This thesis presents my original contribution to knowledge, a combination of critical media and performance theories to analyse the production and augmentation of postdigital experiential spaces in Punchdrunk Theatre Company. Distributed agency is key to Punchdrunk's work, with makers within the company and audiences both being active participants in meaning-making, across complex and detailed interfaces. In order to investigate the making cultures on ‘both sides' of the interface, I undertook a two-year participant study as a researching designer within the company during the build of the productions The House Where Winter Lives and The Drowned Man in 2011-2014, gathering field data in the form of extensive interviews with members of the company and audience participants, supported by diary notations and photographs. I studied the processes and methods that extend, distribute and regulate agency to both audiences and makers within the company, and identified devices and features of the interaction design of the company that produce the immanent subject-event relationships that support immersion in their work. A core aspect of this research concerns the relationship between immersion and the sublime, and how subject-event relationships (immanent vs. transcendent) contribute to engendering sublime interactive experiences. I have analysed the consequences of this for the modelling of participation in interaction design, and how it influences conditions of possibility within interactive systems across physical, digital and blended media. The conclusion of this research includes the definition of a postdigital sublime, and proposes a delinquent system aesthetic that integrates proxies for gravity through articulation of the ‘shadow side' of interaction design.

Today, visitors use social media before, during and after travels to share, create and discuss content with others. This means that the visitor industry needs to profile themselves on social media to communicate their services toward their visitors. Parallel to this development, a creative tourist class has been emerging. This group demands new experiences that differs from a previous more conventional tourism, which is spreading among the public and is marketed more often on social media. This study analyze how the visitor industry experience the digital visitor and the new creative tourist class in Stockholm Archipelago. The result of the study shows that social media is a tool, which allows the people working in the visitor industry to multitask because they can bring it anywhere. Due to the digital visitors high interactivity online, the visitor industry are being challenged on both resources and knowledge. It is also shows that it makes it possible for smaller businesses to market themselves globally and easily reach their target group in a profitable way.

On average, African Americans receive lower wages in the workplace due to lack of advanced technical skills. The reason for technical deficiency among some African Americans is often lack of exposure to IT resources at an early age. The purpose of this ethnographic study was to identify and explore the factors that contribute to lack of IT resources available to some African Americans to cultivate IT skills. Information literacy theory formed the conceptual framework, which focused on information resources that African American and Caucasians use in the workforce for problem solving and retrieving information. Data were collected by conducting face-to-face and phone interviews using open-ended questions with 20 randomly selected African Americans employed in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Maryland. Data saturation was reached after interviewing the 20 participants. Data were analyzed for emergent themes, revealing that (a) more computer use yielded higher academic achievement, (b) users with higher income had more access to IT resources, and (c) users who had more technical knowledge received higher wages. The findings of the study may contribute to positive social change by exposing members of the African American community as well as other communities to the importance of advanced computer skills, which are needed to succeed in careers and to compete effectively in the workplace.

