The objective of the thesis is to provide a view of the situation in high-speed Internet connection in the Czech Republic. At the beginning we present a history of internet and describes in particular the most frequently used technology of high-speed connectivity to the Internet. This is followed by a comparison of the current supply and demand in a market of Internet connection in the Czech Republic. This study not only compare technological aspects, but takes into consideration the economic situation, government regulations and changes from 2009 as well. Finally, there is a summarization and an evaluation of the results and a reflection on possible future on a market of high-speed connection in Czech republic.

E-government, electronic Public Administration, has led to streamlined work processes within and between government departments. As theories of administration and management seek to improve processes, electronic administration seeks to improve electronic processes in an effort to provide efficient services. The unique contribution of this study on Public Administration and the related e-government initiatives of the Government Employees Pension Fund is that none of this research has been documented before. Whilst e-government is not new, its application to the Government Employees Pension Fund is novel. E-government espouses integrated partnerships between governments and e-citizens by creating an understanding of electronic relationships between and within organisations. The thesis considers electronic Public Administrative service delivery in the Government Employees Pension Fund as it relates to civil pensions administration. Successful e-government needs a critical mass of users that is central to ensuring its sustainable and successful utilisation. If a critical mass of users is not ensured then e-government initiatives will not be successful. Attempts by the Government Employees Pension Fund to develop a customer relationship management approach are assessed. Sustainable and successful e-service delivery is about providing multi-nodal access to clients. An interactive web site, amongst others, will allow clients to access services remotely. Seamless government is developed around customers’ needs and is outward looking since it provides a single access point for all services offered by government. Gaining access to information and communications technologies is a challenge that many face, hence the digital divide is a stymieing factor in providing seamless, successful e-government services. Not all e-government initiatives are successful. Information and communications technology initiatives are not always implemented according to planned timelines and budgets. The case of the Government Employees Pension Fund proved to be no different given that not all the e-government initiatives embarked upon were successful. / Thesis (PhD (Public Affairs))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

Advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have brought many opportunities to South Africa and also challenges, such as narrowing the gap, known as the digital divide, between those who have (the “haves”) and those who do not have (the “have-nots”) access to ICTs. The majority of South Africans living in developing areas throughout South Africa do not have access to computers and are mostly computer illiterate. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) launched their Digital Doorway project across South Africa to evaluate the feasibility of an alternative computer training method following a minimally invasive educational approach. Within the scope of the CSIR’s project, this research study endeavoured to explore to what extent and how the children had obtained computer skills, without the guidance of a facilitator, during the Digital Doorway project launched in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. A qualitative research methodology was adopted for the study. During the course of this research project, it was not possible to determine whether the children obtained any initial or additional computer skills, since the children were mostly unable to use the computers due to the malfunctioning thereof. The findings of this study coincide with authoritative literature on the topic which points out that real ICT access entails more than merely installing hardware and software. / Dissertation (MEd (Computer Assisted Education))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

The diploma thesis deals with the phenomenon of the digital divide and its influence on the quality of life of seniors. The digital divide - a product of the modern information society - is one of the major factors influencing the social exclusion of elderly people. The theoretical part of theses introduces the concept of active aging as a way of successful solving problems associated with the population ageing, as well as a prevention of the exclusion of seniors from both society and participation in public affairs. The author mainly focuses on the issue of how are seniors in the Czech Republic at risk of exclusion as a result of digital exclusion. In the practical part, the present level of digital literacy of Czech seniors is explored. Following qualitative research - semi-structured interviews with experts - aims to find out whether the digital divide represents a social problem for the elderly people in the Czech Republic that contributes to their inequal position among the society, or even causes their exclusion from the participation in governance, and consequently, reduces the quality of their lives.

It’s well known that the contemporary rapid development of technology has created a digital divide between those who adopt and use the emerging digital services, and those who don’t. The ones who fail to adapt to the new digital society, is at great risk of being completely excluded from it, which strips away both social, health related and economical opportunities. These people are often seniors, and multiple factors weigh in on their non-participation. One of the more common factors are technology relates stress, and in extension, computer anxiety. While there exists literature on how to reduce computer anxiety, it’s often linked to physical training courses that the user can sign up for. The purpose of this study is to explore a completely digital solution, based upon the loose principles identified by Dos Santos and Santana (2018). This is done through the creation and evaluation of a senior-oriented website, that offers the user daily exercises in basic computer management, knowledge, and safety, with the goal of reducing computer anxiety. The results show both that the principles indeed can be used as design guidelines, and that my design has potential, although some adjustments have to be made.

