Manufacturers have been hesitant to adopt Internet of things (IoT) due to a lack of understanding about the innovate characteristics, technology, organizational and environmental factors related to IoT adoption and how their organizations can apply IoT correctly. This quantitative, correlational study used a combination of diffusion of innovation theory and technology–organization–environment framework as the foundation to examine if a relationship exists between relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, technology readiness, top management support, firm size, competitive pressure, and regulatory support and IT leaders' intent to adopt IoT in U.S. manufacturing organizations. A sample of 168 information technology (IT) leaders from the U.S. manufacturing sectors was used. Multiple regression analysis indicated significant relationships between the intent to adopt IoT by IT leaders of manufacturing organizations and only 3 of the 8 independent variables: technology readiness, top management support, and competitive pressure. The model was able to predict approximately 44% of the variation of IT leaders' intent to adopt IoT. The results of this study might help IT leaders in the U.S. manufacturing sectors understand the factors that influence IoT adoption. The findings from this study might contribute to positive social change by contributing to economic growth that results from increased efficiency gained from the adoption of IoT in key business areas.

Although there is research about the use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) from a management perspective, the research is not clear as to whether the ERP benefits justify the costs, not only in dollars, but also in effort, from the end user's perspective. Using the theory of diffusion of innovation (DOI), the purpose of this quantitative research was to identify the set of postimplementation sustainability factors that maximized ERP user value, which are major issues for management, and measured their relative significance. The study's structural model incorporated the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, which is a conceptualization of the theory of diffusion of innovation, to predict the postimplementation sustainability factors from the ERP user's point of view. The partial least squares structure equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach provided the needed explanatory analysis to test the predictive power of the structural model. The target population was organizational employees who had used an operational ERP system for at least 4 years in the state of Colorado. A convenience sample of 163 cases responded to the online questionnaire. Hypotheses testing indicated that the independent variables of ERP information quality, ERP system quality, ERP knowledge and learning, shared beliefs, job relevance, and coordination significantly impacted the dependent variable ERP user value. The positive social change implications of this study include a better understanding of ERP postimplementation sustainability factors from the users' perspectives and their social impact on organizational performance, which could lead to increased employee effectiveness, productivity, efficiency, and individual satisfaction due to ERP usage.

This thesis covers the design, construction and programming of an automated tic-tac-toe game with robotic control and image processing. Research shows that robotic systems, over time, have transitioned from manufacturing tools to service tools with a large focus on human interaction, a central aspect- of this project. The research questions of the project are centered around the use of inverse kinematics and difficulties with using color recognition to identify player moves. Furthermore, a theoretical analysis of forward and inverse kinematics, image processing, the minimax algorithm and electrical components is presented. The prototype was developed using a Raspberry Pi, servo motors and a camera module to identify player moves. Multiple tests with regards to speed, accuracy and reliability were performed to evaluate the performance of the prototype. The accuracy tests showed minor positional deviations in the movement of the prototype. Additionally, the tests of the image processing algorithm showed that lighting is important to attain reliable color recognition. The project resulted in a fully functional prototype that enables a game of tic-tac-toe to be played against an automated opponent. Potential future work includes an improved design, more efficient methods to determine the optimal move and alternative image processing algorithms. / Detta arbete omfattar design, konstruktion och programmering av ett automatiserat tre-i-rad spel med robotstyrning och bildbehandling. Forskning visar att robotsystem med tiden har övergått från tillverkningsverktyg till hjälpmedel med ett stort fokus på mänsklig interaktion, en central aspekt i detta projekt. Forskningsfrågorna som behandlas i projektet innefattar användning av inverterad kinematik och svårigheter med att använda färgigenkänning för att identifiera spelardrag. Dessutom utförs en teoretisk analys av framåt- och inverterad kinematik, bildbehandling, minimax algoritmen och elektriska komponenter. Prototypen utvecklades med hjälp av en Raspberry Pi, servomotorer samt en kameramodul för att identifiera spelardrag. Flertalet tester kring hastighet, noggranhet och pålitlighet genomfördes för att utvärdera prototypens prestanda. Noggranhetstesterna visade på små positionavvikelser i prototypens rörelse. Testerna av bildbehandlingalgoritmen indikerade att belysning är en viktig aspekt för att uppnå en tillförlitlig färgigenkänning. Projektet resulterade i en fullt fungerande prototyp som gör det möjligt att spela tre-i-rad mot en automatiserad motståndare. Potentiella framtida förbättringar inkluderar en förbättrad design, effektivare metoder för att bestämma optimala spelardrag samt alternativa bildbehandlingsalgoritmer.

