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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
111

A trajetória do ambiente jurídico-institucional do setor de software no Brasil e na Índia: identidades, diferenças e repercussões

Varon Ferraz, Joana 11 May 2010 (has links)
Submitted by Cristiane Oliveira (cristiane.oliveira@fgv.br) on 2011-06-13T15:05:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 61080200034.pdf: 42011735 bytes, checksum: 13ca852a13e7fb007dc2246867ea246f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vera Lúcia Mourão(vera.mourao@fgv.br) on 2011-06-13T16:09:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 61080200034.pdf: 42011735 bytes, checksum: 13ca852a13e7fb007dc2246867ea246f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vera Lúcia Mourão(vera.mourao@fgv.br) on 2011-06-13T16:10:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 61080200034.pdf: 42011735 bytes, checksum: 13ca852a13e7fb007dc2246867ea246f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2011-06-13T17:52:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 61080200034.pdf: 42011735 bytes, checksum: 13ca852a13e7fb007dc2246867ea246f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-11 / For over 30 years, Brazil has developed specific policies to foster computer industry. Goals and institutional frameworks have been outlined for the sector, since the National Informatics Policy of the 70’s, going through the Market Reserve Period of the 80’s, until nowadays, when Informatics Communication Technologies (ICT) are seen as prioritary area for Industrial Policy. Among the current goals, we can highlight the focus on increasing exports of software products and services. However, despite these claims, the country exports on the field haven’t been particularly expressive at the global market. On the other hand, India, which, just as Brazil, is also considered an emerging economy portrayed on the list of BRIC, was responsible for exporting about USD$47 billion in software and IT services by 2009, emerging as a global player for the sector. The implementation of a sophisticated activity such as software industry in a developing country like India definitely calls our attention. Certainly, legal-institutional arrangements were implemented at that country. Which? To what extent such arrangements helped the development of Indian industry? What about Brazil? This paper assumes that the legal-institutional framework developed at the countries have established different knowledge flows, leading to different development paths for each software industry. The generic goal of this research is to investigate how, among other socio-economic factors, these legal-institutional arrangements have outlined different knowledge flows. For the matter, legal-institutional framework is considered as all regulation that establishes institutions, policies and conditions to a particular subject. This paper also assumes that the software industry is based on knowledge-intensive activities. Therefore, the analysis will focus on legal-institutional arrangements that had and/or still have influence over knowledge flows directly related to software industry, thus, trade policies (export and import, property rights, etc) and investment policies for innovation developed in India and Brazil to foster the sector. The goal is not to take India as the ideal model to be followed by Brazil, or even to exhaust the question of what would be an ideal public policy for this sector, which would mean going beyond a legal-institutional analysis. The key question to be faced is not if the State has a developmental role, but what are the different types of State involvement that can be observed and what are its effects. To reach these goals, in addition to literature reviews, a fieldwork was developed at India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore) and Brazil (São Paulo, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro), where interviews were conducted with enterprises and software associations, policy makers and academics who study the industry. / Há mais de 30 anos o Brasil tem desenvolvido políticas específicas para o setor de informática, desde a Política Nacional de Informática da década de 70, passando pelo Período de Reserva de Mercado dos anos 80 e, nos dias de hoje, em que as Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) são tidas como uma das áreas prioritárias na Política Industrial. Dentre as metas atuais, destaca-se o foco na ampliação do volume de exportações de software e serviços. Contudo, apesar dessas pretensões, o país não tem tido destaque internacional expressivo para o setor. Por outro lado, a Índia, também considerada como um país emergente, figurando na lista dos BRIC, foi responsável pela exportação de cerca de US$47 bilhões em software e serviços de Tecnologia da Informação (TI) em 2009, se destacando como um país protagonista no mercado internacional do setor. A implementação de uma indústria tecnicamente sofisticada como a do software, que exige um ambiente propício à inovação, em um país em desenvolvimento como a Índia chama a atenção. De certo existiram arranjos jurídico-institucionais que foram utilizados naquele país. Quais? Em que medida tais arranjos ajudaram no desenvolvimento indiano do setor? E no Brasil? Este trabalho parte da hipótese de que o ambiente jurídico-institucional desses países definiu fluxos de conhecimento distintos, influenciando o tipo de desenvolvimento do setor de software de cada um. Averiguar como, entre outros fatores sócio-econômicos, esses arranjos jurídico-institucionais influenciaram na conformação diversa de fluxos de conhecimento é o objetivo específico desta pesquisa. Entende-se aqui como ambiente jurídico-institucional todas as regulamentações que estabelecem instituições, diretrizes e condições comuns para determinado tema. Partindo do pressuposto de que o setor de software desenvolve atividades intensivas em conhecimento, para cada país em questão, serão analisados apenas arranjos jurídico-institucionais que tiveram, ou têm, poder de delimitar o fluxo de conhecimento referente ao setor, sejam eles provenientes de políticas comerciais (de exportação e importação, ou de propriedade intelectual) ou de políticas de investimento para inovação. A questão fundamental ultrapassa o debate se o Estado deve ou não intervir, para focar-se na análise sobre os diferentes tipos de envolvimento observados e quais os seus efeitos. Para tal, além de revisão bibliográfica, foi feita uma pesquisa de campo na Índia (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore) e no Brasil (São Paulo, Brasília e Rio de Janeiro), onde foram conduzidas entrevistas com empresas e associações de software, gestores públicos e acadêmicos que estudam o setor.
112

