To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Technological Infrastructures.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Technological Infrastructures'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 38 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Technological Infrastructures.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Solomon, Simona. "Impact on business performance by the organizational and technological infrastructures." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ39091.pdf.
Full text
2
Eshraghi, Ali. "Technological innovations in voluntary organisations : towards a sociology of relaxed infrastructures." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/25836.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is motivated by the need to explore the relationships between technology and volunteerism. Despite the fact that information and communication technologies (ICTs) proliferate within voluntary organisations and have an obvious effect on volunteering practice, the literature on the relationships between such technologies and voluntary contexts is scant. This is particularly in terms of its insights with regard to the actual processes of production and consumption of these technologies within the sector. This interdisciplinary research project was carried out to answer a central research problem: how do information technologies interrelate with human activities in voluntary settings? In throwing light on this problem, an ethnographic case-oriented study was conducted in a Scottish community-based sports organisation over the course of two years. This research has utilised insights from the Sociology of Technology, Information Systems Research and Organisational Sociology to find out how human actors’ interactions with technology play out in the context of volunteer-involving organisations, and to conceptualise the complexity of the unfolding of technology in relation to the specific characteristics of volunteering activities. To unpack the core research question, three types of sociotechnical interactions were identified as the most relevant: these were ‘service’, ‘identity’ and ‘ecological’. My analysis of the empirical data suggests that there are different domains within which these critical interactions are assembled. In my research, three different domains (drifting, conditioning and imbricating) have thematically emerged when sociotechnical interactions were being mapped out in (a) shadowing a technology project, (b) analysing technological non-use and (c) rethinking organisational persistence in the selected observed case. This thesis argues for an ‘infrastructural’ approach when studying technology so as to extend our understanding about technology-initiated improvement projects in the sector. This research argues that accomplishing volunteer work requires complicated mixture of sociomaterial assemblages, including ICTs, which are embedded in the everyday life of volunteers, paid staff and their community. Furthermore, this study discusses that existing analytical infrastructural approaches developed in relation to artefact-oriented, large-scale sociotechnical networks need some modification to be satisfyingly applied in low-tech, mundane settings such as volunteer work in amateur sports.
3
Abdalla, Abusif Zarrug. "Electronic banking services in the United Kingdom : legal infrastructures versus technological outgrowth." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 1999. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk/R?func=search-advanced-go&find_code1=WSN&request1=AAIU123140.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines the development of banking law against the expeditious development of the technology used in banking systems. Therefore, this study traces and compares the development relating to electronic banking in two different perspectives: first it examines the ongoing development in terms of technology; second it investigates the practical and proposed legal techniques of controlling this rapidly changing field. The thesis traces the development of technical issues that influence banking transactions (including debit and credit cards) and other newly authorised services (like EFTPOS; ATM Home banking; Internet banking and digital cash). The thesis also identifies the existing risks associated with electronic funds transfer (such as fraud; error and system malfunction) and presents the need for security not only at the technological level but also at the organisational and legislative levels as well. In the United Kingdom the law has developed considerably in response to the development of technology in the banking sector and more developments are imminent. For example: - Regulations were introduced in 1996 to allow the extension of cheque truncation; - The Theft (Amendment) Act 1996 was approved as a result of case law development; - The Data Protection Act 1998 was enacted as a result of the EC Data Protection Directive 1995; - The Civil Evidence Act 1995 removes two obstacles to the admissibility of computer records namely, Hearsay Rule and the Best Evidence Rule; - The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations (1994 & 1999) which will guard against unreasonable and unfair terms. - Banking Code (revised edition was published in 1998) aims to set out the standards for banking practice to be observed by banks and card issuers when dealing with personal customers. These and other developments have had an important impact on the law relating to consumer protection. The thesis gives an up-to-date account of legal measures relevant to electronic banking services.
4
Sharif, Taimur R. M. "Technological progress in a developing country through 'special technology infrastructures': a case study of Bangladesh." Thesis, London South Bank University, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.570874.
Full textAbstract:
The notion of catching up has its antecedents in historical studies on the industrial transformation of countries such as the Germany, the US and Japan. More recent studies have focussed on the NICs of Asia and Latin America. In a similar fashion, this study deals with issues of technological mastery by the developing countries (DCs) while ‘catching-up’ towards narrowing the ‘technology gap’ with the leaders. In doing so, the study asks specific questions about the nature and operational features of some purpose-built schemes such as ‘export processing zones’ (EPZs) and similar models aiming to promote technology transfers (TT) for the DCs via foreign investments, and focuses on the differential elements that made East Asian schemes distinct from the DC-models. In the context of the extensive literature survey dealing with similar models operating in the developed economies (DEs) known as ‘Technology Parks’ (TPs), the study observed conceptual and linguistic ambiguities between EPZs and TPs. One of the aims of this study was therefore to develop an unambiguous conceptual framework of ‘special technology infrastructure’ (STI) – a term introduced and used in this study to clarify and locate zones and schemes such as TPs, EPZs, IPs (Industrial Parks), SEZs (Special Economic Zones), etc. in the form of a STI-hierarchy. This research found that, although originated from IPs, TPs are clearly different from the EPZs in terms of their research orientation whereas EPZs show business-orientation at the time of their inceptions. The study found that in order to follow the East Asian pattern, a DC-EPZ needs to ensure its standard of operation similar as ‘business incubator’ while transitioning its orientation from business towards research. The empirical study concluded that a DC like Bangladesh has the potential to uplift the status of their EPZs to function like a TP due to the resemblance of EPZs’ standard of services to the ones provided by business incubator’ – seemingly a gateway to TPs. The chances of narrowing the technology gap was assessed to be higher due to: (a) the observed similarity of operations between firms in the EPZ and those in the domestic tariff area (DTA); and (b) the increasing share of capital intensive industries such as heavy engineering, automotives, etc. Drawing particular attention to the significance of the concept of ‘dated labor’ (workers with the latest know-whys) as postulated by ‘vintage growth models’, the study recommended that, in order to facilitate catching up, the country needs to uplift the national technological capability (TC) up to the level that would match the global standard and would: (a) enable workers to handle the latest technologies and machines; and (b) induce MNCs to not only carry on with their marketing research activities but also outsource innovation and design-related R&D activities in the EPZ-hosting countries. The study proposed further research on: (i) vintage models to revive and incorporate the concept of ‘dated labor’ in empirical studies focused on ‘catching up’ and ‘technology gap’ issues; and (ii) to improve our knowledge of the causal factors of technical progress as well as to overcome difficulties and weaknesses with their estimation procedures.
5
Galante, António José Beleza. "Modelo de avaliação para as infraestruturas tecnológicas." Master's thesis, Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/19617.
Full textAbstract:
Mestrado em Economia e Gestão de Ciência e TecnologiaO processo de inovação e difusão dependem, cada vez mais, das interacções entre os vários "actores" do meio científico e tecnológico, as empresas e o mercado. Por forma a promover este tipo de interacções, o governo Português tem, desde alguns anos, vindo a apoiar a constituição e desenvolvimento de Infraestruturas Tecnológicas (IT's) com a capacidade e competência para estabelecer os elos de ligação no sistema científico e tecnológico nacional (SCT). Embora as ITs representem um fenómeno relativamente recente no nosso país, espera-se que venham a desempenhar um papel decisivo na criação e desenvolvimento de sinergias entre os laboratórios públicos, universidades, centros de investigação, centros de inovação e a indústria. As Infraestruturas Tecnológicas actuam como "pontes de conhecimento" que, através da ligação dos intervenientes do sistema científico e tecnológico às empresas apoiando o desenvolvimento de competências tecnológicas e contribuindo para a competitividade das empresas nos mercados nacionais e internacionais. Nos últimos anos tem-se verificado uma especial atenção às teorias sobre avaliação de actividades empresariais, no estudo e selecção de projectos dentro das empresas/indústria, universidades e outras instituições. As IT's não constituem uma excepção, tomando-se necessário implementar e desenvolver metodologias de informação relacionadas com a avaliação das próprias infraestruturas e das actividades que desenvolvem e colaboram. Esta dissertação aborda e propõe a criação de um sistema de indicadores de input e output com o objectivo de desenvolver um modelo que permita a avaliação das Infraestruturas Tecnológicas. O modelo, não só permitirá a avaliação das suas actividades a nível interno, mas também ao nível do impacto nas empresas, universidades e sociedade. Com a criação de tais processos, pretende-se optimizar a organização e gestão das Infraestruturas Tecnológicas e, consequentemente, promover as sinergias e a confiança entre os vários "actores" do sistema científico e tecnológico nacional. AA
The process of innovation and diffiision requires more and more interactions between the world of science and technology, the companies and marketplace. In order to promote this kind of interactions, the Portuguese govemment has heen supporting in the last years the emergence, constitution and growth of Technological Infrastructures (TFs) which can estahlish the missing links in the scientific and technological system. Although, TTs are a recent phenomenon in Portugal, they are expected to play a very important role in the development of synergy's between public laboratories, universities, innovation and research centres and industrial firms. TTs act as knowledge bridges that, by linking the actors of the scientific and technological system to the firms and supporting them in the development of technological competencies contribute to the creation and sustain of their competitive advantages in national and intemational markets. Much attention has been paid to the theories and methods for the evaluation of companies and the evaluation and selection of projects within companies, universities and other institutions. TTs are no exception and there is a need to develop information processes conceming their activities evaluation and the evaluation of the projects they promote and collaborate. This paper introduces an approach to the creation and selection of input and output indicators for the development of a model that will enable the evaluation of the TI. The model will not only allow the evaluation of the activities, but will also measure the impacts of such activities in firms, universities and the society. The creation of such information processes will optimise the Technological Infrastructure management and, as a consequence, will also enhance the synergy's and trust among the players of the national scientifíc and technological system.
