Este trabalho tem por objeto de estudo a correlação entre a utilização per capita de energia elétrica e o Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH). O objetivo geral da pesquisa é avaliar a compatibilidade das premissas do Plano Nacional de Energia (PNE) brasileiro, em relação à utilização de energia elétrica, com o desafio da elevação do IDH nacional ao nível “muito alto” – o mais elevado conforme a terminologia atual das Nações Unidas. Quanto ao método, a pesquisa é, em relação aos seus objetivos, preponderantemente descritiva, e quantiqualitativa no que se refere ao estudo do problema. Realizou-se tratamento estatístico de diferentes aspectos correlacionados à energia elétrica e ao IDH, de modo a estabelecer padrões significativos e universais dessa correlação, os quais parecem possíveis de serem previstos mediante utilização de fórmula matemática, a qual tornaria então possível avaliar o desenvolvimento humano utilizando a energia elétrica como parâmetro. Verificou-se que a proporção da utilização de energia elétrica é cada vez mais intensa em relação ao total de utilização de energia primária, o que se explica pela absoluta indispensabilidade, motivada pela versatilidade e disponibilidade, da primeira, e definiu-se um valor objetivo mínimo à utilização per capita de energia elétrica, ponderado em função da intensidade energética – no caso, 222 kWh –, necessário ao status de desenvolvimento humano “muito alto”. Definiram-se ainda duas fórmulas matemáticas – a primeira delas possui maior versatilidade descritiva, pois envolve equação logarítmica, enquanto a segunda, simplificada, utiliza função potência – capazes de individualmente estimar, em função do valor de utilização de energia e compondo uma base comparativa global, o IDH correspondente do ente analisado. Ambas são capazes de auxiliar na compreensão, ainda que em cognição preliminar, acerca da situação energética do ente sob análise, podendo ser utilizadas como indicador de possíveis direcionamentos de políticas energéticas que se pretendam voltadas ao desenvolvimento humano. Comprovou-se a acurácia da fórmula logarítmica em termos globais e históricos e, na sequência, verificou-se quão compatíveis são entre si o Plano Nacional de Energia e o IDH “muito alto”, em médio prazo e tendo como cenário os estados brasileiros. Concluiu-se, quanto a este objetivo geral, que a evolução histórica de oferta e demanda de energia elétrica no País é compatível com os números projetados pelo PNE, e que estes são compatíveis com o IDH “muito alto” – para atingir tal nível seriam necessários cerca de 720 TWh anuais, enquanto o PNE projeta, para 2030, 971 TWH e a evolução histórica das últimas duas décadas indica, para o mesmo ano, aproximadamente 830 TWh. O eventual atingimento desse nível de IDH deve, contudo, ser relativizado, pois provavelmente não seria suficiente para tirar o Brasil da atual posição de catching-up em relação aos países desenvolvidos. / This work studies the correlation between the per capita use of electrical energy and the Human Development Index (HDI). The main research objective is to evaluate the compatibility between the Brazilian National Energy Plan’s (PNE) goals, regarding the use of electrical energy, and the challenge of increasing the national HDI towards the “very high” level – the highest one according to the current United Nations terminology. As for the method, the research is, regarding its objectives, predominantly descriptive, and quanti-qualitative in relation to the problem studied. Several statistical aspects correlated to electrical energy and HDI were statistically treated, in such a way as to define significant, universal patterns of this correlation, which seem to be possible to predict through a mathematical formula that would then make it possible to evaluate human development using electrical energy as a parameter. It was noted that the proportion of electrical energy is increasingly bigger in relation to the total amount of primary energy, something explained by the absolute indispensability, through versatility and availability, of the former, and an objective minimum per capita value of electrical energy use – in this case, 222 kwh –, weighted as a function of energy intensity, was defined as necessary to reach a “very high” HDI. Besides it, two formulae were developed, both capable of individually estimate an entity’s HDI from the weighted value of electrical energy use. The first of them is more descriptively versatile, by using a logarithmic equation, while the second one is a simplified version, based on a potency function. Both formulae are capable of helping, yet in a preliminary cognition, to understand the energetic situation of the entity under analysis, possibly serving as decision support for energy policies aiming at human development. The logarithmic formula was checked globally and historically for accuracy, and after that it was used to verify how compatible are the Brazilian Energy Plan and a “very high” HDI, on the medium term and on the framework of the Brazilian states. It was concluded that, regarding this general objective, the historical evolution of national electrical energy supply and demand is compatible with the PNE projected numbers, which, on their turn, are compatible with a “very high” HDI – to reach such a level would require about 720 TWh per year, while the PNE forecasts, to 2030, 971 TWh, and the historical evolution of the last two decades indicates, for the same year, approximately 830 TWh. The possible attainment of this HDI level, however, should be put into perspective, because it probably would not be enough to avoid the catching-up situation Brazil is currently facing in relation to developed countries.