Knowledge and Information Communication Technology : perceptions of staff from selected Namibian banking institutions

Gandanhamo, Joseph Fungayi January 2016 (has links)
The integration of Information Communication Technology (ICT) into contemporary society and business operations is observed as a clear reality in Namibia. While Namibia faces one of the typical hurdles of developing nations, lack of a skilled knowledge workforce, literature presents a contrasting face of ICT investment in the country, in particular the financial services sector. This sector is considered a critical sector in the Namibian economy, embracing global trends while boasting world class ICT infrastructure. This is despite the sector struggling with a shortage of expertise. The situation in Namibia’s financial sector thus warrants a critical review of knowledge development practices as research shows. As literature explains, the financial institutions in Namibia are dependent on expertise from parent companies in the South African financial sector. The result is a need to identify means to develop the knowledge of Namibia’s workforce in the banking sector. Although there is evidence from literature to suggest that ICT can be used to create a skilled and knowledge based workforce mainly due to the promise of cost savings, and convenience, there exists a critical gap in literature on the adoption of ICT for knowledge development in the Namibian financial sector. This gap in knowledge as well as the high investment in ICTs in the banking sector pose a problem that the research aimed to address. This study explored the adoption of ICTs for knowledge development activities in the banking sector of Namibia identifying the perceptions and factors influencing its adoption for knowledge development purposes. Although adoption of ICT is influenced by various factors, this study focused on a specific factor, namely the impact of perceptions on ICT adoption. ICT adoption models such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) or the Technology Adoption Model (TAM) and more recently the Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology (UTAUT) argue that the perceptions of users are fundamental determinants for the adoption of the ICT. Driving, thus, the need to understand the views of users of the ICTs in banks in order to understand the potential it may yield in knowledge development. The study adopts the Activity Theory (AT) as the means to uncover and clearly interpret the perceptions of banking staff, through its theoretic underpinnings of naturalistic investigation and beliefs of “intentional human-action”. This study thus set out to explore the perceptions of banking staff on the use of ICTs in knowledge development and identify the critical factors in their adoption of ICTs in the process. Drawing from the Activity Theory the investigation used a multi-case qualitative study that used semi-structured interviews that were administered on twenty-three respondents from three of the biggest banks in Namibia (cases). The respondents comprised of managerial and nonmanagerial staff with the three cases chosen based on their ties with South African banks. The findings show that all three Namibian banks have advanced ICT infrastructure which they have managed to adopt for knowledge development purposes. The Management of the banks in all three cases were of the belief that the use of ICT supports knowledge development. Nonmanagerial bank staff in all three cases likewise have a positive perception about the use of ICT for knowledge development purposes. However, key concerns about the development of ICT driven knowledge development initiatives which could affect adoption of the ICTs were expressed by the non-managerial staff. These included, management support, consultation in the development phase of the knowledge development initiatives, integration of knowledge development strategies into the staff processes and increasing awareness activities among the staff. The recommendations indicate a need for the institutions to drive knowledge management in general in the institution, which will in turn help foster knowledge development initiatives fully. Another recommendation concerning the design of knowledge development initiatives is the need to involve the targeted staff more fully. Yet another strong recommendation was the need to blend knowledge development initiatives into the work processes of staff and ensure active support by management. / Computing / M.A. (Computing)
113

Dynamic approach in the application of information communication technologies models in the provision of flexible learning for distance education

