With the advent of globalisation and ever changing technologies, the need for increased attention to information security is becoming more and more vital. Organisations are facing all sorts of risks and threats these days. It therefore becomes important for all business stakeholders to take the appropriate proactive measures in securing their assets for business survival and growth. Information is today regarded as one of the most valuable assets of an organisation. Without a proper information security framework, policies, procedures and practices, the existence of an organisation is threatened in this world of fierce competition. Information security policies stand as one of the key enablers to safeguarding an organisation from risks and threats. However, writing a set of information security policies and procedures is not enough. If one really aims to have an effective security framework in place, there is a need to develop and implement information security policies that adhere to established standards such as BS 7799 and the like. Furthermore, one should ensure that all stakeholders comply with established standards, policies and best practices systematically to reap full benefits of security measures. These challenges are not only being faced in the international arena but also in countries like Mauritius. International researches have shown that information security policy is still a problematic area when it comes to its implementation and compliance. Findings have shown that several major developed countries are still facing difficulties in this area. There was a general perception that conditions in Mauritius were similar. With the local government's objective to turn Mauritius into a "cyber-island" that could act as an Information Communication & Technology (ICT) hub for the region, there was a need to ensure the adoption and application of best practices specially in areas of information security. This dissertation therefore aims at conducting a research project in Mauritius and assessing whether large Mauritian private companies, that are heavily dependent on IT, have proper and reliable security policies in place which comply with international norms and standards such as British Standard Organisation (BSO) 7799/ ISO 17799/ ISO 27001. The study will help assess the state of, and risks associated with, present implementation of information security policies and practices in the local context. Similarities and differences between the local security practices and international ones have also been measured and compared to identify any specific characteristics in local information security practices. The findings of the study will help to enlighten the security community, local management and stakeholders, on the realities facing corporations in the area of information security policies and practices in Mauritius. Appropriate recommendations have been formulated in light of the findings to improve the present state of information security issues while contributing to the development of the security community / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

Family conversation between homes is difficult to initiate at mutually agreeable times as neither participant has exact knowledge of the other's activities or intentions. Whether calling to plan an important family gathering or simply to connect with family members, the question is: Is now a good time to call? People expect friends and family to learn their activity patterns and to minimize interruptions when calling. Can technology provide awareness cues to the caller, even prior to the initiation of the call? This research focuses on sampling the everyday activities of home life to determine environmental factors, which may serve as an indicator for availability. These external factors may be effective for identifying household routines of availability and useful in determining when to initiate conversation across homes. Several workplace studies have shown a person's interruptibility can be reliably assessed and modeled from specific environmental cues; this work looks for similar predictive power in the home. Copresence, location, and activity in the home were investigated as correlates to availability and for their effectiveness within the social protocol of family conversation. These studies indicate there are activities that can be sensed, either in real-time or over some time span, that correlate to self-reported availability. However, the type and amount of information shared is dependent upon individual preferences, social accessibility, and patterns of activities. This research shows friends and family can improve their predictions of when to call if provided additional context, and suggests that abstract representations of either routines or explicit availability status is sufficient and may be preferred by providers. Availability prediction is feasible in the home and useful to those outside the home, but the level of detail to provide in particular situations needs further study. This work has implications for the development of groupware systems, the automatic sensing of activity to deal with interruption, and activity recognition in the home.

