651 |
The influence of power on the success of systems development methodologies / Tatenda ChasaukaChasauka, Tatenda January 2014 (has links)
Problem statement: There seem to be perceptual incongruence between systems development managers and developers. Research shows that while managers are more positive towards systems development methodologies, developers on the other hand seem to resist and not to use systems development methodologies in their entirety but instead adapt, tailor, modify and change them depending on the project at hand (contingent use). Systems development managers can exert power through a variety of influence bases. However, these power influences may be perceived differently by developers. While some might feel constrained, others might actually feel liberated by the existence of the same influence base.
Main findings: IS managers are using systems development methodologies to gain control over team members. However, there was no clear perception on whether systems development methodologies were enslaving systems developers. This was indicated by the majority of the respondents neither agreeing nor disagreeing to that effect. The research showed that most organisations are adapting the use of systems development methodologies on a project to project basis, which is referred to as the contingent use of systems development methodologies.
Research method followed: The positivistic research paradigm was used as it allowed the researcher to find out patterns and regularities between power, systems development methodologies’ use and success. A survey was conducted and a questionnaire was used for data collection purposes. Questionnaire data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21, Release 20.0.0 software package tools.
Principal conclusion: Power is interpreted in terms of the type of power that can be exercised by IT professionals specifically IS developers and their respective managers at the workplace. The roles assumed and the different power types that may be exercised in organisations provide a link as to who has the final say when it comes to the use and success rate of systems development methodologies. The contingent use of systems development methodologies provides a form of “freedom” to systems developers. Based on the research findings, the research proposes an answer to the question – are systems development methodologies enslaving systems developers and empowering IS managers? / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014
|
652 |
(De)psychologizing Shangri-La: Recognizing and Reconsidering C.G. Jung's Role in the Construction of Tibetan Buddhism in the Western ImaginationTerrana, Alec M 01 January 2014 (has links)
Popular literature on Tibetan Buddhism often overemphasizes the psychological dimension of the religion's beliefs and practices. This misrepresentative portrayal is largely traceable to the writings of the psychoanalyst C.G. Jung. By employing distinctly psychological terminology and interpretive strategies in his analyses of the Tibetan Book of the Dead and mandala symbolism, Jung helped to establish precedents that were adopted in subsequent analyses of the religion. Imposing a psychological lens on Tibetan Buddhism obscures other essential elements of the tradition, such as cosmology, physiology, and ritualism, thereby silencing the voices of Tibetans in analyses of their own practices. Jung's imposition of his own voice in place of that of Tibetans has commonly been criticized as an act of intellectually imperializing Orientalism that furthers Jung's personal aims of solidifying his system of analytical psychology. This thesis supports and demonstrates the validity of that critique through close analyses of Jung's commentaries on Tibetan Buddhism.
However, Jung’s psychoanalytic perspective and qualifying comments found elsewhere in his corpus ultimately contextualize his commentaries and reveal that his writings on Tibetan Buddhism should not be treated as shedding light on the religion. Rather, they offer an additional lens for understanding analytical psychology. Furthermore, Jung's perspective as a psychoanalyst demonstrates the inherent instability of Orientalist epistemology that attempts to make sense of Eastern cultures on Western terms. Derridean deconstruction of Jung's commentaries reveals that the laws of psychoanalysis subvert those of Orientalism, thus allowing us to undermine the Orientalist episteme in which Jung writes and creates the possibility for appropriating foreign cultural content differently
|
653 |
The Foundations and Early Development of Mormon Mission TheoryGolding, David 01 January 2010 (has links)
This study seeks to answer a fundamental question facing missiologists and historians of Mormonism: given their sustained preoccupation with converting others to Mormonism and their thriving tradition of missionary work, how do Mormons conceive of their mission? By focusing on the theoretical frame in which Mormon missionaries imagined the non-Mormon world, prepared for missionary engagement, and derived their expectations for their mission work, this study aims to illuminate the development of Mormon missionary activities and explain the processes by which Mormons fashioned for themselves a missional character. Beginning with Joseph Smith and the emergence of his missional thought and ending with the institutional shifts of the Mormon Church toward mission programs, this thesis attempts to map the general arc of Mormon mission theory as it developed within the context of early American religious history.
