University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Computer and Information Science

Thesis (D. Phil.(Information Science))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 237-250).

Thèse doctorat : Informatique : Villeurbanne, INSA : 2005. / Thèse rédigée en anglais. Résumé étendu en anglais. Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr. p. 214-226.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / The requirement for appropriate information management and usage is critical in any modern day organisation. Without proper information structures and management, organisations may be affected badly in terms of sustained growth and competition. Social factors affecting information usage and management are seldom seen as needing proper attention and, therefore often neglected. Due to this obliviousness, organisations may subsequently suffer serious losses economically, without the awareness of the casual factors. To this point, this study explored the social factors that may influence the use and management of organisational information. The study analysed the organisational structure, actions, processes, operations and role of information users and managers, in a financial organisation.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Business Information Systems)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2010. / Information and Communications Technology has been accepted globally as an enabler of public and private sector businesses. This study argues that the correct positioning of a chief information officer (CIO) is vital to achieving effective service delivery. On the contrary, empirical evidence shows that CIOs in the South African public sector tend not to have the necessary influence to use ICTs strategically to change the plight of the millions of poor South Africans, through service delivery. Using Structuration Theory as a lens, the contribution of this study is towards improving the rigor with which we understand chief information officers and their place in the improvement of South African public service delivery.

Information Systems play a vital and dominating role in business today by enabling as well as supporting business objectives and goals. As a result, the alignment of Information Systems strategy and business strategy has become a core concept in many organisations. The question that naturally arises is whether this is also true for Higher Education institutions in developing countries. This study examined the alignment of institutional and Information Systems strategy and its impact on Academic Computing divisions within Higher Education. It set out to determine if there was a link between the vision and mission of Information Systems and institutional vision and mission. This was achieved by critically evaluating current Information Systems strategy in relation to the institutional strategy and by determining the effectiveness of the current Information Systems strategy in the area of Academic Computing. In order to fulfil the objectives of the study, questionnaires were sent to a population of 22 Information and Communication Technology directors/managers at 22 universities in South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted with senior Information and Communication Technology directors from two universities that reflected strong alignment between Information Systems Strategy and institutional strategy. Both universities also possessed strong and effective Information Systems strategy in the Academic Computing component. It was evident that alignment was the key to their effective Information Systems strategy. The overall findings of the study show that there is a strong link between the vision and mission of the Information Systems and institutional mission and vision. The Information Systems strategy in place was effective for the various institutions; however, it was not effective in the area of Academic Computing in most institutions. The need for a more enhanced Information Systems strategy in Academic Computing was acknowledged. Institutions should emulate leading universities in South Africa and first-world countries in respect of continuously adjusting and evaluating alignment between Information Systems and institutional strategy. An enhanced Information Systems strategy in Academic Computing is also required. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

The purpose of this study was to examine the management of electronic information resources (EIRs) to enhance their long-term links preservation and access in the University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg (PMB) and Howard College campus libraries. The study investigated the strategies and policies used in managing EIRs, how the librarians overcome technological obsolescence, the information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructures used in the management of the EIRs and the competency of the librarians in electronic preservation. The significance of this study lay in its addressing of the issue of long-term links preservation of and access to EIRs that has not been addressed by previous studies. There is rapid growth in the creation and dissemination of EIRs which has emphasized the digital environment’s speed and ease of dissemination with little regard for its long-term preservation and access. The study population was 33 and it comprised the subject librarians, metadata librarians and electronic resources librarian of PMB and Howard College campus libraries of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Adopting a quantitative approach the research design was that of a survey and the research instrument was a self-administered questionnaire comprising both open and closed questions. A total of 28 librarians responded to the questionnaire giving a response rate of 84.8%. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results were presented in the form of figures and tables. The study was underpinned by the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Reference Model, which is being used widelyin the digital preservation community. The analysis of the findings revealed that there was an intermediate level of ICT knowledge and skill with regard to management of EIRs amongst the respondents and a need for training in EIRs management particularly with regards to metadata, migration, emulation, maintenances and bit preservation techniques.It was also revealed that the libraries were using the server’s hard drive to store the EIRs. The results also showed that there were an arguably high number of respondents ten (35.7%) who indicated that their libraries did not have anEIRs management policy. For those respondents who said that their libraries do have a policy, the vast majority indicated that the policy did provide guidelines for acquiring materials in electronic form and for transforming materials from print to electronic form. Recommendations emerging from the conclusion were made and suggestions for further research put forward. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