Doctors and nurses in most developing countries lack access to adequate health information, that is, the lifeblood for the delivery of quality health care services. This problem is further compounded by the fact that correct techniques and equipment are not applied to provide access to reliable health information. Based on previous literature, it is assumed that information should be managed in the same way capital, labour and human resources are managed so that healthcare providers and medical professionals should be able to have relevant information to assist then in their daily activities, to help them to learn, to diagnose and to save lives. Relevance and reliability are paramount in meeting health information needs. A number of studies have shown that the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the management of health information is a prerequisite to wider accessibility and availability of relevant health information. Health information management is the continuum of processes in managing health-related information. It is composed of the use of technologies (computers, hardware, software and telecommunication), personnel (trained information specialists), and the allocation of financial resources to achieve the major goals of the organisation such as a hospital. The aim is to collect, process, store, retrieve and disseminate adequate health information to the right person, in the right form, at the right time. This study investigated the application of ICTs in the management of health information by medical professionals in six selected government hospitals in Yaounde, Cameroon. The basis of the study was that through the effective application of ICTs in the management of health information, relevant and timely information would be made available to medical professionals. It was the researcher's view that unless we understand the importance of information in the development of the health system, and apply the use of ICTs in its management, the delivery of health care services will constantly remain poor. Data was collected from six government hospitals in Yaounde through a self-administered questionnaire given to nurses and medical doctors. The data collected from 141 medical professionals [doctors and nurses] were presented, using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency distribution and percentage. The findings of the study revealed that medical professionals are dissatisfied with the major method of information exchange activities, that is, face-to-face interaction with colleagues. In addition, the study found that health information is captured, processed and stored manually. This is very detrimental to medical professionals, because relevant information is not always available when needed. The study found that the barriers to adequate information exchange activities were lack of information support services, irregular distribution of information and poor co-operation and collaboration among medical professionals. The study also revealed the non-availability of ICTs and Internet resources and lack of basic computer skills. Consequently, there is low utilisation of ICTs by medical professionals and limited information needs are being satisfied. Medical professionals unanimously favoured the application of Internet services or an electronic health information resource to supplement the current method of managing and accessing health information. Lack of training on the use of computers and Internet resources were the main factors that hinder the use of ICTs by medical professionals. The study concluded by calling on directors of hospitals, medical professionals and the Ministry of Health Officials to provide ICTs and Internet resources to medical professionals and provide them with basic computing skills and training. It further called for the recognition of information as an important resource for national development and called for formulation of a national information policy. With an information policy, information needs would be clearly defined and the provision of information services throughout the country would be regulated. In addition, medical professionals must create a free-flow of information and constant communication outlet to exchange and disseminate local health information. The high demand for basic training on the use of ICTs could be provided through in-service training or refresher courses. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

This study set out to investigate Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of information and communication technologies in news-gathering and processing using the social shaping of technology as a theoretical lens. It mainly focuses on digital ICTs that journalists use in news-gathering and processing including the Internet, electronic mail, and mobile telephony. Grocott’s Mail is a small-scale newspaper based in Grahamstown, South Africa. Using qualitative research method and the case study as its sub-method, the research reveals that Grocott’s Mail journalists’ appropriation of ICTs involves various opportunities and challenges in news-gathering and processing. In terms of the state of the existing technological infrastructure, the study reveals that since it embraced the digital ICTs in 2003, Grocott’s Mail boasts an adequate ICT infrastructure for a small-scale African newspaper with 30 PCs and one laptop, and professional software for 28 permanent employees. On the other hand, the research reveals serious constraints with the existing ICTs: a huge need for staff training and capacity building to fully utilise the ICTs, and the need to look for ways of raising funds to either upgrade or replace the existing ICTs. Grocott’s Mail journalists use the Internet to do background research on news stories, to verify the accuracy of information, and to check competition across other media. These are the merits of the Internet in news-gathering and processing. On the other hand, there are specific unintended consequences of the Internet such as wasting the company’s working time, and its use leading to lazy/press release journalism. Informants unanimously indicate that the main problems of the Internet are heavy dependence on other online news-sources and wasting time on online entertainment. In terms of using email in news-gathering, the research finds email technology as having advantages such as being a tool of flexibility and speed, a tool for email interviews, and as a technology that promotes participatory journalism. On the other hand, challenges related to email include its limitations because of what interviewees view as its supplementary and small-scale use because of its low contextual richness as opposed to face to face interviews. In terms of cellular telephony, the study finds that regardless of the ubiquity of cell phones and cell phone networks, they have not yet been deployed in news-gathering and processing due to various constraints. These are cell phones not being a big factor in reporting, lack of a proper funding and refunding scheme, prevalence of negative attitudes towards cell phones, and lack of a business model. Thus, cellular phones seem to have little or no relevance in news-gathering and processing at Grocott’s Mail presently.

