This paper investigates how people return to information in a dynamic information environment. For example, a person might want to return to Web content via a link encountered earlier on a Web page, only to learn that the link has since been removed. Changes can benefit users by providing new information, but they hinder returning to previously viewed information. The observational study presented here analyzed instances, collected via a Web search, where people expressed difficulty re-finding information because of changes to the information or its environment. A number of interesting observations arose from this analysis, including that the path originally taken to get to the information target appeared important in its re-retrieval, whereas, surprisingly, the temporal aspects of when the information was seen before were not. While people expressed frustration when problems arose, an explanation of why the change had occurred was often sufficient to allay that frustration, even in the absence of a solution. The implications of these observations for systems that support re-finding in dynamic environments are discussed.

Orientador: João Pedro Albino / Banca: Mauro César Silveira / Banca: Antônio Carlos de Jesus / Resumo: Com a popularização da Internet como meio de difusão de informações, a transformação do jornalismo foi sentida em várias vertentes, como na técnica de produção, captação e difusão da notícia, estilo da escrita, e nas possibilidades disponibilizadas pelo novo meio de comunicação. A transposição do fazer jornalístico impresso ao on-line se deu devido à novidade que a Internet trouxe como meio, sem a definição de estilo. No entanto, houve a necessidade de o jornalismo on-line assumir sua própria técnica e forma; primeiramente utilizando as potencialidades que a rede oferece como o hipertexto, multimídia, interatividade, personalização, memória e instantaneidade para se tornar diferente. A partir da conceituação do jornalismo praticado na Internet, com enfoque no modelo de portal local, este trabalho mapeou o ciberespaço de Mato Grosso do Sul quanto à existência de portais jornalísticos independentes e discutiu a gestão da informação no maior portal do Estado, o Campo Grande News. A gestão da informação foi aplicada sob o enfoque da comunicação e abordou os processos de produção da notícia. O estudo de caráter exploratório utilizou como técnica de coleta de dados, a observação direta do funcionamento do site na Internet e entrevistas com proprietário, funcionários e jornalistas do portal, abordando três grandes questões de análise: planejamento, comunicação e tecnologia. Por fim, esta pesquisa indicou a tendência dos portais locais na Internet, bem como teceu considerações quanto ao modelo explorado atualmente / Abstract: With the popularization of internet as a mean of information diffusion, the transformation of journalism was felt in several directions, such as in production techniques, news catching and diffusion, writing style, and also in the possibilities made available by the new medium of communication. The transposition of press journalism into on-line journalism occurred because of the novelty brought by internet as a medium, with no definition of style. However, on-line journalism had to assume its own technique and form, at first by using the potentialities offered by the net, such as hypertext, multimedia, interactiviy, personalization, memory and instantaneity, in order to become different. From the concept of internet journalism, focusing on the model of local portal, this paper mapped Mato Grosso do Sul's cyberspace as to the existence of independent journalistic portals and discussed the information management in the State's largest portal, Campo Grande News. Information management was applied under the focus of communication and approached the processes of news production. The techniques of data collection used by this exploratory study was direct observation of the site working on the internet and interviews with the portal owner, employees and journalists, focusing on three major issues: planning, communication and technology. At last, this study indicated the trend of local portals on the internet, as well as drew some considerations as to the model currently explored / Mestre

Orientador: Antonio Carlos de Jesus / Banca: Nelyse Apparecida Melro Salzedas / Banca: Maria Cristina Gobbi / Resumo: Considerando que os estudos sobre a produção de revistas especializadas, ainda não tem conhecimento científico solidamente produzido, apresento nesta dissertação relato fruto de pesquisa bibliográfica e de campo sobre o processo de gestão da informação, mais especificamente da criação a recepção da revista todateen, destinada ao publico adolescente, com uma singular característica, produzida integralmente no interior do Estado de São Paulo e uma das publicações da área de maior tiragem. O estudo objetiva também, demonstrar o funcionamento do processo de gestão da informação na produção de mídia impressa e especializada. A dissertação se estruturou com pesquisa histórica, bibliográfica e documental para assegurar o seu desenvolvimento estruturado em três partes: aspectos históricos e evolutivos das revistas no Brasil, a origem e o desenvolvimento da Editora Astral, o espaço contextual da produção e finalmente o processo de gestão da informação na revista todateen. Portanto a principal contribuição desta dissertação é demonstrar, pelo foco da gestão da informação, os processos pelos quais as informações passam até transforma-se em conhecimento disponibilizado no mercado editorial, através do seu conteúdo aqui demonstrado e analisado. / Abstract: The present work objectified to demonstrate as the process of information management in the production of a printed media, specifically, the magazine todateen. The research if structuralized, mainly, in the bibliographical research and registers, collating the historical moment for which had passed the magazines since that they had started in Brazil, until the present. Also to describe, minutely, the birth and the trajectory of the Alto Astral publishing company in its 19 years of existence, as well as following the trajectory of the magazine todateen, object of this study. The main contribution of this research was to demonstrate, for the focus of the information management, which the processes for which the information passes until changedding itself into knowledge, through its articles and sections, and being placed to its readers. / Mestre

Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl / The core traditional functions of the library namely collecting, processing, disseminating, storing and the utilization of documented information in order to supply information services and resources, have changed. In the information / knowledge society era, the library manages both external and internal knowledge of the host organization. This can be achieved through the process of collection of relevant information, processing, organizing and dissemination to ensure that information / knowledge contents housed in the library are retrievable and accessible to the targeted audience, using various dissemination channels. Librarians ensure that the targeted audiences are equipped with the skills to locate, evaluate, and use available and useful information / knowledge effectively, by providing information literacy training to them. Studies have found the visibility of librarians in the knowledge management environment to be very low and the utilization of their skills to be minimal. Therefore, this study investigated the practice of knowledge management by ministerial librarians in Namibia. The study relied on the Bukowitz and Williams Knowledge Management (KM) framework (2000). This framework is appropriate to the study because it consists of different stages (GET, USE, LEARN, CONTRIBUTE, ASSESS, BUILD / SUSTAIN, AND DIVEST) that address the themes of the focus of the study,thus making it relevant to effective and efficient knowledge management in an enterprise such as the government ministries.The method of data collection and analysis employed was qualitative, with semi structured interviews. The results of the study revealed that few ministerial librarians are practicing knowledge management by ensuring that they are identifying, capturing, evaluating, retrieving, and sharing the ministry’s knowledge/information assets, for it to add value and improve the performance of employees as they contribute to the strategic missions of the ministries. Viewed from that perspective, the findings reveal some barriers which prohibit ministerial librarians to effectively practice knowledge management, which among of them include: inadequate training; limited resources for ICT infrastructure adaption and purchasing of resources meeting the needs of the ministry; staffing shortage, bureaucratic system, and others. Based on the findings, the researcher therefore recommends that certain measures need to be put in place to address the short comings to effective knowledge management so that ministerial librarians are able to render services to their users for them to become independent lifelong learners.

Assuming that Africa is serious in its intent to become a developed role player in the global world, then information and the way in which it is managed is of critical concern. This study is inter alia informed by the need for an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to information management integrating relevant aspects and characteristics of human beings as well as aspects of the life and culture, economy and ecology of a community with sustainable development, and by the notion that information is a crucial resource in development projects. The study responds to the acute need for trained information managers/agents in development projects and aims to develop an information management model to be used in development projects in Africa. Chapter one identifies the problem to be investigated, the objectives to be attained, the research methodology to be followed, and the significance of research into development in Africa. This is placed within a theoretical framework focusing on managing information flows in developing communities. Chapter two focuses on the present status of development policies and conditions in Africa. It seeks to facilitate understanding of current development initiatives, particularly where these relate to information management and its interrelationship with coordinating development agencies such as the African Union, NEPAD and the Africa Peer Review Mechanism. The importance of information management as a holistic approach to long-term sustainable development in Africa is highlighted. Chapter three focuses on information management as a core concept in development. The basic management activities of the proposed integrated and multidisciplinary model for information management are described. The use of organisational development theory in a community context is proposed as a means to integrate project management principles with the needs of communities affected by development processes and projects, so as enable communities to accept development and change. The need for awareness of socio-cultural tensions emerging in communities during development processes is discussed in Chapter four. Reference is made to sixteen cultural elements guiding the activities in communities and influencing development and/or information, as well as the interaction between these during development and change processes. In this, human development is defined as a process of personal change, growth and advancement through processes involving the acquisition of knowledge, development of the capability to make decisions and to participate in the activities of a community. Chapter five proposes a three-part model for information management in development, which serves as a holistic, integrated and multi-disciplinary tool for information managers and agents in development projects in Africa. The model proposes three categories of (circular) information flow during development process to ensure an all-stakeholder focus, namely, (i) initiation and introduction of the development project, (ii) strategy and management information (iii) facilitation of consultation processes in the communities with subsequent inclusion of local and indigenous knowledge. The chapter indicates that the facilitation of the circular flow of information is a main responsibility of the information manager. Chapter six evaluates the contribution of the study and identifies new opportunities to further the objectives of this study. Copyright 2007, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Bester, BC 2007, A proposed multi-disciplinary and integrated model for managing the flow of information in development projects in Africa, MIS dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-04212008-082240 / > / Dissertation (MIS (Information Science))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Information Science / unrestricted

