Digitalization is a hot topic in the construction industry today, with more and more ICT-tools being used. Web-based project platforms, digital meetings and BIM have all existed for quite a while, however the progress in using them and exploring the potential takes time. ICT-tools are usually aimed to make the information flow and communication more efficient, which directly relates to the project manager in a construction project. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to understand how digital tools has affected the role of the client’s construction project manager over the last 5 years. The purpose is to gain knowledge on what consequences the use of digital tools such as BIM, digital project platforms and digital meetings has had on the role of the project manager and how they deal with the consequences. In this thesis, a qualitative study has been performed, where construction project managers were interviewed about their experiences of ICT-tools and the changes that has occurred over time. The findings were analyzed with a theoretical framework and discussed together with previous research and knowledge. The theoretical framework includes key aspects of leadership in project management and four main categories explaining how actors use ICT. The use of BIM was in particular analyzed using the Bew-Richards BIM maturity model. The study shows that there has been an increase in use of ICT-tools in construction projects over the last 5 years, and that there are both benefits and challenges for the project manager with all three types of digital tools that were in this study. BIM, digital project platforms and digital meetings. The primary benefits were shown to be that the tools increase timeefficiency in the project manager role and it facilitates communication. However, there is less personal contact with project team members and other challenges with getting project participants to the same use of the tools. To increase the significance of the benefits and decrease the negative consequences, the construction project manager should implement a leadership style focused on the human side, with more follow-ups, structure and routines. Technical knowledge about the ICT-tools is also beneficial to the project manager to have since it increases the possibility to guide the project team members in a good way. / Digitalisering är ett hett ämne i byggbranschen, med mer och mer ICT-verktyg som används. Webb-baserade projektplattformar, digitala möten och BIM har alla existerat ett tag nu, men utvecklingen av användandet och utforskningen av deras potential tar tid. ICT-verktyg är ofta avsedda för att effektivisera informationsflödet och kommunikationen, vilket relaterar till projektledaren i ett byggprojekt. Därför är ändamålet med det här examensarbetet att förstå hur digitala verktyg har påverkat byggprojektledarollen på beställarens sida, under de senaste 5 åren. Syftet är att få kunskap om vad för konsekvenser användningen av digitala verktyg så som BIM, digitala projektplattformar och digitala möten har medfört för en projektledare och hur de hanterar konsekvenserna. I det här examensarbetet har en kvalitativ studie gjorts där byggprojektledare intervjuades om deras erfarenheter av ICT-verktyg och de förändringar som har skett över tid. Resultaten analyserades med hjälp av ett teoretiskt ramverk och diskuterades tillsammans med tidigare forskning och kunskap. Det teoretiska ramverket inkluderar vissa nyckelaspekter av ledarskap inom projektledning och 4 huvudsakliga kategorier som beskriver hur aktörer använder ICT. Användningen av BIM var särskilt analyserad genom Bew-Richards model för BIM mognadsgrad. Studien visar att det har varit en ökning av användandet av ICT-verktyg i byggprojekt de senaste 5 åren, och att det är både fördelar och utmaningar för projektledaren med de tre typerna av digitala verktyg som var med i denna studie. BIM, digitala projektplattformar och digitala möten. De främsta fördelarna visade sig vara att verktygen ökar tidseffektiviteten i projektledarrollen och underlättar kommunikationen. Det blir dock mindre personlig kontakt med projektdeltagare och andra utmaningar med att få med projektdeltagare på samma användande av verktygen. För att öka betydelsen av fördelarna och minska de negativa konsekvenserna, borde projektledaren implementera en ledarskapsstil som är mer fokuserad på den mänskliga sidan, med mer uppföljningar, struktur och rutiner. Teknisk kunskap om ICT-verktygen är också fördelaktiga för projektledarna att ha eftersom det ökar möjligheten att vägleda medlemmarna i projektet in på rätt väg.

