Responding to globalization and its effects on education and research development, the Thai government decided to push all public universities to become autonomous and establish a system of quality assurances. The establishment of quality assurances has had a large impact on many Thai instructors, especially in new public universities. Thai instructors are now forced to more focus on conducting research because the number of research publications is regarded as one of the main criteria for quality universities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the key factors, at the individual and university levels, which impact on the instructors' behavior in conducting research of the full-time instructors in the faculty of Management Science from the Rajabhat Universities in Thailand. The current study will help explain how and why the instructors accept or refuse to conduct research and provide insight into the salient factors motivating the instructors to produce more research by conducting HLM. Data were collected from 694 participants at 37 institutions via a questionnaire survey. The findings revealed that there was no difference among these 37 universities on behavior in conducting research. The key factors statistically influencing behavior in conducting research of the instructors were facilitating conditions, academic degree, social influence, and usefulness as well as ease of conducting research that the instructors perceived. This study gained 46% of effect size.

Rapid diffusion and use of smartphones in Africa are challenging, given the state of its infrastructural facilities. The problem addressed was a lack of information on the adoption behavior and the sociodevelopmental effect of smartphone acceptance among rural and urban users in Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to examine the adoption behavior and the sociodevelopmental effect of smartphone acceptance among rural and urban residents. Research questions examined the relationship of performance expectancy, social influence, price value, and habit on adopters' intentions to use smartphones, continued use of smartphones, and the sociodevelopmental effect on smartphone users lives and standard of living. The theoretical foundation of the study was based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, and expectation confirmation theory. A nonexperimental cross-sectional survey design was used to collect and analyze data obtained from the target population of approximately 14 million with a sample size of 385 based on 95% confidence level. Survey data were collected using a research instrument developed by Bhattacherjee, Venkatesh, and others and analyzed via multivariate regression. Findings indicated that the positive effect of performance expectancy on intent to use smartphones was stronger among urban than among rural dwellers. No other location-moderated relationships were found. There was a strong positive correlation (β = .761, p < .001) between intent to use smartphones and continued use of smartphones. The findings of this study may promote social change by providing valuable data to service providers and regulators for realignment of investment strategies and the reevaluation of national policies on communication technology development.

Abstract The main focus of this study is the identification of factors influencing the use and effectiveness of information system development methodologies (Le., systems development methodologies) in health information systems. In essence, it can be viewed as exploratory research, utilizing a conceptual research model to investigate the relationships among the hypothesised factors. More specifically, classified as behavioural science, it combines two theoretical models, namely the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory. The main aim of behavioural science in information systems is to assist practitioners (Le., social actors) in improving business processes and competitiveness, thus the effective use of information systems. A wider view of behavioural science incorporates other social actors (e.g., end users) and organisational actors (e.g., executives). In health information systems, the effective use of information systems is especially relevant Health information systems are vital in the area of health care, since only by having access to pertinent health information, can the correct decisions relating to diagnostics and curative procedures be made. The use of systems development methodologies in health information systems development is therefore crucial, since they can make the development process more effective, while improving software quality. By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilizing a survey as the main research method and structural equation modelling as the main statistical technique, meaningful results were obtained. Focussing on the factors influencing the individual's behavioural intent, it was found that the compatibility of systems development methodologies to the developer's pre-existing software development style is vital. Furthermore, performance expectancy, self-efficacy, organisational culture, policies, customer influence, voluntariness and facilitating conditions, all directly influenced the use of systems development methodologies, with policies and customer influence playing a significant role, especially in relation to health information systems. No significant direct effects or indirect effects could be established for the factors effort expectancy, personal innovativeness and social influence. It appears that individuals working in the health care software development discipline are more autonomous, less influenced by others. Also, the lack of support for the factor effort expectancy may indicate that systems development methodologies have entered a mature state, with less concern on the effort required for use. Furthermore, with regard to effectiveness and the continued use of information systems methodologies, satisfaction had a significant direct effect, with confirmation having a significant indirect effect. Keywords: behavioural science; conceptual research model; direct effect; exploratory research; Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory; indirect effect; Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology; structural equation modelling; survey; systems development methodologies. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Abstract The main focus of this study is the identification of factors influencing the use and effectiveness of information system development methodologies (Le., systems development methodologies) in health information systems. In essence, it can be viewed as exploratory research, utilizing a conceptual research model to investigate the relationships among the hypothesised factors. More specifically, classified as behavioural science, it combines two theoretical models, namely the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory. The main aim of behavioural science in information systems is to assist practitioners (Le., social actors) in improving business processes and competitiveness, thus the effective use of information systems. A wider view of behavioural science incorporates other social actors (e.g., end users) and organisational actors (e.g., executives). In health information systems, the effective use of information systems is especially relevant Health information systems are vital in the area of health care, since only by having access to pertinent health information, can the correct decisions relating to diagnostics and curative procedures be made. The use of systems development methodologies in health information systems development is therefore crucial, since they can make the development process more effective, while improving software quality. By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilizing a survey as the main research method and structural equation modelling as the main statistical technique, meaningful results were obtained. Focussing on the factors influencing the individual's behavioural intent, it was found that the compatibility of systems development methodologies to the developer's pre-existing software development style is vital. Furthermore, performance expectancy, self-efficacy, organisational culture, policies, customer influence, voluntariness and facilitating conditions, all directly influenced the use of systems development methodologies, with policies and customer influence playing a significant role, especially in relation to health information systems. No significant direct effects or indirect effects could be established for the factors effort expectancy, personal innovativeness and social influence. It appears that individuals working in the health care software development discipline are more autonomous, less influenced by others. Also, the lack of support for the factor effort expectancy may indicate that systems development methodologies have entered a mature state, with less concern on the effort required for use. Furthermore, with regard to effectiveness and the continued use of information systems methodologies, satisfaction had a significant direct effect, with confirmation having a significant indirect effect. Keywords: behavioural science; conceptual research model; direct effect; exploratory research; Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory; indirect effect; Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology; structural equation modelling; survey; systems development methodologies. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Este estudo tem o objetivo de desvelar fatores determinantes de aceitação e uso de um Sistema de Informações implementado na área produtiva. O mapeamento destes fatores é obtido a partir das percepções dos operadores de produção. Esta pesquisa foi conduzida na área de fabricação de componentes, das unidades Planalto e Ana Rech, da empresa Marcopolo S/A, encarroçadora de ônibus sediada em Caxias do Sul. Quanto ao método, este estudo pode ser enquadrado como um estudo de caso com caráter descritivo que fez uso de análises quantitativas. As principais ferramentas estatísticas utilizadas na análise dos dados coletados foram: análise de agrupamentos (cluster), análise discriminante, análise fatorial e regressão múltipla. A triangulação dos dados foi executada com coleta de dados por observação pessoal e documental. Os principais resultados obtidos neste estudo foram: a determinação de quatro clusters que compartilham os mesmos perfis de respostas; a redução das variáveis a quatro fatores latentes, correlacionados ao modelo UTAUT proposto por Venkatesh et al. (2003); e a composição de equações preditoras que permitiram evidenciar quais os fatores que mais influenciam nas percepções de importância e satisfação do sistema denominado IMM. / This study aims to reveal determinant factors of acceptance and use of an information system implemented in the production area. Mapping of these factors derives from the perceptions of production workers. This research was conducted in two plants of Marcopolo S/A (Planto and Ana Rech), in its components manufacturing area. Marcopolo S/A is a bus body builder based in Caxias do Sul. This study is considered a descriptive case study with quantitative analysis in terms of research method. The main statistical tools used in data analysis phase were cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, factor analysis and multiple regression. Triangulation was performed with the data collected by personal observation and documents. Main results of this study were: determine four clusters that share similar profiles of respondents; reduction of latent variables to four factors correlated to the UTAUT model, proposed by Venkatesh et al. (2003); and composition of predictive equations to highlight factors that influence the perceptions of importance and satisfaction in a system called IMM.

