Small business owners and small business managers tend to favor different information technology (IT) governance structures. Such differences can lead to ineffective management and control of IT in small businesses. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the extent and nature of the association between owner-manager separation in small businesses and the structure of IT governance in the businesses. Agency theory formed the theoretical framework of this study. Data were collected using a web-based survey and randomly sampled 3,697 small business owners and managers located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Chi-square statistics indicated no significant association between owner-manager separation and the IT governance structure used in small businesses. A centralized form of IT governance was most prevalent in small businesses. Small business owners maintained influence over IT governance decisions despite ceding responsibility to managers for operational components of their business, a condition that appears to conflict with pure agency theory. The research findings may contribute to a better understanding of technology governance in small businesses, which in turn could lead to more effective and efficient operation of those businesses. Increases in small business effectiveness and efficiency can result in positive social change from greater employment opportunities as small businesses prosper and grow.

The objective of the technology assessment (TA) process is to understand problematic and undesirable consequences from the development and application of technology. TA advocates for the engagement of technology experts and stakeholders to understand the effects of technology. However, TA is often criticized that the decision-making process is not transparent - leaving stakeholders wondering if their contributions were heard. Furthermore, the methods have limited capability for conducting tradeoff analysis between the organizational objectives and conflicting stakeholder perspectives that can result in unintended consequences. Finally, these methods are static making it difficult to update and reassess decision alternatives when new information about issues becomes available. This dissertation research addresses these problems by developing a new technology assessment methodology using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (Fuzzy Cognitive TA - FCTA). This novel approach supports both stages of the process: capturing expert and stakeholder perspectives in cognitive maps, and then using FCM for assessment and decision-making. The methodology shows how experts and stakeholders perceive the value or harm of a technology alternative, which stakeholders share the same perspectives, and how these perspectives change over time. The methodology also shows the degree to which expert and stakeholder perspectives are in support or in conflict with the organizational objectives to help avoid the direct and indirect consequences associated with the decision. Finally, the methodology shows how new or changing perspectives by experts and stakeholders affect the outcome of the decision to improve system knowledge. The research applies the FCTA methodology with a real-world Environmental Impact Study conducted by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). BPA is a U.S. federal agency that provides about a third of the electric power and 75 percent of the high-voltage electric transmission in the Pacific Northwest.

Success in International Collaboration in Science and Technology (ICST) depends on various factors, different players have different perspectives. Governments participate in collaboration in order to meet their country's policy goals. Scientists and researchers establish their contacts through their personal channels or scientific networks in order to pursue their own academic interest. There are two significant approaches in ICST Policy making which are "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches. Both approaches are important. One approach can not fit all. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages. A balance between these two approaches is necessary. The objective of this research is to develop a strategic policy model for international collaboration in science and technology to bridge the gap between "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches. A strategic policy model was developed in which the characteristics of ICST proposals and expert judgments are quantified to determine the relative importance the country's international S&T vision and objectives and specific sectors, and to evaluate the proposals accordingly. Four international evaluation criteria are proposed in this research: strategic importance (SI), potential impact (PI), human resource development (HRD), and matching fund from international partners (MF). Each proposal is evaluated with respect to each criterion and related sub-criteria. The value of each ICST proposal is then calculated by incorporating all of the elements at each level of the model. The output of this model is the ranking of the ICST proposals coming from the "bottom-up" approach that satisfy the national priorities and organizational requirements represented by the "top-down" approach. The model facilitates the national policymakers to make better decisions about participating in ICST research, and the researchers to have a better understanding of the entire international scientific collaboration system by identifying research opportunities to fit in.

Historically, female representation in engineering and manufacturing trades has been underrepresented compared to their male counterparts. Given this trend, the scope of this paper is to analyze the motivational factors among females who are currently working in Engineering and Manufacturing related trades in the surrounding lower East Appalachian area. Literature research will support an analysis of the following focus: Females in Engineering and Manufacturing Trades. The study focuses on analyzing questionaries from thirty-two females based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory and its three components: “outcome expectations, career interest, and career self-efficacy”. The major findings of this study indicate that creating awareness early and building self-efficacy are important factors in leading females to a STEM career; discrimination was not a major factor in females choosing a STEM career in this region; and parent/teacher/community involvement is essential for recruiting females in STEM careers.

