Over the recent years, the paradigm of Innovation Laboratories (abr. InnoLabs) is gaining an increasing attention among business organizations as a potential source of assistance in the process of the development of new or the improvement of their existing products and/or services. Business organizations approach the InnoLabs in the search for assistance in dealing with the challenges of the often times complex and uncertain innovation process, and ultimately become successful in their innovation projects. Although the overall goal of the existing InnoLabs is to support the systematic, effective, and efficient innovation development, they target different innovation challenges and thereby vary in their focus and service offerings. As a consequence, all the innovation support that might be needed in the course of an innovation process remains dispersed among different InnoLabs. In this esteem, this thesis aims to centralize all the mediated support offered by the existing InnoLabs by bringing them into a collaborative network. In pursuance of this, initially, the diversity among the existing InnoLabs in terms of their structural and functional manifestations is explored by employing a triangulation of online survey and in-depth expert interviews with the InnoLab facilitators. Subsequently, based on the diversity observed herein, the incentives, approaches, and possibilities of interconnection among InnoLabs are determined. Having conceptualized the framework for inter-InnoLab collaboration, the next part of this thesis deals with facilitating such collaborations in an online space. The internet, since its inception, has drastically altered the practices of intra- and inter-organizational connectivity. Recently, one could observe a growing interest among all types of organizations towards the social networking sites (abr. SNSs) as an effective medium for reaching out to a global audience. As a result, a significant amount of business related information is already available and continuously accumulating on SNSs. However, the SNSs fall inadequate in supporting the inter-InnoLab collaboration because of the missing dedicated functionalities, isolated platform boundaries, platform dependencies, lack of support for domain-specific features, privacy concerns, and issues of data transparency. In response to this, this thesis advocates the designing of dedicated inter-organizational collaboration platforms with seamless integration of SNS data. Successively, employing a design science research approach, a dedicated, domain specific, and SNS integrated web-based collaboration platform (the InnoLab_Net) is designed for supporting inter-InnoLab collaborative activities.

Cyber aggression came about as a result of advances in information communication technology and the aggressive usage of the technology in real life. Cyber aggression can take on many forms and facets. However, the main focus of this study is cyberbullying and cyberstalking through information sharing practices that might constitute digital aggressive acts. Human aggression has been extensively investigated. Studies focusing on understanding the causes and effects that can lead to physical and digital aggression have shown the prevalence of cyber aggression in different settings. Moreover, these studies have shown strong relationship between cyber aggression and the physiological and physical trauma on both perpetrators and their victims. Nevertheless, the literature shows a lack of studies that could measure the level of acceptance and tolerance of these dangerous digital acts. This study is divided into two main stages; Stage one is a qualitative pilot study carried out to explore the concept of cyber aggression and its existence in Saudi Arabia. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 Saudi social media users to collect understanding and meanings of cyber aggression. The researcher followed the Colaizzi’s methods to analyze the descriptive data. A proposed model was generated to describe cyber aggression in social media applications. The results showed that there is a level of acceptance to some cyber aggression acts due to a number of factors. The second stage of the study is focused on developing scales with reliable items that could determine acceptability and tolerability of cyber aggression. In this second stage, the researcher used the factors discovered during the first stage as source to create the scales’ items. The proposed methods and scales were analyzed and tested to increase reliability as indicated by the Cronbach’s Alpha value. The scales were designed to measure how acceptable and tolerable is cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking in Saudi Arabia and the sharing of some information in social media applications. The results show a strong tolerance level of those activities. This study is a valuable resource for advanced-level students, educators, and researchers who focus on cyber security, cyber psychology, and cyber aggression in social network sites.