Esta tese visa analisar de que maneira as condições de acesso à Internet (autonomia de uso) e fatores sociodemográficos (idade, gênero, classe social e área geográfica) influenciam o desenvolvimento de habilidades digitais e como essas, por sua vez, afetam o aproveitamento de oportunidades online. A partir da literatura do campo de exclusão digital e da lente teórica do modelo de campos correspondentes desenvolveu-se um modelo de pesquisa que norteou as análises empreendidas nesta investigação. Para tanto, foi adotada uma estratégia metodológica quantitativa tendo como base os microdados das edições de 2014 e 2016 da pesquisa TIC Domicílios coordenada pelo Centro Regional de Estudos para o Desenvolvimento da Sociedade da Informação (Cetic.br). A investigação empreendida nesta tese está contemplada em três artigos inter-relacionadas para os quais aplicou-se as seguintes técnicas estatísticas multivariadas para o tratamento e análise de dados: análise de conglomerados, análise fatorial para dados binários, regressão logística binária e regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados desta investigação evidenciam que a simples disponibilização do acesso à Internet (foco de ações e políticas que promovem a inclusão digital) não é suficiente para o aproveitamento de oportunidades online, em virtude das desigualdades digitais existentes em termos de autonomia de uso e nos níveis de habilidades digitais. Em síntese, os achados da pesquisa apontam que indivíduos de maior status socioeconômico (maior classe social, escolaridade e renda) tendem a se conectar à Internet por meio de dispositivos computacionais e móveis (multiplataforma) e em uma maior variedade de locais de acesso, consequentemente, alcançando maior nível de autonomia de uso, o qual tende a influenciar positivamente nos diferentes níveis de habilidades digitais, contribuindo para melhor usufruir as oportunidades online de domínio econômico, social e pessoal. Em contrapartida, usuários de menor status socioeconômico (classe DE) tendem a apresentar menor nível de autonomia de uso (conectando-se exclusivamente pelo celular), potencialmente implicando em menores níveis de competência digital, ocasionando em um menor aproveitamento de oportunidades online, principalmente no domínio econômico. Em linhas gerais, esses achados demonstram que as desigualdades sociais previamente existentes no mundo social (offline) tendem a ser mantidas e amplificadas no universo digital. Além de permitir uma análise em profundidade do fenômeno da exclusão digital no Brasil, tais achados podem contribuir para avaliação e desenvolvimento de políticas públicas de inclusão digital. / This doctorate thesis aims to analyze how the conditions of Internet access (autonomy of use) and sociodemographic factors (age, gender, social class and geographic area) influence the development of digital skills and how these in turn affect the harnessing of online opportunities. From the literature of the digital divide field and the theoretical lens of the corresponding fields model, a research model was developed to guide the analyzes undertaken in this research. Thus, a quantitative approach was adopted based on the microdata of the 2014 and 2016 editions of the ICT Households survey coordinated by the Regional Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society (Cetic.br). The research undertaken in this doctorate thesis is contemplated in three interrelated papers for which the following multivariate statistical techniques were applied for the treatment and analysis of data: cluster analysis, binary factor analysis, binary logistic regression and multiple linear regression. The results of this research show that the simple availability of Internet access (which is the focus of policies that promote digital inclusion) is not enough to take advantage of online opportunities due to the existing digital inequalities in terms of autonomy of use and levels of digital skills. In summary, the research findings point out that individuals of higher socioeconomic status (higher social class, level of education and income) tend to access the Internet through computer and mobile devices (multiplatform) and in a greater variety of locations, consequently, reaching a greater level of autonomy of use, which tends to influence positively in the different levels of Internet skills, contributing to take advantage of online opportunities of economic, social and personal domains. On the other hand, users of lower socioeconomic status tend to have a lower level of autonomy of use (connecting exclusively via mobile), potentially implying in lower levels of digital competence, leading to less harnessing of online opportunities, especially in the economic domain. These findings demonstrate that social inequalities previously existing in the social world (offline) tend to be maintained and amplified in the digital universe. In addition to allowing an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of digital divide in Brazil, such findings can contribute to the evaluation and development of public policies for digital inclusion.

<p>Användning av Informations- och kommunikationsteknik (IKT) är idag ett naturligt inslag i många människors vardag. Samtidigt uppmärksammas risken med digitala klyftor av flera samhällsinstanser. I detta sammanhang nämns äldre som en av de grupper som riskerar att hamna efter, vilket i förlängningen kan leda till ett utanförskap från den demokratiska processen på grund av bristande tillgång till eller kunskap om datorer och Internet. Studiens syfte är att belysa äldres upplevelser och erfarenheter av datorer och IT och sin delaktighet i IT-samhället idag. Studien är inspirerad av etnografisk metod och har ett socialkonstruktionistiskt perspektiv där ålder kan förstås som en skapad social kategori. Empirin baseras på sex intervjuer med äldre som börjat på en datorkurs, samt av deltagande observationer som genomfördes under datorkursen. I resultatet framkommer det att ett tvång upplevs gällande att hänga med i den tekniska utvecklingen, vilket kan vara stressande och frustrerande. Samtidigt känner informanterna att det är viktigt att ”hänga med” i samhället, och de uttrycker en nyfikenhet inför tekniken. Informanterna tar sig an datorn på ett aktivt sätt. Betydelse för att lära sig är vinningar man ser i vardagen som att hålla kontakt med barnbarn, söka information och klara sig själv. Samtidigt finns en underliggande tanke om sig själv och andra, där ålder ges betydelse i fråga om att det är svårare att lära sig som gammal, eller att äldre lärare är att föredra då de har mer förståelse. I motsats till detta uttrycks att en god lärare inte är avhängigt ålder, och de personer som finns som stöd i informanternas omgivning oftast är yngre.</p> / <p>The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a natural part of many people's everyday life today. At the same time the risk of digital divides are highlighted by several community agencies in society. One of the risk groups mentioned here are elderly people, risking of falling behind and also to be left out the whole democratic process, because of lack of access to or knowledge of computers and the Internet. The aim of this study is to highlight elderly people's experiences of computers and IT and their participation and involvement in the IT society of today. The study is inspired by the ethnographic method and has a perspective of Social constructionism in which age can be understood as a social created category. The empirical material is based on six interviews with elderly people taking a computer course for beginners, as well as participant observations carried out during the computer course. It appears in the result, that a feeling of being forced is connected to keeping up with the technological development in our society, which can be stressful and frustrating. At the same time the informants feels that it is important to “keep up” with the society, and a curiosity is expressed towards technology. Informants learn computers in an active way. Meaningfulness in learning the computer is seen in everyday life as to maintain contact with grandchildren, search for information and to manage on your own. At the time, an underlying view of themselves and others exist, where the age is given importance in that it is harder to learn when you are old, or that older teachers are preferred since they have more understanding. In contrast to this it is expressed that good teachers will not depend on age, and those in the informants surroundings that supports them are usually young.</p>

