Introducing electronic devices into Public Administration is a long-term process that has begun in the Czech Republic in 1990. Until the present day, a number of measures to support the advancement of Electronic Public Administration has been made. The basic changes were also made in the legislative framework, the Offices of Public Administration, and, in accordance with the strategies of the European Union, some strategic documents have been passed. All these steps have impacted Czech society, the relationship between the citizens, companies and Public Administration. In this Thesis I would like to define the causality between introducing electronic devices and subjects in the Czech Republic and at the end of the Thesis I would point out the impact of the changes on the concrete course of Public Administration. To achieve this goal I am going to use the analytical methods, the ratio analysis that explores the dependencies between the two phenomena, and casual analysis that is focused on the research of phenomena causes. The currently available data shall be used as evaluation input.

Dissertation thesis in theoretical part deals with the influence of information and communication technologies on financial reporting, discusses the financial reporting aspects of the Internet, describes the characteristics and use of XML and XBRL, identifies opportunities and risks of electronic documents and possible changes in the work of auditors. Practical part provides an empirical survey on how financial statements are being published in the Czech Republic via the Internet. The sample of entities identifies and then presents the place and form of disclosure of financial statements to users with a view to regulating the relevant legislation.

Introdução: A proporção de idosos na população tem aumentado significativamente. O envelhecimento traz como consequência o declínio funcional, limitando sua independência e dificultando o aprendizado de novas habilidades. A expectativa de vida feminina é maior que a masculina, de forma que frequentemente ocorre a viuvez feminina. A viuvez e o divórcio são situações que podem trazer à mulher a necessidade de assumir novas tarefas, assim como aprender a utilizar tecnologias da informação e comunicação que não faziam parte de seu cotidiano, demandando o desenvolvimento de habilidades visando adotar os novos equipamentos e realizar independentemente as novas tarefas. Devido ao declínio funcional natural do envelhecimento e a experiência limitada na utilização desses equipamentos, tornando-se um desafio a elas. Dessa forma, o processo de adaptação da mulher ao assumir novas tarefas e adotar novos equipamentos em seu cotidiano mostra-se como um importante tópico a ser estudado. Objetivo: Conhecer o processo de adaptação que mulheres têm ao assumir tarefas predominantemente masculinas, identificando quais equipamentos adotados, as dificuldades enfrentadas e as estratégias desenvolvidas. Métodos: Estudo exploratório, correlacional, seccional, com abordagem quali-quantitativa. Participaram 96 mulheres. Foram aplicados o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental, o índice de Lawton e Brody, um Questionário sócio-demográfico e a Entrevista \"Novas tarefas e tecnologias no dia-a-dia\". Os dados coletados foram tabulados no software Epi Info® e divididos em categorias temáticas e submetidos à Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: Participaram 96 mulheres, idades entre 50 e 86 anos e média de 62,5 anos. Observou-se que o adoecimento e/ou óbito de familiares, principalmente do marido, demandaram que as mulheres se adaptassem ao assumir novas tarefas, exigindo direta e indiretamente o desenvolvimento de novas habilidades e a utilização de novos equipamentos no cotidiano. Observou-se que as mulheres apresentaram dificuldades ao adotar os equipamentos devido às características ergonômicas e pela pouca experiência prévia em utilizar equipamentos semelhantes. Conclusão: A viuvez e o divórcio podem demandar que as mulheres assumam novas tarefas. Observou-se também a necessidade indireta proveniente da busca por novas formas de lazer e por maior contato com familiares. Através dos resultados deste estudo é possível auxiliar o processo de adaptação das mulheres e facilitar a adoção dos equipamentos e o desenvolvimento de estratégias mais adequadas. / Introduction: The proportion of elderly in the population has increased significantly. Aging brings as a consequence the functional decline, limiting their independence and making the learning of new skills. Female life expectancy is higher than men\'s, so that often occurs to female widowhood. The widowhood and divorce are situations that may bring the woman need to take on new tasks, as well as learn how to use information and communication technologies that were not part of their daily lives. Requiring the development of skills in order to adopt the new equipment and perform new tasks independently. Due to natural aging and functional decline the limited experience in the use of the equipment, making it a challenge to them. In this way, the process of adaptation of the woman to take on new tasks and adopt new equipment in your daily life shows itself as an important topic to be studied. Objective: To know the process of adaptation that women have to assume tasks predominantly male, identifying what equipment adopted, the difficulties faced and strategies developed. Methods: Exploratory study, correlational, sectional, with quali-quantitative approach. Attended 96 women. Were applied the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Index of Lawton and Brody, a socio-demographic questionnaire and the interview \"New tasks and technologies in everyday life\". The collected data were tabulated in Epi lnfo® software and divided into thematic categories and subjected to Content Analysis. Results: Participants were 96 women, ages 50 and 86 years and average of 62.5 years. It was observed that the death of relatives, and/or illness primarily of husband, demanded that women adapt to take on new tasks, requiring directly and indirectly the development of new skills and the use of new equipment in daily life. It was observed that women have difficulties in adopting the equipment due to the ergonomic features and little previous experience using similar equipment. Conclusion: The widowhood and divorce can demand that women assume new tasks. We also observed an indirect need coming from search for new forms of leisure and for greater contact with relatives. Through the results of this study can help the process of adaptation of women and facilitate the adoption of the equipments and the development of more appropriate strategies.