The presented thesis aims to analyze the impact of social networking sites (SNS) in shaping our identity. Especially in the context of changes in everyday life caused by significant increase of SNS users. Unlike previous forms of online identity the identity of SNS users is anchored in the reality. Therefore our identity performance in this environment is closely tied to our real identity and real social network. Part of the thesis describe the influence of real social network on our lives, particularly the strong of weak ties is discussed. The analysis is focused on the processes and forms in which is our identity constructed and manifested within social networking sites. Detailed consideration is aimed on narrative and fragmentary characteristics of such identity. Also the consequences of total indexing of user-generated content and its persistent features are examined. This topic is followed by setting the framework of reputation management and protection of personal data. The findings of research present the forms of user identity on Facebook, the use of privacy settings and in particular the importance of the size of the networks of friends. The relationship between socialization in SNS and in the real world is described.

Online adolescent friendships and social networking among adolescents are current phenomena that have emerged, and exploded, as part of the digital age and the vast development of communication technologies. The primary aim of this study was to gain knowledge and understanding regarding the nature and quality of online friendships and social networking among adolescents. A sequential explanatory mixed method design, was put to use for the purpose of this study. The quantitative data was collected first in the form of a short survey, by utilising a self-developed questionnaire to obtain a general overview of the social network practices and the forming and maintaining of online friendships among adolescents. Twenty five participants took part in the survey. This study was followed by a qualitative study in the form of interviews, to clarify, elaborate and explain the quantitative findings. Five information rich participants were interviewed. The findings of the empirical investigation revealed that adolescents, being part of the Net Generation, base their concept of socialising with friends on digital and communication technology, especially cell phones. They are connected to their friends 24 hours a day. The sense of safety and support they experience through this constant connectedness strengthens their self-esteem, self-confidence and self-worth and contributes to their identity formation. It is therefore recommended that parents and educators should accept that adolescents live in a virtual world and their new way of socialising, needs to be acknowledged. Parents and educators should adjust accordingly, by getting educated in this field themselves. The Net Generation is a generation who focuses on relationships and collaboration through technology and this should be exploited by anybody who has contact or interacts with the adolescent of today. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The researcher investigated internet usage among students at the University of Nairobi using a quantitative case study method. A questionnaire-based survey was done among 381 students and face-to-face interviews were conducted with the university‟s library staff. The research findings indicate that the students' level of awareness about the internet services offered at the university was high. The students had good basic computer and internet skills; however, they lacked more advanced skills and this negatively affected their use of internet resources. The students used the internet for various purposes, including to study, teach and do research; to communicate; and for social interaction. The major recommendations of the study include providing formal internet training and adequate facilities; implementing a better, inclusive policy on internet use; and better co-ordinated university efforts. Free internet access should be made available to all the university students, if not all members of the university community. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

In the digital domain, virtual teams within organizations and corporations are becoming common. Restructuring an organization or corporation is vital because competition and globalization are increasing. In this era of globalization, distributed working groups need to develop a competitive advantage in these ever-changing environments. Historically, teams had experienced problems stemming from geographical and temporal limitations. With the increase of technology in telecommunications, organizations are increasingly forming virtual teams, which have become critical to the survival of nearly any corporate entity. Virtual teams have some of the same problems that regular teams have. One of the key challenges is the method of forming teams, while such challenge is exacerbated in digital environments. Despite the difficulties, the digital environment has made successful team development all the more challenging. The variation in people's skills makes the formation of teams even more difficult. This is why organizations cannot determine in advance if a virtual team will be a success. To evaluate the success of team formation in a virtual setting, this research study assessed the role of different computer-mediated communications (CMC) levels employed (no-CMC/face-to-face, online learning system, online learning system + social networking site) on the success of team formation measured by the level of task performance (TP), team cohesiveness (TC), computer skills (CS) and social bond (SB), while assessing the differences on such relationships when controlled for demographic information such as gender, age, education level, academic major, as well as academic year. Empirical data was collected from students at the Medical Sciences Campus in the University of Puerto Rico with 140 usable records. Using three teams and 140 participants, the results indicated that there is a statistically significance difference in the role of CMC levels employed (no-CMC/face-to-face, online learning system, online learning system + social networking site) on the level of perception of CS in team formation. Significant differences were also found in the role of CMC levels employed on the levels of TP, when controlled for gender. In addition, there is a significance difference in the role of CMC levels employed (no-CMC/face-to-face, online learning system, online learning system + social networking site) on the levels of CS, when controlled for education, academic major and academic year. The outcomes of the study contributed to the body of knowledge for both practice and research, to help organizations identify ways to support effective team formations in virtual environments.

