Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Queensland, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Purdue University, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-201).

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Information Technology in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2013 / The application of software systems in business organizations continue to increase as the Internet technology grows. Business processes that previously required manual interventions are becoming automated using software systems. The use of software systems is fundamental to electronic processing of business transactions. More business organizations, large and small, are utilizing information technology in order to have competitive advantage in the business arena. Software is ubiquitous. Among areas where software plays core roles are e-Banking where software systems are used to process banking transactions, e-Health where software systems are used to facilitate activities in the health sector, e-Commerce where software systems are used to facilitate online business transactions, e-Government where software system are used to facilitate government activities and e-Learning where software systems are used to facilitate the teaching and learning process. Nevertheless, the large number of failing software projects and the increase in software security problems coupled with shortage of skilled software developers are still major obstacles in the software development industry. Among others, the solution can be achieved by improving the competency of software developers so that software systems developed are of good quality, safe, robust, and support business objectives. Software companies and business organizations stand a big chance to increase their return on investment (ROI), if competencies of software developers are improved. A software developer plays critical roles in software development projects. A software developer, however, requires specific skills and knowledge in order to develop software systems that solve problems and deliver solutions. This research is about competencies of software developers. The research focuses on software development activities performed by software companies and business organizations within the Western Cape Province. The unit of analysis is software developers. Data pertaining to tasks performed by software developers, tools used by software developers and skills required were collected, examined and analysed. The objective of the research is to develop a competency framework for software developers. It can be used by institutions and the industry to provide better education. Most importantly, the industry will have access to competent software developers who can perform their job well. As justified in this research, knowledge of a competency framework for software developers is extremely essential.ÿ

Abstract This research aims at developing theory about the dissolution process of business-to-business relationships in tailored software context. Although dissolving business relationships can be viewed as one of the essential themes of marketing, the existing research on dissolution does not provide us with a holistic picture of the dissolution as a process. This research builds an empirically-grounded model of the business relationship dissolution process. First, a theoretical, tentative model of the process of business relationship dissolution is built. Second, empirical knowledge is acquired from a case study of business relationship dissolution in a software context. The case study data has been collected from various sources, from both seller and buyer organisations as well as network actors, through interviews and also from other written and oral sources in order to ensure triangulation. Third, the findings of the case study are compared to the tentative process model and the model is adjusted accordingly, thus developing the empirically-grounded process model. The process model includes three elements: the nature of the relationship, the factors influencing its dissolution, and the dissolution process. It incorporates both the time dimension and the multiplicity of the actors (individuals, companies, other relationships) involved into the model. The nature of the relationship is classified (terminal, continuous, episodic) as are the influencing factors and events (predisposing, precipitating and attenuating). The dissolution process is modelled by using stages, which describe the different action and time periods of the process, and by using levels, which describe the different actors who bring the process about. Six stages are distinguished: the communication stage, consideration stage, disengagement stage, enabling stage, restoration stage, and sensemaking / aftermath stage. The concept of stage is used to divide the complex process into more comprehensible periods and to emphasise that in each stage, managers' actions differ. The dissolution process does not always proceed through all the stages, nor have the stages any particular order.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Africa’s mobile phone penetration has surpassed that of the United States of America and information communication technologies, according to the World Bank, contribute more to its gross domestic product than the global average. What has been the enabling environment for the development of software and mobile applications to sustain this information revolution? India, an affiliate of the family of economic nations consisting of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa, has enjoyed remarkable success as a software developing country and thus could provide some guidelines in this respect. Ireland on the other hand, as a developed country, has also established a successful software industry. In this thesis, the key initiatives taken by both India and Ireland to establish their software industries were investigated. A grounded research approach, incorporating case studies of India, Ireland and South Africa, using a content analysis approach, was used to analyse cited literature about software development in these countries. India’s approach, which includes enabling policies, economic incentives, educational and human resource initiatives, attracting outsourced businesses from other countries and a combination of government and industry initiatives, has contributed to its software industry’s success. Ireland’s approach was industry initiatives, policies, software products and educational developments. Since India and South Africa share similar challenges and Ireland and South Africa have a common heritage, the initiatives by India and Ireland were juxtaposed with known initiatives in South Africa to determine what initiatives are needed for potential success of the software industry in the Western Cape region and in developing countries beyond. A better understanding of the software industry in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and the views of software practitioners in the region has been formulated. Recommendations on what needs to be done to promote the software industry in the Western Cape Province in terms of policy (local, provincial and national government), educational (school, tertiary), practice and other criteria are presented. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Many studies have recognised the importance of a variety of factors in the internationalisation of firms. Only a few, however, have attempted to integrate these factors into a comprehensive framework. In this study, taking the network approach as its main analytical foundation, an integrative theoretical framework is developed and tested empirically to assess the impact of a wide range of factors on the internationalisation of firms. The internationalisation phenomenon is examined in a more comprehensive manner than in many previous studies, as a two-sided process of both inward and outward international operations. Using logistic regressions in the analysis of empirical evidence gathered through a national survey sample of 148 Brazilian software firms, the theoretical framework proposed in this study obtained substantial support. The findings expand previous knowledge through a comprehensive explanation that incorporates determinant factors from four distinct dimensions ¿ contextual, organisational, network, and entrepreneurial ¿ in examining the internationalisation of firms from emerging markets. The findings indicate that business networks are indeed strategic mechanisms for a firm in developing its internationalisation trajectory, as hypothesised. The results of this research suggest that studies based on the business-network model of internationalisation can no longer ignore the impact of other factors at the contextual, organisational, and entrepreneurial level. Incorporating these elements into research that seeks to explain the internationalisation of firms could provide a more sophisticated understanding through new insights and allow scholars to go beyond one-dimensional and static theorising. / Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises

