Abstract As online social network services are becoming one of the dominant media channels the importance of disseminating messages through them is of high importance for governments, organizations, companies etc. The online social network services are several and changes rapidly as they grow and evolve. Being networks, the services give the user the tools to send, as well as receive text and information. This proposes us with yet another obstacle in communication via online social network services since sender and receiver merges together. Online social network services and the Blogosphere, which essentially also is a network, exist in the context of Web 2.0. The crucial feature of Web 2.0 is to a large degree the harnessing of collective intelligence i.e. the collection of individual knowledge and information. Many of the tools and sites within Web 2.0 are therefore of a network structure, hence further stressing the importance to communicate via networks in general. Network Analysis is the discipline through which we can see and understand the larger patterns of networks. In this thesis I have looked into three key concepts of Network Analysis; Weak Links, Growth and Preferential Attachment. I have found that we can use the knowledge of Network Analysis to disseminate messages via online social network services since it provides us with the raw structures of how networks tend to grow, and how messages tend to disseminate. Title: Web 2.0 and Network Society – PR and Communication: The Challenge of Online Social Networks Number of pages: 34 Author: Max Tandefelt Tutor: Else Nygren Course: Media and Communication Studies C Period: HT 07 University: Division of Media and Communication, Department of Information Science, Uppsala University. Purpose/Aim: Facilitate message dissemination through online social network services, as they are becoming one of the dominant media channels Material/Method: Network Analysis Main results: I have presented crucial concepts of Network Analysis that can be used for message dissemination via online social network services Keywords: Online Social Network Services, Network Analysis, Web 2.0, Message Dissemination

Social media has made it possible to have a conversation in real time through audio, images and text, with anyone worldwide. The easy availability of social media has created a new society. Companies and organizations have the opportunity to interact with their audiences and their target in a way not previously possible. Welcome to the Web 2.0 world! Social media is a collective name for the communication channels that allow users to communicate directly with each other in real time through text, image or sound. Examples of social media are blogs, SMS, Skype, Facebook, Flickr, Youtube, Linkedin and Myspace. The purpose of this essay is to explore social media's role and opportunities in terms of being able to influence companies and organizations marketing communication. We have used a qualitative approach and our thesis is based on a qualitative text analysis study where we have analyzed 13 articles (the articles are from scholarly journals, magazines and trade/professional) from 2007 to 2009. During the analysis, we chose to make use of sub queries that would lead us to our main question, how social media can influence companies and organizations marketing communication. The results of our study show that social media includes everything that the traditional media is not. Social media is an arena dominated by the user and social media is about people. It gives us a unique opportunity to connect with other users. We can interact, socialize and create community. Social media serves as a good complement to other media to reach a certain audience or audiences. It requires no great financial need rather than engagement, says many of the article writers. Social media offers excellent opportunities for companies and organizations both for good and bad. Within just a few seconds, it can both help and destroy your brand. Companies and organizations need to change their mindset and approach and become more receptive to new ideas in the future. However, traditional media should not be excluded entirely from advertising work. / Sociala medier har gjort det möjligt att ha en konversation i realtid via ljud, bild och text, över hela världen. Den lätta tillgängligheten till sociala medier har skapat ett nytt samhälle. Företag och organisationer har fått möjligheten att interagera med sin publik och sina målgrupper på ett sätt som inte tidigare var möjligt. Välkommen till webb 2.0-världen! Sociala medier är ett samlingsnamn på kommunikationskanaler som tillåter användare att kommunicera direkt med varandra i realtid genom text, bild eller ljud. Exempel på sociala medier är bloggar, SMS, Skype, Facebook, Flickr, Youtube, Linkedin och Myspace. Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka sociala mediers roll och möjligheter vad gäller att kunna påverka företag och organisationers marknadskommunikation. Vi har använt oss av en kvalitativ metod och vår uppsats bygger på en kvalitativ textanalys där vi har analyserat 13 artiklar (artiklarna kommer från vetenskapliga tidskrifter, populärtidskrifter samt yrkestidskrifter) från år 2007 fram till 2009. Under analysarbetet valde vi att använda oss av arbetsfrågor som skulle leda oss till vår huvudfråga, hur sociala medier kan påverka företag och organisationers marknadskommunikation. Resultatet från vår undersökning visar att sociala medier innefattar allt som de traditionella medierna inte är. Sociala medier är en arena som domineras av användare och handlar om människor. Det ger oss en unik möjlighet att ta kontakt med andra användare. Vi kan interagera, socialisera och skapa gemenskap. Sociala medier fungerar som ett bra komplement till andra medier för att nå en viss publik eller målgrupp. Det krävs ingen större budget istället behöver sociala medier engagemang, menar många artikelförfattare. Sociala medier erbjuder enastående möjligheter för företag och organisationer både på gott och ont, inom bara några sekunder kan det både hjälpa och stjälpa ditt varumärke. Företag och organisationer måste i framtiden förändra sitt tankesätt och synsätt och bli mer mottagliga för nya idéer. Dock ska inte traditionella medier uteslutas helt från marknadsföringsarbetet.

