This study focusses on language and the communication of meaning within the ICT systems development project management environment. Neglecting to identify the importance of language within the multi-national and multi-cultural ICT project is a major risk to the success of the project. The diversity of the cultures and languages of the project’s human resources and the existence of language barriers are identified and proven as being risk factors that need to be managed as part of the project management plan. The author compiled a framework that incorporates guidelines and critical success factors for an ICT project to assist in identifying and managing specific problems and risks related to language and the communication of meaning within the project. This framework emphasizes the importance of communication that transfers meaning and not only information. / Dissertation (MCOM(Informatics))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Informatics / unrestricted

The target of the thesis will be to propose a business strategy for a company operating in the field of digital design with emphasis on the use of ICT support for the proposed strategy. The thesis is divided into three basic parts. The first one is the theoretical part which will outline the theoretical basis characterizing the strategy and its implementation in connection with ICT. The second part will be an analysis of the internal and external environment of the company in order to obtain the basis for decision-making in the design part of the thesis. The third, design part will be devoted to the definition of business strategy and implementation of ICT to support it.

The purpose of this study is to provide a content analysis of specific studies that involve sustainable information and communication technology (ICT) use in K-12 education in the U.S. The results from the content analysis were used to identify factors that may contribute to the sustainable implementation of technologies in K-12 instruction. Factors from specific studies from 2000 to 2018 that have implemented ICT in instruction for three years or more were analyzed. The findings from the analysis may be helpful in developing a conceptual framework listing possible sustainability factors for K-12 school districts using technology in instruction. The results may also be beneficial to educational policy makers, school administrators, and educational stakeholders.

The world in which organisations operate is undergoing radical transformations. Traditional strategy formulating techniques have become continuously more inadequate to develop robust strategies that are sufficiently agile to sustain the longevity of organisations in the modern business environment. Adding to this conundrum is the fact that over the past decade information and communications technology (ICT) has gained prominence as a key contributor that is revolutionising the ICT landscape through the rapid pace of innovative ICT products and the manner in which organisations conduct business in reaction to these ICT innovations. As an ostensible choice, managers are relying on ICT adoption as a means to close the gap that may exist between the organisation and its environment. The challenges facing managers include understanding the critical ICT adoption factors, identifying the priorities placed on ICT adoption factors by different levels of management and determining the factors that influence decision-makers in their selection for ICT adoption. In short, the challenge for managers is understanding the practical dynamics involved in strategising for ICT adoption. Strategy-as-practice (s-as-p) is ideally suited to address this challenge because it focuses on the micro-activities of individuals within organisations and exposes how their daily activities contribute towards strategising. Thus, s-as-p formed the framework for this study’s research. This study focuses on an individual case organisation and produces insight into the strategising activities of ICT adoption. The data-gathering instrument was in the form of an online questionnaire sent to the various levels of management and to individuals fulfilling organisational positions that contribute to decision-making. Three hundred and fifty two (352) respondents completed the questionnaire successfully. This study investigates, applies and tests the ICT adoption factors within the case organisation. This study’s empirical findings indicate that job context, levels of management, qualifications and managerial views all influence management’s ability in strategising for ICT adoption. The study contributes towards the s-as-p body of knowledge in confirming that significant information can be obtained by focusing on the micro-activities of aggregate individuals, and reveals how this information may contribute towards developing robust strategies by empowering decision-makers with an intimate understanding of their organisational operations. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2015 / Business Management / PhD / Unrestricted

