An evaluation model for information security strategies in healthcare data systems

This thesis presents a newly developed evaluation model, EMISHD (An "Evaluation Model for Information Security Strategies in Healthcare Data Systems") which can address the specific requirements of information security in healthcare sector. Based on a systematic literature review and case study, the information security requirements and the existing evaluation models used to examine the information security strategies of healthcare data systems have been analysed. The requirements of information security in any sector generally vary in line with changes in laws and regulations, and the emergence of new technologies and threats, which require existing information security strategies to be strengthened to deal with new challenges. The systemic review of the existing evaluation models identified from the previous research resulted in the development of a new evaluation model (EMISHD) specifically designed to examine the information security strategies in healthcare data systems according to the specific requirements. A case study of a healthcare organisation in Saudi Arabia is conducted in order to apply the newly developed evaluation model (EMISHD) in a real life case and to validate the evaluation results through observation

An evaluation model for information security strategies in healthcare data systems

This thesis presents a newly developed evaluation model, EMISHD (An "Evaluation Model for Information Security Strategies in Healthcare Data Systems") which can address the specific requirements of information security in healthcare sector. Based on a systematic literature review and case study, the information security requirements and the existing evaluation models used to examine the information security strategies of healthcare data systems have been analysed. The requirements of information security in any sector generally vary in line with changes in laws and regulations, and the emergence of new technologies and threats, which require existing information security strategies to be strengthened to deal with new challenges. The systemic review of the existing evaluation models identified from the previous research resulted in the development of a new evaluation model (EMISHD) specifically designed to examine the information security strategies in healthcare data systems according to the specific requirements. A case study of a healthcare organisation in Saudi Arabia is conducted in order to apply the newly developed evaluation model (EMISHD) in a real life case and to validate the evaluation results through observation

Farmers’ choice of seed strategy : a case study of farmers’ operational decision making

Farmers make challenging and complex decisions almost every day. The focus of this study is farmers’ choice of seed. They can choose to buy certified seed, use seed that they clean from the previous year’s harvest or use a combination. The farmers’ choice of seed is an operational decision, which may have both economic and environmental consequences. They need to consider many factors in their decision, analyse their current situation and future risks. There is no earlier research about farmers’ choice of seed, which means that the present study contributes to a new dimension of research. The farmers’ choice is complex and includes many factors, such as choice of seed, what soil the farmers have, past harvest and the price for crops. In their choice, the farmers have to consider different types of risks. Their cognitive process affects how they make decisions. This study aims to clarify farmers’ decision-making regarding the choice between using purchased certified seed or seed from their own preceding year´s harvest. The empirical basis consists of data about how 13 Swedish farmers assess this choice, their sources of information and social networks. A qualitative method is suited for this study because the study requires deeper answers from the farmers that participated. To get viewpoints that are more varied the data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The theoretical framework is behavioral theories, i.e., decision-making process, social network, trust and collection of information. The result shows that when farmers choose seed by cleaning the previous year's harvest, this main reason is that they find this cheaper. One farmer, however, chose only certified seed, because he considered certified seed to be a high-quality commodity. Other farmers had the opposite opinion, i.e., cleaned harvest from previous year is of higher quality. Some farmers experienced that they were limited as concerns their choice of seed. The conclusion is that the farmers in this study do not consider the choice of seed to be particularly difficult, because it is an operational decision. They have a habit and experience enough to make these decisions. Furthermore, the farmers’ social network affects the decision making. Not the least, the choice between certified seed and farm-saved seed is influenced by economic factors.Lantbrukare fattar dagligen beslut som kan vara både utmanande och komplexa. Fokus i denna studie är lantbrukarnas val av utsäde. De kan välja mellan att köpa certifierat utsäde, rensa utsäde från föregående års skörd eller använda en kombination av båda metoderna. Lantbrukarnas val av utsäde har både ekonomiska och miljömässiga konsekvenser. De måste väga in många faktorer i beslutet, analysera sin nuvarande situation och framtida risker. Studier av lantbrukares beteende vid val av utsäde har aldrig tidigare gjorts, vilket betyder att studien bidrar med en ny dimension till forskning. Studiens problem är att lantbrukarnas val är komplexa och inkluderar många faktorer i beslutsprocessen, till exempel val av sort, vilken jord de har, tidigare skörd och spannmålspriser. I valet måste lantbrukaren även beakta olika risker. Lantbrukarens kognitiva förmåga påverkar besluten. Syftet med studien är att klargöra lantbrukares beslutsprocess vid val mellan att använda inköpt certifierat utsäde och utsäde från tidigare års skörd. Studien bygger på intervjuer med 13 lantbrukare. Fokus ligger på deras bedömningar och vad som påverkar dessa såsom sociala närverk och informationskällor. En kvalitativ metod är lämplig, eftersom studien kräver djupare svar från lantbrukarna. Empirin är insamlad genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer för att få flera synvinklar. Studiens teoretiska bas består av beteendevetenskapliga teorier om beslutsfattande, sociala nätverk, tillit och informationsinsamling. Resultatet visar att när lantbrukarna väljer egen rensat utsäde, är det främst för att detta innebär lägre kostnader. Några lantbrukare upplevde att det fanns begräsningar vad gäller deras val av utsäde. En lantbrukare valde enbart certifierat utsäde, eftersom han ansåg att det var en kvalitetsråvara. Motsatsen uttrycktes av andra lantbrukare, som ansåg att det egna utsädet var en kvalitetsråvara. Slutsatsen är att lantbrukarna inte upplever val av utsäde som särskilt svårt, eftersom det är ett operationellt beslut, och lantbrukarna har en vana och erfarenhet att fatta sådana beslut. Lantbrukarnas sociala nätverk påverkar deras beslutsprocesser. Valet mellan certifierat och egen rensat utsäde påverkas inte minst av ekonomiska faktorer

