Study of User Acceptance ofUTP Helpdesk System

Online helpdesk system nowadays is widely used all around the world in managing problems faced by employees in a company. While some still use the manual approach of tackling the issue, in the future everything will be done through the computer without having to call for an assistance to help. UTP had implemented the helpdesk system but currently the usage is very minimal. The intended end users prefer to call than going through the intranet in reporting their problems. This project is meant to study on the acceptance of the system from the users. In order to understand the acceptance, the author must know one key model in approaching the problem, Technology Acceptance Model. With this model, hypothesis and analysis will be made to determine their level of acceptance towards the system and detect the problems of the helpdesk system. In the meantime, studies on the characteristics of good websites were also done in order to know how well UTP helpdesk system is designed. The project continues with the prototype of an ideal helpdesk system and come up with a set of guide in creating a good helpdesk system based on the prototype. The author hopes the project will benefit not just UTP users but also others in developing any helpdesk system in the future.

Study of User Acceptance ofUTP Helpdesk System

Online helpdesk system nowadays is widely used all around the world in managing problems faced by employees in a company. While some still use the manual approach of tackling the issue, in the future everything will be done through the computer without having to call for an assistance to help. UTP had implemented the helpdesk system but currently the usage is very minimal. The intended end users prefer to call than going through the intranet in reporting their problems. This project is meant to study on the acceptance of the system from the users. In order to understand the acceptance, the author must know one key model in approaching the problem, Technology Acceptance Model. With this model, hypothesis and analysis will be made to determine their level of acceptance towards the system and detect the problems of the helpdesk system. In the meantime, studies on the characteristics of good websites were also done in order to know how well UTP helpdesk system is designed. The project continues with the prototype of an ideal helpdesk system and come up with a set of guide in creating a good helpdesk system based on the prototype. The author hopes the project will benefit not just UTP users but also others in developing any helpdesk system in the future.

Irony's architecture: Reflections on a photographic research project

This paper presents a research approach based on irony, rather than certainty. Using Richard Rorty's conception of irony, we contend that much traditional research in management presents a final language which is implicit in both the construction of a research method and its final presentation as findings. This paper suggests we should take irony more seriously, and deliberately construct research to allow and encourage re-description by our research's final arbiters - its readers, and even its subjects. Further, we advocate that by inviting irony into our work, we encourage greater identification between ourselves, our audience of readers, and the subjects of our work. We illustrate our argument by reflecting on a recent photographic research project which was a collaborative effort between management researchers and an artist. We show how the simple architecture of this project was built from doubt and how irony is communicated through the pictures. We then show how photography can be a useful technique that encourages readers to engage in re-description of petit récits (small stories), told through images. We discuss our reflections by focusing on the implications of our research for management education

Intercultural Accommodation of Ethnic Minority Consumers: An Empirical Examination of the Moderating Effects in Service Encounters

The current study proposed a model of intercultural accommodation and nine emergent hypotheses grounded in three theories: Accommodation Theory, Distinctiveness Theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model. The study expected that the offering of a service in the minority consumer\u27s language and by an ethnically-similar service provider will lead to favorable service quality perceptions, in the absence of any intervening variables. Ethnic minority consumers were also expected to differ in their perceptions of service quality when intercultural accommodation efforts were or were not offered given a number of intervening variables. The proposed model and the nine hypotheses were assessed via a two (intercultural accommodation vs. no intercultural accommodation) by two (high service involvement vs. low service involvement) experimental design among a sample of 377 Hispanic consumers surveyed nationwide. The research process was structured into three phases. The first phase employed the qualitative technique of focus group interviewing (Pilot study 1). Results from this phase guided the development of experimental stimuli for the second and third phases. The results also shed light on Hispanic consumers\u27 experiences in service encounters, and their perceptions of services directed towards Hispanic consumers. The second phase of the research process, consisting of two online experiments (Pretest 1 and Pretest 2), was conducted with the main purpose of testing and refining the effectiveness of experimental manipulations. The third phase consisted of the main study online experiment where respondents were assigned to one of four treatment groups and each group reviewed a scenario depicting either a Spanish-speaking Hispanic bank representative or English-speaking Caucasian bank representative (intercultural accommodation treatment) during either a mortgage application encounter or depositing a check encounter (service involvement treatment). The scenarios were followed by questions capturing the respondents\u27 service quality perceptions as well as the measured moderating variables and demographics. The key propositions of this study were supported in minority consumers\u27 overall service quality perceptions (and purchase intent) toward intercultural accommodation efforts. Additionally, two moderators were significant in the relationship: service involvement and perceived discrimination, while one moderator was marginally significant, namely: consumer acculturation. Specifically, in line with the predictions, this study found that during low involvement service encounters minority consumers who were offered intercultural accommodations had favorable service quality perceptions compared to situations when high involvement services were encountered. Moreover, when intercultural accommodations were offered, minority consumers who were highly acculturated regarded the service encounter less favorably than low acculturated minority consumers, and this was manifested in lower service quality evaluations. As hypothesized, perceived discrimination was found to have a significant impact on service quality perceptions among minority consumers when intercultural accommodation efforts were made. When perceptions of past discrimination were evident, minority consumers were also found to have less favorable evaluations of the service quality than when such perceptions were nonexistent. Also, all hypotheses related to minority consumers\u27 reactions toward service providers in the absence of any accommodation efforts for the same moderators were supported. Additionally, findings support the notion that high service quality perceptions will have positive behavioral intention outcomes (in the form of purchase intent). Contrary to expectations, strength of ethnic identification, perceived cultural sensitivity, and perceived self-efficacy were three moderators that were not found to be significant in the intercultural accommodation model among minority consumers. Finally, numerous theoretical, methodological and practical implications are discussed based on the findings of this study

