This thesis explores various coding aspects of multiple access communications, mainly for spread spectrum multiaccess(SSMA) communications and collaborative coding multiaccess(CCMA) communications. Both the SSMA and CCMA techniques permit efficient simultaneous transmission by several users sharing a common channel, without subdivision in time or frequency. The general principle behind these two multiaccess schemes is that one can find sets of signals (codes) which can be combined together to form a composite signal; on reception, the individual signals in the set can each be recovered from the composite signal. For the CCMA scheme, the isolation between users is based on the code structure; for the SSMA scheme, on the other hand, the isolation between users is based on the autocorrelation functions(ACFs) and crosscorrelation functions (CCFs) of the code sequences. It is clear that, in either case, the code design is the key to the system design. For the CCMA system with a multiaccess binary adder channel, a class of superimposed codes is analyzed. It is proved that every constant weight code of weight w and maximal correlation λ corresponds to a subclass of disjunctive codes of order T < w/λ. Results related to the decomposition of the disjunctive codes in the noiseless and noisy cases are derived. Decoding algorithms for both the noiseless and the noisy cases are proposed. For the CCMA system operating over a multiaccess Q-ary adder channel, a class of cyclic uniquely decodable codes is proposed and analyzed by employing cyclic codes with symbols from an arbitrary finite integer rings. A very low complexity decoding procedure is presented. For a synchronous SSMA system, a new approach employing orthogonal complementary sets is presented; the properties of such orthogonal complementary sets are studied in detail. Recursive formulas for constructing orthogonal complementary sets are given. Methods for synthesizing new orthogonal complementary sets from known ones with the same dimensions are also discussed. For an asynchronous SSMA system, several new spreading codes are presented and studied: 1. A new class of polyphase codes with two-valued periodic ACF and CCF properties is derived. It is proved that, for a given prime length L > 3, the out-of-phase ACFs and CCFs of the codes are constant and equal to √L. In addition, all codes of the same length are mutually orthogonal. 2. Maximal length sequences (m-sequences) over Gaussian integers, suitable for use with QAM modulation, are considered. Two sub-classes of m-sequences with quasi-perfect periodic autocorrelations are obtained. The CCFs between the decimated m-sequences are studied. By applying a simple operation, it is shown that some m-sequences over rational and Gaussian integers can be transformed into perfect sequences with impulsive ACFs. 3. Frank codes and Chu codes have perfect periodic ACFs and optimum periodic CCFs. In addition, it is shown that they also have very favourable nonperiodic ACFs; some new results concerning the behaviour of the nonperiodic ACFs are derived. Further, it is proved that the sets of combined Frank/Chu codes, which contain a larger number of codes than either of the two constituent sets, also have very good periodic CCFs. Based on Frank codes and Chu codes, two interesting classes of real-valued codes with good correlation properties are defined. It is shown that these codes have periodic complementary properties and good periodic and nonperiodic ACF/CCFs. Finally, a hybrid CCMA/SSMA coding scheme is proposed. This new hybrid coding scheme provides a very flexible and powerful multiple accessing capability and allows simple and efficient decoding. Given an SSMA system with K users and a CCMA system with N users, where at most T users are active at any time, then the hybrid system will have K . N users with at most T.K users active at any time. The hybrid CCMA/SSMA coding scheme is superior to the individual CCMA system or SSMA system in terms of information rate, number of users, decoding complexity and external interference rejection capability.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the information and communication technology (ICT) industries play a crucial role in the new economy. Most SMEs operate in a fiercely competitive environment; as such, it is important to optimize business practices. It is believed that performance measurement (PM) tools can help to identify weaknesses, clarify objectives and strategies, and improve management processes. While many theories on performance measurement and performance management have been developed mainly for large organizations over the past two decades, few have been tailored for SMEs. In addition, research highlights that these tools are difficult to adapt for SMEs. This research aims to identify and investigate the critical factors influencing the performance of SMEs in the ICT industries and, in doing so, develop a new PM framework that is able to effectively measure SME performance. To improve the accuracy of the judgments in this research, methodological triangulation strategy, which mixes both qualitative and quantitative approaches, was employed. At the same time, data-source triangulation was applied to reduce the impact of potential biases. In qualitative research, twenty interviews were conducted, sixteen cases were analysed through cross-case analysis. In quantitative research, sixty-six valid responses to questionnaire surveys were collected. This thesis has completed three major tasks: 1) Investigated critical success factors that affect the performance of SMEs. 2) Analysed existing SME performance measurement techniques in order to identify the best framework for SMEs in ICT industries. 3) Constructed a practical PM framework and implementation strategy for best-practice PM in ICT-related SMEs. Research results show that an effective PM system for ICT SMEs should help the companies to formulate right strategies that can especially manage the uncertainty of the external environment in their development. Importantly, a PM process should be constructed which aligns with the SMEs' daily processes such as ordinary planning, budgeting and reporting processes. Such a PM system should involve a flexible PM framework that can be adapted dynamically to suit the changes in the PM process. It is also required that the PM framework help SMEs identify customer needs, manage and measure customer satisfaction. A PM framework meets the above requirements can be built based on the structure of business excellence models and the theory of system management. At the same time, the KPIs should be incorporated in the PM system to help design the PM framework. The constructed PM framework involves measuring both performance determinants and performance results. The performance determinants, including both internal determinants and external determinants, are represented in following dimensions: capability building; resource developing and utilizing; environment adapting; strategies formulating; internal process managing and PM on innovation and learning. The performance results' dimension should include the financial results to satisfy the investors, the customer satisfaction indicators to meet customers' needs, the competitive indicators to reflect the competitive advantages, and the collaborative measures to measure the partnership.