Objectives: A number of primary empirical studies report strong and positive relationships between information and communication technology (ICT) and second language (L2) learning outcomes. However, these strong relationships were not observed in recent meta-analysis studies associated with ICT and L2 learning outcomes. This meta-analysis study aims to iterate the evaluation of effectiveness of ICT integrated L2 classrooms. Method: Initially, a study search and screening of the digital database were conducted to include quantitative studies exploring the use of ICT for L2 skills in classroom contexts with an experimental design. Then essential statistics from included studies were retrieved and coded. Standardized mean difference of comparison groups across included studies were calculated as the unit of analysis. Finally, a random effects model was used to pool mean effects sizes calculated from included studies. Heterogeneity test, subgroup analysis and publication bias were assessed for implication of study variation and reliability. Results: After a systematic study search and screening, 30 experimental studies were included for this meta-analysis, which yielded 43 effect sizes based on comparison groups across included studies. Results showed a large effect size in favor of technology-integrated instruction with substantial between-groups heterogeneity. Additionally, nine moderating variables were identified, covering substantial, methodological and reporting features. Results also updated the current information on the state of methodological practice in the L2 research domain and suggested that the reliability of instruments used for measurements were overlooked and might lead to an overestimation of effect size. Conclusion: The current meta-analysis provided an updated evaluation of the ICT integrated L2 classrooms, supporting the effectiveness of integrating technologies into L2 instruction (with the exception of L2 pragmatics). Both theoretical and methodological maturation were observed in the research domain, as well as methodological limitations which might impact the precision of effect size. More research is needed to explore more specific topics, as well as methodological imperfections in ICT integrated L2 classrooms. / Graduate

Without the support of school leaders, particularly the school management team (SMT), the educational potential of information and communications technology may not be realised. SMT’s need to assume a major responsibility for initiating and implementing school change through the use of information and communications technology and can facilitate complex decisions to integrate it into teaching and learning. Utilising the ‘theory of action’ as a theoretical framework this qualitative case study investigates the perceived beliefs and attitudes of SMTs regarding ICT implementation at school. Furthermore this study explores the perceived necessary provisions that have to be in place to realise the perceived attitudes and vision of the SMTs. The findings of this study suggest that school management has significant and consistent espoused theories about ICT implementation and practice in schools. First, the majority of school managers advocate that ICT is indispensable for teaching and learning, as it enhances the quality of pedagogical practices. Second, they espoused that ICT in teaching and learning should be mandatory practice. Third, majority of school managers were adamant that teachers and school managers should be ICT literate. Fourth, school managers believed that ICT implementation should be a collaborative process. Fifth, school management’s vision for ICT should be aligned with the school’s vision for ICT. Sixth, SMT’s believe that ICT should be an integral component of the curriculum and policies. The study concludes that the perceived espoused beliefs, attitudes and visions of SMTs could establish the general climate for ICT use within a school. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lk2014 / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / MEd / Unrestricted

