Thesis (M.B.A. (Rhodes Investec Business School)) - Rhodes University, 2008. / Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Business Administration in the Rhodes Investec Business School (RIBS)

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Geography, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Duquesne University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 118-122) and index.

Thesis (M.Com. (Information Systems)) - Rhodes University, 2007.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) overlays were initially proposed for use with wired networks. However, the very rapid proliferation of wireless communication technology has prompted a need for adoption of P2P systems in mobile networks too. There are many common characteristics between P2P overlay networks and Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANET). Self-organization, decentralization, a dynamic nature and changing topology are the most commonly shared features. Furthermore, when used together, the two approaches complement each other. P2P overlays provide data storage/retrieval functionality and MANET provides wireless connectivity between clients without depending on any pre-existing infrastructure. P2P overlay networks can be deployed over MANET to address content discovery issues. However, previous research has shown that deploying P2P systems straight over MANET does not exhibit satisfactory performance. Bandwidth limitation, limited resources and node mobility are some of the key constraints. This thesis proposes a novel approach, OneHopOverlay4MANET, to exploit the synergies between MANET and P2P overlays through cross-layering. It combines Distributed Hash Table (DHT) based structured P2P overlays with MANET underlay routing protocols to achieve one logical hop between any pair of overlay nodes. OneHopOverlay4MANET constructs a cross-layer channel to permit direct exchange of routing information between the Application layer, where the overlay operates, and the MANET underlay layer. Consequently, underlay routing information can be shared and used by the overlay. Thus, OneHopOverlay4MANET reduces the typical management traffic when deploying traditional P2P systems over MANET. Moreover, as a result of building one hop overlay, OneHopOverlay4MANET can eliminate the mismatching issue between overlay and underlay and hence resolve key lookups in a short time, enhancing the performance of the overlay. v In this thesis, we present OneHopOverlay4MANET and evaluate its performance when combined with different underlay routing protocols. OneHopOverlay4MANET has been combined with two proactive underlays (OLSR and BATMAN) and with three reactive underlay routing protocols (DSR, AODV and DYMO). In addition, the performance of the proposed system over OLSR has been compared to two recent structured P2P over MANET systems (MA-SP2P and E-SP2P) that adopted OLSR as the routing protocol. The results show that better performance can be achieved using OneHopOverlay4MANET.

A estratégia de Tecnologia da Informação - TI é um aspecto fundamental para todos os negócios e a sua efetiva implementação requer o domínio do alinhamento estratégico. Um dos grandes desafios dos executivos de TI é como administrar toda a demanda gerada pelas áreas negociais, tendo presente o alinhamento estratégico. Este estudo analisa a forma como o Banco do Brasil que nos últimos anos promoveu uma transformação na área de TI, vem tratando o tema alinhamento estratégico e como as decisões afetam as áreas negociais daquela Instituição. Ao estudar o tema tomada de decisão, a sustentação recai nos trabalhos desenvolvidos por Herbert A. Simon e Paul C. Nutt dois dos principais estudiosos do assunto. A abrangência da matéria determina a necessidade de sua delimitação, razão pela qual este estudo focaliza a aplicação do Método AHP (Análise Hierárquica de Processos) no universo de tomadas de decisão, no contexto do alinhamento estratégico. O estudo de caso explora o processo de tomada de decisão no Banco do Brasil e o seu modelo de priorização de demandas, baseado no Método AHP como um dos sustentáculos do alinhamento estratégico. Analisa como esse modelo vem viabilizando a redução do seu backlog, um dos maiores problemas de gestão de TI. Apresenta ainda dois estudos ex post facto para demonstrar a aplicabilidade de software de apoio à decisão baseado no Método AHP. A análise dos resultados assinala a necessidade de a área de TI incorporar mais um novo conceito denominado Governança Corporativa que poderá provocar uma ruptura no tradicional modelo de gestão de TI. / The Information Technology - IT strategy is a fundamental issue for every business. The effective use of IT strategy requests the domain of the strategic alignment. One of the biggest challenges for executives of IT is how to administrate all the demands in the business area considering the strategic alignment. This study analyses how the Banco do Brasil that in the last few years has promoted a true revolution in the IT area, it has dealt the strategic alignment theme and how the decisions affect the negotiating areas of that Institution. On studying the theme decision making, the largest support is on the work developed by Herbert A. Simon and Paul C. Nutt two of the main researchers of the theme. The importance of the theme determines the need of its delimitation. That is the reason why this study focuses on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) application in the universe of decision making, in the strategic alignment. The case study explores the decision making process in the Banco do Brasil and his Demands Priority Model, based on AHP, like one of the support for the strategic alignment of IT. It analyses how this instrument is taking the reduction in its backlog, one of the biggest problems of the IT management. It also presents two studies ex post facto to demonstrate the applicability of decision support software based on the AHP. The analysis of the results marks the need of the IT area to incorporate a new concept called IT Corporate Governance that will disrupt the traditional IT management model.

