New technologies are changing the way entrepreneurs network. Internet Based Neworking  Websites (IBNWs) are re shaping the process in which we network and communicate with  one another, on a personal and also on a professional level. The biggest example of this is  the incredible rise of IBNWs such as Facebook and LinkedIn that together hold more than  300 million users.  This is a very new form of networking where individuals are able to  communicate and connect with an almost limitless amount of people, regardless of their  geographical location. The more traditional forms of  networking are seen as phone calls  and face to face communication, while in the last two decades email has also been  incorporated into a common and professional form of networking for the purpose of  business. Since IBNWs are a new form of maintaining relationships, for our thesis we have  decided to address the question of how IBNWs affect the process of networking during the  development of ventures.     In the thesis we explore the concepts put forward by authors such as; Granovetter, Hoang  and Antoncic, Aldrich and Zimmer, Deutsch, Sonnenberg among others. In addition we  used the structure used by Hoand and Antoncic to create a framework when analyzing the  networking process though IBNWs. This framework is split in to three categories: Network  structure, governance, and content. Using a qualitative interpretivist approach we have  developed an extensive case study and we have interviewed ten entrepreneurs from a wide  array of industries and locations. To help us analyze the data retrieved we have also  interviewed an expert in the field of business and internet landscaping. The aim of the study  is to generate a new framework for networking in the 21st century in light of the IBNW  boom.  The findings demonstrate that IBNWs are being used widely by entrepreneurs, but  mainly for advices and information or in other words, providing low commitment content.  We have concluded that IBNWs are perceived as an informal cold and weak form of  networking and maintaining business networks and if relationships where to progress to  higher levels of commitment then entepreneurs will turn to more traditional ways of  network maintenance such as face-to-face meetings.

<p>Ova disertacija se bavi istraživanjem problema kontinuiteta IP<br />mrežnih sesija u oblasti komunikscija u mobilnim računarskim mrežama.<br />Cilj istraživanja u okviru ove doktorske disertacije je da se definiše<br />rešenje problema mobilnosti primenjivo na heterogene bežične mreže<br />primenom metode softverski definisanog umrežavanja. U okviru<br />istraživanja prikazana je i praktična implementacija predloženog<br />rešenja. Tokom istraživanja su dobijeni rezultati koji ukazuju na potrebu<br />integracije postojećih tradicionalnih bežičnih mreža sa softverski<br />definisanim mrežama. Osnovu predloženog rešenja predstavlja<br />inkrementslan pristup u pogledu uvođenja novih SDN funkcionslnosti u<br />bežične IP mreže. Kroz implementaciju minimalnog seta SDN<br />funkcionalnosti gradi se tzv. hibridni model SDN mreže. Glavni<br />doprinos ovog istraživanja se ogleda u definisanju postupka koji će<br />omogućiti da se prevaziđe problem mobilnosti u aktuelnom konceptu<br />heterogenih bežičnih računarskih mreža. Ovakav model rešenja, pruža<br />značajan doprinos i sa aspekta ulaganja u promenu infrastrukture u<br />bežičnim mrežama. Implementacijom hibridnog modela, redukuje se<br />potreba za potpunim, ali i značajnim, uvođenjem virtuelne<br />infrastrukture bazirane na fleksibilnim softverski definisanim<br />mrežama.</p> / <p>This dissertation investigates the problem of IP networking communication<br />sessions continuity in mobile computer networks. The aim of the research within<br />this doctoral dissertation is to define a solution to the mobility problem<br />applicable to heterogeneous wireless networks using the software-defined<br />networking method. The research also demonstrates the practical<br />implementation of the proposed solution. During the research were obtained<br />results that indicate the need for integration of software-defined networks into<br />existing traditional wireless networks. The basis of the proposed solution is an<br />incremental approach in terms of introducing new SDN functionality into<br />wireless IP networks. Through the implementation of the minimal set of SDN<br />functionality, the so-called hybrid model of the SDN network is being built. The<br />main contribution of this research is reflected in the definition of a process that<br />will allow to overcome the problem of mobility in the current concept of<br />heterogeneous wireless computing networks. This solution model, also provides<br />a significant contribution from the aspect of investing in the change of<br />infrastructure in wireless networks. Implementation of the hybrid model reduces<br />the need for a complete replacement with a virtual infrastructure based on<br />flexible software-defined networks.</p>

The rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) introduces an additional challenge to the existing spectrum under-utilisation problem as large scale deployments of thousands devices are expected to require wireless connectivity. Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) has been proposed as a means of improving the spectrum utilisation of wireless systems. Based on the Cognitive Radio (CR) paradigm, DSA enables unlicensed spectrum users to sense their spectral environment and adapt their operational parameters to opportunistically access any temporally unoccupied bands without causing interference to the primary spectrum users. In the same context, CR inspired Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications have recently been proposed as a potential solution to the spectrum utilisation problem, which has been driven by the ever increasing number of interconnected devices. M2M communications introduce new challenges for CR in terms of operational environments and design requirements. With spectrum sensing being the key function for CR, this thesis investigates the performance of spectrum sensing and proposes novel sensing approaches and models to address the sensing problem for cognitive M2M deployments. In this thesis, the behaviour of Energy Detection (ED) spectrum sensing for cognitive M2M nodes is modelled using the two-wave with dffi use power fading model. This channel model can describe a variety of realistic fading conditions including worse than Rayleigh scenarios that are expected to occur within the operational environments of cognitive M2M communication systems. The results suggest that ED based spectrum sensing fails to meet the sensing requirements over worse than Rayleigh conditions and consequently requires the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to be increased by up to 137%. However, by employing appropriate diversity and node cooperation techniques, the sensing performance can be improved by up to 11.5dB in terms of the required SNR. These results are particularly useful in analysing the eff ects of severe fading in cognitive M2M systems and thus they can be used to design effi cient CR transceivers and to quantify the trade-o s between detection performance and energy e fficiency. A novel predictive spectrum sensing scheme that exploits historical data of past sensing events to predict channel occupancy is proposed and analysed. This approach allows CR terminals to sense only the channels that are predicted to be unoccupied rather than the whole band of interest. Based on this approach, a spectrum occupancy predictor is developed and experimentally validated. The proposed scheme achieves a prediction accuracy of up to 93% which in turn can lead to up to 84% reduction of the spectrum sensing cost. Furthermore, a novel probabilistic model for describing the channel availability in both the vertical and horizontal polarisations is developed. The proposed model is validated based on a measurement campaign for operational scenarios where CR terminals may change their polarisation during their operation. A Gaussian approximation is used to model the empirical channel availability data with more than 95% confi dence bounds. The proposed model can be used as a means of improving spectrum sensing performance by using statistical knowledge on the primary users occupancy pattern.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Retrieving data from a patient in real-time is a challenging operation, especially when requiring information from the network to support the patient’s health. A real-time healthcare system process is conducted with a continual input, processing, and output of data. It needs to have the ability to provide different priorities to different applications, users, or data flows, or to guarantee a certain level of performance to a data flow. The current Internet does not allow applications to request any special treatment. Every packet, including delay-sensitive audio and video packets, is treated equally at the routers. This simplest type service of network is often referred to as best effort, a network service in which the network does not provide any guarantees that data is delivered or that a user is given a guaranteed QoS level or a certain priority. Providing guaranteed services requires routers to manage per-flow states and perform per-flow operations. Such network architecture requires each router to maintain and manage perflow state on the control path, and to perform per-flow classification, scheduling, and buffer management on the data path. This complicated and expensive network architecture is less scalable and robust than today’s modern stateless network architectures such as Random Early Dropping (RED) for congestion control, DiffServ for QoS, and the original IP network. This thesis introduces a new DiffServ-based scheme of IP bandwidth allocation during congestion, called Proportional Allocation of Bandwidth (PAB) which can be used in all networks. In PAB scheme, the bandwidth is allocated in proportion to Subscripted Information Rate (SIR) of the competing flows. PAB implementation uses multiple token buckets to label the packets at the edge of the network and multilevel threshold queue at the IP routers to discard packets during congestion.