社交網站，尤其是Facebook，在近幾年使用人口日趨增加，變得非常熱門。本研究觀察到在組織內，許多人運用Facebook這類社交網站與同事維繫人際關係。有趣的是，當Facebook進入組織情境後，這種以電腦中介傳播為基礎的人際互動方式，與實體人際關係模式不同，也迥異於全然線上的人際互動模式，其特殊性進一步帶來組織內人際關係的重要改變。 　　本研究共分三方面來探討Facebook進入組織情境後，對組織內人際關係所造成的改變。首先，受Facebook科技屬性影響，組織成員在Facebook上人際關係樣態根基於「虛實交錯」此一概念。由於同事間相互認識，其人際關係發展歷程從線下的實體互動開始，蔓延到Facebook的線上互動，而眾人在線上互動結果又會再度影響實體關係。換句話說，組織成員在「虛擬」和「實體」不同場域來回擺盪，造成「虛實交錯」情形，也讓組織內人際關係模式產生改變。 　　在這基礎上，本研究進一步發現Facebook「虛實交錯」的人際關係模式展現在兩個層面上。從整體角度來看，當Facebook出現後，在組織內形成另一個人際關係場域，彷彿是辦公室內的「線上茶水間」，組織成員在該場域互動、維繫人際關係的方式與實體茶水間有所不同，有其獨特性，因此我們用「線上茶水間」來描繪Facebook「虛實交錯」下的人際關係場域特性。在線上茶水間，組織成員以大量且多樣化資訊做為連結人際關係基礎，達到不同於實體茶水間的社交功能，如大量且速成的安慰與支持、跨越時空的陪伴感等，也使得線上茶水間的人際關係具有一定特色，例如淺層情感交流等。從個人層次來探討，組織成員的形象在此人際關係場域內也有不同展現方式，當Facebook出現後，它的科技屬性提供組織成員「另一個舞台」，讓個人得以展現出在正式組織場域中難以呈現的某種形象，因此我們用「另一個舞台」來描繪其轉變與特性。然而Facebook終究位於組織體系內，因此組織成員無法扮演一個全新或不真實形象，在舞台上的「演出」難免受到束縛。儘管如此，組織成員仍可透過Facebook調節自己在實體組織場域予人的形象，展現出欲呈現面貌。 / This study discusses the impact and influence of Facebook on interpersonal relationships at the work place. Social networking sites (SNS), Facebook in particular, have grown in popularity in recent years. In addition to personal usage, many use Facebook as a tool to interact with their colleagues in corporate settings. When used in this manner, the mode of interaction is based on computer-mediated communication (CMC), which is distinct from physical interactions or from virtual online interactions. This study focuses on three aspects of Facebook that influence and shape the relationships among employees in a corporation. Firstly, the members of a business organization know each other, so the process of interaction begins with physical acquaintance. The interaction then migrates online through Facebook, which, in turn, shapes the nature of the physical interaction. In other words, aided by technology, the corporate personnel interact both in "virtual (online)" space and in "physical" space, resulting in a mode of interaction that can be called "virtually and physically interlaced" interaction. On this basis, this study examines the effects of "virtually and physically interlaced" interaction from two perspectives. First, from the overview perspective, the introduction of Facebook in a corporate setting creates a space for a new form of interaction, an "online break room" of sorts, in which the corporate personnel's interaction is experienced differently than in a physical break room. Employees in "online break rooms" communicate with each other in multiple modes and methods such as videos, music, forwarded articles and so on. Unlike in a physical break room where the conversations are limited in number and also limited by the necessity of shared space and time, the online break room offers unconstrained space where employees can readily exchange their thoughts, opinions, as well as their feelings with others. The experience creates a new social dimension to the "online break room" at hand that employees can be accompanied by colleagues anytime and anywhere and also be able to receive much comfort and support from the coworkers. However, the level of communication remains superficial because employees do not interact in person. Second, from the individual perspective, an employee's experience of interaction with others in an "online break room" is changed. The introduction of Facebook in a corporate setting provides its personnel an alternate platform to express themselves more personally, in ways which may have been difficult to do in a rigid and formal business environment. We use the term "alternative stage" to describe the changes in interactions afforded by the addition of another platform. On the "main stage" of a conventional corporate environment, a person may feel compelled to conform to the corporate culture, and the expression of individuality may be limited, which results in a projected image that tends to be formal. In such an environment, Facebook becomes a stage/place where individuals can express and highlight their own personality or hobbies, giving a more personal and informal image to adjust the physical and conventional formal images.