With the advent of globalisation and ever changing technologies, the need for increased attention to information security is becoming more and more vital. Organisations are facing all sorts of risks and threats these days. It therefore becomes important for all business stakeholders to take the appropriate proactive measures in securing their assets for business survival and growth. Information is today regarded as one of the most valuable assets of an organisation. Without a proper information security framework, policies, procedures and practices, the existence of an organisation is threatened in this world of fierce competition. Information security policies stand as one of the key enablers to safeguarding an organisation from risks and threats. However, writing a set of information security policies and procedures is not enough. If one really aims to have an effective security framework in place, there is a need to develop and implement information security policies that adhere to established standards such as BS 7799 and the like. Furthermore, one should ensure that all stakeholders comply with established standards, policies and best practices systematically to reap full benefits of security measures. These challenges are not only being faced in the international arena but also in countries like Mauritius. International researches have shown that information security policy is still a problematic area when it comes to its implementation and compliance. Findings have shown that several major developed countries are still facing difficulties in this area. There was a general perception that conditions in Mauritius were similar. With the local government's objective to turn Mauritius into a "cyber-island" that could act as an Information Communication & Technology (ICT) hub for the region, there was a need to ensure the adoption and application of best practices specially in areas of information security. This dissertation therefore aims at conducting a research project in Mauritius and assessing whether large Mauritian private companies, that are heavily dependent on IT, have proper and reliable security policies in place which comply with international norms and standards such as British Standard Organisation (BSO) 7799/ ISO 17799/ ISO 27001. The study will help assess the state of, and risks associated with, present implementation of information security policies and practices in the local context. Similarities and differences between the local security practices and international ones have also been measured and compared to identify any specific characteristics in local information security practices. The findings of the study will help to enlighten the security community, local management and stakeholders, on the realities facing corporations in the area of information security policies and practices in Mauritius. Appropriate recommendations have been formulated in light of the findings to improve the present state of information security issues while contributing to the development of the security community / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

Advances in information technology (IT) and the global shift from governance to e-governance in the public sector have motivated Uganda to put in place a robust information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure to enhance citizen access to e-information and information flow for e-governance in its local governments. However, this has not been realized due to a lack of functional information systems. This study investigated critical issues in information access and flow in Isingiro district and Mbarara municipality – two of Uganda’s upper local governments – with the aim of modeling an information system to support e-governance in these governments. Rooted in a pragmatist epistemology with an orientation towards mixed methods research (MMR), the study adopted a methodological triangulation technique. A convergent design was adopted that involved the concurrent collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. A random sampling scheme was used to select 360 participants from 8 study sites for a questionnaire survey, while a purposive sampling scheme was used to select 64 people to participate in 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 25 in key informant interviews. The findings of the study indicate that citizen access to e-governance information in the local governments is low. Information flow to the citizens is constrained by lack of affordable media outlets, so the local governments are forced to keep frequency of government to citizen (G2C) communication to a bare minimum. Worse still, government communication lacks formal programming: neither is it based on an information needs assessment of the citizens nor does it have a feedback mechanism. There are also myriad factors breeding inequality and social disadvantage within the communities that constrain citizen access to ICT tools and e-skills. The findings show also that the current e-governance models are ICT-intensive and highly reliant on the Internet, so they require higher e-skills levels and higher diffusion of ICT tools than those currently available in developing countries. The models are also largely civil society oriented. However, a SWOT analysis shows that the local governments have the capacity to implement a home-grown, hybrid e-governance system of information access and flow. The study recommends inter alia that the local governments establish their own broadcasting services, base their public communications on citizen e-information needs, and design multi-media communication strategies combining traditional and convergent media. More importantly, the study recommends the implementation of an interactive, hybrid and multimedia e-governance information system, whose model it articulates. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

