service and responds for 80% of mobile
data revenues in
Brazil and in the world. This essay tries to understand
customer`s motivation for
adopting SMS service. An extended version of TAM -
Technology Acceptance
Model that includes the Perceived Quality Service and the
Perceived Cost
variables was analyzed in order to understand these
factors. The software SPSS
13.0 helped to perform a multivariate data analysis and
the structured equations
were supported by the software AMOS 4.0. The analysis of
results provides the
following conclusions: Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived
Service Quality and
Perceived Cost influence the Attitude toward Using;
Perceived Usefulness is the
most relevant construct to determine the Attitude toward
Using and the Behavioral
Intention to Use; Behavioral Intention to Use is key
driver to the construct Actual
Use.
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Reznik-Lavi, Noga. "Promoting Class Interactionsupported by Personal ResponseSystems." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för medieteknik (ME), 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-43000.
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Interaction is an important and essential aspect of the educational learning processes, since it can be used in a wide range of educational settings, in diverse ways (Anderson, 2002). Personal response system technologies (PRS), also known as Clickers, facilitates interactivity with an audience, enabling participants to instantly respond to posed questions and provides a representation of the collected data. The implementation of such systems in real pedagogical settings enables teachers to obtain interactions within big classes while preserving the lesson’s flow (Martyn, 2007).SMS-HIT is a PRS based on mobile devices enabling student interactions via SMS or web, designed and developed in order to support learning and assessment activities in real educational or training situations (Kohen-Vacs, Ronen, & Bar-Ness, 2012). The users create and manage various activities in different topics and pedagogical goals. Types of interactivities offered by this system include voting by selection, free text and submission of quantitative data.A Design based research was conducted in order to evaluate different capabilities that SMS-HIT enables; this study aims to develop additional types of interactions to be added to the system, in order to promote the use of class interaction supported by PRS. During each of the three research iterations, the users’ usage, needs and suggestions have been investigated. According to the findings suitable additions were developed using .NET, combined with JQuery, HTML and CSS.The additional capabilities that have been developed, engage in a new ability of SMS-HIT - sequences activities: creating and managing sequences activities, presenting them and allowing audience to respond to them using mobile devices – one activity after the other.As a result of improving the system, users enjoy new and effective capabilities that were developed to meet these needs. In practice, the use of the SMS-HIT has become wider as more users create varied activities which contains diverse pedagogies.
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Huang, Liang. "On-line storage versus local storage for mobile users." Thesis, KTH, Kommunikationssystem, CoS, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-92211.
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When a user has a mobile device with lots of built-in functions, what would they like to do with it? Of course, interactive voice and videoconferencing, sending SMS & Instant Messaging, listening to music, taking photos, etc. People want to have a device with a large storage capacity, much as they do on a desktop or laptop PC. But sometimes the user does not have sufficient local storage capacity on their mobile device. Online storage is a good solution for this, but the limited battery capacity connectivity must be balanced such require that the mobile decided what should be uploaded/downloaded and when - along with what should be stored locally. This problem is very significant not only theoretically, but also practically. We expect that the online storage will replace storage media, such as CDs and DVDs. Today use of a mobile device is a very popular. Users would like to be able to easily send files to friends in other parts of the work, and share files with these friends. Additionally, users to not want to loose important data (photos, files, ... ), these functions can all be implemented using on-line storage. Use on-line storage should be simpler for the user, thus smart mobile devices should simplify the user’s experience, provide safer file storage (i.e., with a lower risk of data loss), and to store files in the most appropriate location(s).<br>När har en användare en mobil apparat med raddor som builten-in fungerar, vad skade dem gillar med den? Naturligtvis växelverkande uttrycka, och videoconferencingen och att överföra SMS & ögonblickMessaging och att lyssna till musik som tar foto, Etc.-folk, önskar att ha en apparat med en stor lagringskapacitet, mycket, som de gör på en skrivbords- eller laptopPC. Men ibland har användaren inte tillräcklig kapacitet för lokal lagring på deras mobila apparat. Direktanslutet är lagring en god lösning för denna, men den inskränkt batterikapacitetsconnectivityen måste vara balanserat sådan kräver att det mobilt avgjort vad bör uploadeds/nedladdas och när - tillsammans med vad bör lagras lokalt. Detta problem är mycket viktigt inte endast teoretiskt, utan också praktiskt. Vi förväntar att lagringen skar direktanslutet byter ut lagringsmassmedia, liksom CDs och DVDs. I dag är bruk av en mobil apparat ett mycket populärt. Användare skade något liknande överför lätt sparar till vänner i annan begåvning av arbetet och delar sparar med dessa vänner. Dessutom fungerar användare som ska inte önskas att lossa viktiga data (foto, sparar,…), dessa kan alla genomföras genom att använda on-line lagring. Bör on-line lagring för bruk vara enklare för användaren, således bör smart mobila apparater förenkla användaren erfar, ger säkrare sparar lagring (, med ett lägre riskera dvs. av dataförlust), och att lagra sparar i mest anslår lägen.
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Nors, Niclas, and Tom Rehnström. "SMS-baserat alarm med positionering : GPS based alarm with positioning." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Electrical Engineering, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-12496.
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<p>The study investigates how to design a low-cost, versatile event messaging system using SMS. A typical use case is a fire alarm or intrusion detector when equipped with appropriate sensors. With a GPS receiver connected, the actual position is included in the message, allowing for use as theft alarm in e.g. a car or in mobile home.</p><br><p>Studien undersöker hur man kan konstruera ett billigt, mångsidigt meddelandesystem som använder SMS. Ett exempel på användningsområde är brandlarm eller inbrottslarm med motsvarande sensorer anslutna. Även positionen kan förmedlas med en GPS ansluten, och då finns även möjligheten att använda enheten som stöldlarm för till exempel bil eller husvagn.</p>
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Cook, Antoinette Vieira. "The experiences of adult learners in distance education of SMS technology as a learning support tool." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2006. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10022007-151132/.
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Mulkijanyan, Nina. "Evaluation Procedure for QoS of Short Message Service : International SMS Route Analysis." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för informations- och kommunikationsteknik (ICT), 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-49828.
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Due to its ubiquitous availability, Short Message Service (SMS), first introduced in the 1980s, became not only the most popular way of communication, but also stimulated the development of SMS-based value added services. This application-to-person traffic is delivered to end users through SMS aggregators who provide the link between service providers and mobile carriers. In order to perform optimal traffic routing, the aggregators need to estimate the quality of each potential international route to the specified destination. The evaluation criteria include end-to-end delivery time, as well as correct verification of delivered data. This thesis suggests a method of quality of service (QoS) assessment for international SMS service which combines two types of tests, end-to-end delay measurements and various verification tests. A prototype of the testing system for international SMS service was developed to generate SMS traffic, collect and analyze results, and evaluate the experienced QoS of the SMS route used in accordance with the proposed approach. As a part of end-to- end delay measurement tests, SMS traffic was sent to Singtel network in Singapore along two routes. The verification tests were executed via different routes to two mobile networks: Singtel and Tele2 (Sweden). The results of the performed measurements determined the route with the highest QoS, i.e. the one with bigger bottleneck bandwidth and lower data loss rate. The prototype of the SMS testing system can be used by SMS aggregators to verify delivery of a SMS message, check the integrity of the message, figure out interconnection type of the route supplier with the destination carrier and to identify the presence of load balancers in the path. The prototype also makes it possible to compare end-to-end delay times of several routes and compute bottleneck values for each of the tested routes.
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Holmström, Maria. "End-to-end monitoring of mobile services." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Electrical Engineering, 2003. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-1671.
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<p>The growing market of mobile services through SMS, MMS, WAP and soon also for 3G protocols, requires efficient test methods to ensure that the customers get what they are paying for and in a reasonable time. Preferably, these tests should be done automatically and come as close to real conditions as possible. It would be valuable to be able to make tests from end to end, i.e. requesting and receiving the mobile services on a real mobile phone and combine that with a system that controls and evaluates the tests. </p><p>This thesis presents a solution to how the part of an end-to-end monitoring system for mobile services that runs on a mobile phone can be designed and implemented. The phone is made to interpret commands from a control process on a remote server and turn them into mobile service requests in a proper format (e.g. SMS or MMS). When it receives the reply from a mobile service provider, it forwards the relevant result information to the control process. </p><p>The monitoring system is based on Symbian OS, an operating system developed to suit handheld devices like mobile phones. The current implementation supports tests for SMS and MMS services. </p><p>The system is to be used by mobile operators or other providers of mobile services, which want to test and monitor their services.</p>
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Ilaghi, Mahya. "Short Message ServiceVulnerability Analysis : An attempt to attack the Serial Line on Symbian Smartphone In Orderto Inject Arbitrary SMS." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för informations- och kommunikationsteknik (ICT), 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-105869.