The social web has emerged concurrent with a decline in Americans' community involvement and number of close friendships. Hundreds of millions of people connect online, but they appear to have fewer confidants and trust each other less. However, contrasting research finds that web users have better social integration and stronger relationships than their offline counterparts. This thesis resolves these contradictory views through a detailed examination of social network site (SNS) use and changes in relationships and individual well-being. The research is conducted at multiple levels looking at how different types of SNS use—direct interaction with others and more “passive consumption” of social news—influence the number and quality of individuals’ social ties and their aggregate social capital and well-being, including perceived social support, happiness, and physical health. The studies combine objective measures of SNS use (communication activity from the server logs of a popular social networking site) with self-reports of tie strength and well-being to accurately differentiate types of use with different partners. Longitudinal methods reveal how well-being changes over time with SNS use and are moderated by personal characteristics such as social communication skill and recent job loss.

Online adolescent friendships and social networking among adolescents are current phenomena that have emerged, and exploded, as part of the digital age and the vast development of communication technologies. The primary aim of this study was to gain knowledge and understanding regarding the nature and quality of online friendships and social networking among adolescents. A sequential explanatory mixed method design, was put to use for the purpose of this study. The quantitative data was collected first in the form of a short survey, by utilising a self-developed questionnaire to obtain a general overview of the social network practices and the forming and maintaining of online friendships among adolescents. Twenty five participants took part in the survey. This study was followed by a qualitative study in the form of interviews, to clarify, elaborate and explain the quantitative findings. Five information rich participants were interviewed. The findings of the empirical investigation revealed that adolescents, being part of the Net Generation, base their concept of socialising with friends on digital and communication technology, especially cell phones. They are connected to their friends 24 hours a day. The sense of safety and support they experience through this constant connectedness strengthens their self-esteem, self-confidence and self-worth and contributes to their identity formation. It is therefore recommended that parents and educators should accept that adolescents live in a virtual world and their new way of socialising, needs to be acknowledged. Parents and educators should adjust accordingly, by getting educated in this field themselves. The Net Generation is a generation who focuses on relationships and collaboration through technology and this should be exploited by anybody who has contact or interacts with the adolescent of today. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The researcher investigated internet usage among students at the University of Nairobi using a quantitative case study method. A questionnaire-based survey was done among 381 students and face-to-face interviews were conducted with the university‟s library staff. The research findings indicate that the students' level of awareness about the internet services offered at the university was high. The students had good basic computer and internet skills; however, they lacked more advanced skills and this negatively affected their use of internet resources. The students used the internet for various purposes, including to study, teach and do research; to communicate; and for social interaction. The major recommendations of the study include providing formal internet training and adequate facilities; implementing a better, inclusive policy on internet use; and better co-ordinated university efforts. Free internet access should be made available to all the university students, if not all members of the university community. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)