Šis darbas koncentruojasi į dinamiškų interneto sistemų kūrimą. Antros kartos internetas atneša naujus reikalavimus interneto sistemoms (puslapiams). Pastoviai didėja vartotojų poreikis dirbti su dideliais duomenų kiekiais, naudojant tik paprastą interneto naršyklę. Iškyla problemų atvaizduojant didelius duomenų kiekius vartotojams. Reikalingos dinamiškos sistemos, kad vartojai lengvai galėtų dirbti su tokiais duomenų kiekiais. Tokioms sistemoms kurti buvo apibrėžta dinamiška sistema ir sukurtas dinamiškos interneto sistemos architektūros modelis. Modelis paremtas Spiar architektūra, kuri buvo perdaryta, kad padidinti sistemų dinamiškumą. Modelio veikimo patikrinimui buvo sukurta eksperimentinė sistema. Visas darbas yra padalintas į tris dideles dalis: pirma apie antros kartos internetą ir technologijas, antra – aprašomas sukurtos architektūros modelis, trečia – eksperimentinės sistemos tyrimas. Galutinės išvados: 1) Antros kartos internetas atnešė naujus reikalavimus interneto sistemoms (paprastai naudojančioms Ajax). 2) Realizuotas modelis parode, kad interneto sistemos funkcijos veikia apytiksliai greičiau tiek, kiek užtrunka pačio puslapio užkrovimas. 3) Eksperimentai parodė, kad modelis išduoda geras charakteristikas, bet jos turėtų būti pagerintos, prieš modelio panaudojimą realiose sistemose. / This work is concentrated on creation of dynamic web systems. Web 2.0 brings new requirements to internet based systems (web pages). Users needs to work with large amounts of data (information) using simple web browser, are increasing very fast. So there is a problem when we need to represent this data on web page. We need dynamic systems (pages) to do it fast ant easy to operate. Dynamic system (page) is internet based system (web page), which most functions are using Ajax (asynchronous communication with server). A basic architecture model for dynamic systems (pages) is created. It is based on Spiar architecture model. Spiar model was adapted to our dynamic systems (pages). It is described in detail with static and dynamic UML diagrams. At last the real experimental system for dynamic systems model is created and analyzed. Document is divided in three main parts. The first one is about Web 2.0, its used technologies, need of Ajax and etc. The second part describes the basic architecture model for dynamic systems (pages). And the third last large part is about experimental representation of created model. At last findings of this master work are: 1) Web 2.0 has brought us demands of dynamic internet based systems (typically with Ajax). 2) Created dynamic systems (pages) model showed that performance of experimental system user interface functions is increased by about web page opening time, where the used function is. 3) Experiments results showed that the model working... [to full text]

The environment in which libraries currently operate has changed drastically. For instance, the emergence of new information and communication technologies, exemplified by the Internet, has changed the way people seek information, communicate and collaborate. Thus, modern library users have embraced new information seeking behaviour as well as expectations for better usability, faster response times to needs, and constant access to unrestricted library services. As libraries struggle to cope with these changes and user expectations, some library users are already reducing their levels of usage, preferring to “Google” than visit a physical library. Similarly, library circulation statistics indicate that the usage of the traditional services and products is decreasing steadily while the usage of electronic resources and services is increasing. Critically, most users do not presently perceive the library as the first or only stop for information. Libraries are therefore struggling to attract new users and retain the existing ones. Research libraries in Kenya, due to their vision and mission as well as the heightened expectations of the users, are under immense pressure to change. Indeed, a number of them are already changing by introducing new services facilitated by the emerging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools. However, the services and products are still limited in scope and depth because they have been patterned after the conventional services. One of the greatest predicaments the research libraries currently face is how to model and manage this change. This study investigated the potential of the Library 2.0 model of library service in facilitating the research libraries in Kenya to respond more closely to the emerging user needs and expectations. The study employed interpretive qualitative research methodology and multiple case studies to investigate the current status of research libraries in Kenya and their challenges in meeting the dynamic needs of the researchers. Furthermore, the study investigated the extent of application and use of the Library 2.0 model. Data was collected from five case study sites – African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenya Agricultural Research Institution (KARI) and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) – through interviews of researchers