Browsing Ph.D. theses (INF) by Title
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A Neo-Institutional Understanding of Change Processes within the Business Press - The Case Sudy of Financial TimesKrogh-Meibom, Frederikke (Frederiksberg, 2008)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This dissertation examines dynamic processes between human actors and technology that encourage institutional change displayed as the emergence of new work practices. The research design is a micro-level analysis of a case study, conducted in 2002 in London at Financial Times under the headline of the co-evolution of institutions and technology. The study seeks to contribute to neo-institutional theory with a more profound understanding of how institutional embedded actors generate new institutional work practices when they interact with new technology. Two work practices have been studied; the work practice of surveillance and the work practice of publishing. These have been observed and studied as they were unfolding themselves at ft.com at Financial Times. The actions of journalists working at ft.com has been the empirical locus of the micro dynamic processes of changes of otherwise well defined and taken-for-granted institutionalized work practices The findings specify how the micro-dynamic mechanisms of change of work practices is related to the interaction of human actors with new technology. The study of how individual human actors institute changes to established work practices through a process of endogenization of technology is the basis for a better understanding of institutional change and its relation to human actors and their use of new technology. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7740 Files in this item: 1
Frederikke_K_Meibom.pdf (1.912Mb) -
Politikernes og forvaltningens medkonstruktion og konsekvenserne herafSecher, Christine (Frederiksberg, 2010)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This thesis is about how different e-participation user groups co-construct technology through the use in practice. It is studied how technology is used on a municipality level for citizen-communication and -participation with an online debate forum as a case in point. Users of online debates are citizens, politicians and the administration. In this thesis, I have chosen to focus on how politicians and the administration use online debates. I show how politicians and the administration participate in very distinct ways on the debate forum and thereby create specific forms of citizen communication and participation. Everybody can participate in the online debate as long as they give up their name and email. Periodically, citizens write quite a lot of contributions on the debate forum. But politicians’ and the administration’s perception of what is happening on the debate influence which role the citizens’s contributions will have for the politicians and administration, as well as forms of interaction between users. In this thesis, I argue that the users’ (politicians’s and administration’s) sensemaking about online debates as well as the mediation of the use of online debates have a crucial influence on which types of practice of online debate can develop. Online debate is perceived as an equivocal technology in the sense that the use of the technology is not clear cut but a result of the user’s sensemaking about the technology and thereby the sensemaking about possible acts and interactions with the technology and other users. Sensemaking is the primary theoretical frame with a special focus on situation-specific cue-frame-relations. The Municipality of Odder is the case and a unique one with its 11 years of experience within municipally facilitated online debate. The empirical data are contributions written from September 3rd, 2005 to April 15, 2008 (a total of 1983 contributions), 17 semi-structured interviews of ½-1½ hours length with administration and politicians in the municipality as well as different written documents from the municipality. In this thesis I show that politicians and administration act as users of the online debate in four different ways: Political candidate, councilor, administrator and mediator. The political candidate run for the municipal election and is only present in the debate the last three months before the election. The political candidate see online debates as a good opportunity to make him/herself visible to voters and competing candidates, and therefore (s)he writes a lot of contributions during this period. The political candidate rarely answers ordinary citizen’s contributions but instead decides to write new contributions or answer contributions started by competitors. The political candidate rarely gets involved in real discussions on the debate but instead choose to give his/her visions for the future of the Municipality of Odder. The councilor see the debate as the citizen’s opportunity to voice their meaning and therefore rarely participate in the debate, as this could have a negative effect on citizens motivation to write on the debate. The councilor reads the citizens’ contributions and once in a while the contributions act as input for internal council discussions. When the contribution reflect misunderstanding and when it is not only a few citizens who share the misunderstanding, the councilor chooses to write a report for the debate. It is usually the relevant committee chairman or equivalent who writes the contribution. The administrator believes that the majority of the contributions on the debate are political and therefore (s)he should not participate in