Thesis (M. Ed.(Computer-integrated education))-University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 202-215). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (M. Ed.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. / Bibliography: p. 167-179.

Thèse (Ph. D.)--Université Laval, 1997. / Bibliogr. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Thesis (M.B.A. (Investec Business School)) - Rhodes University, 2006. / A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master in Business Administration.

Η διπλωματική εργασία αφορά την εισαγωγή των Τεχνολογιών Πληροφορικής και Επικοινωνιών (ΤΠ&Ε) στα ελληνικά νοσοκομεία και αποτελείται από ένα θεωρητικό και ένα πρακτικό κομμάτι. Στο θεωρητικό τμήμα γίνεται μια αναφορά στις τεχνολογίες της πληροφορικής και των τηλεπικοινωνιών, αναλύεται ο τρόπος λειτουργίας των νοσοκομείων, παρουσιάζονται τα προβλήματα που αντιμετώπιζαν και σε μεγάλο ποσοστό συνεχίζουν να αντιμετωπίζουν και τέλος παρουσιάζεται συγκεκριμένα η χρήση των ΤΠ&Ε στον τομέα της υγείας. Στο πρακτικό μέρος της εργασίας, στο οποίο πραγματοποιήθηκε έρευνα στο νοσοκομείο Πατρών "Αγ. Ανδρέας", μέσα από τη μέθοδο του ερωτηματολογίου αναδεικνύονται έμπρακτα τα προβλήματα που ανακύπτουν από την εφαρμογή ή τη μη εφαρμογή των ΤΠ&Ε, οι γνώσεις του προσωπικού πάνω στις τεχνολογίες , οι τρόποι εκπαίδευσης, οι τυχόν ελλείψεις που υπάρχουν και τέλος σε ποιο βαθμό υπάρχουν εφαρμογές της ηλεκτρονικής υγείας. / The thesis concerns the introduction of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Greek hospitals and consists of a theoretical and a practicalpart. The theoretical part is a reference to information technologies and telecommunications, analyzing the operation of hospitals, presented the problems encountered and in a large proportion continue to face, and then presents the specific use of ICTs in health. In practical work, in which a survey was held in the hospital of Patras "Aghios Andreas", through the method of the questionnaire highlight the practical problems arising from the application or non application of ICTs, knowledge of staff on the technologies, education methods, any deficiencies exist and last to what extent there are e-Health applications