This study sought to explore gender issues affecting management promotions in Malawi's health care services, utilising both qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection and analysis. Promotion patterns were compared and contrasted for male and female managers. The study was based on the assumptions that • both men and women were aware of experiences that affected their promotion opportunities • promotion patterns showed fewer variations than did cultural, social and gender factors • male prejudices were maintained which oppressed women's promotions • increased decision-making power lowered stress about professional growth and development The findings supported the first two assumptions, but not the last two. The findings suggested that males and females encountered similar experiences concerning managerial promotions in Malawi's health care services. Factors that enhanced management successes for both males and females included management orientation and mentorship. Unclear promotion policies and procedures hindered management promotions. Information derived from this research could enable policy-makers to establish an environment that increases supportive networks and interactions between male and female managers in Malawi. Furthermore, to ensure equal opportunities in the health care services management, monitoring strategies by Malawi's Ministry of Gender, the Department of Human Resources Management and Development, and the Ministry of Health and Population need to be established and implemented. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study sought to explore gender issues affecting management promotions in Malawi's health care services, utilising both qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection and analysis. Promotion patterns were compared and contrasted for male and female managers. The study was based on the assumptions that • both men and women were aware of experiences that affected their promotion opportunities • promotion patterns showed fewer variations than did cultural, social and gender factors • male prejudices were maintained which oppressed women's promotions • increased decision-making power lowered stress about professional growth and development The findings supported the first two assumptions, but not the last two. The findings suggested that males and females encountered similar experiences concerning managerial promotions in Malawi's health care services. Factors that enhanced management successes for both males and females included management orientation and mentorship. Unclear promotion policies and procedures hindered management promotions. Information derived from this research could enable policy-makers to establish an environment that increases supportive networks and interactions between male and female managers in Malawi. Furthermore, to ensure equal opportunities in the health care services management, monitoring strategies by Malawi's Ministry of Gender, the Department of Human Resources Management and Development, and the Ministry of Health and Population need to be established and implemented. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

This study sought to explore gender issues affecting management promotions in Malawi's health care services, utilising both qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection and analysis. Promotion patterns were compared and contrasted for male and female managers. The study was based on the assumptions that • both men and women were aware of experiences that affected their promotion opportunities • promotion patterns showed fewer variations than did cultural, social and gender factors • male prejudices were maintained which oppressed women's promotions • increased decision-making power lowered stress about professional growth and development The findings supported the first two assumptions, but not the last two. The findings suggested that males and females encountered similar experiences concerning managerial promotions in Malawi's health care services. Factors that enhanced management successes for both males and females included management orientation and mentorship. Unclear promotion policies and procedures hindered management promotions. Information derived from this research could enable policy-makers to establish an environment that increases supportive networks and interactions between male and female managers in Malawi. Furthermore, to ensure equal opportunities in the health care services management, monitoring strategies by Malawi's Ministry of Gender, the Department of Human Resources Management and Development, and the Ministry of Health and Population need to be established and implemented. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study sought to explore gender issues affecting management promotions in Malawi's health care services, utilising both qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection and analysis. Promotion patterns were compared and contrasted for male and female managers. The study was based on the assumptions that • both men and women were aware of experiences that affected their promotion opportunities • promotion patterns showed fewer variations than did cultural, social and gender factors • male prejudices were maintained which oppressed women's promotions • increased decision-making power lowered stress about professional growth and development The findings supported the first two assumptions, but not the last two. The findings suggested that males and females encountered similar experiences concerning managerial promotions in Malawi's health care services. Factors that enhanced management successes for both males and females included management orientation and mentorship. Unclear promotion policies and procedures hindered management promotions. Information derived from this research could enable policy-makers to establish an environment that increases supportive networks and interactions between male and female managers in Malawi. Furthermore, to ensure equal opportunities in the health care services management, monitoring strategies by Malawi's Ministry of Gender, the Department of Human Resources Management and Development, and the Ministry of Health and Population need to be established and implemented. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)