Divergence of new and old technologies is a source of tremendous innovation potential. As the dizzying pace of technological innovation accelerates indefinitely into tomorrow, not only do new paths diverge exponentially; doors already opened are increasingly abandoned for the allure of things undiscovered. Mature, late-stage life-cycle products left behind in today's fast-paced world open the floodgates to reinvention. This paper tests the hypothesis that innovativeness can be encouraged through the learning and application of universal innovation principles and processes. The implications of this research area are far-reaching. If innovation can be encouraged, then it can likely be taught. If it can be taught, then it can be systematized. More pervasive systematic innovation will accelerate change in the world. Individuals and organizations that master this kind of innovation will gain tremendous competitive advantages. The more people innovate, the more opportunities to innovate there will be. Creativity begets creativity. The microcosm studied in this thesis -- that of discontinuous innovation applied to mature products -- underscores the promise of potential far grander. If innovators, whether in small businesses or large corporations, seeking to capitalize on existing products with proven demand can combine innovation with iteration to consistently produce value for product stakeholders, what could they do to disrupt products as we know them? How many new product categories would emerge? Finally, if ordinary people everywhere began seeing themselves as and acting like innovators, what would stop any of us from changing the world? This paper distills existing and original theories of innovation into a new model called Innovation Harmony. The Innovation Harmony model details four crucial aspects of innovation, which are 1) Harmonize the views of stakeholders, 2) Understand the principles of innovation, 3) Create a creative environment, and 4) Apply the principles of innovation (follow a methodology). The paper concludes with a summary of a case study conducted at Brigham Young University, wherein 17 students attempted to reinvent the conventional Waffle Iron in a controlled environment. Their innovations are presented in the Appendix. Relevant analysis and recommendations are discussed in conclusion.

<p>This thesis examines <em>dynamic IT capabilities:</em> firms’ abilities to integrate, build, and reconfigure information technology resources concurrently with organizational business process and managerial processes in pursuit of performance advantages in a changing or uncertain environment. Research in dynamic IT capabilities has increased with the recognition that organizational survival and growth requires organizational change to resolve a range of management challenges that emerge over time. In prior research, specific constructs of dynamic IT capabilities have been the subject of independent empirical investigation. This has resulted in conflicting conceptualizations of dynamic capabilities that obfuscate theoretical definition, empirical grounding and measurement. We seek to contribute conceptual coherence to the discourse on dynamic IT capabilities in three respects. First, we advance a theoretical framework to tease apart the common versus idiosyncratic elements of firms’ dynamic capabilities to <em>exploit</em> IT in practice. Our empirical findings serve to integrate conflicting (common versus idiosyncratic) conceptualizations of dynamic IT capabilities. Second, we advance a theoretical framework of firms’ dynamic capabilities to <em>explore</em> for IT innovations that are likely to improve firm performance. To that end we examine CIOs’ use of external advice networks to mindfully identify rewarding IT innovations. In so doing we clarify the concept of mindfulness. We find mindful external advice seeking is atypical in practice, contrary to assumptions of the technology diffusion and institutional literatures. Our empirical findings elucidate the significance of IT governance in motivating mindful search for rewarding IT innovations. Third, we demonstrate the importance of qualitative and configurational methodologies in investigating such complex phenomena as dynamic IT capabilities. We also propose promising future research directions, theoretical grounding and analytical techniques that, by building on the concepts advanced in this study, can further advance our understanding of how firms acquire and realize dynamic IT capabilities in support of sustained performance advantages.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Ride-hailing platforms (RHP) are sharing economy platforms that connect passengers who need to order a private ride or to share a vehicle with drivers who want to share a ride. However, after rapid growth, major RHPs (e.g., Uber, Lyft, and Didi) have begun to face severe driver shortages. Attracting and maintaining a large driver base is critical to the survival and success of any RHP no matter its size. While practitioners are urging to seek suggestions from academia to prevent driver loss, limited research attention has been paid to RHP drivers’ discontinuance. To fill this gap, this dissertation aims to explore factors that motivate drivers to discontinue using RHPs from the perspective of algorithm unfairness. The algorithm is the boss of ride-hailing drivers as they are matched, paid, and evaluated by various algorithms. While algorithms have the potential to make the ride-hailing process more efficient, they also yield socially biased outcomes which create inequalities and uncomfortable experiences for both drivers and riders which may further influence their decisions to use to not use RHPs. Following the logic, the research question of the current dissertation is “how does algorithm unfairness of RHPs affect drivers’ discontinuance?” Stressor-strain-outcome model and organizational justice theory are adapted to the ride-hailing context based on the contextualization approach to serve as theoretical frameworks of the current study. An online survey is conducted to empirically test drivers’ discontinuance of ride-hailing platforms. Research participants of the studies are recruited by employing the service provided by Prolific. co. Data analysis is conducted by employing the covariance-based structural equation modeling approach by following previously defined approaches. The results support most of the hypotheses. The study is expected to contribute to the current literature on information systems discontinuance, ride-hailing, IT stress, AI-empowered algorithm management, algorithm unfairness, dark side of AI, stressor-strain-outcome model, and organizational justice theory. My dissertation is also expected to offer rich insights into how to retain the user base effectively for practitioners in emerging sharing economy platforms. Moreover, the results of the current dissertation also offer rich implications on how to manage dispersed workforces using AI-empowered algorithms.

