Diante das possibilidades que são oferecidas pelas tecnologias móveis, das intenções de uso que os indivíduos idealizam nas mesmas, e das realidades organizacionais peculiares, no momento das práticas e experiências de uso, podem surgir conflitos entre usuário e tecnologia. Ou seja, ao mesmo tempo em que a evolução das tecnologias traz o progresso elas criam paradoxos sociais que desafiam as pessoas nas esferas pessoal e social. Esta tese busca responder ao seguinte problema de pesquisa: Como os paradoxos de uso da tecnologia móvel se manifestam nas práticas sócio-materiais dos gestores de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior? Como objetivos específicos busca-se: a) Identificar o perfil de uso de tecnologia móvel dos gestores; b) Investigar os diferentes contextos móveis criados pelos usuários de tecnologia móvel advindos das práticas sócio-materiais de uso; c) Descrever as manifestações dos paradoxos de uso da tecnologia móvel vivenciadas pelos usuários; d) Identificar as estratégias criadas pelos usuários para gerenciar os paradoxos de uso da tecnologia móvel. Por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa realizou-se um estudo de caso na Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), uma Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES). Foram realizadas 28 entrevistas em duas etapas com 19 gestores, Diretores e Coordenadores Acadêmicos, da Instituição. Complementou-se a coleta de dados com observações diretas realizadas em reunião dos gestores. Foi possível identificar na Unipampa uma cultura de uso da tecnologia móvel, mais especificamente com relação ao notebook, parecendo haver uma regra implícita de que este deve ser carregado para todas as reuniões de trabalho, principalmente para aquelas que envolvem o deslocamento de uma cidade para outra. Aliado a isto, verifica-se um intenso uso do e-mail, indicando que a Unipampa é uma organização “dirigida” pelo e-mail. Os relatos indicam que o ritmo do trabalho se dá pelo fluxo de e-mails trocados entre as equipes, em que a condução dos tempos das demandas, acaba por vezes sobrecarregando os gestores. Os variados contextos móveis que emergiram neste estudo revelam que os gestores criam e recriam estes contextos de acordo com seus ritmos e preferências, os quais vão guiar as práticas de uso da tecnologia móvel. Os contextos móveis criados pelos gestores evidenciam que aqueles acontecem, principalmente, em função da intenção do usuário em “encurtar” ou “alongar” o tempo, dado o envolvimento do usuário nas tarefas. Constatou-se que grande parte dos paradoxos são sentidos independentemente do uso da tecnologia móvel ser o notebook ou o smartphone, mas sim em função do e-mail. Este passa a ser então o determinante para a formação de contextos móveis a partir das diferentes práticas sóciomateriais de uso, revelando assim que, os paradoxos não são somente característicos da tecnologia móvel em si, mas sim da ferramenta de comunicação e-mail. A maioria das estratégias busca lidar com o paradoxo Liberdade X Escravidão, em que o conflito entre estar livre, porém, sempre disponível e conectável para as pessoas parece ser o mais combatido. Este conflito é gerenciado por meio de estratégias de resistência como distanciamento, ignorar, suspensão, negligência, ou refutar a tecnologia móvel. / Given the possibilities that are offered by mobile technologies, the intentions of individuals who use the same idealize, and organizational realities at the time of the practices and experiences of use, conflicts may arise between users and technology. That is, while the evolution of technology brings progress they create social paradoxes that challenge people in personal and social spheres. This thesis aims to answer the following research problem: How the paradoxical use of mobile technology is manifested in the sociomaterial practices of managers in a Higher Education Institution? Specific objectives aims to: a) identify the usage profile of mobile technology managers; b) Investigate the different mobile contexts created by users of mobile technology arising from sociomaterial practices of use; c) Describe the manifestations paradoxes of the use of mobile technology experienced by users; d) Identify the strategies created by users to manage the paradoxes of use of mobile technology. Using a qualitative study we performed a case study at the Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), a Higher Education Institution (HEI). Twenty eight interviews were conducted in two stages with 19 managers, Directors and Academic Coordinators, of the Institution. We complemented the collection of data with direct observations made at a meeting of managers. It was possible to identify a mobile technology use culture in the Unipampa, specifically to notebook, there seems to be an unwritten rule