Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-06-20T12:21:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos de Amorim Levita.pdf: 2652328 bytes, checksum: e3f7e47bcfe57544619b85c39afdef7e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-20T12:21:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos de Amorim Levita.pdf: 2652328 bytes, checksum: e3f7e47bcfe57544619b85c39afdef7e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work aims to identify how large organizations that use DevOps approach structure themselves to achieve agility in applications deployment. For this purpose, a case study was performed in companies that are using techniques to enable the DevOps approach implementation. This is a key initiative to address the new digital business requirements at the speed currently needed by internal users and clients, while keeping the controls required by Information Technology. To better understand the DevOps movement, this research aimed to map the main DevOps practices, based on literature review, in order to outline a theory that demonstrates its use. Furthermore, it was also intended to present a DevOps maturity assessment model, based on questions with structured answers about each of the previously described practices. The fieldwork methodology was based on a case study, in order to apply the DevOps maturity assessment model that was developed. As a result, a detailed description was presented, with the path chosen by each company to implement the DevOps practices in the IT department. After that, a comparative analysis was made between the researched cases to show possible improvement points, indicated by means of the notes achieved with the use of the DevOps maturity assessment model. The conclusion allowed to highlight two practical paths for IT reorganization, proven by the field research, in order to successfully implement a joint approach of DevOps practices and agile methodology for application development / Este trabalho visa identificar como organizações de grande porte, que utilizam a abordagem DevOps, estruturam-se para obter agilidade na implementação de aplicações. Para tanto, foi feito um estudo de caso em empresas que estão usando técnicas para viabilizar a implementação da aborgadem DevOps. Trata-se de uma iniciativa essencial para conseguir atender aos novos requisitos de negócios digitais com a velocidade atualmente exigida pelos usuários internos e clientes, mantendo ao mesmo tempo os controles requeridos pela Tecnologia da Informação. Para melhor entender o movimento DevOps, esta pesquisa teve por objetivo mapear as principais práticas DevOps, com base na revisão da literatura, de modo a traçar uma teoria que demonstre a sua utilização. Além disso, este trabalho pretendeu também apresentar um modelo de avaliação da maturidade DevOps, baseado em questões com respostas estruturadas sobre cada uma das práticas previamente descritas. A metodologia para o trabalho de campo foi baseada em um estudo de caso, com o intuito de aplicar o modelo de avaliação de maturidade que foi desenvolvido. Como resultado, apresentou-se uma descrição detalhada sobre o caminho escolhido por cada empresa para implementar as práticas DevOps em seu departamento de TI. Em seguida, foi feita uma análise comparativa entre os casos estudados, de modo a mostrar possíveis pontos de melhoria, apontados por meio das notas obtidas com a aplicação do modelo de avaliação da maturidade DevOps. A conclusão do trabalho permitiu evidenciar dois caminhos práticos para reorganização da TI, comprovados pela pesquisa de campo, de modo a implementar com sucesso uma abordagem conjunta de práticas DevOps e metodologia ágil para o desenvolvimento de aplicações

Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Micro-enterprises play a vital role towards the South Africa’s economic growth by contributing towards job creation. Despite the importance of the role of micro-enterprises, micro-enterprises face several challenges such as lack of finance, lack of skilled workers and lack of technological resources. Previous studies indicate that Information Technology has a distinct role in assisting micro-enterprises overcome several challenges. It is further evidenced in the extant literature that cloud computing, provides a low cost entry for enterprises to support several facets of their business operations. In the current era cloud computing requires a constant as well as fast internet connection and the South African government has various interventions to address the infrastructure divide. However, we have a scant understanding of the adoption challenges amongst micro-enterprises to adopt cloud solutions, which to date feature more prominently amongst larger organisations. This research investigated the factors that influence cloud computing adoption in the micro-enterprise sector in Cape Town. This is a city that promotes the contribution of micro-enterprises to their economic activity, and was such an ideal location to investigate cloud computing adoption amongst the micro-enterprise sector. This research provides a rich understanding of the factors that influence micro-enterprises in Cape Town to adopt cloud computing services and proposes guidelines to encourage micro-enterprises in Cape Town to use cloud services to improve their productivity. The researcher uses the UTAUT model as a framework and a qualitative research methodology to investigate the research question. Data for this research study was collected via face to face interviews with semi-structured questions of ten micro-enterprises and an IT expert. The findings showed that the factors influencing the adoption of cloud computing services are performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, lack of training, cost efficiency and reduction of working hours.