The objective of this research paper was to examine how effective communication can be perceived in construction projects by presenting an overview of the current proven methods and recorded experiences. The study was conducted by a combination of a literature review and qualitative data retrieval process that included questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. This examination process focused not only into the organizational structure but also into the project perspective. The findings present a general good performance in terms of organization and project communication as well as suggestions for communication improvement and can be used by researchers as future research in the area of successful construction project communication. / Syftet med rapporten är att undersöka synen på en effektiv komminikation på ett byggprojekt genom att presentera analys av befintliga metoder och dess utveckling med tiden. Studien har huvudsakligen utförts genom granskning av literaturstudier, kvalitativ enkätundersökning och intervjuer med berörda personer. Den utförda studien har inte enbart fokuserat på kommunikation inom organisation, utan har även studerat kommunikation inom projekt. Resultatet visar att det inte föreligger några större brister i kommunikation inom de studerade projekten. Den generella synen är att kommunikation fungerar bra. De synpunkter som har presenterats i rapporten ligger till grund för ett antal åtgärder som föreslås för att kunna uppnå ytterligare förbättrad kommunikation.

M. Tech. (Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become prevalent in our everyday business and personal lives. As such, users and organisations must know how to protect themselves against human errors that led to more companies losing or sharing information that should not be shared. The issue emanates from lack of ICT security culture both in individuals and organisations. This research is based on a wide theoretical review that is focused on proposing a conceptual model on technological, environmental and organisational factors that influence the adoption of ICT security culture and implementation in Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). Factors or determinants that influence the adoption of ICT security culture in SMMEs in the Gauteng province were investigated. Questionnaires were distributed to examine the perception of ICT security culture adoption among SMMEs in the Gauteng province South Africa. A sample of 647 individuals from different SMMEs in the Gauteng province returned the questionnaire. The results of the research study show that technological context (perceived benefits), environmental context (government regulations) and organisational context (management support) determinants have direct influence on the ICT security culture adoption. The recommendation is that information security awareness programmes must be put in place. Further research is recommended using more determinants that might have a positive impact toward the adoption of the ICT security culture. In order to minimize data breaches due to human error it is recommended that SMMEs around Gauteng Province in South Africa adopt the framework as outlined in this research study.

The telecom sector contributes to 1.6% of global emissions and is expanding to meet the increasing demand, raising concerns regarding energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This study investigates the potential of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technology to decrease the operating carbon footprint and additionally aid to reach NetZero goals by 2040. A comparative case study with a network located in an African country evaluated the Mobile Switching Center Server (MSC-S) in a Physical Network Function (PNF) versus NFV deployment. To evaluate the results a Green ICT evaluation framework has been utilized, containing three sections Green ICT Strategy, Green ICT Practice, and Green ICT Measure, and has been adjusted to fit the context of the case. Initial results showed that the MSC-S with the NFV deployment consumes significantly more energy than the previous PNF solution. This was suspected to be a consequence of non-optimized hardware utilization. In a scenario analysis, it was shown that increased hardware efficiency for the NFV technology leads to lower operating energy consumption. However, the derived configurations could potentially lead to redundancy and service issues. The results from both the base case and scenario analysis were further evaluated with the refined framework. A final framework was suggested considering Green ICT Learnings and Contextual factors to facilitate the evaluation and strategy for future Green ICT initiatives. / Telekomsektorn bidrar till 1,6% av de globala koldioxidutsläppen och expanderar för att möta den ökande efterfrågan, vilket bidragit till en större oro kring energiförbrukning och CO2-utsläpp. Denna studie undersöker potentialen hos NFV teknik för att minska det operativa koldioxidavtrycket samt bidra till att uppnå NetZero-målen 2040. I en jämförande fallstudie av ett telekomnätverk i ett afrikanskt land utvärderades en MSC-S applikation i en PNF kontra NFV installation. För att utvärdera resultaten har ett utvärderingsramverk för Grön ICT använts, som innehåller tre delar: Grön ICT-strategi, Grön ICT-praktik och Grön ICT-mått. Vidare har ramverket anpassats för att kunna appliceras på fallstudien. Resultaten från den initiala basfallsstudien visade att MSC-S med NFV-utbyggnaden förbrukar betydligt mer energi än den tidigare PNF-lösningen. Detta misstänktes vara en konsekvens av en icke-optimerad hårdvaruanvändning. I en scenarioanalys visades att ökad hårdvarueffektivitet för NFV-tekniken leder till lägre driftsenergiförbrukning. De föreslagna konfigurationerna, med högre hårdvarueffektivitet, bidrar visserligen till potentiella redundans- och serviceproblem. Resultaten från både basfalls- och scenarioanalysen utvärderades ytterligare med det förfinade ramverket för Grön ICT. Ett slutligt ramverk föreslogs som tog hänsyn till Gröna ICT-lärdommar och kontextuella faktorer. Syftet med det slutgiltiga ramverket är att underlätta utvärdering av strategier för framtida Gröna ICT-initiativ

