This thesis contributes to the discussion around the practice of co-design with children by providing support for reflections to practitioners. The framework that derived from this research aims to increase the awareness on the implications the different aspects involved on co-design session have on its outcome. Researchers with little experience in managing co-design sessions can benefit from it when deciding on their co-design strategies.

This study has consisted of two related areas of research. The first area concerned the measurement of the proportions of gauche rotamer about C-C and C-O bonds ofpoly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) from NMR coupling constants. 3J HCCH and 3J HCOC couplings in 1,2-dimethoxyethane and bis-(2-methoxyethyl)ether, both model compounds for PEO, plus 3JHCCH in poly(ethylene oxide), have been obtained in five solvents by iterative fitting. The deduced proportions of gauche rotamers are higher than previous estimates, and higher still after allowance is made for the pentane effect. They fit well with gas phase electron diffraction data, with current gas phase theoretical calculations and with standard RIS parameters for the polymer. The influence of solvent arises more from its H-bond donor properties than in its dielectric. This study was undertaken partly in order to elucidate likely conformations of the glycosidic bond in the ensuing work on cellulose dissolution. The second area of research was concerned with the dissolution of cellulose in amine oxides. Courtaulds PLC have successfully used N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) to produce cellulosic spinning solutions. However, the interaction between cellulose and NMMO is not clearly understood. We have therefore sought to amplifY the understanding of this polymer-solvent interaction, first with optical microscopy experiments, and then with solution-state and solid-state NMR techniques. Optical microscopy experiments showed several different behaviours of ramie fibres (natural, highly crystalline cellulose I) as they dissolved in NMMO with added ~O. In 81.2 % NMMO solution, the fibres were observed to swell without dissolution, or burst into tiny fragments or else bend at certain regions creating a "zigzagging" pattern before dissolution. The rates of dissolution were also variable. Some amine oxides that are non-solvents for cellulose were also found to swell ramie, though in this case without subsequent dissolution. The changes in the proton NMR chemical shifts of NMMO and N-ethylmorpholine-N-oxide (NEMO), dissolved in dry DMSO-d6, on addition of water or methyl-P.o-glucopyranoside (a soluble model compound for cellulose) were used to obtain binding constants. The binding between methyl-P.oglucopyranoside and NMMO (a solvent for cellulose) is about twice as strong as the binding between the non-solvent NEMO and the same saccharide, under these conditions. In contrast, the binding between NEMO and water is stronger than that measured between NMMO and water. The stronger interaction of NMMO (relative to the interaction of NEMO) with the saccharide helps to explain its potency as a solvent for cellulose, but the reason for its occurrence, and the weakened interaction with water, is not fully understood. The carbon NMR shift differences of methyl-P.o-cellobioside on addition of various amine oxides (both solvents and non-solvents for cellulose) were found to be similar. We propose that the 1:1 interactions of all amine oxides with cellulose may be similar but that the competing interaction between amine oxide molecules decides if they become a solvent or non-solvent for cellulose. The variation of spin-lattice relaxation measurements on the cellobiose carbons upon addition of NMMO was also studied It indicates an increase of mobility of the C5-C6 bond in the presence ofNMMO. This implies the breaking ofH-bonds in this region. Solid-state NMR spectra (both CPMAS and HPDEC/MAS) were run on aliquots of cellulose samples in NMMO, taken out at various stages of the dissolution process. A faster disappearance of the C4 peak from the crystalline phase relative to the C4 peak from the amorphous phase suggests that the crystalline phase must first be penetrated by the solvent before dissolution. In contrast ramie treated with the non-solvent NEMO was found to have been converted from cellulose I to cellulose illr Theamorphous phase of ramie fibres treated with the non-solvent trimethylamine-N-oxide was found to increase at the expense of the crystalline phase, although in this case no cellulose ~ was detected. Evidently, some amine oxides that are non-solvents for cellulose can nevertheless penetrate between layers of cellulose that are held together by Vander Waals forces, even though they cannot pull apart adjacent chains of cellulose (necessary for dissolution to occur) that are held together by strong H-bonds.

The modelling, design, construction and experimental testing of a carbon-ammonia adsorption heat pump is presented. The main objective of the research was to computer simulate and test a 4-beds thermal wave adsorption cycle and to improve the heat transfer rate in an existing shell and tube generator. The existing generators were shell and tube type and were made of nickel brazed stainless steel but their heat transfer performance was poor. New heat exchangers with same design but larger in size were manufactured. The sorbent material, active carbon, was tested in order to characterise its thermal properties and a new generator filling technique was developed and presented. Computational modelling was carried out to evaluate the performance of the 4-beds thermal wave adsorption cycle. The proposed system was an air source heat pump that could deliver an output heating power of 7 kW and a seasonal heating COP of 1.47. The adsorption generators were tested in a 4-bed thermal wave air-source heat pump system and achieved heating output powers between 4.5 to 5.20 kW if taking into account the system heat losses (4.30 to 4.90 kW without heat losses) and heating COP’s of between 1.26 and 1.31 if taking into account the system heat losses (1.13 to 1.18 kW without heat losses). These values were significantly lower than the predicted performance of the simulation. The main cause of this discrepancy was the water distributors located at the end of the generators that distorted during the testing stage and blocked the tubes of the generators.