Sekgwelea, Sello Molefe 30 November 2007 (has links)
The main purpose of this research is to establish whether ICT models as implemented in distance education do help to render desirable results (increment in throughput, meeting clientele expectations, and reduction in learner drop-outs). If it is not the case, what could be done to overcome the established hindrance? The researcher employed programme evaluation (PE) which integrates both the positivistic and phenomenological aspects of research. The samples were drawn from the population group through probability and non-probability techniques. Different research strategies within PE such as discovery, inspection and auditing were at first employed to gauge the physical presence of what is being achieved by Unisa through use of myUnisa & DVC; followed by the use of the surveys (personal interviews, administered questionnaires, focus group interviews). The ultimate outcomes of the said research activities are audiovisual recordings, statistically analysed transcripts and questionnaire data. The researcher employed the following key questions in grappling with issues in this area; their findings are also given: i. Does the application of ICTs facilitate and enhance flexible learning at Unisa? With reference to flexible delivery as it relates to aspect of teaching and learning in Engineering, it has been established that minimal use is made of ICTs. Are the technologies correctly applied for teaching and learning? Based on the evidence of research findings it has been established that technology application is mainly used for administrative support rather than for teaching and learning. iii. Do the instructional design and technological applications meet the needs of their users? As matters stand, the study suggests that users' expectations through rating their perceptions and attitudes (academics, tutors, instructional designers, multimedia developers and learners), are far from being met (as all the critical parts of the models are not yet in place regarding the Engineering and other departments). According to the main finding, while there is some evidence of efforts aimed at proper implementation, underutilisation of the ICTs appears to be the main problem, as established at Unisa and elsewhere. The research is concluded through a number of recommendations based on the established findings. / Educational Studies / (D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies))
114

Work-life balance, job satisfaction and turnover intention amongst information technology employees

Munro, Zanel 11 1900 (has links)
The objectives of the study were to determine the relationship between the demographic variables, work-life balance (as measured by the Survey Work-Home Interaction - Nijmegen), job satisfaction (as measured by the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire) and turnover intention (as measured by the Turnover Intention Scale); to determine whether the demographic variables and work-life balance significantly predict job satisfaction and turnover intention; and to determine the differences between biographical groups. A quantitative cross-sectional survey research design was applied to a stratified random sample of 79 employees in a South African IT company. Descriptive statistics, correlations, independent t-tests and regressions were used to analyse the data. Analysis revealed that job satisfaction has a significant negative relationship with turnover intention. Furthermore, the work-home interface sub-dimensions of work-life balance have both a positive and negative relationship with job satisfaction and turnover intention. There are significant differences between the various biographical groups. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology
115

Dissonâncias cognitivas regionais no desenvolvimento de uma economia do conhecimento na região oeste do Paraná / Regional cognitive dissonances in the development of a knowledge economy in the west region of Parana state (Brazil)