|
654 |
Liberation Pop Theology: An Exploration Of The Different Ways Pop Musicians Have Led Individuals To Greater SalvationPeterson, Douglas W.L. 01 January 2014 (has links)
God never died as scholars of secularization theory from the 1960s and 1970s proposed that he eventually would, but He rather reappeared within the context of Pop music. This work analyzes the lives and music of Yusuf Islam a.k.a. Cat Stevens, Kanye West, Bob Dylan, and George Harrison in order to see how their inner quest for peace brought upon by religious conversion affected their supreme message. Once the artists realized the phenomenal peace found in experiencing personal relationships with the Divine, their music changed so as to inspire others to seek the same greater freedoms from which they benefited upon turning within. These four elite members of secular society did not privatize their faiths, and by sharing their new found beliefs with the world, they turned the minds of millions Godwards.
|
655 |
Business process management in an intrapreneurial software organisation / Ulrike JankeJanke, Ulrike January 2006 (has links)
Business process management (BPM) is a philosophical approach to organisation-wide
management in which the focus is on the processes through which it operates, and in particular
the streamlining and optimising of these processes, for which software solutions
may be used. CTexT is an intrapreneurial software organisation that has been experiencing
problems with software development due to a lack of formal processes relating to customer
support, versioning, configuration, quality, risk and project management.
The objective of the study is to determine whether the implementation of an electronic
BPM system can effectively solve CTexT's development problems and thereby improve its
overall software development capacity. More specifically, the focus is on i) the effect of
the resulting standardisation on creativity and innovation, and ii) implementation matters,
such as the type of processes that can be subjected to an electronic system, and how
CTexT can overcome the time and cost constraints of such a system.
The study investigates these questions by means of a literature investigation in combination
with interviews with knowledgeable respondents from other innovative and software
organisations. Interviews with six employees from CTexT determine the relevance of
these findings and highlight critical areas for process improvement.
Since BPM systems improve organisational efficiencies and are generally employed in larger
corporate contexts marked by transactional and repetitive activities where they enforce
administrative rules, the conclusion is drawn that a BPM system will not be suitable for an
intrapreneurial organisation, and that it is likely to cause more disruption to the creative
environment than improve its operations. It is further shown that although a BPM system
is theoretically applicable to software development, it generally does not seem to be applied
practically in the industry, and the suitability of this process as manageable through a
BPM system is seriously questioned.
Instead, the research points to improvement through the application of software development
methodologies and a holistic approach towards BPM. The investigation at CTexT confirms that its development problems relate to flawed methodologies and that remedies
should therefore focus on improving its methodologies and controlling certain aspects of
the software development life cycle by means of suitable software tools. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007
|
656 |
The use of systems development methodologies in web-based application development in South Africa / Martin Allen TaylorTaylor, Martin Allen January 2006 (has links)
This study investigated the use of systems development methodologies in Web-based
application development in South Africa. Web-based systems differ from
traditional information systems by integrating different media for knowledge
representation and utilizing hypertext functionality. By doing this, Web-based
systems not only support creation, integration, analysis, and distribution but also
storage and transfer of knowledge of business transactions within a structured
information system.
There are numerous methodologies available to develop Web-based systems. In this
study five of these methodologies were discussed. The methodologies include Web
IS Development Methodology (WISOM), Internet Commerce Development
Methodology (ICOM), Web Engineering, Extreme Programming and the Relationship
Management Methodology (RMM).
In this study a qualitative research approach was followed. Case studies were done
on three different organizations in the South African marketplace. Semi-structured
interviews were used for data collection at each organization. The interviews were
transcribed, and the data were analysed using content analysis and cross-case
analysis. One of the main goals of this research was to determine "how" system
development methodologies are used in practice to develop Web-based systems,
and to what extent it is used.