M.Bibl. (Information Science) / Difficulties in satisfying the information needs of the engineer operating in the developing world led to a requirement to determine through research what information technologies are available and now they might be implemented to meet these needs, A growing recognition by engineers operating in the developing world of the importance of information and information sources for economic and social development fuels their need for engineering information. The information explosion s problems of scatter, diversity, volume and cost are very real in the developing world and are exaggerated by the prevailing economic, social, political and cultural conditions in developing countries. A literature study established the most striking characteristics of developing countries and special attention was given to Africa and Botswana. Factors hampering the developing world in gaining access to information and become part of the world "information economy" was identified. A literature study was also conducted to establish what information technology was available world wide, what has already been tried and tested, and which information technologies have the potential to be introduced in developing countries. It was found that despite the problems and obstacles which exist when introducing IT to developing countries, scientific and technological information services cannot get by without the use of IT. Certain information technologies such as CD-ROM, which seems to be promising in providing access to bibliographic and full text materials, need to be introduced. The use of information technology could also be successful to assist in educating people in developing countries about the importance and benefits of information systems for survival by providing easy access to coping and helping information as well as enriching and edifying information. An empirical study by structured interview was carried out on a representative sample of consulting engineers working in Botswana. Their information needs, access to engineering information sources and IT availability were establish. Evaluation of the responses to the structured interview reveal that engineers in Botswana are quite a diverse group, but that they could be grouped together by virtue of certain common characteristics such as place of work, civil engineering disciplines, membership of professional organisations, country in which engineering qualification was obtained and home language.

Master’s thesis presents the results of analysis of the information system (IS) of EKOL, Ltd and introduces proposed enhancements. Current status of individual application modules of IS was evaluated and documented. Based on the findings from the analysis several improvements were considered. Their realization should increase the efficiency of the current information system of this company.

Thesis (M. Com. (Business Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Information and communication technologies (ICT) and its impact in the economic, social and personal development has become an important object of scientific research in recent decades. Theoretical and empirical studies have demonstrated the necessity to gain and exploit positive outcomes such as productivity growth, organisation expansion, efficiency, effectiveness, competitiveness and so on of ICT adoption and implementation in various organisations. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate the determinants of ICT adoption by SMEs for improved performance. The study utilised the quantitative research approach whereby a survey was conducted using convenience and snowball sampling methods. Data was tested for reliability using the Cronbach’ Alpha. Furthermore, descriptive analysis was conducted as well as correlation and regression tests. The questionnaire was developed from the empirical literature review. The determinants of ICT adoption were represented by perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial passion, personal factors, business characteristics and performance. Based on the results, SMEs should seek to adopt ICT using the determinants which were assessed as they show how effective a business can improve performance if these determinants are used to adopt ICT. Furthermore, more should be done by government to give support and awareness to SMEs on various aspects that can improve their businesses such as ICT. Keywords: ICT, SMEs, Determinants, Adoption, Performance