The thesis investigates the elaboration of text to improve the acquisition of computing skill by casual users. Manuals are currently the main method by which these users are helped to acquire such skills. However, since there is no control over the way that the manual will be made use of, and no control over the sequencing of task learning, manuals are rarely entirely satisfactory in supporting learning processes. The issue investigated in the present thesis is whether manuals can be modified by the elaboration of text in order to support learning. The thesis also investigates skill measurement techniques, methods of specifying training devices and the applicability of controlled laboratory experiments to this applied setting. A comparison of computing skill measurement techniques showed that the most valid and practical method consisted of short tasks to be carried out using the computing system. These tasks were used as the basis for the study of the effectiveness of manuals. Examination of the pertinent literature in the light of the problems of producing texts for casual users and a model of skill acquisition based on hierarchical task analysis produced several theoretical devices for improving manuals. A formal method of applying the devices to a standard text enabled the controlled examination of the theories…

The problem motivating this study is that database query facilities are not effectively meeting the needs of casual users. A solution to this problem is especially important due to the increasing number of potential casual users. There is considerable controversy revolving around the question of which elements and/or which combination of elements within the casual users' environment are necessary to provide an effective man/machine interface. The purpose of the study is to extend the basic knowledge relating to the effect of using different data models, the effect of cognitive style differences, and the interaction effects of these two independent variables on casual users' performance and confidence in writing database queries. The data models being investigated are the relational, hierarchical, and network models. The cognitive style classifications used are two of the Jungian dimensions, Sensing/Intuition and Thinking/Feeling.

Denna uppsats syftar till att undersöka hur ett införande av Self-Service Business Intelligence och SSBI-verktyg kan påverka organisationsstruktur samt anställdas roll inom organisationen. Self-Service Business Intelligence kan definieras som ett verktyg som möjliggör decentralisering av Business Intelligence vilket innebär att BI-användaren i en verksamhet kan utföra diverse uppgifter på egen hand utan att vara beroende av IT-avdelningen (Sarkar 2017). För att konkretisera arbetet undersöks fyra organisationer. Fem intervjuer som bestod av fyra semistrukturerade intervjuer och en strukturerad intervju genomfördes för att erhålla kunskap om hur dessa företag använder Self-Service Business Intelligence i praktiken. Därtill erhålls kunskap om innebörden för organisationen och dess anställda när verktyget tillgängliggjordes. I studien har bland annat TOE-ramverk använts för att analysera vilka faktorer som har en betydelse vid införande av en ny teknologi. Teorin om Organisatorisk IT mognadsnivå (OITM) användes för att analysera organisationens beredskap för att skapa värde ur informationsteknologi. Andra teorier om olika roller av BI-användare, utbildning och organisationsförändring användes för att få en djupare inblick kring de faktorer som påverkar organisationsstrukturen och anställdas roller.  Resultatet av studien visade att de anställdas roller och organisationsstrukturen påverkades av Self-Service Business Intelligence i olika grader. Det noterades en tydlig indelning av användarroller, avancerade BI-användare och vanliga BI-användare, inom samtliga organisationer. Konkreta förändringar inom organisationerna var bättre beslutfattningsprocess, avlastning hos IT-avdelningen och effektivare arbetsflöde. Bland de organisationer där Self-Service Business Intelligence har fått stor spridning noterades det en större påverkan på organisationsstruktur och anställdas roller medan de organisationerna med en mindre spridning av verktyget hade en mindre inverkan på deras verksamhet. Detta förutsätter dock att organisationerna utbildar sina anställda genom ett strukturellt träningsprogram och motiverar syftet med Self-Service Business Intelligence för en större spridning av verktyget och således en större inverkan på organisationen och de anställdas roller. / In this essay we have chosen to investigate how an implementation of Self-Service Business Intelligence can affect organizational change and the role of users within the organization. Self-Service BI is a tool that enables decentralization of BI which means that the user in a business can perform various tasks themselves without being dependent on the IT department. To concretize the work, we have chosen to examine four companies. The survey was conducted via five interviews (four semi-structured and one structured interviews) to gather insight on how these companies use Self-Service Business Intelligence and the result for their organization and employees when the tool was applied in the organization. In the study, TOE-framework has been used to analyze which factors play a role in the implementation of a new technology. The theory of Organizational IT maturity (OITM) was used to analyze the organizations and its employees' different attitudes towards IT while other theories of different roles of users, training and organizational change were used to gain a deeper insight into the factors that affect organizational structure, employee roles and factors which causes the changes. The results of the study showed that the roles of the employees and the organizational structure were affected by Self-Service Business Intelligence to varying degrees. There was a clear division of user roles, power users and casual users, within all organizations. Concrete changes in the organizations were better decision-making processes, relieves in the IT department and more efficient workflow. Among the organizations where Self-Service Business Intelligence has become widespread, a greater impact on organizational structure and employee roles has been noted, while it has been noted that those organizations with a smaller spread of the tool have seen a smaller impact on their operations. However, this presupposes that the organizations train their employees through a structural training program and justifies the purpose of Self-Service Business Intelligence for a greater spread of the tool and thus a greater impact on the organization and the employees' roles.