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Short Message Service (SMS) is a permanently available service on mobile phone networks. In addition to text messages, it supports binary messages to provide various services to mobile phones. SMS security has a strong relationship to the security of mobile phones. Due to the open functionality of mobile phone networks, SMS can be exposed to dierent kind of attacks. To cope with the increasing demand for secure SMS, it is crucial to perform a vulnerability analysis of SMS-implementations to nd out potential security vulnerabilities that smartphones may be exposed to. Conducting vulnerability analyses of SMS is dicult, as one would need to send a large amount of SMS through the mobile phone network in order to conduct such analyses. However, if the need for a mobile phone network is removed from the vulnerability analysis, the diculties of performing it can be considerably reduced. Collin Mulliner and Challie Miller (2009) presented a testing platform (without the engagement of a mobile phone network) for this purpose in three popular mobile phone operating systems: the iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile. They claimed that their testing platform could be ported to other smartphone operating systems (OS). Since the Symbian operating system is one of the most popular smartphone platforms, this thesis focuses on how to port this testing platform to the Symbian OS for vulnerability analysis of SMS-implementations. The research methodology behind this study was an experimental research method, conducted by presenting a hypothesis and developing an artifact to test it. This research produced a key finding: that it is not feasible to implement this vulnerability analysis for SMS-implementations on the Symbian OS, when considering the prerequisites that Collin Mulliner and Charlie Miller dened in their work. They claimed that, if there is an application level access to the serial line for the modem or the ability to add or remove the arbitrary driver, then it is feasible to port their testing framework to other operating systems. This research discovers that neither of these conditions exists in the Symbian OS.
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Linney, Jeffrey Scott. "Assessing Behavioral Intention to Use Low Social Presence ICTs For Interpersonal Task Completion among College Students| With Special Consideration toward Short Message Service (SMS) Text-Messaging." Thesis, Nova Southeastern University, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3604959.
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<p> This study sought to investigate whether the popularity of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) would impact the behavioral intention (BI) to use of these technologies to aid in interpersonal task completion. Out of the ICTs available today, the most popular is text-messaging, especially among a sizable percentage of the college population. Approximately 600 students at a small, private junior college in eastern North Carolina were invited to participate in this study with a target of 248 responses needed to comprise an adequate sample. A total of 259 usable surveys (n = 259) were received and analyzed.</p><p> Qualitative data collection instruments consisted of an open-ended questionnaire and other open-ended responses that were solicited throughout the data collection phase. Quantitative data collection instruments consisted of a 22–item Likert-scale survey and a forced-choice ordinal scale instrument that measured computer user self-efficacy (CUSE) and experience using technology (EUT). Situated in the context of academic help-seeking (AHS), vignettes were developed, validated and administered to offer AHS scenarios where a problem was presented and the participants were then asked to reveal which type of ICT he or she would utilize to seek academic help (AH) in that particular situation.</p>
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Granlund, Andreas, and Jonas Torvaldsson. "Övergivande av fartyg i isfarvatten : En kvalitativ studie över svenska rederiers beredskap inför nödsituationer i isfarvatten." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Sjöfartshögskolan, SJÖ, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-11916.
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Trots att isen lagt sig på Bottenhavet avstannar inte handeln med de norrländska hamnarna. Många av de fartyg som anlöper dessa hamnar har som primär överlevnadsfarkost en frifallslivbåt, en typ av livbåt som av experter har blivit utdömda som värdelösa i samband med is. Även fartygens sekundära överlevnadssystem, som består av uppblåsbara flottar, har blivit kritiserat. Syftet med detta arbete var att undersöka vad svenska rederier med fartyg som bär denna typ av livbåt har för beredskap inför en eventuell nödsituation i isen. Undersökningen har grundats på en kvalitativ intervjustudie med representanter från tre svenska rederier som bedriver vintersjöfart. Studien har visat på stora skillnader mellan de olika rederierna gällande rutiner för att operera i is. Inget av rederierna som intervjuats har haft en speciell plan för övergivandet av fartyg i isförhållanden, trots att de har en säkerhetsorganisation som blivit godkänd av den svenska Transportstyrelsen.<br>Even though the ice has formed on the Gulf of Bothnia the trade with the northern ports of Sweden and Finland does not cease. Many of the ships calling these ports have their primary survival craft in form the of a freefall lifeboat, a survival craft that experts have condemned as useless in ice. Even the ship's secondary survival system consisting of inflatable rafts has been criticized. The purpose of this study was to examine what kind of plan Swedish shipping companies, who operate vessels that carry this type of lifeboat, have to deal with a possible emergency situation in the ice. The study was based on qualitative interviews with representatives from three Swedish shipping companies operating in winter conditions. The study revealed great differences between the various companies in routine procedures when operating in ice. None of the interviewed companies had a special plan for the abandonment of ships in ice conditions, although they have a safety organization approved by the Swedish Transport Agency.
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Montelius, Fredrik, and Oscar Larsson. "Streaming Video in Wireless Networks : Service and Technique." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Electrical Engineering, 2001. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-1167.
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<p>The purpose of this thesis is to present an attractive service for the third generation mobile network that includes streaming video. A prototype application for this service is to be built. The technique behind streaming video is to be presented so that it comes clear what kind of problems and solutions that are associated with streaming. Finally, a platform for streaming video is to be tested and evaluated through different channels. </p><p>The attractive service presented in this thesis is MMS - Multimedia Messaging Service. Today's popular SMS is evolving beyond text to multimedia. Multimedia will be part of the next generation messaging service called MMS, which will, in an advanced shape, include streaming video. MMS is expected to be a successful service for the next generation?s cell phones. </p><p>The WAP Forum and the 3GPP industry groups are responsible for standardizing MMS. The standard defines an MMS architecture, which has a number of key elements that interact with each other. The prototype application that was built is called mVideo Messaging and is an MMS that is built on the basis of the MMS standard. The kernel of the prototype is a platform from PacketVideo that makes it possible to stream video over wireless networks. </p><p>Theories and tests makes it clear that the parameters affecting the video quality can be found at the source/target while coding and compressing, as well as at the streaming-channel. At the channel there are above all three network problems - packet loss, end-to-end delay and delay jitter. To deal with these matters, new protocols have been developed. At the source/target it is important use an efficient compression scheme. MPEG-4 is a new compression scheme that suits very well for streaming video through wireless channels. MPEG- 4 make use of scalability, is object oriented, and is optimized for streaming between 9,6 kbps and 4 Mbps. </p><p>The service proposed in this thesis as a future service for 3G is practicable. It is also shown that the service can be built using the technology of today.</p>
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Bengtsson, Lisa. "How advertisement can affect attitudes - A qualitative study of how attitudes are towards advertisement through SMS and email." Thesis, Malmö högskola, Fakulteten för teknik och samhälle (TS), 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-20595.
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Det ämne som undersöks i denna uppsats är attityden mot reklamutskick via SMS och e-post. Syftet är att undersöka vilka faktorer som bidrar till attityden och om åldern spelar in som en faktor och om attityden är densamma till reklamutskick via SMS som den är via e-post. En enkätundersökning har genomförts med 139 respondenter som låg till grund för den kvalitativa fokusgruppsundersökning som den största delen av resultatet bygger på. Enkäten har besvarats av individer runt om i Skåne som är i ålder 20 år och uppåt. Enkäten skapades för att kunna identifiera problem och perspektiv inom ämnet som sedan fokusgruppens diskussioner kunde bygga på. Fokusgruppen hade fem stycken medverkande och dessa individer representerade de olika åldersgrupper som enkäten omfattade. Vilket också resulterade i att det var olika åsikter som framkom och en diskussion kunde skapas utifrån olika perspektiv.Enkäten och transkriberingen från fokusgruppen har sedan resulterat i ett resultat som redovisar skillnader och likheter gällande acceptans och attityd mellan de olika kanalerna. Det visar också vilka faktorer som påverkade mottagandet av reklamutskicken via SMS och e-post. De slutsatser som kan dras från undersökningen är att attityden mot reklam via SMS och e-post är av negativ ton enligt fokusgruppen och enkätundersökningen. Om en positiv attityd ska kunna uppnås måste reklamutskicken vara bra utformade, skickas i rätt tid och ha en relevans till mottagaren och mottagarens livsstil. Man kan även dra slutsatsen att attityd inte kan kopplas ihop med ålder. Enkätundersökningen och fokusgruppen påvisar samma attityd och beteendemönster när det gäller SMS och e-post vid alla åldrar.<br>The topic that is examined in this paper is the attitude towards promotional messages through SMS and email. The aim is to examine the factors that contribute to the attitude, if age comes into play as a factor and if the attitude is the same for promotional messages via SMS as it is through email. An investigation has been conducted by means of a survey with 139 respondents that formed the basis of the qualitative focus group that the largest part of the result is based. Individuals around Skåne that are in the age 20 and up answered the questionnaire. The survey was designed to identify problems and perspectives that the focus group discussions could build on. The focus group had five participants and these individuals represented the different age groups that the survey encompassed. Which also resulted in different views that were aired and a discussion could be created with different perspectives involved.The inquiry and the transcript from the focus group demonstrate the differences and similarities regarding acceptance and attitude towards the different channels. They also show which factors affected the receipt of promotional mailings through SMS and email. The conclusions that can be drawn from the survey is that the attitude towards advertising through SMS and e-mail are with a negative tone according to the focus group and survey. That if a positive attitude is to be achieved, promotional mailings has to be well designed, have to be sent on time and have a relevance to the recipient and the recipient's lifestyle. One can also conclude that attitude cannot be connected with age. The survey and focus group are demonstrating the same attitude and behavior when it comes to SMS and email for all ages.
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Ericson, Mathias, and Kristina Baylan. ""Jag känner mig liksom inte handikappad längre." : En kvalitativ intervjustudie om teckenspråkiga döva och hörselskadade individers upplevelser med smartphones." Thesis, Södertörns högskola, Institutionen för kommunikation, medier och it, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-15381.