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
6
Veloso, Francisco Miguel Rogado Salvador Pinheiro. "A auditoria tecnológica nas empresas : um modelo a aplicar pelas infraestruturas tecnológicas." Master's thesis, Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/16150.
Full textAbstract:
Mestrado em Economia e Gestão de Ciência e TecnologiaA partir de um modelo de caracterização do processo de gestão da tecnologia no seio da empresa, propõe-se uma metodologia de Auditoria Tecnológica a ser aplicada às empresas nacionais a partir da rede de Infraestruturas Tecnológicas. A auditoria baseia-se num conjunto de indicadores que, para além da base tecnológica, avaliam ainda as capacidades de gestão de tecnologia da empresa, os principais vectores organizacionais que afectam a vertente tecnológica e a interacção da empresa com a envolvente. Os vários eixos de avaliação e indicadores propostos são discutidos e as condições de aplicação prática definidas. A auditoria está dimensionada por forma a servir de apoio ao diagnóstico e posteriori ntervenção por parte das Infraestruturas Tecnológicas junto das empresas, com o objectivo de desenvolver a sua base tecnológica. Ela permite ainda o estabelecimento de eixos de comparação entre as várias empresas, possibilitando a definição de segmentos de mercado alvo para a rede de Infraestruturas Tecnológicas nacionais. Para enquadrar o trabalho, por um lado, descreve-se o panorama nacional no domínio da inovação tecnológica e, por outro, faz-se uma apresentação detalhada do papel histórico e actual das Infraestruturas Tecnológicas nos Sistemas Nacionais de Inovação, com uma aplicação ao caso Português. O desenvolvimento do modelo levou em consideração um conjunto de propostas e abordagens de vários autores relativamente ao processo de auditoria tecnológica, e ainda as especificidades decorrentes da realidade empresarial nacional e da intervenção das ITs junto das empresas.
Based on a model that characterises the technology management process within enterprises, the present dissertation proposes a Technology Auditing Methodology to be applied to Portuguese enterprises by a network of Technological Infrastructures. The audit includes a set of indicators that evaluate, not only the technological basis of the company, but also its technology management capabilities, the main organisational factors affecting technology and the interaction of the company with the environment. The proposed evaluation axis and indicators are discussed and the conditions for practical application defined. The Audit is designed in order to support the diagnosis and subsequent intervention of the Technological Infrastructures in the companies, aiming at the development of their technological capabilities. Moreover, it allows the establishment of comparisons between enterprises, allowing the possibility to define target market segments for the national network of Technological Infrastructures. As a background, the national panorama in the domain of technological innovation is described, and a detailed presentation of the historical and current role of Technological Infrastructures in the National Innovation Systems is done, with special reference to the portuguese situation. In the development of this model, a number of authors' proposals and approaches have been considered in what concerns the process of technological auditing, together with the specificities resulting from the national enterprise environment and the expected role of Technological Infrastructures.
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
7
Seltzer, Michael William. "The Technological Infrastructure of Science." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/28976.
Full textAbstract:
In this dissertation, I explore a selection of recent work in the philosophy and history of experiment, with an eye toward reformulating its focus and redirecting its future path. Specifically, I re-examine a traditional problem in the philosophy of experiment: how to make sense of scientists' attempts to separate experimental “signal” or “entity” from background “noise” or “artifact.” This aspect of the analysis of the practice of scientists—the day to day task of getting one's experimental equipment and techniques to give reliable results that will be accepted by prevailing scientific standards—requires modifications in order to be made compatible with an adequate notion of historiography and with a philosophically and historically tenable view of scientific epistemology. I show that the concept of historical narrative is a crucial, if not primary, construct in answering these questions about interpreting experimental practice. Particular historical narratives, and the historiographies that guide their construction, constitute the crucial evidence for any legitimate view of the epistemological and cultural significance of scientific experimentation. However, narrativity and historiography must be deconstructed before their conceptual significance for experimentation can be evaluated adequately. The metahistorical construct I implement in order to analyze questions concerning scientific experimentation is the technological infrastructure of science.Joseph Pitt's concept of the technological infrastructure of science, a material/cultural network of artifacts and structures that enables and sustains the mature sciences, provides the theoretical foundation for my analysis of experimentation. I extend and refine Pitt's concept of technological infrastructure in order to create a metahistorical tool that researchers in many fields, including Science and Technology Studies (STS), Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Technology, Cultural Studies (of Science and Technology), History of Science, and History of Technology, may utilize when analyzing experimentation. To this end, I develop the technological infrastructure as an incorporation, extension and/or replacement of, for example, Thomas Kuhn's “disciplinary matrix,” Bruno Latour's “network,” Peter Galison's “ short-, middle-, and long-term constraints,” Ian Hacking's “coherence of thought, action, materials, marks,” Hans-Jörg Rheinberger's “experimental system,” Andrew Pickering's “mangle of practice,” and Richard M. Burian's “interaction of mechanisms, of structures and functions, at a great many levels.”Ph. D.
8
Petřík, Michael. "Stavebně technologický projekt obchodního centra v Aši." Master's thesis, Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta stavební, 2019. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-391992.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis deals technological project shopping centre in Aš. Technological phase solving realization floor finish in central structure. Thesis contains engineering report, studies report main structure, design of main machine and mechanisms, timelines, site equipment, controlling and testing plan, budget plan, plan of realization road infrastructure.
9
Go, Veronica 1976. "Evolution of the university business model and infrastructure planning due to technological innovations." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/16667.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (S.M.M.O.T.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Management of Technology Program, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-89).
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
The quality of higher education has been a growing concern in the United States and United Kingdom. There have been no notable improvements in the education system until the last few years. Considerable transformation in the higher education arena has begun to take place in step with the shift of industries from manufacturing to knowledge-based. The competitive environment has altered and paved the way for new entrants to successfully emerge and offer more educational options to students. This research will discuss the factors that may influence the wave of higher education learning in the near future. Various technological research and initiatives led by the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, NASA and other organizations highly contribute to the technological advancements in distance learning and other interactive learning modes. Faculty will play an important role in the progress of non-traditional learning approaches as they continue to experiment and work on the available technologies. Established institutions in higher education maintain many traditions and invest a lot of resources to continuously improve their current processes. New entrants cater the needs of a different type of market composed of working adults and students who seek to learn specific skills and improve their employability. They employ a different type of business model that might prove to be disruptive. The new institutions have begun to invade the market of established institutions that have difficulty switching to new technologies and teaching methods due to the rigidities experienced in their organizations.
by Veronica Go.
S.M.M.O.T.
10
Wang, Kailai. "Towards Sustainable Mobility: the Impacts of Infrastructure Change, Technological Innovation, and Demographic Shift." The Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1560783868054047.
Full text
11
Arroio, Ana Carolina Machado. "Technological opportunities for Brazilian social development : an examination of low Earth orbit satellite deployment." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.323018.
Full text
12
Mölleryd, Bengt A. "An anatomy of technological innovation in infrastructure and defence systems in Sweden after the Cold War." Licentiate thesis, KTH, Kraft- och värmeteknologi, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-31494.
Full textAbstract:
The dual interaction of science and technology with defence, security and infrastructures for service provision as energy is a major theme in modern times. The era after the Second World War and in the course of the Cold War was accompanied and spurred by an amazing number of great technological advances and changes. The study investigates and discusses dimensions of the interaction between technology changes and innovation and defence, security and infrastructure systems in a small country as Sweden after the Cold War. The main result of the study is a proposal for an anatomy of technology innovation which can be seen as a predecessor to a system (or enterprise) architecture for technology innovation in defence, security and infrastructure systems. The approach is developed from previous international research and theories of innovation systems. Infrastructure and defence systems are investigated on three levels, technologies, system integration and services provided. Establishing an anatomy is supported by case studies which apply a stake holder perspective on development and innovation in systems. Prominent elements of the proposed anatomy for technology innovation are framework conditions or context, economic organizational factors such as people, knowledge, business models and finance, and last but not least culture for development and innovation, and the customer and user in the processes. Contexts and environmental conditions in recent times are characterised by more complicated threats and disturbances which potentially imply larger disruptions. The study explores how contexts and emerging conditions translate into plausible scenarios and their effect on the anatomy and the various stages of the innovation processes. The vital role in the anatomical framework played by culture for innovation is illuminated in the case studies. Other basic elements of the anatomy are the people, inventors and developers as the knowledge underpinning. Risk taking and sharing and the rights and responsibilities of the stake holders play substantial roles in the anatomy as some main economic organizational factors and elements of innovation.QC 20110317
13
Ferguson, Kaethe Post. "Impact of Technology on Rural Appalachian Health Care Providers: Assessment of Technological Infrastructure, Behaviors, and Attitudes." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2005. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1071.
Full textAbstract:
The Internet offers potential for reducing professional isolation of Appalachian health care providers by enhancing access to medical information and facilitating contact with colleagues. However, there is a gap in the knowledge of current computer and Internet access in Appalachia, and in the technology-related behaviors and attitudes of health care professionals there. This study examined Internet-related access and behaviors of Appalachian family physicians and advanced practice nurses.