Access, use and ownership of mobile phones is increasing rapidly in Tanzania, as in the rest of Africa. It is estimated that a staggering 97% of the population are able to access a mobile phone, according to a study carried out by the Centre for Economic Policy Research and Vodafone. The growing number of people using mobile phones has led to optimism and speculation regarding its effect on economic and social development. Expectations from mobile phones are high and it has already been coined as Africa’s PC. Expectations are further fuelled by sensationalist headlines in the media such as, Mobile phones join war on African poverty, The mobile revolution sweeps across Africa or Cell phones the latest tool in Africa's fight against HIV and is shaping the discourse on mobile phones for development (M4D). This study was carried out between January and March 2010 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and funded by SPIDER, The Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions and commissioned by Femina HIP (Health Information Project) a Tanzanian multimedia civil society initiative that expressed desire for research to be conducted on mobile phones and SMS (Short Messages Service) in Tanzania. This paper contains data from three group interviews and one quantitative survey that was completed by 97 youths. The empirical material gathered is discussed in relation to empowerment and participation, two concepts that have become mainstreamed in development theory and practice and in communication for development. The paper is structured as following. The first chapter provides the aim and purpose of the study as well as its delimitations. The second chapter discusses mobile phones for development while critically looking at the M4D and ICT4D discourse. Also incorporated in this chapter is an example of a mobile phone project that was started in Bangladesh in the late 1990s and is used as an example to represent the empowerment narrative in M4D. A short discussion on this sentiment will conclude the second part. In the third chapter I present my theory. I take a critical look at empowerment and participation, two concepts that have gained, one can say, a moral authority that effectively hides power relations amongst participants, facilitators and donors in development projects. In the fourth chapter I discuss my methodology and how I gathered my material. In the fifth part I present my data and in the last chapter I analyse the empirical material by applying the framework of participation and empowerment. I also discuss what an organisation such as Femina HIP could gain from incorporating mobile phones into their communication strategy.

Ambient Intelligence (AmI) refers to a vision of the information society where everyday human environments will be permeated by intelligent technology: people will be surrounded and accompanied by intelligent interfaces supported by computing and wireless networking technology that is ubiquitous, embedded in virtually all kinds of everyday objects. These computationally augmented, smart environments - composed of a myriad of invisible, distributed, networked, connected, interactive, and always-on computing devices - are aware of human context; sensitive to people's needs; adaptive to, and anticipatory of, their behavior; personalized to their requirements; and responsive to their emotion and presence, thereby intelligently supporting their daily and social lives by providing limitless services in a seamless and unobtrusive way. The vision of AmI assumes a paradigmatic shift in both computing and society – far-reaching societal implications. The challenge lies in developing AmI forms that acclimatise to societal change and the diversity of European socio-cultural life. Indeed, one of the most fundamental views in the prevailing AmI vision is a radical and technology-driven change to social environments and people’s lives. Research emphasizes the fundamental role the ISTAG, a group of scholars and ICT industry experts, plays in the reproduction of AmI as a positive force for societal change. Therefore, the objective of this study is to carry out a critical reading of the scholarly and ICT industry’s construction of AmI in relation to societal transformation. To achieve this objective, a discourse analytical approach was employed to examine the selected empirical material: three reports published by the ISTAG in 2001, 2003 and 2006. The approach consists of seven stages: (1) surface elements and organizational structure, (2) discursive constructions, (3) social actors, (4) language and rhetoric, (5) framing as power and operation, (6) positioning and legitimation, and (7) ideological viewpoints.The AmI discourse (vision) construction tends to be deterministic, i.e. it assumes that the ‘amization’ of society will lead to radical social transformations, and has an unsophisticated account of how social change occurs. It is also inclined to be