Thesis (MTech (Information Technology)--)Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127) / In rapid advances in marketing strategies, Social Networks Marketing (SNM) is dramatically becoming an important aspect in promoting businesses. Social networks marketing has been found as one of the most effective tool used in businesses today, by most business owners in South Africa, to expand, and flourish their businesses. The explosion of Internet usage has drawn the attention of researchers towards social networks marketing. Research has shown that potential Internet users are doubtful, and indecisive to use, and accept SNM system in spite of their availability. Therefore, there is a need for researchers to identify some of the factors that determine user’s unwillingness to accept and use the system. According to the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), and Perceived Usefulness (PU) are the two major constructs in determining the use and acceptance of various information systems. These beliefs may not fully explain the user’s behaviour towards newly introduced system, such as social networks marketing. Hence, this study had successfully implemented TAM to the newly proposed information system (social networks marketing system). Using TAM as a theoretical framework, the study added two new constructs “perceived credibility” and “awareness” as part of the factors influencing user’s acceptance of social networks marketing. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of social networks marketing system by SMEs in South Africa, and perception of consumers. In addition, this research investigated factors that influence users’ acceptance of social networks marketing using TAM as the basis for the theoretical framework. Questionnaire-based study done in 2 groups; consumers and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), in this work, represent the major users of social networks marketing in South Africa. The research model was tested using data collected from 143 questionnaires and analysed using linear regression. The results show that user’s intentions to use SNM are strongly and positively correlated with user acceptance. The empirical results confirmed that perceived credibility and perceived usefulness are the strongest determinant in predicting user’s intention to use SNM. In addition, many of the South African SMEs using SNM, have presumed that SNM has positively and negatively impacted their businesses.

A presente pesquisa visa investigar o envolvimento do usuário final no desenvolvimento de um Sistema de Informação (SI) e sua influência na adoção do SI. Para tanto, realizou-se uma revisão sistemática, em que foram analisados 133 artigos e cujo resultado é a proposição de uma modificação do Modelo de Aceitação de Tecnologia (TAM) incluindo variáveis relativas ao envolvimento do usuário: situacional e intrínseco. Em seguida, foi realizado o teste do modelo proposto a partir de uma survey com 114 respondentes, cujos dados foram analisados através de Análise Fatorial Exploratória (EFA), Análise Fatorial Confirmatória (CFA) e Modelagem por Equações Estruturais (SEM). O teste permitiu inferir que as hipóteses suscitadas estavam corretas e que o envolvimento do usuário é significativo dentro do contexto de adoção de um SI. Por fim, realizou-se um projeto de experimentos fatorial (DOE) fracionado para verificar de que forma envolvimento situacional e intrínseco estão relacionados Evidenciou-se que a composição do efeito de fatores principais e de interações duplas das atividades do envolvimento situacional explica até 57% da variação do envolvimento intrínseco. As principais contribuições teóricas da dissertação versam sobre a consistência aportada pelos métodos utilizados. O subsídio teórico aportado pela revisão sistemática permitiu elaborar relações teóricas com segurança. A utilização conjunta de EFA e CFA é indicada para conferir robustez à pesquisa. Da mesma forma, a modelagem por equações estruturais apresentou utilidade no contexto da pesquisa, embora se indique cuidado ao realizar as modificações no modelo para que se adeque aos parâmetros de qualidade da análise. Por fim, a realização de um projeto de experimento fatorial fracionado é algo incomum na literatura de adoção de SI, mas foi útil para verificação da qualidade da interação entre os tipos de envolvimento, bem como a verificação de quais fatores devem ser evitados. / The present research aims to understand the end user involvement in the Information System (IS) development influence in IS adoption by proposing and testing a specific theoretical model. A systematic review was carried out in which 133 articles were analyzed and its result is a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) modification proposition. This model includes variables related to the user's involvement: situational involvement and intrinsic involvement. Afterwards, the test of the proposed model was carried out from a survey with 114 respondents, whose data were analyzed through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The test allowed inferring that the hypotheses raised were correct and that user involvement is significant within IS adoption context. Finally, a fractional factorial design of experiments (DOE) with seven factors was done to verify how two types of involvement are related. It was evidenced that the composition of the effect of situational involvement major factors and double interactions explains up to 57% of intrinsic involvement variation The main theoretical contributions of the dissertation are about the consistency provided by the methods used. The theoretical subsidy provided by the systematic review allowed development of theoretical relations with safety. The combined EFA and CFA use is strongly indicated to give robustness to the research. Likewise, SEM presented significant utility in research context, although it is indicated caution when making model modifications to fit analysis quality parameters. Finally, fractional factorial DOE with seven factors is uncommon in the literature, but it was extra useful to verify interaction quality between types of involvement.