Denna rapport behandlar konstruktionen av en sensorbaserad skosula. Skosulan designades med en mängd trycksensorer som sedan visualiseras på en mobilapplikation. Mobilapplikationen anslöts till sulan via Bluetooth. Det är vanligt att majoriteten av små barn går på tå. Ifall barnet inte slutar gå på tå efter barnet fyllt 2–3 år bör man kontakta läkare. Det finns olika teorier angående vilken typ av behandling som är bäst för barnen. I dagsläget finns det ingen bra lösning för att följa upp behandlingarna på barnen. Prototypen är designad för att uppfylla de krav som behövs för att ge en bra bedömning ifall behandlingen som barnet fått förbättrat barnets belastning på foten. Rapporten går även in på andra användningsområden som sulan skulle kunna användas inom. Slutsatsen i rapporten är att utveckling av produkten är möjlig men kräver mer forskning inom området samt vidareutveckling av prototypen. Prototypen är i för tidigt stadie för att utföra riktiga tester på en försöksgrupp. För att validera sensorernas precision bör lämpliga testfall utvecklas. / This report goes through the development of a sensor-based insole. The insole was designed with multiple pressure sensors which are then visualized on a mobile application. The mobile application was connected to the insole via Bluetooth. It is common for toddlers to prefer toe walking. If the child does not stop toe walking after the age of 2-3 years, you should contact a doctor. There are different kinds of treatment for these children. Today there isn’t a good solution to evaluate the children post treatment. The prototype is designed to meet the requirements needed to give a good assessment of whether the child has improved or not. The report also addresses other use cases for the insole. The conclusion on the report is that development of the product is possible but requires more research in the field as well as further development of the prototype. The prototype is in a too early stage to perform true tests on a trial group. To validate the sensor's precision, appropriate test cases should be developed.

Governments facilitate cross-border trade to boost economy. Many developed countries have adopted the national Trade Single Window (SW) solution which has a single-entry point for all trade-related papers. However, adoption of such new technology is difficult, especially for less developed countries. Through the example of Pakistan, we shed light on how adopting situation of SW in a developing country is like. Attempts to provide advice for adoption at organizational and individual levels; show appropriate approaches for developing countries; and bridge the SW knowledge gap between the developed and developing worlds. After interviewing ten Pakistani Single Window (PSW) stakeholders, this paper utilizes a thematic analysis to summarize the findings in two theoretical frameworks, the Theory of Acceptance Model with the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Technology-Organization-Environment Framework, from multiple perspectives. Our findings reveal: firstly, that individuals' perceptions of new technology are hampered by a lack of corresponding skill sets and knowledge. Secondly, limited organizational resources and a lack of technological maturity impede adoption. Finally, governmental pressure and support significantly influence stakeholders' adoption in Pakistan. According to the study, people and organizations in Pakistan are involved in corruption during trade; therefore, losing control to old systems has made them resist adoption. We suggest that Blockchain technology potentially enhance PSW adoption alongside with its improvements, but only if the necessary resources and infrastructure would be available, which are missing in Pakistan right now. This study has significant theoretical implications for innovation adoption and practical implications for SW rollout in developing countries, and ultimately, it points to the opportunity for future research.

Digitalization has been going on for a long period of time and has affected large parts of society. Accounting is one of the areas where digitalization has been crucial for efficiency and improved systems. Cloud-based accounting systems, offered by various cloud providers, are one of these systems that has been affected. Collection of data has taken place through a qualitative structure with a multiple case study design, all interviewees have been involved in decision-making around cloud-based accounting systems. By using the service model, TAM-model and TOE-framework, an analysis has been made based on cloud services and what they offer. Based on previous research and the collected data, the service model shows that the advantages of implementing cloud-based accounting systems are cost savings and flexibility. Previous research mentions that the disadvantages of implementation are aspects regarding security and privacy which the collected data partly confirms, however it also shows that developments have taken place in the area. The TAM-model examines factors that influence the acceptance and adoption of cloud- based accounting systems based on usability and ease of use. Previous research and collected data show a positive correlation between these variables and cloud-based accounting systems. The TOE-framework includes factors that influence technology use and technology adoption of cloud-based accounting systems based on technical, organizational and environmental aspects. Previous research and collected data show a positive correlation between these aspects and cloud- based accounting systems.

