Afin de préserver sa stabilité, une organisation devrait être en mesure d'anticiper les changements à venir. Le concept d’être à l’écoute de l’environnement pour dénicher les informations précieuses permettant à une organisation de prédire un futur événement est appelé « veille stratégique ».La veille stratégique demeure une tâche difficile à mettre en place. Une des raisons expliquant cette difficulté est l'absence d'un outil permettant de soutenir le processus de la veille stratégique. Ceci est également identifié comme un facteur pouvant conduire à l'échec de la mise en œuvre et le maintien de la veille stratégique.Les réseaux sociaux (RS) se sont avérés extrêmement populaires dans la sphère personnelle, et ont suscité l’intérêt de la communauté scientifique et des organisations.La prise de conscience croissante de la valeur ajoutée des RS dans les organisations a conduit à la création de réseaux sociaux professionnels (RSP) qui ont transformé la façon dont les employés travaillent et interagissent.D'une part, la veille stratégique manque d'un « outil support à la gestion de l’information ». D'autre part, les RSP sont des outils répandus permettant de communiquer, de collaborer et de partager l'information. Cela rend les RSP des candidats potentiels pour soutenir la veille stratégique.Le but de notre recherche est d'étudier l’adoption des RSP en tant que SI permettant de soutenir le processus de la veille stratégique. Afin d’y parvenir nous posons 3 sous-questions :1-Quel est le "fit" entre les RSP et le processus de la veille stratégique ?Afin de répondre à cette sous-question, nous construisons un cadre théorique en adressant les fonctionnalités requises pour soutenir un processus de veille stratégique ainsi que celles offertes par les RSP.Notre étude montre l'existence d'un potentiel "fit", mais aussi d’un "misfit" entre les fonctionnalités des RSP et le processus de la veille stratégique.Sur la base de cette observation, nous tentons d'étudier les raisons de l'adoption des RSP pour soutenir le processus de la veille stratégique. Nous abordons alors les déterminants de l'adoption des RSP dans 2 contextes d’usage différents, ce qui fera l’objet des 2 sous-questions suivantes.2-Quels sont les déterminants de l’adoption des RSP (indépendamment de leurs contextes d'utilisation managériaux) ?L'adoption est le processus de développement, de mise en œuvre et l’intention d'utiliser pleinement la technologie.Malgré de nombreux d’études, les théories et les modèles existants reflètent une image fragmentée de l’adoption d’une technologie.Ainsi, afin de répondre à la seconde sous-question, nous synthétisons, à partir de la littérature, un cadre théorique regroupant des déterminants de l’adoption d’une technologie et des déterminants de l’adoption des RS et des RSP.En se basant sur ce cadre théorique, nous identifions 15 déterminants qui pourraient influencer l’adoption des RSP indépendamment de leurs contextes d’utilisations managériaux.3-Quels sont les déterminants de l'adoption des RSP pour soutenir le processus de la veille stratégique ?Afin de répondre à cette sous-question, nous divisons la liste des 15 déterminants en 2 groupes : 1)déterminants de l’adoption des RSP pour soutenir le processus de la veille stratégique et 2)déterminants de l’adoption des RSP pour soutenir les autres processus business. En comparant ces 2 groupes, nous identifions 15 déterminants qui pourraient influencer l’adoption des RSP pour soutenir le processus de la veille stratégique. Parmi ces déterminants, 5 sont exclusivement identifiés dans le cas de l’adoption des RSP pour soutenir le processus de la veille stratégique.Notre étude a permis d’identifier certains contextes dans lesquels les RSP pourraient être un outil support du processus de la veille stratégique.Elle a permis de proposer des recommandations qui pourraient aider les organisations à adopter les RSP comme outil pour soutenir le processus de la veille stratégique. / To preserve its stability and ensure a strong market position, an organization should be able to anticipate upcoming changes. The concept of scanning the environment for valuable information and indicative signals that allow an organization to predict a potential future event is termed “strategic scanning”.Strategic scanning is still considered a hard task to put in place. One of the reasons to explain this difficulty is the absence of a supporting tool which is also identified as a factor that can lead to the failure of the implementation and sustainability of strategic scanning.The development of social networks sites (SNS) proved to be extremely popular in the personal sphere, and started raising interest in the scientific community as well as in organizations.Growing awareness of the added value of SNS in organizations lead to the creation of numerous corporate social networks (CSN) technology that has transformed the way employees work and interact.On one hand, strategic scanning still lacks an “information management supporting