The purpose of this research was to investigate the preferences of online students for technology-based learning environments (TBLEs) as influenced by the level of social presence in the online courses the participating students have taken. This investigation was centered around utilizing TBLEs and methods for establishing social presence in online classes (MESPOC) survey instruments to obtain the preferences of current online students at public university in the state of Texas. This study assumed a qualitative research structure comprising analysis of the data obtained on the TBLE and MESPOC instruments followed by semi-structured interviews with some of the survey participants. The results of the studies indicated that an individual’s preferred online learning environments impacted satisfaction in an online course. Moreover, the study, also explored the students’ preferences when it comes to the organization and facilitation of online courses.

Limitations of graphical user interfaces, a program’s designed purpose, and other software development factors lead to perceived affordances and constraints in computer program functionality (Bell, 2015). Perceived affordances are functions the user knows exist, and constraints are limitations or restrictions to functionality (Norman, 2013). The perceived affordances and constraints of music creation programs may impact student compositions in many ways and have yet to be thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to explore what effects students perceive music creation programs’ affordances and constraints have on their musical composing processes and final compositions. I interviewed, observed, and analyzed compositions from six students, ages 15-20, who had used music creation programs to compose. I used process and in vivo coding on these data to write descriptions of each student that highlighted their backgrounds, musical experiences, and how each student perceived the affordances and constraints in relation to their composing and compositions. I then used modified grounded theory analytical procedures to derive overarching themes from across all data. The students had difficulty describing how the affordances and constraints of the music creation software affected their composing and compositions. When students were able to describe program effects, these influences varied. The common effects were that the programs afforded the students testing for music ideas using the many available sounds and the students’ final compositions were a product of, or in spite of, those available sounds.

Technology in this age is ubiquitous and is changing the way that individuals live, work and play. In line with this, South African education has to change regularly to meet the requirements set out by the Department of Basic Education, including the development of learning outcomes for the 21st century. This study therefore explored teachers' and learners' experiences of Technology-based Teaching and Learning (TbTL) in the Foundation Phase. Qualitative case study research methods such as photovoice, narratives, semi-structured interviews, opinion pieces and field notes were conducted within three cases in order to understand the experiences of TbTL in the Foundation Phase. Data were examined through a conceptual lens that was grounded in the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework and yielded the following themes: technological tools, 21st century skills, Technology-based Teaching and Learning itself and mind the gaps. Finally, the novel, original contribution that this study makes is a framework for TbTL in the Foundation Phase. In essence this framework is relevant to understand teachers' and learners' experiences of the phenomenon of TbTL in the Foundation Phase. It is not a step-by-step guide as such but rather an indication of the core elements that are important to consider by any role players using TbTL in this phase. It is anticipated that using this framework as a guide to TbTL in the Foundation Phase will assist in creating teachers and learners who are digitally literate, lifelong learners with developed 21st century skills. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Early Childhood Education / PhD / Unrestricted

This applied research project draws the practical experience of the authors, projects sponsored by their respective institutions of higher learning and efforts of an alliance of technology-based organisations. In addition, some basic concepts, tools and philosophies which are well-established in previous applied research are utilised. With this in mind, the objective of this paper is to shed some practical light on the role and process of traditional and strategic innovation. To achieve this goal, the authors draw on a series of conceptual frameworks and practical guidelines. These frameworks capitalise on the open system nature of today's dynamic organisations. Although the approach presented in this study applies to large businesses as well as small- to medium-sized firms, especially it is helpful to small- to medium-sized technology-based businesses as they attempt to manage the rapid growth in their demand through innovation and innovative strategies.

The practical execution of an entrepreneurial process for technology-driven ventures in emerging markets can be likened to a maze - a dynamically complex process with many navigational contingencies. While the overall navigational path may appear straightforward conceptually, the actual execution path inherently becomes fraught with sub-optimal turns and apparent dead-end trails as an entrepreneur dynamically confronts many challenges. The navigational path for effectively sequencing events can be confounding, especially since event outcomes are highly contingent upon timing as well as execution of the appropriate events; seemingly 'right' actions can be applied at the 'wrong' time in the process with the corresponding result being an undesired outcome. Combining practical experience with academic research, this paper addresses the entrepreneurial process maze by presenting the authors' phased-structure process model for proactively sequencing effective actions in entrepreneurial ventures. Fundamental to this process model is a 'tactician' phase wherein a seven-step prescription is introduced to help entrepreneurs navigate the maze and dynamically sequence the 'right actions' at the 'right time' for commercialising innovations. Both the phased-structure process model and its seven-step prescription for the tactician provide practical guidance for technology-driven entrepreneurial ventures.