An actor-network approach to understanding the Implementation of mobile phone-based innovations in less developed countries

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThis thesis aims to assess the usefulness of actor-network theory (Latour, 2005) in understanding the process of implementing mobile phone-based innovations within the broader government–led public sector in less developed countries. An examination of the literature on implementations of innovations involving mobile-phones suggests that previous studies have either focused on the social elements or the physical elements in isolation and have failed to consider how one influences the other. It is proposed that actor-network theory may be able to provide an alternative ontological perspective that bridges this social physical divide and allows the influence of the relationships between the human and the non-human elements to be taken into consideration. In order to assess this, the thesis utilises a single case study from its inception, through development, to its eventual end. The case in question, is the implementation of a mobile phone- based information system known as MADEX. This effort, is a nation-wide project made by the federal government of Nigeria to deploy this innovation within the government-led public health sector. MADEX was designed to support a nation-wide scheme known as the Midwives Service Scheme (MSS); a public sector initiative that was set up to address the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) relating to mother and child health. The main objective of MADEX in its initial stages was to enable the routine reporting of maternal health information from primary health facilities across the country up to the national level (NPHCDA) where this information is required by public health administrators for action - that is regular and timely monitoring of key maternal and child health indicators as well as strategic planning and the setting of priorities. The expectation was that, MADEX will bring about increased information accessibility for monitoring and planning, ensure global transparency and accountability in the area of maternal and child health statistics and promote m-health activities. An interpretive approach using qualitative methods was adopted in this research to obtain and analyse the data acquired through interviews. These interview, were conducted with a total of about 75 participant from across the various levels of the public health system. Whilst initially these events are narrated using a traditional chronological format, the use of such a format hides the complex nature of the relationships that enable the case under study. Actor-network theory therefore provides a means of exposing some of this complexity and as a result can be regarded as a useful methodology for understanding mobile phone innovations deployed in the public sector of LDCs. In addition, the thesis shows that the actor-network perspective allows the process of implementing mobile-phone innovations, to be considered in a manner that demonstrates the complex interdependent relationships between the physical and the social dimensions as well as the impact of non-humans in shaping this process

Opportunities for Short Food Supply Chains : attractive communication strategies within a Swedish REKO-ring

