<p> The purpose of the study was to address a gap in the scholarly literature about one of the factors related to the Global Digital Divide by expanding the body of generalizable knowledge about the relationship between national culture attitudes about information and communications technology (ICT) acceptance and use (A&amp;U) and national ICT use behavior across time. A quantitative quasi-experimental non-equivalent groups design was used as the basis for this research. Bivariate correlation analysis was conducted for 64 combinations of use behaviors and attitudes that were drawn from two secondary data sources; the first source was the World Values Survey database, and the second source the International Telecommunications Union ICT database. The study findings consistently suggest that there is a significant relationship between national culture attitudes about ICT A&amp;U and national ICT use behavior across time and within specific periods. Furthermore, the findings suggest that at any point in time, where national culture attitudes about ICT A&amp;U are the strongest, national ICT use behaviors will be the lowest, and where national culture attitudes about ICT A&amp;U are the most neutral, national ICT use behaviors will be the highest.</p>

<p> Aerial photography is an important layer in Geographic Information Systems (GISs), and generally provides the base layer from which many other digital map layers are derived. Capturing these photos from a traditional full-sized airplane is a complex and expensive process. The recent development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and associated technology are providing an alternative to the traditional aerial mapping process. UAVs produced by popular commercial vendors are effective at capturing photos, but are highly expensive to acquire, and equally expensive to maintain.</p><p> This research project demonstrates the development and successful implementation of a relatively inexpensive ($2000) unmanned aerial vehicle capable of acquiring high-resolution digital aerial photography. The UAV was developed using open source technology and commercially available components. The methods outlined encompass the platform selection, component inventory, design, construction, configuration, implementation, and testing of the UAV, as well as an analysis of the photography produced by the process. This approach can be used by others to implement similar UAV projects.</p>

<p> Managing within social-ecological systems at the landscape scale, such as in the national forests of the Sierra Nevada of California, is challenging to natural resource managers (e.g. the U.S. Forest Service) due to the uncertainties in natural processes and the complexities in social dynamics. Collaborative adaptive management (CAM) has been recently adopted as a viable strategy to diminish uncertainties in natural processes through iterative policy experimentations and adaptations, as well as to overcome conflicting values and goals among diverse environmental stakeholders through fostering and facilitating collaborations. While many CAM studies have focused on evaluating the management impact on natural systems and processes, few have examined the social engagements and dynamics of management itself. To address this knowledge gap, I examined the various social engagements in CAM, particularly the flow of information products, dialogues in public meetings, and social connections among participants, based on my research case study&mdash;the Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project (SNAMP). </p><p> SNAMP began in 2005 in response to the USDA National Forest Service's 2004 Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment calls for managing the forest using the best information available to protect forests and homes. The participants in the project can be sorted into three primary categories of environmental stakeholders: federal and state environmental agencies, the public and environmental advocacy groups, and university scientists. The project studies the impact of forest fuel reduction treatment on forest health, fire mitigation and prevention, wildlife, and water quality and quantity at two study sites: Last Chance in the northern region of the Sierra forests at Sugar Pine in the southern region. The primary strategies and methods for fostering partnership and facilitating collaboration among the diverse participants are producing science information and making it transparent and publicly accessible, as well as facilitating discussions about such research and management results in public meetings. </p><p> To evaluate the effectiveness of CAM in the case of SNAMP, I used a mixed-methods research approach (i.e. citation analysis, web analytics, content analysis, self-organizing maps, social network analysis), by leveraging available information technologies and tools, to characterize and analyze the flow of digital information products, the outcomes of facilitated discussions in SNAMP public meetings, and the resilience of the social networks in SNAMP. Some of the interesting findings include: 1) Scientific knowledge products, in the form of peer-reviewed journal publications, contributed to knowledge transfer between scientists and environmental managers; 2) facilitated discussions helped environmental stakeholders to stay engaged on the important administrative and research topics through time; 3) the social networks experienced turbulence but remained resilient due to the existence of a committed and consistent core group of environmental stakeholders that represent diverse backgrounds and interests. As the picture of how information, conversation, and social connections contributed to the success of CAM emerged, my dissertation provides recommendations to natural resource managers on how to improve in these areas for future implementations of CAM.</p>