The adoption of information systems (IS) by public organizations it is currently a need to restructure its management activities. From this adoption, there is an expectation that users of SI satisfactorily use the benefits to your work activities. However, there is a gap in the related resistance to change and resource use of information technology (IT) public sector. Thus, understanding the factors that influence their users to accept or use of this new technology represents a significant research purpose, both for the academy and for public management. Thus, the main objective of this dissertation is to investigate factors of technology acceptance and use that influencing public servants of a Federal Institution of Education, particularly the Federal University of Sergipe, to use an information system. Studies have shown the existence of several factors that influence the acceptance and use of technology and, considering the purpose of this research, the model UTAUT (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology), originally developed by Venkatesh et al. (2003) was applied. It was research procedures, epistemologically positivist, quantitative method and deductive approach to exploratory and descriptive purpose. It was conducted a literature survey of topics on information systems, information technology in organizations, the context of public service and acceptance and use of technology. The field research it was used the survey method, with the data collection conducted by a questionnaire applied to active public servants of Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), which is one of at least 20 Federal Education Institutions that have adopted the same SI. The initial hypothesis of this study argued that the acceptance and use of the SI in question is influenced by four factors: Performance expectancy, Effort expectancy, Social influence and Facilitating conditions. Were added to the moderating variables: gender, age, experience and voluntariness. The sample was of 373 respondents. Treatment and data analysis were performed using descriptive analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, the t test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). It is concluded that the Performance expectancy, Effort expectancy and Social influence are factors that serve to measure the usage behavior of the public servers of UFS, but the influence of all of them occurred only positively to two of the three subsystems studied: the Integrated Wealth Management, Administration and Contracts (SIPAC) and the Integrated Management of Human Resources (SIGRH). The Integrated System Management Academic Activities (SIGAA) was only positively influenced by Performance expectancy. Moderators were considered only age and voluntariness of use to construct social influence; and experience to the effort expectancy. Other results were appointed to academic and managerial contributions. / A adoção de sistemas de informação (SI) por organizações públicas trata-se atualmente de uma necessidade de reestruturação de suas atividades gerenciais. A partir desta adoção, existe uma expectativa de que os usuários de SI utilizem de forma satisfatória os benefícios para as suas atividades de trabalho. Porém, existe uma lacuna no setor público relacionada à resistência às mudanças e ao uso de recursos de tecnologia de informação (TI). Assim, entender os fatores que influenciam seus usuários a aceitarem ou utilizarem esta nova tecnologia representa um relevante propósito de pesquisa, tanto para a academia quanto para a gestão pública. Desta forma, o objetivo principal desta dissertação é investigar fatores de aceitação e uso de tecnologia que influenciam servidores públicos de uma Instituição Federal de Ensino (IFE), em particular os da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), a utilizarem um sistema de informação. Estudos têm demonstrado a existência de diversos fatores que influenciam a aceitação e o uso de tecnologia e, considerando o intuito desta pesquisa, o modelo UTAUT (Teoria Unificada de Aceitação e Uso de Tecnologia), desenvolvido originalmente por Venkatesh et al. (2003), foi aplicado. Tratou-se de pesquisa com procedimentos do método quantitativo, epistemologicamente positivista, com abordagem dedutiva e propósito exploratório e descritivo. Realizou-se um levantamento bibliográfico de temas sobre sistemas de informação, tecnologia da informação nas organizações, o contexto do serviço público e aceitação e uso de tecnologia. A pesquisa de campo utilizou-se do método survey, sendo a coleta de dados realizada por meio de questionário aplicado a servidores públicos ativos da UFS, que é uma das pelo menos 20 IFE que adotaram um mesmo SI. As hipóteses iniciais desta pesquisa defenderam que a aceitação e o uso do SI em questão é influenciada por quatro fatores: Expectativa de Desempenho, Expectativa de Esforço, Influência Social e Condições Facilitadoras. Acrescentaram-se as variáveis moderadoras: gênero, idade, experiência e voluntariedade. A amostra foi de 373 respondentes. O tratamento e a análise dos dados foram realizados por meio de análise