This quantitative study examines the interaction between technology-based instant messaging applications (technology applications) and employee engagement. Technology applications are frequently used as a mode of communication between managers and employees. Internal communication is cited as an antecedent of employee engagement and employee engagement is positively correlated with productivity and organisational success. Hence, the study is directed at understanding the impact of communication technology on employee engagement, due to the indirect link between internal communication and organisational success. In the current context of the global Covid-19 pandemic, this topic is of renewed interest as leaders and employees grapple with new ways of working and communicating. The existing literature provides contradictory conclusions on the relationship between technology use and employee outcomes. A quantitative, deductive approach was adopted to measure (i) the relationship between the frequency of use of technology applications (independent variable) and the antecedents of employee engagement (psychological climate, affective commitment, perceived supervisor support), (ii) frequency of use of technology applications as a moderating variable on the relationship between the antecedents of employee engagement and employee engagement (meaningfulness, safety, availability) and (iii) frequency of use of technology applications as a moderating variable on the relationship between the employee engagement and the outcomes of employee engagement (discretionary effort and intention to turnover). The correlation test revealed a weak correlation between frequency of use of technology applications and the antecedents of employee engagement. The moderated regression analysis revealed that frequency of use of technology applications does not moderate the relationship between (i) the antecedents of employee engagement and employee engagement (meaningfulness, safety, availability), and (ii) the relationship between the employee engagement and the outcomes of employee engagement (discretionary effort and intention to turnover). The findings have relevance for academic research and practical implications for managers. / Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

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Over the years, internationalization has seen significant shifts, especially in the financial industry where fintech firms blending technology and finance have sparked a revolution. Sweden has emerged as one of the global leaders in this sector. However, despite this transformation, existing studies on the internationalization process of fintech firms lack context and industry-specific insights, indicating a pressing need for further research in this area. Therefore, this thesis investigates the intricate internationalization process of small Swedish fintech firms with a digital and technological foundation. We aim to uncover the motives and patterns driving their early international expansion process. By conducting an in-depth case study of a single Swedish fintech firm, utilizing semi-structured interviews with employees with different positions as well as secondary data, this methodological approach allowed us to reveal new insights. More specifically, our research contributed to an identification of three distinct stages in the internationalization process: (1) motives centered on the product, prompting swift digital export strategies, (2) motives focused on the customer, leading to a shift from broad to deep engagement through localization and (3) motives based on strategic resources, guiding a measured expansion in markets optimized for regulatory conditions. These stages are shaped by entrepreneurial vision and national support, highlighting a dynamic and iterative process of international growth as well as a temporal aspect of the process development throughout these stages. In theory, this thesis expands comprehension and questions the idea of a one-size-fits-all internationalization strategy for fintech companies. It demonstrates that Swedish fintech firms employ a hybrid approach, integrating early internationalization with gradual methods. In practice, the research furnishes valuable perspectives for fintech executives, investors and policymakers, presenting a strategic model to enhance internationalization strategies, evaluate risks and facilitate regulatory adaptations. These contributions enrich discussions in fintech literature, potentially aiding fintech enterprises, both in Sweden and globally, in effectively planning their internationalization endeavors.