A survey was mailed to 429 graduates of East Tennessee State University's family medicine residency and advanced practice nursing programs currently in practice in southern and central Appalachia. Demographic information was collected from ETSU graduate records. The Dillman survey method included a pre-notice letter, two survey mailings, and post card and telephone follow-ups. Two hundred sixty-four providers (61.5%) returned surveys. Data were analyzed using SPSS.
Respondents were similar to the total population in gender, provider discipline, age, and percentage in rural practice. Workplace computer access was common; 59.6% had sole access and 40.2% shared access. Internet access was: 82.7% broadband, 13.5% dial-up, and 2.4% no access. Although rural providers were more likely than urban to have slower dial-up access, they regularly used the Internet. Over 75% of providers accessed the Internet at home for work; 34% reported dial-up and 66% broadband home connection. Although 50% used the Internet for continuing education in 2004, most preferred in-person workshops or print-based modes of continuing education; 58.9% e-mailed daily and 80% accessed medical information via the Internet regularly. Other Internet uses included accessing online journals and patient information, receiving professional association updates, filing insurance, and writing prescriptions. The Internet is ubiquitous in Appalachia; health care providers access it for a variety of professional activities daily. Telemedicine was not a popular technological innovation. Of those 20.8% reporting telemedicine availability in the practice, few used it. When presented with a list of possible benefits of telemedicine, 41.1% selected "none of the above".
Although many technological innovations are used regularly by Appalachian health care providers, barriers to the use of new technologies lie more in attitudes than in technology access.
14
Stöhr, Walter, and Richard Pöninghaus. "The Effect of New Technological and Organizational Infrastructure on Urban and Regional Development The Case of the Japanese Technopolis Policy." WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, 1991. http://epub.wu.ac.at/6165/1/IIR_Disc_45.PDF.
Full textAbstract:
Japan has undertaken the unique effort of a concerted nation-wide policy for the decentralisation of technological innovation and territorial restructuring. The major strategic effort towards this end was the Technopolis policy formulated in 1983 in the context of which, during the following :five years, 25 decentralized "Technopolises" were established over the entire length of the country. These Technopolises essentially provide new technological and organizational infrastructure in deconcentrated, sometimes even peripheral locations to promote technological innovation and urban/regional growth also in more remote parts of the country. The present paper sets out to evaluate the local and regional effects of this policy, on the basis of disaggregated time-series data of local and regional economic performance before and after the establishment of individual Technopolises. These data refer to total new plant and new high-technology plant formation in individual Technopolises, to changes in production (shipments), value-added, productivity and employment at the local and Prefecture levels. These data are related to number and type of specific technological and organi zational facilities
offered by individual Technopolises as well as to other variables proceeding from an original survey of 25 Technopolises undertaken by the senior author. The results are based on research and :field work undertaken by the senior author in the course of two extended sojourns in Japan during the past years. in deconcentrated, sometimes even peripheral locations to promote technological innovation and urban/regional growth also in more remote parts of the country. The present paper sets out to evaluate the local and regional effects of this policy, on the
basis of disaggregated time-series data of local and regional economic performance before and after the establishment of individual Technopolises. These data refer to total new plant and new high-technology plant formation in individual Technopolises, to changes in production
(shipments), value-added, productivity and employment at the local and Prefecture levels. These data are related to number and type of specific technological and organi zational facilities offered by individual Technopolises as well as to other variables proceeding from an original
survey of 25 Technopolises undertaken by the senior author.
The results are based on research and :field work undertaken by the senior author in the course of two extended sojourns in Japan during the past years.Series: IIR-Discussion Papers
15
Prawitz, Erik. "On the Move : Essays on the Economic and Political Development of Sweden." Doctoral thesis, Stockholms universitet, Nationalekonomiska institutionen, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-145925.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis consists of four self-contained essays in economics. Their abstracts are presented below: Exit, Voice and Political Change: Evidence from Swedish Mass Migration to the United States. We study the political effects of mass emigration to the United States in the 19th century using data from Sweden. To instrument for total emigration over several decades, we exploit severe local frost shocks that sparked an initial wave of emigration, interacted with within-country travel costs. Our estimates show that emigration substantially increased the local demand for political change, as measured by labor movement membership, strike participation and voting. Emigration also led to de facto political change, increasing welfare expenditures as well as the likelihood of adopting more inclusive political institutions. Mass Migration, Cheap Labor, and Innovation. Migration is often depicted as a major problem for struggling developing countries, as they may lose valuable workers and human capital. Yet, its effects on sending regions are ambiguous and depend crucially on local market responses and migrant selection. This paper studies the effects of migration on technological innovation in sending communities during one of the largest migration episodes in human history: the Age of Mass Migration (1850-1913). Using novel historical data on Sweden, where about a quarter of its population migrated, we find that migration caused an increase in technological patents in sending municipalities. To establish causality, we use an instrumental variable design that exploits severe local growing season frost shocks together with within-country travel costs to reach an emigration port. Exploring possible mechanisms, we suggest that increased labor costs, due to low-skilled emigration, induced technological innovation. On the Right Track: Railroads, Mobility and Innovation During Two Centuries. We study the construction of the 19th-century Swedish railroad network and estimate its effects on innovation during two centuries. To address endogenous placement of the network, our analysis exploits the fact that the main trunk lines were built with the overarching aim to connect particular city centers, while at the same time considering construction costs. Estimates show that innovative activities increased substantially in areas traversed by the railroads. The number of active innovators increased and, moreover, they became more productive. Exploring potential mechanisms, we highlight the importance of knowledge diffusion across space by studying spatial patterns of collaboration between innovators. Our analysis shows that innovators residing in areas connected by the railroad start to collaborate more and over longer distances, especially with other innovators located along the railroad network. Finally, we show that the differences in innovative activities were intensified over the 20th century. Areas traversed by the historical railroads exhibit much higher rates of innovation in the present day. Homeownership, Housing Wealth and Socioeconomic Outcomes: Evidence from Sweden 1999-2007. This paper studies a government supported homeownership wave in Sweden, where tenants bought their apartments at prices below the market value in the ownership market. Using detailed administrative register data paired with a difference-in-differences strategy, it compares individuals subject to an ownership transfer to similar individuals who never got the opportunity to buy their homes. After establishing that the new homeowners instantly increased their net wealth, the effects of homeownership and housing wealth on a set of socioeconomic outcomes are measured over time. Although the lump-sum transfer is large, the average individual only modestly adjusts her behavior in terms of labor market participation and demographic decision-making. Studying differences across age, younger tenants increase childbearing and decrease labor income, although modestly. Individuals near their retirement age decrease their labor market participation.
16
Gallina, Renato. "A contribuição da tecnologia industrial básica (TIB) no processo de formação e acumulação das capacidades tecnológicas de empresas do setor metal-mecânico." Universidade de São Paulo, 2009. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/3/3136/tde-11082009-174127/.
Full textAbstract:
Nota-se que cada vez mais a sobrevivência e o crescimento das empresas industriais estão relacionadas com a possibilidade de se oferecer produtos e serviços em conformidade com as mais recentes normas internacionais. Em tal contexto, o domínio das funções tecnológicas da Tecnologia Industrial Básica TIB (metrologia, normalização e avaliação da conformidade) não é somente um requisito para a competitividade de uma empresa, mas também a base para a efetiva acumulação de capacidades tecnológicas, as quais são necessárias para a inovação bem como para o melhoramento contínuo da qualidade dos produtos e serviços. Na literatura especializada, raros são os estudos que analisam a função da TIB no processo de aprendizagem tecnológica de uma empresa. Este trabalho teve a intenção de preencher essa lacuna ao propor um modelo para avaliar e projetar as relações dinâmicas entre TIB e capacidade tecnológica. O objetivo geral deste estudo foi o de analisar a relação entre a TIB e a formação e acumulação das capacidades tecnológicas nas empresas. O estudo foi realizado através de um survey, cujo instrumento de pesquisa foi um questionário aplicado em uma amostra de 103 empresas de diferentes níveis de capacidade tecnológica do setor metalmecânico. Concluiu-se que a TIB contribui com a formação e acumulação das capacidades tecnológicas em todos os níveis e os resultados mostraram que existem associações significativas entre: (i) certificações ISO 9001/TS 16949 com as atividades de engenharia reversa; (ii) certificações ISO 17025 e de produtos com as inovações incrementais em sua linha de produtos; (iii) certificação ambiental ISO 14001 com as inovações radicais em processos/produtos, práticas de just-in-time, Kaizen, TQC/TQM e uso de sistemas integrados de informação; e (iv) sistemas inovadores de medição com as práticas de P&D e relacionamentos com instituições de C&T.Increasingly, the survival of industrial firms is related to the possibility of offering products and services in conformity with the most recent international standards. However, the mastery of Infrastructural Technologies IfT (metrology, standardization and conformity assessment) is not only a requirement for the international competitiveness of a firm but it is also the basis for the effective accumulation of Technological Capabilities (TC) which are needed for innovation as well as the continuous improvement of the quality of products and services. In the existing literature, rare are the studies that analyze the role of IfT in the technological learning process of a firm. This work intended to fill that gap by proposing a model to assess and project the dynamic interplay between IfT and TC. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between IfT and the effective accumulation of TC in the firms. The study was carried out through a survey, whose instrument of research was a questionnaire applied in a sample of 103 firms of different levels of TC in metal-mechanics industry. It can be concluded that the IfT contributes with the effective accumulation of TC in all levels and the results showed that there are significant associations between: (i) accreditations ISO 9001/TS 16949 with the reversal engineering activities; (ii) accreditations ISO 17025 and of certified products in their production lines with incremental innovations in their products; (iii) ambiental accreditation by ISO 14001 with radical innovations in products/processes, activities of JIT, Kaizen, TQC/TQM and the use of information integrated systems; and (iv) innovatory systems of measurement with P&D practices and relationships with C&T institutions.