Colling, Marcel Augusto 14 August 2018 (has links)
Submitted by Marilene Donadel (marilene.donadel@unioeste.br) on 2018-10-26T17:11:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcel_Colling_2018.pdf: 3237401 bytes, checksum: 68655056331b4b1d08a0e7fce8b15c37 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-26T17:11:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcel_Colling_2018.pdf: 3237401 bytes, checksum: 68655056331b4b1d08a0e7fce8b15c37 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Behavioral economics has recently been gaining more space in academic studies. The theories based on the rationality of the actors have given place to studies that contemplate their cognitive systems, ways of thinking and emotions. In this context, recent studies in the area of knowledge economy have approached the behavioral framework to analyze the performance and influence of institutions in organizations and vice versa. It occurs that in the relations between different groups in a region, the cognitions of the actors are susceptible to dissonances between beliefs and attitudes. Such imbalances are mitigated by the use of cognitive biases. The influence of these dissonances and biases in the relations between groups in the regional development is the theme addressed in this work. In this perspective, the objective of this dissertation is to analyze the influence and impacts of cognitive dissonance in the relations between the groups of local actors represented by the Government, University and Companies in the Western Region of the State of Parana in view of the knowledge economy. The question that has been sought to answer is how these cognitive processes can represent barriers to a broader understanding by groups about their role in the region in a development context. In order to answer these questions, the present work has proposed to: characterize the Western Region of the State of Parana and the selected municipalities (Cascavel, Toledo, Foz do Iguaçu, Marechal Cândido Rondon, Palotina and Medianeira) according to the relational approaches of the knowledge economy; research the beliefs of local actors representing government, university, and business with a view to the occurrence of cognitive dissonances between beliefs; study the attitudes of each group of local actors regarding the relational aspects addressed by the knowledge economy in terms of cognitive biases and subcategories of dissonance; and explain the reduction or elimination of cognitive dissonance and the use of heuristics and biases in an integrated way by local actors when considering the relations between the different groups. The methodology used was quantitative and qualitative. Initially data were collected regarding Gross Added Value; Number of establishments per activity; Number of jobs per activity; Municipal expenses by function; HDI; Number of public universities; Number of enrollments and graduates in public higher education; Associations formed by groups; Municipal councils. Then, data obtained through questionnaires were analyzed using the methods of Mean Analysis, Pearson Correlations and Stepwise Regression. The next step was the analysis of qualitative data obtained by semi-structured interviews using discourse analysis according to subcategories of cognitive dissonance and cognitive bias. Finally, quantitative and qualitative data were systematically compared according to the subcategories of cognitive dissonance and cognitive bias. The research results showed that, in fact, there are a number of cognitive barriers caused by the heuristics and biases in the three groups. Such barriers prevent them from thinking about innovative ways of institutional action and relational environment so that it hinders the development of the West region of Parana oriented to the knowledge economy. / A economia comportamental recentemente vem ganhando mais espaço no meio acadêmico. As teorias pautadas na racionalidade dos atores têm dado lugar a estudos que contemplam seus sistemas cognitivos, formas de pensar e emoções. Nesse contexto, os recentes estudos na área da economia do conhecimento têm se aproximado do arcabouço comportamental para analisar a atuação e influência das instituições nas organizações e vice-versa. Ocorre que nas relações entre diferentes grupos em uma região, as cognições dos atores são suscetíveis a dissonâncias entre crenças e atitudes. Tais desequilíbrios são amenizados pela utilização de vieses cognitivos. A influência dessas dissonâncias e vieses nas relações entre grupos para o desenvolvimento regional é o tema tratado neste trabalho. Nessa perspectiva, o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a influência e os impactos da dissonância cognitiva nas relações entre os atores locais dos grupos Governo, Universidade e Empresa na Região Oeste do Estado do Paraná tendo em vista a economia do conhecimento. A pergunta que se buscou responder é como esses processos cognitivos podem representar barreiras para uma compreensão mais ampla por parte dos grupos a respeito de seu papel na região em um contexto de desenvolvimento. A fim de responder a esses questionamentos, o presente trabalho se propôs a caracterizar a Região Oeste do Estado do Paraná e os municípios selecionados (Cascavel, Toledo, Foz do Iguaçu, Marechal Cândido Rondon, Palotina e Medianeira) de acordo com as abordagens relacionais da economia do conhecimento; pesquisar as crenças dos atores locais que representam governo, universidade e empresas com vistas à ocorrência de dissonâncias cognitivas entre crenças; estudar as atitudes de cada grupo de atores locais em relação aos aspectos relacionais abordados pela economia do conhecimento em termos de vieses cognitivos e subcategorias de dissonância; e explicar a redução ou eliminação da dissonância cognitiva e a utilização de heurísticas e vieses de maneira integrada por parte dos atores locais quando consideram as relações entre os diferentes grupos. A metodologia utilizada foi quantitativa e qualitativa. Inicialmente, foram levantados dados referentes ao Valor Adicionado Bruto; Quantidade de estabelecimentos por atividade; Quantidade de empregos por atividade; Despesas municipais por função; IDH; Total de universidades públicas; Quantidade de matrículas e de concluintes no ensino superior público; Associações formadas pelos grupos; Conselhos municipais. Em seguida, foram analisados dados obtidos por meio de questionários com os métodos de Análise de média, Correlações de Pearson e Regressão stepwise. O próximo passo foi a análise dos dados qualitativos levantados por entrevistas semiestruturadas utilizando análise de discurso de acordo com as subcategorias de dissonância cognitiva e vieses cognitivos. Por fim, os dados quantitativos e qualitativos foram comparados sistematicamente de acordo com as subcategorias de dissonância cognitiva e vieses cognitivos. Os resultados da pesquisa mostraram que, de fato, há uma série de barreiras cognitivas causadas pelas heurísticas e vieses presentes nos grupos. Tais barreiras os impedem de pensar em formas de inovação das instituições e do ambiente relacional para que o desenvolvimento da região Oeste do Paraná possa ser orientado para a economia do conhecimento.
116

Libre accès à la communication scientifique et contexte français : prospective, développement et enjeux pour la créativité et l'interdisciplinarité ? / Open access to scientific communication and the French context : prospective, development and issues for creativity and interdisciplinarity?