rhetorical - it promises revolutionary social changes without really having a holistic strategy for achieving the goal. Moreover, topicalization is accomplished in correspondence with the preferred mental models and social representations. Furthermore, the discourse is exclusionary: many issues (pertaining to trust, social sustainability, human-centred design, healthcare, and community life) are left out with the intention to advance the idea of the eventual societal acceptance of AmI. It additionally plays a role in wider processes of legitimation of social agents and structures on the basis of normative and political reasons, and it offers different subject positions: between ISTAG and Europe and European citizens, and between citizens and ICT designers and producers. Likewise, it plays a major role in constructing the image of social actors – ISTAG, ICT industry, research community and EU – as well as in defining their relations and identities in ways that reallocate roles and reflect new attributes. A great highlight and space is awarded to represent these actors, and their views dominate the reports. They are the prime definer of the represented reality. As to ideological reproduction, the discourse perpetuates power relations, serves the interest of certain stakeholders in European society, and reconstructs ideological claims. This discursive endeavor provides a valuable reference for social researchers or scientists in related research communities. Until now, there has been, to the best of one’s knowledge, no comprehensive discursive research of AmI in relation to societal transformation, more specifically the potential of AmI in modernizing the European social model and in shaping Europe’s future.

The constant and rapid change in technology is creating opportunities as well as challenges for schools. School leaders need to embrace the use of information communication technology (ICT) to enhance the effectiveness of management in a school. A great deal of concern, however, is the ineffective use of ICT in school management. Although some school leaders are aware of the multiple advantages of the use of ICT in school management, they do not incorporate it in the management of the school. Research has identified that one of the main advantages and opportunities for the use of ICT in school management is that it is less time consuming because it reduces paper work. The ineffective use of ICT in school management seems to be even more of a problem in rural and township primary schools. The White Paper on e-Education states that “every South African manager, teacher and learner in the general and further education and training bands will be ICT capable” by 2013. The most important finding is that, despite the increase in educational and technological development of information communication technology in South Africa, school leaders are still not capable of using ICT effectively to manage their schools. Even though the use of technology is encouraged, it is not used efficiently by school leaders to manage their schools. Literature indicates that little research has been done as yet regarding the use of ICT by school leaders in school management. In the light of the above-mentioned, the need arises to determine and understand what the training needs of school leaders are for them to effectively use ICT in managing their schools. The aim of the research was firstly, to determine the importance of the use of ICT in the management of schools. Secondly, to establish the role ICT currently plays in the management of schools. Lastly, to determine the specific training needs of school leaders for them to effectively use ICT in managing their schools. In this research qualitative methodology was used which is embedded in the interpretive paradigm. The qualitative strategy of inquiry was phenomenological. The qualitative approach attempted to examine personal experiences and viewpoints of interviewed school leaders with regards to their training needs concerning the use of ICT in school management. The method of data collection was individual semi-structured interviews, based on the literature review. Interviews were recorded by the researcher using an audio recorder. The trustworthiness of the collected data was ensured. Collected data was transcribed and analysed by means of the computer software programme Atlas ti™. The main findings of the research include: - Findings with regard to the importance of the use of ICT in the management of schools. ICT is an important tool that makes school management easier and less time consuming. - Findings with regards to the current role ICT plays in school management. Even though school leaders realise the importance of the use of ICT, it does not play an important role in school management. The most important role ICT currently plays in school management is merely communication. - Findings with regards to training needed by school leaders in the use of ICT in the management of schools. School leaders need ICT training starting from basic courses to more advanced ICT courses in all aspects of ICT, software and hardware included. Finally, recommendations are made to assist school leaders to obtain the necessary skills and knowledge regarding the use of ICT in the management of schools. Training needs of school leaders regarding the use of ICT should be addressed in training programmes which are specifically designed for leadership. Courses should be short, hands-on and aimed at developing ICT skills for use in school management. Follow-up and refreshment courses need to be presented on a regular basis, while progress is monitored regularly. / PhD, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The field of knowledge sharing, especially within the context of ICT, is a fairly new field of study. This limits the extent to which research can be used to facilitate the practical application of KS and KM interventions. This study attempted to establish a standardised measuring instrument, which could be used to benchmark an organisation and organisational disciplines against industry peers. This study will assist organisations with the identification of intervention opportunities for implementing KM using ICT. The general organisational KT culture, its ICT proficiency and the factors which might constrain the effective transfer and management of knowledge were assessed and identified. