The emergence of open educational resources has gained popularity and acceptance in higher education institutions and beyond the basic education sector. This brought a persisting shift in depending on information communication technologies for tuition and research provision. Information technology artifact was not treated in isolation to user perspective. The study established how academics accept, feel, perceive, and what skills, opportunities, challenges exist to hinder the domestication. The study context had no uniform guidelines or tools and policy in place for the domestication of open educational resources. The study adopted the exploratory approach guided by the interpretivism paradigm. The study employed Domestication theory. This study conducted in an heterogenous single case study, which is the open distance e-learning (University of South Africa). That was done for an in-depth investigation by relying on multi-methods for data triangulation such as semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, document analysis, and actual artifact analysis. The total of participants were 52. The study found that most academics played a role in the domestication of open educational resources besides the minority who were unable. The experience and prior knowledge were found to be a factor hindering the domestication process. Open distance e-learning found to relevant space for open educational resources. Such institutions play a role in the adoption and development of open educational resources and mostly rely in information technology for tuition and research. Information technology infrastructure found to be an enabler and disabler in the domestication process. This study contribution to the world of knowledge is based on the theory and practice. Eight theoretical propositions were suggested. The study further contributed by extension of domestication theory as recommended two additional phases which are non-appropriation and dis-appropriation. The current proposed Domestication theory has five phases. Lastly, the study recommended the actual guidelines for adoption and development of open educational resources. This guideline can be adopted by higher education institutions by infusing them in policy development or for general guidance in actual adoption and developments.

The study focuses particularly on the effects digital tools may have on language learning for students with special needs. The qualitative empirical material was collected through interviews and observations in a Norwegian school. The observation involves four students from two school years (the first and the second students comes from year 8, and the third and fourth students comes from year 9). The data also comes from two different qualitative interviews with the headmaster of the same school. The main findings are that, digital tools are adapted for the majority of the students in the classroom by the school board. Students with disabilities, however, need more tools, and more support. Only the school board can change their own recommendations for the use of digital tools. A comparison between Norway’s and Sweden’s curriculum is also included, to contextualized the headmaster’s point of view upon the Norwegian curriculum when it comes to digital tools.

Technology has been developing over the last decades and the phenomenon of digitalization is becoming a reality for all industries. For supply chain managers, it is becoming a necessity to use the new technology to create interoperable systems that can increase responsiveness, transparency and cost efficiency of their supply chains, in order to meet the more demanding customer expectations and business environments. Changing business environments force companies to enter new markets where margins might be lower, which requires more cost efficient supply chains. Company X, the commissioning company for this research is an example of a company struggling with this. They are starting to develop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products, which have lower margins than previous products. Company X, who is about to start the journey of digitalizing their supply chains, would therefore benefit from knowing what value adds that digitalization can bring. There is currently a gap within the field of supply chain management regarding evaluation of digitalization projects. Therefore, this study investigates the main drivers, factors that enable changes and affect value adds, of digitalization of supply chains, the changes these drivers result in and the value adds of these. The study also contributes with a framework for future evaluation of digitalization projects.The study was conducted with case studies at three companies, which are all comparable to Company X in both size and business. The investigated companies are all global producers of ICT-products who have conducted a digitalization of their supply chains.The main finding of this study is that the overall driver for digitalization according to the case companies is Standardization and Simplification, and all case companies state that this is the main goal for digitalizing the supply chain. Furthermore, automatization from tender to invoice is one of the major changes that standardization and simplification of the Supply Chain Information Technology (SCIT) enables. This improves the information flow between all silos within the supply chain and also helps increase order reliability, responsiveness and scalability as well as improve integration and collaboration with partners and suppliers, and it increases the overall process and cost efficiency. This all helps to increase the customer experience and satisfaction, which is stated as the major value add from digitalization of the supply chain according to the case companies.

This research analyzes Finnish information and communication technology companies' sustainability principles with an emphasis on themes related to social sustainability. A broader focus is given to researching how class, education level, and low-income-related perspectives have been taken into account. The main theoretical framework adopted is resources and appropriation theory which examines societal categorical inequalities through the lens of the digital divide.The empirical material consists of eight corporate sustainability reports. Data is collected utilizing the document analysis method. The data analysis method chosen for this research is the thematic analysis method. Results are presented categorically with a focus on social sustainability.Low-income perspectives were clearly disregarded in the reports, raising a question regarding the authenticity of the underlying intention behind the implementation of these specified DEI measures.