The interest in locally produced food has increased in Sweden, this has led to several initiatives where consumers can buy products directly from producers. One example of an initiative is REKO-rings, which is an initiative based on contact via the internet, where consumers can shop directly from producers without intermediaries. Initiatives within in SFSC receive support from both the Swedish government and the EU, as REKO-rings are considered to be SFSC that contribute to a more sustainable market. Despite the recognition and an otherwise great interest in REKO-rings, there are few studies on the subject. The aim of the study was to understand how producers communicate with consumers in a SFSC. The study has used a qualitative methodology and had an inductive approach. A case study was conducted with five producers in the network linked to REKO Jönköping-Huskvarna. The gathered data is presented and analysed as a SFSC and a network where communication strategies are used by the producers. In order to fulfil the aim, the research question is about what elements are perceived by producers within SFSC to attract consumers. The research question is analysed and answered based on the theoretical framework of this study which consists of SFSC, network theory and the 4C marketing model. The study's findings show that several elements are perceived as important for the producers when trying to attract consumers. Some of the elements are direct relationship, being active within the network, meeting the consumers demand, generating awareness and informing. An interesting topic for future research would be to include the consumer's perspectives and insights on the communication between producer and consumer in REKO-rings.Intresset för lokalproducerad mat har ökat i Sverige, vilket lett till att flera initiativ där konsumenter kan köpa produkter direkt från producenter har ökat. Ett exempel av ett sådant initiativ är REKO-ringar, vilket är ett initiativ som baseras på kontakt via internet, där konsumenter kan handla direkt ifrån lokala producenter utan mellanhänder. Initiativ inom SFSCs erhåller stöd både från den svenska regeringen och EU, då REKO-ringar anses vara SFSCs som bidrar till en mer hållbar marknad. Trots erkännandet och ett i övrigt stort intresse för REKO-ringar finns få studier i ämnet. Syftet med denna studie var att förstå hur producenter kommunicerar med konsumenter i en SFSC. Studien använde sig av en kvalitativ strategi och hade en induktiv ansats. En fallstudie har utförts genom intervjuer med fem producenter i nätverket kopplat till REKO Jönköping-Huskvarna. Insamlad data presenteras och analyseras som en SFSC och ett nätverk där kommunikationsstrategier används av producenterna. För att uppfylla syftet handlar forskningsfrågan om vilka element som uppfattas av producenter inom en SFSC för att attrahera konsumenter. Forskningsfrågan analyseras och besvaras utifrån det teoretiska ramverket i denna uppsats vilket består av SFSC, nätverksteori och 4C marknadsföringsmodell. Studien visar att flera element uppfattas som viktiga för producenterna när de kommunicerar på ett sätt som attraherar konsumenter. Några av elementen är direkta relationer, möta konsumenternas efterfrågan, generera medvetenhet och informera. Ett intressant ämne för framtida forskning skulle vara att inkludera konsumentens perspektiv och insikter på kommunikationen mellan producent och konsument i REKO-ringar

Perceptions of Profession and of being a Professional among Personnel/HRM Practitioners: A Phenomenographic Inquiry

This thesis explores the phenomena of profession and of being a professional among Personnel/Human Resource Management (P/HRM) Practitioners in the United Kingdom. The use of the term Personnel/Human Resource Management reflects a lack of consensus over nomenclature. Twenty semi structured interviews were undertaken between December 2006 and January 2007 using a purposely selected research sample stratified against qualification, experience, gender and organizational type to ensure representation across the public and private sectors. Respondents were asked about their perceptions of professions in general, their perceptions of their own roles as practitioners, about the influence of their respective work organizations on their professional status and about their perceptions of the Professional Institution the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Phenomenography was the selected qualitative research approach as it provided a framework for describing experience and examining variations in experience. The essence of the approach is that it takes a relational qualitative perspective that aims to describe key aspects of variation in the collective experience of phenomena, rather than focusing on the individual experience. The accepted approach in phenomenographic data analysis is to start with an analysis of the interview transcripts. However, a particular feature of this study was the analysis of the actual audio recordings of the interviews; this provided an additional level of insight and data but marked a significant departure from previously 'accepted' approaches. The study revealed a changing construction of profession and a reorientation of what it means to be a professional. Professionalism was constructed as the concern of the individual rather than the collective, and is best described as the 'professional project of the self and was characterized by a reliance on individual integrity, ethics and credibility. Professionalism was influenced by the 'know how' of the practitioners, their status within the occupation and work organization and was related to their ability to acquire and demonstrate business acumen, political awareness and the skills of self promotion and critical reflection. Respondents perceived the role and influence of the Professional Institute, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) as limited, while the work organization was perceived to have an impact on the status of the individual practitioner and the function. In the context of this study it was the ability of the practitioner to know about and contribute to the wider business agenda that enhanced their individual and collective professional credibility and status. The implications for educational policy and practice are identified as being concerned with the way in which future practitioners and new career entrants are educated, trained and supported to develop an appropriate business awareness and the new skills set required to be successful, to understand the significance of an increasing reliance on 'self' as the mediator of professionalism and to manage effectively a relationship between the practitioner and the work organization which is perceived as evolving as Personnel/Human Resource Management (P/HRM) aspires to the status of a recognised profession

