The objective of this thesis is to design and implement a small scaleInternet Service Provider (ISP) for the NetCenter sub department atMälardalen University. The ISP is intended to give NetCenter a networkseparate from the University’s network, providing them with a moreflexible environment for lab purposes. This will give their students anopportunity to experience a larger backbone with Internet accessibility,which has not been previously available. At the same time it will place theteachers in control of the network in the NetCenter lab premises.The network is designed with a layered approach including an Internetaccess layer, a larger core segment and a distribution layer with aseparated lab network. It also incorporates both a public and a privateserver network, housing servers running e.g. Windows Active Directory,external DNS services, monitoring tools and logging applications. TheInternet access is achieved by peering with SUNET providing a full BGPfeed.This thesis report presents methods, implementations and results involvedin successfully creating the NetCenter ISP as both a lab network and anInternet provider with a few inevitable shortcomings; the most prominentbeing an incomplete Windows Domain setup.

Electronic Payment Systems (EPS) are gaining popularity all over the world. An EPS consists of many component technologies which facilitate cashless payments for services. The focus of this thesis is on device associated technologies that an end customer uses to initiate an e-payment for a particular service via a Payment Service Provider (PSP). A technology solution in an EPS is developed by a Payment Solution Developer (PSD). The market between a PSP and a PSD is a B2B market. A PSD must understand and develop that combination of technology and service which will successfully diffuse. The success of a PSP therefore depends a lot on what a PSD develops. A theoretical framework to measure diffusion of e-payment technologies, services and their combinations in the B2B market was developed and empirically assessed in this thesis. Two concepts namely concept of breadth and concept of spread were defined. The concept of breadth and spread were applied to e-payment technologies, services and their combinations. The derived concepts namely technology breadth, service breadth, technology spread, service spread and technology-service combination spread were defined and measured. We then extended the concept of breadth to understand utilization of technologies and services within an EPS. Set theory was used to describe the framework. A sample of 45 EPS was compiled from various sources. This secondary data of EPS consisted of 8 technologies and 16 services. The 8 technologies are Interactive Voice Response (IVR), text messaging using Short Messaging Service (SMS), text messaging using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), mobile internet using Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), mobile application, Near Field Communication (NFC), Personal Computer (PC) internet and smart card. The 16 services are retail shopping payment, banking, health payment, insurance payment, mobile bill payment, mobile recharge, money transfer, movie ticket booking, parking fee payment, restaurant payment, payment at sports/swimming club, toll payment, transportation payment, tuition fee payment, utilities payment, and vending machine payment. Three categories of PSPs namely core payment service providers (n=18), non-core payment service providers (n=12) and merchants (n=15) were identified from the 45 EPS. Binomial proportion test was used to verify the concepts of breadth and spread. Spearman correlation was used to find correlation between the concept of breadth and spread of technologies and services. The 45 EPS in the sample were then grouped under three sub groups based on the categories of their PSPs. Binomial tests were used within each sub group to understand the preferences of technologies, services and their combinations by each category. The results verified that certain e-payment technologies possess more breadth i.e., capability to deliver many e-payment services and certain e-payment services possess more breadth i.e., delivered by many e-payment technologies. A difference in diffusion i.e., spread of technologies, services and their combinations were observed. Details of these differences are discussed in this thesis for technologies, services and their combinations. A positive correlation was observed between the concept of breadth and spread. Specialization of technologies, services and their combinations within categories of PSPs were observed. Variations in utilization of technologies and services by EPS were observed.

Cloud computing has a significant impact on information and communication technology (ICT) and is one of the most important technological drivers of the digitalization of enterprises. However, due to the increasing dissemination of cloud services and the growing number of cloud service providers (CSPs), the uncertainty and risks for user companies in adopting cloud services have also increased. In this paper, we address those aspects from the perspective of the CSPs. We identified relevant literature and studies and conducted interviews with business experts from 16 German CSPs. In our results, we present current customer requirements and barriers to using cloud services from a provider’s viewpoint and identify the actions of and obstacles for CSPs in meeting the needs and constraints of the customers. Finally, we identify current and future challenges for CSPs in dealing with customer requirements and barriers by addressing their root causes. One of the main challenges from the CSPs’ perspective is addressing customers appropriately and building relationships of trust. This also “forces” changes in the sales processes. In this process, the essential challenges can be identified as an increase in complexity and a simultaneous simplification of specific sales activities. Therefore, the necessity arises for the continuous support of business relationships through value-adding and additional services. However, this results in another challenge for the CSPs – Namely, to find the right balance between standardization and meeting customer-specific requirements. In our paper, we show that the perspective of the CSPs is rarely discussed in the literature. Nevertheless, understanding the perceptions of the providers and their actions and measures is essential for future research activities in the field of cloud service selection. Comparing the customers’ perspectives and viewpoints with the CSPs’ actions will enhance the development of a holistic selection approach for future cloud projects. Therefore, our paper’s contribution to research is also the identification of this missing integration.