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The constant and rapid change in technology is creating opportunities as well as challenges for schools. School leaders need to embrace the use of information communication technology (ICT) to enhance the effectiveness of management in a school. A great deal of concern, however, is the ineffective use of ICT in school management. Although some school leaders are aware of the multiple advantages of the use of ICT in school management, they do not incorporate it in the management of the school. Research has identified that one of the main advantages and opportunities for the use of ICT in school management is that it is less time consuming because it reduces paper work. The ineffective use of ICT in school management seems to be even more of a problem in rural and township primary schools. The White Paper on e-Education states that “every South African manager, teacher and learner in the general and further education and training bands will be ICT capable” by 2013. The most important finding is that, despite the increase in educational and technological development of information communication technology in South Africa, school leaders are still not capable of using ICT effectively to manage their schools. Even though the use of technology is encouraged, it is not used efficiently by school leaders to manage their schools. Literature indicates that little research has been done as yet regarding the use of ICT by school leaders in school management. In the light of the above-mentioned, the need arises to determine and understand what the training needs of school leaders are for them to effectively use ICT in managing their schools. The aim of the research was firstly, to determine the importance of the use of ICT in the management of schools. Secondly, to establish the role ICT currently plays in the management of schools. Lastly, to determine the specific training needs of school leaders for them to effectively use ICT in managing their schools. In this research qualitative methodology was used which is embedded in the interpretive paradigm. The qualitative strategy of inquiry was phenomenological. The qualitative approach attempted to examine personal experiences and viewpoints of interviewed school leaders with regards to their training needs concerning the use of ICT in school management. The method of data collection was individual semi-structured interviews, based on the literature review. Interviews were recorded by the researcher using an audio recorder. The trustworthiness of the collected data was ensured. Collected data was transcribed and analysed by means of the computer software programme Atlas ti™. The main findings of the research include: - Findings with regard to the importance of the use of ICT in the management of schools. ICT is an important tool that makes school management easier and less time consuming. - Findings with regards to the current role ICT plays in school management. Even though school leaders realise the importance of the use of ICT, it does not play an important role in school management. The most important role ICT currently plays in school management is merely communication. - Findings with regards to training needed by school leaders in the use of ICT in the management of schools. School leaders need ICT training starting from basic courses to more advanced ICT courses in all aspects of ICT, software and hardware included. Finally, recommendations are made to assist school leaders to obtain the necessary skills and knowledge regarding the use of ICT in the management of schools. Training needs of school leaders regarding the use of ICT should be addressed in training programmes which are specifically designed for leadership. Courses should be short, hands-on and aimed at developing ICT skills for use in school management. Follow-up and refreshment courses need to be presented on a regular basis, while progress is monitored regularly. / PhD, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The field of knowledge sharing, especially within the context of ICT, is a fairly new field of study. This limits the extent to which research can be used to facilitate the practical application of KS and KM interventions. This study attempted to establish a standardised measuring instrument, which could be used to benchmark an organisation and organisational disciplines against industry peers. This study will assist organisations with the identification of intervention opportunities for implementing KM using ICT. The general organisational KT culture, its ICT proficiency and the factors which might constrain the effective transfer and management of knowledge were assessed and identified. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015