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Mississippi State University. Department of Instructional Systems, Leadership and Workforce Development. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MTech (Information and Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / It has been shown that the South African insurance landscape takes up an important place in the African continent, contributing nearly three quarters of the total African insurance sector (Paul, Twala & Marwala, 2012). The industry landscape has shown development at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7% between 2004 and 2008. The life insurance industry is assumed to grow at a CAGR of 8.3%. Small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) are important role players in every economy and provide a major contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) and employment. Many South African enterprises have in the past focused on local markets, but more recently SMMEs have been forced to respond to competition in the global market as markets expand. The role of SMMEs is considered critical in terms of poverty alleviation, employment creation, and international competitiveness. However, resource limitations have made it difficult for many SMMEs to enter new markets and compete effectively. The effective application of information systems (IS) are viewed as a way for SMMEs to become more competitive and drive business benefits such as cost reduction, improved profitability, enhanced customer service, new market growth opportunities, and more efficient operating relationships with trading customers and partners. There are an increasing number of new opportunities and competition in the marketplace because of business globalisation. The marketplace and business globalisation dynamics have a major influence on SMMEs and their operations. SMMEs require a critical evaluation of their internal processes and seek out solutions to be able to sustain their growth and competitiveness. This research study adopted an inductive approach to describe the rational process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of observing particular facts. An in-depth case study is used to explore the multiple perspectives of the complexity and uniqueness of SMMEs. One-on-one interviews were conducted to collect data from 17 financial advisors using an interview guide with semi-structured questionnaires. The data were analysed through the process of thematic coding which is common in case study research, and labels were assigned to form and organise the themes in groups and categories. Ethical consideration was presented before data collection commenced, and the autonomy, self-respect and human dignity of all respondents during the data collection process were considered. The findings reveal that financial service providers (FSPs) have a different understanding of IS, what competitive means, and what it can do for a business.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / Introduction The research looked at the application of project management tools and techniques in ICT SME projects in the Western Cape. Problem Statement Previous literature revealed that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are vital to developing economies as they provide employment and contribute to overall sustainable economic productivity. Literature further alludes that project management tools and techniques enhance SME’s ability to innovate, grow and compete in industry. However, it is unclear if ICT SMEs in Western Cape are applying project management tools and techniques in their projects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether ICT SMEs in Western Cape applied these tools and techniques in their projects. Aims / Objectives The primary objective of the research was to determine the extent to which ICT SMEs in Western Cape were using project management tools and techniques. The secondary research objectives were: to determine the extent to which ICT SMEs in Western Cape knew about the project management tools and techniques and how to use them; to establish the extent to which the ICT SMEs knew the benefits of using project management tools and techniques; and to determine the extent to which project management tools and techniques were used by SMEs to achieve success. Methodology The research was non experimental. An electronic questionnaire was distributed using Survey Monkey and Mail Chimp to collect responses. Some questionnaires were hand delivered to ICT SMEs based in the Cape Town CBD areas accessible to the researcher. The results presented in the research were based on a survey of ICT SMEs, located in Western Cape. Out of the 341 responses targeted a total of 210 responses were obtained. The results obtained represent 60- 70% of the population interviewed. The sample was chosen using stratified random sampling that classified the respondents according to organisational hierarchy, and the amount per strata was noted. The respondents within each stratum were chosen using simple random sampling thus eliminating bias.