Exploring understandings of the competence vocabulary : implications for understanding teacher competence

The aim of this thesis is to explore the vocabulary of competence, to analyse conceptualisations of competence and to unravel understandings that then have implications for preparation and professional development of teachers in Scotland. Through discussion of the context for assessing teacher competence and a presentation of the accountability movement’s proposals for criteria that purport to measure teacher competence, differing conceptualisations of teaching are examined. At one end of the spectrum there are conceptions of teaching as a dialectical activity while at the opposite end there are conceptions of teaching as a mechanistic activity. It is the contention of this thesis that the conceptualisation of teacher competence reflects directly on the conceptualisation of teaching that dominates current political thinking on the purposes of education. An analysis of the discourse of competence and the vocabulary of competence is then revelatory of the underlying dimensions and conceptualisations of teaching held by the ‘leadership class’ or ‘policy community’. Following a lengthy critique of alternative conceptions of competence where it is realised that there is little real consensus – even among advocates of competence approaches to training and education – about what constitutes a definitive conceptualisation of competence, there is an attempt to regain ground through an understanding of competence that accords with a more traditional understanding of what the ‘notion of competence’ implies. Competence in this regard is considered as a deep understanding that is actually constitutive of action. Understood, this is not just that understanding lies behind action, but that understanding determines the approach to action. Such a notion of competence reflects how a person conceives their world and what then drives them to action

A composite index for enhancing sustainability within public housing projects in Libya

The attention on sustainable homes is driven by the desire to use more environmentally friendly products, that are aligned with sustainable technologies and which improve the health and wellbeing of the occupants, whilst attributing to the reduction of house building costs over a life cycle. It is widely acknowledged that sustainable homes should satisfy the overarching principles of sustainability, fitting in with the local influences of the regional specialities they are built in. The ambition of the Libyan government for imbedding sustainability within the construction industry could benefit greatly from such a rigorous set of sustainability ssessment-based criteria that aid to design, evaluate and monitor the desired development. The aim of this study is to develop a sustainability-based index of multi-criterion to assist Libyan public home projects in addressing sustainability issues in their activities and strategies. It is argued that well-known sustainable assessment methods are not designed to be used in various countries including Libya. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the appropriateness of using these methods to integrate their commonalities and establish a new scheme of building sustainability-based criteria for the Libyan context. To achieve the aim of this study a variety of research methods and techniques within a triangulated approach have been adopted. These included (1) a focus group interview; (2) a wide questionnaire survey; and the (3) Analytical Hierarchy Process Method (AHP). The components of the developed model were derived from a thorough analysis of data collection obtained from a variety of sources including practitioners and professionals from contractors, the Libyan government, industry, and academia. A triangulation approach has been utilised within and across the methods and techniques adopted. It has facilitated access to different levels of reality, through the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The sustainability-based index that has been developed through this research is composed of 43 criteria, grouped into 7 main categories. Water efficiency ranked at the top with 32 credits, reflecting Libyan crisis due to water scarcity. Whilst Libya has alternative and abundant natural energy resources (i.e. so-lar energy, wend, etc.). This has made energy efficiency issues at the second highest priority (24 credits), which can encourage the adoption of more sustainable, renewable energy resources. Fundamentally, it provides a clear vision of what needs to be addressed and what would enable the achievement of sustainable homes in Libya. Validation has been conducted through a review of the results obtained on the journey of this research. Utilising a group of local and international experts, who have been selected based on their knowledge in sustainable housing and the construction profession, thus providing the basis for a more successful formula and a final model of sustainable housing for the Libyan context. The contribution of this study to the existing body of knowledge is threefold: (i) academic, through addressing significant research questions that have not been addressed before and providing an evidential base of the findings; (ii) procedural, through the development of a comprehensive model to assist Libyan home projects in better addressing sustainability aspects in their activities and strategies; and (iii) methodological, through the use of triangulation, which construction management research haS been reluctant to use in the past, and through the provision of a comprehensive review, successful application and a clear demonstration of the use of focus group interviews and questionnaire methods