D.Phil. / Any organisation is dependent on its information technology resources. The challenges posed by new developments such as the World Wide Web and e-business, require new approaches to address the management and protection of IT resources. Various documents exist containing recommendations for the best practice to follow for information security management. BS7799 is such a code of practice for information security management. The most important problem to be addressed in this thesis is the need for new approaches and perspectives on information security (IS) management in an organisation to take cognisance of changing requirements in the realm of information technology. In this thesis various models and tools are developed that can assist management in understanding, adapting and using internationally accepted codes of practice for information security management to the best benefit of their organisations. The thesis consists of three parts. Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 constitute Part 1: Introduction and Background. In Chapter 1 the problem statement, objectives and deliverables are given. Further the chapter contains definitions of important terminology used in the thesis as well as an overview of the research. Chapter 2 defines various terms associated with information security management in an attempt to eliminate existing confusion. The terms are mapped onto a hierarchical framework in order to illustrate the relationship between the different terms. In Part 2: IS Management Perspectives and Models, consisting of chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6, new approaches to information security management is discussed. In Chapter 3 different perspectives on using a code of practice, such as BS7799 for IS management, is presented. The different perspectives are based on the unique characteristics of the organisation such as its size and functional purpose. These different perspectives also enable organisations to focus on the controls for specific resources or security services such as integrity or confidentiality. In Chapter 4 these different perspectives ofbusiness type/size, the security services and the resources are integrated into a multi-dimensional model and mapped onto BS7799. Using the multi-dimensional model will enable management to answer questions such as: "Which BS7799 controls must a small retail organisation interested in preserving the confidentiality of their networks implement?" In Chapter 5 the SecComp model is proposed to assist in determining how well an organisation has implemented the BS7799 controls recommended for their needs. In Chapter 6 the underlying implemented IT infrastructure, i.e. the software, hardware and network products are also incorporated into determining if the information assets of organisations are sufficiently protected. This chapter combines technology aspects with management aspects to provide a consolidated approach towards the evaluation of IS. The thesis culminates in Part 3: Conclusion, which comprises one chapter only. In this last chapter, Chapter 7, the research undertaken thus far is summarised and the pros and cons of the proposed modelling approach is weighed up. The thesis is concluded with a reflection on possible areas for further research.

Current syndromic surveillance systems utilize centralized databases that are neither scalable in storage space nor in computing power. Such systems are limited in the amount of syndromic data that may be collected and analyzed for the early detection of infectious disease outbreaks. However, with the increased prevalence of international travel, public health monitoring must extend beyond the borders of municipalities or states which will require the ability to store vasts amount of data and significant computing power for analyzing the data. Intelligent mobile agents may be used to create a distributed surveillance system that will utilize the hard drives and computer processing unit (CPU) power of the hosts on the agent network where the syndromic information is located. This thesis proposes the design of a mobile agent-based syndromic surveillance system and an agent decision model for outbreak detection. Simulation results indicate that mobile agents are capable of detecting an outbreak that occurs at all hosts the agent is monitoring. Further study of agent decision models is required to account for localized epidemics and variable agent movement rates.

The Internet provides many sources of financial information that investors can use to help with investment decisions and in interpreting companies' accounting information. One source of information is Internet stock message boards such as those at Yahoo! Finance. This source allows for anonymous postings and information exchange. Despite the possibility of the information being incorrect many individuals visit these message boards. The purpose of this study is to investigate Internet stock message boards and address the primary question: From an individual investor perspective, do message boards, which contain accounting information, influence investment decisions? The question is addressed using psychology rumor literature and attitude theories. Message board postings are a type of rumor, since not all the information is verified and is usually intended to persuade a belief or influence a decision. Further, the messages may influence an investor by causing a change in attitude about the investment. Using an experiment, message board influence on an investment decision and attitude was tested. The results indicated that individuals that received negative message board postings did have a significantly higher change in investment amount as compared to a control group that did not receive any message postings. The positive message board group and the control group were not significantly different in their amount of investment change. The results of the study also show that message board postings influenced attitude, those that received negative (positive) postings had a negative (positive) attitude about the investment. It was further found that those with a negative (positive) attitude decreased (increased) their investment. Finally, contrary to expectations, investment experience did not lead to an individual being less influenced by message board postings. This study contributes to the accounting literature by investigating an additional source of Internet financial reporting that may or may not contain correct information. The SEC is concerned over the manipulative opportunities that are available within these message boards and many investors are exploring these new sources of information instead of relying on traditional accounting information. This study finds that negative postings have an influence on investment decision and possibly should be investigated as manipulative techniques.