Dillaerts, Hans 06 December 2012 (has links)
Dans le cadre du développement international du mouvement du libre accès aux publications scientifiques, cette thèse analyse plus précisément la situation française dans le contexte européen. Cette analyse a été menée à travers une démarche de recherche-action, au sein d’un groupe d’acteurs du Groupement français des industries de l’information (GFII) concernés par le libre accès.Nous cherchons tout d’abord à mettre en évidence les forces motrices du développement du libre accès en nous appuyant sur une méthodologie prospective développée au LIPSOR/CNAM.Les résultats nous ont conduit à contribuer à la conception d'un site d’information dont la finalité est l'affichage des politiques des éditeurs nationaux en matière d'auto-archivage afin d'accompagner les pratiques de dépôts au niveau national. L’analyse prospective a en effet révélé l’importance des embargos pour les équilibres financiers des éditeurs.De façon plus distanciée, nous amorçons également une réflexion sur l’impact réel du libre accès sur deux moteurs semblant jouer un rôle croissant dans l'économie de la connaissance, à savoir la créativité et l’interdisciplinarité. / Within the framework of the international development of open access to scientific publications, this thesis analyses more precisely the French situation in the European context. This analysis was carried out through a process of action research within a group of actors of the French Professional Group for B to B Information and Knowledge (GFII) who are concerned by open access.At first, we seek to highlight the driving forces behind the development of open access by relying on a method of prospective developed by LIPSOR/ CNAM.The results led us to contribute to the design of an information website whose purpose is to display the national publisher policies on self-archiving practices in order to support the development of new deposit practices at the national level. The prospective analysis has indeed revealed the importance of embargo periods for the financial balances of the publishers.By adopting a more distanced point of view, we initiate a new reflection about the real impact of open access on two important driving forces which seem to play an increasing role in the knowledge economy, namely creativity and interdisciplinarity.
117

An exploratory study of business intelligence in knowledge-based growth small, medium and micro-enterprises in South Africa

Ponelis, S.R. (Shana Rachel) 10 February 2012 (has links)
Small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) play an important part in all economies but particularly in developing economies. Growth 'SMMEs seek to grow either in size, revenue and/or asset value by reinvesting available resources; these enterprises tend to spend their available resources on operational when it comes to information and communication technology (ICT). But these systems, whilst necessary are not sufficient. They are geared toward capturing data but not producing information. Business intelligence (BI) can provide decision-makers, who in SMMEs are predominantly owner-managers, with access to information that enables them to make informed decisions on where to apply limited resources. Because BI requires operational systems to be in place to gather the data it is the logical next step. Despite increasing discussion in the press and amongst BI practitioners, academic research with regard to BI in SMMEs remains sparse. Since the potential contribution of BI to SMMEs can only be assessed by first understanding current information practices and needs in such enterprises, the purpose of this study is to explore the use of use of BI to support strategic, tactical and operational decision-making. This research uses an interpretive approach to collect data using semi-structured interviews from the owner-managers of six knowledge-based growth SMMEs in South Africa selected through purposive sampling. The research results suggest that BI can play an important role in knowledge-based growth SMMEs but that support and guidance is needed to ensure that BI is used appropriately to fully exploit available data for decision-making in addition to expanding available data sources. Future research can adopt a more rigorous positivist approach to confirm the findings of this study, expand the population to other sectors in South Africa and/or SMMEs in other countries. An action research methodology can also be used to apply BI interventions in SMMEs to investigate specific BI solutions in-depth. The research may be of value to participating and other SMME owner-managers, policy makers, government agencies, business advisers, and academic researchers. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Information Science / unrestricted
118

Managing resource sharing in selected Seventh-day Adventist tertiary institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa: problems and prospects