Over the last few decades, major changes have taken place in the world due to the riseof technology. Industrial mass-based cities have been replaced by post-industrial cities. At the same time, urban development is affected by both global and local processes. Knowledge, innovation and creativity are central to urban development to create a higher quality and more attractive living environment. Smart cities are part of nowadays urban development. Smart cities focus on sustainability and overall improvement of citizen’s life quality in the cities by implementing ICT solutions in different areas of cities. This research focused on Estonian cities of Tallinn and Tartu and their smart solutions in different smart city dimensions. The purpose of this research was to find out Estonian hotel employees' views of current smart tourism solutions in Estonian cities and according to the answers to determine development areas of the cities. For data collection method, Estonian hotel employees from Tallinn and Tartu were interviewed. This research revealed that most respondents were familiar with the smart tourism solutions and it’s challenges.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) nowadays is constantly evolving and drastically impacting different fields of human activity, such as higher education. University education, due to ICT, was able to move from the traditional teaching and learning practices to e-Learning. That is, delivering education to the learner regardless of place and time via leveraging technology, such as computer-mediated platforms, based on synchronous video conferencing. The next generation of computer-mediated communication tools is ready to facilitate synchronous holographic communication among users. However, such tools have not been designed specifically for the field of university education and have not been taken into consideration the design requirements and needs of users to be successfully integrated to the e-Learning model.     Hence, this master’s thesis study explores the perceptions of higher education teachers and students about the potential use of holographic ICT tools in the context of e-Learning, as well as their desired characteristics in regard to the design of such tools. For this, an interpretive qualitative ethnographic research was conducted. Data was collected through passive observations and focus group discussions with purposively selected university teachers and students, and by leveraging the method of Thinking Aloud. The collected data was subjected to thematic analysis to conclude to seven themes, which represent the findings of this study. These research findings were discussed in relation to the research aim, research questions and the theoretical framework including the approach of User-Centered Design.     The research findings showed that university teachers and students acknowledge the potential of the holographic ICT tools and have an interest to try them out in the context of e-Learning activities. The potential use of holographic ICT tools was described as improving the quality of communication between teachers and students when on distance; delivering education globally and making it more accessible; lifting the current technological limitations and enriching the e-Learning practices. Some concerns, though, in regard to the use of such tools were expressed in terms of complexity and disturbances. The research findings also showed the university teachers’ and students’ desired characteristics in regard to the design of such tools, which include interoperability with the other systems used in e-Learning activities; high quality of human and non-human holographic representations; and indicators in holographs of the participants’ status, along with additional interactive features. In addition, the university teachers and students suggested the holographic ICT tools to be designed as a pair of comfortable augmented reality (AR) glasses, which can be easy to control and can be connected to personal devices. Finally, it was suggested to include main tools of teaching and learning activities -such as whiteboard, screensharing, slides presentation-; and multiple modes that can be used depending on the users’ teaching and learning needs.  Thus, the research outcome contributes theoretically to the research field of informatics by providing insights and new knowledge about the potential use of novel holographic ICT tools for e-Learning. The research outcome also contributes practically to designers, developers, technology companies, and other interested stakeholders as it shortens the knowledge gap regarding the design principles of holographic ICT tools and their use cases within the context of education, and provides suggestions regarding their design from a user-centered approach.

Redesigning High Schools for the 21st century became a goal of the Mississippi Department of Education in 2006. The focus of redesign is to ensure that students gain the knowledge necessary to compete in the technological world they will enter after high school graduation. Students who choose not to go to college are to leave high school with the skills that have prepared them for employment. The redesign process incorporates classes of technology in grades 7–9. Grade 7 students will be involved in Information and Communication Technology I. Information and Communication Technology II will include eighth-grade students. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses will be added to the ninth-grade curriculum. During the second year of implementation, Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes will be converted to Career Pathway classes for students in the 10th grade. Using a competitive grant application process, 13 school districts were chosen to participate in Phase I of Redesign. In the second year of implementation, 19 school districts were chosen to begin Phase II of the redesign initiative. This study focuses on the Alcoville School District (a pseudonym), which was chosen as a Phase II school. The purpose of this study was to understand the issues of redesign that were faced by the teachers involved in the implementation process. Emphasis was placed on the knowledge the teachers had of the redesign implementation in this district and the problems they faced as implementation occurred. The results of this study suggested that teachers (a) wanted to be more involved in the planning of redesign, (b) thought there was a lack of training, (c) were concerned with the lack of knowledge of their trainers, (d) were concerned with the difficulty of the curriculum, (e) stated there was no follow-up training offered from the Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) at Mississippi State University, (f) reported that the RCU was not able to answer their questions, (g) stated there was not a network of Phase I teachers with whom to talk, and (h) reported that the administration did not understand their curriculum or show concern with what they were teaching.