The research pointed out that those organizations who participated in this study in
South Africa mainly use in-house developed methodologies to develop Web-based
systems, and that these organizations adhere strictly to their methodology. The main
reasons organizations choose to use methodologies are that methodologies aid in
the delivery of a better quality Web-based system, and also act as a good project
management mechanism within the organization. / Thesis (M.Com. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007
|
657 |
The use and effectiveness of information system development methodologies in health information systems / Pieter Wynand Conradie.Conradie, Pieter Wynand January 2010 (has links)
Abstract
The main focus of this study is the identification of factors influencing the use and effectiveness of information
system development methodologies (Le., systems development methodologies) in health information
systems. In essence, it can be viewed as exploratory research, utilizing a conceptual research model to
investigate the relationships among the hypothesised factors. More specifically, classified as behavioural
science, it combines two theoretical models, namely the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of
Technology and the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory. The main aim of behavioural science in information
systems is to assist practitioners (Le., social actors) in improving business processes and competitiveness,
thus the effective use of information systems. A wider view of behavioural science incorporates other social
actors (e.g., end users) and organisational actors (e.g., executives). In health information systems, the
effective use of information systems is especially relevant Health information systems are vital in the area of
health care, since only by having access to pertinent health information, can the correct decisions relating to
diagnostics and curative procedures be made. The use of systems development methodologies in health
information systems development is therefore crucial, since they can make the development process more
effective, while improving software quality.
By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilizing a survey as the main research method and
structural equation modelling as the main statistical technique, meaningful results were obtained. Focussing
on the factors influencing the individual's behavioural intent, it was found that the compatibility of systems
development methodologies to the developer's pre-existing software development style is vital. Furthermore,
performance expectancy, self-efficacy, organisational culture, policies, customer influence, voluntariness and
facilitating conditions, all directly influenced the use of systems development methodologies, with policies and
customer influence playing a significant role, especially in relation to health information systems. No
significant direct effects or indirect effects could be established for the factors effort expectancy, personal
innovativeness and social influence. It appears that individuals working in the health care software
development discipline are more autonomous, less influenced by others. Also, the lack of support for the
factor effort expectancy may indicate that systems development methodologies have entered a mature state,
with less concern on the effort required for use. Furthermore, with regard to effectiveness and the continued
use of information systems methodologies, satisfaction had a significant direct effect, with confirmation
having a significant indirect effect.
Keywords: behavioural science; conceptual research model; direct effect; exploratory research; Expectancy
Disconfirmation Theory; indirect effect; Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology; structural
equation modelling; survey; systems development methodologies. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.
|
658 |
The use and effectiveness of information system development methodologies in health information systems / Pieter Wynand Conradie.Conradie, Pieter Wynand January 2010 (has links)
Abstract
The main focus of this study is the identification of factors influencing the use and effectiveness of information
system development methodologies (Le., systems development methodologies) in health information
systems. In essence, it can be viewed as exploratory research, utilizing a conceptual research model to
investigate the relationships among the hypothesised factors. More specifically, classified as behavioural
science, it combines two theoretical models, namely the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of
Technology and the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory. The main aim of behavioural science in information
systems is to assist practitioners (Le., social actors) in improving business processes and competitiveness,
thus the effective use of information systems. A wider view of behavioural science incorporates other social
actors (e.g., end users) and organisational actors (e.g., executives). In health information systems, the
effective use of information systems is especially relevant Health information systems are vital in the area of
health care, since only by having access to pertinent health information, can the correct decisions relating to
diagnostics and curative procedures be made. The use of systems development methodologies in health
information systems development is therefore crucial, since they can make the development process more
effective, while improving software quality.