Adeogun, Margaret Olufunke 30 November 2004 (has links)
Universities in the new millennium find themselves in a knowledge-driven economy that is challenging them to produce a qualified and adaptable work force if they are to contribute to societal development. Owing to the structural change in the economy, entrepreneurs require high level scientists, professionals and technicians who not only have the capability to create and support innovations by adapting knowledge to local use but also people with managerial and lifelong learning skills. Such are they who can accelerate changes and make organizations more productive and efficient in the services they render. Consequently, universities in Sub-Saharan Africa are challenged to transform learning so as to produce graduates who have both knowledge and competencies. Such a system will create a balance between university education and the changing labour market. Satisfying these new educational demands are only possible through research and unhindered access to global information resources. Paradoxically, some private university libraries, because of limited funding, find themselves fiscally constrained in the provision of unhindered access to global stores of information particularly at a time of exponential growth both in number and cost of information resources. This had led libraries to re-examine resource sharing as a viable option to meeting the new demands placed on universities. It is for the reasons above that this study examines the practice, problems and prospects of resource-sharing in selected Seventh-day Adventist university libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It examines scientifically the causes of poor sharing practices that are unique to each library, the situational and environmental factors that can enhance resource sharing. It provides also research-based information that will help to determine the best ways by which each library can have greater access to information resources. There are proposals for resolving the problems, and there are recommendations for dealing with the matter on a more permanent basis. The study advances resource-sharing model called Consortium of Adventist University Libraries in Africa (CAULA) as a resource sharing network for Seventh-day Adventist libraries in Africa. The organizational structure for CAULA are outlined and discussed. The proposed cooperation is not only sustainable but also structured to provide efficiency and greater regional cooperation of SDA libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. / Information Science / DLITT ET PHIL (INF SCIENCE)
119

The role of taxonomies in knowledge management

Fouché, Marie-Louise 30 June 2006 (has links)
The knowledge economy has brought about some new challenges for organisations. Accessing data and information in a logical manner is a critical component of information and knowledge management. Taxonomies are viewed as a solution to facilitate ease of access to information in a logical manner. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of taxonomies within organisations which utilise a knowledge management framework or strategy. An interview process was utilised to gain insight from leading organisations as to the use of taxonomies within the knowledge management environment. Organisations are starting to use taxonomies to manage multi-sourced environments and facilitate the appropriate sourcing of the organisations intellectual capital. Based on the research it is clear that taxonomies will play a central role in the coming years to help manage the complexity of the organisation's environment and ease the access to relevant information. / Information Science / M.Inf.
120

Space, voice and authority : white critical thought on the Black Zimbabwean novel

Gwekwerere, Tavengwa 11 1900 (has links)
All bodies of critical discourse on any given literary canon seek visibility through self- celebration, subversion of competing critical ideas and identification with supposedly popular, scientific and incisive critical theories. Thus, the literary-critical quest for significance and visibility is, in essence, a quest for „space‟, „voice‟ and „authority‟ in the discussion of aspects of a given literary corpus. This research explores the politics of „space‟, „voice‟ and „authority‟ in „white critical thought‟ on „the black Zimbabwean novel‟. It unfolds in the context of the realisation that as a body of critical discourse on „the black Zimbabwean novel‟, „white critical thought‟ does not only emerge in an intellectual matrix in which it shares and competes for „space‟, „voice‟ and „authority‟ with other bodies of critical thought on the literary episteme in question; it also develops in the ambit of Euro-African cultural politics of hegemony and resistance. Thus, the research sets out to identify the ways in which „white critical thought‟ affirms and perpetuates or questions and negates European critical benchmarks and cultural models in the discussion of selected aspects of „the black Zimbabwean novel‟. The investigation considers the fissures at the heart of „white critical thought‟ as a critical discourse and the myriad of ways in which it interacts with competing critical discourses on the „the black Zimbabwean novel‟. It derives impetus from the fact that while other versions of critical thought on „the black Zimbabwean novel‟ have received extensive metacritical discussion elsewhere, „white critical thought‟ remains largely under-discussed. This phenomenon enables it to solidify into a settled body of critical thought. The metacritical discussion of „white critical thought‟ in this research constitutes part of the repertoire of efforts that will help check the solidification of critical discourses into hegemonic bodies of thought. The research makes use of Afrocentric and Postcolonial critical tenets to advance the contention that while „white critical thought‟ on „the black Zimbabwean novel‟ is fraught with fissures and contradictions that speak directly to its complexity and resistance to neat categorisation, it is largely vulnerable to identification as part of the paraphernalia of European cultural and intellectual hegemony in African literature and its criticism, given its tendency to discuss the literature outside the context of critical theories that emerge from the same culture and history with the literary corpus in question. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

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