Submitted by Daniele Amaral (daniee_ni@hotmail.com) on 2016-10-21T16:40:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAFR.pdf: 2278033 bytes, checksum: c7c90860ad15e7ba874ca20e2461507d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-11-08T18:58:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAFR.pdf: 2278033 bytes, checksum: c7c90860ad15e7ba874ca20e2461507d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-11-08T18:58:30Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAFR.pdf: 2278033 bytes, checksum: c7c90860ad15e7ba874ca20e2461507d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-08T19:01:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAFR.pdf: 2278033 bytes, checksum: c7c90860ad15e7ba874ca20e2461507d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-03 / Não recebi financiamento / The student learning obtained by memorizing the information transmitted by the teacher's narrative, for further reproduction in the assessment, shows that the classic way of teaching, leads to a mechanical and not significant learning. The proposal of this study is to report the development and application of a Potentially Meaningful Teaching Unit (PMTU) proposed by Moreira, based on the Theory of Meaningful Learning of Ausubel. The proposal was drawn up using the PMTU steps in which, at first the survey of students' prior knowledge about the theme vectors was performed through the collective construction of a conceptual map and then the content of vectors was presented more generally through problem- situations. From that on, each vector operation was addressed more specifically, aiming the progressive differentiation and the integrative reconciliation. The students' performance was accomplished through their active participation and motivation in solving the problem-situations, in class debates, in the construction of maps, in simulations and video productions, that is with the use of The Information and Communication New Technologies of (ICNT). The concepts that were discussed and presented in accordance with the steps of PMTU: scalar greatness, vector greatness, trigonometric relationships in the triangle rectangle, vector addition by the polygon, the parallelogram and components methods, scalar product (real number) by one vector, scalar product and vector product of two vectors. The use of this sequence showed the evidence of occurrence of significant learning by the students and, therefore, many of the difficulties of high school students understanding have been overcome, since they are now familiar with the determination of some physical greatness, through operations with vectors presented in analytical geometry. / A aprendizagem do aluno obtida somente através da memorização das informações transmitidas pela narrativa do professor, para posterior reprodução na avaliação, mostra que a maneira clássica de ensinar, leva a uma aprendizagem mecânica e não significativa. A proposta deste trabalho é relatar o desenvolvimento e a aplicação de uma Unidade de Ensino Potencialmente Significativa (UEPS) proposta por Moreira, baseada na Teoria da Aprendizagem Significativa de Ausubel. A mesma foi elaborada seguindo os passos da UEPS onde, num primeiro momento fez-se o levantamento dos conhecimentos prévios dos alunos acerca do tema vetores através da construção de um mapa mental e, em seguida foi apresentado o conteúdo de vetores de forma mais geral, através de situações-problemas. A partir daí, cada operação com vetores foi abordada de maneira mais específica, visando à diferenciação progressiva e à reconciliação integradora. O desempenho dos alunos se deu pela participação ativa e motivação dos mesmos nas resoluções das situações-problemas, nos debates em sala, nas construções de mapas, nas simulações e na produção de vídeo, ou seja, no uso das Novas Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (NTIC). Os conceitos que foram abordados e apresentados de acordo com os passos da UEPS: grandeza escalar, grandeza vetorial, relações trigonométricas no triângulo retângulo, adição vetorial pelos métodos do polígono, do paralelogramo e das componentes, produto de escalar (número real) por um vetor, produto escalar e produto vetorial de dois vetores. A utilização dessa sequência apontou evidências da ocorrência de aprendizagem significativa por parte dos alunos e, com isso, muitas das dificuldades de compreensão dos alunos do Ensino Médio foram superadas, uma vez que agora estão familiarizados com a determinação de algumas grandezas físicas, através de operações com vetores, apresentadas na Geometria Analítica.