and librarians; focus group discussions with researchers and librarians; Social Network Analysis; direct observations; and mystery shopping. The data was analyzed using content analysis, conversation analysis, descriptive/interpretive techniques (Heideggarian hermeneutics) and Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) such as Nvivo and UCINET. The findings of this study show that most research libraries in Kenya do not have documented vision, mission or strategic plans; are underfunded and understaffed; hold inadequate collections in equally inadequate physical spaces; largely apply the traditional library service model; face negative internal politics and unfavourable organizational structures; and lack mutually beneficial linkages. The findings also indicate that the research libraries in Kenya are underutilized and barely meet the needs of the researchers in their current status. The findings of this study also suggest that the Library 2.0 model holds great potential to enable the libraries to take their services and products everywhere the researchers are; remove the barriers to accessing library services; facilitate and direct constant purposeful change in their services and how they are delivered; harness the active participation of the users; retain the new breed of users (Patrons 2.0); and remain user-centred. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that the librarians who head research libraries should hold PhD degrees to enable them to participate effectively in institutional decision-making; the research libraries should establish close ties with academic libraries supporting programmes related to their research interests; the research libraries should form a specialized consortium and association to serve their unique interests; the research libraries should consider grey literature as an important source of research information and develop strategies of managing it; and schools of librarianship should introduce courses on ICTs, models of library service, marketing and facilitation (training) to equip the students with the skills needed to meet the emerging demands on librarians. The researcher also proposes a Research Library 2.0 meme map which is an adaption of the Library 2.0 meme map. The former map is different from latter in that it is specific to research libraries and recognizes the fact that an effective Research Library 2.0 requires the active interaction of enhanced collection (Collection 2.0), library physical space (Physical Space 2.0), researchers (Researcher 2.0) and librarians (Librarian 2.0) to thrive. The researcher also recommends that further research be conducted to investigate the potential of the Library 2.0 model for all the other library typologies in Kenya and Africa; explore the influence of gender on librarianship in Africa; investigate the application of Social Network Analysis in library and information research; and develop an inventory of all types of libraries in Kenya. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Disertacijoje analizuojamas elektroninio mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos, fenomenas universitetinėse studijose. Pirmojoje dalyje pristatoma mokslinės literatūros ir dokumentų analizė, kurios pagalba išryškintos technologinės ir kultūrinės prielaidos, kurios leidžia el. mokymą(si) analizuoti kaip sociokultūrinę sistemą. Išanalizuoti el.mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos, esminiai sistemą kuriantys ir jos funkcionavimą palaikantys elementai. Išanalizuota mišriojo mokymo(si), kaip elektroninio mokymo(si) formos sampratos raida ir turinio sklaida. Išryškinta šiuolaikinių IKT kaita (iš saityno 1.0 į saityno 2.0). Aprašyta dėstytojų kolegialios ir profesionalios edukologinės paramos virtualaus centro projekto, kurio tikslas yra el. mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos fenomeno, plėtra universitete, koncepcija. Empirinėje dalyje kokybinis tyrimas leido išryškinti dėstytojų ir studentų požiūrį į mišrųjį mokymą(si), kaip el.mokymosi formą. Kokybiniu tyrimu pagrįsta dėstytojo, kaip el. mokymo(si) sociokultūrinės sistemos elemento dalyvio, veiklos reikšmė, plėtojant el. mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos fenomeną. Atskleisti naujosios saityno 2.0 technologijomis grindžiamos plėtros subkultūros aspektai el.mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos, elemento (dalyvio- dėstytojo) veikloje. Kiekybinis tyrimas atskleidė, kad dauguma dėstytojų žino saityno 2.0 įrankius, tačiau juos nuolat naudoja gerokai mažesnis skaičius (dažniau laisvalaikiui negu darbui)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The Thesis analyses the phenomenon of e-learning as a socio-cultural system in university studies. The first part presents the analysis of scientific literature and documents, highlighting technological and cultural assumptions allowing to analyse e-learning as a socio-cultural system. Main elements, forming the socio-cultural system and supporting its operation, are analysed. The development of the conception and content dispersion of blended learning, as a form of e-learning, is analysed. The change of contemporary ICT from web 1.0 to web 