The thesis is focused on the technical issues removal on the backbone of internet service provider, MX-NET Telekomunikace Ltd. After marketing research of impacts on client there will be determined the best alternative of solution, ensured the appropriate funding and organized the installation.

Sammanfattning Problemformulering och bakgrund: Textilföretag är i behov av en effektiv logistik. En sådan finns att tillgå externt hos tredjepartslogistiker. Det finns begränsad forskning som påvisar riskerna som outsourcing av logistikfunktionen innebär. Därför vill vi i denna studie jämföra risker med fördelar applicerat på den västsvenska textilmarknaden. Företagens utlåtande kring deras outsourcing av logistikfunktionen värderas och lyfts. Syfte: Syfte för den här studien är att undersöka hur användandet av tredjepartslogistik ser ut inom västsvenska textilföretag. Vi vill skapa förståelse kring vilka risker och fördelar som outsourcing av logistikfunktionen innebär. Fortsatt vill vi även undersöka hur situationen ser ut för textilföretag belägna i Västsverige, och vilka faktorer som spelar in i deras outsourcing av logistikfunktionen. Metod: Vi inledde vår kvalitativa forskning med att genomföra en litteraturöversikt, som vi därefter använde för att skapa en intervjuguide. Under intervjuerna följde vi guiden, men lät även respondenterna tala mer fritt vid behov. En sådan intervjumetod kallas för semi-strukturerade intervjuer. För att nå en slutsats ställde vi referensramen mot empirin. På så sätt kunde vi besvara våra forskningsfrågor. Diskussion och slutsats: Efter analys av vår empiri kom vi fram till att de västsvenska textilföretagen i stora drag delar den bild som litteraturen ger gällande de risker och fördelar som finns vid outsourcing av logistikfunktionen. Däremot finns vissa olikheter. Företagen anser att risken för beroendeförhållande samt vikten av kommunikation inte har samma betydelse som litteraturen anser. Vi slår fast att företagen resonerar likt litteraturen när det gäller eftersträvan av diverse konkurrensfördelar. Förslag på vidare forskning: Studiens urval är för litet för att kunna dra några generella och övergripande slutsatser kring västsvenska företags outsourcing av logistikfunktionen, annat än i de tre specifika fall som vi studerat. Därmed efterfrågar vi att framtida studier utökar antalet deltagande företag. Här hoppas vi att vår studie kan ge en god grund att bygga vidare på. / Formulation of Problems and Background : Textile companies are in need of effective logistics. This is available externally from third party logistics suppliers. There is limited research which demonstrates the risks involved in outsourcing of the logistics function. Therefore, we want in this study to compare the risks with the benefits applied to WesternSwedish Textile Companies. Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the usage of third party logistics in Western Swedish Textile Companies. We also want to create an understanding of the risks and benefits that outsourcing of the logistics function entails. Further, we also want to investigate what the situation looks like for textile companies located in Western Sweden, and what factors are involved in their outsourcing of logistics. Method: We began by conducting a literature review which we later used to create an interview guide. The interview guide was used when interviewing three Western Swedish Textile Companies. During the interviews we followed the guide, though we also allowed the respondents to speak more freely if they chose. This methodology is called semi-structured interview. In order to reach a conclusion and answer our research questions, we compared the frame of reference against our empirical data. Discussion and conclusion: When analyzing our empirical data, we found that the companies broadly share the same impression as the literature regarding the risks and benefits involved when outsourcing logistics. We conclude that the companies included in our study put forth arguments which resemble what the literature emphasizes. However, there are some differences. Companies do not consider the risk of dependence on a third party, neither the importance of communication, as serious as the literature implies they should. Various competitive advantages are gained through the outsourcing of logistic functions. These outweigh any associated risks according to the companies involved in our study. Proposals for further research: The selection of companies in this study is too small to draw any general and comprehensive conclusions about the outsourcing of logistics function made by Western Swedish Textile Companies. This means that future studies will have to increase the number of participating companies in order to put forth a conclusion that is generalizable.