ICT and related e-technologies have had an enormous impact, not only on people and people’s spaces in all parts of the world, but also on urban space dynamics, the form and function of urban spaces and urban space networks and economies, and urban planning in general. Due to the rapid development of ICT in recent years, it is expected that these impacts will become more severe, unpredictable and complex in the future. The main aim of this study is to explore the nature and properties of ICT, as well as the ways in which ICT and related e-technologies are influencing people, space and planning. The study, which is exploratory in nature, draws on a meta-research approach, supported by a conceptual research approach, in an attempt to arrive at some meta-synthesis and perspectives of the various related discourses, studies and theories on the subject matter. The study presents fresh perspectives on the challenges and dynamics of ICT, as well as the nature, extent and speed of the influence and impact (positive and negative) of ICT and related e-technologies on people’s spaces, human conduct, emotions, urban space dynamics and morphology, and urban space networks. In relation to this, evidence is provided of the power of ICT, the ways in which the dominant e-powers are controlling society, and how ICT has (em)powered people, spaces and planning. The study further highlights the complexity and challenges of the emerging hybrid e-spaces and networks, which have resulted from the merging of physical and virtual spaces and networks. The study in the end also presents some realities and future possibilities (and threats), for both urban and rural regions in South Africa, with specific reference to the impoverished communities in remote rural areas that have been isolated and excluded from ICT opportunities. This study has identified many gaps in the knowledge field and could create a new awareness, understanding and interest, not only amongst researchers, but also amongst the various role players involved with the planning, development and management of urban and rural regions. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Town and Regional Planning / PhD / Unrestricted

Personer som prokrastinerar på akademiska uppgifter tenderar att göra detta via sociala nätverkssidor, främst i en smartphone. Grunden i att förändra ett beteende är att vara medveten om det och förstå vad som behöver förändras, vilket är möjligt med hjälp av självmonitorering. Att därefter förändra beteendet kräver engagemang från individen för att skapa nya rutiner, detta med hjälp av övningar som ofta används inom kognitiv beteendeterapi. Denna studie syftar till att identifiera vilka designprinciper som bör vägleda utformningen av en mobilapplikation med syfte att stävja akademisk prokrastinering via sociala nätverkssidor. I denna studie har en designbaserad forskningsansats tillämpats där målgruppens tankar och behov har identifierats. Studien genomfördes med välkända metoder för User Experience Design där fokus genomsyras av att designa för en god användarupplevelse. Arbetsprocessen bestod av litteraturgenomgång, enkät, intervju, digital lo-fi prototyp, konceptutforskning, framtagning av designprinciper samt en digital hi-fi prototyp. Arbetets främsta bidrag är de itererade designprinciperna: 1. Stöd till uppsättning av mål och aktiviteter, 2. Motivera till slutförandet av mål, 3. Låt användare hjälpa varandra, 4. Ge belöningar för framsteg mot mål, 5. Låt användaren samla in data dagligen, 6. Presentera insamlad data på ett intuitivt sätt, 7. Främja för ett bättre studiefokus, 8. Använd restriktioner och minska den sociala pressen, 9. Ge värdefulla påminnelser och förslag, 10. Skapa en förståelse och trygghet samt 11. Anpassa applikationen till individen. Dessa designprinciper är ämnade att användas vid design av mobilapplikationer för stävjande av akademisk prokrastinering via sociala nätverkssidor där en god användarupplevelse upprätthålls. / People procrastinating on academic work tend to do this through social networking sites, primarily on their smartphones. To be able to change a behavior it is vital to be aware of it and understand what needs to be changed, which is possible with the help of self-monitoring. Subsequently, changing a behavior requires commitment from the individual to create new routines using exercises from the field of cognitive behavioral therapy. This study aims to identify which design principles should guide the design of a mobile application with the aim of reducing academic procrastination through social networking sites. In this study, a design-based research approach was applied with an emphasis on the target group's own thoughts and needs. Studies were conducted using well-known methods within User Experience Design where the focus is permeated by designing for a good user experience. The work process consisted of a literature survey, interview, digital lo-fi prototype, concept research, development of design principles and a digital hi-fi prototype. The main contribution of the work are the extracted design principles: 1. Support for goal setting and activities, 2. Motivate to the completion of tasks, 3. Let users help each other, 4. Provide rewards for progress toward the goal, 5. Allow the user to collect data daily, 6. Present the collected data in an intuitive way, 7. Promote a better study focus, 8. Use restrictions and reduce social pressures, 9. Provide valuable reminders and suggestions, 10. Create an understanding and security and 11. Customize the application to the individual. These design principles are intended to be used in the design of mobile applications for combating academic procrastination through social networking sites where a good user experience is maintained.