2.0 is highlighted. Conception of a virtual centre for peer and professional educological support with the goal of developing e-learning as a phenomenon of a socio-cultural system at the university was described. Qualitative research in the empirical part allowed to highlight attitude of students and teachers to blended learning as a form of e-learning. The qualitative reasearch justifies the value of the activities of a teacher as an element of system in the development of the phenomenon of e-learning as a socio-cultural system. The aspects of development subculture based on web 2.0 technologies in the activities of teacher. Quantitative research show, that a lot of lecturers are aware of the tools related to web 2.0; however it is constantly used by a significantly smaller number, and more often for leisure than for work; lecturers tend to learn and look for information independently, although they state that qualification refreshment... [to full text]

The Thesis analyses the phenomenon of e-learning as a socio-cultural system in university studies. The first part presents the analysis of scientific literature and documents, highlighting technological and cultural assumptions allowing to analyse e-learning as a socio-cultural system. Main elements, forming the socio-cultural system and supporting its operation, are analysed. The development of the conception and content dispersion of blended learning, as a form of e-learning, is analysed. The change of contemporary ICT from web 1.0 to web 2.0 is highlighted. Conception of a virtual centre for peer and professional educological support with the goal of developing e-learning as a phenomenon of a socio-cultural system at the university was described. Qualitative research in the empirical part allowed to highlight attitude of students and teachers to blended learning as a form of e-learning. The qualitative reasearch justifies the value of the activities of a teacher as an element of system in the development of the phenomenon of e-learning as a socio-cultural system. The aspects of development subculture based on web 2.0 technologies in the activities of teacher. Quantitative research show, that a lot of lecturers are aware of the tools related to web 2.0; however it is constantly used by a significantly smaller number, and more often for leisure than for work; lecturers tend to learn and look for information independently, although they state that qualification refreshment... [to full text] / Disertacijoje analizuojamas elektroninio mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos, fenomenas universitetinėse studijose. Pirmojoje dalyje pristatoma mokslinės literatūros ir dokumentų analizė, kurios pagalba išryškintos technologinės ir kultūrinės prielaidos, kurios leidžia el. mokymą(si) analizuoti kaip sociokultūrinę sistemą. Išanalizuoti el.mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos, esminiai sistemą kuriantys ir jos funkcionavimą palaikantys elementai. Išanalizuota mišriojo mokymo(si), kaip elektroninio mokymo(si) formos sampratos raida ir turinio sklaida. Išryškinta šiuolaikinių IKT kaita (iš saityno 1.0 į saityno 2.0). Aprašyta dėstytojų kolegialios ir profesionalios edukologinės paramos virtualaus centro projekto, kurio tikslas yra el. mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos fenomeno, plėtra universitete, koncepcija. Empirinėje dalyje kokybinis tyrimas leido išryškinti dėstytojų ir studentų požiūrį į mišrųjį mokymą(si), kaip el.mokymosi formą. Kokybiniu tyrimu pagrįsta dėstytojo, kaip el. mokymo(si) sociokultūrinės sistemos elemento dalyvio, veiklos reikšmė, plėtojant el. mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos fenomeną. Atskleisti naujosios saityno 2.0 technologijomis grindžiamos plėtros subkultūros aspektai el.mokymo(si), kaip sociokultūrinės sistemos, elemento (dalyvio- dėstytojo) veikloje. Kiekybinis tyrimas atskleidė, kad dauguma dėstytojų žino saityno 2.0 įrankius, tačiau juos nuolat naudoja gerokai mažesnis skaičius (dažniau laisvalaikiui negu darbui)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Presented at Electronic Resources and Libraries, Austin, Texas, March 1, 2011

Academic libraries are attempting to manage growing collections of diverse electronic resources in a cha-otic environment of evolving standards and systems. The transition from a print-dominated resource en-vironment to an electronic one has complicated the decision-making process. Current discourse primarily focuses on meeting patron needs and has distracted researchers from looking at librarian needs. The au-thors discovered that librarians want a better understanding of the nature, extent, and diversity of elec-tronic resources for decision making, assessment, and accountability. Drawing from the collaborative methods and design philosophies of other disciplines, this paper outlines an approach to leveraging Web 2.0 philosophy and Business Intelligence techniques to address these needs. This approach will serve as a guide for academic librarians to transcend their current practices in order to develop innovative, colla-borative, and holistic approaches to the joint stewardship of library electronic resource collections.

