The construction industry's environment is continually changing. Employees are now more geographically widespread and diverse, both culturally and educationally, than ever before. A great deal of research has been carried out on knowledge acquisition and storage, but there is still a distinct lack of research into knowledge presentation and communication. Information and knowledge presentation play a significant role in daily decision-making processes, when inappropriate decisions may result from inaccurate or poorly communicated information. The simplified, filtered coherent presentation of explicit knowledge can be instrumental to a successful, profitable and safety conscious business. Wates Construction is a major construction company and employs around 1300 people directly, as well as various subcontractors on different projects. Their current turn over is around £1billion, they are based in the UK and have branches in Ireland and Abu Dhabi. Wates realised their existing information system was inefficiently conveying information to its employees and the need to provide a simplified system, to assist staff's decision-making processes. Earlier IT professionals' attempts to make the system more usable had made no significant difference to its performance.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2004. / "Submitted as fulfilling the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree"-- t.p. "March 2004" Includes bibliographic references.

Thesis "Economics and Information" advances a consistent theoretic concept of information as part of economic theory. In contrast of contemporary semantic confusions about information in economics this thesis tries to build a meaningful theory based on classical economic studies and conception of information in system theory. The first part is concerned with methodological foundation and contemporary methodological problems of information in economic theory. These issues are crucial for presenting methodological individualism and subjectivism as fundamental approach to understanding role of information in social sciences. This leads to human action as basic framework for studying information. Next part of the thesis describes few basic approaches to information in economics. In comparison with neoclassical views like information asymmetry this thesis propose own praxeology based concept of information. This concept shows information in its duality as a resource of human activities, but also as objective of human action. This duality as resource and objective connect information to concepts of interpretation, knowledge and dynamic processes. The final part of the thesis applies theoretical concepts to economic policy issues and institutional problems.

Vortrag anlässlich des Doktoranden-Kolloquiums des UNESCO-Lehrstuhls für Internationale Beziehungen am 23. Juli 2012 im Lingnerschloss Dresden. Die westliche Gesellschaft befindet sich im Übergang von der Industrie- zur Wissensgesellschaft – so lautet eine der bekanntesten Thesen der aktuellen Gesellschaftstheorie. Dabei ist es in erster Linie der Umgang mit Wissen, der die Grundlage für die Bearbeitung aktueller Herausforderungen auf nationaler wie internationaler Ebene darstellt.

Projects are a common method in the work of closing the gap between the majority society and the Roma people. As a national minority in Sweden, the Roma people are entitled to certain rights of participation within this work. This thesis aims to analyze five projects, meant to work towards the Roma people’s inclusion, to answer how the concepts of empowerment and intersectionality are expressed or implicitly embodied within them. It is also questioned how the projects have considered the Roma people’s perceptions of their own situation and context. By using content analysis together with the theoretical framework, it is possible to bring light to these concepts, as well as to find key variables in order to answer the research questions. The main findings show that while the projects lacked in using an intersectional approach, the concept has important analytical tools which could be helpful in order to include the vulnerable persons within the Roma groups and to work with more sensitive issues. Some levels of empowerment is also found in the projects, both as a goal and as a means.However, in order to empower the Roma people, the majority society would have to give more decision power to the group. Thus the projects have not reached the potential they could have had in contributing to the shift which has been set in motion towards letting the Roma people develop the perspective of the work as well as be part of the execution.

La connaissance, parce qu'elle est le résultat de l'interprétation par un individu d'une information, ne peut pas toujours être manipulée comme un objet. C'est en filtrant au travers de nos schémas d'interprétation les informations qui nous parviennent que nous créons des connaissances. La commensurabilité des schémas d'interprétation est un concept abstrait se basant sur une règle assez floue : plus il est probable que la même information prenne le même sens pour plusieurs individus, plus leurs schémas d'interprétation sont commensurables ; moins il est probable que la même information prenne le même sens pour plusieurs individus, moins leurs schémas d'interprétation sont commensurables. L'objet de cette thèse est de proposer des approches pour déterminer dans quelle mesure deux individus donnent le même sens à la même information. / Knowledge resulting of the interpretation by an individual of information, it cannot always be handled as an object. Indeed, we create knowledge when filtering information through ours interpretative frameworks. The commensurability of interpretative frameworks is an abstract concept, relying on a quite unclear rule: higher is the probability that the same information will have the same meaning for several people, more commensurable are their interpretative frameworks ; lower is that probability, less commensurable are their interpretative frameworks. The purpose of this thesis is to propose approaches in order to determine to what extent two individuals will give the same meaning to the same information.