The growing complexity of machines has led to a concomitant increase in the amount and complexity of the information needed by those charged with servicing them. This, in turn, has led to a need for more robust methods for storing and distributing information and for a workforce more sophisticated in its use of information resources. As a result, the service trades have "professionalized," adopting more rigorous academic standards and developing ongoing certification programs. The current paper deals with the acceptance of advanced electronic information technology by skilled service personnel, specifically, automotive service technicians. The theoretical basis of the study is Davis' technology acceptance model. The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of three external factors on the operation of the model: age, work experience, and education/certification level. The research design is in two parts, beginning with an onsite observation and interviews to establish the environment. During the second part of the research process a survey was administered to a sample of automotive service technicians. Results indicated significant inverse relationships between age and acceptance and between experience and acceptance. A significant positive relationship was shown between education, particularly certification, and acceptance.

U.S. immigration procedures are complex and may elude the average individual seeking admission to the United States. Understanding this, the current study investigates how information resources are used by potential migrants to learn about the migratory process. Using a mixed-methods approach, I interviewed 30 Mexican immigrants with unauthorized immigration experience about the process of gathering migration information in the pre-migration phase. Qualitative data were coded using seven themes generated from the primary research questions, including: Information Resources, Resources Used During Migration, Motivation for Migration, Method of Migration, Lack of Information/Misinformation, Types of Help and Types of Information. Findings suggest that the factors motivating migrants to come to the U.S. are combined in complex ways and lack of information about legal alternatives to unauthorized migration is an important factor influencing method of migration. Also, while access to new information resources is increasing, these resources are not being tapped for migration information.

My dissertation focuses on the strategic implications of the link between organizational culture and social network structure. I study their role in the process of knowledge transfer and diffusion, organizational memory, and organizational design. More broadly, I examine the way that social structure influences the information environment, and what effect this has on organizational learning. I focus in particular on the process of cultural evolution. My dissertation leverages digitization as a phenomenon of inherent interest and as an empirical setting that can improve our theoretical understanding of both digital and non-digital communities. I have developed an expertise in computational methods, especially in machine learning techniques related to text and other unstructured data, and in the analysis of "big data," especially pertaining to large-scale networks. By combining these computational tools with organizational theory and the rich relational data generated by the explosion of digital records, my research grants insight into the dynamic process of learning in organizations and the implications for innovation and competitive advantage. I explore how digitization informs and develops our understanding of organizational culture, knowledge transfer, and the labor market. Specifically, I investigate how digitization has opened a window to observe network structure and language, providing a lasting record of these changes through time. Using these digital records to observe the structure of social relations and the language used to communicate can help deepen our theory of knowledge transfer for a wide range of organizations, not just those that operate in the digital sphere. This means that these studies also have implications for understanding organizations in non-digital settings. My dissertation contributes both theoretically and empirically to the knowledge theory of the firm. However, the mechanisms underlying knowledge transfer remain underdeveloped. I contribute by disentangling the related mechanisms of language and organizational structure, and I propose that common language directly impacts what knowledge may be efficiently transferred. Next, my dissertation contributes to the growing field of digitization. Digitization is salient for researchers both as a unique phenomenon and as an ever-expanding source of accessible data to test theory. Moreover, since one of the central contributions of digitization is to reduce the cost of information gathering, it is well-suited to my theoretical setting of knowledge transmission and organizational memory. Finally, my dissertation contributes to our understanding of culture in organizations. The focus on language as an aspect of culture allows both additional formalization as well as more specific empirical tests of the contribution of culture to organizational outcomes. In particular, a focus on dynamic settings in each of the chapters reveals the interplay between organizational structure, memory, and change. This helps us to understand how language evolves, how it is learned, and how it changes in response to information shocks.