El enfoque orientado a procesos de negocio es un aspecto ampliamente relevante para las organizaciones, que en los últimos años ha recibido importante atención de la comunidad científica internacional. Asimismo, los avances en cuanto a la provisión de herramientas de soporte para automatizar la gestión los procesos de negocio también ha adquirido gran relevancia. Sin embargo, la brecha existente entre el área de negocio y el área de tecnología, representadas por analistas de negocios y expertos en informática, respectivamente, sigue constituyendo un escollo a la hora de aplicar una metodología de gestión por procesos de negocio dentro de las organizaciones. Por otra parte, los pocos avances tecnológicos respecto a la incorporación de nuevos modelos computacionales distribuidos y de aspectos sociales en la ejecución de los proceso de negocio y de las herramientas que la soportan, contribuyen a aumentar dicha brecha. Por estos motivos, resultan relevantes las investigaciones en metodologías, marcos de trabajo y herramientas que incluyan estos nuevos paradigmas en la administración de procesos de negocio. En esta tesis se plantea mejorar y actualizar la Metodología Integradora de Servicios y Procesos (MISP), propuesta por la autora en su tesis de Maestría en Redes de Datos, proveyendo una nueva visión de los procesos y los servicios a la luz los avances tecnológicos y buscando reducir la brecha entre el negocio y la tecnología. Específicamente, el trabajo se enfoca en dos principales problemas: 1) la mejora al modelado de procesos y servicios mediante la definición e integración de metamodelos, aplicados a las fases de diseño de procesos dentro del ciclo de vida de los procesos de negocio, y 2) en revisar aspectos tecnológicos modernos – como por ejemplo, la distribución de las actividades de los procesos y la inclusión de aspectos sociales relacionados con la ejecución de los mismos, que su aplicación resulta de interés en las etapas de despliegue, ejecución y monitoreo de los procesos de negocio. . Atendiendo los problemas descriptos, esta tesis tiene dos contribuciones importantes. Por un lado, la mejora a la interacción entre procesos y servicios mediante la provisión de un lenguaje para describir servicios que integra las actividades del proceso con las componentes de software que lo implementan. Por otro lado, la propuesta de prototipos de herramientas que permiten incorporar aspectos de distribución que enriquecen los rastros de ejecución de los procesos, y características sociales a la gestión de procesos. Esta ultima contribución permite optimizar la fase de monitoreo del ciclo de vida de los procesos y acelerar la mejora continua de los mismos.

Efforts to utilise Twitter to improve communication in Kenya between officials at the Kenya Police and Ministry of Interior, and Kenyan citizens, are researched specifically addressing efforts to use Twitter to report and combat police corruption. The goal is to assess efforts to use the social networking platform to improve communication channels between officials and citizens, through a mixed methods approach incorporating a content analysis of thousands of tweets sent by four separate government Twitter accounts, as well as interviews with Kenyans who have interacted with the accounts on Twitter. In addition, I assess the potential value of Twitter as a corruption-reporting platform. The research builds on existing ICT4D research, Castells’ communication power theory, as well as collective-action approaches to fighting corruption. The results of the research reveal potential problems of incident-focused social media-based corruption reporting in developing collective-action networks focused on fighting police bribery and broader government corruption. The tendency of social-media interactions to be dominated by relatively meaningless discussions limits Twitter’s value as a useful channel for two-way communication between citizens and officials. Social media-based anti-corruption efforts dedicated to building collective-action networks focused on long-term solutions, rather than highlighting individual incidents, may be more effective in fighting corruption. / <p>I submitted this thesis on August 20; however, there was apparently a technical error with the previous submission, which I was informed of today.</p>