This study set out to develop a framework within which the use of Geographical Information Technologies (GITs) can be enhanced in Road Infrastructure Maintenance (RIM) in Uganda. Specifically it was guided by 3 objectives; 1. To assess the gaps in the use of GITs for RIM in Uganda and the limitations to accessing these technologies, 2. To develop a methodological framework to enhance the use of GITs in RIM and 3. To develop a Geographical Information Systems for Transportation (GIS-T) data model based on the road maintenance data requirements. A participatory approach through a series of interviews, focus group discussions, workshop &amp; conferences, document reviews, field observations &amp; measurements and GIS analysis were employed. Based on the Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) concept and the principle of Causality, the gaps and limitations were established to mainly be concerned with data and organisational constraints as opposed to technical issues. They were classified to include; inadequate involvement of GITs in organisational activities, inappropriate institutional arrangements, absence of data sharing frameworks, budget constraints, insufficient geospatial capacity, digital divide in the perception, adoption &amp; affordability of GITs among the stakeholders and the absence of a road maintenance Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). A methodological framework, comprising of 6 strategic components was developed to enhance the use of GITs in RIM. This included enactment of relevant policy components to guide GIT use, continuous capacity building, establishment of a road maintenance SDI, fostering collaboration and spatial data sharing frameworks, budgetary allocation based on defined activities inclusive of GIT initiatives, and adoption of a dynamic segmentation data model. Conceptual and logical data models were developed and proposed for the Sector. The conceptual model, presented using an entity relationship diagram, relates the road network to the point and line events occurring on it. The logical object relational model developed using the ESRI provided template represents the road and the point and line events in a total of 19 object classes. The Study concludes that in order to ground GIT benefits in the sector; technical, data and organisational concerns involved in GIT undertakings should be accorded equal emphasis. Institutionalisation and diffusion of GITs as aspects of the component strategies are regarded capacity building mechanisms earmarked to boost success in GIT initiatives. Further research on diffusion and funding models for GIT initiatives is recommended. It is suggested that aspects of the proposed model be considered when establishing GIT standards for the sector. The RIM sector is encouraged to embrace Science and Technology and to participate in Research and Development and particularly to adopt the culture of innovation considering the ready availability of off the shelf equipment, freeware and open source software that can foster informed decision making.