The primary purpose of this study was to examine and understand the nature of Information and communication technology (ICT) supported formal women business networks (eFWBNs) and their contribution to the development of women entrepreneurs. For over a decade, studies on women’s entrepreneurship, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, have reiterated the importance of, and need for, women’s involvement in formal women business networks (FWBNs). In this study, FWBNs are defined as networks that have women entrepreneurs as key actors and are often affiliated with consultants, business practitioners, and government. FWBNs provide benefits and access to useful resources that are not easily accessible to women entrepreneurs due to several constraints. FWBNs have been found to be slow to leverage ICTs to facilitate and enhance their activities even in the era of globalisation. While FWBNs exist in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a dearth of research on their characteristics, structure and operation. Particularly within the information systems field, there is paucity of recearch around the integration and use of ICTs in WBNs. Thus, there is limited guidance on what makes a FWBN achieve its objectives and how these networks may leverage technology to enhance and facilitate their operations and activities. For these reasons, this study sought to shed light on the nature of eFWBNs and their use of ICTs. To achieve this objective, multidisciplinary theories were reviewed and an integrative theoretical framework developed. This revealed that an eFWBN is a configuration of distinct but inter-related elements – actors, relationships, resources, governance, external support and ICTs – which interplay to provide contributions and benefits to women entrepreneurs. This thesis proposed that the stronger the coherence among the core elements of the eFWBN, and the operating and support mechanisms, the greater will be their contribution and benefits. This proposition was tested in an empirical study involving three network cases in Kenya and South Africa, using mixed methods. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis, and converted to quantitative data using the quantitisation technique. The quantitised data and the data collected using quantitative methods were combined to test the model using cluster analysis. The cluster analysis resulted in three clusters representing the three eFWBNs cases in this study. The findings revealed that the Kenyan networks had achieved coherence amongst the elements of the network and as such attained good outcomes. However, the South African network did not report good outcomes, suggesting they had not attained coherence amongst the element in the network. The findings also provided results contrary to the observations in literature about the use of ICTs in eFWBNs. In this study, not only ICTs were highly leveraged at the network-level and were an integral part to the strategy, the existence and operation of the network. This research makes significant contribution to knowledge by providing insight and understanding into an under-researched area (eFWBNs). The key theoretical contribution of this study is the integrative theoretical framework that overcomes the limitations of earlier theories used to study networks. It integrates various theories into a framework that identifies and explains more comprehensively the various aspects and operations of eFWBNs. It also advances the configurational theory as an effective approach to measuring complex relationships. This study also makes significant methodological contributions. There is currently a dearth of knowledge on how to fully integrate both qualitative and quantitative data in mixed methods research. Thus, by adopting the quantitisation technique, this study provides knowledge on how to convert qualitative data to quantitative data to achieve synthesis of both methods in a single study. Also, the adoption of realism as a philosophical stance helped to overcome the challenges of mixing methods and paradigms in one research project. The findings of this study also have practical implications. The findings showed that at the membership level, women entrepreneurs need to apply more agency in establishing relationships and translate the acquired resources within the network into benefits for their businesses. At the network-level, the evidence revealed that leaders of eFWBNs need to ensure they balance the needs of their members in order to carry the members along and preventing them from feeling excluded. The findings also asserted the importance of developmental, private and public organisations to eFWBNs. Lastly, government and practitioners can draw from the understanding provided of eFWBNs, to create and establish policies that can aid women entrepreneurs’ successes and growth. The theoretical, practical and methodological contributions are further discussed in this thesis. The study concludes with a discussion on the limitations of the study and recommendations for future research.

This study answers to th e quest ions of why and how the "Everything Maths" and "Everything Science" open textbooks are used, and to what extent a Community of Practice (Wenger, 2006) has formed around the use of these open textbooks, are informed by a case study, comprising of interviews with nine South African high-school teachers using these open educational resources. The Community of Practice theory provided a useful lens through which to code, analyse and view utterances made. Findings indicate that while financial reasons for using the open textbooks are important, pedagogical reasons, of quality and scope of content, are more valued by teachers. Also important are the availability of the open textbooks in a variety of formats, the potential for teachers to develop social learning (Brown, 2008) skills, learners to study independently, the interactive features, and online availability of the open textbooks. A Community of Practice, while not formalised, exists around the use of these open textbooks and can be classified as an Active Community (Kim, Hong and Suh 2012).

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the Degree of Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) in the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2010. / Social Informatics is the field of study concentrating on the social aspects of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) utilisation with researchers in the field concentrating on aspects such as human interaction with ICTs, the effect of certain hardware and software on utilisation and the impact that the use of ICTs have on the daily lives of people in society. One of the areas where the use of ICTs can have a huge influence is on governmental service delivery, where these tools can be used to speed up processes, beef up security, provide access to, and disseminate information, and be used in virtually all government departments to provide a more effective and efficient service to all its people. The aim of the study was to examine the use, impact and interaction of ICTs for service delivery among Civil Servants in the uMhlatuze area. The study was carried out using both qualitative and quantitative methods through survey research. The objectives of the study were: to determine the nature of the services rendered in the three targeted Departments (Education, Health and Social Development), to establish the types of ICTs currently in use by Civil Servants in uMhlatuze area, to explore how the Civil Servants interact with ICTs in the municipality, to explore the impact of the Civil Servants` interaction with ICTs, to determine the training needs of the Civil Servants, in so far as effective ICT utilisation is concerned, to determine users level of satisfaction with the standard of service delivery, to outline the challenges faced in the service provision. Data was collected via questionnaires that were submitted to the three departments by the researcher. Interviews were also conducted with both civil servants and their clients. The aim of the interviews was to get their personal opinions on problems facing service provision. The number of responses from the distributed questionnaires varied: Education (21), Health (9) and Social Development (5). Managers from the three departments were interviewed with an aim of understanding types of services they offer to clients, clients satisfaction with service offered to them, the use of computers in providing services, the level of computer literacy among staff (Civil Servants), difficulties experienced when providing services to clients, and the effect of the availability of computers in providing service delivery. The study revealed that not all ICT tools are generally available and/or used by civil servants in the uMhlatuze Municipality It was also found that most new technologies were neither used, nor available, or could not be accessed by civil servants in the departments, e.g. the Internet, laptop computers, databases, video cameras, video recorders, sound/tape recorders, overhead projectors, and information systems. The government also does not appear to make much use of radio and television, which are mediums that are often used in this country for communication. The researcher recommended that the government should ensure that each civil servant has a computer linked to the Internet on his or her table. All available ICT tools should also be provided to the different departments because they deal with different social needs everyday that may require different solutions. A lack of skills to operate a number of ICTs, especially the computers was identified as a serious impediment to effective service delivery. Therefore it was recommended that the Departments of Education, Health and Social Development send their staff for training on the efficient utilization of ICT tools, specifically computer related training. It was further recommended that computer literacy courses and refresher courses be offered on a continual basis in order to elevate the level of computer literacy among the civil servants, especially for programmes such as Word processing, Excel and PowerPoint which are used almost daily in the public service.

