Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The thesis takes as its focus collaborative regional organisational networks. It is argued that
in knowledge intensive sectors, such collaboration clusters are an important factor for being
competitive in a global economy. To substantiate this claim, both a regional case study of the
KwaZulu-Natal Information and Communications and Electronics Technology (ICTE) cluster
forum is undertaken and a single firm case of MicroVision Software, a member of the cluster
forum.
The introductory chapter provides background about the global extent of collaborative
activity especially in the high technology and knowledge-intensive sectors.
Chapter 2 examines how regions across the world have developed strategies to grow and
maintain their economic strengths in the knowledge economy. This is primarily described
through two reference cases studies.
The case of the Humberside Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) conducted by Fryer,
comprising around 70 organisations, is an example of how the principles of complexity
theory can be implemented to yield a network model based on autonomy, connectivity,
feedback, community and leadership. This case provides a reference model for how to
provide an enabling environment for collaborative knowledge networks.
The flat panel display (FPD) research done by Spencer demonstrates the effectiveness of
successful regional strategies for convergent, knowledge-diffusion networks.
Spencer’s work shows that whilst most FPD technologies were initially invented in US
laboratories in the 1960s, all portable computers produced after 1989 contained Liquid
Crystal Display (LCD) screens that were primarily manufactured in Asia. Spencer found that
regions were most competitive when the regional knowledge-diffusion networks are at their
highest density levels and when guided by a strategic centre.
Chapter 3 turns to the macro case study of the KZN ICTE Cluster Forum. The forum was
established to address factors identified in a study commissioned by the KZN DEDT, which
found that whilst the electronics sector in KZN has many innovative firms and skilful
graduates, knowledge diffusion networks are virtually non-existent. The case study shows
how this forum tried to encourage collaboration, but failed to accomplish most of its goals.
Chapter 4 provides a micro case study of a particular organisation, MicroVision Software,
that participated in the KZN ICTE Cluster Forum. The case takes the form of participatory or
action research, because it is about the author's own journey as an entrepreneur. The case
study shows the critical role that network ties and networked organisation played in the
projects undertaken. It is shown how the organisation underwent many phases of re-invention as a result of changes in the ICT environment. It is argued that the various education
management systems developed, which involve large systems integration challenges, can
only succeed if a clustered organisation is developed around it.
The concluding chapter considered how the ICTE Cluster Forum could be re-invigorated,
given the lessons from the reference case studies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis fokus op organisatoriese streeksamewerkingsnetwerke. Hierin word daar
argumenteer dat in kennis intensiewe sektore in die globale ekonomie sulke
samewerkingsnetwerke ‘n sentrale kompeterende faktor is. Om hierdie stelling te bevestig
word twee gevallestudies ondersoek, naamlik die KwaZulu-Natal Information and
Communications and Electronics Technology (ICTE) groepsforum en ‘n enkele firma,
MicroVision Software, wat ‘n lid is van hierdie forum.
Die inleidende hoofstuk skets die agtergrond van die globale omvang van
samewerkingsnetwerke met die klem op die hoë tegnologie- en kennis- intensiewe sektore.
Hoofstuk 2 ondersoek hoe streke wêreldwyd strategieë ontwikkel het om hulle ekonomieë te
groei en hulle ekonomiese voordeel te handhaaf in die kennis- ekonomie. Dit word
hoofsaaklik beskryf met die hulp van twee gevallestudies wat as verwysingspunt dien vir die
latere gevallestudies wat uitgevoer is.
Die geval van Humberside Training and Enterprise Council (TEC), ‘n ondersoek van
ongeveer 70 organisasies deur Fryer, is ‘n voorbeeld van hoe die beginsels van
kompleksiteitsteorie geimplimenteer kan word om ‘n netwerkmodel te vestig wat geskoei is
op outonomie, konneksies, terugvoerlusse, en leierskap. Die geval bied ‘n
verwysingsraamwerk vir die skep van ‘n vrugbare omgewing vir samewerkende
kennisnetwerke.
Die platpaneelskerm (Flat Panel Display) industrie navorsing deur Spencer demonsteer die
effektiwiteit van suksesvolle streekstrategieë vir uiteenlopende, kennisgebaseerde
verspreidingsnetwerke.
Spencer se werk illustreer dat alhoewel die meeste platpaneelskerm-navorsing aanvanklik in
Amerikaanse laboratoria plaasgevind het, alle skootrekenaars wat na 1989 vervaardig is,
vloeikristalskerms (LCD) wat van Asië afkomstig was bevat het. Spencer het bevind dat
areas hoogs kompeterend was wanneer kennisgebaseerde verspreidingsnetwerke op sy
hoogste digtheidsvlakke was en deur ‘n strategiese sentrum bestuur is.
Hoofstuk 3 fokus op die makro gevallestudie van die KZN ICTE groepsforum. Die forum is
gestig om kwessies wat geїdentifiseer is in ‘n studie aangevra deur die KZN DEDT aan te
spreek. Dié studie het bevind dat alhoewel die elektronika sektor in KZN bestaan uit baie
innoverende firmas en bedien is deur bekwame graduandi, het kennisgebaseerde
verspreidingsnetwerke feitlik nie bestaan nie. Die studie toon hoe hierdie forum samewerking
aangemoedig het, maar tog gefaal het in die meeste van sy doelwitte. Hoofstuk 4 bied ‘n mikro gevallestudie van ‘n spesifieke maatskappy, Microvision Software,
wat deel was van die KZN ICTE groepsforum. Dit handel oor die outeur se eie wedervaringe
as ‘n entrepreneur en is dus aksie navorsing. Dié gevallestudie belig die kritiese rol wat
netwerke gespeel het in die sukses van die projekte wat die maatskappy onderneem het. Dit
wys hoe die maatskappy verskillende fases van herontdekking en herposisionering as gevolg
van voortdurende verandering in die inligtingstegnologie-landskap ondergaan het. Daar word
geargumenteer dat die verskeie opvoedkundige bestuurstelsels ,wat grootskaalse integrasieuitdagings
bied, slegs suksesvol kan wees wanneer daar ‘n samewerkingsnetwerk daar
rondom gevestig word.
Die finale hoofstuk oorweeg die moontlikhede van herlewing en bemagtiging van die ICTE
groepsforum.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/97096 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Fourie, Colin Ralph |
| Contributors | Maasdorp, C., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ix, 119 pages |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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