Writing, an important academic skill for university students to acquire, becomes more important in a distance education institution where assessment is primarily on written work. Successful teaching and learning practices for Open Distance Learning (ODL) incorporate multiple forms of interaction when using technology within a constructivist approach. The study seeks to understand students’ perceptions of wikis within a process writing approach, and the suitability of Web 2.0 technology for tasks designed to teach academic writing. A participatory action research design was selected as it merges social action and research to solve educational problems while increasing human understanding of the phenomena. The findings show that students may be open to using wikis within their actual learning environment. Of significance was the issue of the early integration and engagement of students into online learning communities. The challenges experienced in the study can be addressed adapting Chickering and Ehrmann’s (1996) principles to frame the development of online learning. / Teaching Practice Unit / M.A. (TESOL)

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are complex software packages that support an integrated real-time setting among the various business functions in an entire organization. ERP systems improve productivity, but only to the extent that employees accept and use the systems extensively to perform their duties. The leaders of many organizations have not been able to realize the expected benefits because of a lack of user acceptance. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional survey study was to examine the factors that influence user acceptance of ERP systems in the United States. Davis's technology acceptance model was the theoretical foundation used to relate the independent variables (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) to the dependent variable (user acceptance of ERP systems). The focus of the research questions was on the strength of the relationships between each of the independent variables and user acceptance of ERP systems in the United States. Data were from 97 purposively selected ERP system end users in the United States using the survey instrument based on the technology acceptance model. Regression and correlation analyses revealed a positive relationship between perceived usefulness and user acceptance, but no relationship was found between perceived ease of use and user acceptance. The findings indicated difficulties in using ERP systems for end users in the United States, which stakeholders could rectify to improve productivity in organizations. Positive social change implications include improving the standard of living, increasing the literacy rate, and reducing negative externalities to improve human and social conditions in society.

Research Question: Which are the decisive factors that impact the adoption of business intelligence systems (BIS) among IT SMEs in Sweden? Purpose: This paper aims to examine Swedish SMEs and understand which decisive factors have an impact on the decision makers and their adoption of BIS. This study aims to study SMEs that have already adopted BIS. Method: A deductive qualitative approach was used to answer the study’s research question. The primary data was conducted through seven semi-structured interviews with Swedish IT SMEs. Empirical Findings: The empirical findings highlight that some factors had a greater influence on the adoption of BIS than others. These were possession of the right type of data, support of top management and service provider support. Conclusion: The presented study identified that small and medium sized enterprises are prone to BIS adoption when considering three decisive factors. First, the importance of possessing data and having the right type of data was a critical need and a factor for BIS adoption. Second, the use of service provider support for SMEs seemed to contribute with important value according to the findings. Third, working proactively with change management affected the perceived usefulness of technology and led to a higher chance of small and medium sized adopting BIS. / Frågeställning: Vilka är de avgörande faktorerna som påverkar antagande av business intelligence-system bland små och medelstora (SME) IT företag i Sverige? Syfte: Den här uppsatsen syftar på att undersöka svenska små och medelstora företag (SME) och förstå vilka faktorer som påverkar beslutsfattare och deras antagande av BIS. Uppsatsen syftar till att studera SME som redan har antagit BIS. Tillvägagångssätt: Denna studie använde en deduktiv kvalitativ metod för att besvara forskningsfrågan. Den primära datan samlades in genom sju semistrukturerade intervjuer med svenska SME inom IT-branschen. Bidrag: Resultaten visar att vissa faktorer hade ett större inflytande på antagande av BIS än andra. Dessa var innehav av rätt typ av data, stöd från högsta ledningen samt support från tjänsteleverantörer. Slutsats: Den presenterade studien identifierade att svenska SME är benägna att anta BIS när man överväger tre avgörande faktorer. För det första var vikten av att ha data och ha rätt typ av data ett kritiskt behov och en faktor för BIS antagande. För det andra verkade användningen av tjänsteleverantör stöd för små och medelstora företag bidra med ett viktigt värde enligt resultaten. För det tredje, att arbeta proaktivt med förändringsledning påverkade den upplevda användbarheten av teknik och ledde till en högre chans för SME att antagande BIS.

