Aujourd’hui, l’imagerie médicale est une composante majeure du développement de la médecine : l’analyse d’image et son déploiement sont un axe de recherche central à l’INRIA (Institut national de la recherche en Informatique et automatique), pionnier du domaine en France et à l’international. Cependant, réalisée sur le long terme, l’importance de cette recherche fondamentale est difficile à évaluer. En outre, fondée sur le principe de la coopération, le rôle de l’INRIA peut être sous-estimé au profit de ses partenaires. L’objectif historique de cette thèse est de montrer l’importance du rôle de l’INRIA en analyse d’imagerie médicale via l’exemple de son équipe-projet EPIDAURE/ASCLEPIOS, première en ce domaine. Cette investigation est adossée à trois paradigmes méthodologiques : une recherche bibliographique, une synthèse à partir des archives de l’INRIA-Rocquencourt (Île-de-France) et de dix entretiens semi-dirigés, réalisés par nos soins, auprès de chercheurs de l’INRIA directement impliqués dans l’analyse d’imagerie médicale. Les résultats montrent que dès les années 90 du XXe siècle, l’équipe-projet EPIDAURE/ASCLEPIOS a été fondatrice de ce domaine dans le monde. En outre, elle est à l’origine d’une nouvelle révolution du numérique, via la conception du « Patient numérique personnalisé » (PNP), proposée par son directeur Nicholas AYACHE dont le rôle central sur cet axe se traduit par l’excellence des résultats publiés et par la richesse et le dynamisme des collaborations établies, dans les domaines : académique, médical et industriel. Le soutien de la direction de l’INRIA à l’équipe-projet EPIDAURE/ASCLEPIOS est un atout de son succès, sur la scène internationale. / Today, medical imaging is a major component of the medicine development: image analysis and its deployment are a central research area at INRIA (French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation), pioneer in this field, in France and abroad. However, it is difficult to evaluate this kind of fundamental research because of its long-term realization. Moreover, given that the research at INRIA is based on cooperation, its role may be underestimated for the benefit of its partners. The historical objective of this thesis is to show the importance of INRIA’s role in medical imaging analysis through the example of EPIDAURE / ASCLEPIOS, leading team in this field. This investigation is based on three methodological paradigms: a bibliographic search, a synthesis from the archives of INRIA-Rocquencourt (Ile-de-France) and ten semi-directed interviews, conducted by us, with INRIA researchers directly involved in Medical imaging the analysis. The results show that since the 90s of the 20th century, the EPIDAURE / ASCLEPIOS project-team has been the founder of this field in the world. Moreover, this team is the origin of a new digital revolution, through the design of the "Personalized Digital Patient", proposed by its director Nicholas AYACHE, whose central role in this line of research is reflected in the excellence of published results, the wealth and dynamism of established collaborations in the academic, medical and industrial fields. The support of INRIA’s management to the EPIDAURE / ASCLEPIOS project-team is an asset of its success on the international scene.

This thesis contributes to the ongoing global discourse in ICT4D on ICT and its effect on socio-economic development in both theory and practice. The thesis comprises five studies presented logically from chapters 5 to 9. The thesis employs Mixed Methods research methodology within the Critical Realist epistemological perspective in Information Systems Research. Studies 1-4 employ different quantitative research and analytical methods while study 5 employs a qualitative research and analytical method. Study 1 proposes and operationalizes a predictive analytics framework in Learning Analytics by using a case study of the Computer Science Department of the University of Jos, Nigeria. Multiple Linear Regression was used with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) analysis tool. Statistical Hypothesis testing was then used to validate the model with a 5% level of significance. Results show how predictive learning analytics can be successfully operationalized and used for predicting students’ academic performances. In Study 2 the relative efficiency of ICT infrastructure utilization with respect to the educational component of the Human Development Index (HDI) is investigated. A Novel conceptual model is proposed and the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology is used to measure the relative efficiency of the components of ICT infrastructure (Inputs) and the components of education (Outputs). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression Analysis is used to determine the effect of ICT infrastructure on Educational Attainment/Adult Literacy Rates. Results show a strong positive effect of ICT infrastructure on educational attainment and adult literacy rates, a strong correlation between this infrastructure and literacy rates as well as provide a theoretical support for the argument of increasing ICT infrastructure to provide an increase in human development especially within the educational context. In Study 3 the relative efficiency and productivity of ICT Infrastructure Utilization in Education are examined. The research employs the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Index (MI), well established non-parametric data analysis methodologies, applied to archival data on International countries divided into Arab States, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and World regions. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression analysis is applied to determine the effect of ICT infrastructure on Adult Literacy Rates. Findings show a relatively efficient utilization and steady increase in productivity for the regions but with only Europe and the Arab States currently operating in a state of positive growth in productivity. A strong positive effect of ICT infrastructure on Adult Literacy Rates is also observed. Study 4 investigates the efficiency and productivity of ICT utilization in public value creation with respect to Adult Literacy Rates. The research employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Index (MI), well established non-parametric data analysis methodologies, applied to archival data on International countries divided into Arab States, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and World regions. Findings show a relatively efficient utilization of ICT in public value creation but an average decline in productivity levels. Finally, in Study 5 a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) on the UNDP Human Development Research Reports from 2010-2016 is carried out to determine whether or not any public value is created or derived from the policy directions being put forward and their subsequent implementations. The CDA is operationalized by Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action (TCA). Findings show that Public Value is indeed being created and at the core of the policy directions being called for in these reports. / School of Computing / Ph.D. (Information Systems)