17
Neyra, Rangel Raúl Federico. "Diseñar una solucion de arquitectura en nube para reemplazar la arquitectura de servidores housing para PMP holding." Bachelor's thesis, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656616.
Full textAbstract:
La presente tesis es una propuesta de solución para migrar de una infraestructura de servidores en housing de PMP Holding a una solución cloud en IaaS. La infraestructura actual se encuentra obsoleta por motivos de renovación de hardware, falta de recursos y el desfase tecnológico por falta de soporte de las empresas proveedoras. Al evaluar la infraestructura actual determinaremos el funcionamiento de la misma y se propondrá una mejor utilización de los recursos. La infraestructura propuesta será evaluada en tres proveedores de cloud para determinar cuál es la más conveniente según los requerimientos propuestos. Se elegirá un proveedor ganador y se realizará una prueba de concepto para para validar los objetivos plantados.This thesis is a solution proposal to migrate from a PMP Holding housing server infrastructure to a cloud solution in IaaS. The current infrastructure is obsolete due to hardware renewal reasons, lack of resources and technological lag due to lack of support from supplier companies. When evaluating the current infrastructure, we will determine its operation and propose a better use of resources. The proposed infrastructure will be evaluated in three cloud providers to determine which is the most convenient according to the proposed requirements. A winning supplier will be chosen and a proof of concept will be carried out to validate the objectives set.
Tesis
18
Drobílek, Aleš. "Efektivní zavádění a inovace ICT v malém a střednm podniku." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2012. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-124691.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis focuses on the issue of ICT innovation in small and medium enterprises in the Czech Republic. The first objective is an analysis of ICT innovations; the second one is a suggestion of criterions suitable for the mapping of ICT performance and the third objective is verification of these suggested criterions in the real enterprise which is DATASYS. Sub-steps that lead to fulfillment of specified main objectives are to clarify characteristic of ICT and related concepts, as well as explanation of BSC management tool and determination its advantages and disadvantages. The last steps in this section are an identification of key trends, the exploration of new ICT technologies and the mapping of the ICT current state in DATASYS. The thesis is divided into two main parts. The first theoretical part illustrates the importance of ICT innovation followed by ICT definition and other related concepts. The third part is devoted to BSC management tool which measures the ICT performance. The last part is a survey of current ICT trends and new ICT technologies. The purpose of the theoretical part is the knowledge of related theory which is reflected in the practical part. The second part is practical and it focuses on the application of theoretical knowledge. First sub-part describes default state of the technology infrastructure in DATASYS. The purpose of the second sub-part is to create BSC concept. Previous theoretical part and default current state are reflected in this BSC concept. The third sub-part is focused on the mapping the ICT performance to identify weaknesses in the company by comparing suggested and real values. The theoretical part of this work is created from all the information and knowledge gainded from scientific literature and research articles. The practical part is formed from the acquired knowledge which is based on theoretical as well as specialized studies.
19
Quispe, Huanca Juan Christian. "Diseño de escalamiento inteligente del Customer Relationship Management (CRM) bajo el modelo de nube hibrida entre azure y universidad privada peruana." Bachelor's thesis, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656965.
Full textAbstract:
La presente tesis es una propuesta del uso de modelo de nube Hibrida (Cloud Computing) como una solución eficaz e inteligente en los servidores del CRM presentes en cualquier Universidad Privada Peruana usando los modelos de servicios cloud PaaS, IaaS y SaaS.
El objetivo de la presente investigación es realizar una propuesta de Diseño de Arquitectura en computación en la nube para la migración de los servidores que soportan el Sistema Dynamic CRM 2015; esto permitirá reducir los problemas que actualmente se posee en ineficiente de escalamiento de los recursos de computo, y transformarlo hacia una escalabilidad inteligente y autónoma de estos servidores. Si la situación se mantiene igual, en corto mediano plazo, dicho servidores presentarían problemas y afectarían sistemas críticos que pueden impactar gravemente la continuidad del negocio e incurrir a serias pérdidas económicas.This thesis is a proposal for the use of a hybrid cloud model (Cloud Computing) as an efficient and intelligent solution in the CRM servers of the Universidad Peruvian using cloud service models PaaS, IaaS and SaaS. The objective of this research is to make an Architecture Design proposal in cloud computing for the migration of the servers that support the Dynamic CRM 2015 system; this will reduce the problems that currently exist in inefficient scaling of computing resources, and transform it into an intelligent and autonomous scalability of these servers. If the situation remains the same, in the short medium term, these servers would present problems and affect critical systems that can seriously impact business continuity and incur serious economic losses.
Tesis
20
Camus, Alexandre. "Faire valoir un patrimoine. Comment une école polytechnique investit la numérisation de la collection audiovisuelle d'un festival musical." Thesis, Paris Sciences et Lettres (ComUE), 2019. http://www.theses.fr/2019PSLEM064.
Full textAbstract:
Désormais considérés comme gisement de valeur ajoutée, les patrimoines culturels font l’objet de nombreux projets de numérisation, à l’initiative d’établissements publics de recherche comme de compagnies privées, visant explicitement le développement de produits de connaissance à destination des marchés. Pour autant, au-delà des mots d’ordre distillés ici et là, on ne sait encore presque rien des modalités concrètes du déploiement de ce qui se présente comme un nouveau paradigme. La mise en œuvre de la valorisation techno-patrimoniale génère-t-elle des transformations dans la définition de ce qui compte comme patrimoine ? S’inscrivant dans le domaine des Science and Technologie Studies, l’analyse repose sur une ethnographie menée au sein du Montreux Jazz Digital Project porté par l’École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Véritable laboratoire de la mise en œuvre du paradigme de la valorisation techno-patrimoniale, l’objectif premier de ce projet est d’impulser le développement de produits de connaissance en reformulant la collection d’enregistrements audiovisuels produite au Montreux Jazz Festival en une collection de 46 000 pièces musicales, désormais déployées sur des écrans depuis lesquels leur destin est orienté. L’analyse permet de constater que la numérisation prolonge l’histoire longue des technologies d’écriture et d’accumulation, et renouvelle (plus qu’inaugure) les rapports entre technologies et patrimoine. La visibilité portée par les patrimoines et son potentiel transfert aux réalisations technologiques sont constituées en en horizon de l’action collective. Ainsi, les modalités du transfert de visibilité, dont la démo est l’opérateur privilégié, agissent sur toutes les étapes du processus de numérisation, avant même que les opérations de conservation numérique ne soient mises en œuvre. Finalement, cette étude montre que la valeur patrimoniale pourrait se retrouver toute entière indexée sur son potentiel d’innovation et de transfert de visibilité. Ce basculement entraîne des modifications du rapport au passé, réinterprété par le prisme d’un présent technologique continu dans lequel les notions de conservation, de transmission et de mémoire ne trouvent que difficilement leur placeThe Cultural heritage is now considered as a source of added value and, consequently, has become the subject of numerous digitization projects. These projects originate both from public research institutions and from private companies and they explicitly aim at the development of knowledge products for specific markets. However, despite guidelines found here and there, we still know almost nothing of the concrete ways in which what is presented as a new paradigm will be deployed. Does the enactment of techno-patrimonial valuation generate transformations in the definition of what counts as heritage? In the framework of Science and Technology Studies, my analysis is based on ethnographical work in the Montreux Jazz Digital Project led by the Lausanne Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). This project is truly a laboratory for the enactment of the paradigm of techno-patrimonial valuation; its first aim is to impulse the development of knowledge products through the reformulation of the collection of audio-visual recordings produced in the framework of the Montreux Jazz Festival into a collection of 46 000 musical pieces which are deployed on screens from which their future is oriented. My analysis shows that this digitization process continues the long history of technologies of writing and accumulation. It renews more than it inaugurates the relationship between technology and heritage. The visibility of heritage and its possible transfer to technological realizations become the horizon of collective action. The modalities by which visibility is transferred, among which demonstration is central, act upon all the stages of the digitization process, even before the operations of numerical conservation. Finally, this study shows that patrimonial value may become wholly referred to its potential for innovation and visibility transfer; this development entails changes in our relationship to the past, which is reinterpreted in the light of a continuous technological present in which notions of conservation, transmission and memory are difficult to accommodate
21
Sackey, Enoch. "A Sociotechnical Systems Analysis of Building Information Modelling (STSaBIM) Implementation in Construction Organisations." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2014. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/15006.
