| 1. |
- Al-saqaf, Walid, 1973-
(författare)
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Breaking digital firewalls : analyzing internet censorship and circumvention in the arab world
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This dissertation explores the role of Internet censorship and circumvention in the Arab world as well as Arabs’ views on the limits to free speech on the Internet.The project involves the creation of an Internet censorship circumvention tool named Alkasir that allows users to report and access certain types of censored websites. The study covers the Arab world at large with special focus on Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen.This work is of interdisciplinary nature and draws on the disciplines of media and communication studies and computer science. It uses a pioneering experimental approach by placing Alkasir in the hands of willing users who automatically feed a server with data about usage patterns without storing any of their personal information.In addition to the analysis of Alkasir usage data, Web surveys were used to learn about any technical and nontechnical Internet censorship practices that Arab users and content producers may have been exposed to. The study also aims at learning about users’ experiences with circumvention tools and how such tools could be improved.The study found that users have successfully reported and accessed hundreds of censored social networking, news, dissident, multimedia and other websites. The survey results show that while most Arab informants disapprove censoring online anti-government political content, the majority support the censoring of other types of content such as pornography, hate speech, and anti-religion material.Most informants indicated that circumvention tools should be free of charge, fast and reliable. An increase in awareness among survey respondents of the need for privacy and anonymity features in circumvention solutions was observed.
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| 2. |
- Bakunzibake, Pierre, 1977-
(författare)
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Improving Implementation of e-Government Services in Rwanda : An Organisational Perspective
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- As part of realising development programmes faster, developing countries have been adopting, from developed ones, modern ICTs and implementing e-government towards better public services. However, efforts of implementation of e-government services have been often resulting in unsatisfactory outcomes and even total failures. This is a big challenge particularly for Least Developed Countries which have fewer resources. Such outcomes are partly due to the lack of addressing organisational issues associated with implementations.This thesis addresses the question: How can the implementation of e-government services be improved from an organisational perspective in the context of Rwanda?The thesis adopts a socio-technical perspective and uses both qualitative case study methodology and a literature review approach. Two cases of implementation of e-government services were studied. The first case, an Enterprise Content Management system concerns the sharing and working on digital documents within government agencies. The second case, the onestop e-government is for providing online services by the central and local government agencies to the general public via a single portal, ‘Irembo’. This thesis shows that implementation of e-government services has been focusing on digitalisation of services superimposing ICT over existing structures with less attention to organisational change issues related to processes, organisational structure and policies. The thesis also identifies a deficit in implementation processes in terms of lacking clear goals and formal monitoring in the local government. Those insights on the implementation of e-government services of an LDC pinpoint a need for optimisation between technical and social aspects. This thesis makes an empirical contribution by bringing forth those insights. In order to help tackle a number of challenging issues found, a comprehensive model for improving the process of implementing e-government services, called Plan-Do-Evaluate-Resolve (PDER) was developed as a theoretical contribution based on a literature analysis.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Larsson, Hannu, 1985-
(författare)
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Sustainable eGovernance
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis focuses on eGovernance – the use of ICT as a means to improve public sector practice. Previous research has shown that there is a lack of long-term discussion on the purposes and directions of eGovernance development, often outlining it as unequivocally positive, while missing to consider the complexities and conflicts involved in this process. In order to understand the complexities of eGovernance a future-oriented perspective is needed. In other words a perspective that not only focuses on using ICT to be responsive to present needs but also making it possible to discuss which goals public sector ICT initiatives should strive for and how these correspond to goals and means in the public sector as a whole. In order to do this I employ a sustainability perspective.The aim of this thesis is to understand how eGovernance can be sustainable in such a complex organizational environment. This is approached in four papers; based on two case studies, situated in the public sector of Sweden, and a structured literature review of the use of the sustainability concept in eGovernance research.The findings of this thesis include a framework of sustainable eGovernance, including an outline of the different dimensions of sustainability: social, economic, environmental and technical. These dimensions are seen as carriers of different values and goals which are in a process of continuous dialogue and conflict. Cutting across these four dimensions are two themes: decision making and information infrastructure, which make up the backbone of how ICT can be used in order to improve public practice. The theoretical lens of sustainability widens our understanding and helps in the questioning of motivations, directions and implications of eGovernance initiatives. This thesis thus contributes with a theoretically and empirically founded framework, which is suitable as a foundation for sustainable eGovernance development and further research into that area.