In this dissertation, we explore the potential of a forum to support collaboration and knowledge sharing among Virtual Communities of practice. We thus propose a coding scheme based on the Rainbow model and test it in order to analyze the content of two forums of R&D VcoP. We demonstrate that a forum supports asynchronous argumentative activities and thus enhances global collaboration and knowledge sharing among R&D VcoP members. We then propose an enriched model based on the work of Line Dube and tested it to characterize the R&D VcoP studied. We prove that the community configuration has a direct impact on the online dynamic of the community. We point out the main factors that play a key role in fostering online collaboration and knowledge sharing between R&D Virtual community members.

Many different approaches have been proposed with the aim of facilitating sound and successful information management (IM) and knowledge management (KM) practices within business contexts. These approaches seek to identify organizational factors (e.g. culture or information technology practices) or to suggest management processes (e.g. human resources management) required to establish environments conducive to IM and KM. Most of these approaches, often presented as frameworks (as they are referred to in this study) for organizational IM or KM, are exemplified by the following features.Firstly, they have emerged as unrelated notions, with little reference to each other or to foundational studies in the area. Secondly these frameworks are not based on any theoretical foundation. Thirdly, these frameworks have tended to focus on either information or knowledge management activities but not both, even though organizational IM and KM exist in a complementary and co-dependent relationship. The usefulness of these frameworks is made problematic by muddled use of the terms 'information', 'knowledge', 'IM' and 'KM', which are often transposed or used synonymously. The situation is further complicated by the inherent complexity of the organizational environments into which practitioners attempt to introduce information and knowledge management (IKM) initiatives. Early outputs of this research are explanations of how the terminology above is used in this study and a literature review that describes current IM and KM frameworks by analyzing their components. The literature review identifies current challenges in the research domain, including the need for sound foundation (referent model) on which future IKM frameworks can be based. A suitable referent model is proposed by integrating single and double feedback loops (from systems theory) with two concepts from the IM literature: IM processes and the domains of IM activity. Then, an interpretive multi-methodological research (MMR) approach is pursued consisting of three sequential phases: action research, transition and case study. The first phase, a 3-cycle action research project accompanied by a longitudinal descriptive case study and an embedded literature analysis, was conducted over a 31 month period. The key research outcome of the action research phase was a set of candidate enablers Information and Knowledge Management (IKM) in Business Contexts for organizational IKM, while the organizational deliverables included policies, strategies, process improvement and new information systems. The information gathered in phase one was rich and deep. However, in keeping with the goal of the research to produce a practical, useful IKM framework, the researcher sought a broader view from the IKM community. To achieve this practitioner view, a second research phase was designed to bridge the gap between the detailed examinations of IKM initiatives within one organizational environment, to the examination of IKM initiatives within other organizations. Therefore phase two - a transition phase - consisted of a series of surveys and interviews with IKM practitioners that explored their perceptions of organizational IKM activities and environments. The data collected in phase two supported the findings from phase one and informed the development of the case protocols for the third - case study - phase. In the third phase, six IKM projects in three organizations were studied. Documentary and interview data were examined to understand the relationships between IKM projects, the candidate enablers identified earlier in phases one and two, and other organizational factors implicated in IKM initiatives. When analyzed, the findings from the third phase converged with the data collected in the previous two phases, and provided a rich, deep and broad collection of material. The study culminates by synthesizing the data collected in the three research phases to (1) confirm a suitable referent model on which IKM frameworks can be based and (2) develop an integrated, multidimensional IKM framework that assimilates the referent model. The referent model, which is based on previous calls for IKM frameworks to have a sound theoretical foundation, incorporates two established concepts from the IKM literature: (a) the operational, analytical and strategic domains of IKM activity and (b) double and single loop feedback loops of systems thinking applied to IKM processes. The practical and flexible IKM framework, which assimilates these concepts, has three dimensions. These dimensions are (i) domains of IKM activity and feedback loops (ii) organizational enablers (iii) project context. It is envisaged that this framework be used by practitioners to identify and manage areas of the business environment that require attention to ensure success of IKM projects or initiatives.