M. Tech. Business Information Systems

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Business Intelligence is a broad category of applications and technologies used for gathering, storing, analysing, and providing access to data. It provides historical, current and predictive views of business operations. By so doing organizations are in a position of continuously improving their performance in congruency with their mission and vision. As a result, organizations need to have in place effective Business Intelligence systems that could enable them process and access quality information so as support business processes. The ineffective use of Business Intelligence tools and lack of trust on the integrity of data has led to the deployment of duplicate systems and roles within many organisations. This creates an environment where organisations often have multiple systems that are only known in one business unit. More so, it has created isolations and unnecessary independences of business units as they tend to work in silos. In addition, this creates a negative impact on the overall organisational performance leading to the organisation incurring unnecessary costs. This study aimed at developing a model for enhancing Business Intelligence utilization in order to improve organisational performance.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / The study aimed at conceptualizing a framework for maximizing Information Systems project maturity. Two factors led to the conception of the study namely, delays in Information Systems project maturity within the South African context and the resultant cost-savings that could be realized from applying appropriate Maturity Models, coupled with the proposed framework, towards reaching project maturity on schedule and on budget. To limit the scope, the South African Weather Service has been selected as the case for the research.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Business Intelligence is a broad category of applications and technologies used for gathering, storing, analysing, and providing access to data. It provides historical, current and predictive views of business operations. By so doing organizations are in a position of continuously improving their performance in congruency with their mission and vision. As a result, organizations need to have in place effective Business Intelligence systems that could enable them process and access quality information so as support business processes. The ineffective use of Business Intelligence tools and lack of trust on the integrity of data has led to the deployment of duplicate systems and roles within many organisations. This creates an environment where organisations often have multiple systems that are only known in one business unit. More so, it has created isolations and unnecessary independences of business units as they tend to work in silos. In addition, this creates a negative impact on the overall organisational performance leading to the organisation incurring unnecessary costs. This study aimed at developing a model for enhancing Business Intelligence utilization in order to improve organisational performance.

M.Bibl. (Information Science) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis (M.Inf.) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / The aim of the study is to investigate which of the information delivery systems (communication strategies) established at government level are used by rural clinics, and whether such information delivery systems are accessible to rural end-users. A literature review discussing and assessing the use of information delivery systems was conducted. The survey method and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from all Clinics at Ga- Molepo. The study revealed that rural end-users cannot access HIV/AIDS information because clinics use information delivery systems which are not acceptable and accessible to them. Recommendations for further study on the subject under investigation are provided. The study assumes that with the identified barriers and recommendations at their disposal HIV/AIDS campaigners will be in a good position to identify, package and employ information delivery systems which are suitable for end-users.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Information Systems (IS) capability can be viewed as a firm's valuable resources, and if controlled well, can contribute towards competitive and efficient business value. For the purpose of this study, IS capability is thus defined as the firm's ability to continuously derive business value from Information technology (IT) investments, and this includes the firm's IT personnel skills and competencies. The research argument driving the study was that IS capability is an outcome of good IS management and IT governance. However, to date, IS capability has not been defined beyond an expression of the firm to derive and leverage business value through IS continuously. Consequently, this dissertation conceptualizes a framework towards IS capability in a South African firm. In the study, IS capability is seen as achieved through a sound IT governance, IT management, and corporate governance. That is, the study was about how governance and management of IS happens in a typical firm. IS capability was studied by looking at how the firm makes IT decisions, prioritizes IT investments, business and IT collaborating to create the vision, IT leadership, and the management of information systems resources.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / In today's Information Society, organizations have to ensure clean and secure data in order to make informed decisions. However, maintaining secure data need systematic Information Security Management. It is important to note that much as Information Security Management is considered the pillar of Enterprise Information Systems, its challenges are numerous. These challenges may include; loss of cooperate information, compromise of sensitive data and continuous cracking into the organization network systems. Academic institutions like many other information based organizations go through a wave of these challenges. Such challenges if not effectively handled could lead to serious security breaches. This study sought to identify metrics needed for Information Security Management in Universities of Technology.

M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School. / The purpose of this research is to assess which factors are critical to realize success in an Information Technology (IT) outsourcing relationship. The study assessed the applicability of the Relationship Quality (RELQUAL) model dimensions as relevant constructs that leads to relationship success and relationship retention on an existing IT outsourcing relationship. Emphasis was placed on the intangible factors which are trust, commitment, communication, cultural understanding and interdependence. This research was conducted within the context of the South African business environment.

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.