A linguagem é um dos processos mais importantes do desenvolvimento humano. Na infância, é fundamental que se manifeste da forma verbal. Quando a criança não a apresenta da forma ou no período esperado pode-se suspeitar de uma alteração de linguagem. Vários fatores podem ser considerados como risco para alteração de linguagem. Objetivo: elaborar, propor e aplicar um programa inovador, com suporte tecnológico, de orientação fonoaudiológica a pais de crianças com risco de alteração de linguagem. Material e Método: Participaram do estudo 34 famílias com crianças de 1 a 4 anos organizadas em 4 grupos: G1 crianças com risco e sem atendimento fonoaudiológico, G2 crianças sem risco, G3 crianças com risco e com atendimento e G4 crianças com risco, sem atendimento e que não participaram do programa (grupo controle). As famílias tiveram acesso a uma plataforma online (espacobrincar.com) onde receberam conteúdo teórico sobre desenvolvimento e atividades diárias a serem realizadas durante um mês. Além disso, participaram de um grupo virtual de adesão. Resultados: Após seis meses da aplicação do programa as crianças do grupo pesquisa apresentaram escores maiores em protocolo pós-intervenção que seus pares do grupo controle. Conclusão: A proposta de intervenção fonoaudiológica em grupo de pais é efetiva em crianças com risco de alteração de linguagem / Language is one of the most important processes of human development. During childhood, it is fundamental that language expresses in verbal form. If the child does not present language on the expected way or time, we can suspect speech-language pathology. Many factors can be considered as risk for speech-language pathology. Purpose: to elaborate, propose and apply an innovative program of speech-language guidance, with technological support, for parents of children at risk for language disorder or delay. Material and Method: 34 families with children from 1 to 4 years old participated in the study. They were organized into 4 groups: G1 children at risk without speech-language treatment, G2 children without risk, G3 children at risk with treatment and G4 children at risk, without treatment and that did not participate in the program (control group). The families had access to an online platform (espacobrincar.com) where they received theoretical content about child development and daily activities to be completed during one month. Moreover, they joined a virtual support group. Results: After six months of the intervention, the children at the program presented higher scores in post intervention protocols in comparison to their control group pairs. Conclusion: The speech language intervention proposal in parents groups is effective in children at risk for language disorder or delay

O presente estudo visa analisar o contexto internacional na produção estratégica de insumos nucleares para a área da saúde e como o processo de crescente interação política entre os países influencia na tomada de decisão dos gestores dos sistemas nacionais de saúde, tendo em vista a importância de alcançarem maiores graus de autonomia frente aos oligopólios mundiais que dominam a produção de equipamentos para a saúde. Neste contexto, utilizou-se a abordagem teórica fornecida pelo estudo do Complexo Industrial em Saúde (GADELHA, 2003), que fornece elementos para discutir a interação entre o sistema de saúde e o sistema econômico-industrial, mostrando a dicotomia existente na relação entre ambos, que se exprime na deterioração do potencial de inovação do país e na vulnerabilidade externa da política de saúde. Para tanto, a escolha pela investigação do caso empírico de criação do Reator Multipropósito Brasileiro se deu pelo envolvimento de diferentes setores institucionais no processo e que influenciam diretamente na estruturação de um parque de alta densidade tecnológica e científica ligado à área da saúde que poderiam elevar o país a um patamar diferenciado em termos de cooperação internacional e estratégia geopolítica. Os métodos utilizados incluíram pesquisa bibliográfica sobre o tema e análise de dados secundários que circundam o processo de incorporação da tecnologia estudada / This study aims to analyze the international context in the production of strategic nuclear supplies to the health sector and how the process of increasing political interaction between countries influence in decision-making of managers of the national health systems, in view of the importance of achieving greater degrees of autonomy against the oligopolies that dominate the world production of equipment for health. In this context, the theoretical approach was provided by the study of the health Industrial complex (GADELHA, 2003), which provides elements to discuss the interaction between the health system and the economicindustrial system, showing the dichotomy that exists in the relationship between the two, which is expressed in the deterioration of the innovation potential of the country and in the external vulnerability of health policy. For both, the choice by the empirical case investigation of Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor took place by the involvement of different institutional sectors in the process and that influence directly in the structuring of a high scientific and technological density linked to healthcare that could elevate the country to a plateau in terms of international cooperation and geopolitical strategy. The methods used included bibliographical research and secondary data analysis that surround the process of incorporation of technology