that it must be loaded for all meetings, especially for those involving the displacement from one city to another. Also, there is an intensive use of e-mail, indicating that Unipampa an organization is “directed” by e-mail. Reports indicate that the pace of work is given by the flow of e-mails exchanged between the teams, in which the driving demands of the times, just sometimes overloading managers. The various mobile contexts that emerged in this study reveal that managers create and recreate these settings according to your preferences and rhythms, which will guide the practices of use of mobile technology. The mobile contexts created by managers show that those happen, mainly as a function of user intent to “shorten” or “lengthen” the time given user involvement in tasks. It was found that most of the paradoxes are felt regardless of the use of mobile technology to be the notebook or smartphone, but according to the email. This then becomes the determining factor for the formation of mobile contexts from different sociomaterial practices of use, thus revealing that the paradoxes are not only characteristic of mobile technology itself but the communication tool email. Most search strategies to deal with the paradox Freedom X Slavement in the conflict between being free, however, always available and connectable to the people seems to be the most fought. This conflict is managed through strategies of resistance as distance, ignore, suspension, neglect, or refute mobile technology.

abstract: This thesis focused on physicochemical and electrochemical projects directed towards two electrolyte types: 1) class of ionic liquids serving as electrolytes in the catholyte for alkali-metal ion conduction in batteries and 2) gel membrane for proton conduction in fuel cells; where overall aims were encouraged by the U.S. Department of Energy. Large-scale, sodium-ion batteries are seen as global solutions to providing undisrupted electricity from sustainable, but power-fluctuating, energy production in the near future. Foreseen ideal advantages are lower cost without sacrifice of desired high-energy densities relative to present lithium-ion and lead-acid battery systems. Na/NiCl2 (ZEBRA) and Na/S battery chemistries, suffer from high operation temperature (>300ºC) and safety concerns following major fires consequent of fuel mixing after cell-separator rupturing. Initial interest was utilizing low-melting organic ionic liquid, [EMI+][AlCl4-], with well-known molten salt, NaAlCl4, to create a low-to-moderate operating temperature version of ZEBRA batteries; which have been subject of prior sodium battery research spanning decades. Isothermal conductivities of these electrolytes revealed a fundamental kinetic problem arisen from "alkali cation-trapping effect" yet relived by heat-ramping >140ºC. Battery testing based on [EMI+][FeCl4-] with NaAlCl4 functioned exceptional (range 150-180ºC) at an impressive energy efficiency >96%. Newly prepared inorganic ionic liquid, [PBr4+][Al2Br7-]:NaAl2Br7, melted at 94ºC. NaAl2Br7 exhibited super-ionic conductivity 10-1.75 Scm-1 at 62ºC ensued by solid-state rotator phase transition. Also improved thermal stability when tested to 265ºC and less expensive chemical synthesis. [PBr4+][Al2Br7-] demonstrated remarkable, ionic decoupling in the liquid-state due to incomplete bromide-ion transfer depicted in NMR measurements. Fuel cells are electrochemical devices generating electrical energy reacting hydrogen/oxygen gases producing water vapor. Principle advantage is high-energy efficiency of up to 70% in contrast to an internal combustion engine <40%. Nafion-based fuel cells are prone to carbon monoxide catalytic poisoning and polymer membrane degradation unless heavily hydrated under cell-pressurization. This novel "SiPOH" solid-electrolytic gel (originally liquid-state) operated in the fuel cell at 121oC yielding current and power densities high as 731mAcm-2 and 345mWcm-2, respectively. Enhanced proton conduction significantly increased H2 fuel efficiency to 89.7% utilizing only 3.1mlmin-1 under dry, unpressurized testing conditions. All these energy devices aforementioned evidently have future promise; therefore in early developmental stages. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Chemistry 2014