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This c-level essay examines how deaf and hearing impaired individuals use smartphones to live and communicate in a “hearing world”. The main target is to find some understanding of the struggles of this population and smartphones have made it easier to adapt to the hearing worlds’ demands with the applications that follow. To acquire the information for this essay, representatives from both the deaf and hearing impaired communities were interviewed. The findings of this qualitative study show that there are many applications that have advantages to aid the lives of deaf and hearing impaired. These include WhatsApp, Tango and many others. All of the respondents appreciated the new technology but also said that there is work to be done in that area. Especially the poor quality of the video calls is not satisfactory to the users using sign language.
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Lindberg, Emma, and Emma Molund. "Mobilbetalningstjänster i fysisk butik : En studie ur ett användarperspektiv." Thesis, Södertörns högskola, Institutionen för naturvetenskap, miljö och teknik, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-21592.
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I takt med att Internethandeln ökar och fler och fler använder smartphones, introduceras alternativa betallösningar på marknaden. En betalmetod som redan är etablerad är SMS-betalning. Med tanke på detta borde inte steget till att använda mobilbetalningstjänster i fysisk butik vara så stort. Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka de huvudfaktorer som påverkar användandet av mobilbetalningstjänster i fysiska butiker. Det huvudsakliga perspektivet ligger på användarna av tjänsterna, snarare än de butiker som erbjuder dem. Både kvalitativa och kvantitativa metoder har användt. Resultaten är baserade på data från en enkätundersökning, intervjuer och användartester. En intressant upptäckt från enkätundersökningen var att även fast människor har erfarenhet av SMS-betalning så verkar det som att få har vetskap om att mobilbetalningstjänster i fysisk butik existerar och därför inte börjat använda dem. I denna studie presenteras någa förslag på faktorer som kan tas i beaktande för att öka kunskapen och användarfrekvensen. De viktigaste faktorerna tycks vara uppfattad nytta, ekonomiska fördelar, uppfattade risker, standardisering och förenlighet med mäniskors existerande beteendemönser.<br>As Internet shopping increases and more and more people use smartphones, alternative payment solutions are introduced to the market. One payment method that is already established is SMS payment. Given these developments, mobile payment services in physical stores ought not be far from being adopted. The purpose of this essay is to examine the key factors that influence the use of mobile payment services in physical stores. The main focus is the perspective of the users of the services rather than the stores offering them. Both qualitative and quantitative methods have been applied. The results are based on data from a survey, interviews and usability tests. One interesting survey finding was that even though people have first-hand experience of SMS payment it seems that few people have knowledge of mobile payment services in physical stores, and therefore not adopted them. To increase the knowledge and adopting rate a suggestion of factors that can be taken into consideration is introduced in the study. The most important factors seem to be perceived usefulness, economic advantage, perceived risks, standardization and reconcilability with existing behavioural patterns.
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Frehner, Carmen. "E-Mail - SMS - MMS : the linguistic creativity of asynchronous discourse in the New Media Age /." Bern [u.a.] : Lang, 2008. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&doc_library=BVB01&doc_number=016392581&line_number=0004&func_code=DB_RECORDS&service_type=MEDIA.
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Li, Chun. "SMS-based vocabulary learning for ESL students a dissertation submitted to Auckland University of Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Computer and Information Sciences (MCIS), 2009 /." Click here to access resource online, 2009. http://aut.researchgateway.ac.nz/handle/10292/746.
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Dissertation (MCIS - Computer and Information Sciences) -- AUT University, 2009.<br>Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print ( ix,139 leaves : ill., charts. ; 30 cm.) in the Archive at the City Campus (T 371.33 LI)
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Nyström, Joakim, and Mikael Seppälä. "Experimental Study of GPRS/WLAN Systems Integration." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Electrical Engineering, 2003. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-1750.
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<p>The convergence of future networks relies on the evolution of technology that enables seamless roaming abilities across non-heterogenous networks for mobile clients. This thesis presents an experimental study of a GPRS-WLAN integration scenario where the objective is to analyze various aspects of the issues related to charging, mobility, roaming and security between GPRS and WLAN networks. The mainly discussed integration scenario in this thesis is loosely coupled systems working on RADIUS platforms, which together with MobileIP and IPSec provides the mobile client with a secure and access-technology independent network access platform. </p><p>In order to accommodate GPRS client authentication for WLAN operators, there is a prominent need for the incorporation of necessary GPRS functionality into present AAA servers. RADIUS has been studied as the initial target for the implementation of a GPRS interface towards SMS-Cs and HLRs.The authentication of a mobile client is performed against a HLR/AuC in a GPRS network, either over SS7 links or through the incorporation of SIGTRAN protocols over SCTP. SIGTRANsolutions has the ability to join WLAN networks in a SS7 resource sharing model where the SS7 authentication signalling traffic is transported over IP networks to a Signalling Gateway acting as the logical interface against SS7 networks. </p><p>GPRS-WLAN accounting may be solved through direct roaming agreements between mobile operators and in such a case transport CDR’s over FTP between their billing systems. If roaming agreements does not exist, it may be viable to establish relationships between WLANs and brokers as well as mobile operators and brokers. The brokering model provides a scalable model that allows easier exchange of charging and billing information on an infrastructure based on WLAN and GPRS billing systems. Standardised transmission protocols for accounting information such as GTP’/TAP3 may be utilised in order to provide a generic billing exchange format between billing systems and operators. </p><p>Furthermore, different network architectures may have different requirements in order to accommodate GPRS clients with WLAN access. A few network architectures has been analysed, and the developed GPRS AAA Interface Daemon (GAID) has been put into context in order to present a generic GPRS-WLAN systems integration solution for WLAN operators. </p><p>The analysed solutions in this thesis give various possibilities for WLAN operators to setup wireless services for bypassing mobile clients. The implementational work provides a RADIUS platform, which can be enhanced with functionality that enables communication over any interface in the future.</p>
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Jensen, Anders. "Förenklad textinmatning på mobila enheter med hjälp av kontextbaserad språktolkning." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Electrical Engineering, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-2718.
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<p>The number of text messages sent from mobile phones, has increased dramatically over the last few years. Along with that, we are witnessing a lot of new mobile portal services currently being developed. Many of these services rely on an ability to input text efficiently. The traditional phone keypad is ambiguous because each key encodes more than one letter. At present, the most common way to deal with this problem is using a stored dictionary to guess the intended input. </p><p>This thesis presents a new text entry strategy called Qtap. Instead of using a stored dictionary to guess the intended word, this method uses probabilities of letter sequences. New features that come with Qtap are the usage of the viterbi algorithm to decode input sequences and a non-alphabetic keypad. How the strategy and the keypad used by Qtap were developed, is described throughout the thesis. </p><p>Qtap is also compared to a dictionary-based method, t9, on a non-user level. The results show Qtap is performing well in many senses. The conclusion from this is that a further development of Qtap is motivated. </p><p>A discussion of various modifications and additions to the design, that may yield a performance improvement, is also included.</p>
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LaBowe, Chris J. "Texting Versus Talking: Age Sex and Extroversion as Predictors of Frequency and Preference Among an Undergraduate Cohort." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2011. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1279.
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This study examines text messaging behavior of ETSU undergraduates. Data come from a survey of 485 students enrolled during the 2010 fall semester. The current study explores the effects of sex, age, and extroversion on (1) the volume of texts a person sends and (2) preferences for texting or calling. The study also explores the use of cell phones as a means of avoiding others during co-present interaction. Findings reveal that age is the strongest predictor of text messaging, with younger respondents being more likely to text. The study also finds that women prefer texting, while men prefer voice calls. Age affects preference as well, with younger respondents preferring texting and older respondents preferring voice calls. The study also finds that women are much more likely to use cell phones to avoid others during co-present interaction.
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Chen, Meiying. "The effectiveness of government policies on technology-based SMEs and entrepreneurship : a case study of the technology-based SMEs in Beijing, China." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/25475.
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The increasingly significant role played by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship in national economies has attracted growing attention. Recent trends have increasingly emphasised the value of knowledge. The challenge within the 21st century is the importance of the productivity of service and knowledgeable workers, as well as strategic flexibility and innovation. It is suggested that high level of innovation, R&D and productivity are positively related. Technology-based SMEs are specifically selected as the object of this thesis since they exhibit most of the characteristics of the three terms, “SMEs”, “innovation” and “entrepreneurship”. SMEs may come across significant constraints because of their own limitations, such as financial constraints, human capital shortages, and weak market power. These constraints are even more serious for technology-based SMEs due to their industrial nature. As a consequence, technology-based SMEs tend to have a higher failure rate than non-tech SMEs and large firms. However, the benefits brought by them cannot be neglected. For example, the return of R&D on a social level is higher than the private level, which highlights the importance of technology-based SMEs for national development. Therefore, it motivates governments to increase support for technology-based SMEs. This thesis aims to examine the effectiveness of government policies on technology-based SMEs and entrepreneurship in Beijing, China. Some researchers have studied and examined the policies, but mainly focussed on the description of policy frameworks and policy dynamics. There is a lack of studies examining the effectiveness of policies from the perspective of entrepreneurs in this context. This thesis fills this gap. This thesis makes both a theoretical and methodological contribution to the entrepreneurship studies literature through the holistic case study approach. A mixed-method approach of document analysis, interview and a questionnaire are used to understand the interaction between policies and technology entrepreneurs. The key findings of this thesis are that policies have strong positive effects on the promotion of entrepreneurship and SMEs. But there are still some negative points when implementing policies, such as uneven filter criteria and supervision system between new and established firms.