The advent of mobile payment solution has brought a mixed reaction on the mind of potential consumers on whether to adopt or not. Also, the mobile payment has elicited discussion about its future. The major question is on whether the technology will replace traditional banking processes, or if it will act as a compliment. The thesis seeks to promote the adoption of mobile payment by improving available information for stakeholders. The advent of mobile payment technology shows that it has a high number of benefits, but it does not match with the current adoption rate. The statistics show that the majority of users of mobile payment uses it to for smaller transactions such as the purchase of books and food. The slow uptake of mobile payment adoption vis a vis immense benefit of the platform. The disparity motivated the study on factors that influence solution adoptions. The thesis provides a clear linkage of factors such as environmental risk, reputation, trust, perceived usefulness, ease of use and mobility in influencing potential consumer attitude and intention to use a specific payment solution. / Potentiella konsumenter av mobila betalningslösningar har gett en blandad reaktion på huruvida de ska ta sig an innovationen eller inte. De nya betalningslösningarna har även väckt diskussioner huruvida innovationen ska ersätta traditionella bankprocesser eller om de kommer komplettera varandra. Arbetet har i syfte att främja upptagande av mobila betalningar genom att förbättra tillgänglig information för intressenter. Det visar sig att mobila betalningar har större antal förmåner än traditionella betalningslösningar, dock speglar detta inte graden av användningen av teknologin. Statistiken visar att majoriteten av användare av mobila betalningar använder sig av teknologin för mindre transaktioner som exemplvis köp av böcker och mat. Faktorer som påverkar upptagandet av nya innovationer är framförallt säkerhetsrisk, rykte, förtroende, uppfattad användbarhet, uppfattad användarvänlighet samt flexibiliteten av betalningslösningen.

Financial services have historically been offered by central entities which has put financial systems in the control of a number of central parties. Some argue that this centralization has contributed to a more unequal distribution of wealth. However, during more recent time with the emergence of blockchain, traditional perspectives on transparency and democratization have shifted. Increasing financial inclusion has been highlighted as a crucial step in decreasing poverty levels and blockchain has been discussed as a technology with a potential to make a difference in this ambition. This study will focus on sub-Saharan Africa where 550 million individuals lack access to financial services despite having access to mobile phones. As a consequence of this, mobile financial services boomed in sub-Saharan Africa, starting in Kenya. This study will therefore focus on mobile financial services and more precisely on the perceived usefulness of blockchain technology for the mobile financial services. Furthermore, the study aims to explore what role blockchain can play in further increasing financial inclusion in the region. This was done by conducting several interviews with people representing start-ups, government agencies, telco companies during a research trip to South Africa and by participation in the Blockchain Africa Conference 2019 in Cape town.  The findings from the research show that blockchain is perceived as useful for mobile financial services, mainly because of its ability to reduce costs by removing intermediaries, to automate processes and to create decentralized trust. However, it was also found that the usefulness is negatively affected today due to the lack of common protocols and definitions, which makes it difficult for blockchain to yet make a real difference in increasing financial inclusion. / Finansiella tjänster har historiskt sätt tillhandahållits med hjälp av centraliserad datalagring genom pålitliga intermediärer såsom banker och försäkringsbolag. Detta har satt det finansiella systemet i kontroll av några få centrala aktörer vilket somliga menar har ökat den ekonomisk ojämlikheten. På senare tid, i samband med blockkedjeteknologins framväxt, har synen på demokrati och transparens skiftat. Ökad finansiell inkludering har lyfts fram som avgörande för att minska fattigdomen. Blockkedjeteknologin har framhävts att ha potential att göra skillnad i detta arbete. Denna studie fokuserar på Subsahariska Afrika där 550 miljoner individer saknar tillgång till finansiella tjänster trots att de har tillgång till mobiltelefoner. Att erbjuda mobila finansiella tjänster är viktigt för att möjliggöra finansiell inkludering. Studien ämnar därför att undersöka upplevd användbarhet av blockkedjeteknologi för mobila finansiella tjänster och hur tekniken kan utöka finansiell inkludering i kontinenten. Detta har delvis gjorts genom en forskningsresa till Sydafrika där flertalet intervjuer utfördes med personer som representerar startupbolag, regeringen, telekombranschen och den akademiska världen. Resultaten från studien visar att blockkedjeteknologin upplevs vara användbar för mobila finansiella tjänster, främst på grund av dess förmåga att sänka kostnaderna genom att ta bort mellanhänder, automatisera processer samt skapa säkra decentraliserade system. Däremot måste standardiserade protokoll och definitioner måste utvecklas innan detta kan realiseras. Fram till dess kommer det att vara svårt för blockkedjeteknolgi att göra en verklig skillnad i ökad finansiell inkludering.

