Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / There is no doubt as to the important role of small businesses in the creation of employment and development of the South African economy. Unfortunately support services for the small business are generally hard to come by and expensive if not sponsored by government, an NGO or corporate entity. For the small business owner who has been operating for a number of years and knows what is required to operate successfully, it is difficult and time consuming to find an affordable solution. This paper aimed to find a business model framework that would bring support services closer to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the services industry in South Africa. It must have the capability to relieve an SME of resource-intensive support burdens (administrative and otherwise) and thereby allow an increased focus on its core service-delivery value proposition. Based on systems theory it is safe to say that all entities in the economy are somehow interrelated and exert some influence on each other. It is therefore well within reason to conclude that the output of this research could be beneficial to SMEs on the supply- and demand- side of the service industry. For the purpose of this report, an SME was defined as a company that had the following characteristics: active owner involvement on all levels, a relatively small market share, had a staff complement of between 3 and 50 employees and provided a service (i.e. solving a problem). In creating an appropriate solution, it was important to understand the target audience, the business owner, much better. The data source for this research was the data gathered during the Finscope South Africa Small Business Survey 2010. Underlying the research was a hybrid approach that utilised both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The data was gathered throughout South Africa by means of a structured questionnaire created by a team of experts. It focused on measuring specific perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of SMEs and SME owners. A multi-sided platform or catalyst showed the most potential for satisfying the need to reduce the barriers between SMEs and service providers. A catalyst has three primary activities – building, stimulating and governing. These activities create and sustain a successful catalytic reaction and partnership. The research provided a wide range of South African SME and owner characteristics that were most beneficial in developing a business model framework.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Information Systems (IS) capability can be viewed as a firm's valuable resources, and if controlled well, can contribute towards competitive and efficient business value. For the purpose of this study, IS capability is thus defined as the firm's ability to continuously derive business value from Information technology (IT) investments, and this includes the firm's IT personnel skills and competencies. The research argument driving the study was that IS capability is an outcome of good IS management and IT governance. However, to date, IS capability has not been defined beyond an expression of the firm to derive and leverage business value through IS continuously. Consequently, this dissertation conceptualizes a framework towards IS capability in a South African firm. In the study, IS capability is seen as achieved through a sound IT governance, IT management, and corporate governance. That is, the study was about how governance and management of IS happens in a typical firm. IS capability was studied by looking at how the firm makes IT decisions, prioritizes IT investments, business and IT collaborating to create the vision, IT leadership, and the management of information systems resources.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / In today's Information Society, organizations have to ensure clean and secure data in order to make informed decisions. However, maintaining secure data need systematic Information Security Management. It is important to note that much as Information Security Management is considered the pillar of Enterprise Information Systems, its challenges are numerous. These challenges may include; loss of cooperate information, compromise of sensitive data and continuous cracking into the organization network systems. Academic institutions like many other information based organizations go through a wave of these challenges. Such challenges if not effectively handled could lead to serious security breaches. This study sought to identify metrics needed for Information Security Management in Universities of Technology.

M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School. / The purpose of this research is to assess which factors are critical to realize success in an Information Technology (IT) outsourcing relationship. The study assessed the applicability of the Relationship Quality (RELQUAL) model dimensions as relevant constructs that leads to relationship success and relationship retention on an existing IT outsourcing relationship. Emphasis was placed on the intangible factors which are trust, commitment, communication, cultural understanding and interdependence. This research was conducted within the context of the South African business environment.

Thesis (DTech. in Business Information Systems)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2008. / Existing literature propagates a variety of methods for assessment of intellectual capital. Unfortunately, awareness of, and interest in the assessment of intellectual capital far exceeds its use in practice. This research argues that, due to complexities involved in selecting and customising an appropriate method or combination of methods for assessing intellectual capital, mechanisms are needed for managing and applying the evolving body of knowledge concerning such assessment. This research proceeds to develop a model, referred to as a conceptual design for a system to (i) provide management support to the process of selecting and customising an appropriate method (or combination of methods) for assessment of intellectual capital, (ii) utilise past knowledge and expertise to accelerate and improve decision-making, (iii) promote synergism through integration of methods, and (iv) manage the evolving body of knowledge concerning the assessment of intellectual capital.