The mobile revolution has had a huge effect on our lives in all spheres. To ensure its continued evolution patents have played a part in protecting rightsholders from infringement cases by implementers. Also, many companies in the ICT industry focusing on innovation have come together to create standards, which ensure interoperability and compatibility of devices whilst supporting an ecosystem that is beneficial for both innovators and implementers as well as the consumers. Despite challenges (hold-up and hold-out) arising, regulators and standards organizations have created policies to regulate the processes involved. This has seen the introduction of FRAND and other international agreements. Using 3GPP as an illustration, this thesis highlights the efforts that are poured in research and development to even come up with a set standard that is universally applicable. This thesis gives an analysis on the underlying principles and processes that allow for standardization. It focuses on the relationship between patents and standards and how a strong IPR system has an impact on the progress of technology innovation. This thesis will highlight the benefits that arise from an ecosystem that is predevelopment and analyses the legal cases that have been dealt with over the years. Several cases have been brought before the courts in different jurisdictions to address issues relating to standardization and the ruling have seen a change in direction on the way to approach FRAND. The landmark case Huawei v ZTE paved a way for Europe’s balanced approach on licensing agreements and now courts have realized the importance of both parties to actively participate in good faith negotiations. The same has happened in the United states where after eBay v MercExchange the courts are now realizing hold-out is equally detrimental as hold-up and can create complications in licensing. The courts are now reluctant in offering injunctive relief without efforts from both parties to perform licensing agreements. As the technological boom continues in an upward trajectory it is crucial now, more than ever for Africa to join in and leverage the available laws to benefit its SMEs and ICT industry and strengthen its IPR system. Legend has it that the stronger the protection of own technological know-how, the higher the likelihood to join formal standardization processes to leverage the value of the technological portfolios. The empirical findings establish that if African countries develop their IPR system, this can be a source of encouragement for innovators to engage in global standardization.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-06-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:12:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 barros_bsx_me_botfca.pdf: 2519973 bytes, checksum: cb7506db19aa9077c3c5e884388266a3 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / A coleta de preços da cesta básica é importante para a população e com base na coleta e processamento desses dados calcula-se o Índice de Custo de Vida (ICV) entre outros índices, auxiliando o consumidor a fazer compras mais racionais e com uma visão mais clara da incidência de cada produto sobre seu orçamento doméstico, não somente os produtos alimentares, mas também os produtos de limpeza e higiene pessoal. Atualmente, no município de Botucatu - SP, o projeto de levantamento de preços dos produtos da cesta básica é realizado semanalmente através de uma planilha. Outros municípios, como por exemplo Tupã e Jaboticabal, desenvolveram outros métodos de coleta, porém desistiram devido a falta de um sistema otimizado de levantamento e processamento dos dados. Esse trabalho envolveu a linguagem de programação Visual Basic 6.0 e banco de dados Microsoft Access para a etapa do computador de mesa. Assim como, o universo da tecnologia móvel e suas ferramentas de desenvolvimento, com o uso da plataforma “.NET” - Compact Framework e a linguagem Visual Basic “.NET” para a etapa do computador de mão, tornando possível o desenvolvimento de um sistema usando técnicas de programação orientada a objetos, ganhando velocidade e confiabilidade na escrita dos códigos. Os equipamentos utilizados foram: um computador de mesa HP Pavilion dv3 e um computador portátil Eten glofish X500+. Ao término do desenvolvimento do sistema computacional, da coleta, armazenamento e processamento das informações trabalhadas, buscadas e exibidas em forma de relatório, eliminou-se, assim, a etapa de anotação in loco em planilhas de papel, e constatou-se que todo o processo ganhou velocidade, consistência, segurança, disponibilidade das informações e eficiência / The collection of prices for basic goods supply is very important for the population, based on the collection and processing of these data the CLI (Cost Living Index) is calculated among others, helping consumers to shop more rationally and with a clearer view of each product impact of each product on their household budget, not only food, but also cleaning products and personal hygiene ones. Nowadays, the project of collection of prices for basic goods supply is conducted weekly in Botucatu - SP through a spreadsheet, Tupã and Jaboticabal for example, already had the experience to develop other methods of collection, but dropped out due the lack of an optimized system of survey and data processing. This work