tool”. On the other hand, CSN technology are widely spread ways to communicate, collaborate and share information. This makes CSN technology a potential candidate to support strategic scanning.The aim of our study is to investigate the adoption of CSN technology as a supporting IS for strategic process. To do so we ask 3 sub-questions:1-what is the fit between CSN technology and strategic scanning process?To answer this, we construct a theoretical framework by addressing the functionalities required to support a strategic scanning process, and addressing the functionalities offered by CSN technology.Our results show the existence of both a potential fit and misfit between CSN functionalities and strategic scanning process.Based on this observation, we attempt to study the reasons behind the adoption of CSN technology to support strategic scanning process.Hence, we address the determinants of CSN technology adoption in two different contexts of use -which is the aim of the two following sub-question.2-what are the determinants of CSN technology adoption (independently of its managerial context of use)?Adoption is the process of developing, implementing and having the will to make full use of the technology.Despite numerous studies attempting to understand technology adoption, existing theories and most of the models lack a holistic view and reflect a fragmented image.Thus, to answer the second sub-question, we draw a theoretical framework that consists of determinants of technology adoption and determinants of SNS and CSN technology adoption identified in the literature.Based on this theoretical framework, we identify 15 determinants that might influence the adoption of CSN technology independently of its managerial context of use.3-what are the determinants of CSN technology adoption to support strategic scanning process?To answer this, we split the list of 15 determinants previously identified into 2 groups: 1) determinants of CSN technology adoption to support strategic scanning process and 2) determinants of CSN technology adoption to support other business processes.Comparing these 2 groups allow us to identify determinants of CSN adoption to support strategic scanning process that do not emerge when addressing the adoption of CSN to support other business processes.We identified 15 determinants that might influence the adoption of CSN technology to support strategic scanning process. Importantly, among these determinants, only 5 determinants are reported in the case of CSN technology adoption to support strategic scanning process.Based on all the above, our work reveals that CSN technology can be a supporting tool for strategic scanning process in some contexts. Further, our study allows us to propose recommendations that might help organizations to adopt CSN technology as a supporting tool for strategic scanning process.

This dissertation involved the development of a new construct, perceived privacy breach (PPB), to evaluate how a person perceives breaches of privacy in terms of whether they perceive any exchange of information was fair or not and how they believe it will impact people whose information has been shared. This instrument assists researchers to understand how a person perceives a possible breach of privacy. The PPB instrument was created after conducting a pilot study of approximately 200 undergraduate students and testing the data for possible dimensions in an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The EFA resulted in a concise 14 item questionnaire with three dimensions: dispersion, fairness, and impact. The PPB instrument was utilized in a larger study with 285 participants after a small pilot test (n=27) to study the impact of perceptions of privacy preaches upon a person's level of concern for his or her own privacy and the effect it has on their trust in organizations to protect their privacy in relation to their usage of Internet search engines. It also studied how the combination of perceptions of privacy breaches, general privacy concern, and trust had an impact on a person's anxiety and decision to continue using online search engines. The study also theorized that a person's concern for privacy and use of search engines might result in cognitive dissonance, which might have an effect on the way people think about privacy issues. The model was analyzed using a two step process. First a confirmatory factory analysis (CFA) using the software application EQS was run on the measurement model, in which all the instruments were assessed. The perceived privacy breach instrument had a Cronbach's alpha value of .89. The structural model was run in EQS and achieved a CFI fit of .86. There was a statistically significant relationship between perceived privacy breach and privacy concern, and between privacy concern and trust. Increase in trust was shown to have an effect on technology usage attitude. Hypotheses involving cognitive dissonance showed statistically significant results in the opposite direction.