Introduction: Along with the swift spread of 3G and wireless network, wireless technologies are applied in many areas, especially in education. The advent of mobile learning overcomes several limitations and barriers of traditional classroom education. As for higher education in China, mobile learning is in its infancy stage. Understanding end-users’ acceptance of mobile learning is crucial, because new technological advances cannot enhance performance if they are not accepted by end-users. This study focuses on three top Chinese universities and answers the following research questions: How do students perceive mobile devices as a learning tool incorporated in class and what are their attitudes towards mobile learning? What are the motivational factors that affect students’ acceptance of mobile learning? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test the proposed Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in explaining students’ acceptance in three top Chinese universities. The goal of this work is to enhance the understanding of user acceptance of incorporating learning into mobile device inside and outside classes. Method: A deductive, theory-testing approach was used in this study. Eleven hypotheses were built based on a literature review and on the proposed TAM model, and were tested using primary data and literature review. Primary data was gathered via semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The data collected through the questionnaire was analysed by Structural Equation Modeling. Conclusion: Through testing the proposed model, the authors found that students are positive towards mobile learning but they do not have a strong willingness to adopt it. The proposed TAM model can improve the understanding of students’ motivation by suggesting what factors are the most important in enhancing students acceptance of mobile learning.

Context: Researchers in serious games area and professionals in stroke rehabilitation, working collaboratively in explorative interdisciplinary research studies in order to develop usable and effective applications. In this context, physiotherapists and occupational therapy are important elements of stroke rehabilitation. Applications from such exploratory development reflect motivational and easy to use features, which could be further designed and developed by serious games developers. Objectives: The research study aims to investigate the role and usefulness of Video Capture Virtual Reality Technology (VCVRT) in motor impairment rehabilitation, to identify and explore the importance of this technology in healthcare, specifically in motor impairment rehabilitation. Likewise, to analyze the acceptance of VCVRT among the physiotherapists in terms of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and perceived intension to use. Methods: In this exploratory study literature review, workshop and survey including questionnaire and interview are used, taking Blekinge County Hospital (Karlshamn) as case study along with “TARGET” game as testing platform for introducing and evaluating VCVRT among physiotherapists. For exploring technology acceptance level among physiotherapists, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used in the research work. Results: Video capture virtual reality technology can be used as a complement to conventional physiotherapy. This technology is cheap, easy to use and is useful as a home based rehabilitation tool, but together with physiotherapist supervision or coaching. Moreover, VCVRT is motivational for weak patients and useful in motor rehabilitation in terms of quantity, i.e. intensity of exercise can be increased. Physiotherapist centered approach is necessary for game design process; effective game design suggestions and the idea of single gaming framework consists of different games acquiring multiple rehabilitation goals, are achieved from physiotherapists during the research. Technology acceptance value is high among physiotherapists. Conclusion: The research study provides a more detailed understanding of the factors involved in the implication of video capture virtual reality technology in motor impairment rehabilitation. The authors concluded from the research study that video capture virtual reality technology is applicable for motor impairment rehabilitation while considering following factors, i.e. Physiotherapist centered approach, a gaming framework where a portfolio of games can be assembled for individual patients, and video capture virtual reality technology is applicable for home based rehabilitation under the supervision of physiotherapist. Furthermore, physiotherapists’ concerns and importance in the intervention of serious games and healthcare area are highlighted by this research work.