Användning av Informations- och kommunikationsteknik (IKT) är idag ett naturligt inslag i många människors vardag. Samtidigt uppmärksammas risken med digitala klyftor av flera samhällsinstanser. I detta sammanhang nämns äldre som en av de grupper som riskerar att hamna efter, vilket i förlängningen kan leda till ett utanförskap från den demokratiska processen på grund av bristande tillgång till eller kunskap om datorer och Internet. Studiens syfte är att belysa äldres upplevelser och erfarenheter av datorer och IT och sin delaktighet i IT-samhället idag. Studien är inspirerad av etnografisk metod och har ett socialkonstruktionistiskt perspektiv där ålder kan förstås som en skapad social kategori. Empirin baseras på sex intervjuer med äldre som börjat på en datorkurs, samt av deltagande observationer som genomfördes under datorkursen. I resultatet framkommer det att ett tvång upplevs gällande att hänga med i den tekniska utvecklingen, vilket kan vara stressande och frustrerande. Samtidigt känner informanterna att det är viktigt att ”hänga med” i samhället, och de uttrycker en nyfikenhet inför tekniken. Informanterna tar sig an datorn på ett aktivt sätt. Betydelse för att lära sig är vinningar man ser i vardagen som att hålla kontakt med barnbarn, söka information och klara sig själv. Samtidigt finns en underliggande tanke om sig själv och andra, där ålder ges betydelse i fråga om att det är svårare att lära sig som gammal, eller att äldre lärare är att föredra då de har mer förståelse. I motsats till detta uttrycks att en god lärare inte är avhängigt ålder, och de personer som finns som stöd i informanternas omgivning oftast är yngre. / The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a natural part of many people's everyday life today. At the same time the risk of digital divides are highlighted by several community agencies in society. One of the risk groups mentioned here are elderly people, risking of falling behind and also to be left out the whole democratic process, because of lack of access to or knowledge of computers and the Internet. The aim of this study is to highlight elderly people's experiences of computers and IT and their participation and involvement in the IT society of today. The study is inspired by the ethnographic method and has a perspective of Social constructionism in which age can be understood as a social created category. The empirical material is based on six interviews with elderly people taking a computer course for beginners, as well as participant observations carried out during the computer course. It appears in the result, that a feeling of being forced is connected to keeping up with the technological development in our society, which can be stressful and frustrating. At the same time the informants feels that it is important to “keep up” with the society, and a curiosity is expressed towards technology. Informants learn computers in an active way. Meaningfulness in learning the computer is seen in everyday life as to maintain contact with grandchildren, search for information and to manage on your own. At the time, an underlying view of themselves and others exist, where the age is given importance in that it is harder to learn when you are old, or that older teachers are preferred since they have more understanding. In contrast to this it is expressed that good teachers will not depend on age, and those in the informants surroundings that supports them are usually young.

科技發展過程當中，無可避免的形成數位落差，數位落差過高的 族群，在社會上會越趨於弱勢。政府為縮減數位落差，推出許多政策 執行，其中一項便是在偏鄉地區設置數位機會中心，並且結合各部會 和民間資源，運用數位機會中心提升當地民眾資訊素養，給予較弱勢 的社區及居民公平的數位機會，提升競爭力。 數位機會中心設置的單位，共有7 種類型，學校、教會及廟宇、 社區、鄉公所、圖書館、社教站、其他。宜蘭縣所設置的數位機會中 心有學校、教會、社區、圖書館等4 種。 本研究以宜蘭縣所設置的9 個數位機會中心為對象，試著從實地 訪查及深度訪談的方法，探討不同的單位在經營數位機會中心時其經 營型態有何不同，以及在經營上是否有遭遇困難之處。 研究發現，不同的數位機會中心因設置單位的不同會產生不同的 經營型態，其經營的成果與主事者有相當大的關係。在經營的困難除 了人力及經費之外，上級的支持及當地居民學習的意願也佔了重要的 因素。 數位機會中心的設立，提供了偏鄉地區許多民眾學習資訊科技的 機會，本研究提供提出簡化數位機會中心目標設定及檢討數位機會中 心業務方向作為建議，期能對於政府在縮減數位落差政策施行上有所 助益。 / Digital divide is inevitable in the process of technology development. However, people suffering from large digital divide may become more disadvantaged in the society. In order to minimize digital divide, the government has launched numerous programs, one of which is to establish Digital Opportunity Centers in remote areas and integrate public and civil resources to enhance the digital literacy of local people, provide them an equal access to digital opportunities, and improve their competitiveness in the society. Digital Opportunity Centers are established in seven types of organizations, including school, church and temple, community, township office, library, social education station, and others. In Yilan County, Digital Opportunity Centers are mainly established in schools, churches, communities, and libraries. This study focused on nine Digital Opportunity Centers in Yilan County. Through field survey and in-depth interview, this study attempted to explore whether the operating model of Digital Opportunity Centers varied by organization as well as the difficulties encountered in operating the centers. Results showed that the operating model of Digital Opportunity Centers varied by organization, and the performance of the centers largely depended on managers of the organization. In addition to labor and funding, executive support and local residents’ willingness to learn were the main difficulties encountered in operation of the centers. Digital Opportunity Centers have offered many people living in remote areas an opportunity to learn information technology. Based on research results, this study suggested that the authority concerned simplify the objectives of Digital Opportunity Centers and reexamine their functions to enhance the effectiveness of this program.

