Thomas W. Malone. / "September 1985." "In J. Carroll (ed.), Interfacing thought : cognitive aspects of human computer interactions, ... l986." / Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-30).

Jeanne W. Ross, Cynthia Mathis Beath, Dale L. Goodhue. / "February 1994." / Includes bibliographical references (p. 21-23).

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The volume of information available to the individual today is greater than ever before. From sources that range from verbal to non-verbal, paper to electronic and audio to visual, there is a constant and ubiquitous supply of information. For managers in an organisational context, whose job it is to manage information from various sources and make decisions based on that, this proliferation of information can be overwhelming. As a result, decision-makers can experience information overload, which can have various detrimental effects on them. Both the problems that information overload can cause, as well as some suggested solutions to the effect are explored. A brief investigation follows into the way in which information in different forms is cognitively processed by individuals is explored. Two possible ways in which decision-makers can respond to the problem of information overload are examined. The first focuses on the visualisation of information and visual management in organisations, looking at two examples, the balanced scorecard and the oobeya room. The visualisation of information often integrates information from various sources, reducing its volume to facilitate cognitive processing. The second response to information overload looks at the use of fast and frugal heuristics. These heuristics ignore some of the available information to ease cognitive processing, resulting in faster decisions that use as little information as possible. Both of these two approaches are explored as potential decision support systems for decision-makers in an organisational context, separately and in combination. One approach is structured and planned, while the other is largely unplanned and intuitive. The similarities are investigated in the way that these two approaches structure information. Both methods aim to reduce the amount of cognitive processing for the decision-maker, minimising the chances of information overload occurring and can be used under certain appropriate conditions to minimise the negative effects of information overload on decision-makers in organisations to result in more effective decision-making processes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die volume inligting wat beskikbaar is tot die individu vandag is groter as ooit tevore. Vanaf bronne wat wissel van verbale tot nie-verbale, papier na elektroniese- en klank tot visuele bronne, is daar 'n konstante en alomteenwoordige verskaffing van inligting. Vir bestuurders in 'n organisasiekonteks, wie se werk dit is om inligting uit verskillende bronne te bestuur en besluite op die hierdie verspreiding van inligting te basseer, kan dit oorweldigend wees. As gevolg hiervan kan besluitnemers ’n inligting-oorlading ervaar, wat verskeie nadelige effekte op hulle kan hê. Beide die probleme wat inligting-oorlading kan veroorsaak, asook 'n paar voorgestelde oplossings met betrekking tot die effek, word ondersoek. 'n Kort ondersoek kyk na die manier waarop die inligting in verskillende vorme kognitief deur die individue verwerk word. Twee moontlike maniere waarop besluitnemers kan reageer op die probleem van inligting-oorlading, word ondersoek. Die eerste fokus op die visualisering van inligting en visuele bestuur in organisasies, deur te kyk na twee voorbeelde: die gebalanseerde telkaart en die oobeya kamer. Die visualisering van inligting behels dikwels die integrasie van inligting uit verskeie bronne en so word die volume saamgevat om kognitiewe prosessering te fasiliteer. Die tweede reaksie op inligting-oorlading kyk na die gebruik van "snelle en spaarsame" heuristiese metodes. Hierdie heuristiese metodes ignoreer sommige van die beskikbare inligting wat kognitiewe prosessering verlig, wat individue in staat stel om vinniger besluite te neem en so min as moontlik inligting gebruik. Beide van hierdie twee benaderings word ondersoek as moontlike ondersteuningstelsels vir besluitnemings deur besluitnemers in 'n organisasiekonteks, beide afsonderlik en as ’n kombinasie. Die een benadering is gestruktureerd en beplan, terwyl die ander grootliks onbeplan en intuïtief is. Die ooreenkomste in die manier waarop hierdie twee benaderings inligting struktureer, word ondersoek. Beide metodes poog om die kognitiewe verwerkingslading vir die besluitnemer te verminder en so die kanse vir inligting-oorlading te verlaag. So kan dit gebruik word om onder gepaste toestande die negatiewe effekte van inligting-oorlading te verminder, sodat besluitnemers in organisasies meer effektiewe besluitnemingsprosesse kan implimenteer.