utilized the programming language Visual Basic 6.0 and database Microsoft Access for the personal computer phase. The world of mobile technology and development tools, through the platform “.NET” - Compact Framework and programming language Visual Basic “.NET” was used in the handheld phase, enabling to develop a system using techniques of object oriented programming, with higher speed and reliability in the codes writing. A HP Pavilion dv3 personal computer and an Eten glofish x500+ handheld computer were used. At the end of the software development, collection, data storing and processing in a report, the phase of in loco paper spreadsheets were eliminated and it was possible to verify that the whole process was faster, more consistent, safer, more efficient and the data were more available

Submitted by Viviane Lima da Cunha (viviane@biblioteca.ufpb.br) on 2015-12-07T12:29:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2124514 bytes, checksum: 42fec11f166fd25a72c8e2432be9548c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-07T12:29:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2124514 bytes, checksum: 42fec11f166fd25a72c8e2432be9548c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This paper presents the results of a school activity that aimed to provide training on reading especially to the production of multisemiotics texts, using cell phones as a teaching device, considering that this instrument, though banned at school, had being used improperly in classroom especially for social networks access, rising up stress and indiscipline. The target group of this study has been a class of 8th grade on an elementary public school in João Pessoa. The investigation process was performed in two steps. The first one, ethnographic featured, enabled us to understand the reasons for which students take cell phone use in classroom, what they think about the ban and which texts are usually used in their interactions on social networks. The second one, an action research, was conducted through the effort of a multiliteracy project, admitting and discussing the linguistic knowledge, based on students’ skills with mobile applications as a start point to improve reading / writing multimediatic texts. Therefore we have made use of the contributions of Lévy (1999), Santaella (2004, 2007, 2009), Guidelines for Mobile Learning UNESCO (2014), ROJO (2009, 2012, 2013), and others. Results indicate that it is essential to shelter social practices diversity on reading and writing, as well as to cultural property produced by contemporary society, which includes mobiles as hybrid, multifunctional and at the same time global connection channel device, through which occur so many languages and cultures. School's role is to develop with students reading and writing skills that will let them be able to assume an ethical and democratic position in contemporary society. / Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de uma atividade escolar que teve como objetivo propiciar a formação para a leitura e, sobretudo, para a produção de textos multimissemióticos, usando o celular como dispositivo didático, tendo em vista que esse dispositivo, embora proibido, estava sendo usado em sala de aula de forma indevida especialmente para o acesso às redes sociais, gerando tensões e indisciplina. O público-alvo deste trabalho foi uma turma de 8º ano do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola municipal de João Pessoa. O processo de investigação realizou-se em duas etapas. A primeira, de natureza etnográfica, possibilitou-nos compreender as razões pelos quais os alunos fazem uso do celular em sala de aula, bem como, o que pensam da proibição e que textos são mais usados em suas interações, através das redes sociais. A segunda, uma pesquisa-ação, se realizou mediante a aplicação de um projeto de multiletramentos, acolhendo e problematizando os saberes linguísticos e usando as experiências dos alunos no manuseio dos aplicativos do celular, como ponto de partida para o desenvolvimento de habilidades de leitura/escrita de textos multimidiáticos. Para tanto, valemo-nos das contribuições de Lévy (1999), Santaella (2004, 2007, 2009), Diretrizes para a aprendizagem móvel da UNESCO (2014), ROJO (2009, 2012, 2013), dentre outros. Os resultados apontam que é primordial o acolhimento da diversidade de práticas sociais de leitura e de escrita, bem como, dos bens culturais produzidos pela sociedade contemporânea, entre eles o celular como dispositivo híbrido, multifuncional, e ao mesmo tempo, como canal de interconexão global por onde circula uma infinidade de linguagens e culturas, visto que é papel da escola desenvolver no público que a ela acorre, habilidades de leitura e de escrita, que o tornem apto a assumir uma postura ética e democrática na sociedade contemporânea.