the debate. The administrator sees citizens and business as partners. It is groups of professionals, which cover associations, organizations etc. and does not necessarily, see the individual citizen as a key stakeholder. The groups of professionals use other media, such as mails and letters, in their communication with the administration, as their input is often long reports and technical judgments. The administrator chooses only to answer factual misunderstandings in ongoing processes or more general issues in the municipality. The mediator, which is a role only a small part of the administration acts in, generally works with the implementing and forming the use of technology in the municipality. (S)he sees ICT as a way of increasing openness and effectiveness in the municipality. Online debates is a solution which the mediator believes especially increases openness and (s)he works with the aim of ensuring a continued debate. The mediator focuses on maximizing the number of contributions, on making it easy to participate and to make it possible to discuss anything, which is why the debate is in no editor or guided use of the debate. The result is that the individual user – political candidate, councilor and administrator – mediate the use of the debate and develop filters for their own and others’ ability to act on the online debate. That politicians and administration appear in these four roles in relation to online debate problematic several aspects of the use of e-participation practices in a municipal context. One aspect is that the four roles develop different practices for the use of the debate which function parallel on the debate without the development of a common practice. A second aspect is that a mediator role is established. An actor who mediates the interaction between citizen and politician, and thereby an actor who has a high degree of importance for what online debating becomes in practice. A third aspect is that the administration takes the mediating role and becomes a political advisor or an administrator of political decisions. A shift which neither the politicians nor the administrator are aware of. At the same time, the way the technology is mediated creates both synergy and conflict between the councilor, the political candidate and the administrator. Synergy and conflict which primarily can be related to the focus of the mediator on the increased use of the technology and the missing focus on contextualization of the online debate. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8000 Files in this item: 1
christine_secher.pdf (6.411Mb) -
Shi, Qingxin (Frederiksberg, 2010)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Usability evaluation methods are widely used to assess and improve the user interface design. This dissertation investigates the thinking aloud usability testing from a cultural perspective. In a test situation, representative users are required to verbalize their thoughts as they perform their tasks while using the system, and an evaluator observes the user’s task performance and comes up with usability problems. The primary goal of a usability test is to find a list of usability problems. In this research, the impacts of evaluators’ and users’ cultural backgrounds on both the result and the process of the thinking aloud usability testing were investigated. Regarding the results of the usability testing, the identified usability problem was the main focus, whereas for the process of testing, the communication between users and evaluators was the main focus. In this dissertation, culture was regarded as cognitive styles and communication orientations. For the theories of thinking aloud, both Ericsson and Simon’s classic model, and Boren and Ramey’s revised model for usability testing were taken into account. Based on the culture theories and thinking aloud models, hypotheses were developed to investigate the evaluators’ identified usability problems in different cultural settings, and themes were put forward to investigate the evaluators’ and users’ communications. In order to investigate the hypotheses and themes, an experimental study was conducted. The experimental design consisted of four independent groups with evaluators and users from similar or different cultures (Danish and Chinese). Empirical data were collected by using background questionnaires, usability problem forms, usability problem lists, video recordings of the testing and interviews. The usability testing software “Morae” was used to record the whole testing, including the faces of the evaluators and users, the screen and keyboard activities. Evaluators’ and users’ communications were analyzed by the behavioural coding and analysis software “Observer XT 8.0” with a well defined coding system. The results of the systematic study of the thinking aloud usability testing in the context of the intra- and inter-cultural usability engineering show that the evaluators’ cultural backgrounds do have some influences on the usability testing; however, the influences are different for the tests with Western and East Asian users. The main findings of this research have implications for both usability research and practice. The methodological approach also gives inspiration for usability evaluation studies URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8167 Files in this item: 2
Ny_version_Qingxin_Shi.pdf (4.021Mb)Qingxin_Shi.pdf (5.203Mb) -