Thesis (M.S. in Information Technology Management)--Naval Postgraduate School, Sept. 2004. / Thesis Advisor(s): Douglas E. Brinkley. Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-118). Also available online.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Knowledge Management (KM) have been adopted by the public sector institutions of the developed countries for a while and the rewards that of are said to be immense. For a new democracy and a developing country like South Africa, the benefits of KM in the public sector cannot be over emphasized. Among, other things, it is believed that KM can help speed up service delivery which is a top priority for the South African public sector at the moment. However, one wonders if the South African public sector is giving KM the kind of attention it deserves and if so, are there any noticeable rewards? The following study is a survey report on KM practices in the South African Public sector, specifically, National departments. It is believed that the results of this study will help identify best practices to be shared and deviations and gaps to be corrected. The study is made up of the following Chapters and topics: Chapter 1: Which cover a short history of KM in the Public Service The chapter also discusses the problem statements, objectives of the study and limitations. Chapter 2: Research Methodology The population and sample in this study are discussed. The methods used to collect data is also outlined and discussed. Chapter 3: Knowledge Management: Challenges, solutions and Technologies. This chapter is based on the book and model by Beccerra –Fernandez et al. and it discusses the three parts of the book , namely, Principles of KM, Technologies of KM, KM Systems and the epilogue which deals with the future of KM. The views of other authors in relation to the book and model are also outlined and discussed in this chapter. Chapter 4: Presentation and Discussion of results: The results of data collected in chapter 3 above are presented and discussed. Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations The conclusion of this study based on the data collected using tools and methods outlined and discussed in Chapter 2 & Chapter 3 and presented in Chapter 4 above is then drawn. The conclusion and recommendations seek to answer research questions that were posed in Chapter 1 of this study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kennisbestuur (KM) word reeds geruime tyd toegepas in die openbare sektore van ontwikkelde lande en dit word berig dat die resultaat duidelik speurbaar is. Vir 'n nuwe demokrasie en 'n ontwikkelende land soos Suid-Afrika kan die voordele van KM in die openbare sektor nie oorskat word nie. Onder meer word geglo dat KM kan bydra tot die verbetering van dienslewering wat op die oomblik die belangrikste prioriteit is vir die openbare sektor. Nogtans moet 'n mens wonder of KM die aandag ontvang wat dit verdien, en of daar opmerklike resultate is. Hierdie studie is in wese 'n rapport van 'n opname van KM praktyke in die Suid-Afrikaanse openbare sektor, in besonder van nasionale departemente. Daar word gehoop dat die resultate van die studie sal bydra tot die identifisering van beste praktyke wat met ander gedeel kan word, en om afwykinge en gapings te identifiseer vir korreksie. Die studie is ingedeel in die volgende hoofstukke: Hoofstuk 1 – 'n kort geskiedenis van KM in die openbare sektor. Die probleemstelling word ook bespreek Hoofstuk 2: Navorsingsmetodologie Hoofstuk 3: Knowledge Management: Challenges, Solutions and Technologies. Hierdie hoofstuk is gebaseer op die boek en model van Becerra-Fernandez et al. En dit bespreek die drie afdelings van die boek, naamlik: Principles of KM, Technologies of KM, KM Systems, asook die epiloog waarin die toekoms van KM behandel word. Beskouings van ander outeurs ten opsigte van die boek en model word bygevoeg. Hoofstuk 4: Aanbieding en Bespreking van resultate Hoofstuk 5: Konklusie en Voorstelle In die konklusie word antwoorde geformuleer op die pertinente vrae wat in hoofstuk 1 gestel is.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Competition in the long-term insurance industry is intense and is increasing. This market is highly sophisticated and competitive and has developed substantially over the last few years with increasing integration into the world economy. Many companies have come to a crossroad as far as expansion of their market share is concerned. They have to operate in this highly competitive market and are under increasing pressure from legislation. New customers are in a short supply and competition is fierce. These facts are forcing companies to look at alternative ways of increasing their market share, especially through projects that try to maximise the value of existing clients. This paper looks intrinsically at information quality and how it coincides with customer relationship management projects for it to be effective and to give companies a competitive advantage. Through qualitative exploratory methods I was able to get a clear picture of how one of South Africa's biggest insurance companies tries to increase its market share in such a saturated market using information about their customers to gain competitive advantage. I first develop a thorough theoretical background on the terrain of information quality and how it relates to customer information management, which in turn has a great impact and forms the foundation of customer relationship management. Then, I explain how the company sees customer relationship management and how customer information management and information quality playa role in this view. Finally, I look at practical examples of quality information management at work within a framework of customer relationship management. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kompetisie in die langtermyn versekerings-bedryf is intens. Die mark is hoogs gesofistikeerd en kompeterend en het substansieel ontwikkel in die afgelope paar jaar met 'n verhoogde integrasie in die wêreld-mark. Vele maatskappye bevind hulself tans by 'n kruispad- met betrekking tot die uitbreiding van hulle aandeel in die mark. Besigheid moet gedoen word in 'n baie kompeterende mark en dan is daar ook die ewig toenemende druk wat toegepas word met betrekking tot wetlikheid en konformiteit. Dit, tesame met die feit dat kliënte al hoe minder raak, dwing maatskappye om na alternatiewe maniere te kyk om verdienstes op te stoot, en spesifiek deur projekte wat probeer om die waarde van bestaande kliënte te verhoog. Die werkstuk kyk spesifiek na informasie-kwaliteit en hoe dit verband hou met kliënte verhoudingsbestuur projekte om dit effektief te maak. Daar word ook gekyk na hoe dit die maatskappy 'n kompeterende voordeel gee. Deur kwalitatiewe ondersoekende metodes kon ek 'n helder beeld kry van hoe een van Suid Afrika se versekerings-maatskappye probeer om verdienstes te verhoog in so 'n versadigde mark deur gebruik te maak van informasie oor hulle kliente om 'n kompeterende voordeel te verkry. Eerstens ontwikkel ek 'n deeglike teoretiese agtergrond oor die gebied van informasie kwaliteit, en hoe dit verband hou met kliënte informasie-bestuur, wat op sy beurt weer 'n groot impak het en die grondslag vorm van kliënte verhoudingsbestuur. Tweedens verduidelik ek hoe die maatskappy kliënte verhoudingsbestuur sien en hoe kliënte informasie bestuur en informasie-kwaliteit 'n rol speel in die siening. Laastens kyk ek na praktiese voorbeelde van kwaliteit informasie-bestuur en die impak wat dit het op kliënte verhoudingsbestuur.