Date: 05 June 2017 Level: Bachelor Thesis in Business Administration, 15 ECTS Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University Authors: Meier, Philip Soltani, Nazila Khodabandeloo (88/03/11) (93/07/05) Title: Understanding and Predicting Students’ Intention to Pay for Private Cloud Storage Services Tutour: Konstantin Lampou Keywords: cloud storage service, iCloud, technology acceptance model, information systems, user acceptance, intention to pay Research Question: What are students’ intention to pay for private cloud storage services and why? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate students’ intention to pay for private cloud storage services, in order to find out how willing they are to pay for such services and for what reasons. Method: This study takes a qualitative approach, where both primary and secondary data are collected. Secondary data was collected through i.e. empirical studies and annual publications. Primary empirical data was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 21 students of Mälardalen University. The primary empirical data was analysed using a thematic analysis. Conclusion: Conducting this study showed, that most of the factors’ influences on students’ intention to pay for private cloud storages were positive, resulting in an overall high willingness to pay. The perceived monetary sacrifice was regarded as very low, hence not preventing potential customers from paying for the services. Considerable issues were however found in the perceived quality, more precisely in the perceived reliability and the lack of trust expressed in private cloud services. Finally, unused potential for private cloud service providers to positively influence students’ attitudes was found both in the perceived usefulness and subjective norm factors.

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of students towards, and use of ICT in KHEIs (private- public), as well as identifying the factors that influence students‟ attitudes towards using ICT in their daily learning. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used to examine the influence of the factors: type of university, gender, academic discipline, language of learning, students‟ ICT experience and ICT support, on the Perceive Ease (PEOU) of Use and Perceive Usefulness (PU), as internal components of attitude. This study employed mixed research methods to achieve its aims and objectives. The study sample consisted of 717 students from the sciences and humanities at both the Public University and the private University in Kuwait. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from students by distributing questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The principal quantitative results of this study were: (1) the overall attitude of public university students towards using ICT in their learning are more positive than the attitudes of students at the private university; (2) the type of university, gender, level of ICT experience and ICT support factors have an influence on students‟ attitudes through the PEOU and PU; (3) the factor of academic discipline only influences students in terms of the PEOU and PU, and (4) learning English has a positive influence on students‟ attitudes towards ICT. At the same time, the qualitative results show that the use of ICT tools in their English version can improve students‟ English language skills. Another qualitative result shows that the social communication between students and the peer learning can positively influence their attitude towards ICT, as well as improving their ICT experience and skills. Recommendations were subsequently made to stakeholders and educators at both universities, based on the findings of the study. Further ideas were then identified for future research.

Increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, aging, and population growth pose significant sustainability challenges to health systems. Especially the health systems of low- and middle-income countries are more vulnerable to the risks related to non-communicable diseases and demographic changes. As the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrates, the quality of health systems is vital to save lives, and even the most developed countries are not immune to the consequences of global health crises. The World Health Organization estimates that non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, and diabetes cause around 40 million deaths in a year, and 15 million people aged between 30 and 69 suffer from premature deaths mostly in low- and middle-income countries. The United Nations aim to address this problem through the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 that stresses to reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and promote mental health and well-being until 2030. Poor quality health systems and inadequate access to healthcare services by the most vulnerable groups are some of the main reasons for premature deaths. Improving the quality of health systems through innovation and digitalisation is strategic to deliver essential healthcare services to the most vulnerable people. Digital health technologies such as mobile health applications for chronic disease self-management play a key role in improving the health status of individuals and the accessibility of healthcare services. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (‘T2DM’) is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases suffered by almost half a billion people, and current developments in digital health technologies offer innovative methods for its treatment. Hence, this study investigates the effectiveness of a T2DM self-management smartphone application called DiaWatch and its potential benefits for the Sustainable Development Goals in terms of addressing the challenges of health systems. Methodology: Using the Technology Acceptance Model as an overall conceptual framework, a comprehensive literature review was performed to clearly define the objectives and methods for the study. Based on these findings, two sets of semi-structured qualitative interview questions have been prepared for collecting empirical data. Ten healthcare professionals working at a university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, and ten T2DM patients using a T2DM self-management app called DiaWatch have been interviewed from mid-February to early-March. A thematic analysis has been carried out to analyse the empirical data collected through the semi-structured interviews. Results: Firstly, the results of the interviews with T2DM patients using the DiaWatch app suggest that the health status and chronic condition self-management experience of the majority of the interviewees improved since using the app and they adopted behavioural changes, such as being more adherent to the treatment, increased physical activity, having a healthier diet and measuring blood glucose level more regularly. The interviewees reported less dependency on healthcare facilities and increased accessibility of healthcare services, as they are tele-monitored by their physicians. Secondly, the results of the interviews with healthcare professionals highlight the benefits of digital health technologies for the health systems in terms of facilitating the job of healthcare staff, reducing the costs, and saving time. The interviewees state that tele-monitoring helps to decrease the number of redundant hospital admissions and screenings; however, data privacy and irreplaceability of face-to-face medical examinations are the main concerns before the acceptance of these technologies.