Full textAbstract:
The concept of BIM is nascent but evolving rapidly, thus, its deployment has become the latest shibboleth amongst both academics and practitioners in the construction sector in the recent couple of years. Due to construction clients buy-in of the BIM concept, the entire industry is encouraged to pursue a vision of changing work practices in line with the BIM ideas. Also, existing research recognises that the implementation of BIM affects all areas of the construction process from design of the building, through the organisation of projects, to the way in which the construction process is executed and how the finished product is maintained. The problem however is that, existing research in technology utilisation in general, and BIM literature in particular, has offered limited help to practitioners trying to implement BIM, for focusing predominantly, on technology-centric views. Not surprisingly therefore, the current BIM literature emphasises on topics such as capability maturity models and anticipated outcomes of BIM rollouts. Rarely does the extant literature offer practitioners a cohesive approach to BIM implementation. Such technology-centric views inevitably represent a serious barrier to utilising the inscribed capabilities of BIM. This research therefore is predicated on the need to strengthen BIM implementation theory through monitoring and analysing its implementation in practice. Thus, the focus of this thesis is to carry out a sociotechnical systems (STS) analysis of BIM implementation in construction organisations. The concept of STS accommodates the dualism of the inscribed functions of BIM technologies and the contextual issues in the organisations and allows for the analysis of their interactive combination in producing the anticipated effect from BIM appropriation. An interpretive research methodology is adopted to study practitioners through a change process, involving the implementation of BIM in their work contexts. The study is based on constructivist ontological interpretations of participants. The study adopts an abductive research approach which ensures a back-and-forth movement between research sites and the theoretical phenomenon, effectively comparing the empirical findings with the existing theories and to eventually generate a new theoretical understanding and knowledge regarding the phenomenon under investigation. A two-stage process is also formulated for the empirical data collection - comprising: 1) initial exploratory study to help establish the framework for analysing BIM implementation in the construction context; and 2) case studies approach to provide a context for formulating novel understanding and validation of theory regarding BIM implementation in construction organisations. The analysis and interpretation of the empirical work follows the qualitative content analysis technique to observe and reflect on the results. The findings have shown that BIM implementation demands a complete breakaway from the status quo. Contrary to the prevailing understanding of a top-down approach to BIM utilisation, the study revealed that different organisations with plethora of visions, expectations and skills combine with artefacts to form or transform BIM practices. The rollout and appropriation of BIM occurs when organisations shape sociotechnical systems of institutions, processes and technologies to support certain practices over others. The study also showed that BIM implementation endures in a causal chain of influences as different project organisations with their localised BIM ambitions and expectations combine to develop holistic BIM-enabled project visions. Thus, distributed responsibilities on holistic BIM protocols among the different levels of influences are instituted and enforced under binding contractual obligations. The study has illuminated the centrality of both the technical challenges and sociological factors in shaping BIM deployment in construction. It is also one of the few studies that have produced accounts of BIM deployment that is strongly mediated by the institutional contexts of construction organisations. However, it is acknowledged that the focus of the research on qualitative interpretive enquiry does not have the hard and fast view of generalising from specific cases to broader population/contexts. Thus, it is suggested that further quantitative studies, using much larger data sample of BIM-enabled construction organisations could provide an interesting point of comparison to the conclusions derived from the research findings.
22
Rosado, Barzola Miguel Angel. "Diseño de una solución de virtualización de servidores del centro de datos para una cadena de restaurantes." Bachelor's thesis, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656462.
Full textAbstract:
El presente trabajo de investigación propone una estrategia para proporcionar una infraestructura escalable en el tiempo y altamente disponible para todos los servicios de la organización. Para el diseño de esta infraestructura virtualizada se realizó un análisis profundo de la problemática actual y de sus necesidades como también de los requerimientos del cliente. En el desarrollo de la solución se tomará en cuenta las recomendaciones y buenas prácticas de los productos de cada fabricante, así como también el uso de la metodología VIM.
Primero, expondremos información de la organización que se beneficiara del proyecto, luego se identificara la problemática actual y con los datos obtenidos definiremos los objetivos de estudio. Para finalizar, expondremos cual será la justificación del desarrollo del diseño.
Segundo, se desarrollará el marco teórico que incluirá toda la información referente al desarrollo del proyecto y facilitará su comprensión.
Tercero, en este capítulo se sustentará el análisis del problema identificado en el primer capítulo con datos reales, luego definiremos la identificación y justificación de los requerimientos del proyecto.
Cuarto, se desarrollará las especificaciones técnicas del equipamiento tecnológico que se utilizará en el diseño, se incluirá los cálculos de la cantidad necesaria de los recursos de hardware de memoria RAM, almacenamiento y procesamiento.
Quinto, se expondrá los resultados y validaciones que permitirán comprobar el cumplimiento de los objetivos de investigación en función a los indicadores del logro y sus métricas.This research work proposes a strategy to provide a scalable infrastructure over time and highly available for all the organization's services. For the design of this virtualized infrastructure, a deep analysis of the current problem and its needs as well as the client's requirements was carried out. In developing the solution, the recommendations and good practices of the products of each manufacturer will be taken into account, as well as the use of the VIM methodology. First, we will present information on the organization that will benefit from the project, then the current problem will be identified and with the data obtained we will define the study objectives. Finally, we will expose what will be the justification for the development of the design. Second, the theoretical framework will be developed that will include all the information regarding the development of the project and will facilitate its understanding. Third, this chapter will support the analysis of the problem identified in the first chapter with real data, then we will define the identification and justification of the project requirements. Fourth, the technical specifications of the technological equipment that will be used in the design will be developed, calculations of the necessary amount of RAM memory, storage and processing hardware resources will be included. Fifth, the results and validations will be exposed that will allow to verify the fulfillment of the research objectives based on the achievement indicators and their metrics.
Tesis
23
Medina, Solis Luis Alberto. "Diseño de infraestructura de centro de datos virtual para consolidación de servidores en la empresa Autoespar." Bachelor's thesis, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656267.
Full textAbstract:
El presente proyecto de investigación realizado en la empresa Autoespar S.A. contiene un estudio de la infraestructura de servidores y servicio de TI que nos permite buscar la mejor opción tecnológica para el diseño un centro de datos virtual. Esta infraestructura estará acorde a los requerimientos y necesidades que la empresa demanda, con la finalidad de resolver los problemas más críticos, gestionar mejor los recursos, mejorar la disponibilidad de servicios y reducir el tiempo inactividad.
El primer capítulo de este proyecto contiene la información de la empresa y la situación problemática que buscamos resolver. Asimismo, definiremos el objetivo principal y los objetivos específicos.
El segundo capítulo, encontraremos el marco teórico consistente a nivel teórico y técnico que nos brindara el soporte a todos los puntos para este proyecto.
El tercer capítulo nos muestra a detalle el análisis del problema identificado y definimos los requerimientos del proyecto acorde a los objetivos planteados. Finalmente se muestra el registro de interesados y EDT del proyecto.
El cuarto capítulo nos muestra el diseño de la solución dividido en dos, el diseño lógico donde se ubicaran los cálculos requeridos para el diseño de la infraestructura virtual. Y el diseño físico, donde se brinda las especificaciones técnicas a considerar para la nueva infraestructura.
Finalmente, el quinto capítulo, donde se detalla un plan de pruebas que nos permitirá validar el cumplimento de los objetivos específicos del proyecto a través de un laboratorio de pruebas que demuestra la factibilidad de este proyecto.This research project carried out in the company Autoespar S.A. contains a study of the infrastructure of servers and IT services that allows us to find the best technological option for the design of a virtual data center. This infrastructure will be in accordance with the requirements and needs that the company demands, in order to solve the most critical problems, better manage resources, improve the availability of services and reduce downtime. The first chapter of this project contains the information of the company and the problematic situation that we seek to solve. Likewise, we will define the main objective and the specific objectives. The second chapter, we will find the consistent theoretical framework at a theoretical and technical level that will provide us with support at all points for this project. The third chapter shows us in detail the analysis of the identified problem and we define the requirements of the project according to the objectives set. Finally the registry of interested parties and WBS of the project is shown. The fourth chapter shows us the design of the solution divided into two, the logical design where the calculations required for the design of the virtual infrastructure are located. And the physical design, where the technical specifications to be considered for the new infrastructure are provided. Finally, the fifth chapter, where a test plan is detailed that will allow us to validate the fulfillment of the specific objectives of the project through a test laboratory that demonstrates the feasibility of this project.
Tesis
24
Castañeda, Alanya Elmer Alfonso. "Diseño de una infraestructura centralizada de servidores virtuales en el centro de datos de una empresa pesquera." Bachelor's thesis, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656273.
Full textAbstract:
El presente trabajo de tesis se ha orientado al desarrollo de un estudio encaminado a diseñar un sistema que permita centralizar servidores a través de una plataforma virtual, con el objeto de ofrecer soporte a servicios y aplicaciones fundamentales dentro de una empresa determinada.
En el capítulo I, se incluye la entidad objeto de estudio a la cual será destinado el proyecto. Igualmente, se describirá el entorno organizacional de dicha empresa. Posteriormente, se identifica la problemática existente, se define el objetivo general y los específicos, finalizando con la justificación en el diseño del presente proyecto.
Respecto al siguiente apartado, se presenta el capítulo II, en el cual se despliega un marco teórico que incluye la data obtenida con relación a la teoría fundamental y requerida para apoyar la realización del presente proyecto.
En relación con el capítulo III, constituye un apartado del proyecto en el que se sustenta la problemática evidenciada en el capítulo I, mediante información precisa y necesaria para el estudio de su trascendencia, incluyendo la caracterización y justificación de las exigencias del proyecto.
El capítulo IV aborda las características esenciales del propio diseño que se plantea para solucionar el problema existente, mediante la creación de una plataforma de virtualización de los servidores.