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Diring, Ellinor, and Simon Sundelin. "”Man behöver inte folks nummer längre” : En studie om hur studenter använder meddelandekommunikation via smartphones." Thesis, Södertörns högskola, Institutionen för naturvetenskap, miljö och teknik, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-21433.
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How do young adult students communicate through their smartphones today? Which applications and features do they choose? What motivates their choices for the various possible situations? In this paper we investigate which communication channels young adult students in Sweden use for private message communication in their smartphones, in what way they use the channels and why they choose specific channels for different types of communication. In Sweden today, there are numerous of different ways of communicate through smartphones. We have interviewed ten Swedish young adult students regarding their use. The results speaks for that SMS has proven to still be used very frequently, even though it has existed for many years and that there are plenty of other ways to communicate through private messages today. Social media, primarily Facebook, also attracts users to communicate through private messages with their smartphones. SMS isn’t any longer the obvious method for sending a message. By presenting the result of our study, we hope to provide for future design resolutions and to give the next generation of smartphones communication tools that are as optimal as possible.
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Caldwell, Sean W. "On Traffic Analysis of 4G/LTE Traffic." Cleveland State University / OhioLINK, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1632179249187618.
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Savioz, Pascal. "Technology intelligence in technology-based SMEs : conceptual design and implementation /." Zürich : Verl. Industrielle Organisation, 2002. http://www.gbv.de/dms/zbw/349776881.pdf.
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Sparrefors, John, and Anton Fjellström. "Made in Sweden : Små teknikintensiva tjänsteföretags val av etableringsform vid internationalisering." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-119532.
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Bakgrund: Småföretag i Sverige har fått en ökad betydelse i näringslivet. Bland annat kommer idag 60 procent av näringslivets bidrag till landet från småföretagare. För att underbygga framtida tillväxt och utveckling är det viktigt att företagen kan etablera sig även på internationella marknader. Detta är ett stort steg för kapitalbegränsade småföretag som därmed behöver vägledning både gällande internationalisering och val av etableringsform. I dagsläget är forskningen inom området begränsad gällande små teknikintensiva tjänsteföretag, vilket är den mest växande sektorn i det svenska näringslivet. Syfte: Studiens syfte är att analysera internationaliseringsprocessen och valet av etableringsform i utlandet för teknikintensiva småföretag som är verksamma inom den svenska tjänstesektorn. Metod: Studien har en kvalitativ forskningsstrategi samt en deduktiv forskningsansats. Den bygger på semistrukturerade intervjuer med tre tekniska småföretag inom tjänstesektorn och kan klassas som en komparativ flerfallstudie. Slutsats: Slutsatsen i studien är att det viktigaste verktyget för en lyckad utlandsetablering, är ett utpräglat kontaktnät. Studien visar också att den tekniska aspekten hos dessa företag, där tjänsten kan förmedlas via internet, medför att samarbete med en utländsk aktör är den minst risk- och kostnadsintensiva etableringsformen vid inledningen av en utlandsetablering, vilket motsäger och ifrågasätter den nuvarande forskningen inom ämnet.<br>Background: Small enterprises have become increasingly important in the Swedish business world. Among other things, 60 percent of the contribution to the country’s economy comes from small businesses. To support future growth and development it is important for companies to venture onto the international markets. This is a big step for small enterprises with constrained capital and guidance on the internationalization process and choice of entry mode is needed. Research on these two factors are limited in relation to small technology-focused enterprises in the service sector, which is the most rapidly growing sector in the Swedish economy. Aim: The aim of the study is to analyze the internationalization process and the choice of entry mode for small and technology-focused enterprises in the Swedish service sector. Methodology: The study has a qualitative research strategy and a deductive research approach. It is based on semi-structured interviews with three small technology-focused enterprises in the Swedish service sector and can be classified as a comparative case study. Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is that the most essential tool, for small technology-focused enterprises in the Swedish service sector when going abroad, is a distinct network of contacts. The study also reveals that the technical aspect of these types of companies implies that collaboration is the least risk and capital-intensive choice of entry mode at the beginning of a foreign establishment, which challenges the current research on the topic.
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Larsson, Max. "Digital transformation i SMF : En fallstudie inom byggindustrin." Thesis, Luleå tekniska universitet, Institutionen för ekonomi, teknik och samhälle, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-74486.
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Syfte - Små och medelstora företag (SMF) möter motgångar och kämpar med sin digitala transformation. Det finns heller ingen erkänd process för digital transformation för SMF, och därmed ett gap i litteraturen för användandet av processer för digital transformation i SMF. Studiens syfte är således att öka förståelsen för hur små och medelstora företag kan arbeta med digital transformation. Metod - Studien är av explorativ karaktär med en abduktiv ansats. Primärdata samlades in genom 15 intervjuer på ett SMF i byggindustrin. Intervjuerna utfördes i tre vågor för att först säkerställa studiens relevans, sedan för att samla in min huvudsakliga primärdata och slutligen för att konfirmera och justera studiens resultat. En tematisk analys i fyra steg inspirerad av Braun och Clark (2014) har använts som analysmetod. Resultat - Studien har resulterat i en process där fyra faser visar på hur SMF kan arbeta med digital transformation. De fyra faserna är (1) Problemformulering, (2) Handlingsplan, (3) Implementering och slutligen (4) Uppföljning. Faserna består av nio steg där varje fas, steg och underliggande aktivitet motiveras, förklaras och styrks. Processen presenteras och förklaras tillsammans med rekommendationer på hur SMF kan arbeta med processen. Teoretiska implikationer - Studiens teoretiska bidrag är flera, men bidrar främst med ökad förståelse för hur SMF kan arbeta med processen för digital transformation genom (1) en fallstudie i en - för litteraturen - ny bransch, (2) ökad förståelse för uppföljningen av digital transformation i stora, små och medelstora företag, (3) hur interna och externa resurser kan användas på ett effektivt sätt i processen för digital transformation, samt (4) identifiering av möjliggörande faktorer för digital transformation i SMF i byggindustrin. Praktiska implikationer - Det praktiska bidraget är främst en process som kan användas av SMF för att arbeta med processen för digital transformation. Processen kan användas av företag och chefer för att planera för, besluta om, implementera och följa upp processen för digital transformation i SMF. Genom att använda processen kan SMF undvika typiska SMF-hinder så som brist på resurser, expertis, struktur och vägledning.<br>Purpose - Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are facing challenges and struggles with their digital transformation. There is no established process for digital transformation for SMEs, and therefore there is a gap in the literature for processes for digital transformation in SMEs. The study's purpose is therefore to enhance the understanding of how SMEs can work with digital transformation. Method - The study is of explorative character with an abductive approach. Primary data was gathered by 15 interviews at an SME in the construction industry. The interviews was conducted in three waves to first strengthen the relevance of the study, then to collect the primary data and finally to confirm and adjust the result of the study. A thematic analysis in four steps, inspired by Braun and Clark (2014) has been used as a method for analysis. Results - The study has resulted in a process where four phases show how SMEs can work with digital transformation. The four phases are (1) Problem definition, (2) Action plan, (3) Implementation, and finnaly (4) Follow up. The phases consist of a total of nine steps, where each phase, step and underlying activity is motivated, explained and strengthened. The process is presented and explained together with recommendations on how SMEs can work with the process. Theoretical implications - The study has multiple theoretical contributions, but foremost, the study contributes to enhanced understanding of how SMEs can work with the process for digital transformation by (1) a case-study in a - for the literature - new industry, (2) enhanced understanding for the follow up of digital transformation in large, small and medium-sized enterprises, (3) how internal and external resources can be used efficiently in the process for digital transformation, and (4) identification of factors that enable digital transformation in SMEs in the construction industry. Practical implications - The practical contribution is foremost the process that can be used by SME for the process for digital transformation. The process can be utilized by organizations and leaders to plan, decide, implement and follow up the process for digital transformation in SMEs. By utilizing the process, SME can mitigate typical challenges that SME are facing, such as the lack of resources, expertise, structure and guidance.
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Hibberd, Martin Sidney. "The technology and structure of the British wood furniture industry." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.323015.
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Wilson, Christopher D. H. "Environmental compliance in SMEs : an investigation into the legal performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), encompassing compliance levels, the impact and effectiveness of environmental legislation and improving SME environmental compliance control systems." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2011. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/348995/.
