Customer involvement in innovation activities is a common practice among companies in most industries. It has been widely researched by scholars to demonstrate its risks and advantages. Yet, the growing importance and recognition of the Internet are transforming the scope, boundaries, and dynamics of interactions among firms and customers. Progressing information and communication technologies (ICTs) (including the Internet) enable faster, cheaper, and more efficient collaboration. The demonstrated benefits of using various web-based methods for customer involvement in innovation activities have encouraged companies to adopt a new approach. Despite this, there is a lack of knowledge about associated challenges. In addition, prior research was unable to provide empirical evidence of the claimed benefits ensuing from web-enabled customer involvement. As a result, companies may experience unforeseen difficulties and may not be able to achieve what they expect from their implementation of web-based methods. This thesis aims to address this research gap by exploring web-enabled customer involvement from a firm’s perspective. The overall purpose of this dissertation is to increase the understanding of web-enabled customer involvement in innovation activities by exploring its use and its impact on firms’ innovation, as well as management competences needed for its efficient realization. The thesis draws on the concept of absorptive capacity and includes four empirical studies from various industries. The adoption levels of a wide range of web-based methods were identified and compared with the findings of the previous study, thereby uncovering interesting changes in their popularity, as well as differences in adoption among companies in various industries. The empirical findings of this thesis show that web-based methods increase a company’s probability to introduce service innovations. Three types of challenges related to different types of web-based methods were identified and verified. It was also possible to identify corresponding management practices to handle these challenges. The management practices form three firm competences, constituting a specific absorptive capacity. It was proved that all dimensions of this specific absorptive capacity are needed for successful and effective customer involvement. Insights of this thesis contribute to increasing the understanding of web-enabled customer involvement. Therefore, the thesis provides companies with empirically verified knowledge that is necessary to make decisions about the implementation and management of web-enabled customer involvement.

The thesis of this dissertation is that by utilizing a biblical-theological framework, best practices of online graduate-level ministerial training can be presented in such a way that the role of the faculty, the objectives of the classroom, and the purpose of the institution are focused more effectively on the formation of students as ministers of the gospel. It is argued the role of the faculty member should be a model for students to follow, which necessitates institutions prioritize theological competencies ahead of technological and pedagogical competencies when hiring faculty, and institutions prioritize the faculty member's ongoing spiritual formation in the development and evaluation of theological, pedagogical, and technological competencies. In addition, it is argued the objectives of the classroom should be formation-centered, which necessitates the faculty member should utilize social presence within online courses that prioritizes the formation of students over the learning of students, and the faculty member should create community with and among students, beyond social presence, that prioritizes the formation of students over the learning of students. Finally, it is argued the purpose of the institution should focus on the ministerial effectiveness of the student, which necessitates online graduate-level ministerial training should extend beyond the online classroom by utilizing the student's local church context for the spiritual formation and ministerial preparation of the student, and online graduate-level ministerial training should elevate the formation of the student as a minister of the gospel within the local church over the retention of the student or the knowledge gained by the student. Chapter 1 introduces the resource, Best Practices of Online Education: A Guide for Christian Higher Education, as one of the only resources seeking to present a comprehensive approach to the integration of theology, pedagogy, and technology. Chapter 2 considers how theological anthropology affects pedagogy and concludes with a presentation of David Powlison's Comprehensive Internal model as a biblical-theological framework. Chapters 3 through 5 focus on Powlison's epistemological priorities--articulating biblical truth; critiquing, debunking, and reinterpreting alternative models; and, learning from defective models as it applies to online graduate-level ministerial training.

Depression is a common mental health problem. This study utilized a randomized, controlled trial design to assess the effect of a new web-based depression information decision aid compared to general depression information available on a well-known website on important factors involved in decision-making: knowledge of depression and treatment options, stigma, help-seeking attitudes, confidence in making a decision, sense of being well-informed, and preference for different treatment options. Introductory psychology students completed pre-, post-, and follow-up assessments in Study 1, and post- and follow-up assessments in Study 2. Overall, the two depression websites yielded similar responses across the measures, and the information decision aid was not superior to general information on the currently available website. Study 1 participants reported less decisional conflict and felt more informed following the review of the website compared to before website review. There were no changes from pre- to post-assessment on knowledge, stigma, or help-seeking attitudes. Study 2 also found few differences between the groups. Participants in this study indicated reduced stigma one-month after website review, which could be due to a delayed effect of the information, or exposure to other sources of information. In addition, decisional conflict increased and participants felt less informed one-month following the review of the website, compared to just after review. This is not surprising given that different treatment options are likely fresh in their minds just after review compared to one-month later. Given the largely negative findings in the two studies, alternative research approaches to comparing information resources are discussed. / October 2016