Orientador: Odivaldo José Seraphim / Coorientador: Alexandre Alves de Lima Ribeiro / Banca: Odivaldo José Seraphim / Banca: Renato Correia de Barros / Banca: Radames Juliano Halmeman / Banca: Alexandre Dal Pai / Banca: Frederico Guilherme de Paula F.Ielo / Resumo: Rede de computadores são elementos fundamentais no processo de comunicação. Esses componentes exigem o acompanhamento constante de suas tarefas e são administrados por sistemas de informações que coletam os dados diariamente, para orientar os analistas de suporte na correção das falhas na infraestrutura e a ferramenta utilizada na gestão de recursos de rede de computadores é o protocolo SNMP. As infraestruturas de geração de energia elétrica também são elementos complexos e necessitam de acompanhamento. São utilizados sistemas de informação que disponibilizam dados para os usuários e responsáveis técnicos para avaliarem o funcionamento e corrigir as possíveis falhas. As redes de computadores e os sistemas de geração distribuídas estão convergindo para o ambiente do usuário, e as ferramentas de gestão são importantes são mecanismos na gestão da produção e consumo de energia elétrica. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver um sistema de monitoramento on line para sistema de microgeração fotovoltaica utilizando o protocolo de rede de computadores Single Network Management Protocol (SNMP) para realizar a interface de comunicação com as variáveis de medições elétricas e meteorológicas. O desenvolvimento do projeto compõe dois componentes: hardware e software. O software é composto de dois módulos um para ser utilizado na Web, aplicações Desktop para uso em computadores que suportem sistemas operacionais como o Windows, Linux ou Mac e em dispositivos móveis. As funciona... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Computer networks are fundamental elements in the communication process. Such components demand constant supervision of their tasks and are managed by information systems, which daily collect data to guide support analysts when correcting glitches in the infrastructure. Protocol SNMP is the tool used for managing resources of the computer network. The infrastructures of electric energy generation are also complex elements and require monitoring. Information systems are utilized, which provide data to users and technical professionals, so they can evaluate functioning and correct possible errors. Computer networks and systems of distributed generation are converging towards the user's environment, so, management tools are important mechanisms in the control of production and consumption of electric energy. Thus, this work aims at developing an online monitoring system for photovoltaic microgeneration using the Single Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to perform the communication interface with the variables of electrical and metereological measurements. The project development is composed of two elements: hardware and software. The software consists of two modules: one to be used on the Web, Desktop apps for use in computers that can carry operational systems such as Windows, Linux or Mac and one to be used in mobile devices. Programmed functionalities include information register for the functioning of the system; reports and graphs that show information ordained in several ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Environmental scanning is an essential activity for organisation's success undertaken by top executives to allow them to be effective in steering the organisation within a changing environment. Organisations exist in an increasingly turbulent world. Organisations which want to succeed in the ever-changing business environment need to adopt suitable management tools that can identify emerging issues that may have the capacity to impact on their business. Environmental scanning is such a technique, often used within a suite of tools as part of a strategic planning process; it can be an important source of information for firms which operate in rapidly changing environments. The aim of this study is to investigate environmental scanning activities in the Saudi private sector. In recent years, changes in the domestic and global environment have created very different economic challenges. A number of factors have promoted these changes; political uncertainty, economic decline, youth explosion, the rapid increase in unemployment among Saudi youth and Islamic extremism highlight some of the challenges that the country now faces which ultimately might impact on Saudi business. Most of the previous research on environmental scanning has been carried out in a Western context, and no empirical research exists on the scanning activities of Arab executives in general and Saudis in particular. This research aimed to address this gap in the literature by investigating environmental scanning activities in Saudi private firms. In particular the study looks at (1) executives' perception of their business environment: (2) the frequency of, and level of interest in, executives' scanning: (3) the information sources used to investigate what is happening in the business environment: (4) the decisions which dependent on scanning activities: (5) the methods used by Saudi firms to scan their environment. The research adopted a triangulation methodology using both a mail survey questionnaire and personal interview. A total of 500 surveys were sent to executives of the Saudi top 500 firms; 162 were returned. However, only 150 usable questionnaires were included for data analysis. The study revealed that Saudi executives in general believe that their businesses operate in a highly turbulent environment where competition, economic and legal factors are perceived as the most strategically uncertain. Surprisingly, political factors produced a low level of perceived strategic uncertainty. The study pointed out that the executives in this sample tend to scan for a large number of issues in their environment. In particular, they conduct the greatest amount of scanning in the competition, economic and legal areas. In addition, the study indicated that the executives in the sample increase scanning frequency in response to increased perception of environmental uncertainty in the macro-environment more than in the micro-environment. The findings from this study also show that personal sources are used more frequently than impersonal sources in scanning by executives in this study. Among the five most used sources for scanning, four are personal sources (customers: subordinate managers: subordinate staff: business/ professional associates).