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| 5. |
- Nhavoto, José António, 1981-
(författare)
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Integration of Mobile Technologies with Routine Healthcare Services in Mozambique
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Mobile technologies are emerging as one way to help address health challenges in many countries, including in Least Developed Countries. Mobile technology can reach a large share of the population but in order to provide effective support to healthcare services, technology, information collection and dissemination, and work processes need to be well aligned. The thesis uses a design science methodological approach and mixes qualitative and quantitative data analysis to address the question of, How can mobile technologies be effectively integrated with routine healthcare services?The study concerns the design, implementation, and evaluation of a mobile technology-based system, called SMSaúde, with the aim of improving the care of patients with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in Mozambique. The work started with the elicitation of functional and user requirements, based on focus group discussions. An important challenge, as in many mHealth interventions, was the integration with routine healthcare services and the existing IT systems, as well as developing a scalable technical structure. The system has now been in routine use since 2013 in more than 16 healthcare clinics in Mozambique. Evaluation was done by a randomised controlled study. Analysis of patient records showed that retention in care in urban areas was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. In a user study both patients and health professionals were very positive to the system. The thesis contributes to research by demonstrating how information system artefacts can be constructed and successfully implemented in resource-constrained settings. The practical contributions include the designed artefact itself as well as improved healthcare practices and mHealth policy recommendations.
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| 6. |
- Twizeyimana, Jean Damascene, 1981-
(författare)
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E-Government and Value Creation in the Context of a Least Developed Country : A perspective on public value and information infrastructure
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis is in the field of information systems (IS), more specifically about IS impact. This thesis uses literature review and interpretive case study methods to investigate the phenomenon of value creation through e-government.The research was carried out from 2014 to 2019. Data was collected through interviews, participant observations, and document review. The main research question is "How do we create value through e-government in the context of an LDC?” It embodies the sub-questions: what is the value of e-government? And how do we attain such value?This thesis comprises four studies.The thesis found that value creation of e-government is a process of understanding: the value that e-government creates; the context in which egovernment resides because a process involves a context; and strategic actions to create that value within the context surrounds e-government.From the findings, this thesis argues that the value of public affairs including e-government refers to public value. The latter would mean citizens' collective expectations about public policies and services. Also, the findings reveal research needs about the public value of e-government in the LDCs in Sub-Saharan Africa and on methods of measuring and creating the public value of e-government.As original contribution, this thesis suggests a framework of six overarching and overlapping areas of e-government for the public value. The anticipation-reality gaps and their inter-relationships are identified, and five inter-related critical success factors are suggested. Also, the information infrastructure (II) framework, particularly, the notion of the cultivation of the installed-base is suggested as a promising avenue in the management of the public value creation in general, and in an LDC in particular.
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| 7. |
- Agélii Genlott, Annika, 1968-
(författare)
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Designing for Transformational Change in School : Digitalizing the Digitized
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Digital technologies have gained a prominent role in education and schools, but research concerning how digital technologies can create better conditions for improved teaching and enhanced learning for students is scarce and inconclusive. Successful use of digital technologies requires a complex combination of interacting factors, including integrating technology and pedagogy as well as organizing and leading a structured transformation process. The capability of school organizations to lead and support the digitalization process is an under-researched field compared to the well-established focus on individual stakeholders.This thesis examines how experimentation and innovation processes in school can be designed and pursued to support and enhance digitalization across an entire school organization by using a Design Science Research (DSR) approach to answer the question: How can a school organization at municipal level lead digital transformation through the digitalization of teaching and learning processes in an organized, professional, and, as far as possible, scientifically based way?The findings show that the design and use of the Information System Artifact model (ISA) together with a DSR development method can support both improved teaching and enhanced learning within and across a school organization. Effective use of digital technologies to improve teaching and learning across the school organization requires fundamental changes of ordinary practices and engagement as well as commitment from school authorities and school leaders.This thesis contributes with empirically and theoretically based insights from leading (digital) transformational change in school through the iterative design of IS artifacts used as a driver and quality control for the shift from digitization towards digitalization aiming at improved teaching and enhanced learning.