New learning opportunities in a networked world: developing a research agenda on innovative uses of ICTS for learning and teaching

IDRC Project Title: Developing a Research Agenda on Expanding New Digital Learning Opportunities in Developing Countries;IDRC Project Number: 107628The report describes outcomes of the activities carried out for the project “New Learning Opportunities in a Networked World: Developing a Research Agenda on Innovative uses of ICTs for Learning and Teaching”. The research consists of three main activities, namely desk research, written expert consultation and group concept mapping study involving a 2-day workshop and a follow-up with experts who could not attend the workshop. These activities are interconnected elements of the consultative approach to establishing a research agenda.International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canad

A framework for e-government implementation at a national level

This study attempts to explore and investigate empirically how an e-government system can be implemented at a national level; the key issues that might restrict its implementation; and how these issues could be treated in practice. Following a comprehensive review of the relevant literature, an initial conceptual framework for e-government implementation is formulated The framework is then applied in a real world case study to support further data collection and to establish an exhaustive view of the e-government implementation process at a national level. The case study examines the development of an e-government implementation in Qatar and involved 26 semi-structured interviews, 10 observations, 10 electronic reports, analysis of around 50 documents, and numerous newspaper articles and press releases. The interviewees included senior officials from the e-government steering committee, the e-government project team and various government ministries. The documentations included all the key documents relating the e-government project. Based on the data collected the initial framework is then revised by using the interpretive case study approach, which depends on an iterative research cycle where triangulated data are extracted The study then combined the evidence from the literature with the case study data to narrow the gap between e-government implementation theory and practice. As a result, a comprehensive framework including detailed measurements to differentiate four development stages is created. This framework classifies the key issues that might restrict e-government implementation into two main categories, organisational and technological issues, and uses other issues as the development measurements. The framework can be used as a tool to determine the road ahead for implementing an e-government system at a national level and to identify the main practices, processes, possible goals, progress indicators and key conditions to move from one stage to another. It can be claimed that this study has made a novel contribution to the area of e-government and has expanded the boundaries of knowledge, especially for governments that are seeking to implement an egovernment system at a national level

Close reading strategies applied by English Language Learners when reading challenging content area texts

The study introduced high school English Language Learners to close reading strategies to use when reading difficult content area texts, with a particular focus on discussion, prior knowledge, vocabulary, and self-generating questions. The students participated in multiple measures to see if they developed metacognitive awareness in employing the strategies. Findings revealed that the students adapted quickly to using the strategies with teacher support, and that they began to internalize them. Implications for teacher research are discussed

Not in Any Textbook: Contextualizing Learning for Elementary Students Using Experiential Simulations

This study investigated how the AmeriTowne program supported learning and incorporated 21st century knowledge and skills development for fifth graders through the use of an experiential simulation. Relatively few studies examine simulated learning generally, and this study is one of few that provides insight into AmeriTowne\u27s unique approach by describing, interpreting, and appraising the intentions, operations and benefits of the program\u27s Day in Towne simulation. Five questions guided this study. 1) What are the intentions of the AmeriTowne program? 2) What conditions does the Young AmeriTowne program\u27s Day in Towne simulation provide for educational experience? 3) Which aspects of the AmeriTowne\u27s Day in Towne simulation participation facilitate students developing and utilizing 21st Century knowledge and skills? 4) What is the educational importance for those involved in the Young AmeriTowne program? 5) How are AmeriTowne\u27s theories and practices applicable in K-12 classrooms across the nation? This study utilized Educational Connoisseurship and Criticism and provides detailed descriptions and interpretations taken from one site. It includes the experiences of fourteen groups of fifth graders from Denver metropolitan area public schools. Data collection included direct observations, interviews, document analysis and artifact review. Findings emerged that reveal: 1) The physical environment was critical in the students\u27 learning, bridging the curriculum, pedagogy and aesthetic elements provided by the simulation and supporting constructivism. 2) Seven themes were distilled from the research. These themes include:physical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, academic, creative, schematic and altruistic elements. 3) Findings underscore the importance of social learning and context in relation to skill development, and application. This study provides a variety of implications within the field of education that impact teacher education programs, practicing teachers, school administration and school reform efforts particularly in relation to considering what students will need in to be prepared for endeavors including postsecondary schooling, and entrance into the workforce

Implementation of Virtual Learning Community and Web 2.0 Technologies under COVID-19 Pandemic in High Education: Opportunities and Challenges

Educational systems worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, many higher education institutions suspended face-to-face courses and shifted to distance teaching and learning. This major paper reviews the challenges higher education institutions faced after the COVID-19 outbreak, the necessity of implementation of virtual learning communities, and the use of Web 2.0 technologies in teaching and learning. The findings indicate the implementation of virtual learning communities in higher education can reduce the sense of isolation, encourage interactions, and build a support network during the pandemic