O tema Políticas Públicas de Inclusão Digital no Brasil tem chamado bastante à atenção, posto que a inserção das novas Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TICs) é uma realidade nas sociedades modernas. Atualmente, está sob a responsabilidade do Governo Federal cerca de 17 programas voltados para a inclusão digital. Entretanto, 42% da população do país nunca acessaram a internet. Assim, a importância desta pesquisa está na possibilidade de produzir reflexões sobre a realidade das políticas públicas em âmbitos regionais e locais. Desta forma, a pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a implementação das políticas públicas de inclusão digital existentes no Litoral do Paraná, examinando se elas contemplam três dimensões: técnica (disponibilização de acesso à computadores, internet e noções básicas de informática), econômica (acesso à equipamentos e internet a preços subsidiados) e cognitiva (acesso aos cursos avançados por meio da apropriação crítica da tecnologia). Para tanto, a investigação se iniciou com a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, o que possibilitou a realização de diálogos com autores que discutem as seguintes temáticas: políticas públicas, inclusão digital, exclusão digital, sociedade da informação, dentre outras. Após, deu-se início o mapeamento dos programas de inclusão digital existentes no Brasil, focando no Litoral do Paraná. O mapeamento foi realizado por meio do Mapa da Inclusão Digital (MID) do Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia (IBICT), pela Secretária de Assuntos Estratégicos do Estado do Paraná e pelas prefeituras dos municípios do litoral paranaense, possibilitando a recuperação de 33 endereços de Pontos de Inclusão Digital (PIDs). Em seguida foi empreendida a pesquisa de campo. Foram solicitados e analisados documentos referentes aos PIDs e realizadas observações participantes nos locais e entrevistas com os agentes que atuam diretamente com programas de inclusão digital. A pesquisa revelou que os programas de inclusão digital no Litoral do Paraná propendem maior atendimento à dimensão técnica, não contemplando plenamente as dimensões econômica e cognitiva. Demonstrou que o foco das políticas, em geral, está voltado para um tipo específico de equipamento, o computador de mesa, não pensado na inclusão digital a partir de outras perspectivas de TICs. Revelou ainda a existência do sombreamento de uma política sobre a outra e que elas vêm sendo implementadas de forma geral em todas as localidades, não se fazendo um estudo das especificidades e necessidades locais. Concluiu-se que, na prática, a inclusão digital no litoral do Paraná é deficitária e está mais centrada na universalização da tecnologia do que na apropriação crítica dela, pois a maioria dos programas tem fomentado ações que apenas disponibilizam o acesso aos computadores e à internet. / The issue of Public Policies for Digital Inclusion in Brazil has drawn considerable attention, since the inclusion of the new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is a reality in modern societies. It is currently under the responsibility of the Federal Government about 17 programs for digital inclusion. However, 42% of the population never accessed the Internet. Thus, the importance of this research lies in the possibility of producing reflections on the reality of public policies at regional and local levels. In this way, the survey aimed to analyze the implementation of public policies for existing digital inclusion in the Coast of Paraná, examining whether they include three dimensions: technical (providing access to computers, internet and computer basics), economic (access equipment and internet at subsidized prices) and cognitive (access to advanced courses through critical appropriation of technology). Therefore, the investigation began with bibliographic and documentary research, which allowed conducting dialogues with authors who discuss the following topics: public policy, digital inclusion, digital divide, information society, among others. After, work began mapping the existing programs for digital inclusion in Brazil, focusing on the Coast of Paraná. The mapping was carried out through the Map of Digital Inclusion (MID) of the Brazilian Institute for Information in Science and Technology (IBICT), the Secretary of the State of Paraná Strategic Affairs and the municipal governments of Paraná coast, enabling 33 recovery Digital Inclusion Points addresses (PIDs). Then it was undertaken field research. Documents were requested and analyzed regarding the PIDs and conducted participant observation and interviews with the local agents who work directly with digital inclusion programs. The survey revealed that digital inclusion programs in the Coast of Paraná are inclined greater attention to the technical dimension, not fully considering the economic and cognitive dimensions. It showed that the focus of policy in general is facing a specific type of equipment, the desktop computer, not thought on digital inclusion from other perspectives of ICT. Also revealed the existence of the shadow of a policy on the other, and they have been implemented in general in all locations, not making a study of the local specificities and needs.It was concluded that, in practice, the digital inclusion in Paraná coast is more focused on universalization of technology than the critical appropriation of it because most of the programs has fostered actions that only provide access to computers and the internet.

