Understanding Choice of Information and Communication Channels in Knowledge Sharing

This study represents research-in-progress that investigates the factors motivating employee choice of information and communication channels for sharing knowledge. A pilot study was conducted to determine what channels are available, what channels employees actually use, and why they employ those channels. Participants responded to an online questionnaire. Preliminary results show that employees have a wide variety of channels available. Face-to-face, telephone, and e-mail are commonly used for knowledge sharing while Web 2.0 technologies remain underutilized. Channel choice appears to be influenced by the type of knowledge to be shared, among other things. Based on the results and extant literature on practice-based research and cross-boundary knowledge sharing, a model is developed to guide our future research

Development of a Mobile-Based Livestock Breeding Management System for Communal Farmers in Eastern Cape, South Africa

More than a decade ago, South Africa realized the significance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its use in delivering several services; there are still several challenges that block implementing an ICT-based system to deliver services and information better. Since communal development is still one of the country's biggest concerns, ICT is among several advances and views recognized for speeding up communal development and providing for the country's economic growth. This research aimed to investigate and implement ICT tools for communal farmers in the context of information needs and information dissemination. The research concentrated on the technical tools and skills needed to implement an ICT tool for communal farmers and other stakeholders. A prototyping methodology was used in this research in the development of the required prototype. A study was then conducted to understand the present state and the information needs of communal farmers where the questionnaire was administered. The research results demonstrated the critical need for communal farmers to get information timely at their convenience. A mobile database system was then designed and developed that suits communal farmers' nature. This system was an offline android application that assists with their information need and its dissemination, and it allows the sharing of the communal farmer's data to other stakeholders.Thesis (MSc) (Computer Science)-- University of Fort Hare, 202

Development of a Mobile-Based Livestock Breeding Management System for Communal Farmers in Eastern Cape, South Africa

More than a decade ago, South Africa realized the significance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its use in delivering several services; there are still several challenges that block implementing an ICT-based system to deliver services and information better. Since communal development is still one of the country's biggest concerns, ICT is among several advances and views recognized for speeding up communal development and providing for the country's economic growth. This research aimed to investigate and implement ICT tools for communal farmers in the context of information needs and information dissemination. The research concentrated on the technical tools and skills needed to implement an ICT tool for communal farmers and other stakeholders. A prototyping methodology was used in this research in the development of the required prototype. A study was then conducted to understand the present state and the information needs of communal farmers where the questionnaire was administered. The research results demonstrated the critical need for communal farmers to get information timely at their convenience. A mobile database system was then designed and developed that suits communal farmers' nature. This system was an offline android application that assists with their information need and its dissemination, and it allows the sharing of the communal farmer's data to other stakeholders.Thesis (MSc) (Computer Science)-- University of Fort Hare, 202

Understanding the link between changes in social support and changes in outcomes with the sociometric badge

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, June 2011.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. "June 2011."Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-154).The goal of this thesis is to show that social support created through face-to-face interaction is a driving factor in a number of important outcomes. Through a series of studies we show that social support, operationalized using face-to-face network constraint (information clearing), is positively related to important outcomes such as productivity and job satisfaction and that changes in social support are positively related to changes in these outcomes. We then discuss a two-phase study where we experimentally modify break structure to increase network constraint and demonstrate a corresponding positive change in outcomes. Finally, we show that network constraint is also qualitatively related to outcomes and is an effective proxy for social support. To conclude we situate this research under a larger framework that provides direction for future research.by Benjamin Nathan Waber.Ph.D