AI's ability to process large data sets and make intelligent decisions has revolutionized the industrial landscape and opened new avenues for innovations that can contribute to a more sustainable future. It plays a pivotal role as a catalyst for digital transformation, particularly in sectors such as energy production, where it offers significant potential to promote sustainable development. This study researches the factors that condition artificial intelligence (AI) implementation in the energy sector based on the Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) framework. It employs a deductive approach to identify AI implementation's technological, organizational, and environmental factors through a qualitative case study approach involving an energy company in Sweden. Our findings indicate that technological readiness and organizational alignment are essential, with differences in environmental pressures further affecting AI readiness. The study concludes that successful AI implementation depends on robust technological structure and organizational readiness, with varying environmental factors regulating these conditions. This research contributes to the literature by emphasizing the critical role of AI readiness in optimizing operations and driving innovation within the energy sector, accentuating the need for companies to enhance their AI capabilities to manage integration challenges effectively. This study enriches the TOE framework by introducing an additional dimension to the environmental factor, incorporating Network considerations where boundaries are undefined due to digitalization.

Information and communication technologies can be used to deliver healthcare services and improve the healthcare system. Any electronic healthcare system whose usage results in the efficient and enhanced quality of healthcare is an eHealth system and can be beneficial for medical enterprises. Despite the advantages that eHealth systems offer, medical enterprises are often reluctant to abandon their paper-based systems and embrace eHealth solutions. Through a review of existing eHealth literature, this study identified generic technologies used within South African medical enterprises. Fourteen (14) technologies, that represent a basket of eHealth systems for supporting the business management, professional clinical informatics, patient information storage and consumer health informatics functional areas, were identified. The study then aimed to determine the state of adoption of these technologies as well as the factors influencing adoption. The technological, organisational and environmental (TOE) factors that contributed to the current state of adoption were identified through a review of existing TOE literature. A model that explores the effects of these pre-determined TOE factors on the propensity to adopt eHealth was developed and tested. A cross-sectional, quantitative study was carried out and survey data was collected from a sample of 130 medical enterprises in South Africa. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Correlation analysis was used to test the model’s hypotheses and hierarchical regression was used to test the overall TOE model. By using the TOE framework, the study has provided a theoretical contribution and addressed a gap in the literature into the barriers and determinants of the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in healthcare. The results of the study show that South African medical enterprises use systems that range from simple electronic fund transfer systems to more complex electronic record and clinical decision support systems. Of the 14 technologies that were identified, business information systems such as medical aid claims submission systems and electronic record systems for patient and fee related information were the most adopted while a steady, but continued increase in the adoption of clinical health information systems was observed. Specifically, the study reveals that electronic fund transfer systems are the most adopted systems while ePrescription systems are the least used. Furthermore, the study shows that in addition to the enterprises’ operating period, perceived benefits, IT infrastructure, senior clinician involvement, resource commitment and external pressure are correlated with the propensity to adopt while system complexity is a barrier to technology adoption.

Increasingly, virtual reality therapy (VRT) technologies are being used to augment pediatric rehabilitation. The mechanisms underlying success/failure of VRTs are not well understood. This thesis proposed an innovative 3-phase framework for evaluating VRT technologies with respect to neuroplasticity based on results of a scoping review of 21 studies. A case study was undertaken to demonstrate use of the framework to design and evaluate ‘Musical Steps’, a VRT technology aimed at promoting heel contact in toe-walking children. 5 therapists and 4 children were engaged in this study. The system accurately detected 88%(SD=7%) of heel contacts and was rated positively in usability testing (phase 1). Feasibility studies indicated that, while enjoyable, children did not understand the feedback provided and hence, heel contact was not increased (phase 2). These findings will direct future reiterations prior to evaluating clinical impact (phase 3). The proposed framework may enhance design and translation of therapeutically relevant VRTs.

Increasingly, virtual reality therapy (VRT) technologies are being used to augment pediatric rehabilitation. The mechanisms underlying success/failure of VRTs are not well understood. This thesis proposed an innovative 3-phase framework for evaluating VRT technologies with respect to neuroplasticity based on results of a scoping review of 21 studies. A case study was undertaken to demonstrate use of the framework to design and evaluate ‘Musical Steps’, a VRT technology aimed at promoting heel contact in toe-walking children. 5 therapists and 4 children were engaged in this study. The system accurately detected 88%(SD=7%) of heel contacts and was rated positively in usability testing (phase 1). Feasibility studies indicated that, while enjoyable, children did not understand the feedback provided and hence, heel contact was not increased (phase 2). These findings will direct future reiterations prior to evaluating clinical impact (phase 3). The proposed framework may enhance design and translation of therapeutically relevant VRTs.