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There has been a great deal written about the difficulties faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) compared to larger businesses. SMEs face difficulties complying with environmental legislation, particularly because of the amount of complex law. This can result in the ‘environment’ being treated as less of a priority even though SMEs collectively have a significant environmental impact. Over the past few years, the UK has been focused towards achieving ‘better regulation’. In particular, Hampton highlighted the need for more strategic thinking when it comes to developing regulation. Hampton suggested that regulators should use a risk-based model similar to that used by the England and Wales Environment Agency (EA). This view is shared by Local Authorities and other environmental regulators; however, there has been criticism from some commentators who suggest that certain legislation is not successfully enforced. The increased use of risk assessment by the EA has reduced the number of inspections resulting in more ‘pressure’ being put on remaining inspections as well as there being less opportunity to identify non-compliance. In addition, those businesses not included under direct regulatory regimes are unlikely to be audited for compliance against any environmental legislation; consequently a significant portion of all businesses go un-inspected and uncontrolled. Because of the number of SMEs, there needs to be an effective system of regulation that controls activities and targets those businesses that pose a risk to the environment, without unnecessarily over-burdening SMEs. It is clear from the coalition Government’s planned austerity measures in 2011 that management of the environment will have to be done with less resource than before. This thesis draws together findings from research conducted between 2005-2011. Previous research on compliance with legislation has often been conducted in isolation with little research comparing compliance across a range of legislation, and certainly not using triangulation methods to assess SMEs’ overall legal performance. This study aimed to investigate the legal performance of UK SMEs with a range of environmental legislation. This study identifies: • the level of compliance (‘spirit’ and ‘letter’ of the law) with environmental legislation; • the impact and effectiveness of environmental legislation; and • ways of improving the environmental compliance control systems for SMEs. The study incorporated a wide range of environmental legislation, including that covering:waste management/ transfer, environmental permitting (including waste exemptions), site waste management plans, WEEE, RoHS, packaging, oil storage as well as identifying other potential environmental offences. Detailed compliance audits were conducted with 44 SMEs from 5 different sectors from the north-west of England. Interviews with SME management, site staff, regulators, Government policy officials and support organisations; in total 99 individuals were interviewed. The study indicates: • Low levels of compliance with the ‘letter’ and ‘spirit’ of the law. • Knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation was poor; no single SME, regulator or support organisation appreciated ‘environmental compliance’ as a whole. • Enforcement activity and surveillance of the SMEs audited was very low; this reflected nation enforcement figures. • The impact of environmental legislation on SMEs is overstated. The impact increased commensurate with ‘effort to comply’ and ‘enforcement action’. • There was evidence of direct and indirect environmental harm as a result of noncompliance. • Regulation can only be effective if it is complied with; measuring the link between the legislation and environmental protection must be accompanied by a clear understanding of compliance levels. This study produces an initial assessment methodology for SMEs, compliance performance indicators and recommendations to improve SME compliance controls.
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Dahiya, Sushil. "Cleantech SMEs’ Expectations and Perceptions of an Established Community-based Intermediary Moving into their Sector." Thèse, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/23918.
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Innovation intermediaries provide a range of services to assist firms during the process of innovation. How SMEs perceive innovation intermediaries is an area of investigation that would provide important information on how innovation intermediaries’ assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This study focuses on the cleantech industry and explores SMEs’ expectations and perceptions of an established community-based intermediary (CBI) moving into their sector. A qualitative research methodology was adopted to collect data from 15 sample SMEs. In regards to SMEs, the findings show that cleantech companies face financing, partnerships, marketing, sales, regulatory and bureaucratic challenges. In regards to innovation intermediaries, the findings showcase how CBI, a regional intermediary, is not effective in supporting cleantech SMEs with their sector specific needs or challenges.
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Connon, Neil G. "Factors impacting on technology acceptance for the micro/SME electronics retailer." Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/234.
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The UK micro/SME (known here as SME) retail sector is very important to the economic well being of the country. Its ability to generate jobs as well as income makes it a key part of the drive towards economic growth, and as such it is supported by government through a variety of initiatives. One initiative in 2003 aimed to energise and invigorate practitioners into using internet based technologies more fully in their business practices. This supported the widely held belief that the internet can and does enhance and improve business efficiency. It also suggests that SMEs were not fully engaging with the technology and that the government felt that it was not at the desirable level. This thesis looks at the issues surrounding technology acceptance for the SME and in particular internet adoption in the retail sector. This work explains technology acceptance and the main determinants and moderators connected with this in an organisational setting providing the practitioner with insight into why some technologies are embraced and others underutilised, or not adopted at all. Previous academic work in this area has tended to focus on the larger organisation. This thesis uses the technology acceptance literature to explore the situation of the SME. Through qualitative and quantitative research the specifics of the SME situation relating to technology acceptance are explored with the determinants and moderators being evaluated and changes made where appropriate. The specific internet based technology of online procurement is used to measure levels of acceptance and the issues relating to it. The result is an adapted model that better reflects the technology acceptance situation of the SME retail organisation. In the model three of the original constructs remain, however the moderators have been changed to reflect the SME and the relationships the constructs have with the moderators are also developed. As a new addition to the field it can be seen from the developed model that the frequency of re-ordering is an important determinant not only of online procurement but technology acceptance in general. This work will benefit practitioners in SME retail and also the wider SME field when it comes to evaluating whether or not to accept a new technology and how this is best achieved.
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Berry, Maureen. "The strategic management of technology as a source of competitive advantage in small high tech firms." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 1993. http://oleg.lib.strath.ac.uk:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=21298.
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This thesis is concerned with the topic of the strategic management of technology as a source of competitive advantage in small high tech firms. The main objectives of this thesis were: to examine the corporate and technology strategy formulation processes within small high tech firms; to identify any change in these processes as the business and its core technologies mature; and to explore the role of the technical entrepreneur in initiating a strategic orientation within such firms. Empirical research proceeded in two phases. Phase One involved a postal survey based upon 519 small high tech firms located in UK science parks. 30 respondent firms were selected for Phase Two of empirical research, where in-depth company interviews were employed to investigate further the phenomena under scrutiny. Successful small high tech firms exhibit a strategic transformation over their life cycle. More formalised strategic management processes are implemented within such firms to support the organisation's evolution from an inward-looking orientation at inception focusing upon technological possibilities generated through R&D efforts, towards an outward orientation as core technologies mature, emphasising the need more closely to identify market opportunities in order to guide R&D activity. This research has confirmed that the professional orientation of company directors will determine whether technological considerations are subsumed within strategic planning processes, or whether they implicitly drive business activities. The required strategic reorientation of the business is unlikely to be achieved where management skills remain focused within narrow technical spheres and thus technological considerations dominate the strategy formulation process throughout each life cycle stage. Ultimately, the key determinant of success in the small high tech firm will be the ability of the technical entrepreneur to initiate a strategic orientation within the firm; this will require that he adapts philosphically and managerially as the firm grows, as core technologies mature and as marketing imperatives become the predominant force within the firm's chosen industry.
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Ndiege, Joshua Rumo Arongo. "Absorptive capacity and information technology adoption strategies in Kenyan SMEs." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1014672.
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Although Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), arguably, make up a significant part of economic development in many countries, these enterprises have continued to face challenges especially in developing countries like Kenya. With Information Technology (IT) being considered a critical component of the survival of SMEs, many are striving to invest in it. However, a number of these SMEs are still far from realising the full potential of their IT investments. In today‟s challenging and dynamic business environment, SMEs need to leverage both internal and external knowledge, exploit it to help improve and maintain their competitiveness, and consequently, their survival. This study has endeavoured to address the IT adoption strategy challenges experienced by SMEs in Kenya and other developing countries, as these have been largely flawed. The study has explored on the way in which these enterprises can build strong Absorptive Capacities (AC) and exploit these to improve their IT adoption processes through a model of AC. To achieve this, a qualitative, interpretive case study research approach was employed in this study. The findings of this study suggest that although AC plays a critical role in the performance of SMEs in Kenya, many of these enterprises have low levels of AC. It also became clear that all the SMEs that participated in the study had not attained maturity in their IT adoption process. However, SMEs that exhibited strong AC employed the use of more superior IT adoption processes than did their counterparts with low levels of AC. From the results of this study an IT Adoption Strategy Improvement Model (ITASIM) has been developed to help SMEs improve their IT adoption strategies. The model focuses on improving SMEs‟ AC and injecting these alongside the elements of a good strategy in the SMEs‟ IT adoption process. Furthermore, in order to help in the effective implementation of ITASIM, implementation guidelines have been developed.
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Carr, James B. "The effective implementation of technology-based SME management development programmes." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/24165.
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Management learning technology is viewed as one possible solution to overcoming the training barriers faced by managers and other employees in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim of this thesis is to investigate whether higher education institutions can provide effective management development opportunities for SMEs using learning technology. Its objectives are: to explore the potential for the transfer of such materials to SMEs; to examine the specific pedagogic approaches that might be most effective in higher education and the SME sector; and to identify factors which can maximise the effective use of management learning technology across a range of contexts. The empirical work described has two main aspects: the first is a case study of learning technology implementation among undergraduate business studies students at the University of Edinburgh; the second is a case study of a technology-based management development programme for SMEs at the University of East London. From these studies barriers to SME learning are identified, both traditional and arising from the introduction of new learning technologies. The traditional barriers identified reflect the SME learning environment in which, for example, time, staff resources and finance are in limited supply. Barriers identified that arise from the introduction of new learning technologies include problems with speed of networks, inappropriate content and socialising distance learning. It emerges that there is potential for transfer of new learning technologies from higher education to SMEs. However this is a difficult undertaking, particularly where there is a lack of general SME training skills. The pedagogic approaches required in the higher education and SME sectors exhibit similarities and differences. The main similarity is that learning technology must be fully integrated into the context of learning delivery if its effectiveness is to be maximised. The main difference is that among SMEs there is often a need for one-to-one guidance, at least initially, owing to their diversity in terms of business type and learners’ educational backgrounds. In both sectors implementation will be most effective when attention is paid to the context of learning development (designing the teaching materials and activities) and the context of learning delivery (the delivery system and its associated support mechanisms).
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DESSIE, KASSIE ASAMNEW. "Internet Technology Use in The Value Chain of Ethiopian SMEs : The Benefits, problems & Prospects." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-134578.