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| 8. |
- Andersson, Annika, 1968-
(författare)
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Learning to learn in e-Learning : constructive practices for development
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis concerns technology use in distance educations and learning practices related to this use. The research was carried out over the period 2005 to 2009 in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and has been reported in 6 published papers. The research is situated within the field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) and within this field e-learning. Education is important for development and for many students in developing countries distance education is often the only option to get educated. The research question is if the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in distance education can contribute to development, and if so, how?This question is explored through two case studies in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. A variety of data collection methods have been used: interviews, questionnaires, participant observations and document review. The research approach is interpretative and findings are analyzed using Structuration Theory.Initial findings showed that a major challenge for students was the change of learning practices that distance education required. Findings also showed that new constructive learning practices emerged through the use of ICT. For development to take place the learning practices of students are important. Students used to learning practices based on uncritical memorization of facts will not easily take initiatives for change, whereas students used to constructive learning practices will. Notwithstanding the fact that most students found this transition challenging, it was found that by introducing technology into long-established transmission structures, changes towards constructive learning practices occurred.A major contribution of this thesis is to increase the understanding of how ICT in distance education can facilitate constructive learning practices. By arguing that constructive learning practices are conducive to societal change this finding also has implications for development. The thesis also makes a theoretical contribution by extending Structuration Theory’s applicability in demonstrating its explanatory power in settings where researcher and informants are geographically and socially distant.
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| 9. |
- Asiimwe, Edgar Napoleon, 1984-
(författare)
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On Emerging Mobile Learning Environments
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis investigates issues pertaining to the implementation of mobile learning and particularly the use of learning content management systems and mobile devices in university education. The thesis is positioned at the intersection of the research areas of information systems and education. The general view of technology is grounded in the field of information systems, but it is connected to the field of learning using the framework for the rational analysis of mobile education (FRAME). The point of enquiry was chosen based on the fact that the number of people who use mobile devices today is higher than the number of people who use desktop computers. This presents an opportunity for higher education institutions to increase the reach of education services by means of delivering them on mobile devices. This, of course, also presents challenges.The thesis is situated in the interpretive paradigm and the methodological approach was action research. Data was collected through review of literature, interviews, focus group discussions, observations and online surveys. Findings suggest that mobile learning cannot replace existing forms of learning in least developed countries but blended learning is a feasible alternative. Three units of analysis were used and found to be significant for studying and evaluating mobile learning, the technical artefact, the social artefact and the information artefact, together making up the information systems artefact. The thesis contributes to theory by discussing how mobile learning can be seen to be constructed as an information systems artefact through these three constructs. Advancements in virtual learning technology may bring a new wave of learning management systems. The nature of the next generation of learning content management systems is a topic for further research.
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| 10. |
- Islam, M. Sirajul, 1974-
(författare)
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Creating opportunity by connecting the unconnected : mobile phone based agriculture market information service for farmers in Bangladesh
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis is framed within the research area of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), which is concerned with how ICT can make a difference to the lives of the poor. This study focuses primarily on mobile phones and how they can be used as part of an Agriculture Market Information Service (AMIS) in order to provide crucial information to farmers in Bangladesh. AMIS principally collect, manage and disseminate agricultural market prices and related information through various processes and media. These services are mainly used by farmers. The research question of how mobile phone-based AMIS can be designed and deployed in order to improve opportunities for farmers in Bangladesh is investigated through a design science research approach in four steps; understanding the scope and challenges related to AMIS in least developed countries; diagnosing the situational realities of farmers of Bangladesh; understanding the process of adopting mobile phones and investigating market information practices and preferences in a rural context; and finally designing and implementing a mobile phone based AMIS and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of it for the farmers of Bangladesh. In this thesis, development is viewed in terms of bringing about an in-crease in farmers’ capability set directed towards the utilization of resources for the purpose of production and trade. Information and knowledge are important drivers of development and poverty reduction: ICT can create new opportunities to expand the availability, exchange, and impact of information and knowledge. This thesis contributes to ICT4D research and practice through empirical findings, the design of an AMIS, test results, and the development of analytical tools. Its major contributions include an increased understanding of farmers’ attitudes and preferences towards the use of technology in general, and mobile phones in particular, and a broader understanding of ICT for human development in the context of poor rural regions.
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