Introduction: Unhealthy alcohol use is a substantial problem among college students and can lead to a variety of negative consequences. Commercially available web-based brief alcohol intervention (WBI) programs have demonstrated efficacy in a range of student groups and have been widely disseminated to colleges to address this issue. However, the majority of published WBI studies required participants to complete baseline research assessments (RA) about their alcohol use before the WBI and reactivity to the RA may have inflated WBI efficacy estimates in these studies. The present study tested whether there was an additive effect of RA administered online plus a WBI on alcohol consumption, alcohol consequences, and protective behaviors related to alcohol used in the past month compared to the effects of only a WBI. It was hypothesized that participants randomized to the RA+WBI condition would have significantly lower alcohol consumption in the past month, fewer alcohol-related problems, and use more protective behaviors related to alcohol consumption in the past month than participants randomized to the WBI only condition. Methods: Undergraduate students (n= 856) from universities in the United States and Canada were recruited for this online study. Seventy percent of the sample was female and 82% were Caucasian. The sample had a mean age was 20.0. Sixty four percent (n= 547) of participants who were randomized completed the WBI. Sixty-eight percent completed the one month follow up questionnaire. Results: Multiple regression analyses using 20 multiply imputed datasets revealed that there were no significant differences in groups at follow up on alcohol use measures, alcohol related problems, or protective behaviors used when controlling for variables with theoretical and statistical relevance to the models. A repeated measures analysis of covariance indicated that there was a significant decrease in peak estimated blood alcohol concentration from baseline to follow up, but no differential effect by randomization group. The results suggested there was a moderate effect of the WBI consistent with studies of WBI efficacy in the literature and that there were no substantial assessment reactivity effects. Discussion: The current study contributes to the literature by identifying an experimental condition under which assessment reactivity may not be present and does not appear to cloud the detection of WBI efficacy when measured within subjects. The results indicate that WBI researchers may be justified in conducting brief pretreatment research assessments online to collect information about participant alcohol use without biasing within subjects estimates of WBI efficacy. Universities using these programs may likely observe similar effect sizes to those reported in the literature, however effectiveness studies are warranted.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a brief, web-based alcohol prevention intervention program as a universal approach to addressing the range of alcohol behaviors present on college campuses. The sample of freshman college students recruited from Spit for Science (Dick et al., 2014) included 153 intervention participants, and 151 control participants matched on demographics and baseline alcohol variables. Hierarchical multiple regression, logistic regression, and moderated multiple regression were used to compare intervention and control participants on post-intervention alcohol variables. Treatment predicted lower alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms, particularly among baseline drinkers. For non-drinkers, the intervention was associated with a decreased likelihood of alcohol initiation. Family history moderated the intervention’s effect on drinks per occasion and AUD symptoms, with family history positive individuals responding better to the intervention. Readiness-to-change and concern for one’s drinking were not supported as moderators, suggesting more research is needed to identify mechanisms of change.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The collection of biological information has a long history, motivated by a variety of reasons and in more recent years is largely being driven for research and academic purposes. As a result biological information is often linked to a specific species or ecosystem management and is discipline specific, not relating to general management actions at a specific conservation site. The biological data that exists is often not consolidated in a central place to allow for effective management of conservation sites. Different databases and formats are often used to cover biological, infrastructural, heritage and management information. Biological information has traditionally not influenced real-time site-specific conservation management, with long term data sets being used to draw conclusions before they can influence management actions. In order to overcome this problem of scattered and unfocused data a biodiversity database related to specific site management was developed. This study focuses on the development of this database and its links to the management of spatially defined sites. Included in the solution of scattered data are the applications of information management tools which interpret data and convert it into management actions, both in terms of long term trends and immediate real- time management actions as the information is received and processed. Information systems are always difficult to describe in words as much of the layout and information is visual and hence difficult to convey I just the text of this document. A breakdown of the resultant information system is outlined in detail in the conclusion section. During the development of a Biodiversity Database it was found that management tools had to be developed to integrated data with management. Furthermore it was found that human error was a significant factor in poor data quality; as a result an observer training programme was developed.