A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MAGISTER TECHNOLOGIAE (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY) / The construction industry is reputedly lethargic to adopt innovation and, in particular, new technology. To date it has not readily embraced Information Technology (IT) given its reluctance to recognise the many potential efficiencies and competitive advantages afforded by this technology. Where IT in the form of Information Systems (IS) has been introduced the likelihood of failure and/or inefficiencies is large considering the historic inability of IS to deliver on its potential. Furthermore, this performance of IS is arguably dependent on the role of the Chief Executive Officer in the construction organisation.This study examines the performance of IS in the construction firms and the role played by the CEO in that performance. The study has four main objectives; namely: (1) to determine the role of the CEO of construction companies relative to IS governance and performance; (2) to determine the role of the CEO of construction companies in determining the structure of IS to strategically support the company; (3) to examine the relationship between the CEO and Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the impact of this relationship on the performance of IS in a construction firm;and (4) to examine the importance of information processing and knowledge management of construction companies.To achieve these objectives, the literature on IS performance in the organisation was reviewed; a structured self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted of a sample of executive managers drawn from 9 construction companies; the data was analysed; the findings discussed against the background of the literature reviewed.The key findings of this study indicate that most of CEOs of construction companies consider IS performance as of strategic importance in their organisations with respect to information processing and knowledge management; and acknowledge the important role of the CIO in IS governance and information management. Furthermore, the CEOs also acknowledge their role in organisational design, and the structuring of IS to strategically support their companies. Drawing from the responses of a sample of CEOs of contracting firms in the Western Cape province of South Africa there appears to be a direct correlation between the role of the CEO and IS governance and performance.

D.Phil. / Computer-based information systems will probably always have to contend with security issues. Much research have already gone into the field of information security. These research results have yielded some very sophisticated and effective security mechanisms and procedures. However, due to the ever increasing sophistication of criminals, combined with the ever changing and evolving information technology environment, some limitations still exist within the field of information security. Recent years have seen the proliferation of products embracing so-called artificial intelligence technologies. These products are in fields as diverse as engineering, business and medicine. The successes achieved in these fields pose the question whether artificial intelligence has a role to play within the field of information security. This thesis discusses limitations within information security and proposes ways in which artificial intelligence can be effectively applied to address these limitations. Specifically, the fields of authentication and risk analysis are identified as research fields where artificial intelligence has much to offer. These fields are explored in the context of their limitations and ways in which artificial intelligence can be applied to address these limitations. This thesis identifies two mainstream approaches in the attainment of artificial intelligence. These mainstream approaches are referred to as the "traditional" approach and the "non-traditional" approach. The traditional approach is based on symbolic processing, as opposed to the non-traditional approach, which is based on an abstraction of human reasoning. A representative technology from each of these mainstream approaches is selected to research their applicability within information security. Actual working prototypes of artificial intelligence techniques were developed to substantiate the results obtained in this research.