Finalmente, se muestran los resultados, así como también las validaciones del proyecto, que permiten comprobar el alcance de los objetivos propuestos en función de los indicadores que determinan el resultado esperado.The present thesis work has been oriented to the development of a study aimed at designing a system that allows to centralize servers through a virtual platform, in order to offer support to fundamental services and applications within a given company. Chapter I includes the entity under study to which the project will be assigned. Likewise, the organizational environment of said company will be described. Subsequently, the existing problem is identified, the general and specific objectives are defined, ending with the justification in the design of this project. Regarding the following section, chapter II is presented, in which a theoretical framework is displayed that includes the data obtained in relation to the fundamental theory and required to support the realization of this project. In relation to chapter III, it constitutes a section of the project in which the problems evidenced in chapter I is based, through precise and necessary information for the study of its significance, including the characterization and justification of the project's requirements. Chapter IV addresses the essential characteristics of the design itself that arises to solve the existing problem, through the creation of a server virtualization platform. Finally, the results are shown, as well as the validations of the project, which allow verifying the scope of the proposed objectives based on the indicators that determine the expected result.
Tesis
25
Stocking, Galen Asher Thomas. "The threat of cyberterrorism: Contemporary consequences and prescriptions." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2004. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2590.
Full textAbstract:
This study researches the varying threats that emanate from terrorists who carry their activity into the online arena. It examines several elements of this threat, including virtual to virtual attacks and threats to critical infrastructure that can be traced to online sources. It then reports on the methods that terrorists employ in using information technology such as the internet for propaganda and other communication purposes. It discusses how the United States government has responded to these problems, and concludes with recommendations for best practices.
26
Solomon, Simona. "Impact on business performance by the organizational and technological infrastructures." Thesis, 1998. http://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/675/1/MQ39091.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
In recent years firms have been undergoing significant transformations in an effort to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation. Organizations are also searching for ways to become more competitive in their environment. In this study, the relationships between organizational infrastructure, technological infrastructure, and business performance are investigated. An organizational design planning framework is introduced that incorporates functional alignment between emerging organizational goals and technology characteristics. The study's findings do not indicate that strong organizational/technological linkages significantly impact the business performance of firms. The results, however, confirm past research that advocates the development of strong infrastructures. The study contributes to the current research by operationalizing the organizational and technological infrastructures and exploring the fit between the organizational and technological domains of firms.
27
Clérigo, Rui Acácio do Patrocínio. "Inovação e globalização: desafios para a economia portuguesa." Master's thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/18780.
Full textAbstract:
Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão.A realidade empresarial atravessa um período de transformações profundas, talvez sem precedentes. Os capitalismos nacionais deixaram de ser as únicas formas coerentes de organização das actividades económicas, tornando-se o mundo num espaço que interliga todos os sub-espaços mundiais, ou, pelo menos, os mais importantes. Deste modo, o conceito de "globalização", que tem sido utilizado de uma forma geral para designar estas transformações não constitui apenas uma moda. Ele encerra um conteúdo real de mudança, colocando novos problemas. Porém, abre também grandes oportunidades. É a nível económico que a globalização é mais evidente, colocando importantes desafios a todas as empresas, que são agora obrigadas a competir à escala planetária. A reacção estratégica a estas ameaças torna-as actores privilegiados, determinando-se estratégias em função dos adversários, mas também dos parceiros. De facto, o mundo em que vivemos está marcado por profundas transformações na configuração do sistema produtivo, em parte pela crescente inovação efectuada pelas empresas com o objectivo de aumentar a competitividade. Hoje, é difícil conceber alguma empresa que ganhe continuadamente sem inovar, fazendo esta parte da estratégia de sobrevivência das organizações. Contudo, a realidade empresarial em Portugal observa aspectos de uma dinâmica parcelar, localizada e incompleta de inovação que, no entanto, afirma já alguns desenvolvimentos com interesse, não sendo difícil de admitir que estes são certamente em muito decorrentes do esforço de incentivação, no contexto de uma intervenção pública industrial, científica e tecnológica. Intervenção, à qual é atribuída, à partida, uma responsabilidade substantiva na aceleração do desenvolvimento tecnológico, e consequente transferência no tecido empresarial. Em última análise, o objectivo da presente tese enquadra-se nestas preocupações, tendo em vista desenvolver uma metodologia que procure demonstrar a importância do conceito inovação no aumento da competitividade e na forma como esta pode inferir na vantagem competitiva das empresas.
The commercial reality is going through a period of deep changes, perhaps without any precedents. The national capitalism in no longer the only coherent form of organisation of economic activities and the world has become a space which connects ali the world's sub-spaces or, at least, the most important ones. In this manner, the concept of "globalisation", which has been used in global terms to designate the changes mentioned above, isn't a mere fashion. It ends a true content of change, creating new problems. On the other hand, it also creates big opportunities. Globalisation is most obvious economically speaking, setting important challenges to ali companies which are now obliged to compete on a world-wide scale. The strategic reaction concerning these threats transforms them into privileged actors, determining strategies according not only to their opponents but also to their partners. It is a fact that the world in which we live in is marked by deep transformations in the configuration of the productive system, in part due to the increasing innovation brought about by companies with the aim of becoming more competitivo. Nowadays, it is difficult to form a company which may financially increase continuously without having adopted a form of innovation. Innovation is therefore a strategy used by organisations to guarantee their survival. Nevertheless, the commercial reality in Portugal witnesses aspects of a parcelled out dynamic, specifically located and incompleta in terms of innovation. However, it already shows some changes. It is therefore easy to state that these changes derive from the effort of encouragement, in a context concerning an industrial, scientific and technological intervention. At the start, this intervention is given a substantial responsibility concerning the acceleration of the technological development and consequently, its adoption in the national companies. As a final analysis, the aim of this thesis can be amongst these worries, hoping to develop a methodology which seeks to show the importance of the concept of innovation, in the increase of the concept of being competitivo and in the way that this same concept can infer in the competitivo advantage of companies.
N/A
28
"Hong Kong research & technology centre: an infrastructure for promoting technological innovation." 1999. http://library.cuhk.edu.hk/record=b5890197.
Full textAbstract:
Chan Gabriel."Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 1998-99, design report."
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-74).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.1
INTRODUCTION
PROGRAMMING SUMMARY --- p.2
PROJECT OBJECTIVES --- p.3
HK RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY CENTRE --- p.3
BACKGROUND
PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT --- p.4
SITE SELECTION --- p.5
PRECEDENTS --- p.6
PROJECT BRIEF
CLIENT PROFILE --- p.7
SITE & CONSTRAINTS --- p.7
SPACE PROGRAMME --- p.8
DESIGN GUIDELINES --- p.9
DESIGN CONCEPTUALIZATION
STAGE ONE --- p.10-12
STAGE TWO --- p.13-14
STAGE THREE --- p.15-18
STAGE FOUR --- p.19-24
FINAL STAGE --- p.25-44
29
"Impact of Technology on Rural Appalachian Health Care Providers: Assessment of Technological Infrastructure, Behaviors, and Attitudes." East Tennessee State University, 2005. http://etd-submit.etsu.edu/etd/theses/available/etd-1028105-160955/.
Full text
30
Oluwatimilehin, Adeyemo Joke. "Development of a web based smart city infrastructure for refuse disposal management." Thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10321/2489.
Full textAbstract:
Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Information and Communications Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017.The future of modern cities largely depends on how well they can tackle intrinsic problems that confront them by embracing the next era of digital revolution. A vital element of such revolution is the creation of smart cities and associated technology infrastructures. Smart city is an emerging phenomenon that involves the deployment of information communication technology wares into public or private infrastructure to provide intelligent data gathering and analysis. Key areas that have been considered for smart city initiatives include monitoring of weather, energy consumption, environmental conditions, water usage and host of others. To align with the smart city revolution in the area of environmental cleanliness, this study involves the development of a web based smart city infrastructure for refuse disposal management using the design science research approach. The Jalali smart city reference architecture provided a template to develop the proposed architecture in this study. The proposed architecture contains four layers, which are signal sensing and processing, network, intelligent user application and Internet of Things (IoT) web application layers. A proof of concept prototype was designed and implemented based on the proposed architecture. The signal sensing and processing layer was implemented to produce a smart refuse bin, which is a bin that contains the Arduino microcontroller board, Wi-Fi transceiver, proximity sensor, gas sensor, temperature sensor and other relevant electronic components. The network layer provides interconnectivity among the layers via the internet. The intelligent user application layer was realized with non browser client application, statistical feature extraction and pattern classifiers. Whereas the IoT web application layer was realised with ThingSpeak, which is an online web application for IoT based projects. The sensors in the smart refuse bin, generates multivariate dataset that corresponds to the status of refuse in the bin. Training and testing features were extracted from the dataset using first order statistical feature extraction method. Afterward, Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Network (MLP-ANN) and support vector machine were trained and compared experimentally. The MLP-ANN gave the overall best accuracy of 98.0%, and the least mean square error of 0.0036. The ThingSpeak web application connects seamlessly at all times via the internet to receive data from the smart refuse bin. Refuse disposal management agents can therefore query ThingSpeak for refuse status data via the non browser client application. The client application, then uses the trained MLP-ANN to appositely classify such data in order to determine the status of the bin.