By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilizing a survey as the main research method and
structural equation modelling as the main statistical technique, meaningful results were obtained. Focussing
on the factors influencing the individual's behavioural intent, it was found that the compatibility of systems
development methodologies to the developer's pre-existing software development style is vital. Furthermore,
performance expectancy, self-efficacy, organisational culture, policies, customer influence, voluntariness and
facilitating conditions, all directly influenced the use of systems development methodologies, with policies and
customer influence playing a significant role, especially in relation to health information systems. No
significant direct effects or indirect effects could be established for the factors effort expectancy, personal
innovativeness and social influence. It appears that individuals working in the health care software
development discipline are more autonomous, less influenced by others. Also, the lack of support for the
factor effort expectancy may indicate that systems development methodologies have entered a mature state,
with less concern on the effort required for use. Furthermore, with regard to effectiveness and the continued
use of information systems methodologies, satisfaction had a significant direct effect, with confirmation
having a significant indirect effect.
Keywords: behavioural science; conceptual research model; direct effect; exploratory research; Expectancy
Disconfirmation Theory; indirect effect; Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology; structural
equation modelling; survey; systems development methodologies. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.
|
659 |
A semantic content based methodology framework for e-government development / Jean Vincent Fonou DombeuFonou Dombeu, Jean Vincent January 2011 (has links)
The integration and interoperability of autonomous and heterogeneous electronic government
(e-government) systems of government departments and agencies for a seamless services
delivery to citizens through one-stop e-government portals remain challenging issues in egovernment
development. In recent years, Semantic Web technologies have emerged as
promising solutions to these problems. Semantic Web technologies base on ontology allow
the description and specification of electronic services (e-services), making it easy to
compose, match, map and merge e-services and facilitate their semantic integration and
interoperability. However, a unified and comprehensive methodology that provides structured
guidelines for the semantic-driven planning and implementation of e-government systems
does not exist yet. This study presents a methodology framework for the semantic-driven
development of future e-government systems. The features of maturity models, software
engineering and Semantic Web domains are investigated and employed to draw and specify
the methodology framework. Thereafter, the semantic content of the methodology framework
is further specified using ontology building methodology and Semantic Web ontology
languages and platforms. The study would be useful to e-government developers, particularly
those of developing countries where there is little or no practice of semantic content
development in e-government processes as well as where little progress has been made
towards the development of one-stop e-government portals for seamless services delivery to
citizens. Part of the study would also be of interest to novice Semantic Web developers who
might use it as a starting point for further investigations. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012
|
660 |
Three-partner dancing: placing participatory action research into practice within and indigenous, racialised & academic spaceChow, Winnie 16 August 2007 (has links)
Historically, most research on Indigenous peoples has been framed by Western empirical positivism which fundamentally conflicts with Indigenous circular ways of knowing. Current research governing bodies, scholars, and Indigenous communities have generated new theories and guidelines for research structures that support respectful and meaningful practices with Indigenous peoples. Participatory action research (PAR) attempts to address the unequal power structures inherent in research relationships: participants set the agenda for the research and are co-researchers in the project. In this study, I placed PAR theory into action to problematize research practices and to generate new discourses for research within an Indigenous context.
The Lil’wat Nation and I collaborated on a PAR project in 2006-2007 that led to the formation of the Lil’wat Girls’ and Women’s Affirmation Group. Through the process of reflection-in-action we identified several opportunities for growth as we examined PAR theory in practice. Using decolonizing research methods and a metaphor of the Lil’wat s7istken (pit house), the model of practice wove between three distinct worlds with divergent protocols and pedagogies: the worlds of the Lil’wat, academia, and the researcher’s racialized lived experiences. This model of practice aimed to disrupt the essentialized dichotomies of Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships and to problematize research practices for the academic and research communities to consider for their practice. The findings exposed several lessons at sites of praxis pertaining to the intersection of PAR theory and practice: definition of the community; ethics in the community; racialized researcher space; and PAR incongruence. The model was intended not as a “how to” manual, but as an entry point for discussions to advance respectful decolonizing research practices.
|
Page generated in 0.0429 seconds