The diploma thesis deals with the issue of Competitive Intelligence, its development, typology, process and used information resources. The thesis focuses especially on the analysis of current trends and tools for competition research. The last part of the thesis deals with the use of Competitive Intelligence within the selected company.

A decade ago, only 10% of U.S. healthcare organizations used an electronic health record (EHR), whereas more than 99% do today. The rapid adoption of EHRs has radically transformed communication of health information. Previously, health records consisted of providers handwriting notes in paper charts, rarely seen by outsiders. Today, EHRs integrate information from dozens of sources, to be used by providers, administrators, researchers, and increasingly, patients. Last year alone, an estimated 100 million Americans interacted with their own health records through patient-facing systems. This information has been used to prevent medical errors, reduce nonadherence to treatment, increase shared decision-making, and improve health outcomes. However, failure to comprehend this information can negate any potential benefits and even cause medically-harmful miscommunication. Therefore, it is critical to represent health information using methods that promote patients' comprehension. Despite the need for better representation, today's patient-facing systems do little more than present unexplained data, and limited guidance has been given by research or policy. In this thesis, we present new evidence about representation of health information in patient-facing systems, and we use this evidence to develop informatics methods that promote comprehension. Two aims center on (1) medical abbreviations and acronyms, one of the biggest barriers to patients' comprehension of their health records, and (2) changes in patient-reported outcomes, one of the most important informants of chronic disease management. We assess challenges with representing this information to patients, using randomized trials and qualitative studies. Then, we develop and evaluate an array of informatics methods for overcoming challenges, specifically: (1) machine learning methods for automated expansion of medical abbreviations and acronyms, and (2) information visualization methods for representing changes in patient-reported outcomes. In the future, these interventions can be implemented in patient-facing systems to optimize comprehension. Our evidence will guide strategies for meaningful communication that, ultimately, will build trust between patients and the healthcare system that serves them.

The purpose of the study was to investigate a modification of a managerial accounting technique, Activity-Based Costing (ABC), as a tool for addressing Information Resource Management (IRM) concerns within business processes. To indicate that ABC has been adapted for the IRM context, this study called the tool "Activity-Based Analysis" (ABA). ABA includes ABC's costing methodology as well as additional methods to address broader issues. The research method was a single-site case study at a property and casualty insurance company. The unit of analysis was a business process consisting of activities needed to provide claims handling services for workers' compensation insurance. Four questions guided the study: 1. Did ABA identify management information required to monitor process effectiveness and efficiency? 2. Did ABA support outsourcing decision making by identifying IRM cost components within business processes? 3. Did ABA identify information resources; that are sharable? 4. Did ABA identify differences between Company organizational characteristics andIRM department organizational characteristics?

