M.Com. (Computer auditing) / 1. Overview of Topic This dissertation deals with the question of the computer auditor's involvement in IT (Information Technology) strategic planning. Increasingly, organizations have come to value IT for the competitive or strategic advantage that it can provide in the modern marketplace. IT has thus moved from being an administrative function to being of strategic importance to an organization. The IT strategic plan expresses an organization's beliefs and goals relating to the use of information technology and the use of IT for strategic purposes. The IT strategic plan should ideally support the organizational goals and the principles identified in the organizational strategic plan. 2. Research Problem and Methodology The purpose of this research project is to identify whether a computer auditor should be involved in IT strategy planning. It is contended that the involvement would normally be that of auditing an IT strategy, but could also extend to providing input into the development of such a strategy. This dissertation suggests that the IT strategy is a risk area in the organization and as such should be examined by the computer auditor. In addition, the concept of IT strategy being a key control system within the organization is introduced. A survey of literature is used to justify the above. Based on points gleaned from the literature survey, a suggested guideline for auditing an IT strategy is proposed. 3. Results of the Research Although a comprehensive survey of literature was performed. no indication was found that this topic had been dealt with in the past. The literature survey. however, proved to be of value in defining IT strategy and identifying it's risk areas. In addition, some of the literature did imply that there was scope for the involvement of the computer auditor in IT strategy planning. The literature survey also indicated that the topic of IT strategy was of importance to South African companies. Based on the literature survey it was concluded that, because IT strategy represented a risk area to the organization, the computer auditor should be involved in the audit thereof. The following guidelines were drawn up: one to assist in identifying when an IT strategy should be audited, one to identify control objectives relating to IT strategy and a corresponding audit guideline for each control objective. 4. Conclusion The literature surveyed indicated that there was a definite need for the computer auditor to become involved in the audit of IT strategy. The guideline presented for the audit of an IT strategy should prove to be useful to the computer auditor in identifying when and how an IT strategy should be audited. Investigating the actual involvement of the computer auditor in IT strategic planning was identified as an area for possible future research.

Complex engineered systems evolve, with a tendency toward self-organization, which can, paradoxically, frustrate the aims of those seeking to develop them. The systems engineer, seeking to promote the development in the context of changing and uncertain requirements, is challenged by conceptual gaps that emerge within engineering projects, particularly as they scale up, that inhibit communication among the various stakeholders. Overall optimization, involving multiple criterion, is often expressed in the language of the individual parties, increasing the complexity of the overall situation, subsuming the participants within the evolution of the complex engineered system, conflating the objective and subjective in counter productive or inefficient ways that can arrest healthy development. The conventional pragmatic systems engineering approach to the resolution of such situations is to introduce architectural discipline by way of separation of concerns. In complex engineered systems projects, the crucial interface, at any level of abstraction, is between the technical domain experts and higher level decision makers. Bridging the ensuing conceptual gap requires models and methods that provide communication tools promoting a convergence of the conversation between these parties on a common "common sense" of the underlying reality of the evolving engineered system. In the interest of conceptual clarity, we confine our investigation to a restricted, but important general class of evolving engineered system, information gathering and utilizing systems. Such systems naturally resolve the underlying domain specific measures by reduction into common plausible information measures aimed at an overall sense of informativeness. For concreteness, we further restrict the investigation and the demonstration to a species that is well documented in the open literature: weather radar networks, and in particular to the case of the currently emerging system referred to as CASA. The multiobjective problem of objectively exploring the high dimensionality of the decision space is done using multiobjective genetic algorithms (MOGA), specifically the John Eddy genetic algorithms (JEGA), resulting in well formed Pareto fronts and sets containing Pareto optimal points within 20% of the ideal point. A visualization technique ensures a clear separation of the subjective criterion provided by the decision makers by superficially adding preferences to the objective optimal solutions. To identify the integrative objective functions and test patterns utilized in the MOGA analysis, explorations of networked weather radar technologies and configuration are completed. The explorations identify trends within and between network topologies, and captures both the robustness and fragility of network based measurements. The information oriented measures of fusion accuracy and precision are used to evaluate pairs of networked weather radars against a standardized low order vortex test pattern, resulting in a metrics for characterizing the performance of dual-Doppler weather radar pairs. To define integrative measures, information oriented measures abstracting over sensor estimators and parameters used to estimate the radial velocity and returned signal from distributed targets, specifically precipitation, are shown to capture the single radar predicted performance against standardized test patterns. The methodology bridges the conceptual gap, based on plausible information oriented measures, standardized with test patterns, and objectively applied to a concrete case with high dimensionality, allowed the conversation to converge between the systems engineer, decision makers, and domain experts. The method is an informative objective process that can be generalized to enable expansion within the technology and to other information gathering and utilizing systems and sensor technologies.