Abstract                                                    This thesis provides an in-depth research of five VR suppliers working with creating VR experiences targeted to elderly within the elder care sector in Sweden. Furthermore, a technological knowledge gap between elderly and VR technology are researched. The focus of this thesis is therefore how VR suppliers, as early adopters, design VR experiences to elderly, as digital immigrants. To investigate the chosen topics, two research questions was formulated; RQ1. How do VR suppliers design a VR experience targeted to digital immigrants within the elderly care sector? RQ2. How do VR suppliers, as early adopters, bridge the digital gap between VR-technology and digital immigrants?  This thesis constitutes of a qualitative research where the empirical findings are based on interviews with the VR suppliers. The research took an inductive approach in order to get close to the respondents and interpret their realities. Theories about Customer experience, Value, Value Co-creation, Digital immigrants and Early and Late adopters, have thereafter helped to connect the empirical findings with aspects within these theories, to further understand important aspects for the VR suppliers when they design their VR experiences.  The results of the study present the aspects that are important to take under consideration when VR suppliers design their VR experiences towards elderly within the elder care sector. A model showing the steps when designing the VR experience has been provided and constitutes of identifying needs, customize the service, create trust and security, set the environment, inform and educate personnel, handling impairments and bridging the gap. Furthermore, the participants confirmed a knowledge gap within technology amongst elderly and that there is a need to bridge the gap in order for the VR service to be successfully implemented.

Digitalisation and access to informationAn interview study about information practices in an increasingly digitalised society This essay is about the increased digitalisation in society in relation to available information and the digital divide. The title of the essay suggests that there is a relationship between digitalisation and accessibility. Being connected via the internet and having access to digital information, news, municipal functions, and social media requires that you have both the technical hardware and the competence to use it. The thesis of this essay intends to shed light on aspects of digitalisation and access to information. An interview study of people who are between 70-80 years old shows that increased digitalisation in society does not automatically mean that groups become digitally excluded. The digital divide does not arise by itself or with given conditions but can rather be described as a grey area. Several different factors and conditions interact where challenges, obstacles, opportunities, and attitudes are affecting. For those who have access to digital technology and knowledge to use it, it is easy to access information and be involved in society. But those who feel digital exclusion are continuing to be excluded without receiving help and knowledge about digital information and technology. The faster the digital development goes, the greater the risk of falling behind in the digital divide.

Allt fler samhällstjänster digitaliseras och människor måste anpassas efter samhällets digitala utveckling. Detta är en fallstudie där syftet är att undersöka hur verksamheten Skånetrafiken arbetar för att motverka digitalt utanförskap, samtidigt ge ökad förståelse för begreppet digitalt utanförskap. Teorin som använts i denna studie hämtades från litteratur inom digitalt utanförskap. Den bygger på forskaren Jan Van Dijks forskning om digitalt utanförskap, där teorin syftar till att förklara de olika nivåerna i digitalt utanförskap. Undersökningen bygger på en kvalitativ intervjustudie där fem intervjuer har utförts med anställda från Skånetrafiken. Utifrån detta har flera faktorer identifierats i Skånetrafikens arbetssätt som främjar digital inkludering. Vidare har ett teoretiskt bidrag utvecklats fram för hur organisationer bör arbeta för att motverka digitalt utanförskap. Det teoretiska bidraget är ett resultat framtaget utifrån det konceptuella ramverket och studien om Skånetrafiken. / More and more community services are being digitized and people must adapt to society's digital development. This is a case study in purpose to investigate how Skånetrafiken works to counter digital exclusion, while at the same time trying to increase understanding of the concept digital exclusion. The theory used in this study was derived from literature on digital exclusion. It is based on Jan Van Dijk's research on digital exclusion, where the theory aims to explain the different levels of digital exclusion. The case is based on a qualitative interview study where five interviews have been conducted with employees from Skånetrafiken. Based on this, several factors have been identified in Skånetrafiken's working methods that promote digital inclusion. Furthermore, a theoretical contribution has been developed for how organizations should work to counter digital exclusion. The theoretical contribution is a result derived from the conceptual framework and the study of Skånetrafiken.

Public libraries are evolving from their traditional role as promoters of literacy to a new role as providers of community resources, including after-school activities for teenagers. A policy mandate for such activities appears to be lacking though, which might impact negatively their effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to get a better understanding of the existing policy and implementation mechanisms of after-school activities offered by the Atlanta Fulton Library System in Georgia to at-risk teenaged patrons. Moore's theory of innovation and public value provided the theoretical framework for the study. An embedded case study research design was used to explore the perceived role of the public library, guiding policy framework, and factors constraining the implementation of after-school activities in 3 of the system 20 branches serving at-risk youth; semi-structured interviews with 21 participants comprising teenagers engaged in after-school activities, parents, librarians, library managers, and members of the Friends of the library; observations of teenagers' behaviors in the library setting; and publicly available document on the subject. The data were inductively coded and then subjected to a content analytical procedure, which revealed 5 after-school themes: bridging a digital divide, teen and community needs, public policy, and public service. The key finding of this study indicates an absence of a system-wide formal policy in how after-school services are provided across library branches for at-risk teenagers. The study concludes with recommendations to reexamine the existing after-school programs in a way that better incorporates the unique needs of library patrons and to align policies with these needs in order to better serve at-risk youth within the context of their communities.

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