An empirical investigation of business model innovation in supplier relation-ship managementNøkkentved, Chris (Frederiksberg, 2009)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: In broad terms we want to identify the initiatives that drive business model transformation and study their effect on performance. We also presume that such initiatives are primarily influencing the context-specific skills and priorities of the organization. Transformation initiatives leading to organizational and technological change are presumably constrained by resident capabilities (Hartmann et al.,2002, Håkansson & Waluszewski, 2002), the focus and state of the current operations (Subramanian & Shaw, 2002), hence they indirectly influence performance26. There are potentially additional environmental contingencies affecting those same domain-specific factors, of which we will investigate industry membership, region, and company size (Ford et al. 1997). Finally, we will explore whether different actors or leaders incharge of such technology-oriented and organizational transformations have differences of opinion on the priorities of the firm (Håkansson & Waluszewski, 2002). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7767 Files in this item: 1
Chris_Nøkkentved.pdf (35.92Mb) -
A multi-method inquiry on online communitiesKorfiatis, Nikolaos Theodoros (, 2009)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This dissertation studies the behavioral characteristics of participants engaged in information exchange in the context of online communities. Online communities are defined as collectives of individuals that use computer mediated communication to facilitate interaction over a shared purpose and/or objective. It is argued that this interaction creates externalities, for example, in the form of codified information that others can use through web search tools. These externalities assemble a virtual form of social capital, a commonly shared resource. The research objective of this thesis is to examine how the behavioral tendencies of the participants in online communities are affected by the way this common resource is formatted, administered and shared. The dissertation consists of two parts: a theoretical part where the empirical background and the object of research inquiry is highlighted, and an empirical part which consists of four empirical studies carried out in the context of three online communities, namely, Google Answers, Yahoo!Answers and Amazon Online Reviews. The empirical part of this dissertation starts with a controlled experiment emulating a well known social dilemma: the public goods game. It provides substance as to whether and when participants in online communities behave (un) cooperatively. The next two studies focus on a special case of online communities where participants ask questions and other participants post answers conditionally on social and monetary incentives. The results of these two studies confirm that community participants do care about the contributions of others and engage in incentive compatible behavior. Yahoo!Answers participants exercise effort in the community by posting answers to questions conditionally on benefits provided by other participants. The empirical findings show that contributing participants in an online community receive answers faster, while those that do not contribute much effort are sanctioned in the form of longer response-time to their questions. In Google Answers this thesis, interactions can be observed that are based on monetary rewards (rather than social rewards in the form of a reputation index as in Yahoo Answers). Participants make use of voluntarily awarded payoffs (tips) along with stated rewards, in order to motivate those that provide answers (answerers) to provide better quality in their responses. The findings of this study confirm the symmetric effect between monetary rewards and quality. However, this study also identifies cases where social norms have a significant effect on response behavior. When participants seek to get better service with less effort (in terms of total cost), a reputation index which is constructed by the history of their previous interactions supports such an attempt. In other words, reputation history influences information sharing behavior in online communities. The last chapter of the empirical part focuses on another crucial aspect of information as a shared resource: Clarity and understandability. The study examines online product reviews on Amazon.com. The results suggest that participants do care about the clarity of this codified form of experience which increases a helpfulness index accordingly. The thesis overall finds symmetric effects between participation in online communities and output of interaction, but also identifies the ability of the participants to interact strategically as they seek to minimize the effort they provide in order to find the information they seek. The results underline the importance of signaling and quality evaluation mechanisms as counter-balancing control that can enhance activity on online communities. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7797 Files in this item: 1
Nikolaos_Theodoros_Korfiatis.pdf (3.777Mb) -