This research investigates the linkages that exist between climate change impacts, adaptation and information and communication technologies (ICTs) within developing country livelihoods. The analysis is based on an original conceptual framework that explores the notion of 'e-resilience' as a key property through which ICTs may strengthen the capacity of vulnerable systems to adapt and potentially transform in the face of increasing climate change impacts and uncertainty. By drawing key principles from the sustainable livelihoods framework, new institutionalism and Sen's capabilities approach, and based on a critical realist view of the world, the research provides a novel approach to the understanding of ICTs' role in contexts vulnerable to climate change. Based on the experience of Colombia's coffee producers, the analysis demonstrates that ICTs can contribute to the ability of vulnerable livelihoods to adapt to the impacts of climate change and variability through improved short-term informational efficiency and knowledge sharing, and long-term decision-making effectiveness, capacity building and behavioural change. The analysis explores the main factors that enable or constrain ICTs' contribution to the implementation of adaptive actions, arguing that the extent and impact of those contributions are best understood through the concept of e-resilience. As an increasingly relevant property of vulnerable systems, e-resilience integrates foundational (robustness, self-organisation and learning) and enabling attributes (redundancy, rapidity, scale, flexibility, diversity and equality) that may have been overlooked from a traditional 'asset-based' approach, while allowing a systemic (multi-scale/multi-temporal/multi-stressor) understanding of the context within which developing country stakeholders operate. The research findings reveal numerous linkages between ICTs' role and resilience building, suggesting that the e-resilience sub-properties strengthen the ability of vulnerable systems to enact adaptation actions, and better cope with the process of change and increasing uncertainty associated with (but not limited to) climate change. The analysis shows that, while ICT tools have not been explicitly integrated into national or sectoral climate change adaptation strategies, they are playing an increasing role in the adaptive capacity and resilience of developing country livelihoods. The study concludes by recognising the strengths and weaknesses of the e-resilience approach, providing recommendations to facilitate its use in development practice and suggesting key areas for future research.

Submitted by Micheli Abreu (mabreu@fiocruz.br) on 2016-09-08T16:48:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcia_Soares_EPSJV_Mestrado_2016.pdf: 887035 bytes, checksum: 9ad5e6106671d680680415ea8a1f8f3f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Mario Mesquita (mbarroso@fiocruz.br) on 2016-09-21T14:15:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcia_Soares_EPSJV_Mestrado_2016.pdf: 887035 bytes, checksum: 9ad5e6106671d680680415ea8a1f8f3f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-21T14:15:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcia_Soares_EPSJV_Mestrado_2016.pdf: 887035 bytes, checksum: 9ad5e6106671d680680415ea8a1f8f3f (MD5) / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Escola Politécnica de Saúde Joaquim Venâncio / Frente ao crescente espaço informacional que compartilhamos no nosso dia a dia, já não podemos mais desconsiderar um processo de ensino aprendizagem desvinculado, desconectado, à margem dessa realidade, e neste caso, deixar de pensar a educação online para o processo de ensino do trabalhador da área de Informações em Saúde. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar de que forma as ferramentas midiáticas podem contribuir no processo de ensino aprendizagem dos trabalhadores da área de Informações em Saúde e analisar de que forma as plataformas educacionais têm sido utilizadas no processo de capacitação para a área de Informações em saúde, bem como, investigar a aplicação dos programas de educação online. A metodologia baseou-se na análise bibliográfica e documental, quando foram analisados estudos e experiências acerca do objeto, centrando o estudo em três grandes eixos: educação online, educação à distância e tecnologias de informação e comunicação, quando foram focadas as contribuições, possibilidades, perspectivas, o emprego das tecnologias de informação e comunicação no processo educativo. O estudo apontou as possibilidades da educação online e das tecnologias de informação e comunicação como meios otimizadores do diálogo, da motivação, de construção coletiva do conhecimento, um espaço educativo que traga as experiências, trajetórias, entendimentos e visões desses trabalhadores acerca da área de Informações em Saúde, um espaço livre e plural. / To the growing informational space that we share in our daily lives, we can no longer ignore an unlinked teaching and learning process, disconnected, outside this reality, and in this case, stop thinking about online education for workers of the education process Information Department of Health. This study aims to analyze how the media tools can help in the teaching learning of workers Information area Health and examine how educational platforms have been used in the training process for health information area, as well as investigate the application of online education programs. The methodology was based on bibliographical and documentary analysis, when analyzed studies and experiments on the subject, focusing the study on three main areas: online education, distance education and information and communication technologies, when contributions, possibilities were focused, perspective, the use of information and communication technologies in the educational process. The study pointed out the possibilities of online education and information and communication technologies as optimizers means of dialogue, motivation, collective construction of knowledge, an educational space that bring the experiences, trajectories, understandings and visions of these workers about the information area Health, a free and plural space.