Information and communication technology (ICT) can enhance communication among health care providers which may lead to various health system improvements, such as gains in efficiency. However, there is inadequate evidence regarding the extent to which ICT improves communication among specific groups of health care professionals. This dissertation incorporates a mix of methodological approaches across three interrelated research studies to address this gap. Study 1 consists of a systematic review which suggested that ICT can play an important role in enhancing health care related communication among physicians, but the extent of that benefit is influenced by: 1) the impact of ICT on existing work practices; 2) the availability of adequate resources for ICT implementation and use; and 3) the nature of institutional elements, such as privacy legislation. Study 2 consists of a document analysis that examined guidelines for health information protection when using ICT from the provincial regulatory colleges for physicians. These documents were notable for the considerable variation in the scope and detail of guidance provided, which may result in unequal and inequitable protection of health information across the provinces. Study 3 is a case study that examined the use of a relatively novel form of ICT, smartphones, for communication among postgraduate medical trainees (medical residents). Efficiency and convenience were identified as the main reasons that medical residents use smartphones to communicate health care related information with colleagues. In addition, by applying a neo-institutional perspective, it became clear that medical residents base their smartphone use primarily on normative elements (professional norms; what peers/staff are doing) and cultural-cognitive elements (beliefs/perceptions regarding facilitation of task completion). Regulative elements (guidelines/policies) around smartphone use play a smaller role in shaping behaviour, particularly when they: 1) lack clarity; 2) are not seen as credible/legitimate; or 3) are viewed as cumbersome and do not align with workflow needs. Taken together, these studies provide timely insights regarding the use of ICT by physicians, which can be drawn upon by a variety of decision-makers as efforts to improve health system performance continue. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The goal of this doctoral dissertation was to develop a better understanding of how and why physicians are using information and communication technology (ICT) to exchange health care related information, along with the role of such communication in enhancing health system performance. Findings indicate that physicians use ICT in various circumstances as they perceive it to be more convenient and efficient. However, guidelines for the exchange of health information in digital/electronic format vary by jurisdiction and organization, which may result in different uses of ICT by physicians. Moreover, as these guidelines often lack clarity or are not seen as credible/legitimate, some physicians base their use of ICT primarily on what peers/colleagues are doing or by acting in a manner that they believe facilitates task completion and, hence, patient care. The insights gained from this work can be adopted by decision-makers to improve communication among physicians using ICT and, consequently, health system performance.

The world of today allows groups of people who are geographically-distributed to communicate through information and communication technologies (ICTs). In the workplace, these geographically-distributed teams are referred to as virtual teams. Quantifying and understanding issues in virtual teams has been a focus of research for the past two decades. This thesis aims to quantify generational differences between the Millennials and the Baby Boomers in the context of virtual teams in the engineering and construction sectors. This thesis consists of two studies. The first study broadly focuses on generational differences in regards to cultural, temporal, and technological issues faced in virtual teams. The results from the first study show that Millennials may be better suited to deal with cultural and language differences as well as time-distributed team members when compared to the Baby Boomers. However, the results for the technology hypothesis were mixed and motivated further research. Therefore, the second study focused on generational differences in views on specific ICTs. This study found that Millennials favored some ICTs more than their Baby Boomer counterparts. However, these generations also had indistinguishable views for many of the ICTs examined. The second study shows that the digital divide between generations is true for certain technologies but is unobservable in others. This thesis indicates that Millennials have relative strengths when handling the difficulties of virtual teaming when compared to the Baby Boomers. / Master of Science