xiii, 124 p. : ill. (some col.) / This dissertation emphasizes three aspects of structural change in economic development. Structural change is the process by which the distribution of economic output shifts from one sector to another and is crucial to understanding overall economic growth. The first chapter demonstrates that property rights and the relative value of land in rural credit markets have significant implications for the rate and level of economic development. When borrowers have little net worth, access to credit is limited and the transition from agriculture to industry proceeds at a slower rate. A quantitative model provides estimates of the welfare cost of such frictions. The second chapter argues that differential costs of technology adoption across developing countries can explain the failure of some import-substitution strategies. An analytical model demonstrates the importance of such adoption costs, and an empirical section finds evidence in support of it. The primary result is that import-substituting policies aimed at rapid industrialization may in fact inhibit economic growth, explaining why some countries have experienced lower rates of economic development. The third chapter uses a robust econometric procedure to estimate sector-specific productivity growth for a sample of OECD countries. It finds that the sources of productivity growth vary widely across countries. Productivity growth is not concentrated in industrial sectors alone but can also result from advances in service sectors. / Committee in charge: Dr. Shankha Chakraborty, Chair; Dr. Chris Ellis, Member; Dr. Bruce Blonigen, Member; Dr. Jean Stockard, Outside Member

Recent developments and hype around artificial intelligence (AI) have arisen as result of two main factors: increase in computational power and data. Although marketing is considered as one of the main business applications within AI today, there is a lack of literature combining the disciplines. Marketing management tools, which utilise AI in supporting decision making are referred to as knowledge-driven marketing management support systems (MMSS). These systems provide besides quantitative analysis, further qualitative facets into marketing management. Despite the willingness of many SMEs to engage with the technology that may foster competitive advantage, many adoption processes fail. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the factors influencing adoption of knowledge-driven MMSS in SMEs in Finland and Sweden. Qualitative primary data was collected from nine company representatives at top management level in Finnish and Swedish firms. Companies were classified in three categories, providers, adopters and non-adopters of knowledge-driven MMSS.   The findings show that there are several factors influencing adoption of knowledge-driven MMSS. The factors were grouped into technological, organizational and environmental factors, based on the TOE framework. Even though SMEs suffer from a lack of resources compared to large companies, this research suggests that they are at the forefront of adopting AI for marketing purposes. Additionally, it was found that the factors affecting adoption are dependent on whether the knowledge-driven MMSS is built in-house or outsourced.   This study has contributed to the identified gaps in literature by combining the disciplines of AI, marketing and SMEs, and by exploring the factors behind adoption of knowledge-driven MMSS. The authors of this thesis have the aspiration that the developed post-empirical framework will serve as a guiding tool for top management and marketing managers in SMEs looking to adopt knowledge-driven MMSS into their organizations.

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to identify the factors of adoption within alternative e-payments methods, and gain a deeper understanding of the reasons to why these factors affect the consumer’s adoption. This will be conducted through empirical research, as well as looking into previous theory in order to propose a research framework that is appropriately adapted to the specific phenomenon of alternative e-payments.   Problem: The substantial growth of e-commerce, and the limitations within conventional card payment has paved way for the development of new and innovative alternative e-payment methods. Past research point towards that, there are gaps in literature, where there is a lack of qualitative studies within the field. Furthermore, Sweden is one of the nations with the highest level of innovativeness, as well as e-commerce usage making it an appropriate market to analyze.   Method and Methodology: By applying an intepretevism paradigm, this research views knowledge from a subjective viewpoint. The primary data is collected through a qualitative approach, using one-to-one semi structured interviews, in order to obtain deeper a response. The gathered data is later on analyzed and compared with the previous research within the field.   Findings: The findings of this thesis identifies the factors of adoption within alternative e-payments and why they have an affect. Certain factors seemed to be of greater importance than others, and many of the factors held similarities showing their interdependent nature. Furthermore, new factors were identified as well as the factors being highly context specific, identifying gaps that should be addressed in future research.