M. Tech. (Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / The impacts of information systems (IS) are often indirect and influenced by human, organisational, and environmental factors, therefore measurement of information systems (IS) success is both complex and elusive. Researchers have created models for success emphasizing the need for better and more consistent success metrics. This study endeavoured to measure IS success in SMEs in Gauteng, South Africa in order to find out its impact on these businesses. This research proposed a comprehensive multidimensional model of measuring success of information system in SMEs which suggests that system quality, information quality, service quality, intention to use, user satisfaction, use, self-efficacy, individual benefit/impact, use and organisational benefits/impact are success variables to be used. Online survey questionnaire was distributed to one hundred and twenty-six (126) participants. The data collection instrument fulfilled the reliability and validity tests. The hypotheses were tested using regression analysis. The results enabled the derivation of a generic formal measure of IS success in SMEs with organisational benefits/impact variable as the subject of the formula. The formula can be used by SMEs to measure the success of IS in their respective organisations.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-06-08T12:57:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Albert Florencio da Costa.pdf: 7724360 bytes, checksum: c3561856ecba1bc5c6aac8e554df15b8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-08T12:57:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Albert Florencio da Costa.pdf: 7724360 bytes, checksum: c3561856ecba1bc5c6aac8e554df15b8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-02 / This study presents an analysis of friendly interfaces for Internet systems, which facilitates the use of commercial consultants (non-technical) in creating digital business. The objective of this study is to verify the importance of friendly digital platforms so that lay commercial consultants are not eliminated from the market, in the current environment where digital businesses are growing every day. Through a bibliographic review, presenting the current scenario in which the commercial consultants beds are inserted, as well as the technical requirements necessary to build a good interface, we analyze the use of the Interface (OnCorretor) offered by the company Porto Seguro to its Insurance Brokers Who are the commercial consultants of this market. We conclude that the OnCorretor is a platform that meets the brokers business expectations, accessible including being by lay users, allowing them to build their own websites with your domain, manage email accounts, manage online proposals, interact with their customers. The OnCorretor platform has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use, but some users still have questions about how to get the best results in their business. In this way, we suggest that an online training, as well as a greater use of interaction with social networks, be made available to the user whenever he needs it. We also suggest periodic surveys for the maintenance and optimization of your business, with presence on the Internet and on social networks. The most important finding is that the user-friendly interface is simple to use for 75.6% of respondent brokers and 63.2% of them understand that it has helped to optimize their business. We suggest that other companies in the insurance industry or other using consultants commercial to develop similar platforms based on this model / Este estudo apresenta uma análise das interfaces amigáveis para sistemas de Internet, que facilitem o uso para Consultores comerciais leigos (não-técnicos) na realização de negócios digitais. O Objetivo desse estudo é verificar a importância de plataformas digitais amigáveis para que consultores comerciais leigos não sejam eliminados do mercado, na atual conjuntura onde os negócios digitais vêm crescendo a cada dia. Através de uma revisão bibliográfica, apresentando o cenário atual em que os Consultores Comerciais leigos estão inseridos, bem como os requisitos técnicos necessários para construção de uma boa interface, analisamos o uso da Interface (OnCorretor) oferecida pela empresa Porto Seguro a seus Corretores de Seguro que são os Consultores comerciais desse mercado. Concluímos que o OnCorretor é uma plataforma que atende às expectativas de negócios dos corretores, sendo acessível inclusive por usuários leigos, permitindo que eles possam construir seus próprios sites, com seu domínio, gerenciar contas de email, gerenciar propostas online, interagir com seus clientes. A plataforma OnCorretor possui uma interface amigável que facilita a sua utilização, mas, alguns usuários ainda têm dúvidas sobre como obter os melhores resultados em seus negócios. Deste modo, sugerimos que seja disponibilizado um treinamento online, bem como uma utilização maior de interação com redes sociais, que seja acessível ao usuário sempre que ele precisar. Sugerimos também pesquisas periódicas para a manutenção e otimização de seu negócio, com presença na Internet e nas redes sociais. A mais importante constatação é que a interface amigável é simples de ser usada para 75,6% dos corretores respondentes e que 63.2% deles entendem que ela ajudou a otimizar seus negócios. Sugerimos que outras empresas do setor de seguros ou outras que utilizem Consultores Comerciais que desenvolvam plataformas similares baseadas nesse modelo

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-01T19:18:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 120599.pdf: 1393476 bytes, checksum: 479d2ec9dca7e5416dd5753182ded1ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of this study was to analyze the convergence of organizational skills , functional and individual companies in the information technology and communication in Florianópolis. The research is characterized as a descriptive, qualitative, attended by directors, presidents, executives, managers and programmers eight (08) companies in the sector, a total of 24 (twenty four) respondents. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive analysis and categorization of content. The study identified the organizational skills and functional competencies and individual professionals. The results showed that there is convergence between the organizational skills and functional competencies and individual ICT companies of Florianopolis, in the perception of respondents - CEOs, managers of the technical programmers and technicians interviewed. Also concluded that the organizational skills and functional competencies and individual are related to each other and between levels of expertise of the professionals interviewed. / O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a convergência entre as competências organizacionais, funcionais e individuais de empresas do setor de tecnologia da informação e comunicação da Grande Florianópolis. A pesquisa caracteriza-se como um estudo descritivo, de natureza qualitativa, do qual participaram diretores, presidentes, executivos, gestores e programadores de 08 (oito) empresas do setor, totalizando 24 (vinte e quatro) entrevistados. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e analisados a partir de categorização e análise descritivade conteúdo. O estudo permitiu identificar as competências organizacionais e as competências funcionais e individuais dos profissionais. Os resultados apontaram que existe convergência entre as competências organizacionais e as competências funcionais e individuais em empresas de TICs de Florianópolis, segundo a percepção dos participantes da pesquisa CEOs, gestores da área técnica e técnicos programadores entrevistados. Também concluiu-se que as competências organizacionais e as competências funcionais e individuais estão relacionadas entre si e entre os níveis de atuação dos profissionais entrevistados.