Today, in the world of information technology, conceptual model representation of database schemas is challenging for users both in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) domain. The primary way to resolve this issue, in both domains, is to use a model that is concise, interpretable and clear to understand, yet encompasses all of the required information to be able to clearly define the database. A temporal database is understood as a database capable of supporting reasoning of time-based data for e.g.: a temporal database can answer questions such as: - for what period was Mrs Jones single before she got married? On the other hand, an atemporal database stores data that is valid today and has no history. In the thesis, I looked at different theoretical temporal visual conceptual models proposed by temporal researchers and aimed, by means of a user-survey consisting of business users, to ascertain towards which models users a preference has. I further asked the users for firstly; whether they prefer textual or graphical representations for the entities, attributes and constraints represented by the visual models, or secondly; whether there is a preference for a specific graphical icon for the temporal entities and lastly; to ascertain if the users show a preference towards a specific theoretical temporal conceptual model. The methodology employed to reach my goal in this thesis, is one of experiments on business users with knowledge enhancements after each experiment. Users were to perform a task, and then based on analysis of the task results, they are taught additional temporal aspects so as improve their knowledge before the next experiment commences. The ultimate aim was to extract a visual conceptual model preference from business users with enhanced knowledge of temporal aspects. This is the first work done in this field and thus will aid researchers in future work, as they will have a temporal conceptual model that promotes effective communication, understandability and interpretability.

This piece of work reflects on the state of digitization at the Eritrean Research and Documentation Centre (ERDC) which manages several valuable heritage collections. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the current selection process followed when digitizing these collections and to advise on the sustainability of a digitization programme. The recommendations captured as part of the research will be used to prepare a digitization policy as well as to develop essential guidelines and manuals necessary at the start of a sustainable digitization initiative. The research followed a qualitative approach and a case study research design was adopted. A thorough literature study was conducted to identify appropriate procedures for digitizing valuable collections, the associated challenges and to find solutions to these problems. The core purpose of the literature was to inform the research on how an institution can sustainably digitize its collections. In-depth interviews were then conducted with ERDC managers and the current operations staff. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the ERDC employees. Seven managers and operations staff of the digitization program were purposively selected for interviews. During the interviews the following were addressed: the policy, selection criteria, processes, challenges and solutions for digitization constraints. The main goal of the interviews was to understand the current digitization progress at the ERDC and to then compare these findings with the available literature. The research data were analysed to identify themes/ related issues that would need to be addressed. These themes were used to develop recommendations to share with ERDC. The recommendations specifically address the digitization policy, critical challenges, required resources, selection issues, standards and formats, workflow, quality control, access to users and evaluation of the digitization programme. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted

Building on current literature, the present study was primarily undertaken to explore techno-stress experiences among academic library employees at the University of Ghana. The study also sought to identify the Africentric coping strategies adopted. Other specific objectives pursued included; the determination of the relationship between techno-stress and other variables such as age, gender, educational qualification and work experience. In all, one hundred employees responded to a set of questionnaire. Data analytic methods included thematic analysis using Microsoft Excel and key findings were identified. Findings of the study showed that academic library employees experience techno-stress and are more likely to adopt appropriate Africentric coping strategies. Further findings reveals the existence of a linkage between techno-stress, level of education and work experience whereas there was no evidence of techno-stress relating to gender and age. Recommendations included; educating employees on techno-stress to be able to recognize its significant symptoms, the implementation of regular training sessions for employees to update their technological skills, and the need to reschedule the time patterns with which employees work and also the relevance of thriving organisations to employ highly qualified staff among others. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted

The recruitment and retention of women is a continuing problem in the Information Technology (IT) profession. Despite positive labor statistics for the IT field, American women are underrepresented. The belief that their skill sets are not as credible as their male counterparts keeps qualified women candidates from attaining key IT positions. There will be no growth in representation if women are not enrolling in the advanced degree programs necessary to end the cycle of underrepresentation. While there are a number of studies investigating the reasons for the underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines; there is not an abundance of research that considers the combined role that gender and self-efficacy play. The literature dealing with these issues in IT educational and the IT workforce separately is even more limited and particularly evident is the lack of research on the underrepresentation of women in IT. This dissertation research study explored the sense of inclusion and factors that affect differences in participation in Information Technology (IT) education by gender. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used, and it will involve collecting quantitative data via an online survey and then explaining the quantitative results with in-depth qualitative data with interviews. / A Dissertation submitted to the School of Information in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester 2016. / June 29, 2016. / Higher Education, Information Technology, Self-Efficacy, STEM, Women / Includes bibliographical references. / Kathleen M. Burnett, Professor Directing Dissertation; Shouping Hu, University Representative; Michelle M. Kazmer, Committee Member; Marcia A. Mardis, Committee Member.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce / In a rapidly changing world of technological advancement and innovation, academic institutions are propelled to automate manual processes for more efficiency and access to a broader spectrum of applicants. For this reason, universities are investing in online application system to deal with long queues, malpractice, loss of documents, and undue costs incurred by the university. However, online application systems that do not adequately address sociotechnical requirements may result in an unsuccessful implementation, wasteful expenditure and sometimes reputational damage to the university. This research suggests a general sociotechnical conceptual framework which was informed by both the traditional System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Effective Technical & Human Implementation of Computer-based Systems (ETHICS) methodology to understand the development of an online application system using a sociotechnical approach. An exploratory research approach was used on an online application system case study to understand what sociotechnical aspects were considered during the application development and the outcome thereof. Qualitative data sources were examined to understand the context and rationale for any sociotechnical issues incorporated or excluded in the online application system development. Based on new discoveries, the sociotechnical conceptual framework was enhanced to be more relevant for academics, practitioners and organisations to use as a guide for a sociotechnical system development approach. / NG (2020)

With the demand for technology-literate graduates, East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, decided to modify its General Education Curriculum to include a “using information technology” component. This component requires students to be proficient in the use of information technology by the time they graduate. The requirement also allows students to gain this proficiency within their major fields of study. Provides information on ETSU’s computer-related requirements for graduation.

The aim of this project was to produce some principles that would assist software developers (SD's) in the design of software for South African general medical practitioners (GP's). The author wanted to give SD's a cognitive model of general medical practice in the hope that this will improve the relevancy of future medical software. This cognitive model is in the form of a set of principles that SD's can keep in mind when developing software for GP's. An evaluation was done of the attitudes and competence of GP's towards information technology. This was done via detailed telephonic interviews, which were analyzed in order to deduce these principles.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-37). / The digital divide is largely seen as the main problem that developing economies and societies must overcome to gain economic productivity and social welfare. In this document we state that modern western perception of the digital divide lured advancement of lCT into developing countries especially in Africa. lCT must not be seen as a goal in itself but as a means to service human needs. This study attempts to analyze the willingness of people to adopt existing lCT infrastructures and the factors impeding its use in the DRC's cities of Kinshasa and Kananga.