The human environment intervenience aiming the progress and the yields increases has been causing social, economic and environmental unbalance. Since the nineties, the raise of environmental conciousness has induced the search for higher production, with a lower environmental impact, redefining a new vision of the natural resources economic exploitation. Brazil has a clear tradition in developing technologies for agriculture. Embrapa, the Brazilian Corporation for Research in Agriculture develops research offering its results, products and services to the society. However, part of these tecnologies are not intensely adopted by the society resulting in investment losses and consequent delay in the country development. As a result of Embrapa´s research center for the coastal tablelands activities there is the Curadermite a drug useful in live stock hoofs infections healing. This current research intended to identify and analyse the limiting factors for adoption and insertion of Curadermite in the livestock industry activities in the northeast of Brazil. The data was a result of a research survey carried out with producers, extension service people, researchers and statistical poles available at IBGE and Embrapa. The analisis of Curadermite impact considered the methodology of strenght decision multicriterion, with Macbeth approaching. The study revealed the khowledge limitation of Curadermite in Bahia and Sergipe States; well as in the scientific and academic medium; and a conflict of interests and discrepancies between the product manufactures and the consumers regarding the many factors that might refrain the complete adoption of the technology. This case study reveals the necessity of a detailed analysis as well as a strategical review in the marketing and in the comercialization of Embrapa´s tecnologies. This research presents, as inovation, the adaptation of the Macbeth tecnology for use in impacting analysis based on field survey data. It was considered as a efficient tool to the equiliibrium and ponderation of the impact evaluation of the tecnology adoption on this study. / A atuação do homem no meio ambiente em busca do aumento de produção e progresso tem causado desequilíbrios econômicos, sociais e ambientais. A partir da década de 90, com o aumento da consciência ambiental, buscam-se alternativas tecnológicas para o aumento da produção com a minimização dos impactos ambientais, redefinindo uma nova visão de exploração econômica dos recursos naturais. O Brasil tem uma longa tradição em gerar tecnologia para a agricultura e a Embrapa Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária desenvolve pesquisas na área agrícola e pecuária sendo seus principais resultados tecnologias, produtos e serviços oferecidos à sociedade. Todavia, grande parte das tecnologias desenvolvidas pela Embrapa e em outras instituições de pesquisa nem sempre são incorporadas ao cotidiano da sociedade, implicando em prejuízos nos investimentos e em atrasos no desenvolvimento do país. Como resultado das atividades de pesquisa na Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros destaca-se, dentre outras, o desenvolvimento do Curadermite medicamento usado na prevenção e tratamento de infecções nos cascos de ovinos, caprinos e bovinos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar e analisar os fatores limitantes à adoção e incorporação do Curadermite na atividade agropecuária da região nordeste do Brasil. As informações utilizadas são oriundas de levantamentos feitos junto a produtores, extensionistas e pesquisadores que atuam na região, além das bases de dados do IBGE e da Embrapa. A análise dos impactos do Curadermite foi feita sob o enfoque da metodologia multicritério de apoio à decisão com a abordagem Macbeth. O estudo revela a limitação do conhecimento do Curadermite aos estados da Bahia e Sergipe; a falta de penetração do conhecimento do produto nos meios científicos e acadêmicos; e os conflitos existentes entre a percepção da empresa e a dos usuários potenciais da tecnologia, no que tange a importância relativa atribuída aos principais fatores envolvidos na sua adoção. Tais fatos indicam a necessidade de revisão da estratégia de marketing e comercialização de tecnologias pela Embrapa. O trabalho apresenta, como inovação, a adaptação da metodologia Macbeth para o uso em análise de impactos com base em levantamento de campo, a qual se mostrou um instrumento eficaz para a ponderação e equilíbrio na avaliação de impactos na adoção da tecnologia avaliada nesse trabalho.