This study provides a qualitative look at Texas' Professional Service Providers' (PSPs) strategies for supporting low-performing schools. Four PSPs were selected for participation based on the number of schools they helped exit the Texas Title I School Improvement Program from 2007-2012. Data collected and analyzed included provider and principal interviews, providers' progress reports documenting services, and principals' evaluations of provider services. Results indicated key support strategies in two of four cases were supporting and mentoring/coaching while communicating and building trust were important in the other two cases. Communicating, reviewing information, and planning were important across all cases. The quality indicators aligning with the PSPs' strategies were fit, comprehensiveness, and coherence. They were also the most common across all cases. Finally, analysis of the evaluation of provider services revealed PSP-1 with the highest ratings, followed by PSP-2, PSP-3, and PSP-4 respectively. The findings suggest, first, that PSP support has a dual nature. Contextual support was provided based on the campus leaderships' skills and requests. PSPs also ensured coherence among the strategies of all stakeholders. Secondly, a hierarchy of quality service indicators aligned to the PSPs' strategies: fit, comprehensiveness, and coherence. Finally relationships are vital to a successful provider-campus relationship. The findings have implications for PSP selection, professional development, and evaluation.

No description available.

This study investigates how Swedish internet service providers (ISP) choose a Wi-Fi-Router for use by private customers. The study investigates the process of choosing a Wi-Fi-Router and what features the companies prioritize during the process. These features can be aspects such as security, speed, capacity, Wi-Fi standard and price. The study seeks to answer how the decision-making process is carried out in the companies, but also how the Wi-Fi-Routers features are prioritized during the decision-making process.  This was investigated using qualitative methods in the form of semi-structured interviews. The interviews were held remotely, which allowed for a larger spread of respondents. After the interviews, the data was coded using thematic analysis to arrive at the results of the study.  The study identified several different phases during the decision-making process that ISP’s go through. After identifying the phases, they were placed in a model which seeks to describe the decision-making process for all ISPs.  The most important aspect during the decision-making process was the price. The remaining aspects were decided by the Wi-Fi-Router's price and compromises had to be made to lower the price to a reasonable level for both the company and the customer. In addition to the price, the companies aimed to find a balance between the other features, where compromises can be made for features they consider to be less important.

The impact of adolescent human trafficking for sexual exploitation is of such a nature that it interferes with the attainment of adolescent developmental tasks that would lead to the ability to become independent adults. This interference offers specific challenges to service providers. The goal of this study was therefore to develop an in-depth understanding of service providers’ perceptions of the experiences of adolescents trafficked for sexual exploitation with a view to inform social work services. The research methodology entailed the use of the contextual, explorative and descriptive research designs within a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data analysis led to the identification of themes, sub-themes and categories that addressed the goal of the study. A literature control was conducted to verify the data and to draw conclusions and make recommendations for social work service delivery. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Science)

The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation, the International Federation of Air Traffic Control Associations, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation agree that professionals in the Air Navigation Services Provider Sector require successful organisational leadership to facilitate and manage transformation within the highly regulated Air Navigation Services Provider Sector. Detailed organisational leadership requirements and associated leadership training and development needs are, however, not specified by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation. An opportunity therefore existed to investigate leadership traits and behaviours within a specific context. This research project is contextualised within a safety-conscious, highly regulated and technology-driven industry (the South African Aviation Industry), a safety-critical sector (Air Navigation Services) and specifically the Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company. It was found that little academic research has been done to address the role of followers in the leadership process and to determine what followers expect and require from their leaders. The research problem statement, in response to this research necessity, is: “How can follower experiences and expectations of leadership behaviours in a safety-critical commercial environment be collected, analysed, understood, structured and utilised to aid leadership development?” An ethnographic research case study approach allowed the researcher to investigate the multifarious phenomena that constitute the current views (experiences and expectations) held by followers with regard to leadership behaviour qualities. A mixed methods approach was followed. Data collection was facilitated by means of individual interviews, focus group interviews, field notes and a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were inductively analysed to identify the recurring patterns and common themes and quantitative data were deductively analysed to assess the nature of existing conditions and relevance. Data and method triangulation was implemented to determine whether multiple sources of data agreed, and to obtain better, cross-checked insights. Findings from this research study provided academic, industry, process and methodology insights into views held by followers regarding leadership and followership constructs. Definitions and perspectives held and reported by followers regarding leaders and leadership, characteristics of preferred and undesired leadership styles, relational and emotional bonds between followers and their leaders acknowledged the presence, value and influence of follower mental models. In this case followers contextualised leadership roles and responsibilities and suggested a transformational leadership style as a desired state. Findings also emphasised a need to appreciate the importance of the social exchange and social contingency theories of leadership in order to create a better understanding of leadership by emphasising the importance of context when studying leaders and leadership from a follower perspective. Obtained follower insights resulted in a structured leadership training and development needs analysis process framed within the specific context. Future research efforts in this regard may be aimed at determining the necessity to educate followers to critically appreciate and evaluate leadership performance and creating a better understanding of how followers’ mental models internally represent complex, dynamic systems and how these representations change over time. / Business Management / DBL