This dissertation was developed to research how prepared aspiring Education Entrepreneurs would feel when supported holistically through a methodology that incorporates a blending of informational and transformational learning approaches while teaching Entrepreneurship. Our current entrepreneurship programs, both formal and informal, have not adequately prepared aspiring venture seekers to succeed in the field, as documented by the high failure rate of start-ups (Hisrich, Peters, & Shepherd, 2017). Embedding transformational personal growth in a way that elevates a shift in one’s personal beliefs, values, and attitudes, as opposed to a sole focus on informational learning, has yet to be formally explored with Entrepreneurs. This leaves one to wonder how prepared aspiring Entrepreneurs would feel when partaking in a curriculum grounded in preparation and training that is more holistic

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have gained great popularity during a relatively short time frame. Yet, measuring MOOC learner success has been fairly challenging. The development of technology and scale of online education considerably outpace efforts to evaluate and understand how well it is succeeding at improving outcomes. As a response and after reviewing current literature and relevant theories, in this dissertation, three research directions have been identified, as critical steps toward better understanding MOOC success: 1.How does a learner’s motivation influence their outcomes? 2. How does a learner’s motivation influence their performance and engagement within a MOOC? 3. How does a learner’s performance and engagement within the course influence their outcomes? Given these three research questions, three studies have been conducted to analyze both MOOC learner motivation and learning activities via taking into account learner data before, during, and after taking a MOOC. This research considers success at two stages: during the course itself (course completion), and the student’s post-course career development. The results of Study 1 showed that course completers tend to be more interested in the course content, whereas non-completers tend to be more interested in MOOCs as a type of learning experience. Learners who complete the course tend to have more self-efficacy for their ability to complete the course, from the beginning. Grit and goal orientation are associated with course completion, with grit predicting course completion independently from intention to complete, and with comparable strength. Study 2 investigated 5 behavioral thresholds in addition to just looking at course completion alone and looked into how each of the 5 types may link to the different motivational aspects included in the pre-course survey. The results indicated that emerging patterns unique to the MOOC environment could be related to various learning needs that require engagement with the course materials on varied levels. For example, skipping introductory videos might relate to learners intention of focusing on a sub-set of the course materials. Results of Study 3 showed that career advancers earn better scores and are more likely to complete the course. Career advancers also engaged more frequently with all key course components such as course pages, lecture videos, assignment submissions, and discussion forums. However, when further examining interaction behaviors within discussion forums, advancers tend to be forum lurkers who frequently read the forums but were less likely to post, comment, or vote. The results of these studies can increase our understanding of MOOC learner success and help inform a framework that evaluates a MOOC learner’s success in a comprehensive way.

Drawing from Huffcutt, Conway, Roth, and Stone’s (2001) taxonomy of employment-interview constructs, we hypothesized that asynchronous web-based video employment interviews would be associated with job performance and organizational tenure using a crowd-sourced sample of 75 employed professionals. We found that composite interview ratings and construct ratings of mental capability, knowledge and skills, applied social skills, and conscientiousness were significantly related to self-rated job performance. We also found that construct ratings of knowledge and skills and applied social skills were significantly associated with self-reported organizational tenure. Implications for web-based video employment-interview research and practice are discussed.

The greatest wealth is health. It is sometimes said your health is a function of what you are not doing, not what you are currently doing. The degree to which individuals can attain, process, and comprehend the necessary health information and services they need to make proper health decisions is vital for optimal health and well-being. This project documents the analysis, design, development, and implementation of a prototype web-based data-driven health & wellness system targeted for college students. The architecture for this system uses business intelligence to develop a smart online platform for real-time analysis based on inputs entered by its users. The objective is to develop modules that can be used to provide meal plan options that dietitians can recommend to students, while also providing a standard wellness health check. This also promotes constant awareness for students with specialized health diets. User-health and wellness history of each Student is collected and stored for generating progress and wellness reports for end users. The dietitian can monitor the user in real time through the data collected and stored in the data server. Users can monitor their own progress. The system incorporates user context and feedback to personalize each user's lifestyle. Implementation of this system provides a complete and easy to use integrated system that promotes the process of analyzing wellness and improving the user’s overall health. The system is designed to be in a non-clinical setting and hence more lifestyle-oriented compared to other health-oriented systems. It is thus more relevant and convenient to student’s everyday life context.