<p> The Technology Obsolescence Model (TOM) provides a framework of key factors involved in assessing influences to the decision to replace obsolete Information Technology (IT) systems. TOM focuses upon what is important and significant to the replacement decision. Formulated from well-established models in decision making and technology acceptance, TOM presents a structured interface of influence factors crossing technical, business, organizational, and interpersonal effects matched with demographic influence assessment. Survey results of questions exploring TOM are analyzed for insight into decision motivation and their influences and significance to the replacement decision. Primary questions employ both 7-point Likert scale of importance as well as ordered ranking for prioritization assessment. The survey augments quantitative material with qualitative rationale for prioritized responses. Reviewed survey response focuses on a large, multinational conglomerate organization&rsquo;s IT department. Primary assessment tools include ANOVA, regression, factor, and correlation analysis. Validity and reliability are examined in detail. Assessment of responses indicates a business-centric focus of decision makers where systems obsolescence may be influential to, but not a primary causal factor for, a replacement decision. While the business and technical benefits of replacement systems are perceived by respondents as most important, statistical analysis identifies obsolescence as one of the only potential significant influencing factors. Demographic effects also demonstrated influence. Findings and recommendations for instrument improvements and continued research opportunities in additional venues, demographic modification, and longitudinal studies are identified as well.</p>

<p> This qualitative interpretative phenomenological study increased the understanding of project managers&rsquo; perception and lived experiences of the primary issues contributing to the success or failure of projects. This study used method triangulation to analyze the experiences of 48 project managers. The study was conducted in three phases, including a pilot study, an open-ended questionnaire, and one-on-one interviews. The project managers&rsquo; lived experiences indicated that stakeholder communication; collaboration; and consensus on governance, leadership methods, definition of requirements, and success criteria during the project initiation stage are critical to achieving higher project success rates. The major themes that emerged from this study are the definition of project success, requirements and success criteria, stakeholder consensus and engagement, transparency, and project management methodologies. Additional research is suggested to determine if there is a relationship among experience, qualifications, certification, and project success or failure and to determine implementable solutions to improve project success rates.</p>

<p> The Participatory GIS literature (PGIS) focuses on how community based organizations (CBOs) use geographic information. With its large population and history of community development the City of Long Beach is a perfect case study to explore this. For this research, I used a mixed methodology: conceptualization, interviews and surveys.</p><p> I conducted interviews covering five distinct subject areas to learn that connected organizations are more likely to use maps and geographic information. I then conducted a survey with 29 questions to find how this is the case. One idea is that there is a process of organization. Another is the possibility of predicting map usage using development level and organization type. Finally, this research proposes that new research qualitatively trace usage using a broad population.</p>

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Information technology, particularly the Internet has the potential to radically change the way business is conducted, offering a competitive edge and a gateway to the global marketplace. The explosive growth and commercialisation of the Internet has opened up a vast arena providing more opportunities for businesses, particularly SMEs to sell their products and service to a global audience than they would have be able to afford to reach using the traditional methods. There is tremendous potential for SMEs to harness the power of the Internet to improve their productivity and sharpen their competitive edge in both local and international markets. The Internet is viewed as a means through which SMEs could extend their geographic reach at minimal cost and to integrate and expand their business practices globally. Through such means it is argued that small companies could compete effectively against larger firms as the Internet is believed to be a great equaliser. The contribution of SMEs is extremely important to the economy of many countries and their contribution cannot be over emphasised. SMEs account for more than 50% of private sector employment in the UK and are currently contributing most of the private sector employment growth. This research reports on the empirical study of SMEs usage of the Internet. The intention is to present evidence on the current status of Internet use among SMEs and show the factors that influence their decision to adopt the Internet in business. Although the Internet has experienced tremendous growth world wide, very little empirical research has been conducted to examine this phenomenon in SMEs context. Questions about what SMEs are using the Internet for and what is driving them to use the technology in their business are still lacking. It is therefore of importance that insight be gained into how SMEs are currently using the Internet and the factors that influence their decision to adopt the Internet in business. In order to achieve these objectives, the research uses a quantitative and qualitative approach in order to provide an in-depth description of how SMEs currently use the Internet and the factors that influence their decision to adopt it. A questionnaire was used to survey 400 SMEs in the UK and 92 usable response (23%) were received. The survey result shows that communication, customer services, information gathering, and advertising are the areas the Internet is used most in SMEs. While the case study result shows that technological, organisational and environmental factors influence SMEs' decision to adopt the Internet. These factors are used to develop a theoretical model for conceptualising the organisational issues around the adoption and use of the Internet--issues that have been largely missing from contemporary discussions of Internet usage in SMEs. The study thus has important implications for research and practice. Specifically, the theoretical model and findings suggest that technological and organisational factors, rather than environmental factors, play a significant role in Internet adoption. Similarly, the study suggests that practitioners will be better able to adopt the Internet in business, if they understand how these factors influence its adoption and usage. The limitations of the study, the contributions of the research, the implications of the research findings and future research are discussed.