descritiva, análise fatorial confirmatória, o teste t e a Análise de Variância (ANOVA). Conclui-se que os fatores Expectativa de desempenho, Expectativa de esforço e Influência social servem para mensurar o comportamento de uso dos servidores da UFS, mas a influência de todos eles só ocorreu de forma positiva para dois dos três subsistemas estudados: o Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Patrimônio, Administração e Contratos (SIPAC) e o Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Recursos Humanos (SIGRH). O Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Atividades Acadêmicas (SIGAA) apenas foi influenciado positivamente pela Expectativa de desempenho. Foram considerados moderadores apenas a idade e a voluntariedade de uso para o construto Influência social; e a experiência para a Expectativa de esforço. Outros resultados foram apontados para contribuições acadêmicas e gerenciais. / São Cristóvão, SE

Förväntad effekt av vårdens elektroniska IT-system är ökad patientsäkerhet, vårdkvalitet och tillgänglighet. Ett första villkor för att kunna uppnå detta är att IT-systemet används. I denna studie granskas ett underutnyttjat IT-system, använt för informationsöverföring mellan olika huvudmän vid samordnad vård- och omsorgsplanering. Granskningen baseras på teorier om hur individers intention och vilja till att använda ett IT-system initieras eller upprätthålls genom omgivningens påverkan. Resultatet visar att IT-användare i den patientnära vården (mikrosystemet) saknar adekvat tekniskt, organisatoriskt (mesosystemet) och ledningsstöd (makrosystemet), vilket kan förklara underutnyttjandet. / Expected impact of electronic healthcare systems is increasing patient safety, care quality and availability. Using the system is essential to achieve this. This study explain the assimilation gap in an electronic healthcare system used in coordinated care planning by theories how individuals’ intentions and willingness to use electronic systems is affected by environmental influences. The result shows that the end users lack technical, organizational, and management support, which can explains the assimilation gap.

As of autumn 2011, all schools in Sweden have adopted and applied the latest curriculum for the compulsory school system. The following is written in concern to technology: "The school is responsible for ensuring that each pupil on completing compulsory school: [...] can use modern technology as a tool in the search for knowledge, communication, creativity and learning." (Skolverket, 2011, pp.13-14) With this said, there are no guidelines or manuals on how this is to be conducted. In a report from the Swedish Schools Inspectorate it was concluded that the investment in technology is not being used for school education. The education systems keep investing in technology in the belief that schools and teachers will sooner or later adopt and benefit from the use of mobile and ubiquitous technologies. The aim of this study is to “create an understanding of the aspects that have an impact on adopting novel use of mobile and ubiquitous technologies in everyday teaching and learning practices in compulsory schools.” The empirical foundation will be based upon three projects: Geometry Mobile (GeM); Learning Ecology with Technologies from Science for Global Outcomes (LETS GO); and Collaborative Learning Using Digital Pens and Interactive Whiteboards (Collboard). All were conducted at local compulsory schools in Växjö municipality, Sweden, in collaboration with teachers, students and fellow researchers from the CeLeKT research group at Linnaeus University. Two Thematic Analyses have been conducted: the first, an inductive analysis exploring the Students’ and Teachers’ Experience of using Mobile and Ubiquitous Technologies in their learning and teaching environment. The second analysis is deductive and uses themes from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology models with the aim of understanding the Perception and Acceptance of Teachers’ use of Mobile and Ubiquitous Technologies. In the results from the two analyses there are clear indicators on the added value that mobile and ubiquitous technology brings to the classrooms: students are able to actively participate, collaborate and discuss in different learning settings, which enhances their understanding of the subject at hand. The challenges are mainly to be found in the lack of training and education in use of the technology as a supporting tool for teaching and learning. Further factors influencing the teachers and the students are ease of use and reliability of the technology and societal changes. The results of the analysis and the theoretical base of Technology Enhanced Learning have been illustrated with Soft Systems Methodologies Rich Picture, providing a holistic view of the problematic situation and making it possible to discuss the various parts as well as the situation as a whole. This study indicates that there are several factors influencing the adoption of the novel use of mobile and ubiquitous technologies in everyday teaching and learning within a complex situation on different levels.