<p> Independent school leaders are seeking opportunities to improve their organizations&rsquo; impact on mission (Collins, 2005; Mair &amp; Marti, 2006), respond to the new affordances and expectations driven by information and communications technologies (Christensen, Horn, &amp; Johnson, 2008; Cuban, 2013), and improve their financial sustainability (Baumol &amp; Bowen, 1966; Farkas, 2012; Ewert, 2013). The answer to similar challenges in other fields has been innovation (Christensen et al., 2008; Schumpeter, 1949). However, there is a gap in the research&mdash;an absence of a theory of practice for the work of identifying, enacting, and diffusing value-adding changes, or innovations, throughout independent K&ndash;12 schools. As a first step in developing such a theory of practice, this exploratory qualitative study focuses on independent school leaders identified by their peers as innovative and working at independent U.S. K&ndash;12 schools that have been defined as representative through the metrics of enrollment, tuition, endowment, and length of operations. Via a process of structured interviews, archival document review, member checks, and researcher writing, this study explores and seeks to understand these particular leaders&rsquo; perceptions, conceptualizations, and thinking about innovation, and their efforts in relation to the enactment of innovation in their particular school contexts. The major findings of this study are: (a) innovation is an under-theorized area of practice for leaders of independent schools; (b) the conceptualizations of innovation of Heads of independent schools are varied among individual leaders depending on several factors; (c) conceptualizations of innovation by Heads affect their approaches to innovation and leading innovation adoption; and (d) the field of independent schools lacks an approach to innovation that would help contain cost growth. The conclusion of this study is a call for a new theory of practice for independent school leaders regarding innovation, informed by theory from various fields and grounded in the experiences of leading practitioners.</p>

Master of Arts / Department of Communication Studies / Sarah Riforgiate / New technology has changed how people do business. With rapid development of technology, it has been difficult for businesses and organizations to successfully implement technology advancements. This problem has spurred research in the area of technology acceptance. The Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989) is a dominant theory used to explain technology use. Although many researchers have copied, expanded, and altered this model through quantitative research, making it robust, this study will further the model by using qualitative methods to explore how members understand and classify technology use. This study adds to the existing knowledge of computer-mediated communication and technology acceptance by exploring information technology use within a volunteer or not-for-profit organization (NPO). In order to offer a unique perspective to exploring how organizational members understand and adopt new technology, this study employs qualitative methodology to a topic traditionally explored through quantitative surveys and measurements. Research questions specifically consider why organizational members accept or reject new technology and how organizational membership affects technology acceptance. Using the third iteration of the technology acceptance model (TAM 3), data confirm perceived usefulness and perceived ease as determinants of technology acceptance. The influencing factors of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were also confirmed. Two new influencing factors of perceived usefulness emerged in this study: appropriateness and information overload. Also, insight into the role of age and technology adoption calls into question stereotypical misconceptions of technology use and acceptance. Overall, this study confirms and expands on research in the area of technology acceptance.

M.Ing. / This case study explores the different technology management techniques available to organisations to control and manipulate technology to improve efficiency, reliability, optimisation and productivity. The technology techniques explored in this case study include technology roadmaps, technology capability analysis and technology portfolio analysis. The theoretical framework section of this case study provides an in depth study on the different techniques and presents supporting information that must be understood to correctly and efficiently implement these techniques. The analysis section of this case study presents results to authenticate the research captured in the theoretical section. The analysis section and the conclusion of this case study provide results and benefits of implementing technology management techniques within business units of Sasol. Sasol consists of a number of different technologies with different lifecycles which are required to be controlled and maintained to ensure continuous operation. Sasol is dependent on technology for safety, continuous operation and maintenance. The outcome of this case study is to provide an organisation such as Sasol the benefits and results of implementing technology management techniques within the organisation and to justify investing in technology management tools and techniques. The technology roadmap and technology portfolio analysis was carried out for the Solvents business unit whereas the technology capability analysis was carried out for Sasol Technology control engineering group.