Magister Commercii (Information Management) - MCom(IM) / The Public Sector encounters great challenges in its attempts to strengthen its public services. Public servants are in need of accurate and up-to-date information that can be readily accessible. They need information to be made available for effective and efficient decision-making. In order to improve service delivery, the Public Sector must aim to reach its objectives by increasing and improving accountability, transparency, efficiency, productivity and quality of services. This study focuses on factors, which influence information management in a Public Sector Department in an effective way to manage information properly. An extensive literature review was conducted of information, the role of information management, the possible critical failure and success factors of information management. This led to the discovery of four main categories for critical failure factors: (i) people; (ii) process; (iii) policy and; (iv) technology; and three categories for critical success factors: (i) organizational culture; (ii) top management support; and (iii) strategies. A conceptual model was then developed for these categories with seventeen factors. This model was subsequently tested in the empirical setting of the studied Public Sector Department in South Africa by utilising a qualitative approach through the case-study method. The findings suggest that the following factors would impact the successful implementation of an information management initiative for this Public Sector Department: information management; change management and communication strategies; culture; roles of responsibility for information; information lifecycle process; and information management policy. The intended audience for this study includes both academics and practitioners, as it introduces a conceptual model, as well as guidelines to implement these factors for information management in a Public Sector Department.

Submitted to the faculty of the University Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in the School of Informatics, Indiana University June 2005 / The large volume of data generated by commercial and research laboratories, along with requirements mandated by regulatory agencies, have forced companies to use laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to improve efficiencies in tracking, managing samples, and precisely reporting test results. However, most general purpose LIMS do not provide an interface to automatically collect data from analytical instruments to store in a database. A scientific data management system (SDMS) provides a “Print-to-Database” technology, which facilitates the entry of reports generated by instruments directly into the SDMS database as Windows enhanced metafiles thus to minimize data entry errors. Unfortunately, SDMS does not allow performing further analysis. Many LIMS vendors provide plug-ins for single instrument but none of them provides a general purpose interface to extract the data from SDMS and store in LIMS. In this project, a general purpose middle layer named LabTechie is designed, built and tested for seamless integration between instruments, SDMS and LIMS. This project was conducted at American Institute of Technology (AIT) Laboratories, an analytical laboratory that specializes in trace chemical measurement of biological fluids. Data is generated from 20 analytical instruments, including gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometer (LC/MS), and currently stored in NuGenesis SDMS iv (Waters, Milford, MA). This approach can be easily expanded to include additional instruments.