D.Litt. et Phil. / The problem addressed in this study is to determine whether information is recognized as a resource in South African manufacturing enterprises and whether these enterprises use information to their competitive advantage. The role of information as a resource for competitive advantage is discussed and it is shown that the competitive position of enterprises can be strengthened on the strategic level if the information resources are efficiently managed. As a result of the lack of knowledge on the information management situation in manufacturing enterprises, an empirical investigation was necessary and a questionnaire was sent to enterprises in the Guateng province. South African manufacturing enterprises were grouped according to the strategic types identified by the Miles and Snow typology. Of the 172 respondents 21,5% were classified as Prospectors, 36,6% as Analyzers, 29,7% as Defenders and 12,2% as Reactors. The majority of the respondents pointed out that they frequently scanned the environment, but formal environmental scanning systems existed at only 20% of the enterprises. The majority of South African manufacturing enterprises are currently in Strategic Management Phase 2. Attention is paid to the strategic management of products with the emphasis on market growth and market share in comparison to those of competitors. The way in which information is managed in manufacturing enterprises relates to the management typology applied in these enterprises. Information is managed very fragmentally in South African manufacturing enterprises and integrated information management systems exist at only a small percentage of enterprises. The majority of enterprises are in Development Phase 2 of information management, that is, the management of corporate automated technology. Formal information management departments are found more regularly at Prospectors and Analyzers than at Defenders and Reactors. Prospectors and Analyzers make more use of information management systems. The proportion of personnel involved with information management is higher at Analyzers than at any of the other strategic types. Analyzers also apply records management more frequently than the others. More than half of the respondents evaluated their investments in information management resources periodically in order to determine practical use and value. Employee development was encouraged with 94,9% of the respondents and 9,9% of the enterprises were classified as learning organizations. It is concluded that information management is applied in South African manufacturing enterprises but that it is not used to the competitive advantage of these enterprises. It is recommended that South African manufacturing enterprises integrate information management with the other enterprise functions and that information management be a strategic management function. Manufacturing enterprises should strive to reach the Strategic Management Phase 4 as well as Phase 5 of information management. Guidelines are provided on how information management can be implemented as a strategic management function within enterprises classified as Prospectors, Analyzers, Defenders and Reactors. Unstableness and change are the main characteristics of the South African manufacturing industry and this changing environment makes it necessary to react appropriately in order to obtain competitive advantage. South African manufacturing enterprises should therefore strive towards a new management typology called Renewers or learning organizations.

Dorbyl Automotive Technologies (DAT) is a manufacturing company that supplies parts and components to the local and international motor vehicle market. The automotive components’ market is very competitive and customers require more from the industry to stay competitive. Customers require full integration throughout the supply chain. DAT and its Information Systems Department have ensured that the necessary business information systems are available to assist the company in staying competitive. One problem, though, is that the users of these systems are not using and adopting the technologies available. This research examines the reasons for this by making use of a technology acceptance model called the UNIFIED THEORY OF ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY (UTAUT), which is an integrated model based on eight different available acceptance models. The aim is to understand which factors influence the use of systems. The research also proposes a way forward by suggesting a model to assist DAT in new system implementations as well as correcting the current situation. The only way DAT will stay competitive is by ensuring that the company becomes lean. Customers demand this as more and more are moving to just-in-time delivery. This implies that the suppliers must react to changes real-time. The use of business information systems will become the main focus area to react to changes quickly and correctly. Effective and accurate systems depend on users making good use of these systems. Remaining competitive will depend on how effectively Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are used.

M.Ing. / Failure is a part of every day life. Information systems project failures are reported regularly in the media. The growth of the information technology industry in its entirety has been very dramatic over the last decade. Large information systems projects have always posed as a challenge for development teams and organizations. The nature of these challenges have increased with the growth of information systems projects over the last decade. With the critical role that information systems have in organizations, it is critical that information systems are delivered on time within budget and according to the requirements. Unfortunately many of the information systems projects that have been started, are cancelled, not on time or over budget. It is the purpose of this dissertation to discuss some of the managerial causes of why information systems projects fail, and also to address issues that could prevent the failure of information systems projects.