M
31
Sithole, Ronald Alfred. "Implementation of e-procurement by the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development and its impact on the development of small and medium construction firms." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/24199.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Building (Project Management) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Construction Economics and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017E-procurement has been implemented globally with the aim of optimising efficiency and effectiveness within procurement processes of organisations and has become one of the preferred systems for the acquisition of goods, works and services. In recent years, e-procurement processes have been widely adopted and their application has been the norm in many organisations’ procurement processes. However, while e-procurement presents some significant opportunities, a set of challenges has emerged with the implementation of e-procurement. For example, in the South African context, small and medium construction firms (SMCFs) that do not have access to technological infrastructure are often not able to participate fully in the e-procurement transactions. In that regard, the implementation of e-procurement by the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID), a public sector organisation within the Republic of South Africa (RSA) and its impact on the development of SMCFs was investigated in this study. This was done to ascertain the extent of e-procurement implementation and the experiences of SMCFs, benefits and challenges associated with this in the study area. In order to address the research question, the research design adopted involved a detailed examination of the e-procurement methodologies used by the GDID in its procurement for infrastructure projects. This was done through the utilisation of questionnaires. 10 GDID officials chosen through the utilisation of a combination of the stratified random and purposive sampling methods, participated on the research. Secondly, to ascertain the impact of e-procurement implementation on the development of SMCFs, 250 SMCFs within the GDID supplier database were emailed questionnaires to obtain information regarding their experience, benefits realised and the inhibiting factors associated with their participation in e-procurement. The 250 SMCFs were selected through purposive sampling method were selected on the basis that they participated in the procurement of infrastructure projects implemented by GDID in the previous three financial years which are 2014/15; 2015/16 and 2016/17. Twenty-seven of the 250 SMCFs responded. The e-procurement methodologies used by the GDID were found to be e-notification, partial e-tendering, e-contract award, e-contract management and e-maintenance, repairs and operations (e-MRO). There was no single integrated e-procurement system used for carrying out all the e-procurement activities. E-notifications were done through the notification of tender opportunities for infrastructure projects through the Government Tender Bulletin, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) website, Department of National Treasury e-tenders’ portal and the Lead-2-Business website. Partial e-tendering is carried out through the Department of National Treasury e-tenders portal. E-contract award was done through sending of award letters to service providers as email attachments. E-contract management is done through the utilisation of Oracles’ Primavera P6 and Unifier software and Microsoft Project and emails for normal formal communication and circulation of instructions and project reports. E-MRO was done through the emaintenance software developed by GDID. It was also found that only around 33.3% of the 27 SMCFs that responded were able to fully engage with all the 5 major eprocurement methodologies, excluding e-MRO implemented by the GDID. The remaining SMCFs still relied on the utilisation of a combination of both electronic and paper based systems. The main impact of e-procurement on the development of SMCFs was found to be both positive and negative. On the positive side, it increased profitability through cost saving benefits and reduction in time required for transactions, increased their market access (as they are able to view more tender opportunities), made transactions faster, increased production rate on site (through reduction in the time spent on tendering, thus releasing more time for managing projects on site), and safer storage and back-up of information for reference purposes and benchmarking of other projects, as well as, for dispute resolution. The main disadvantages were found to be high capital cost of procuring and installing Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) infrastructure, the lack of resources, unreliable power supply, security risk and the lack of infrastructure and the non-compatibility of different software packages and application (interoperability challenge). The study confirms that the use of e-procurement by the GDID is still evolving and is yet to be fully implemented in a way that guarantees its full potential and benefits. It also confirms that e-procurement impacts both positively and negatively on the development of SMCFs, and that the systems need to be carefully designed and applied in order to ensure the growth, inclusiveness, sustainability and development of SMCFs in South Africa.
MT2018
32
Yang, Cheng-Lung, and 楊政龍. "A Study on Spatial Dependence of Technological Infrastructure Influence in Innovative Output —the Manufacturing Industry in Taiwan as Example." Thesis, 2001. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/34435406658237624974.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立臺北大學
都市計劃研究所
89
Recent years geographers and economists have often noted that the fortunes of regions and nations have depended on new ideas and new products that energized these places and facilitated their economic growth. A variety of scholars have tried to find the keys to innovation , to unlock the doors of the innovation process , and to render what is inside less mysterious and more accessible to less fortunate regions. And many theories about what local factors and localized capabilities make for strong firm performance in terms of innovations have been developed. The theories may be grouped into three categories , focusing on 1.industurail configuration （Marshall，1890；Proter，1990；Jacobs，1969） 2.technological infrastructure （Camagin，1991；Florida，1995） 3.culture and institutions （Fledman＆Florida，1994；Audretsch，1996）.However , there is little research that is related to about innovation and space in Taiwan. Therefore, this research inducts several technological infrastructure that influence the local innovation by studying innovative theories , and takes the manufacturing industry in Taiwan . Through multiple regression model to understand how technological infrastructure affect local industrial innovation. The following conclusions are gained from this study ： （1）In the case of property，the most important business of the innovative input and output in Taiwanese manufacturing industry is Manufacture and Repair of Electrical and Electronic Machinery and Equipment、Manufacture and Repair of Machinery and Equipment、Metal Industries、Manufacture of Precision Instruments、Manufacture and Repair of Transport Equipment. （2）In the case of space, the sunrise manufacturing industries in early Taiwan are centralized in Taipei area. Form 1980’s , industries began to decentralized to other places. Manufacture and Repair of Electrical and Electronic Machinery and Equipment mass to North Taiwna, including Taipei County、Taoyuan County、Hsin-Chu City、Hsin-Chu County,etc. Manufacture and Repair of Machinery and Equipment and Metal Industries mass to Middle Taiwna, including Taichung City、Taichung County,etc. 、Manufacture and Repair of Transport Equipment mass to Taoyuan County and Kaohsiung City. Manufacture of Precision Instruments mass to Taipei County and Tainan City. （3）These three technological infrastructure in this research, Universities have a great effect upon the innovative output of manufacturing industries. Institutes also have an effect upon the innovative output of manufacturing industries. Exhibitions have no effect upon the innovative output of manufacturing industries （4）To reach better economical scope, Taiwanese manufacturing manufacturing industries also have several R&D functions of the industrial creations.
33
Tsephe, Neo Puleng. "Analysing rural tourism motivation factors and ICT adoption with specific reference to Malealea Lodge in Lesotho." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10321/1304.
Full textAbstract:
Submitted in Fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015.Tourism can be classified either as urban tourism or as rural tourism, and it is one of the fastest growing industries globally. Rural tourism is usually associated with rural development because it has strong linkages to rural resources; but it remains underdeveloped compared to urban tourism. This underdevelopment of rural tourism serves as a motivation for this study whose aim is to examine the factors affecting the perceived satisfaction of rural tourists especially in this digital world where Information Communication and Technology (ICTs) is pervasive. In fact, ICT has transformed the travel industry in a remarkable way. The objectives of this study were: I) to select suitable theories that can explain the perceived satisfaction of rural tourists; ii) to design a conceptual model of the factors affecting the perceived satisfaction of rural tourists; iii) to empirically test the planned conceptual model of the perceived satisfaction of rural tourists, and, iv) to recommend measures to be taken for the improvement of the satisfaction levels of rural tourists to the point where they can significantly contribute to the full development of rural tourism. These objectives were achieved using content analysis of existing literature on rural tourism satisfaction and through a survey of tourists from the Malealea Lodge which is located in the Mafeteng District, in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The results of this study are the following: I) the push and pull motivation theory was selected to explain the perceived satisfaction of rural tourists; ii) rural tourism demographics, their push and pull motivation, and their level of ICT adoption were hypothesized as the factors that affect tourists satisfaction with their rural tourism experiences; iii) the satisfaction of rural tourists with their rural tourism experience is affected by their occupations (demographic factor), by their level of ICT adoption, and by their pull motivation; and this satisfaction is not affected by other demographic attributes nor by the push motivation of rural tourists; iv) it is recommended that rural tourism marketing be increased in order to attract clients from other regions besides Africa and Europe and other age groups apart from young Africans which were found by xiii this study to be the biggest rural tourism clientele group, and that peace and security be maintained in rural tourism destinations as these two attributes were found to have an effect on the perceived satisfaction of rural tourism. Finally, more research should be conducted on the effect of ICT adoption on rural tourism satisfaction.
M
34
Mbugua, Nancy. "Information and communication technologies for knowledge management processes in the public sector in Kenya : a case study of the State Department of Infrastructure." Diss., 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/24510.
Full textAbstract:
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are considered facilitators of knowledge management processes in organizations. This study investigated ICTs for knowledge management processes at the State Department of Infrastructure in Kenya. The study’s objectives were to: establish the level of knowledge management awareness, find out knowledge management processes, identify types of ICTs used for knowledge management processes, and identify challenges experienced by State Department of Infrastructure in the use of ICTs for knowledge management processes. The study findings were determined after applying a qualitative research approach and a case study research design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 21 participants who were heads of sections at the State Department of Infrastructure in Kenya. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, analyzed and interpreted thematically according to the objectives of the study.
