This research sets out to provide enhanced knowledge on the impact of transformational leadership on employees' innovation behavior. In particular, drawing on leadership and innovation literature, this research attempts to examine such a relationship by both theorizing and testing the extent to which employees' readiness for change mediates on it. Moreover, this research takes the view that the effectiveness of transformational leadership varies according to the presence of different moderating variables. As such, employees' perceived high commitment work system of their firm as well as these employees' learning capability are examined as moderators on the aforementioned relationship. I collected multi-source and supervisor-employee matched data from two hotels, and the results of data analysis supported the total effect of transformational leadership on innovation behavior, the mediating effect of readiness for change, as well as the moderating effect of employee learning capability. The moderating role of high commitment work system was also found significant but opposite to the initially hypothesized direction. Practically, this research offers implications to managers the importance of leadership on facilitating the change and innovation processes in organizations.

As a mechanism for collecting and sharing information, information and communications technologies (ICT) hold immense potential for individuals and institutions in low- and middle-income countries. Currently the distribution and adoption of ICTs--particularly mobile devices--has far outpaced the provision of other household services like clean water, sanitation, hygiene, or energy services. At the same time, the development and deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices including cellular- and satellite-connected sensors is facilitating more rapid feedback from remote regions where basic services are most limited. When used in conjunction with economic development or public health interventions, these devices and the feedback they provide can inform operation and maintenance activities for field staff and improve the monitoring and evaluation of outcomes for project stakeholders. This dissertation includes three chapters written as journal articles. While each chapter is framed around the work and research efforts being undertaken by the Sustainable Water, Energy, and Environmental Technologies Lab (SweetLab) at Portland State University, the common thread that weaves all three investigations together is the theme of ICT-enabled programmatic feedback. The first chapter introduces the three theoretical lenses that inform these investigations and the ways that ICTs and the data they provide can (1) serve as more appropriate proxies for measuring access to services, (2) reduce information asymmetries between various stakeholders including communities, governments, implementers, and funders, and (3) enable more robust methodologies for measuring outcomes and impacts of interventions within complex adaptive systems. The second chapter presents a critical review of the methodologies and technologies being used to track progress on sanitation and hygiene development goals. Chapter three describes how simple sensors and weight measurements can be combined with complex machine learning algorithms to facilitate more reliable and cost-effective latrine servicing in informal settlements. Chapter four presents the results from an investigation exploring how near-time feedback from sensors installed on motorized boreholes can improve water service delivery and drought resilience in arid regions of Northern Kenya. Finally, chapter five provides a summary of the three manuscripts and discusses the significance of this research for future investigations.

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

published_or_final_version / Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Management of Technology)--Vanderbilt University, May 2007. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Wikipedia is no longer just another source of knowledge about the world. It is fast becoming a central source, used by other powerful knowledge brokers like Google and Bing to offer authoritative answers to search queries about people, places and things and as information infrastructure for a growing number of Web applications and services. Researchers have found that Wikipedia offers a skewed representation of the world that favours some groups at the expense of others so that representations on the platform have repercussions for the subjects of those representations beyond Wikipedia's domain. It becomes critical in this context to understand how exactly Wikipedia's representations come about, what practices give rise to them and what socio-technical arrangements lead to their expression. This ethnographic study of Wikipedia explores the values, principles and practices that guide what knowledge Wikipedia represents. It follows the foundational principles of Wikipedia in its identity both as an encyclopaedia and a product of the free and open source software and internet freedom rhetoric of the early 2000s. Two case studies are analysed against the backdrop of this ideology, illustrating how different sets of actors battle to extend or reject the boundaries of Wikipedia, and in doing so, affect who are defined as the experts, subjects and revolutionaries of the knowledge that is taken up. The findings of this thesis indicate that Wikipedia's process of decision-making is neither hierarchical nor is it egalitarian; rather, the power to represent on Wikipedia is rhizoid: it happens at the edges rather than in the centre of the network. Instead of everyone having the same power to represent their views on Wikipedia, those who understand how to perform and speak according to Wikipedia's complex technical, symbolic and policy vocabulary tend to prevail over those who possess disciplinary knowledge about the subject being represented. Wikipedians are no amateurs as many would have us believe; nor are they passive collectors of knowledge held in sources; Wikipedians are, instead, active co-creators of knowledge in the form of facts that they support using specially chosen sources. The authority of Wikipedia and Wikipedians is garnered through the performative acts of citation, through the ability of individual editors to construct the traces that represent citation, and through the stabilization and destabilization of facts according to the ideological viewpoints of its editors. In venerating and selecting certain sources among others, Wikipedians also serve to reaffirm traditional centres of authority, while at the same time amplifying new centres of knowledge and denying the authority of knowledge that is not codified in practice. As a result, Wikipedia is becoming the site of new centres of expertise and authoritative knowledge creation, and is signalling a move towards the professionalization of the expertise required to produce factual data in the context of digital networks.