by Cheung Wai-yin Ronald, Chong Wing-kong. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Bibliography: leaf 95. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.ii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.iv / LIST OF TABLES --- p.v / CHAPTER / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter I. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.5 / Chapter II. --- COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND SERVICES ENVIRONMENT --- p.7 / Hong Kong --- p.11 / Infrastructure --- p.11 / IT Manpower --- p.12 / Technical Capacity --- p.16 / Research and Development --- p.18 / Market Information --- p.19 / Supporting Hardware Industry --- p.22 / Role of Government --- p.25 / People's Republic of China --- p.28 / Infrastructure --- p.28 / IT Manpower --- p.30 / Technical Capacity --- p.32 / Research and Development --- p.34 / Market Information --- p.34 / Supporting Hardware Industry --- p.39 / Role of Government --- p.39 / Singapore --- p.44 / Infrastructure --- p.44 / IT Manpower --- p.45 / Technical Capacity --- p.48 / Research and Development --- p.50 / Market Information --- p.50 / Supporting Hardware Industry --- p.54 / Role of Government --- p.56 / Taiwan --- p.59 / Infrastructure --- p.59 / IT Manpower --- p.60 / Technical Capacity --- p.63 / Research and Development --- p.64 / Market Information --- p.65 / Supporting Hardware Industry --- p.68 / Role of Government --- p.71 / Chapter III. --- COMPARISON OF COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES AND WEAKNESSES --- p.74 / Comparison of Infrastructure --- p.74 / Comparison of IT Manpower --- p.75 / Comparison of Technical Capacity --- p.85 / Comparison of Market Information --- p.85 / Comparison of Supporting Hardware Industry --- p.86 / Comparison of Role of Government --- p.86 / Chapter IV. --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.90 / Collaborative Model --- p.90 / Role of the Four Chinese Communities --- p.92 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.95