Resumo: A coleta de preços da cesta básica é importante para a população e com base na coleta e processamento desses dados calcula-se o Índice de Custo de Vida (ICV) entre outros índices, auxiliando o consumidor a fazer compras mais racionais e com uma visão mais clara da incidência de cada produto sobre seu orçamento doméstico, não somente os produtos alimentares, mas também os produtos de limpeza e higiene pessoal. Atualmente, no município de Botucatu - SP, o projeto de levantamento de preços dos produtos da cesta básica é realizado semanalmente através de uma planilha. Outros municípios, como por exemplo Tupã e Jaboticabal, desenvolveram outros métodos de coleta, porém desistiram devido a falta de um sistema otimizado de levantamento e processamento dos dados. Esse trabalho envolveu a linguagem de programação Visual Basic 6.0 e banco de dados Microsoft Access para a etapa do computador de mesa. Assim como, o universo da tecnologia móvel e suas ferramentas de desenvolvimento, com o uso da plataforma ".NET" - Compact Framework e a linguagem Visual Basic ".NET" para a etapa do computador de mão, tornando possível o desenvolvimento de um sistema usando técnicas de programação orientada a objetos, ganhando velocidade e confiabilidade na escrita dos códigos. Os equipamentos utilizados foram: um computador de mesa HP Pavilion dv3 e um computador portátil Eten glofish X500+. Ao término do desenvolvimento do sistema computacional, da coleta, armazenamento e processamento das informações trabalhadas, buscadas e exibidas em forma de relatório, eliminou-se, assim, a etapa de anotação in loco em planilhas de papel, e constatou-se que todo o processo ganhou velocidade, consistência, segurança, disponibilidade das informações e eficiência / Abstract: The collection of prices for basic goods supply is very important for the population, based on the collection and processing of these data the CLI (Cost Living Index) is calculated among others, helping consumers to shop more rationally and with a clearer view of each product impact of each product on their household budget, not only food, but also cleaning products and personal hygiene ones. Nowadays, the project of collection of prices for basic goods supply is conducted weekly in Botucatu - SP through a spreadsheet, Tupã and Jaboticabal for example, already had the experience to develop other methods of collection, but dropped out due the lack of an optimized system of survey and data processing. This work utilized the programming language Visual Basic 6.0 and database Microsoft Access for the personal computer phase. The world of mobile technology and development tools, through the platform ".NET" - Compact Framework and programming language Visual Basic ".NET" was used in the handheld phase, enabling to develop a system using techniques of object oriented programming, with higher speed and reliability in the codes writing. A HP Pavilion dv3 personal computer and an Eten glofish x500+ handheld computer were used. At the end of the software development, collection, data storing and processing in a report, the phase of in loco paper spreadsheets were eliminated and it was possible to verify that the whole process was faster, more consistent, safer, more efficient and the data were more available / Orientador: Saulo Philipe Sebastião Guerra / Coorientador: Fernando Goulart de Andrade e Souza / Banca: Kléber Pereira Lanças / Banca: Carlos Roberto P.Padovani / Mestre

Diante das possibilidades que são oferecidas pelas tecnologias móveis, das intenções de uso que os indivíduos idealizam nas mesmas, e das realidades organizacionais peculiares, no momento das práticas e experiências de uso, podem surgir conflitos entre usuário e tecnologia. Ou seja, ao mesmo tempo em que a evolução das tecnologias traz o progresso elas criam paradoxos sociais que desafiam as pessoas nas esferas pessoal e social. Esta tese busca responder ao seguinte problema de pesquisa: Como os paradoxos de uso da tecnologia móvel se manifestam nas práticas sócio-materiais dos gestores de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior? Como objetivos específicos busca-se: a) Identificar o perfil de uso de tecnologia móvel dos gestores; b) Investigar os diferentes contextos móveis criados pelos usuários de tecnologia móvel advindos das práticas sócio-materiais de uso; c) Descrever as manifestações dos paradoxos de uso da tecnologia móvel vivenciadas pelos usuários; d) Identificar as estratégias criadas pelos usuários para gerenciar os paradoxos de uso da tecnologia móvel. Por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa realizou-se um estudo de caso na Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), uma Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES). Foram realizadas 28 entrevistas em duas etapas com 19 gestores, Diretores e Coordenadores Acadêmicos, da Instituição. Complementou-se a