This master’s thesis is a contribution to the cross-disciplinary research project SitCit that addresses the issue of urban sustainable development. It aims to investigate how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be used to reduce the energy use and increase the energy demand flexibility in Stockholm’s Södermalm district. This study uses a bottom-up approach to model how ICT can change the energy use. The basis of the approach is the human activities that cause demand for services, delivered by different appliances, which in turn use energy to provide these services. The human activities are represented by Human Activity Systems (HAS) and the different appliances by Energy Usage Systems (EUS). A method for defining an energy system with a bottom-up approach was developed and used to build a conceptual model. Relevant ICT solutions were thereafter identified and described both technically and how they interact with the HAS, the EUS and the surroundings to change the energy use by means of automation, information and persuasion. It was also assessed how and when planning and implementation of ICT can be achieved, and who are the involved actors. The findings were compiled into an integrated qualitative model which was split into two parts, one that illustrates the interrelatedness of the different components expressed in terms of information flows, and one that shows who are the actors involved in the strategies to implement the various ICT solutions. Weaknesses in the bottom-up approach were identified and changes were suggested. The HAS should be split into human activities and what can be denoted “human” since most information flows due to ICT are not with the actual activities. The human can communicate through and with ICT. He or she can decide the activities and how much of them should be carried out, and is also the most important actor when it comes to the implementation of ICT. Furthermore, it was found that the coupling of HAS and EUS is weak, and time-use data and actual measurements on the energy use is therefore needed as input to a quantitative model. This study explains and illustrates how different ICT solutions work and how they can be implemented to change the energy use in an urban area. Together with the improvements in the bottom-up approach, and the methodological discussion, it can be used as groundwork for a quantitative model, or as a tool for decision makers to create and implement a strategy for urban sustainable development.

No description available.

The widespread diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and its integration in our day-to-day activities, has transformed our societies in different ways (Cachia, 2007).  The potential and current application of technology devices and computing applications for improving peoples’ quality life has become an important area of study for different think tanks; and subject of constant regulation and policies by governments and multilateral organizations. Thus, Benton and Glennie (2016) and Cachia et al. (2007) stress on the necessity of conducting studies on the performance of computing applications for improving people`s quality life, and for facilitating integration and inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers, in order to assess the use of ICT technologies for tackling social issues.  Due to the lack of studies oriented to assess the performance and impact of social computing applications on the integration processes of refugees in Europe; and the current importance of ICT platforms for addressing social issues, this research is designed for contributing on the debate upon the viability of implementing ICT solutions seeking to support integration processes in the region of kronoberg in Sweden.  The gap identified in the literature upon Information and Communication Technologies for Refugees (ICT4R) and social computing applications for integration, represent an opportunity for contributing with a deeper understanding about the viability and effectivity of these ICT solutions for supporting the integration process of refuges and asylum seekers in Europe. Hence, one of the most important experiences is currently implemented in Sweden, where the Migration Agency and Refugee Tech; “a non-profit organization that works to help new arrivals to orientate themselves in Swedish society” (Swedish Migration Agency, 2016), have jointed efforts to support and to give visibility to all computing applications designed for helping refugees and asylum seekers in the country.

Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE) has long been recognised as a potentially viable means for promoting and sustaining corporate competitiveness (Covin & Miles 1999). Turbulence and rapidly changing knowledge - especially in the Information and Communications Technology sector (ICT) - has forced companies to become more entrepreneurial in order to capitalise on new business opportunities and to create value. The research study was quantitative and data was collected through an online survey, which used closed-ended questionnaires. The questionnaires entail assessing the degree of CE in an organisation in relation to its performance. The analysis had 114 samples of companies in the ICT sector. The study indicated that there is a strong positive association between level of CE and company performance. Companies that sustain their businesses and are able to prosper are likely to have a high level of CE. The most important contribution of this study is the testing of CE theories in the South African context. The ICT managers can contribute to entrenching CE by being the champions in creating the environment that stimulates entrepreneurial behaviour.