Esta dissertação objetivou analisar os mecanismos e estruturas de promoção à inovação dispostos pela Universidade de Caxias do Sul, a partir do modelo teórico da Tríplice Hélice. A pesquisa envolveu a identificação das interações da universidade com os instrumentos e políticas de inovação da Secretaria da Ciência, Inovação e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico do Governo do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul e com o as atividades aplicadas à inovação da empresa Keko Acessórios S.A. Neste contexto foram caracterizadas as atividades e políticas de inovação dos três agentes considerando suas interações com agentes externos, visando pontuar as interações entre eles. Com abordagem qualitativa, o estudo exploratório empregou entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado. Utilizou-se o método de análise de discurso, através do software ATLAS.ti®, versão 7. Os resultados apresentam uma participação assídua dos agentes na busca de interações com agentes externos, através de recursos, conhecimento e análise de mercado, para a realização de seus objetivos, dentro das atividades e políticas de inovação. Essa busca fica evidente quando se trata da realização dos objetivos individuais, fazendo com que a interação com os agentes externos seja uma consequência desse processo, limitando a participação externa nas atividades de inovação. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-09-21T12:28:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Felipe Luis de Marchi.pdf: 1302058 bytes, checksum: fb4bf2b8ff8ad7822c25a7099994ee5e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-09-21T12:28:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Felipe Luis de Marchi.pdf: 1302058 bytes, checksum: fb4bf2b8ff8ad7822c25a7099994ee5e (MD5) / This dissertation aimed to analyze the mechanisms and structures for the promotion to innovation disposed by University of Caxias do Sul, starting from the theoretical model of the Triple Helix. The research involved the identification of the interactions between the University, the instruments and innovation polices of the Secretary of Science, Innovation and Technological Development of the Government of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and the activities applied to innovation of the company Keko Acessórios S.A.. In this context were characterized the activities and innovation policies of the three agents considering their interactions with external agents, aiming to realize the interactions between them. Using a qualitative approach, this exploratory study employed semi-structured interviews with a script. The method of discourse analysis was used and carried out with Atlas.TI software ®, version 7. The results show an assiduous participation of agents in search of interactions with external agents, through resources, knowledge and analysis of the market for the realization of their goals, activities and innovation policies. This search is evident when it comes to the achievement of individual objectives, making the interaction with external agents a consequence of this process, limiting external participation in innovation activities.

Esta dissertação objetivou analisar os mecanismos e estruturas de promoção à inovação dispostos pela Universidade de Caxias do Sul, a partir do modelo teórico da Tríplice Hélice. A pesquisa envolveu a identificação das interações da universidade com os instrumentos e políticas de inovação da Secretaria da Ciência, Inovação e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico do Governo do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul e com o as atividades aplicadas à inovação da empresa Keko Acessórios S.A. Neste contexto foram caracterizadas as atividades e políticas de inovação dos três agentes considerando suas interações com agentes externos, visando pontuar as interações entre eles. Com abordagem qualitativa, o estudo exploratório empregou entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado. Utilizou-se o método de análise de discurso, através do software ATLAS.ti®, versão 7. Os resultados apresentam uma participação assídua dos agentes na busca de interações com agentes externos, através de recursos, conhecimento e análise de mercado, para a realização de seus objetivos, dentro das atividades e políticas de inovação. Essa busca fica evidente quando se trata da realização dos objetivos individuais, fazendo com que a interação com os agentes externos seja uma consequência desse processo, limitando a participação externa nas atividades de inovação. / This dissertation aimed to analyze the mechanisms and structures for the promotion to innovation disposed by University of Caxias do Sul, starting from the theoretical model of the Triple Helix. The research involved the identification of the interactions between the University, the instruments and innovation polices of the Secretary of Science, Innovation and Technological Development of the Government of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and the activities applied to innovation of the company Keko Acessórios S.A.. In this context were characterized the activities and innovation policies of the three agents considering their interactions with external agents, aiming to realize the interactions between them. Using a qualitative approach, this exploratory study employed semi-structured interviews with a script. The method of discourse analysis was used and carried out with Atlas.TI software ®, version 7. The results show an assiduous participation of agents in search of interactions with external agents, through resources, knowledge and analysis of the market for the realization of their goals, activities and innovation policies. This search is evident when it comes to the achievement of individual objectives, making the interaction with external agents a consequence of this process, limiting external participation in innovation activities.