Thesis (M.Inf) --University of Limpopo, 2019. / The use of social media (SM) tools in both public and private institutions is growing remarkably. Academic libraries, in particular are confronted with serious challenges of becoming the leader in adopting various SM platforms to enhance the delivery of library and information services to their users. This study investigated the extent and ways in which librarians attached to the University of Limpopo library use SM platforms in the provision of library and information services to their patrons. The study examined types of SM tools used, purposes that SM tools are used for in academic libraries, factors that determine and impede the use of SM, as well as the attitudes of the library staff towards the use of SM in providing library and information services. The study adopted a qualitative research approach through the use of a semi-structured interview (administered face-to-face) with 10 academic librarians at the University of Limpopo (UL) as a data collection method. The findings of the study show that UL library staff largely use SM platforms such as Facebook to market and promote library services as well as Library-Blog to liaise with the schools or faculties. The study further revealed that librarians at UL are not in charge of SM applications. Instead the Marketing and Communication Department administrator is responsible for the management of SM in the university. The study notes that library personnel are aware of various SM platforms. Therefore, it has a direct influence on their use in work-related tasks. Moreover, the ease of use, low cost, high demand and usefulness of SM applications are contributory factors which motivated the librarians to want to use it. The study further reveals factors that inhibit the effective use of these applications and recommends that library management should create SM policies to boost the effective use of SM for the benefit of library patrons.

To achieve the widespread diffusion of autonomous electric buses (AEBs) and thus harness their environmental potential, a broad acceptance of new technology-based mobility concepts must be fostered. Still, there remains little known about the factors determining their acceptance, especially in the combination of vehicles with alternative fuels and autonomous driving modes, as is the case with AEBs. In this study, we first conducted qualitative research to identify relevant factors influencing individual acceptance of autonomously driven electric buses. We then developed a comprehensive research model that was validated through a survey of 268 passengers of an AEB, operated in regular road traffic in Germany. The results indicate that a mix of individual factors, social impacts, and system characteristics determine an individual’s acceptance of AEBs. Notably, it is important that users perceive AEBs, not only as advantageous, but also trustworthy, enjoyable, and in a positive social light. Our research supplements the existing corpora by demonstrating the importance of individual acceptance and incorporating it to derive policy implications.

As a result of covid-19, there has been an increase of digitalisation in society and remote-work has therefore also increased. Workplaces have sent employees home and meetings have taken place through video calls over the internet. Remote-work is not evenly distributed across different occupational groups, but within financial institutions, the majority of work can be performed in an independent location. The purpose of this paper is to gain an increased understanding of the experience of usability within digital conference tools. This paper examines the perceived usefulness of conference tools by applying the theories Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). This paper uses both a questionnaire and interviews to answer the research question. The result indicates that the experience of usability has a TAM score of 75,39 for the total average at financial institutions. One difference that the study found was the experience of usability based on the length of time the employee has used Microsoft Teams at financial institutions, the less time of use, the lower the score. This means that there may be a learning need of Microsoft Teams. Positive experiences for Microsoft Teams perceived usability, which can be generalized to more conference tools, are time-saving, efficient and good functionality. Negative experiences for Microsoft Teams perceived usability, which also can be generalized to more conference tools, are file management, resource-heavy and impersonal.