Findings of the study revealed that most participants were aware of the meanings of the concepts of knowledge and knowledge management, types of knowledge and importance of knowledge management in the department. Knowledge management processes in the State Department of Infrastructure entail knowledge creation, codification, retention, sharing and storage. ICTs mostly used for knowledge management processes in the department include: emails, mobile phones, desktop computers, computer servers, and flash disks. The department is faced with the challenges of lack of knowledge management strategies, policies and adequate staff awareness on the use of ICTs for knowledge management processes. In conclusion, the State Department of Infrastructure has a functional ICT infrastructure. However, the department is not using ICTs provided by this study’s Web 2.0 driven SECI model for knowledge management processes such as blogs, wikis, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
The study therefore proposes that the State Department of Infrastructure should increase its use of Web 2.0 technologies, collaborative content systems and e-learning technologies. The department should also digitize its records; automate its library services; set up intranet, and adopt a centralized knowledge-based system. Further, Public Service Commission of Kenya should formulate a knowledge management strategy and policy to guide on the use of ICTs for knowledge management processes. This strategy and policy can then be cascaded to public sector organizations such as the State Department of Infrastructure.Information Science
M.A. (Information Science)
35
Fernandes, Ana Marta Rodrigues da Graça. "Impactos económicos e sociais das soluções de base natural no ciclo urbano da água." Master's thesis, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10071/23058.
Full textAbstract:
Esta investigação consiste num trabalho de pesquisa, tratamento de dados e análise no sentido de procurar entender quais são atualmente os impactos ao nível económico e social associados à implementação de soluções de base natural no ciclo urbano da água. Neste sentido foi analisada a literatura que cobre não só as soluções de base natural (infraestruturas verdes) mas também as infraestruturas cinzentas, pois estas têm um papel importante no tratamento e na distribuição da água. Posteriormente foram aplicadas metodologias diferentes para estudar cada uma das vertentes sendo que o estudo dos impactos económicos foi aplicado ao Município de Lisboa e o estudo dos impactos sociais foi aplicado ao território nacional.
Globalmente os resultados obtidos indicam que as soluções de base natural no ciclo urbano da água promovem o crescimento da economia e o desenvolvimento de novos negócios e postos de trabalho. Socialmente, segundo a análise dos resultados obtidos na investigação, este tipo de soluções promovem a prática de exercício ao ar livre e são também uma forma de proporcionar um maior contacto com a natureza e a melhoria da qualidade de vida nas cidades.This investigation consists of research, data processing and analysis in order to try to understand what are the impacts at economic and social levels associated with the implementation of natural-based solutions in the urban water cycle. In this sense, the literature covers not only natural-based solutions (green infrastructures) but also grey infrastructures, as these play an important role in water treatment and distribution. In this sense, different methodologies were applied to study each of the aspects, being that the study of economic impacts was applied to the Municipality of Lisbon and the study of social impacts was applied to the national territory. Overall, the results obtained indicate that natural-based solutions in the urban water cycle can promote economic growth and the development of new businesses and jobs. Socially, according to the analysis of the results obtained in the presente investigation, this type of solutions promote the practice of outdoor exercise and are also a way of providing greater contact with nature and improving the quality of life in cities.
36
Marques, Bárbara Gonçalves. "SIBS: o impacto de uma infraestrutura dinâmica na sociedade." Master's thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10071/18308.
Full textAbstract:
O estudo da economia da inovação tem se destacado nos últimos anos no seio das empresas de
modo a que estas consigam ultrapassar os desafios constantes a que estão sujeitas. A adaptação
dos serviços financeiros a esta nova realidade, constitui uma problemática que necessita de uma
contínua evolução por parte empresas de modo a corresponder às preferências, cada vez mais
diversificadas, e necessidades dos consumidores. Assim, é necessário que as organizações se
mostrem dinâmicas e tenham políticas de inovação de modo a superarem os obstáculos
existentes, proporcionando à sociedade vários serviços com novas soluções para satisfazer e
simplificar os hábitos dos consumidores.
Deste modo, a presente dissertação propõe-se a analisar a importância e a necessidade do
dinamismo e inovação numa infraestrutura e, também, a influência da marca e patentes no
reconhecimento dos serviços, sendo que se irá utilizar uma metodologia de estudo de caso da
empresa SIBS. Através de relatórios da própria empresa, assim como uma análise a certos
indicadores de inovação, pretende-se aprofundar este tema, no sentido de perceber qual o
impacto da inovação de serviços na sociedade, revelado através do caráter inovador da SIBS a
importância de um contínuo processo de inovação e preocupação constante, por parte da
empresa, em propor novas soluções que colmatam as necessidades da sociedade.The study of the economics of innovation has been outstanding in the past few years within companies so that they can overcome the constant challenges they face. The adaptation of financial services to this new reality is a problem which continually needs to be addressed by companies in order to respond to the increasingly diverse preferences and needs of consumers. In this sense, it’s required by the environment that the organizations portray themselves as dynamics and support innovations politics in ways to overstep the existing boundaries, providing society with numerous services that represent new solutions to satisfy and simplify the consumers habits. Thus, this thesis purposes itself to analyze the meaning and need of dynamism and innovation on an infra-structure and also the influence of the brand in the recognition of the services, building it from a case study research about SIBS enterprise. Through reports of the company itself together with the analysis of selected innovation indicators it is intended to deepen this subject in effort to understand what is the real impact of services innovation in society, revealed throw the innovative character of SIBS, the importance of a continuous innovation process and constant worry, by the company, in proposing new solutions to fulfill the society’s necessities.
37
Ledwaba, Lesiba Stephen. "Provision of sustainable internet access to public libraries in South Africa." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/24932.
Full textAbstract:
The study set out to investigate the provision of sustainable internet access to public libraries in South Africa. The rationale of the study was to investigate how sustainable internet access can be provided to public libraries in South Africa and to determine how they have developed and are regulated. Internet access is a key driver in delivering information services to the users and a critical tool in facilitating information sharing regardless of platform and geographic location. Therefore, the level of information and communications technology (ICT) penetration in public libraries formed a critical part of the study as the provision of internet to these libraries depends on available ICTs.
The study employed a survey design and used interview tool to collect data from nine participants. Questionnaire augmented interviews as they were used to collect data from 322 respondents. The study used the probability sampling technique to collect data from the participants. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants for the interview, whereas the stratified probability, proportional to size, and systematic techniques were also used to select respondents in the senior categories, namely heads of public libraries. This ensured a sample size of 331 out of a population of 1 621 selected for the study. The sample size consisted of nine directors and 322 head librarians. No sampling was done on the nine heads (directors) of provincial public libraries, as the nature of this population did not warrant further dissection due to its small size.
A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to analyse data. Questionnaires were analysed when they were returned and interviews were analysed when they were conducted. Written descriptions, tables and figures were used to present data in an elaborative manner. Data was also presented through frequencies and percentages.
It emerged from the study that most public libraries (97%) were connected to the internet. The findings of the study showed that most public libraries (80%) were connected to the internet through the fixed lines and that each of the nine provinces had its own internet service providers (table 5.12).
The study recommended fixed lines for internet access to be laid to all public libraries in South Africa and that a government agency be used as a dedicated internet service provider for public libraries across all the nine provinces. A further study was recommended about the application of an internet access model used by academic institutions to public libraries.Information Science
D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)
38
Agyepong, Stephen. "Towards an ICT artefact for financial inclusion in Ghana: a critical realist perspective." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/25350.
Full textAbstract:
Financial exclusion is a major developmental problem. Perception has it that financial
exclusion emanates from the lack of access to banking and financial services, and the
general understanding is that ICT-based access to such services is the solution. In this
research, which was undertaken in Ghana, Critical Realism (CR) revealed deeper
causes (generative mechanisms) that underlie financial exclusion. The research
followed a mixed-method approach. The CR approach guided the research to create an
initial model from which hypotheses were deduced and tested; the design science
approach, guided the research to create the design theory and an instantiation of an
application that uses the design theory; and the quantitative method, was used to
evaluate the hypotheses.
CR revealed how, in a credit economy, people have a need for credit to pursue
business or education opportunities. The generative mechanisms identified have
revealed how the credit market for the unbanked includes the reality that a wellfunctioning
credit market is self-sustaining with two mechanisms: signalling and
adoption. The signalling mechanism facilitates users’ access to credit, which they in turn
are able to spend on more services. On the other hand, the adoption mechanism
enables the development of more services making the market more valuable, thus
attracting more users in a self-feeding loop. The key findings suggest that being banked
does not necessarily lead to financial inclusion and financial wellbeing. Transactional
banking only serves as an "enrichment agenda for the banks", with minimal benefit to
the people. There are also other non-financial technologies such as sharing and social
technologies that have an effect on the provision of credit; in addition to their main
purpose of saving and/or earning income, for the unbanked, by sharing resources. In
Ghana, despite having bank accounts, most of the banked do not use them, because of
cost and inappropriate services. This research reveals that the unexamined notion of
being banked as a fundamental requirement for financial inclusion may require further
investigation. The research has found that the unbanked keeping to themselves and the
use of cash creates anonymity and makes them invisible to formal financial institutions,
who prefer identity over anonymity, thus contributing to their financial exclusion.
The following design needs were identified: inexpensive credit and value-added
services such as saving groups, financial accounting services, service to report
delinquent customers and education. The research offers a conceptualization of a
financial inclusion ICT artefact to draw attention to the multifaceted and complex
environment financial inclusion effort is immersed. This calls for an integrated approach
since the issues with financial exclusion extend beyond financials and have an effect on
the broader society. The research, therefore, proposes a substantive framework for
improving the design and development of financial inclusive systems, which helps build
trust using obligation transactions. It offers an approach to computing an individual’s
financial inclusiveness, which also helps safeguard his/her financial wellbeing.
The thesis makes a contribution to Information Systems theory in proposing a
framework on financial inclusion using ICT. The contribution to practice is the design of
an ICT artefact.School of Computing
Ph. D. (Computer Science)