本研究旨在瞭解幼兒家長對 M-learning 的使用意願和影響其使用意願的主要 因素，同時了解不同背景之幼兒家長對於M-learning 使用意願的差異以及不對於M-learning 使用意願影響因素的調節效應；藉由以上的探究，瞭解幼兒家長在當今時代全新的學習方式之下對於幼兒教養和親職教育的需求，為未來的Mlearning內容提供者與設施設備開發提供參考。 本研究根據幼兒家長的特點和 M-learning 的特性，以科技接受模式、計畫行 為理論、動機模型、整合性科技接受與使用理論為理論依據，延伸出知覺有用性、 知覺易用性、知覺趣味性和知覺行為控制四個因素作為自變項；以性別、年齡、 社經地位三個因素為背景變項，以使用意願為依變項發展出本研究之研究架構。 本研究採用立意取樣問卷調查法，以大連市某3 間幼兒園所之幼兒家長為研 究對象，共回收469 份問卷，剔除無效問卷36 份，共回收433 份有效問卷，有 效回收率為92.3%；調查所得資料以描述統計、線性回歸分析、單因子變異數分 析等統計方法進行分析。本研究獲得之結論如下： 一. 在功能與特性上，微信公眾號與Facebook 的粉絲專頁相似，微信朋友圈與 Line 的動態消息相似； 二. 知覺有用性、知覺易用性、知覺趣味性以及知覺行為控制均對幼兒家長使用 M-learning 意願有顯著正向影響； 三. 不同背景變項 (性別、年齡、社經地位)的幼兒家長對於M-learning 知覺有用性、知覺易用性、知覺趣味性以及知覺行為控制與M-learning 使用意願關係間存在不同的調節效應； 四. 知覺有用性、知覺易用性、知覺趣味性以及知覺行為控制在不同性別、年齡、社經地位之幼兒家長群體中M-learning 使用意願的預測力不同； 五. 性別和年齡對幼兒家長使用M-learning 的意願無顯著影響，社經地位對幼兒家長使用M-learning 的意願有顯著影響。

Osborne & Gaebler在所著的「新政府運動」(Reinventing Government)一書中，曾引述戴明(W. D. Deming)博士所倡導的「全面品質管理」(Total Quality Management)概念指出：員工的參與才能有效的解決問題，因為員工最了解制度，而且最清楚癥結所在。這樣的提示，雖早被管理者重視且廣泛地運用在組織活動的設計範疇中，不過，就參與效能的評估與改善，仍有不少值得再予強調的課題。本研究既係依此觀點，藉由檢視使用者參與行政管理資訊系統發展過程之現象，提供一個思索的空間。 　　整體研究架構，以檢證Davis所提出的技術接受性模式為基準，同時透過此一模式了解使用者參與在系統使用行為上造成模糊結果的原因，進而提醒行政管理者，在系統發展或執行過程，勿陷入以效率掛帥的功能主義典範窠臼，對於溝通、平等與尊重等新人性主義典範所揭示的概念應予適度關注。也就是說，在民主的工作環境下，應將本身視為組織生活的目的，而非僅有工具性價值；參與效能的評估不僅須針對「結果」而且應顧及「過程」。 　　在上述要旨下，關於研究實體部分，經就文獻分析、實證調查結果的發現與筆者實務經驗，提出以下結論與建議： 　　（一）技術接受性模式，尚可適度詮釋國內行政管理資訊系統使用者的使用行為。惟其適用的分析情境、態度與行為關係之假定，仍有再作深入探究之必要。 　　（二）參與及系統使用行為關係之研究，不僅可透過置入中介變項的權變研究觀點來了解，分析使用者在這二行為間的心理歷程，對於改善參與效能而言，亦是一種可行的途徑。 　　（三）使用者對系統有用性及簡易性的認知，是影響系統使用態度、意向及行為的二大要素。其中有用性的認知更具決定性地位。 　　（四）使用者參與效能的模糊結果，除了源於理論欠紮實、研究模式過於簡化，以及研究方法上的瑕疵以外，研究上未仔細區辨系統使用情境之差異亦為主因。不過，參與究非萬靈丹，無定論的結果，並不代表即是一種錯誤。 　　（五）參與效能的改善，除了管理當局的支持與專家協助以外，有賴從加強系統發展者與使用者的教育訓練著手。 　　（六）自主性的系統使用情境下，使用行為（頻率）始能較正確地詮釋使用者接受程度。 　　（七）未來應重視以系統發展者與使用者互動作為分析單元的研究。 　　至於在行政管理實務上，本研究所欲表達的主要意念是：員工的參與及評估的步驟是缺一不可的。因為，沒有評估的參與，則參與無法發揮實際的效果，充其量僅具象徵性的價值；而僅有評估卻無參與活動，這樣的評估除了可能是膚淺、不切實際以外，在實務上存在的機率亦不大。公部門的決策及管理階層，面對高度層級節制的組織文化，能否擺脫「官大學問大」心態，而以恢宏的胸襟與氣度，善用與因應來自員工的意見，塑造具有參與效能的情境，將是成功地推展各項事務最基本的前提要件。

本研究從金融科技創新應用之觀點，舉行動銀行app之應用為例，整合過去行銷與科技採用之相關文獻，並呼應金融科技時代的創新元素，據此探究使用者對於行動銀行app持續採用行為、與提供未來創新發展上之建議。首先以質化研究的方式，了解行動銀行app使用者的使用原因、使用經驗、對app的整體評價與建議；其次發展出量化研究模型，找出各種影響消費者持續使用意願的因素。 本研究針對「僅使用行動銀行app者」、與「行動銀行app和網路銀行皆有使用者」發放網路問卷調查，在量化研究的部分，首先根據Fintech重要核心價值中的差異化與利基型專業產品，提出競業差異作為研究模型之第一層探討面，結果顯示: 1. 設計美感對使用者能產生正向的情感品質知覺，提升對科技使用的知覺有用性、知覺易用性與降低知覺風險。 2. 品牌聲望有助於提升消費者對於業者所提供之產品與服務的相對優勢。 其次，結合過去創新擴散理論、科技接受模式以及個人知覺風險，作為研究模型之第二層探討面，結果顯示: 複雜性、知覺有用性、知覺風險能顯著影響消費者對於行動銀行app的採用意願。 最後，整合質化訪談發現與量化結果分析，給予結論與建議: 1. 業者可從設計美感加強消費者對於新科技使用的知覺有用性與降低知覺風險 2. 品牌聲望為輔，實質創新為主，首先降低複雜性 3. 從知覺有用性方面創造創新競爭優勢、同時兼顧知覺風險 4. 持續推廣行動銀行app，作為創新發展基礎後盾、與開拓市場之契機。 / This paper takes mobile banking application as an example in the view of FinTech innovation. Combined with findings from marketing and information system research, this study adopts key elements of FinTech innovation to arrive at a more complete understanding of consumers’ continuance intention toward mobile banking. By first taking the qualitative method and conducting semi-structured interviews, we look into consumers’ motivations, experiences, and evaluations of using mobile banking. For the quantitative part our empirical tests involve structural equation modeling. In addition, with the