Enterprise architecture is the high-level design of the entire business, facilitated by enterprise architects. "Agile enterprise architecture" is the term used in enterprise architecture to describe an architecture that caters for future unknowns, enabling change to occur rapidly without undue resource utilization, yet in a controlled manner and with minimal adverse impact. Some enterprise architects still use outdated, rigid approaches to enterprise architecture which are incompatible with today‟s business environment. In addition, there is limited research into methods that can be applied to measure the agility of enterprise architecture. The current environment is such that there is a need for a more agile approach to developing and measuring enterprise architecture. This work will lead to the creation of a Framework for The Development and Measurement of Agile Enterprise Architecture. In support of the main goal of the development of the framework, a literature review will be conducted focusing on the necessary sub-goals of the research. The first sub-goal of the literature review is to develop a comprehensive definition for enterprise architecture (referred to as EA), as well as discover how it is currently practiced. Thereafter, the literature review will investigate a comprehensive definition for agility and research why it is emerging as a critical topic. The next chapter of the literature review will research how agility fits within the context of EA, uncovering a comprehensive definition for agile EA and the best practices in agile EA development. The final chapter of the literature review will investigate suitable measurement techniques that can be used to assess the level of agility of EA. On completion of the literature review, a preliminary framework will be created using the most important contributions from the literature. An empirical study will be conducted to explore the definitions for EA, agility, agile EA, the methods to measure the agility of EA and the concepts for the development of agile EA summarised in the preliminary framework. Data analysis follows an interpretive and qualitative approach based on four case studies through interviews with systems experts in four South African organizations in one province. Each interviewee was interviewed once. The initial interview with a Principal Consultant on Enterprise Strategy Consulting at organisation # 1 formed the basis of an exploratory study; the results of which were used to refine the research instrument and preliminary framework. Thereafter, a more rigorous empirical study focused on interviews with the Chief Architect, Senior Manager in Advisory Services and an Enterprise Architect at organizations 2, 3 and 4 respectively was conducted. The research follows an inductive approach to capture the interpretive experiences of participants and develop theoretical propositions from them. Following the exploratory pilot study it became necessary to make changes to the preliminary framework and initial survey instrument created. Thereafter, the empirical study consisting of the remaining three cases was conducted to test the important aspects of the framework and literature definitions. The analysis of the results of the empirical study prompted further changes to the theoretical framework and definitions created. The interviews conducted with each of the organizations confirmed the factors for agile EA development as well as the effectiveness of the definitions created in the literature review. The research uncovered that the need for a more agile approach to developing EA and a way to measure the level of agility of EA has become more and more significant in organizations. This begins with a better understanding of EA, agility, how agility fits within the context of EA, as well as appropriate methods to measure agility.

A universidade possui um histórico pautado na contribuição para avanço do conhecimento e da tecnologia no contexto econômico e social de um país, através do ensino, da pesquisa e da extensão. O conhecimento gerado por meio destas pesquisas entre alunos e pesquisadores pode ocasionar a interação com diferentes atores, entre eles governo e empresas, acarretando a transferência da tecnologia gerada na universidade para o mercado. A transferência de tecnologia pode ser considerada um processo que tem seu início na revelação da invenção, e sequência o registro da patente, o licenciamento, o uso comercial da tecnologia licenciada, e por fim os royalties recebidos pela universidade. Esta dissertação de mestrado pesquisou como ocorre a transferência de tecnologia, a partir de uma abordagem Schumpeteriana da trilogia da inovação e com um recorte na abordagem teórica da Tríplice Hélice de Etzkowitz, focando a interação universidade - empresa. A metodologia utilizada para este estudo foi a análise de dois casos com caráter exploratório e abordagem qualitativa. Os objetos de estudo da dissertação são as Instituições de Ensino Superior Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) e a Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS). A técnica utilizada para a coleta dos dados foi a entrevista semiestruturada, e a técnica de análise dos dados foi a análise de conteúdo. Os principais resultados apontam que se faz necessário, principalmente que empresas e universidades compreendam que é preciso atuar conjuntamente na pesquisa tecnológica colaborativa, para que os recursos financeiros investidos pelo governo ou iniciativa privada não sejam aceitos somente como artigos publicados em revistas científicas, mas sim, que se transformem em inovações tecnológicas aceitas pelo mercado. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-04-01T16:43:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Cassiane Chais.pdf: 3342974 bytes, checksum: 040d72161ed9c96ce42e5ced538e0724 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-01T16:43:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Cassiane Chais.pdf: 3342974 bytes, checksum: 040d72161ed9c96ce42e5ced538e0724 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, CAPES. / The university has a history grounded in contribution to the advancement of knowledge and technology in economic and social context of a country through education and research and extension. The knowledge generated through these surveys among students and researchers can lead to interaction with different stakeholders, including government and business, resulting in the transfer of technology generated in the university to market. Technology transfer can be regarded as a process that begins in the disclosure of the invention, following the registration of the patent, licensing, the commercial use of the licensed technology, and finally the royalties received by the university. This dissertation investigated the transfer of technology from a Schumpeterian approach to innovation trilogy and a cutout in the theoretical approach of the Triple Helix of Etzkowitz occurs, focusing on the interaction university - enterprise. The methodology used for this study was the analysis of two cases with exploratory and qualitative approach. The objects of study of the thesis are the Institutions of Higher Education State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS). The technique used for data collection was a semi-structured interview technique and the data analysis was content analysis. This research concluded that it is necessary , especially to businesses and universities understand that you need to walk together in collaborative technology research , so that financial resources invested by the government or private companies are not only accepted as eligible articles published in magazines , but that transformed into technological innovations accepted by the market.