Despite the many changes that have occurred in South Africa since the end of apartheid, there are still residual effects of it, as is evidenced in the disparity of living conditions between different racial groups. It is also evident that there are differences in the work tasks and working conditions of nurses working in different work environments. This project looks at how living conditions as well as working conditions interactively affect the health, subjective well-being, and work ability of nurses. Questionnaires were completed by, and interviews were conducted with nurses from Settlers Hospital and seven municipal clinics within Grahamstown (n=152). The participation rate was approximately 71%. The questionnaires included self-report, forced-choice questions regarding basic demographics of the nurses, work conditions, living conditions, subjective satisfaction levels, as well as a simplified version of the Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Strain (Kuorinka et al., 1987), and the Work Ability Index (WAI) (Tuomi et al., 2006). The questionnaires were translated into Afrikaans and IsiXhosa. One-on-one interviews were conducted with the participants, in order to obtain a 24-hour dietary recall, an indication of physical activity levels, as well as measurements of stature, mass, waist girth and hip girth. Factor analysis was performed to identify common variance from amongst the variables, while canonical correlations examined the interaction between the sets of factors. It was found that variables relating to demographic factors, living conditions, and working conditions were closely linked to each other. Factors from each of these groups were associated with life, health, and job satisfaction, anthropometric measures, musculoskeletal strain, and WAI scores. Satisfaction levels appeared to be largely determined by socioeconomic status, while anthropometrics, WAI scores, and levels of musculoskeletal strain were associated with levels of smoking and drinking, race, age, stature, position and tenure.

This thesis contributes to the ongoing global discourse in ICT4D on ICT and its effect on socio-economic development in both theory and practice. The thesis comprises five studies presented logically from chapters 5 to 9. The thesis employs Mixed Methods research methodology within the Critical Realist epistemological perspective in Information Systems Research. Studies 1-4 employ different quantitative research and analytical methods while study 5 employs a qualitative research and analytical method. Study 1 proposes and operationalizes a predictive analytics framework in Learning Analytics by using a case study of the Computer Science Department of the University of Jos, Nigeria. Multiple Linear Regression was used with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) analysis tool. Statistical Hypothesis testing was then used to validate the model with a 5% level of significance. Results show how predictive learning analytics can be successfully operationalized and used for predicting students’ academic performances. In Study 2 the relative efficiency of ICT infrastructure utilization with respect to the educational component of the Human Development Index (HDI) is investigated. A Novel conceptual model is proposed and the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology is used to measure the relative efficiency of the components of ICT infrastructure (Inputs) and the components of education (Outputs). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression Analysis is used to determine the effect of ICT infrastructure on Educational Attainment/Adult Literacy Rates. Results show a strong positive effect of ICT infrastructure on educational attainment and adult literacy rates, a strong correlation between this infrastructure and literacy rates as well as provide a theoretical support for the argument of increasing ICT infrastructure to provide an increase in human development especially within the educational context. In Study 3 the relative efficiency and productivity of ICT Infrastructure Utilization in Education are examined. The research employs the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Index (MI), well established non-parametric data analysis methodologies, applied to archival data on International countries divided into Arab States, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and World regions. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression analysis is applied to determine the effect of ICT infrastructure on Adult Literacy Rates. Findings show a relatively efficient utilization and steady increase in productivity for the regions but with only Europe and the Arab States currently operating in a state of positive growth in productivity. A strong positive effect of ICT infrastructure on Adult Literacy Rates is also observed. Study 4 investigates the efficiency and productivity of ICT utilization in public value creation with respect to Adult Literacy Rates. The research employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Index (MI), well established non-parametric data analysis methodologies, applied to archival data on International countries divided into Arab States, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and World regions. Findings show a relatively efficient utilization of ICT in public value creation but an average decline in productivity levels. Finally, in Study 5 a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) on the UNDP Human Development Research Reports from 2010-2016 is carried out to determine whether or not any public value is created or derived from the policy directions being put forward and their subsequent implementations. The CDA is operationalized by Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action (TCA). Findings show that Public Value is indeed being created and at the core of the policy directions being called for in these reports. / School of Computing / Ph.D. (Information Systems)

本研究以城鄉差異觀點，評估台灣鄉村型社區心理衛生中心之服務需求，具體目的有(1)分析台灣縣市及雲林縣鄉鎮與心理衛生有關之各項社會指標，以驗證社區心理衛生相關問題的城鄉差異性；(2)瞭解雲林縣及其鄉鎮關鍵訊息提供者對高度農業地區各項社區心理衛生問題嚴重程度、問題型式、地理分佈與相關在地服務資源之看法；(3)瞭解雲林縣高度農業人口鄉鎮社區居民對其村落各項相關心理衛生問題嚴重程度、問題型式、社區壓力源、因應方式與求助情形之看法；(4)由社區居民調查結果，抽取鄉村心理衛生相關問題之共同因素，並歸納諸項調查研究與指標分析結果，初步擬定出一「台灣鄉村心理衛生指標系統目錄」。 研究方法採用多方法評估策略。社會指標分析方面，共計分析台灣地區23個縣市24項及雲林縣20個鄉鎮市16項心理衛生相關問題，以比較不同農業人口分群其發生率或盛行率之差異。關鍵訊息提供者調查方面，使用自編問卷分別調查雲林縣30位與二崙與水林兩鄉69位政府單位、民間機構或專業個人等。社區居民調查方面，二崙與水林兩鄉共發出2049份問卷，回收1074份(52.4%)，有效問卷為967份(41村、97.6%)。統計方法有描述統計、集群分析、t考驗、單因子變異數分析、皮爾森積差相關分析、因素分析等。 研究主要發現如下：(1)高度農業人口地區之老年、低教育程度、喪偶、外籍配偶、身心障礙、意外事故死亡、醫事人員平均服務人口數等比例明顯較高，離婚、全般刑案、竊盜、強盜搶奪、暴力犯罪、強制性交等比例則較低。(2)台灣縣市心理衛生相關嚴重問題社會指標之地理分佈概況不明顯，但雲林縣心理衛生相關嚴重問題比例則以高度農業人口的二崙與麥寮兩鄉明顯較高。(3)雲林縣與二崙、水林兩鄉關鍵訊息提供者皆認為人口外移與老化、老人問題(獨居、貧窮、安養等)、電話詐騙等問題比例較高。雲林縣關鍵訊息提供者主觀覺得口湖、台西與四湖為最亟需心理衛生服務的農業鄉鎮。二崙鄉關鍵訊息提供者主觀覺得大庄、楊賢與港後為該鄉最亟需心理衛生服務的村落。水林鄉關鍵訊息提供者主觀覺得水北、塭底與大山為該鄉最亟需心理衛生服務的村落。(4)二崙與水林兩鄉社區居民認為電話詐騙、人口外移、農產經營影響、人口老化、家庭經濟壓力等問題比例較高，青少女母親(含未婚懷孕)、家庭人數眾多、親友與鄰居死亡頻傳、自殺、性侵害、精神疾病、家庭暴力、家庭虐待等比例較低。(5)二崙與水林兩鄉居民認為「社區孤立與無望感」來自人口老化、多孤獨貧窮老人、人口外流嚴重、生活無聊、缺乏休閒娛樂等因素較多，「犯罪被害擔憂與恐懼」來自竊盜、詐騙、嗑藥吸毒等問題較多，「社區憂鬱現象」來自個人與家庭經濟壓力、失業、農業損害或收益等因素較多。(6)二崙與水林兩鄉居民認為其感受社會壓力源以治安惡化為主，農業壓力源以農產收益與自然災害為主，社區壓力源以治安不佳、衛生環境不良、缺乏休閒娛樂等較多，學校壓力源以城鄉差距大、教育與學習資源不足、課業或升學壓力、教育政策多變等較多，家庭壓力源以經濟收入與子女教養為主，個人壓力源以經濟收入、身體健康、工作壓力等較多。(7)二崙與水林兩鄉居民指出習慣(或主要)抒解或因應壓力方法，以「找人聊天」居首，只有6.5%曾求助於親友之外的專業人員。(8)雲林縣現有7個單位或機構(衛生局─社區心理衛生中心與長期照護管理示範中心、社會局─各課、家庭教育中心、台大醫院雲林分院精神科、雲林區心理衛生諮詢服務中心與生命線協會)共提供37個鄉村心理衛生相關服務項目。 本研究由社區居民調查結果，共抽取出七個因素構面並分別命名為「一般社區心理衛生問題」、「農業社區心理衛生問題」、「環境污染」、「經濟壓力」、「居住生活風險」、「犯罪」與「家庭婚姻特性」，並歸納諸項調查研究與指標分析結果，初步擬定出一「台灣鄉村心理衛生指標系統目錄」(5大指標向度，14個指標項目)。 文末，研究者並根據研究結果與國內外相關文獻，分別提出鄉村居民心理健康政策、鄉村心理衛生指標系統、農業危機服務、老人心理衛生、社區孤立與無望感、犯罪被害恐懼、環境污染心理影響、鄉村性別與族群心理議題、鄉村學校之預防功能、鄉村心理衛生服務模式等10項建議。 / The purposes of this thesis were: (1) to analyze the differences of some social indicators related to mental health of Taiwan (23 cities/counties) and Yunlin county (20 townships). (2) to understand the opinions of the key informants about community mental health problems. (3) to survey community residents of agricultural areas about the subjective perceptions of their mental health. (4) to set up a summative index of Taiwan Rural Mental Health indicators System. This research used a multi-method strategy. Data collected in the spring of 2005 included 24 social indicators of 23 cities/counties in Taiwan, and 16 social indicators of 20 cities/township in Yunlin, and questionnaires of 99 key informants and 967 community members of Erh-lun and Shui-lin Township of Yunlin County. Major findings of this study were as follows: (1)Significant differences were found in the social indicators about the numbers of older population, the lower educational status, the widowed, the foreign spouse, and the disabled, the accidental injury-related deaths in agricultural counties. In contrast, urbanized areas had higher rates of the divorced, all criminal case, larceny, robbery and forceful taking, violent crime, rape, and the average number of people serviced by per medical personnel . (2)The geographic analysis in terms of the mental health status and service needs of residents revealed no significant differences among 23 cities/counties, but significant differences among 20 cities/township (Yunlin County), Erh-lun and Mailiao had much more problems. (3)Yunlin County’s key informants indicated that the areas of Kou-hu, Tai-si and Sih-hu have high needs for mental health services. Erh-lun’s key informants indicated that 3 villages have high needs for mental health services. Shui-lin’s key informants indicated that 3 villages have high needs for mental health services. (4)Most respondents of resident sample ranked the following mental health problems as serious: fraudulent telephone calls, out-migrant, farm crisis, being elderly, and family economic hardship. (5)Most respondents of resident sample employed “chatting with others” as stress-relieving or coping method. Besides “family and friends”, only about 6.5% of respondents reported that they sought help from mental health professionals or specialists. (6)To set up the initial rural mental health indicator systems of Taiwan: a summative index consists of 14 items and is divided into five dimensions The recommendations for rural mental health policies, indicator systems, program strategies and rural mental health service delivery issues were also suggested.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This thesis will explore issues concerning cultural tourism investment and resident quality of life in the Midwestern city of Indianapolis, Indiana. It is important to understand from a cultural tourism perspective how further attempts to grow and invest in tourism will affect resident perception of quality of life and future cultural tourism investment. To achieve this goal, data from the 2012 Indianapolis Quality of Life survey was statistically analyzed to specifically examine how residents' perceived quality of life affects cultural tourism investment. This allows for the study of what city-service attributes (i.e. safety, attractions, transportation, et cetera) identify as potential indicators of whether residents' perception of quality of life affects cultural tourism investment and if there were any correlations between demographic factors of age, gender, ethnicity, and household income with the perception that investing in cultural events and attractions for tourists is good for residents. Results indicated that several key city-service attributes identify as potential indicators of whether residents' perception of quality of life in Indianapolis affects residents' perceptions that investing in cultural tourism for tourists is good for residents. In addition, several key city-service attributes identified as potential indicators of residents' perception of quality of life in Indianapolis excluding perceptions of cultural tourism investment. Finally, results indicated that demographic factors of gender, age, ethnicity, and income were not significant when it came to affecting the perception that investing in cultural events and attractions for tourists is good for residents.