reference to one of main core values of FinTech innovation: differentiation and niche, specialized products, we propose competitive differences among competitors to form our first layer research model, the results demonstrate that: 1. Design aesthetics can increase one’s perceived affective quality of system usage, which in turn, had a significant positive impact on perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and lower perceived risk 2. Brand reputation can positively affect consumers’ sense of relative advantage in terms of the product and service provided by specific vendor. Meanwhile, our research integrates the concepts of Rogers’ innovation diffusion model, technology acceptance model, and personal perceived risk to further propose our second layer research model, and the result shows that: complexity, perceived usefulness, and perceived risk emerge as important antecedents of consumers’ continuance intention toward mobile banking. Lastly, we conclude our analysis of both qualitative and quantitative survey and make suggestions as below: 1. Placing a high value on the influence of design beauty, could increase consumers’ perceived usefulness and reduce perceived risk of new technology. 2. Focusing mainly on innovation while brand reputation subsidiary, and take complexity as priority. 3. Creating competitive advantage of innovation based on perceived usefulness, without overlooking the significant influence of perceived risk. 4. Keeping giving an impetus actively to the usage of mobile banking to solidify foundations of innovation development and increase opportunities in the market.

Abstract in English and Afrikaans / The main thrust of the thesis is an empirical analysis of the problems experienced by unbanked seniors to conduct digital banking. Population ageing is a worldwide phenomenon and seniors’ numbers are projected to grow to beyond 1 billion people globally by this year (2020). Currently, seniors and other banking customers are surrounded by various forms of e-banking technologies. E-banking is further envisaged to be the catalyst of the financial inclusion of the unbanked people of all ages. However, the problem is that customers’ adoption of e-banking is a challenge for the banks. Seniors are particularly not willing to use e-banking. Thus, seniors stay digitally unbanked and this makes their inclusion into the financial marketplace a priority. How the banks could use e-banking to bank digitally unbanked seniors and, as a consequence improve financial inclusion, is the problem the study set out to resolve. Therefore, an empirical analysis of the problems experienced by unbanked seniors to conduct digital banking was conducted and, as a result, an empirical framework of how the banks can extend these services to this population segment was developed. An original theoretical framework primarily founded on the TAM and Baroudi’s customers’ technology design involvement theory was proposed. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with latent constructs was utilised. The measurement model was first estimated and then covariance matrix between variables served as input to estimate the structural coefficients between constructs. The study’s data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire survey, utilising a probability sampling method with a sample of 420 digitally unbanked seniors. A focus group with banking industry experts was also held to consider the findings. The study’s findings empirically verified the study’s model’s strength in determining digitally unbanked seniors’ willingness to use e-banking. Latent constructs under consideration included customer co-creation, awareness and empowerment, design, perceived ease of use, usefulness, cost, attitude, privacy and security, and trust. The findings demonstrate that design, attitude, privacy and security are statistically significant determinants of digitally unbanked seniors’ willingness to use e-banking. Managerial implications and recommendations are provided in the recommendations chapter. / Die hoofbetoog van die tesis is ’n empiriese ontleding van die probleme wat ervaar word deur ongebankte pensionarisse om hulle banksake digitaal te doen. Bevolkingsveroudering is ’n wêreldwye verskynsel en daar is voorspel dat die getal pensionarisse teen vanjaar (2020) 1 miljard mense wêreldwyd sou verbysteek. Tans is daar ’n groot verskeidenheid elektroniese bankdienste beskikbaar wat pensionarisse en ander bankkliënte kan gebruik om hulle banksake te doen. Daar word ook verwag dat elektroniese bankwese die katalisator sal wees van die finansiële insluiting van ongebankte mense van alle ouderdomme. Die probleem is egter dat die aanname van elektroniese bankwese deur kliënte ’n uitdaging vir banke is. Pensionarisse is veral nie gewillig om elektroniese bankdienste te gebruik nie, en hulle bly dus ongebank. Dit veroorsaak dat hulle insluiting in die finansiële mark ’n prioriteit is. Die probleem wat hierdie studie wil oplos is hoe die banke elektroniese bankwese kan gebruik om digitaal ongebankte pensionarisse te kry om bankdienste te gebruik. Dus is ’n empiriese ontleding uitgevoer van die probleme wat ongebankte pensionarisse ervaar om hulle banksake digitaal te doen. Gevolglik is ’n empiriese raamwerk ontwikkel van hoe die banke hulle dienste na hierdie bevolkingsegment kan uitbrei. ’n Oorspronklike, teoretiese raamwerk, wat hoofsaaklik gegrond is op die kliëntetegnologieontwerp-betrokkenheidsteorie van TAM en Baroudi, is voorgestel. Strukturele gelykstellingsmodellering (SEM) met lantente konstruksie is aangewend. Die metingsmodel is eers bereken en die kovariansiematriks tussen veranderlikes het gedien as inset om die strukturele koëffisiënte tussen konstrukte te bereken. Die studie se data is ingesamel deur middel van ’n gestruktureerde vraelysopname, met ’n waarskynlikheidsteekproefneming van 420 digitaal ongebankte pensionarisse. Daar is ook ’n fokusgroep met kundiges in die bankwese gehou om die bevindings te oorweeg. Die studie se bevindings het die studiemodel se vermoë om die gewilligheid te bepaal van digitaal ongebankte pensionarisse om elektroniese bankdienste te gebruik empiries bevestig. Latente konstrukte onder oorweging het medeskepping van kliënte, bewustheid en bemagtiging, ontwerp, waargenome gebruiksgemak, bruikbaarheid, koste, houding, privaatheid en sekuriteit, en vertroue ingesluit. Die bevindings demonstreer dat ontwerp, houding, privaatheid en sekuriteit statisties beduidende determinante is van digitaal ongebankte pensionarisse se gewilligheid om elektroniese bankdienste te gebruik. Bestuursimplikasies en aanbevelings word voorsien in die aanbevelingshoofstuk. / Business Management / D. B. L. (Marketing)