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the Masters Degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Zululand in the Department of Library and Information Science, South Africa, 2011. / This study investigated the feasibility of providing Library and Information Management higher education and training locally in Swaziland. It aimed to determine if it is possible and necessary for Swaziland to be involved in the education and training of its own Library and Information Management professionals within the country. The study was centered on two major concerns facing the country with respect to Library and Information Management practice. These were the dependence of the country on foreign schools to acquire higher education and training, and the required funding to import such education and training into the country. Also highlighted were issues of the relevance of the imported education and training and major concerns concerning funding for higher education and training in other countries. The study had seven objectives as follows: • To investigate the state of Library and Information Management higher education and training in Swaziland • To determine if there is a need for the local higher education and training of candidates to the profession and existing professionals in Swaziland • To investigate whether or not there is a market for Library and Information Management professionals to be educated and trained in Swaziland • To investigate the availability of infrastructure that is required for providing higher education and training in Library and Information Management in Swaziland • To establish the challenges and opportunities of providing Library and Information Management higher education and training in the country • To determine the feasibility of providing Library and Information Management higher education and training in Swaziland with respect to cost, relevance and human resources • To determine the role of major stakeholders, such as the government and the Library and Information Professional Association, in providing local higher education and training in Library and Information Management The study targeted five population groups as follows: • Prospective entrants to the Library and Information Management profession • Existing and practicing Library and Information Management employees • Job advertisements for Library and Information Management personnel • Existing and potential employers of Library and Information Management employees • Training institutions likely to host Library and Information Management higher education and training In this study, both qualitative and quantitative data was obtained using survey questionnaires, interviews, content analysis, and observation. Questionnaires gathered data from prospective entrants to the profession of Library and Information Management and existing employees in the profession. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with current and potential employers in the government and major Library and Information Management service organizations. Content analysis of newspaper advertisements for the job market in Library and Information Management was performed on two v local dailies spanning a period of four years (2005 - 2008). Observation was conducted in two higher education institutions to check whether or not they were capable of hosting Library and Information Management education. Prospective entrants, employees, employers and the training institutions highly favoured higher education in Library and Information Management within the country. 155 (64 %) of the prospective entrants expressed their willingness to join the profession of Library and Information Management and pursue higher education, and this could increase to 196 (81 %) with effective marketing campaigns that would woe the 41 (17 %) who were undecided / flexible prospective entrants. Many employees also expressed their desire for local higher education in Library and Information Management. The employees – most with foreign-acquired qualifications – desired to further their higher education and training in the local environment. Employers also continuously emphasized the feasibility of hosting higher education in Library and Information Management in Swaziland. The employers suggested that Swaziland must first introduce diploma programs before proceeding to degree levels. The government as a stakeholder ensured its financial support in sponsoring the pursuit of local higher education in Library and Information Management by local candidates. Both of the visited higher education institutions were suitable in terms of infrastructure. The University of Swaziland displayed more infrastructure and resources and is suitable for both graduate and postgraduate programs. Mananga’s infrastructure and resources could host a diploma and certificate program in Library and Information Management. Content analysis was performed on 98 newspaper advertisements obtained from 2084 papers. The percentage of the obtained advertisements against the total number of papers scanned was low at 9 %. This would suggest low feasibility, but only if the expectation is that job advertisements for a profession would run every day in a local newspaper. Employers in Library and Information Management, however, insisted on the availability of jobs in the local market and highlighted several positive indicators of a growing market in this profession. It was recommended that in hosting programs, the duplication of hosting institutions should be avoided for a small country like Swaziland, and stakeholder participation and involvement should be maintained for the continued success of the education programs. Relevance should also be fairly addressed and balanced for the local, regional and international applicability of locally acquired qualifications. Tracer studies on the usefulness of the educational programs against changing needs of the market would be necessary, and within the first five years, assessments should be conducted in order to positively influence the programs.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Masters of Commerce in Management, 2018 / This study sought to contribute to a further convergence between three topical research areas: Personal Knowledge Management (PKM), Individual Work Performance (IWP) and SelfPerceived Employability (SPE). Specifically, this study investigated the moderating effect of SPE on the relationship between PKM and IWP. PKM is an interdisciplinary concept, connected with management science, information science; information technology and other disciplines. The shift from the industrial economy to the knowledge economy has contributed to the surfacing of the knowledge-based view of the organisations and the emergence of the concept of knowledge workers or “people who think for a living” (Davenport, 2005). Knowledge workers are individuals who possess or seek to develop unique cognitive competencies and skills built upon effective PKM. While it has been acknowledged in the literature that PKM encompasses a competency aspect on the one hand and a technological perspective on the other hand, the overall reflection conducted in this study claimed to be skills/competencies centric. In that regard, a competency model developed by Kirby (2005, 2008) comprising of four-fold dimensions was used in this study to measure PKM. These four dimensions include analytical competencies (ANL), social competencies (SOC), information competencies (INF) and learning competencies (LRN). The construct of IWP relates to the individual behaviours or actions displayed by knowledge workers which are relevant to the goals of the organisation. This implies that IWP focuses on behaviours or actions of workers rather than the results of these actions. In addition, these behaviours should be under the control of the individual, thus excluding behaviours that are constrained by the environment. IWP was measured using the three components relevant to the IWP namely task performance (TSK), contextual performance (CON) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Employability concerns the extent to which people possess the skills and other attributes to find and stay in the kind of work they want. Such individuals are assumed to display a greater propensity to IWP. SPE is relating to a self-assessment of the employees as to how the organisation they are working for value them as individuals. Most importantly, SPE is associated with v individuals’ self-perception of their merit based more on their personal competencies than features of their occupation. Through a review of relevant literature this study discussed how PKM impacts IWP, and how SPE can potentially impact that relationship. This study used a sample of working professional students studying at Wits Plus (the University of the Witwatersrand’s centre for part-time studies), Wits Business School and Wits School of Governance and will perform Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and hierarchical regression for data analysis. / XL2019

Collaborative engineering assumes a common understanding of the domain. To make joint decisions the engineers must have a common language to start from. Standards such as STEP may be used to communicate engineering data but to speak about information integration and interoperability there must be ways to expose and share concepts as well. By defining the concepts in a reference data library it is possible to extend the generic information models with a more precise definition of the content being exchanged. However, since concepts are depending on the context (the business) they have to be identified and defined. Thus, to reach this level of integration we must take a broader approach to information modelling incorporating product realization concepts into our modelling effort. This thesis presents a new reference model for manufacturing applications. It shows how the business may be modelled to identify the product realization concepts and how to foster a shared understanding of the information being exchanged using available technology. The reference model has been used and verified when developing the PIL application; a kind of engineering process support system for machine procurement, but may also be used in a wider sense when developing the next generation of model driven solutions. / QC 20101118