The major focus of this research is on the relationships between technical competencies (TC) and a firms competitive advantage (CA) within the Information and Technology industry (ICT) in Taiwan. This was achieved by an examination of the extent to which firms' technical learning (absorptive capacity (AC), integrative capacity (IC) and collaborative capacity of technical competencies (CTL)) influences their TC, adaptive capacity of technical competencies (AT), core competencies (CC) and CA. / The thesis investigated whether Taiwanese ICT firms process relationships among the critical elements that enable a firm to develop their capability portfolio for competition. A mail survey was conducted among Taiwanese ICT firms and questionnaires were returned from 114 large and meduim sized companies. From these, the relationships among the key variables were analysed using Mediated Regression. / The results indicated that the absorptive capacity (AC) and integrative capacity (IC) were significant in effecting technical competencies, but the collaborative capacity of technical competencies (CTL) was shown not to have a direct influence on technical competencies. Furthermore, the results indicated that technical competencies, adaptive capacity of technical competencies (AT) and core competencies (CC) have a significant influence on a firm's competitive advantage. / The findings of this research suggest that Taiwanese ICT firms should develop multiple crucial learning elements (AC+ IC+ CTL) and multiple-dynamic competencies (TC+AT+CC) to contribute to competitive advantage. / Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2007.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Technische Universiteit Delft, 1992. / In English with summary in Dutch. Includes bibliographical references (p. 221-236) and index.

M.Com. (Informatics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Comm. / In today's society everyone is dependent on information for decision making, and a big part of the information is provided via telecommunication lines. Telecommunication is the unseen and unsung hero when it comes to information transfer. It is no wonder that telecommunication service providers are striving to give better and faster service almost daily. Furthermore because of the competitive nature of the telecommunications arena, service providers are striving to get the best performance from their telecommunications links. It has thus become more important to provide excellent service and guaranteed performance above anything else. The purpose of this study is to determine what kind of information is needed by the management of a telecommunications service provider to make business or strategic decisions. Questionnaires and interviews were used in this study to determine what kind of information is needed by the managers and the decision makers in the management of the telecommunication network. The basis of the study was provided through the examination of what a telecommunication network consists of, and the information that is needed to run such a network. An additional feature was that there is already a network monitoring system working practically. This system was used to measure the success of telecommunication network management and to determine what other factors should be catered for when a total telecommunication management network is evaluated.

This study was conducted on the premise that if quality business information is provided to business enterprises, socio-economic transformation could be achieved. The study emanated from the documented problem where business enterprises in northern Uganda were found to depend on "word of mouth" rather than any meaningful formal mechanism for accessing information efficiently. The aim of the study was, therefore, to design an information system for northern Uganda business enterprises. The study makes use of document analysis, questionnaires and interviews. The Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs), information providers and business policy-makers in northern Uganda constituted the population of the study. The data which was collected was edited and analysed to produce graphs, charts and percentages. The main findings indicate that business activities in northern Uganda are diverse - covering almost the entire sector of the economy. The SMEs need information on finance/capital/loans, local markets, business management skills, appropriate technologies, business competitors and security. They are lagging behind in using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). There is a lack of familiarity with changing technology - especially the Internet. Although the SMEs are making a fundamental contribution to Uganda's economy, they face serious challenges, such as insecurity, inadequate electricity, lack of trained information professionals and appropriate technology to access electronic information. The findings further indicate that respondents want business information to be selective to address their needs. The study concludes that the SMEs need an efficient, effective mechanism to provide the required business information. Hence, it is recommended that a business information system (BIS) design be implemented to address their needs. The BIS should provide business information in terms of legal, technical and economic information as well as contact information and management skills. Information should be processed by means of radio broadcasts, the telephone, short text messages, posters, online and CD-ROM formats - as required by the SMEs managers. To facilitate access, BIS should have telephone services; Internet-based services; online small business workshops; business start up assistant; and Talk to BIS services. BIS should have a flexible interface. / INFORMATION SCIENCE / DLITT ET PHIL (INF SCIENCE)