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Library and Information Science, in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2004. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the ditTusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the communication of agricultural information among agricultural researchers and extension workers in Kenya. In particular. the study focused on the public agricultural sector and covered the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD). A survey research method. comprising a self-completed questionnaire and a structured interview schedule was utilized to gather data from the respondents. This was supplemented by observation and document review. The questionnaire was used to solicit information from agricultural researchers and extension workers. while the face to lilCe interview was used to obtain information from the key informants of the study. The agricultural researchers were drawn from the 21 KARI research centres distributed in all the eight provinces of Kenya and strategically spread to cater for different agroecological zones and socio-economic systems. The extension workers, on the other hand. were drawn from the Uasin Gishu and Baringo Districts, while the Key informants of the study were drawn from all the institutions surveyed. A total of 356 respondents compnsmg 159 agricultural researchers, 138 extension workers and 59 key informants participated in this study. The completed questionnaires were reviewed to determine their usability. Two questionnaires were discarded because they were incomplete. A total 01'295 questionnaires (159 agricultural researchers and 136 extension workers) and 59 recorded interviews were usable. This brought the lotal number ofrespondents to 354. It was observed that KARI and MoARD had adopted a wide variety of ICT tools and services in an effort to facilitate information sharing and exchange among agricultural researchers. extension workers, farmers and other actors involved in research and extension. These ranged from modern ICT based on digital information that included computers, the Internet and emaiL electronic sources. scanners. digital cameras among others. Traditional ICTs based largely on analogue information wa\'Cs included radio VI cassettes, tape recorders, television. video cameras, VCR. telephone. fax (analogue and digital) among others. lt was further established that the Agricultural Information Centre (AIC) had a modern radio studio equipped with professional sound recording equipment and editing suites amongst a variety of other video production facilities. The wide range of leT models adopted addressed the ditTerent kinds of intormation needs and commtmication problems encountered by agricultural researchers. extension workers and fanners. The agricultural researchers and extension workers had a critical need for information that was specific to the nature of their work. In addition. they needed information on agricultural policies and meteorology. The intormation needs of the two categories of respondents were met through the use of print and electronic sources. Agricultural researchers obtained useful infornlation from the Internet and CD-ROM databases with TEEAL database having the most useful information, while the Kenya Agricultural Research Database (KARD) provided useful information on local content. In contrast. the extension workers were disadvantaged as the majority lacked skills and physical access to ICTs. Their information needs were, therefore, met through the use of printed sources of information, and by attendance of meetings, workshops and seminars, Most of the respondents used ICTs to communicate among themselves and also with actors involved in research and extension. The Internet and email was used for consultation purposes, for communicating agricultural information, for research purposes and for collaborative projects with other colleagues. Radio, television and video were used in disseminating agricultural information to the farming community. Mobile phones were found to be a convenient means of communicating short messages. It was observed that use ofICTs had increased the respondents' work productivity and creativity. Information literacy programmes were taking place in the institutions surveyed although at different levels of intensity and continuity. Through the programme most of the respondents had improved their skills on the use of computers. Internet, emaiI and VII electronic sources. The programmes were better coordinated and managed at KARI than the Ministry of agriculture. Although ICTs had facilitated communication of agricultural information among actors involved in research and extension. it was yet to improve the linkage between agricultural researchers and extension workers. For ICTs to be levera~ed in the agricultural sector. it ~ ~ was observed tbat the agricultural researchers and extension workers should work more closely as tbeir activities are interrelated. Each group should play their roles in the multifaceted process of transmitting new knowledge of farm technology to farmers and getting their leedback. An attempt had been made to formulate institutional ICT policies to guide the dilTusion of ICTs at KARl and the Ministry of Agriculture. Implementation of these policies had been hampered by the lack of adequate funds. poor infrastructure and lack of commitment by some of the policy makers. The policies had also failed to address the over-reliance of donor funded projects, capacity building and skill development and to bring institutional changes. It was observed that the Kenya Government had formulated policies to guide liberalization. privatization and tariff reform. These policies had been implemented to a greater extent and had paved the way for the involvement of the private sector in the development of the various sectors of economy in the country. The government was also in the process of formUlating a comprehensive national ICT policy to provide guidelines in the ICT sector. Despite the efforts to expand and modernize lCTs in the agricultural sector, its gro\\1h had been hampered by a number of constraints and challenges. Among them includc inadequate funding; poor infrastructure: inadequate skill development; lack of comprehensive national and institutional ICT policies: lack of monitoring and evaluation system; inadequate provision of ICTs tools and services; poor maintenance, and overreliance of donor funded projects leading to a low level of sustainability. To address these problems requires the intervention and interaction of all the stakeholders in the agricultura~ and ICT sector and also involvement of the government. The study viii recommends the following: improvement of telecommunication inti'astructure and rural electritication: tormulation of comprehensive institutional and national lCT policies: alternative sources of tinance: employment of more IT personnel: comprehensive strategies on lCT skills development: reduction of taxes on lCT tools and services: development of responsive content: development of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms tor lCT projects: improvement of communication between agricultural researchers and extension workers: and adoption of FAO Virtual Extension. Research and Communication Network (VERCON) system to improve the linkage among and between actors involved in research and extension. It is concluded that despite the constraints and challenges encountered in the application and use of lCTs in the agricultural sector. a wide variety of ICTs had been adopted to tacilitate information sharing and exchange among agricultural researchers and extension workers. The application and use of these lCTs have a greater role to play in the context of the changing paradigms in agricultural research and extension. where linear information flows are being replaced by pluralistic information flows.