With recent advances in technology, distance education has seen a move towards online and e-learning programmes and courses. However, many students in South Africa have limited access to computer technology and/or the Internet resources necessary for online learning. Worldwide trends have recently seen a growing emphasis on the use of mobile technology for learning purposes. High mobile penetration rates in South Africa means that mobile learning can potentially overcome many of the challenges associated with distanceand online learning. This research therefore aimed to explore adult distance education students’ mobile learning readiness in the South African context. Specifically, this study examined the influence of mobile learning self-efficacy, locus of control, subjective norm, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived behavioural control and attitude towards mobile learning on students’ behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning. In order to test a model predicting students’ behavioural intention, the conceptual framework guiding the investigation combined the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of the investigation combined the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and extended the model to include locus of control and mobile learning self-efficacy. A sample of 1070 students from a private higher education institution in South Africa participated in this study. Data were collected using an online survey questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis indicated that perceived ease of use contributed most significantly to behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning, followed by attitude towards mobile learning, subjective norm, perceived usefulness, perceived behavioural control and locus of control. Mobile learning self-efficacy did not significantly influence behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning. Overall, the model accounted for 44.8% of the variance in behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning. Significant differences in age, gender, race and household income existed with regard to several of the psychological constructs hypothesised to influence behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning. 4 Structural equation modelling was used to examine the fit between the data and the proposed model. The chi square goodness for fit test and the RMSEA indicated poor fit between data and model. Considering the sensitivity of the chi square statistic for sample size and the negative influence of too many variables and relationships on the RMSEA, a variety of alternative fit indices that are less dependent on the sample size and distribution were used to examine model fit. The GFI, AGFI, NFI and CFI all exceeded their respective acceptable levels, indicating a good fit with the data. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)