Information and communication technology (ICT) is becoming a critical part of operations and innovations in many sectors around the world (Basri, Alandejani, and Almadani, 2018). As such, ICT is commonly integrated in academic institutions on a global level, and has been used in the educational process inside and outside the classroom. Currently in Saudi Arabia, the integration of technology in educational environments is viewed as essential in the growth of Saudi education (Alali, 2015). However, the integration of such technology in teaching and learning may face some barriers especially in emerging academic institutions. Some scholars report that while the use of ICT is advocated in many universities and schools, and in particular in Saudi Arabia, some instructors are not likely to use it in their teaching processes because of barriers hindering their utilization and integration of such technology (Asiri, 2012; Albugami and Ahmad, 2015; Al Mulhim, 2014; Muhametjanova and Cagiltay, 2016). This study aimed to examine how ICT is being used for teaching and learning within the context of an emerging university in Saudi Arabia, as well as what factors faculty identify as barriers and enablers to its use. The current study replicates the research conducted by Nyirongo (2009) in the country of Malawi, and is based on the theoretical principles of technology adoption proposed by Rogers, Ely, and Surry (Ely, 1999; Rogers, 2003; Surry, 2002). Faculty members at Al-Baha University, a new university in Saudi Arabia, served as the participants. This study found that there are several common factors that impede the adoption and integration of ICT for teaching and learning at Al-Baha University. Those factors are: lack of computer availability and accessibility for faculty members and students, poor Internet connection, lack of faculty participating in decision making regarding electronic technology, access to training and pedagogical support regarding such technology, and lack of technical support. These findings correlate with the same kinds of factors that have been identified as barriers in other educational contexts (Al Mulhim, 2014; Albugami and Ahmed, 2016; Alkahtani, 2017; Hsu, 2016; Kilinc, et al. 2018; Kler, 2014; Machado and Chung, 2015; Nyirongo, 2009). / Doctor of Philosophy / Information and communication technology (ICT) is becoming a critical part of operations and innovations in many sectors around the world (Basri, Alandejani, and Almadani, 2018). Currently in Saudi Arabia, the integration of technology in educational environments is viewed as essential in the growth of Saudi education (Alali, 2015). Some scholars report that while the use of ICT is advocated in many universities and schools, and in particular in Saudi Arabia, some instructors are not likely to use it in their teaching processes because of barriers hindering their utilization and integration of ICT (Asiri, 2012; Albugami and Ahmad, 2015; Al Mulhim, 2014; Muhametjanova and Cagiltay, 2016). This study aimed to examine how ICT is being used for teaching and learning within the context of an emerging university in Saudi Arabia, as well as what factors faculty identify as barriers and enablers to its use. The current study replicates the research conducted by Nyirongo (2009) in the country of Malawi, and is based on the theoretical principles of technology adoption proposed by Rogers, Ely, and Surry (Ely, 1999; Rogers, 2003; Surry, 2002). Faculty members at Al-Baha University served as the participants. This study found that there are several common factors that impede the adoption and integration of ICT for teaching and learning at Al-Baha University. Those factors are: lack of computer availability and accessibility for faculty members and students, poor Internet connection, lack of faculty participating in decision making regarding electronic technology, access to training and pedagogical support regarding such technology, and lack of technical support. These findings correlate with the same kinds of factors that have been identified as barriers in other educational contexts (Al Mulhim, 2014; Albugami and Ahmed, 2016; Alkahtani, 2017; Hsu, 2016; Kilinc, et al. 2018; Kler, 2014; Machado and Chung, 2015; Nyirongo, 2009).

No / This book examines prominent issues in the Emerging Markets (EM) from a variety of disciplines in order to make useful societal contributions through knowledge exchange. EMs offer enormous opportunities, but realizing them is both challenging and risky due to inherent uncertainties of such markets. EM’s also have unique characteristics that makes them different from developed countries. This causes implications for both theory and practice. These markets necessitate substantial adaptations of developed theories and approaches employed in the Western world. This book investigates problems specific to emerging markets, and identifies new theoretical constructs, hypotheses (re)development, and emphasizes institutional contexts. The chapters in this book establish new conceptual and theoretical paradigms from multidisciplinary perspectives concentrated in the areas of information systems, electronic government, and digital and social media matters. The book focuses on topics in these areas such as digital enterprises, sustainability, telemedicine, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) and surveys the potential challenges and opportunities that may arise. These concepts and topics covered in this book are vital for making the global economy more equitable and sustainable.

The aim of the study is to do qualitative research with the help of phenomenological strategy on the effect of cell phone use on the peer group relationships of early adolescents within the framework of the systems theory. The population existed of early adolescents aged between 13 and 15 years old in grades 8 and 9. Information was initially obtained through a written assignment where by the early adolescents described their cell phone use and their relationships with their peers. Thereafter three focus group discussions were held to obtain data saturation. Data was then thematically analysed and five themes with categories were identified. Findings and deductions were made regarding the cell phone as communication medium and the importance of the cell phone for the early adolescent, as well as with regard to the effect the cell phone may have on peer group relations. Lastly it is indicated that the cell phone can also be employed as a instrument of recreation within the context of the cell phone and peer group relations. It is concluded that cell phone use has an effect on peer group relations. Early adolescents find a real opportunity to exercise their social skills with their peer group through the cell phone as medium. Regarding this research done with these specific early adolescents, the study concludes that the cell phone has a positive influence on peer group relations as it creates a feeling of “belonging” amongst them. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014