O tema Políticas Públicas de Inclusão Digital no Brasil tem chamado bastante à atenção, posto que a inserção das novas Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TICs) é uma realidade nas sociedades modernas. Atualmente, está sob a responsabilidade do Governo Federal cerca de 17 programas voltados para a inclusão digital. Entretanto, 42% da população do país nunca acessaram a internet. Assim, a importância desta pesquisa está na possibilidade de produzir reflexões sobre a realidade das políticas públicas em âmbitos regionais e locais. Desta forma, a pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a implementação das políticas públicas de inclusão digital existentes no Litoral do Paraná, examinando se elas contemplam três dimensões: técnica (disponibilização de acesso à computadores, internet e noções básicas de informática), econômica (acesso à equipamentos e internet a preços subsidiados) e cognitiva (acesso aos cursos avançados por meio da apropriação crítica da tecnologia). Para tanto, a investigação se iniciou com a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, o que possibilitou a realização de diálogos com autores que discutem as seguintes temáticas: políticas públicas, inclusão digital, exclusão digital, sociedade da informação, dentre outras. Após, deu-se início o mapeamento dos programas de inclusão digital existentes no Brasil, focando no Litoral do Paraná. O mapeamento foi realizado por meio do Mapa da Inclusão Digital (MID) do Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia (IBICT), pela Secretária de Assuntos Estratégicos do Estado do Paraná e pelas prefeituras dos municípios do litoral paranaense, possibilitando a recuperação de 33 endereços de Pontos de Inclusão Digital (PIDs). Em seguida foi empreendida a pesquisa de campo. Foram solicitados e analisados documentos referentes aos PIDs e realizadas observações participantes nos locais e entrevistas com os agentes que atuam diretamente com programas de inclusão digital. A pesquisa revelou que os programas de inclusão digital no Litoral do Paraná propendem maior atendimento à dimensão técnica, não contemplando plenamente as dimensões econômica e cognitiva. Demonstrou que o foco das políticas, em geral, está voltado para um tipo específico de equipamento, o computador de mesa, não pensado na inclusão digital a partir de outras perspectivas de TICs. Revelou ainda a existência do sombreamento de uma política sobre a outra e que elas vêm sendo implementadas de forma geral em todas as localidades, não se fazendo um estudo das especificidades e necessidades locais. Concluiu-se que, na prática, a inclusão digital no litoral do Paraná é deficitária e está mais centrada na universalização da tecnologia do que na apropriação crítica dela, pois a maioria dos programas tem fomentado ações que apenas disponibilizam o acesso aos computadores e à internet. / The issue of Public Policies for Digital Inclusion in Brazil has drawn considerable attention, since the inclusion of the new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is a reality in modern societies. It is currently under the responsibility of the Federal Government about 17 programs for digital inclusion. However, 42% of the population never accessed the Internet. Thus, the importance of this research lies in the possibility of producing reflections on the reality of public policies at regional and local levels. In this way, the survey aimed to analyze the implementation of public policies for existing digital inclusion in the Coast of Paraná, examining whether they include three dimensions: technical (providing access to computers, internet and computer basics), economic (access equipment and internet at subsidized prices) and cognitive (access to advanced courses through critical appropriation of technology). Therefore, the investigation began with bibliographic and documentary research, which allowed conducting dialogues with authors who discuss the following topics: public policy, digital inclusion, digital divide, information society, among others. After, work began mapping the existing programs for digital inclusion in Brazil, focusing on the Coast of Paraná. The mapping was carried out through the Map of Digital Inclusion (MID) of the Brazilian Institute for Information in Science and Technology (IBICT), the Secretary of the State of Paraná Strategic Affairs and the municipal governments of Paraná coast, enabling 33 recovery Digital