Yonatany, Moshe (Frederiksberg, 2011)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The aim of this study is elaborating the current understanding of a relatively new phenomenon: the internationalization process of digital service providers. It deploys a multiple case study methodology. Based on the case analyses and the discovery of new insights this study proposes a conceptual framework attempting at elaborating existing International Business theory. The analytical process of this study begins with explaining its context and developing definitions that are necessary for the purpose of data collection and case construction. Next, selected International Business theories and concepts are reviewed and contextualized propositions are developed. Following a detailed presentation of the case studies, the propositions are analyzed through per-case analyses. This analysis is coupled with a theory development exercise (which is presented in subsequent distinct sections). Here, unique findings of each case are analyzed in sequential per-case analyses in order to identify emerging patterns. Rudimentary concepts, which are grounded in the case findings, are proposed through the cross case analysis. In addition, the analysis of the propositions is summarized at this stage. Subsequently, a conceptual framework is proposed. To provide foundations for the framework, the proposed constructs are defined and explored more deeply, also through collecting additional data and integrating additional external literature. The conceptual framework is presented in the form of testable hypotheses. Finally, implications for International Business theory are drawn from the analyses and the conceptual framework. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8309 Files in this item: 1
Moshe_Yonatany_Abstrakt.pdf (871.1Kb) -
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Abstract: The research motivation for this study is to improve the understanding, scholarly and my own, of wireless service adoption as services enters and leaves users’ hands and minds. Wireless devices and services are enabling an unprecedented intertwinement of human actions and information systems in everyday life. Current IS research has so far paid scant attention to studying technologies which transcends the organizational domain. Little emphasis has also been provided beyond the absolute point of acceptance and adoption of artifacts. Nevertheless, many new wireless services transcend traditional use spheres. With this emerges the strong need to follow the shaping of user engagements with new mobile data services. This is the key phenomenon of interest in this dissertation. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7804 Files in this item: 1
lars_andreas_knutsen.pdf (4.838Mb) -
Ørngreen, Rikke N. (København, 2002)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: SUMMARY The summary presents an overview of the dissertation and major findings of my research: · Research Area, Questions and Design · Frame of Reference - Domain Knowledge · Major Findings Research Area, Questions and Design This dissertation investigates development and use of multimedia teaching cases, as applied in business education. Teaching cases present companies, and the current problems or opportunities they are facing. (Barnes, Christensen and Hansen 1994, Maufette- Leenders, Erskine and Leenders 1997, Heath 1998, Manninen 1997.) The primary characteristic is that the case is based on real events. Very often the case description follows a decision-making situation. (Mauffette-Leenders, Erskine, and Leenders 1997, Hazard 2000.) The case is prepared by students and then discussed in class. The objective of the class discussion is to analyse the company's situation and come up with viable strategies for the future (Leenders and Erskine 1989, Heath 1998, Orngreen and Bielli 2001). Cases were introduced to business education already in 1910 at the Harvard Business School, and have since then gained widespread use throughout the world (Leenders and Erskine 1989). Traditionally teaching cases have been written descriptions, but the teaching cases in this dissertation are multimedia cases. The use of multimedia teaching cases is a relatively new phenomenon. Because of the novelty of the approach, research on how to apply these or developing them is extremely limited. Though I investigate both a use and a development perspective, the use dimension is investigated with the purpose to inform development. In particular the dissertation results in a set of roles and tools influencing the development process, which is also seen in my three research questions: 1. Which roles and tools characterise the development and use of multimedia teaching cases for business education? 2. How are these roles and tools applied to the multimedia development process, and how do they support or restrain the development. 3. How are the development roles and tools, and the use roles and tools interrelated, and how do they relate to a development model for multimedia teaching cases? URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7746 Files in this item: 1
rikke_n_orngreen.pdf (10.97Mb) -
Busquets, Javier (Frederiksberg, 2010)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This thesis is about innovation and power. Human nature has always been expressed by our capacity to innovate and adapt to almost any environment (Bowlby, 1962; Giddens, 1991). In the 20th century, the primary function of business organisations was to invent, produce and commercialise their products and services in different markets. As a matter of fact, business organisations in the last century proved to be the best way of disseminating innovation (Schön, 1971). Currently in the 21st century, there is a call to better understand how new ideas, technology and sources of knowledge are managed, based on the premise that novelty can unfold anywhere and that innovation cannot be considered a linear process consisting of a chain of activities. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8164 Files in this item: 1
Javier_Busquets.pdf (3.025Mb)
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