This dissertation investigated the bottom-up technology transmission process in a country with varied levels of technology diffusion, such as Chile. In particular, I explored how children act as technology brokers within their families by influencing their parents' adoption of and learning about digital media, so as to include older generations in the digital environment. In order to do this, I measured to what extent this process occurs, I proposed a typology of factors that intervene in the process and analyzed the outcomes variables related to the phenomenon. Methodologically, I used a mixed-methods research approach by combining in-depth interviews with a self-administered paper-and-pencil survey taken by dyads of one parent and one child. I analyzed 28 interviews involving one 12 to 18-year-old child and one parent or legal guardian (14 dyads) stratified by socioeconomic background, age, and gender. In addition, I conducted the parent-child survey among school-aged children and their parents in three schools, stratified by socioeconomic status. One class per cohort from 7th to 11th grades was randomly surveyed. In total, 381 students and 251 parents completed the surveys. The analyses showed that bottom-up technology transmission occurs at some degree for all the technologies investigated in this study. However, children's influence should not be overstated because they play only one part among a number of factors involved in the digital inclusion of older generations. It also established a typology of factors related to the process at different levels, including structural influences, family structure, strategies employed by youth, and psychological dispositions of parents. Specifically, the analyses consistently found that this process was more likely to occur among people from a lower socioeconomic status. Also, the transmission was associated with more fluid parent-child interactions and occurred among parents who perceived the technology to be useful. Regarding the outcome variables, it demonstrated that this phenomenon is linked, although weakly, to greater levels of perceived competence among parents and higher esteem among young people. Finally, it suggested that bottom-up technology transmission is associated with the reduction of some socioeconomic gaps in digital media use. / text

M. Tech. Business Administration / Internet penetration in South Africa stood at 13.9% in 2011 as compared to average of 30% for the rest of the world. Given the racial demographics in South Africa where Black Africans constitute 79.5% of the population it stand to reason that given all things equal, Black Africans should constitute a greater part of the 13.9% however preliminary studies based on the number of subscribers of Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) subscription in residential areas indicated the opposite. The 20.5 % remainder of the population made up of the Coloureds, Whites and Indians racial groups formed a greater part of the residential ADSL users in the country, which suggests that they are the greater users of internet.

The study examines the phenomenon of the December protests in Russia when thousands of citizens were involved in the protest movement after the frauds during the Parliamentary elections. There was a popular opinion in the Internet media that at that moment Russia experienced establishment of civil society, since so many people were ready to express their discontent publically for the first time in 20 years. The focus of this study is made on the analysis of the roles that social media played in the protest movement. As it could be observed at the first glance, recruiting and mobilising individuals to participation in the rallies were mainly conducted via social media. The research analyses the concept of civil society and its relevance to the protest rhetoric and investigates, whether there was a phenomenon of civil society indeed and how it was connected to individuals’ motivation for joining the protest. The concept of civil society is discussed through the social capital, social and political trust, e-democracy and mediatisation frameworks. The study provides a comprehensive description of the events, based on mainstream and new media sources, in order to depict the nature and the development of the movement. The structure of the protests is analysed through the new social movement theory. Also, various approaches to engagement of people in the social movements are presentedl, including political marketing framework. The research was conducted in several main stages, using content analysis, survey and interviewing as main methods. The main conclusions of the study: relatively minor impact of social media in the engagement of people in the protest, a narrow section of the population as the audience of social media protesters (for them civil society mostly played a role of a customer need), and yet a significant potential of ICT in the future political life of the country.