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Background: Major attention in researches within the field of internet technologies andits usage in service providing Small and medium Enterprises has been devoted in thedeveloped countries. Little or almost no attention or studies have been given on most ofthe developing or third world countries specifically, Ethiopia which can be consideredas a black hole in related researches. Recently there are some encouraging signals hereand there, with a hopeful transition to the digital era and utilization of internettechnologies, in the service providing small and medium enterprises businesses. Thearea of attention here is directed to Ethiopia, in the existing internet technologies usagein SMEs with the prospects, benefits and problems of utilization in the businessoperations. Aim: The purpose of this thesis is to find out the benefits, prospects and utilizationproblems of internet technologies in small and medium size service enterprises inEthiopia. The study discusses the service business operations and their internet usage inthe small and medium enterprises value chain activities theories. Definitions: The term SME (Small and Medium size Enterprises) generally refers to, inmost developing economies, the following broad categories: For this research purposeUNIDOs quantitative and qualitative SMEs definition criterions will be used: Micro enterprises: employment level below 10; Registered Capital < $ 42,000 Small enterprises: employment level from 10 to 49; Registered Capital > $ 42,000 Medium enterprises: employment level from 50 to 249. Registered Capital > $ 42,000 Internet Technology: is all about connectivity, accesses and utilization of internet. Realization: This study is based on multiple case study of 5 small and medium sizedservice enterprises‘ using internet in their business activities. Unstructured interviewwas handled with managers in the business, for this purpose qualitative research methodis applied with an inductive approach more dominantly. Completion and Results: A qualitative multiple case studies on SMEs businesses inAddis Ababa, Ethiopia was carried out and the results revealed that: The Benefits of Internet Technologies as : The falling costs and increasingutility of cutting edge technologies without bearing the high costs of discarding olderlegacy systems and carrying massive cost of technological R & D, Historicopportunity for SME‘s to create new information rich industries and competitiveentrepreneurships of global reach with no abstraction/ marketing chains or less capital , Provided Product/service and Operation / Processes Efficiency for SMEs, Enhancedthe businesses‘ value proposition, quality and flexibility, SMEs are better positionedto participate in global value chains, with minimal capital , R&D and Technology cost. The Problems of Internet Technologies as: - Poor literacy, both computer basedand formal education, - Lack of good infrastructure, both physical and regulatory - lackof access to technology in rural or remote areas with lack of content in local languagessettings (Language & Diversity Barriers), - Service interruptions in basic infrastructuresuch as telecoms and electricity interruptions, - And lack of expertise in IT. The Implications and Conclusion as: The utilization of internet technologies andthe growing number of entrepreneurial firms(SMEs) signals the way forward inEthiopia is with a lot of prospects among them are opportunities of participating in theglobal market arena, strategic alliances with local and foreign firms that creates hugepossibilities of exploring and exploiting information, knowledge and culture industrieson which the country is endowed with, provided that the above mentioned impedimentsare addressed. The theoretical issues in this research indicates that unlike the developedeconomies perspective on the value activities of firm which states the primary activitiesas a critical and detrimental activity in the value chain, in this research the supportactivity is found to have an equivalent, if not, a greater influence in the value activitiesof Ethiopian or developing country context that challenges the pre-establishedtheoretical concept (Porter, 1985)in the matured and developed economies giving muchof the credit to primary activities. The underlying conclusion in this research is that, thesupport activities mentioned on Porter (1985) and (Rayport &Sviokla ,1995) as in bothcases (physical and virtual SMEs presence) are found to be equivalentlycritical/determinant as it is analyzed in the cases and shortly portrayed in the conclusivetable, where the support activities are found to be playing a significant role andcontribution even in the sustenance of the primary value activities and further to thewhole value system as far as the internet connectivity to business presence/ [VISIBILITY,MIRRORING CAPABILITY& NEW DIGITAL VALUE] (Rayport &Sviokla ,1995) is takenin to consideration. Therefore an adapted / amended model to the context of developingcountries/Ethiopia is suggested based on the empirical findings and analysis. Search Terms: - Internet Technologies (ICT), Small & Medium Service Enterprises(SMEs), Infrastructure, Human Resources, Primary and Secondary Value Activities,Physical &Virtual Value Chain, Search, Evaluation Problem Solving & Transaction.
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Jandák, Miroslav. "Napojení .NET / Java technologie na SAS BI." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2009. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-15551.
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This thesis is focused on SAS Enterprise Intelligence Platform product and it's capabilities to integrate within a Business Intelligence solution. The aim of the thesis is to describe integration technolgies that the platform features, as well as to determine their application field and compare them, eventually add usage examples. The first part of the thesis explains the general concept and architecture of Business Intelligence, afterwards the reader gets familiar with the SAS Enterprise Intelligence Platform, it's stucture and components and it's Business Intelligence market position. The second part of the thesis contains description (how they work and what they are good for) of the integration technologies available in SAS Enterprise Intelligence Platform. Those technologies are mostly implementations of the most common industry standards (database APIs, COM/DCOM, CORBA, web services). The study also includes description of these standards supported by SAS. The thesis features also comparisions of the integration technologies, namely comparison of database API implementations and comparision of Integrated Object Model API with SAS BI Web Services.
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Heitzig, David, and Marko Mestrovic. "Impact of organizational Vision on Ideation within SMEs : A case study portraying a leading German high-tech SME." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för industriell teknik och management (ITM), 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-278892.
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In a research from 2017, Perkins et al. state that a deeper understanding of organizational vision guiding idea generation is needed. The question that needs to be answered is, if an organizational vision impacts capabilities for ideation. Such a statement by Perkins et al. challenges Duggan’s (2013) view about idea generation. Duggan views idea generation as a creative process which should not be restricted by goals, strategy, or vision. This dilemma combined with the need for further investigation of ideation within SMEs led to the following research question: “How does organizational vision impact capabilities for ideation among different stakeholders in high techGerman SMEs?”. The partner company for this study is high tech German SME. The company is in the process of defining and implementing a new vision, as well as seeking for a more structured innovation process in order to improve its new product development. Research in this field has favored large organizations in the past. Hence, there is an interest in extending research and further developing knowledge regarding processes and frameworks for product development, vision, and ideation for SMEs. A single case-study approach was chosen for an in-depth approach with the suggested design of a research question, case selection, data collection and analysis. The triangulation approach was used to collect the data. The qualitative methods resulted in a series of 8 hypotheses which were further tested using quantitative methods such as surveys performed within the partnering company. The qualitative and quantitative data suggest that the organizational vision impacts capabilities for ideation among stakeholders. The influence varies from being negative, nonexistent, to being very positive. The level and type of influence varies depending on several factors such as vision understanding, vision implementation, alignment, involvement of the management in ideation, organizational and work structures, etc. When all these factors are present and connected to each other, they enhance the role that organizational vision plays in guiding the development of new and relevant ideas and new products. Such presence of these factors allows employees to generate ideas that match the vision and overall goals. A Positive influence means that generated ideas are aligned with the vision, thus aligned with the direction that the company takes and possibly result in products with higher market potential. When these earlier mentioned factors are absent, or connected in a wrong way, this can result in negative influence that the vision has on capabilities for ideation among different stakeholders. This study contributes towards solving the earlier mentioned dilemma, which is interesting for researchers and practitioners even more. The study raises awareness of the importance of doing research in the field of ideation and its interfaces with a focus on SMEs, as this is highly important for SMEs and the global economy. While researchers get data that can be used to build a foundation for future research in the field of organizational vision and ideation, practitioners learn how to increase SMEs overall performance which is the fundamental purpose of innovation.<br>Enligt senare forskning krävs en djupare förståelse för organisationsvision för att styra idégenerering. En central fråga är hur arbetet med en verksamhets vision påverkar de anställdas förmåga att utveckla nya idéer. Forskning ser nu två motstående resultat: en där idégenerering är en kreativ process som inte bör begränsas av mål, strategi eller vision och en annan där visionen faktiskt är av godo. Detta dilemma ledde till följande forskningsfråga: "Hur påverkar organisationsvisionen kapaciteten för idégenerering bland olika intressenter i högteknologiska tyska små och medelstora företag?". I fokus i för denna studie är ett högteknologisk tyskt SME. Detta företag stod i begrepp att definiera och implementera en ny vision och var intresserad av en mer strukturerad innovationsprocess för att förbättra sin nya produktutveckling. Eftersom tidigare forskning inom detta området mer fokuserat på större organisationer finns det ett intresse att utöka forskning och vidareutveckla kunskap om processer och ramverk för produktutveckling, vision och idéer för små och medelstora företag. Genom triangulering samlades data in och analyserades genom kvalitativa och kvantitativa metoder. Resultaten antyder att den organisatoriska visionen påverkar förmågorna för idéer bland intressenter. Påverkan varierar från att vara negativ, obefintlig, till att vara mycket positiv. Nivån och typen av inflytande varierar beroende på flera faktorer som visionförståelse, visionimplementering, anpassning, ledningens engagemang i idéer, organisations- och arbetsstrukturer. När alla dessa faktorer är närvarande och kopplade till varandra förbättrar de den roll som visionen spelar för att vägleda utvecklingen av nya och relevanta idéer och produkter. Närvaron av dessa faktorer gör det möjligt för anställda att generera idéer som matchar visionen och de övergripande målen. Ett positivt inflytande innebär att genererade idéer anpassas till visionen, och därmed anpassas till den riktning som företaget tar och eventuellt resulterar i produkter med högre marknadspotential. När dessa tidigare nämnda faktorer är frånvarande eller kopplas in på ett fel sätt kan detta resultera i negativt inflytande som visionen har på förmågor för idéer bland olika intressenter. Studien bidrar till att lösa dilemmat kring hur vision och idégenerering hör ihop och ökar medvetenheten om vikten av mer forskning inom ämnet med fokus på små och medelstora företag.