D.Phil. / IT plays a vital role in most institutions, and decision-makers have to be concerned about ensuring that capital investment decisions pertaining to IT investments are efficient. This is even more crucial in the prevailing tough economic conditions. The intention of the study was to test the perceptions of IT decision-makers on the efficiency of capital investment decisions pertaining to IT within their various institutions. The management dilemma in this study was described as the inability by decision-makers to tell whether or not the IT investment would deliver the desired results. In order to resolve the management dilemma, a list of management questions was raised, for example:  Which factors had an impact on the efficiency of capital investment decisions pertaining to IT?  How did decision-makers quantify the financial and non-financial costs attributable to IT investments?  How did decision-makers quantify the financial and non-financial benefits attributable to IT investments? The primary objective of the research was to conduct a literature review on the identified research constructs and through scientific empirical research construct evidence in support (or otherwise) of the hypotheses that are put forward. The secondary objectives of the research were:  Identifying the factors that impact on the efficiency of capital investment decisions pertaining to IT;  Determining the levels of satisfaction by various stakeholders with regard to the value that IT investments add to their institutions;  Determining whether or not institutions were able to identify and quantify the financial and non-financial costs attributable to IT investments;  Determining whether or not institutions were able to identify and quantify the financial and non-financial benefits attributable to IT investments; iv  Determining whether or not IT investments created a competitive edge over other institutions;  Determining the applicability of risk management tools on IT investments within various institutions; and  Determining the extent to which current financial tools were utilised in evaluating capital investment decisions pertaining to IT.

This qualitative research study investigated the experiences of five education faculty members about their experiences with technology. These faculty members come from different areas of education. They participated in a technology-based project, the purpose of which was to help faculty members integrate technology into their classrooms and implement technology in their instructions. Before the project, all of the faculty members had experiences with technology, such as emails, Internet searches and PowerPoint applications. During the project, most of them learned web page design and more technology integration into their curriculum and instruction. The purpose of this study is to respond to the need to identify, study and disseminate examples of technology using teachers and portray a group of education faculty members after they experienced a federally funded technology-based project. Their practices, beliefs, and factors that influence their beliefs and practices with technology integration are the focus of this study. Based on the literature and the research studies, the following questions were formulated in the following: 1. How has participation in the technology-based project influenced faculty members' beliefs and practices with technology integration? 2. What are the factors that influence faculty members' practices regarding technology? The findings are the following. All participants have always believed that technology is an important tool and should be integrated into the teaching and learning. However they believe that technology is not the only tool that can be used to enhance teaching and learning. Their experienced in the grant project have increased their confidence and comfort in using technology by being exposed to presentations and having real hands-on activities within a certain time period that did not conflict their academic calendars. Factors that influence their beliefs and practices are: experiences in the project, access to technology and technical problems, Administrative support (from the department and project directors) and technical support: from the students, from faculty, from technician, technological leadership, communication within the community and outside, time, and subject Issues. Internal factors identified include personal belief, personal feelings with technology use, demand of time to learn, learning style, and classroom teaching.

Data collection included the following primary data streams: large group and small group class discussions, electronic submissions of personal reflections, answers to teacherresearcher- generated questions and questions and answers to student-generated questions posted to a Yahoo Discussion Group, a Character Analysis document using Powerpoint, and an audiotape of a whole class discussion. Also included in the data streams was an excerpt of an audiotaped session of a whole class discussion of a segment of the novel. All of the above activities were based on the novel, Life is So Good, by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman. Data collection also included audio-tapes of interviews of the focal students. Preliminary analysis of data streams for the focal students revealed the emergence of six themes based on participants' perceptions of the impact of technology integration in a Developmental Reading Course: participants perceived the advantages of using technology to enhance learning in, and beyond, their Developmental Reading Course; participants perceived the difficulties/disadvantages regarding the use of technology in the course; students expressed a gradual development or increase in competence and comfort with the use of technology through the course; students expressed a general preference for the use of computers rather than pen and paper in completion of course assignments; students valued their technology experience enough to express a need for extending policy throughout the University; and, students expressed increased motivation regarding completion of course assignments when using technology. Moreover, two meta-themes emerged based on a re-analysis of the data: technology motivated participants to perform in ways that they never had before; and technology engaged participants through computer-based assignments to the extent that they exhibited characteristics associated with active learning styles. Results showed that participants generally exhibited limited participation in regular classroom discussions and activities, but exhibited active and engaged participation in completing computer-based, content-driven course assignments and activities throughout the course of the study.

M.Comm. / Changes occur rapidly in the Information Technology (IT) environment. It can be very costly to keep up with these rapid changes and at the same time specialist IT skills are hard to come by. Companies have to re-strategize to maintain their competitive advantages. This strategic business concept suggests that management must focus on specialisation, expertise and excellence. In an increasingly competitive and technological advanced world, business focus has shifted from simply minimising costs to maximising revenue. Companies are now focussing on their core competencies and are sourcing their non-core competencies to external providers (vendors). By distancing themselves from these non-core competencies, companies can focus their energy on areas where they have a competitive advantage. Companies enter into outsourcing arrangement's because they believe a vendor is better equipped to perform their IT functions. Outsourcing has become one of the most powerful, organisation-shaping management tools. For the customer outsourcing involves a proper definition of requirements, a detailed analysis and evaluation of potential vendors, developing the pricing structure and managing the outsourcing arrangement. The vendor needs to deliver a service according to specified service levels to which penalties and rewards are tied. An interdependency exists between the customer and the vendor. Change in the one affects the other. One of the key components for a successful outsourcing arrangement is that a company must never outsource the management of their Information Technology processes.