Inclusion Points addresses (PIDs). Then it was undertaken field research. Documents were requested and analyzed regarding the PIDs and conducted participant observation and interviews with the local agents who work directly with digital inclusion programs. The survey revealed that digital inclusion programs in the Coast of Paraná are inclined greater attention to the technical dimension, not fully considering the economic and cognitive dimensions. It showed that the focus of policy in general is facing a specific type of equipment, the desktop computer, not thought on digital inclusion from other perspectives of ICT. Also revealed the existence of the shadow of a policy on the other, and they have been implemented in general in all locations, not making a study of the local specificities and needs.It was concluded that, in practice, the digital inclusion in Paraná coast is more focused on universalization of technology than the critical appropriation of it because most of the programs has fostered actions that only provide access to computers and the internet.

A administração pública, em suas esferas de atuação, utiliza-se de mecanismos para intensificar e facilitar relações entre cidadãos e governos, por intermédio de inovações de processo. Com a utilização da internet, percebe-se a modernização e aproximação dos segmentos da sociedade com o governo, permitindo ofertar serviços públicos de forma eficiente e efetiva. Em vista disso, o presente estudo teve por objetivo identificar a percepção dos gestores públicos municipais na utilização do portal eletrônico do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul quanto à inovação de processo. Para tanto, foi realizada pesquisa aplicada, quantitativa, descritiva por meio de survey, com 62 gestores municipais dos 497 municípios do Rio Grande do Sul. Como resultados observou-se que o portal eletrônico possibilita melhorias nos serviços públicos e agilidade, auxilia na elaboração de políticas públicas, melhora a interação da sociedade com o governo e a transparência dos atos públicos. Além disso, o portal eletrônico é visto como inovação de processos, que minimiza gastos da administração pública e dos usuários, e possibilita melhorias nos processos para o cidadão. Identificou-se ainda por meio de análise fatorial, que os fatores agruparam-se em três fatores, sendo eles tecnologia, processos, e interação, não apresentando diferenças entre os resultados dos grupos por mesorregiões do Rio Grande do Sul. Por fim, observou-se ainda que há correlação significativa entre Tecnologia e Processos (0,680), Tecnologia e a Interação (0,740), e Processos e a Interação (0,616), indicando que quanto melhores os resultados de um dos fatores na gestão pública, melhores serão os resultados dos demais fatores. / The public administration, in its spheres of action, uses mechanisms to intensify and facilitate relations between citizens and governments, through process innovations. With the use of the Internet, the modernization and approximation of the segments of society with the government is perceived, allowing to offer public services in an efficient and effective way. In view of this, the present study aimed to identify the perception of municipal public managers in the use of the electronic portal of the State of Rio Grande do Sul regarding process innovation. For that, a quantitative descriptive survey was carried out with 62 municipal managers from the 497 municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul. As a result, it was observed that the electronic portal allows improvements in public services and agility, helps in the elaboration of Enhances society's interaction with government and the transparency of public acts. In addition, the e-portal is seen as process innovation, which minimizes public administration and user spending, and enables process improvements for the citizen. It was also identified by means of factorial analysis, that the factors were grouped in three factors, being technology, processes, and interaction, not presenting differences between the results of the groups by mesoregions of Rio Grande do Sul. Finally, it was observed although there is a significant correlation between Technology and Processes (0.680), Technology and Interaction (0.740), and Processes and Interaction (0.616), indicating that the better the results of one of the factors in public management, the better the results of the other factors.