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Sheik, Osman Wan Rozaini. "Using multiview to develop information systems for Malaysian small and medium scale manufacturing industries (SMIs)." Thesis, University of Salford, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.360442.
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Jacobs, S. J., and M. E. Herselman. "Technology Station in Electronics at the Tshwane University of Technology - strengthening technological innovation activities amongst SMEs and students." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 7, Issue 1: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/519.
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Published Article<br>This article focuses on how the competence and capacity within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, specifically the electronic / electrical discipline, at the Tshwane University of Technology is utilised to support Small Medium Enterprises (SME) as well as student development in a challenging industry environment where the emphasis is on producing innovative products which can serve South African communities. The outputs of innovative products and training provided by the Technology Station in Electronics (TSE), an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and academic departments within the Faculty, will be highlighted. Other universities of technology, technology stations and industry can benefit from the challenges and lessons learnt by the TSE in supporting SME and student experiential training in South Africa. The TSE managed to increase SME support from 7 to 37 per annum over a period of 3 years and involved third-year electrical engineering students in 85 of the 87 projects with industry. This contributed towards enhancing the teaching and learning process of students and assisted in the production of user-driven innovation in SMEs.
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Bakke, Morten Urdal, and Erik Askheim Hjørnevik. "On Technology and Internationalisation : An Empirical Study of Norwegian International SMEs." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for industriell økonomi og teknologiledelse, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-26172.
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This empirical study investigates the relationship between technology and the internationalisation process of small- and medium-sized enterprises. First, a theoretical overview of globalisation, internationalisation, and technology is given. Drawing on the literature from these fields, two hypotheses regarding the relationship between internationalisation, technology, and firm age are presented. Thereafter, a quantitative analysis of SMEs is performed and the results of this analysis is related to the theory and thoroughly discussed. Finally, some implications for researchers, managers, and policy-makers are discussed.The analysis of this paper reveals that there is no significant relationship between technology and the degree of internationalisation suggesting that technology is not a driver of degree of firm internationalisation. This could be due to the spread of technology throughout industries, giving all firms access to technologies that either mitigate challenges with internationalisation or removes competitive advantages that some firms had some decades ago due to unique technology. Further, it is discovered that firm age is significantly related to the speed of internationalisation, suggesting that the changing macro-environment of firms is a driver for internationalisation behaviour. The implications for researchers are that more focus should be directed to international SMEs in low-tech sectors. These firms have been mostly overlooked in international strategy research the last couple of decades but should be interesting to study as technology is not a driver for degree of internationalisation. The results also suggest that managers should focus on areas such as networks and firm attitudes to help their internationalisation process. For policy-makers the results indicate that other measures than technology development should be deployed to improve a country's export performance.
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Nakládalová, Tereza. "Konstrukční optimalizace výrobní linky využitím aditivní technologie SLS." Master's thesis, Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta strojního inženýrství, 2018. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-382472.
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This diploma thesis is focused on additive manufacturing, especially on technology Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and the implementation of additive manufacturing into existing departments of industry, where current elements of systems are supplemented or directly replaced by new parts produced by these technologies. This thesis solves specific project of manipulation unit for manufacturing line. The main goals of the issue are analysis of current construction design and its deficiency, designing and optimalization of this unit in relation to SLS manufacturing technology, product realization and final evaluating of reached results. Part of the thesis is also design documentation.
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Nagaraju, R. "Role of innovation strategy in the business growth of high-technology SMEs in UK." Thesis, University of Bedfordshire, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10547/596736.
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Innovative high-technology SMEs have become a major influencing factor in the success of any modern economy and they increasingly compete in the globalised world with limited resources. Previous research on SMEs at firm level has always taken into consideration the constraints of the resources that an SME faces and the implications of this on their performance and business growth. SMEs have to develop their own unique skills and capabilities, allocating their limited resources appropriately to be able to respond to the changes in the external business environment that pose risks to the success of their innovation and its commercialisation. Having an innovation strategy is very important: to have a clear goal and a path to achieve the set goal. This helps high-technology SMEs to decide which factors can influence the success of their innovations, leading to business growth by developing dynamic capabilities to respond to the external changes by allocating their resources at their disposal. This thesis is an empirical analysis of innovation strategy and its role in the business growth of high-technology SMEs. This research study is carried out at firm level. It draws on Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capability theory to explore innovation strategy factors contributing to the better performance of the firm. Four hypotheses were proposed based on the theoretical framework developed through the literature review. They were tested using empirical data. The primary data were collected using quantitative methods through survey questionnaire. Data was collected from 106 high-technology SMEs in the UK. Technological factor, marketing factor, entrepreneurial factor and risk from the business environment were identified as four important factors which are part of an innovation strategy. The results of the study suggest three revised factors: technology, entrepreneurial and government-related risk factors. The initial risk related to business environment was amended to government-related risk factors based on the measurement variables which were loaded to the factor. However, one hypothesis based on the marketing factor failed to support the proposed positive influence on business growth and hence rejected. This calls for further research on the marketing factor in high-technology SMEs. This study recognises the reason behind this paradoxical result, which could be the nature of the high-technology firms participating in this study, which are more dependent on technology-push rather than marketing pull and they do not confirm with the established norms of marketing for the business growth of their firm. This study contributes to the development of knowledge and practice at multiple levels. The research developed a theoretical framework to establish the innovation strategy factors and its influence on business growth and this is validated through empirical data. At the practice level, the results of the study could be used by high-technology SMEs in the UK, and any other high-technology SMEs which are based in a similar economy and business environment, to have better information about innovation strategy. The study could also help policy makers, propose better policy to support innovation of high-technology SMEs in UK.
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Cruz-Carreon, Gilbert. "The internationalization process of entrepreneurial SMEs in high technology niche market segments." Queensland University of Technology, 2007. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16543/.
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This study seeks to make a theoretical contribution to the rapidly growing field of International Entrepreneurship by investigating the process of internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Bell, McNaughton, Young & Crick, (2003) emphasized the need for researchers to re-conceptualize their thinking on the internationalization process of smaller firms. While there has been substantial research done on the small business internationalization and how the participation of these firms in the global economy has fuelled economic growth in a number of countries (Audretsch & Thurik, 2003; Acs, Randall Morck, Shraver & Yeung, 1997; Storey, 1994; Alam & Pacher, 2003), there is tangible evidence that SMEs in Australia are not keeping up with global trends. Studies conducted on Australian firms allude to the following reasons for their constrained presence in international markets: (i) geographic and psychic distance; (ii) costs disadvantage; (iii) overdependence on inward FDI from large foreign multinationals; (iv) a history of inward-looking and narrowly focussed economic development policies of the Australian government. These factors had the combined effect of imbalanced economic growth which was particularly detrimental to the small business sector (Australian Trade Commission, 2002; Maitland & Nicholas, 2002; Alam & Pacher, 2003). Despite the identified obstacles, some Australian SMEs have succeeded in penetrating international markets. This study involved a preliminary qualitative investigation of selected Australian SMEs and their unique internationalization process. Evidence from the case study based investigation will indicate that the respondent firms have leveraged on entrepreneurial qualities to overcome the obstacles and enhance their success in international markets. As such, the internationalization process for these selected firms is seen as an extension of and integral to their entrepreneurial behaviour. Using the lenses provided by relevant facets of the entrepreneurship, internationalization and strategy scholarly fields, this exploratory qualitative study, while building the foundation for further empirical research into the internationalization process of SMEs, can serve as a guide to researchers for ascertaining future directions in this emergent field. The findings from the study are intended to contribute to a body of knowledge encompassing the cross-border operations of SMEs. The research also has value from a practical perspective as Australian SMEs can draw from this body of knowledge as they pursue opportunities internationally.
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Huang, Chengyang. "Conflict Resolution for Environmental Technology Transfer for SMEs from Sweden to China." Thesis, KTH, Industriell ekologi, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-158905.
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China is a country faced by deteriorating environment and severe pollution; therefore, technology transfer from Sweden has been one of the best choices for Chinese authorities and clean technology companies. The huge Chinese market also seems to be an alluring market for Swedish clean technology SMEs. However, conflicts often occur during technology transfer (TT) process. Theoretically, the TT process mainly involves the stages of assessment, agreement, implementation, evaluation and adjustment and repetition. Based on these stages, cases are chosen, interviews are carried out and results are analyzed in details with SWOT method. The new TT solution is proposed as recommendation. The conclusion shows in order to achieve a successful TT; each stage in the process should be carefully controlled. Hence, not only the technology donor s (Swedish SMEs) and receivers (Chinese buyers) should devote their efforts, all the other stakeholders such as technology consulting companies and government institutions should cooperate together, whichever fits their mutual interests.
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Bali, Rajeev Kumar. "Successful technology management : cultural and organisational dimensions of MIS implementation in SMEs." Thesis, Sheffield Hallam University, 1999. http://shura.shu.ac.uk/4053/.