Wong Lai Fong Yvonne. / Thesis submitted in: July 2005. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iv / TABLE OF CONTENT --- p.v / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Motivation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Common explanations of economic success --- p.2 / Chapter i) --- Explanation from Neoclassical Economic Perspectives --- p.3 / Chapter ii) --- Explanation from the Statist Perspective --- p.5 / Chapter iii) --- Limitations of Neoclassical and Statist Perspectives --- p.7 / Chapter iv) --- Importance of the interorganizational relationships perspective --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3 --- The Research --- p.11 / Chapter i) --- The choice of studying the software industry --- p.11 / Chapter ii) --- Research questions and significance --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4 --- Thesis Layout --- p.13 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW: THE STUDY OF INTERORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE TO THE IT INDUSTRY / Chapter 2.1 --- Importance of Social Networks --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- Theories in the Network Approach I - Social Embeddedness: The Fundamental Building Block of the Network Approach --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3 --- Theories in the Network Approach II - The Social Network Approach --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4 --- Theories in Network Approach III - Factors affecting the formation of networks --- p.22 / Chapter i) --- Prior ties or pre-existing network --- p.22 / Chapter ii) --- Expectations from social networks --- p.23 / Chapter iii) --- Incentive schemes by government - industry promotion schemes nurturing public-private or private-private partnership --- p.26 / Chapter iv) --- IT clusters --- p.29 / Chapter 2.5 --- Theories in Network Approach IV ´ؤ Interorganizational Alliances and Social Capital --- p.31 / Chapter i) --- Interorganizational alliances and organizational outcomes --- p.31 / Chapter ii) --- Enhanced performance through social capital --- p.33 / Chapter 2.6 --- Mechanisms: From Interorganizational Relationships to Performance --- p.34 / Chapter i) --- Client acquisition --- p.35 / Chapter ii) --- Capital Accumulation --- p.36 / Chapter iii) --- Product Innovation --- p.37 / Chapter iv) --- Interorganizational Learning --- p.39 / Chapter 2.7 --- Implications from the Literature Review --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2 --- Research Objectives --- p.44 / Chapter i) --- Research Questions --- p.44 / Chapter ii) --- Propositions --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3 --- Definition of Concepts in the Proposals --- p.46 / Chapter i) --- Performance --- p.46 / Chapter ii) --- Interorganizational relationships --- p.47 / Chapter iii) --- The mechanisms affecting performance by IOR --- p.48 / Chapter iv) --- Factors affecting IOR --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4 --- Methodology --- p.52 / Chapter 3.5 --- Chapter Summary --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- INDUSTRY OVERVIEW AND THE NATURE OF INTERORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS --- p.60 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2 --- Mode of Production of the Software Industry in Hong Kong --- p.60 / Chapter 4.3 --- Performance of the Software Industry in Hong Kong --- p.61 / Chapter i) --- Definition of the Software Industry --- p.61 / Chapter ii) --- About the Industry --- p.62 / Chapter iii) --- Performance Indicators --- p.64 / Chapter 4.4 --- Performance of the Software Firms in Hong Kong --- p.70 / Chapter 4.5 --- Nature of Interorganizational Relationships in the Software Industry --- p.71 / Chapter 4.6 --- Summary Remarks of the Chapter --- p.81 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- INTERORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PERFORMANCE --- p.1 / Chapter 5.1 --- Performance and Network Position of Firms --- p.82 / Chapter 5.2 --- Case Studies --- p.88 / Chapter i) --- A peripheral firm with negative performance: Company L --- p.88 / Chapter ii) --- Node firm with negative performance: Company C --- p.94 / Chapter iii) --- Node firm with a positive performance: Company A --- p.98 / Chapter iv) --- Node firm with a positive performance: Company M --- p.104 / Chapter 5.3 --- The Mechanism ´ؤ Resource-based perspective --- p.110 / Chapter i) --- Client acquisition --- p.110 / Chapter ii) --- Capital Accumulation --- p.112 / Chapter iii) --- Product Innovation --- p.117 / Chapter iv) --- Interorganizational Learning --- p.118 / Chapter 5.4 --- Concluding Remarks of this Chapter --- p.121 / Chapter CHAPTER 6: --- FACTORS CONDUCIVE TO NETWORK DEFICIT / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2 --- Pre-existing Ties --- p.123 / Chapter 6.3 --- Government --- p.128 / Chapter 6.4 --- Intensity of Competition --- p.134 / Chapter 6.5 --- Cluster Effect --- p.137 / Chapter 6.6 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.138 / Chapter CHAPTER 7: --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 7.1 --- The Hong Kong Story: IOR and Performance --- p.140 / Chapter 7.2 --- Research Limitations --- p.144 / Chapter i) --- Difficulty in Explaining a Negative Story --- p.144 / Chapter ii) --- Effect of the Economy --- p.145 / Chapter iii) --- Response Rate --- p.146 / Chapter iv) --- Time Factor --- p.147 / Chapter 7.3 --- Discussion and Further Research --- p.149 / APPENDIX I: LIST OF IT ASSOCIATIONS IN HONG KONG --- p.AI-1 / APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW OUTLINE --- p.AII-1 / REFERENCES --- p.R-1

Thesis (M.T.S.C.)--Miami University, Dept. of English, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. Xx-Xx).

It is widely acknowledged that there is a shortage of software developers with the right skills and knowledge. In respect of their university education, students want to take courses and carry out projects that clearly relate to their lives and their goals. The software development industry on the other hand, expects students to be educated in courses and projects, which are relevant for their professional career and equip them to be well-prepared for the workplace. In the middle, between the students and the industry, is the university that is expected to meet the needs of the students on the one side and the software industry on the other side. The unique contribution of this research is the development of a framework for relevant software development education by addressing the question: How can universities ensure that software development education provides knowledge and skill sets that are relevant to both the software development industry and software development students? The literature study investigates the software development class, focusing on the students and the educators. Furthermore, a review of the software development workplace is done with attention to the software developers and their employers. The problems and challenges facing three role players in software development education, namely the students, the university and the industry are investigated. Lastly, the role of the university in relevant software development education is considered with a specific focus on curricula. In the empirical study a questionnaire was developed to investigate the relevance of software development education from the perspective of the students. The questionnaire enquired about students’ interests in each of a list of software development topics and further questions relating to students’ views and needs for a relevant education are presented. The questionnaire was completed by 297 software development students and it was found that although a gap exists between students' needs and software development education, students’ education does have a predominantly social relevance and also a moderate personal and professional relevance. A second questionnaire was developed to investigate the relevance of software development education as it pertains to the software industry. The questionnaire enquired about the perceptions of professional software developers regarding what topics they learned from their formal education and the importance of these topics to their actual work. The questionnaire was completed by 214 software development professionals and again it was found that there is a gap between the industry’s needs and software development education. Questions related to the industry’s needs, as well as an open-ended question at the end of the questionnaire offered rich insights into the industry’s view of its new graduates and the problems and challenges surrounding software development education. The quantitative data, as well as the qualitative data offered solutions to these problems and challenges. The students’ views are compared with the professional software developers’ views to investigate the compatibility between the relevance of software development education for students and the relevance for the software industry. The analysis reveals matching and differing views. A framework for relevant software development education was developed to address the gap between software development education and the students’ needs, as well as the gap between software development education and the industry’s needs. The problems and challenges that might cause SD education to be less relevant are presented and recommendations to industry and university for relevant software development education are made. / PhD (Natural Sciences Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015