Nesta dissertação são investigados os fatores que influenciam a adoção de inovações com base na proposta e aplicação de um modelo integrativo dentro do contexto de adoção do mobile banking. Para tanto, foram utilizados modelos consagrados de teorias de adoção de inovações e tecnologias e de previsão de comportamentos, considerando atitudes e intenção em relação ao comportamento, modelos estes aplicados de maneira integrada por alguns autores. Buscou-se então a proposição de um modelo que proporcionasse uma explicação mais aprofundada dos fatores antecedentes à adoção de uma inovação, e que também possibilitasse o estudo da relação entre esses fatores. Adicionalmente, comparou-se os fatores influenciadores de adoção de mobile banking, entre usuários e não usuários do serviço, de forma a identificar diferenças no processo de adoção entre os dois grupos. As principais contribuições desta dissertação são a identificação dos fatores mais importantes no processo de adoção do mobile banking e suas relações, e a proposição uma linha de pesquisa para estudos científicos sobre serviços móveis, área que tem obtido grande interesse dos pesquisadores. O método de coleta de dados utilizado nesta dissertação foi baseado em survey com questionários autoadministrados pela internet. Em relação à análise dos resultados, optou-se pelo uso do mínimo quadrado parcial (Partial Least Squares ou PLS) para a obtenção não apenas das relações dos construtos independentes e dependentes, mas também das relações existentes entre todos os construtos do modelo proposto. Destaca-se por fim que o modelo proposto possibilita a explicação elevada da proporção da variância do construto intenção, obtendo-se diferenças significativas entre os padrões de adoção de usuários e não usuários de mobile banking. Estes resultados possibilitam um avanço de um modelo teórico, para o delineamento de uma linha de pesquisa para futuros estudos sobre a adoção de serviços oferecidos por meio de telefone celular. / In this Project, factors that influence innovations adoption are investigated based on an integrative model applications proposal within mobile banking adoption context. Therefore, consecrated theoretical models, widely applied on innovation and technology adoption theories and behavior predicting based on attitudes and intentions towards a behavior, are considered integrated as previously proposed by some authors. In addition, the project proposes a model that allows a deeper investigation on antecedents factors towards innovation adoption and also studies existents relations within these factors. Furthermore, mobile banking users and non users adoption influence factors were compared targeting to investigate possible difference among the two groups. This projects main contributions are the identification of the most relevant factors within mobile banking adoption process and these factors relations among themselves and the proposition of a research line for scientific studies on mobile services adoption, area that has obtained great interest from researchers. Data collection method used in this project was based on the survey method with self administrated questionnaires over the internet. For data analysis, Partial Least Square (PLS) method was used to identify relations not only within independent and dependent constructs but also within all constructs in the proposed model. To sum up, the proposed model offers a high variance explanation of the intention construct, offering significant differences among mobile banking users and non users adoption patterns, considering a theory model that allows the possible definition of a research line for future research on adoption of services offered via a mobile phone.

A utilização de novas tecnologias e a adoção de inovações na agricultura são fundamentais para o estabelecimento dos padrões de produção, pois, além de mitigarem riscos específicos associados a este ramo de atividade, impactam nos resultados agronômicos, econômicos e financeiros do negócio rural. Diversos aspectos derivam dessa discussão e suscitam questões como: Quais são os condicionantes de adoção de Agricultura de Precisão (AP) por produtores de grãos? Qual é o grau de adoção e uso de Agricultura de Precisão? Quais são as características do produtor rural e da fazenda, as principais tecnologias utilizadas e os fatores de maior influência na adoção de Agricultura de Precisão? Qual é a influência das características do produtor, características da fazenda e fontes de informação na adoção de Agricultura de Precisão? Partindo dessas questões de pesquisa, o objetivo geral do trabalho foi identificar os condicionantes de adoção de Agricultura de Precisão por produtores de grãos. Os objetivos específicos foram: mensurar o grau de adoção e uso de AP; caracterizar o produtor rural e a fazenda, as principais tecnologias utilizadas e os fatores de maior influência na adoção de AP; analisar a influência das características do produtor, características da fazenda e fontes de informação na adoção de Agricultura de Precisão. Essa pesquisa é caracterizada como estudo exploratório e descritivo, com aplicação de técnicas de análise quantitativas. Foram realizadas 404 entrevistas presenciais com produtores de soja e milho. A análise dos dados foi feita com a técnica de regressão logística. Constata-se que os condicionantes encontrados são relacionados a características do produtor, como educação e importância da renda da agricultura, a características da fazenda, como área de