No keywords provided in thesis / The rapid advancement of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the immense benefits they present to organisations have made ICT innovations prominent. However, there is a constant contention between ICTs that already exist in organisations and emerging digital technologies (DTs). The exponential rate at which these DTs evolve often overwhelms decision-makers. This study focused on the decisions of small medium enterprises (SMEs) whether to adopt emerging DTs or to continue using their existing ICTs: SME owners need to evaluate existing ICTs to gauge their usefulness before adopting emerging DTs. Existing decision tools are often insufficient, being based only on either financial evaluation models or ICT usage/adoption models. This study therefore reviewed ICT use, acceptance and adoption theories, as well as financial models, in identifying both the non-financial and financial factors relevant to the evaluation of existing ICTs. Using the Updated Information Systems Success Model as the base model, the study developed an integrated conceptual framework for the evaluation of existing ICTs. The conceptual framework was tested per the positivist philosophical paradigm using data collected from SME owners. Structural equation modeling was used to test and validate the framework. The key findings from the study are that the psychological views and personal experiences of SME owners play the most important role in the evaluation of existing ICTs; and are primarily driven by the social environment surrounding them. The thesis recommends that SME owners should not base their decisions to continue using the existing ICTs on their psychological views and personal experiences only. Such owners may be deceived into believing that emerging DTs are better than the existing ICTs, or vice versa. Rather, SME owners should also consider the performance of software and hardware; and the quality of the information from the existing ICTs. Some features of the existing ICTs, such as database, network, and cloud computing, do not seem to matter to the SME owners; nevertheless these factors are important to consider. The study contributed to Information Systems theory by scoping a body of literature specific to the evaluation of existing ICTs within SMEs in South Africa. The study also contributes to practice, in creating a framework that could assist SME owners to objectively evaluate existing ICTs before adopting emerging DTs. Future research, however, should consider qualitative methods to elicit other factors which may be relevant to the evaluation of existing ICTs / School of Computing / Ph. D (Information Systems)

The evidence from the literature suggests that Information Technology adoption (IT) governance in organisations is still a challenge. The diversity of application and the ever-increasing use of IT results in making decisions on IT adoption a major challenge for organisations. The decision about using a particular technology from an organisational perspective is problematic since individual users have different worldviews. The implicit assumption in IT adoption literature is that stakeholders always reach consensus during IT adoption decision making in organisations. This study explored the existing models and frameworks in order to develop a preliminary improved IT adoption governance framework. This study used a case study sequential explanatory mixed methods research approach to validate the preliminary IT adoption governance framework. The first validation phase of the framework was done using a quantitative approach followed by the second validation phase based on qualitative interviews. The last validation was done after integrating the quantitative and qualitative results to produce the refined framework. The results suggest that the developed framework may improve IT adoption governance in organisations. The results showed that the framework components facilitate IT adoption governance in organisations. The results also suggest that the components have an association with each other except for the Technology Acceptance Model component. The results indicate that stakeholder participation and hard systems thinking components have a strong predictive impact on IT governance framework component perception in organisations. The study results suggest that IT adoption decision makers need to balance different stakeholders’ demands during IT adoption decision making in organisations. The framework helps in that regard by reconciling different stakeholders’ demands through collective IT adoption decision making. The strength of the framework is its integration of theories from various disciplines in understanding stakeholder expectations. On that basis the framework is in a better position to offer more insight into understanding challenges of IT adoption decision making than existing frameworks and models. The framework offers a potentially valuable basis for future research in IT adoption decision making in organisations. The results suggest that the framework may facilitate IT adoption in organisations using different components. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information systems)