Thesis (MBus) -- AUT University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (ix, 77 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.) in the Archive at the City Campus (T 658.4038 TSC)

The objective of this thesis has been to develop a framework to support the evaluation of information strategies of UK higher education institutions (REIs). For this study the theoretical and empirical literature was extensively reviewed and four substantial pieces of empirical research were conducted. These included action research CAR), two pieces of ethnographic research, and a case study. The AR analysed problems encountered with a Student Records System at a UK university and identified both immediate and deeper causes for these problems. Ethnography I involved the researcher's participation in the information strategy development process at the same university: This included consideration of the development processes adopted and also the way that decisions were taken. Ethnography II consisted of participant observation at a range of workshops and conferences organised by the Joint Information Systems Committee on information strategy development at UK REIs. These provided a broad picture of information strategy development procedures being adopted across these HEls. The case study investigated in detail the implementation of an information strategy at a university different from that examined in AR and Ethnography I. These empirical investigations all included in-depth interviews. In total 117 people of various levels and backgrounds involved in information strategies and associated information systems within UK HEIs were interviewed. Key findings from the empirical research were: Many HEIs in the process of developing an information strategy, or about to do so, were not fully sure how this should be achieved nor the extent of the likely benefits. Most HEIs implementing information strategies were using top-down directed system approaches, leaving little room for more inclusive bottom-up emergent planning. Information strategies need to be developed and evaluated using strongly human-centred methods, primarily because it became apparent that the successful functioning of such a strategy is dependent on the motivation and competencies of the people who create and use the information. Investigations into aspects of information strategy development and implementation need to focus on people's perceptions of the situation rather than seeking an objective truth independent of the participants. This reflects a Kantian perspective of knowledge. Overall, the empirical findings supported the use of a Critical Systems Thinking approach in the evaluation of information strategies at higher education institutions. The development of the evaluative framework, the main objective of the thesis, took place in two phases: developing the framework based on the literature review and revising the framework from the empirical research investigations involving a process of critical iteration. The first phase identified a range of elements associated with an HErs information strategy, and for each element highlighted the relevant theoretical andlor empirical literature that bears on the issues being addressed. In particular, the framework is strongly influenced by insights drawn from the work of three key social theorists: Kant, Habermas and Foucault. In addition, the framework includes 'guidelines for evaluation', where these are more practical questions to ask and areas to investigate when evaluating a given element ofthe strategy. The second phase took the framework through a series of reflections and revisions based on the findings from the empirical investigations. In each case, insights were gained that related to the use or applicability ofthe framework. By combining the findings from the theoretical and empirical literature with those from the empirical research, the final framework, which is believed to have filled a gap in the theoretical literature, aims to encompass the complexity of information strategy development and implementation within HEIs. The framework reflects a human-centred and Critical Systems Thinking approach, and is designed to allow potential evaluators to identify underlying causes for the success or failure of an information strategy that is implemented at an HEI.

The aim of this research is to examine the factors influencing the adoption and success of HRIS in Saudi Arabian public sector organisations.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 1992. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the exercise is to acquire a thorough knowledge of Kromco's business requirements, to create a high level datamodel, a data entity model and to determine the priorities of the different systems which will lead to an effective management information system. To acquire the desired information and strategy within a limited period of time, use was made of questionnaires, focus groups, personal interviews, value chain analysis, critical success achievements and information in use. The desired information requirements and information systems have been evaluated against the information and systems presently available. The present management information system does not fulfil the needs of a successful management information system and therefore it has been suggested that a computer be obtained. The same information is used by different departments. To prevent duplicating transactions, use must be made of a databasis. The designing of the database does not form part of this worksheet and further investigation is necessary. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelwit van die werkstuk is om 'n deeglike begrip van Kromco se besigheidsbehoeftes te verkry deur die daarstelling van 'n hoe vlak datamodel, 'n data entiteitmodel en die prioriteitsbepaling van die verskillende stelsels wat sodoende tot 'n effektiewe bestuursinligtingstelsel sal lei. Om die verlangde inligting en strategie binne die kort tydsbestek te kry is daar gebruik gemaak van vraelyste, fokusgroepe, persoonlike onderhoude, waardeketting-ontledings, kritieke suksesbepalings en bestaande inligting in gebruik. Die verlangde inligtingsbehoeftes en -stelsels is geevalueer teenoor die inligting en -stelsels wat tans beskikbaar is. Die bestaande bestuursinligtingstelsel voldoen nie aan die vereistes van 'n suksesvolle bestuursinligtingstelsel nie en die aanbeveling is om n eie rekenaar te kry. Dieselfde inligting word deur verskillende departemente gebruik. Daarom moet daar gebruik gemaak word van n databasis om duplisering van transaksies te vermy. Die databasisontwerp vorm nie deel van hierdie werkstuk nie en verdere navorsing moet daarop gedoen word.

published_or_final_version / Management Studies / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The concept of a generalized model management System (GMMS) and its role in a decision support system are discussed. A paradigm for developing a GMMS which integrates artificial intelligence techniques with data management concepts is presented. The paradigm views a GMMS as a knowledge-based modeling system (KBMS) with knowledge abstractions as the vehicle of knowledge and model representation. Knowledge abstractions are introduced as a hybrid of the predicate calculus, semantic network, and frame representations in artificial intelligence (AI) embodied in an equivalent of a programming language data abstraction structure. As a result, models represented by knowledge abstractions are not only subject to the powerful problem reduction and inference techniques available in the AI domain but are also in a form conducive to model management. The knowledge abstraction in its most general form is seen as a frame which serves as a template for generating abstraction instances for specific classes of models. The corollaries of an abstraction-based GMMS with current data management concepts are explored. A CODASYL implementation of an abstraction-based GMMS for the class of linear programming models is described and demonstrated.