safrinha de milho, a fontes de informação, como assistência técnica e extensão rural - Emater/Cati, e aos meios de comunicação, como palestras e publicações de universidades. As tecnologias no estágio de Maioria Inicial (Até 50% da população) são análise de solos, aplicação de corretivos e fertilizantes em taxa variável, amostragem de solo em grade (Georreferenciada), mapa de aplicação, piloto automático, aplicação de defensivos em taxa variável, GPS com barra de luz, monitor de colheita e mapa de produtividade. As tecnologias adotadas pelos Pioneiros (Até 16% da população) são semeadura em taxa variável, GPS com correção RTK, sensoriamento remoto (aéreo/satélite/outros) e irrigação de precisão. A única tecnologia somente adotada pelos Inovadores (até 2,5%) foram os sensores de plantas daninhas, pragas e doenças. Por fim, o trabalho sugere temas para estudos futuros. / The use of new technologies and the adoption of innovations in agriculture are critical for the establishment of production standards, because they mitigate specific risks associated with this field of activity, impact on the agronomic, economic and financial results of the rural business. Several aspects derive from this discussion: What are the determinants of adoption of precision agriculture (PA) of grain producers? What is the level of adoption and use of Precision Agriculture? What are the characteristics of the farmer and the farm, the main technologies used and the most influential factors in the adoption of Precision Agriculture? What are the influence of producer characteristics, farm characteristics and sources of information on the adoption of Precision Agriculture? Based on these research questions, the main objective of this study was to identify the determinants of adoption of Precision Agriculture of grain producers. The specific objectives were to measure the level of adoption and use of PA; characterize the farmer and the farm, the main technologies used and the most influential factors in the adoption of PA; analyze the influence of producer characteristics, farm characteristics and sources of information on the adoption of Precision Agriculture. This research is characterized as exploratory and descriptive study, with application of quantitative analysis techniques. 404 face to face interviews were conducted with producers of soybeans and corn. Data analysis was performed with logistic regression. The PA adoption determinants found are related to producer characteristics such as education and importance of agricultural income, the farm characteristics such as second crop corn area (safrinha), sources of information, technical assistance and rural extension - Emater / Cati and the media, such as lectures and university publications. Technologies in Initial Majority stage are soil analysis, application of fertilizers in variable rate, soil sampling grid (Georeferenced), application map, autopilot, application of pesticides in variable rate, GPS with light bar, harvest monitor and productivity map. The technologies adopted by Pioneers are variable rate seeding, GPS with RTK correction, remote sensing and precision irrigation. The only technology only adopted by innovators were the sensors of weeds, pests and diseases. Finally, this research suggested topics for future studies.

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Music is an essential part of people’s every day lives, accompanying them as they go about their daily routines, and it can be experienced in almost any context now; which allows us to capture, categorize and reconstruct the activities and memories that shape our personal, social and cultural lives. In this thesis, the area of concern that I explore is the creation of an online community based on people’s experiences with music. Because of the personal nature of the topic and the tendency for the information to change over time, the methodology I chose was action research, specifically Checkland and Holwell’s (1998) FMA methodology. Using this approach, I investigate the different kinds of technology that can be used to build the foundations of the community and which factors are most salient to facilitate member growth. I also examine the effects that user-generated content has on the participation within an online community and the technological features that aid in facilitating this. I discovered that trust is a vital part of an online community because it fosters cooperation between members through visible pro-social behaviour, and that a combination of ease of use, usefulness and the size of the community could influence the participation and activity of users in generating content. I also found that the development cycle for Internet software never ends, thus permanently in beta, as there will always be improvements to the community based on user feedback. I analyzed the data by comparing key metrics such as membership and user-generated content growth for each community to see if the learning and reflections from previous cycles helped improve community participation in the current cycle. The results I obtained and method I used in the thesis demonstrated my contribution to the body of knowledge in using action research theory, specifically the FMA methodology, to investigate, learn and develop an online community as an app creator. I argue that action research can help guide academic-based startups in much the same way as other startup frameworks and this point is one of the focuses for future research on this topic.