Este estudo tem o objetivo de desvelar fatores determinantes de aceitação e uso de um Sistema de Informações implementado na área produtiva. O mapeamento destes fatores é obtido a partir das percepções dos operadores de produção. Esta pesquisa foi conduzida na área de fabricação de componentes, das unidades Planalto e Ana Rech, da empresa Marcopolo S/A, encarroçadora de ônibus sediada em Caxias do Sul. Quanto ao método, este estudo pode ser enquadrado como um estudo de caso com caráter descritivo que fez uso de análises quantitativas. As principais ferramentas estatísticas utilizadas na análise dos dados coletados foram: análise de agrupamentos (cluster), análise discriminante, análise fatorial e regressão múltipla. A triangulação dos dados foi executada com coleta de dados por observação pessoal e documental. Os principais resultados obtidos neste estudo foram: a determinação de quatro clusters que compartilham os mesmos perfis de respostas; a redução das variáveis a quatro fatores latentes, correlacionados ao modelo UTAUT proposto por Venkatesh et al. (2003); e a composição de equações preditoras que permitiram evidenciar quais os fatores que mais influenciam nas percepções de importância e satisfação do sistema denominado IMM. / This study aims to reveal determinant factors of acceptance and use of an information system implemented in the production area. Mapping of these factors derives from the perceptions of production workers. This research was conducted in two plants of Marcopolo S/A (Planto and Ana Rech), in its components manufacturing area. Marcopolo S/A is a bus body builder based in Caxias do Sul. This study is considered a descriptive case study with quantitative analysis in terms of research method. The main statistical tools used in data analysis phase were cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, factor analysis and multiple regression. Triangulation was performed with the data collected by personal observation and documents. Main results of this study were: determine four clusters that share similar profiles of respondents; reduction of latent variables to four factors correlated to the UTAUT model, proposed by Venkatesh et al. (2003); and composition of predictive equations to highlight factors that influence the perceptions of importance and satisfaction in a system called IMM.

Der zentrale Auftrag der Wirtschaftsprüfung ist die Überprüfung und Testierung der Finanzberichterstattung von Unternehmen. Damit trägt der Berufsstand der Wirtschaftsprüfer maßgeblich zum Vertrauen der Gesellschaft in das Wirtschafts- und Finanzwesen bei, die Grundvoraussetzung für die Funktionsfähigkeit von Märkten und wirtschaftlicher Handlungsfähigkeit. Der wachsende Einsatz von KI-Systemen, die Verwendung von Cloud-Services und die Verarbeitung von Massendaten bei der Erstellung von Rechnungslegung und Publizität hat verstärkt zur Folge, dass sich Prüfungssituationen und -szenarien verändern oder gar vollständig neu entwickeln. Dies erfordert enorme Investitionen in IT-Ressourcen und -Kompetenzen, damit sich auch in Zukunft hochwertige Prüfungsergebnisse erzielen lassen. Vor allem für kleinere und mittelständische Prüfungsgesellschaften ist diese Herausforderung jedoch kaum eigenständig zu bewältigen. Nachdem im Jahr 2017 eine gesetzliche Grundlage für die cloudbasierte Bündelung von IT-Ressourcen und -Kompetenzen bei einem spezialisierten Dienstleister geschaffen wurde, wird daher der Einsatz von sogenannten „Audit Clouds“ als eine Alternative zur klassischen Kanzleiorganisation diskutiert. Dabei ist noch nicht abschließend geklärt, wie unter Berücksichtigung unterschiedlicher kanzlei- und mandatsbezogener Perspektiven und unter Einhaltung prüfungsnormbezogener Voraussetzungen die Geschäftsmodelle und das Dienstleistungsspektrum von sogenannten "Audit Clouds" gestaltet sein sollen. Gleichzeitig bedingt die erfolgreiche Entwicklung und Diffusion digitaler Innovationen hinreichende Erkenntnisse über die Akzeptanz künftiger Anwender. Dieser Untersuchungsbedarf wird in der vorliegenden Dissertation in einem dreistufigen Vorgehen adressiert: Im ersten Schritt werden in Abhängigkeit von kanzlei- und mandatsbezogenen Anforderungen sowie unter Berücksichtigung von berufsständischen Normen verschiedene Audit-Cloud-Ansätze hergeleitet. Bei den anknüpfenden Akzeptanzuntersuchungen bilden diese Ansätze das Untersuchungsobjekt. Der zweite Schritt umfasst die Entwicklung eines Forschungsmodells, auf dessen Basis die Akzeptanz von Wirtschaftsprüfern gegenüber Audit Clouds untersucht wird. Im dritten Schritt wird unter Verwendung des Mixed-Methods-Ansatzes die indirekten und direkten Effekte und Determinanten ermittelt, die die Akzeptanz des Berufsstands gegenüber Audit Clouds begünstigen und vorhersagen.