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The aim of this thesis is to provide an original interpretative rationale of the role and effect of culture which may influence the development of a modern Small to Medium sized Enterprise (SME). Substantively, the research is two-fold: firstly, to examine organisational culture and, secondly, its relationship with IT implementations, specifically computer-based Management Information Systems (MIS). An extensive literature review has revealed a lack of synthesis between organisational culture and computer-based implementations, particularly in the SME environment. The research uses an approach based on ethnographic methods from qualitative research within inductivist confines. A thirty-month ethnographic study at a small engineering firm, verified and validated by triangulation techniques, has been used to form a Conceptual Model for successful MIS implementation. This new Model has been validated in several, unconnected, external organisations. The main case-study is supported by smaller studies which has provided a holistic (and therefore more realistic) view of the complexity of organisational culture. It is emphasised that achieving a change in organisational culture is a deeply political and turbulent process. Due regard must be given to managerial, cultural, organisational, human, technical, psychological and political issues. The research takes full account of these factors and discusses the importance of core competency, both from the organisation and its actors, to facilitate and realise effective cultural change. The Model proposed is one methodology for implementation in organisations with cultural and organisational difficulties. Due to the intricacies and complexity of culture, the implementation strategy is potentially a lengthy process. Contributions are made to knowledge in a number of different arenas. Firstly, a contribution is made in the area of IT change management by proposing a new Model for MIS implementation. The Model is given credibility having been verified and validated at several external organisations. Secondly, a contribution is made in the area of organisational theory as the SME focus provides this vital sector of the business community with additional, pertinent, information when undergoing IT implementations. Finally, the research contributes to knowledge in the area of research methodology as the novel combination of diverse paradigms has resulted in a new research approach for use in the SME environment.
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Abousaber, Inam. "WiMax technology adoption by SMEs in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia." Thesis, Brunel University, 2012. http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7169.
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This research focuses on developing a framework for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) technology adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). WiMax has emerged as a technology to overcome the limitations of traditional and existing broadband technologies and support a great number of organisations and consumers/citizens in providing a higher speed over substantial distances i.e. in areas that are difficult for wired infrastructure to reach. Despite all the interest in the types of broadband adoption as demonstrated by SMEs in several countries, there seems to be slow progress and lack of information supporting the decision making process for WiMax technology adoption by SMEs specifically in the context of KSA. This may illustrate that SMEs adopt WiMax technology solutions at a slower pace and make them characterised as laggards in terms of new technologies adoption. This research takes into consideration this literature gap and makes a step forward and investigates on WiMax technology adoption by SMEs in KSA with an organisational cultural view, vendors’ commercialisation strategies and government policies by analysing the normative literature related to this research. The data collection of this study was carried out in two phases including quantitative and qualitative approaches. The first phase of the research provided results indicated that, the Saudi SMEs who participated in this research are strongly dominated by clan culture and adhocracy culture. These cultures also have a positive impact on the Internet technologies adoption such as WiMax by SMEs. It is found that, the combination of clan and adhocracy cultures in Saudi SMEs is making them more likely to adopt latest Internet technologies. In the second phase, the results showed a wide difference in views among SMEs, WiMax vendors and government agencies involved in WiMax technology diffusion to SMEs in Saudi Arabia. Although WiMax technology started as an innovation that has the potential to be disruptive and could replace the widely diffused fixed wire line Internet connection, the research findings showed an interesting deviation from this path. In particular, the WiMax technology market analysis in Saudi Arabia highlighted the vendors’ tendency to treat WiMax technology as a sustaining innovation. Research findings also indicated that, the Saudi government provided funds for Information and Communications Technology‘s diffusion in the country. However, the level of awareness displayed by SMEs is persistently low. Knowledge deployment, mobilisation, innovation directive and subsidy have been emphasised by SMEs as the most important government interventions that might have an impact on WiMax adoption by them. Finally, further important issues have been uncovered by the research such as taxation, experience exchange, herd culture/bandwagon, consumer right protection and customer service in relation to the adoption of WiMax by SMEs. The perceived future prospect of these additional issues has been considered as an influence on adoption of WiMax technology by SMEs. The findings of this research can be useful to guide analysts and researchers in determining critical aspects of the complex issues involved in technologies adoption, and lead to suggestions for further valid research.
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Batas, Spyridon. "The internationalisation process of high technology INVs : the role of social capital and network relationships." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/17862.
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This study examined the different roles of social capital (i.e. efficacy, serendipity, and liability), network relationships, network closure and structure important to the internationalisation process of high technology International New Ventures (INVs). Although there has been a growing recognition of the role of social capital in the internationalisation process of firms, research into the three roles of social capital and their interrelation with network closure and structure is a research area that very few empirical studies exist. This study seeks to fill this gap by gaining rich insights into the internationalisation process of high technology INVs and by exploring the importance of strong and weak ties mechanism in early and later international market entries. In this study social capital is the sum of actual and potential resources that derive from network relationships. The study built on qualitative data collected from nine in-depth case studies of Greek and Scottish software INVs. The multiple semi-structure interviews were carried out in 2013 and 2014 with founders and CEOs. The material of the nine cases was used to understand and explain the internationalisation process and how social capital and network relationship influence it. The case material analysis proceeded from within case analysis to cross-case analysis in order to explore common patterns and differences across the cases. A theoretical framework based on the existing gaps was developed and tested in this research. This study contributed to the literature on International Business (IB), International Entrepreneurship (IE) and Social capital by exploring the evolution of social capital diachronically. A new type of INV was found: the niche market INV, which strategically uses its social capital to capture and exploit new opportunities in foreign markets. New insights are given to which role of social capital becomes more crucial in initial and later international market entries. This study found that the efficacy role of social capital played an important role both in initial and later stages of internationalisation. However, the serendipity role of social capital was more important for companies with many structural holes that did not have the necessary network relationships to bridge them. This study showed that Greek and Scottish entrepreneurs have different backgrounds; Greek entrepreneurs lack previous international work experience. It was found that virtual social capital in the digital era is becoming more and more important. A number of implications for management practice, policy and education are presented for developed markets firm managers and governments in the fields of IE and IB.
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Eriksson, Jakob, and Emanuel Snårelid. "Virtual teams make SMEs leap like frogs : A research regarding how virtual teams influence the internationalization process within a SME." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för organisation och entreprenörskap (OE), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-74678.
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The purpose of this thesis is to examine what impact the new phenomena of virtual teams have on a Swedish SMEs internationalization process. The method of the thesis was decided to be a qualitative study, together with an abductive approach. The data was collected by interviewing managers from six different SMEs that have implemented virtual teams in their organization. All companies are located in Sweden, and are active on the international market, or aim to be internationalized in a near future. Multiple theories are presented in the theoretical framework, the theories chosen to support this thesis are Internationalization, Small-medium enterprise, Virtual teams vs physical teams, and cultural dimensions influencing the team. Based on the theories, a conceptual framework model was developed to show the connection between the mentioned theories. All findings extracted from the interviews is presented in the empirical findings chapter, where the primary data describes each case answers regarding the specific topics and theories. The analysis chapter visualizes the connection between empirical findings and the different theories, presenting advantages and challenges when using a virtual team. The conclusion of the thesis show that implementation of virtual teams can help Swedish SMEs leap over stages in a classical internationalization process. The thesis intends to influence managers of SMEs to implement virtual teams to digitalize their company, or to make their internationalization process easier. Ending the thesis with recommendations for future research
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Engström, Martin. "Webbaserad visning av positioner på karta." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Institutionen för teknik och naturvetenskap, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-58029.
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Today there are a big need for a system that delivers overview of all available units for different municipalities and shipping- and security companies due to the increasing requirements for efficiency. The purpose with this graduation thesis is to find out which systems that is suitable to use while developing cost-effective software for positioning and to produce a prototype for such solution. This assignment has been done at the request of PocketMobile Communications AB. PocketMobile is a company that are specialized on delivering modern mobile software solutions and systems to companies with their own vehicle fleet or mobile workers. This master thesis can be split into two separate parts, the theoretic- and the practical part. The theoretic part includes producing a number of functional requirements in cooperation with PocketMobile and comparing the available systems against the function requirements. The practical part deal with the development of a prototype that demonstrates the software recommended. The development tools that best matched the functionality requirements when the selection was made in May 2007 were Map24 and OpenLayers. The system that was selected to use while developing the prototype was Map24, because this product matches all of the requirements and it is also suited for professional usage regarding support, scalability and reliability. Map24 also have some advanced functions like ability to route plan for example. The prototype that has been developed is web based and the graphic design is similar to Google Maps.
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Holmström, Christian, and Gabor Posan. "ISO 14001Miljörevisionsprogram för SAS Tech." Thesis, Mälardalen University, School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-7753.
Full textAbstract:
<p>The demands of environmental effects in today’s companies have been increasing more and</p><p>more. To be able to withstand customers, cooperatives and government demands the ISO</p><p>14001 certification should not be neglected.</p><p>In January 2007 the general management of SAS decided to introduce an environmental</p><p>management system for SAS Tech. The work which has been carried out is a part of the</p><p>certification process of ISO 14001 which will be completed by the end of year 2009.</p><p>The aim is to create auditroutines for the company in order to be able audit ISO 14001</p><p>standard internally which is a demand to get certified and to keep the certification in the</p><p>future. A schedule has been done which audits different part of the standard at every audit</p><p>during one year. The purpose of internalauditing is to be able to confirm that the</p><p>management system and the defined work procedures are fullfilling the demanded effect. In</p><p>order to simplify work with the audits a checklist is also created for the whole standard.</p><p>The auditroutine documents will be inserted among the documents for the environmental</p><p>management system for SAS Tech, this´ll later on be certified externally of Bureau Veritas.</p>