coleta de dados com observações diretas realizadas em reunião dos gestores. Foi possível identificar na Unipampa uma cultura de uso da tecnologia móvel, mais especificamente com relação ao notebook, parecendo haver uma regra implícita de que este deve ser carregado para todas as reuniões de trabalho, principalmente para aquelas que envolvem o deslocamento de uma cidade para outra. Aliado a isto, verifica-se um intenso uso do e-mail, indicando que a Unipampa é uma organização “dirigida” pelo e-mail. Os relatos indicam que o ritmo do trabalho se dá pelo fluxo de e-mails trocados entre as equipes, em que a condução dos tempos das demandas, acaba por vezes sobrecarregando os gestores. Os variados contextos móveis que emergiram neste estudo revelam que os gestores criam e recriam estes contextos de acordo com seus ritmos e preferências, os quais vão guiar as práticas de uso da tecnologia móvel. Os contextos móveis criados pelos gestores evidenciam que aqueles acontecem, principalmente, em função da intenção do usuário em “encurtar” ou “alongar” o tempo, dado o envolvimento do usuário nas tarefas. Constatou-se que grande parte dos paradoxos são sentidos independentemente do uso da tecnologia móvel ser o notebook ou o smartphone, mas sim em função do e-mail. Este passa a ser então o determinante para a formação de contextos móveis a partir das diferentes práticas sóciomateriais de uso, revelando assim que, os paradoxos não são somente característicos da tecnologia móvel em si, mas sim da ferramenta de comunicação e-mail. A maioria das estratégias busca lidar com o paradoxo Liberdade X Escravidão, em que o conflito entre estar livre, porém, sempre disponível e conectável para as pessoas parece ser o mais combatido. Este conflito é gerenciado por meio de estratégias de resistência como distanciamento, ignorar, suspensão, negligência, ou refutar a tecnologia móvel. / Given the possibilities that are offered by mobile technologies, the intentions of individuals who use the same idealize, and organizational realities at the time of the practices and experiences of use, conflicts may arise between users and technology. That is, while the evolution of technology brings progress they create social paradoxes that challenge people in personal and social spheres. This thesis aims to answer the following research problem: How the paradoxical use of mobile technology is manifested in the sociomaterial practices of managers in a Higher Education Institution? Specific objectives aims to: a) identify the usage profile of mobile technology managers; b) Investigate the different mobile contexts created by users of mobile technology arising from sociomaterial practices of use; c) Describe the manifestations paradoxes of the use of mobile technology experienced by users; d) Identify the strategies created by users to manage the paradoxes of use of mobile technology. Using a qualitative study we performed a case study at the Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), a Higher Education Institution (HEI). Twenty eight interviews were conducted in two stages with 19 managers, Directors and Academic Coordinators, of the Institution. We complemented the collection of data with direct observations made at a meeting of managers. It was possible to identify a mobile technology use culture in the Unipampa, specifically to notebook, there seems to be an unwritten rule that it must be loaded for all meetings, especially for those involving the displacement from one city to another. Also, there is an intensive use of e-mail, indicating that Unipampa an organization is “directed” by e-mail. Reports indicate that the pace of work is given by the flow of e-mails exchanged between the teams, in which the driving demands of the times, just sometimes overloading managers. The various mobile contexts that emerged in this study reveal that managers create and recreate these settings according to your preferences and rhythms, which will guide the practices of use of mobile technology. The mobile contexts created by managers show that those happen, mainly as a function of user intent to “shorten” or “lengthen” the time given user involvement in tasks. It was found that most of the paradoxes are felt regardless of the use of mobile technology to be the notebook or smartphone, but according to the email. This then becomes the determining factor for the formation of mobile contexts from different sociomaterial practices of use, thus revealing that the paradoxes are not only characteristic of mobile technology itself but the communication tool email. Most search strategies to deal with the paradox Freedom X Slavement in the conflict between being free, however, always available and connectable to the people seems to be the most fought. This conflict is managed through strategies of resistance as distance, ignore, suspension, neglect, or refute mobile technology.