<p>Immigrant and ethnic entrepreneurship is a subject that has received increased attention in recent years. Many immigrants or people with ethnic backgrounds different from the majority population run their own businesses, in Sweden as well as in most countries and contexts in the world. However, ambitious research shows that there are great differences in business activity, behaviour and performance between different ethnic groups. Besides, it is easy to argue that differences also occur at the individual level. Thus, a person is not predetermined just because he/she belongs to a definable ethnic group. Another important question is the fact that the industrial setting and the context of the individual firm also affect the activity of the firm and the entrepreneur. E.g. in high tech environments, innovative competences may be of greater importance compared to business activity in the restaurant or retail sectors, where one could imitate already successful concepts.</p><p>In this dissertation immigrant as well as ethnic enterprises (where ethnic entrepreneurs are those who have clear ethnic involvement in terms of accessing and utilising different forms of ethnic resources) in different industries are studied. The work hypothesis, or rather assumption, is that the industry of the individual business plays an important role for the access to and utilisation of different forms of resources (organisational, financial, cultural, social, human, ethnic). Further, the industry of a business is also assumed to have an effect on the access to and utilisation of ethnic resources and the own ethnicity as a resource. The purpose of this study is to through a number of case studies explore the influence of ethnic background for immigrant businesses in different industries. The focus is on how ethnic involvement, thus ethnic resources, and identity as immigrant and/or ethnic business influence firms in their resource bases and resource acquisition efforts. That is, if the objective ethnic background is important for the firms in their resource acquisition efforts.</p><p>Since I want to study individual firms in an open and complex way I use a qualitative methodology with a multi-method approach, including ethnographic elements, direct observations, participant observations and interviews. This way, the possibility exists to grasp individual personal and firm characteristics that pay attention to the complexity and variation of immigrant and ethnic entrepreneurship, an issue that tends to be forgotten in broad descriptions of the subject. The Kista district hereby provides an interesting example with its high technology context, mixed with a considerable amount of immigrants living in the area.</p><p>The exploratory study of seven businesses shows that there are important differences between firms in different industries. However, apart from type of firm and kind of venture opportunity exploited, the action mode of the individual(s) involved and the degree of confirmation and legitimacy the businesses have experienced influence and affect the importance of ethnic background for these firms.</p>

A literatura especializada em aglomerados de pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs) aponta que a realização de ações conjuntas entre empresas pode gerar vantagens competitivas, auxiliar na obtenção de especialistas em competências específicas, além de outros benefícios. Nesse sentido, estudos nessa área têm identificado aspectos importantes envolvendo temas como tipologia, governança, estágios evolutivos, eficiência coletiva, economias externas, cooperação, competição. Esses estudos, no entanto, não realizam uma análise comparativa a respeito da interferência de determinados fatores em um desempenho de sucesso de empresas de aglomerados de PMEs de base tecnológica. Com o objetivo de identificar os principais que podem interferir significativamente no desempenho desse tipo de aglomerado foi realizado um estudo de casos múltiplos envolvendo empresas de três aglomerados de PMEs de base tecnológica brasileiros do interior do Estado de São Paulo, situados em importantes pólos tecnológicos localizados nas cidades de Campinas, São Carlos e São José dos Campos. Inicialmente foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico sobre os fatores que influenciam um desempenho de PMEs em aglomerados de empresas de um modo geral. Com base nesses dados foi elaborado um roteiro de pesquisa para ser aplicado nas entrevistas realizadas nas empresas. Os dados coletados em campo foram analisados com o auxílio do software Qualitative Solutions and Research que possibilita a inserção e análise de dados qualitativos. Com base nos resultados obtidos, identificou-se um grupo de 5 fatores principais que interferem no desempenho das empresas dos aglomerados estudados. Foi analisada também a incidência de cada um desses fatores em cada um desses aglomerados, destacando-se: o perfil, a gestão e o ambiente das empresas dos aglomerados. / The literature specialized in clusters of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) shows that, when companies take joint actions, they may gain competitive advantages, besides other benefits. Studies in clusters have identified important aspects involving themes such as typology, governance, evolutionary stages, collective efficiency, external economies, cooperation, and competition. These studies, however, do not carry out a comparative analysis regarding the interference of certain factors in the success of technology-based clusters, considered to be a particular type of companies\' agglomeration. With the objective of identifying the main success factors that can interfere significantly in the development of this kind of cluster, a study of multiple cases was carried out, involving three clusters in the interior of the State of São Paulo, situated in important technology parks located in the cities of Campinas, São Carlos and São José dos Campos. Initially, a bibliographical review on the important success factors of clusters in general was carried out. Based on this data, a research framework was established in order to be applied in the interviews conducted in the companies. The data collected were analyzed with the aid of the software Qualitative Solutions and Research, which enables the insertion and analysis of qualitative data. Based on the results obtained, a group of 5 success factors was identified; the incidence of each of these factors was also analyzed in each of the clusters studied, showing that the factors company profile and management were the most important.