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / South Africa held its first democratic election in 1994. At the moment, government has to address many injustices of the past. For this they need funds. The years before 1994 saw South Africa isolated from the rest of the world as a result of its human rights track record. As a result of this isolation, the government has not only inherited injustices that need to be addressed, but it also inherited debt, which needs to be repaid with interest. Therefore, the South African Revenue Service is tasked with the responsibility to ensure an inflow into government coffers. The South African Revenue Service has been constituted as an autonomous body in 1997. Although the task of revenue collection seems mundane, its enormity cannot be over-emphasised. The revenue it collects is needed to address issues of inequality such as: • equality of education; • restoration of basic living conditions, such as shelter and health care; and • upgrading and retaining skills in order to compete globally. The general perception is that the South African Revenue Service has achieved much through transformation projects in a very short period. Furthermore, the President is embarking on a mission to unite the African continent through various initiatives. Currently, perception gained from the media is that Africa is corrupt and lacks the economic will to change. The current study was undertaken to establish whether the model used by the South African Revenue Service, as perceived by the media, is well received. A positive media perception could pave the way for other government organisations as well as South Africa’s neighbours to enter into an information and knowledge sharing partnership with the South African Revenue Service to the benefit, not only of the country, but also of the continent as a whole. The conclusion drawn is that the South African Revenue Service is indeed an example to be proud of. They seem to have formed partnerships with business, professional bodies and foreign agents as well as with the ordinary man in the street to engage successfully in discussions, which will ultimately lead to the mutual benefit of all its stakeholders, internal and external. Finally, from a media perspective, the organisation is perceived to have done South Africans proud; however, it is also clear from media reports that room for improvement exists.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-07T15:08:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.PDF: 1674705 bytes, checksum: 3bd35f214383f4596fe3a93f5c21267c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-11-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This research is an interpretative analysis that studies a case and it was developed from a qualitative approach of the problem of teacher s formation, with the objective of making an analysis of the professional competence construction for the use of technologies of information and communication during the process of formation of the pedagogue. The research presents an historical review of the appearing of the technologies of information and communication (TIC s), of the society of information and knowledge and of the Brazilian s politics about Information in education; it discusses the reconstruction of the professional teacher based on the approach of competences and on the changes of the scientific thinking; it analyses the concepts and usage of the TIC s from talks with managers, teachers and students from the course of Pedagogy of Paraíba Federal University. It was taken into account that the continuous formation or that in service face bigger spacial and temporal challenges of form and contents that aren t favorable to the development of the teacher s competences for the use of the TIC s during the teaching and learning process. In this way, it is believed that the initial academic formation the privileged ORFXV for carring out this intent. Through the collected data from interviews, questionnaires and documental analysis, it is intended to comprehend the object of study by a complex articulation of events that have conditioned and determined the fall of traditional educational paradigm and has brought up a reflection about education theories and practices, with an eye on the reconfiguration of education as well as of teachers. The results point out the coexistence of critical and technical conceptions with the predominance of the technical approach in the talking and practices of those that took part in the research and highlight the nervy points that must be solved in order to anable the teachers and students of Pedagogy to obtain the necessary knowledge for construction of competences for the use of TIC s in the exercise of their profession. / Esta pesquisa consiste numa análise interpretativa, do tipo estudo de caso, desenvolvida sob uma abordagem qualitativa do problema da formação docente, com o objetivo de analisar a constituição de competências profissionais para o uso de tecnologias da informação e comunicação durante o processo de formação universitária do pedagogo. A pesquisa apresenta uma revisão histórica da emergência das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC s), da sociedade da informação e conhecimento e das políticas brasileiras de Informática na Educação; discute a reconstrução da profissão docente, com base na abordagem por competências e na reforma do pensamento científico; e analisa as concepções e práticas de uso das tecnologias da informação e comunicação a partir das interlocuções com gestores, docentes e discentes do curso de Pedagogia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Partiu-se do pressuposto de que a formação continuada ou em serviço enfrenta maiores desafios de ordem espaço-temporal, de forma e de conteúdo que não favorecem aos docentes o desenvolvimento de competências para o uso de TIC s no processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Deste modo, acredita-se ser a formação inicial (acadêmica) o locus privilegiado para a realização deste intento. Através dos dados coletados, por meio de entrevistas, questionários e análise documental, busca-se compreender o objeto de estudo mediante uma complexa articulação entre os fatores históricos, sociais, políticos e culturais que têm condicionado e determinado a desestabilização do paradigma educacional tradicional e suscitado a reflexão sobre as teorias e práticas educativas, tendo em vista a reconfiguração da educação e, conseqüentemente, da profissão docente. Os resultados apontam à coexistência das concepções crítica e tecnicista, com o predomínio da abordagem tecnicista nas falas e práticas dos participantes da pesquisa, e evidenciam os pontos nevrálgicos a serem solvidos a fim de que os professores e alunos do Curso de Pedagogia possam apropriar-se dos saberes necessários à constituição de competências para uso de TIC s no exercício de sua profissão.