Managing customer relations had become a necessity for companies who want to succeed in today’s customer oriented market. New systems are developed that allow firms to manage and govern their relationships to the customers. These applications are called Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems and have become one of the most widely adopted business solution in the private sector. In the mean time, mobile internet and mobile marketing have become two of the most popular subjects mentioned in business literature today. A new system that combines CRM and mobile technologies has recently been developed: mobile CRM (mCRM). This type of system will allow companies to enhance their way of working with customer relations and enables new ways of offering value to customers. The market size of mCRM systems has grown from a $120 million industry in 2001 to a $1, 7 billion industries in 2005. The combination of the growing trend of customer focus, mobile technologies and mCRM systems will most likely lead to more companies investing in mCRM solutions. Still an interesting question of the reasons behind mCRM adoption remains unanswered. The main focus of this thesis is to find out why companies chose to adopt or not adopt mCRM systems. Theories about CRM, mCRM and the spreading of technology (The Technology Acceptance Model) have been gathered and examined in order to support the research. After a gained insight of the subject matter, a methodology is discussed explaining research approach. A qualitative approach is used and interviews are conducted in order to find barriers and facilitators to mCRM adoption. Four companies from different industry sectors where interviewed, answering to questions concerning their level of IT adoption, CRM strategy and perception of mCRM. The research resulted in several reasons for mCRM acceptance and rejection. The primary reason for investing mCRM, or considering investing in mCRM, was found to be the need to reach customers and sales force anytime and anywhere. Also, current IT adoption and IT dependency, as well as industry sector, are found to influence attitude towards mCRM. Factors that are found not to affect mCRM adoption are size of the firm and external pressure from the market. The overall perception of mCRM is positive among the respondents and all believe that the mobility aspect of CRM will become increasingly popular.

The original goal of this project was to build a peer e-mentoring program for parents and measure the effect of the program on persistence. In spite of strong mentor participation, two terms of focused recruiting did not attract mentees. This sparked the question of why those who had successfully navigated the higher education system thought a peer e-mentoring program was needed but those in the process did not. A focused ethnography was designed to try to understand why students with children were resistant to peer e-mentoring. Students with children used technology to integrate the various roles of life. They used smart phones to organize, schedule, and research. They used them to schedule rides or childcare for children, communicated with professors and classmates, reviewed course resources, and whatever else they needed to communicate about. They solved problems by taking them one at time and planning for emergencies with contingencies. These students considered planning their best defense against failing to reach to graduation. They realized establishing and keeping communication lines open was critical. The turned most often to family for help but would reach out to professors and even staff if needed. They looked for professors who were known to go above and beyond for their students just in case they needed to reschedule exams or assignments. The overwhelming consensus about participation was that they just can’t see how it is possible make another commitment. Two mentor participants agreed to be interviewed and shared thoughts about privacy concerns but were willing to take the chance to help ease the way for another student parent. The students with children interviewed expressed the need to find solutions to constantly changing requirements but were not comfortable sharing their problems in a one to one mentoring program. Previous studies have suggested that implementing solutions for non-traditional students required a focused needs assessment. Many programs designed to increase retention for non-traditional students have resulted in exactly the results this one originally faced, a lack of participants or low results. Ultimately these students need just in time solutions for a changing myriad of road blocks to graduation.

The aim of this thesis is to propose a new mobile service. At the beginning of this work are listed technologies, which are used in mobile communications. Furthermore, it defines the concept of mobile service, indicating a few examples. The practical part describes a custom design services and its variants. The new service is finally described as a possible new type of business.