An investigation of how South African Small and Medium Enterprises use ICT and dynamic capabilities to achieve competitive advantage

This study sets out to investigate how South African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Dynamic Capabilities (DCs) to achieve competitive advantage in a changing business environment. The study explores the purposes for which South African SMEs use ICT in a changing environment, as well as the types of organisational capabilities or DCs that can significantly impact on competitive advantage within the SMEs. This study examines the contingent effect of firm size and age on the ICT capabilities, ICT utilisation, and absorptive and innovative capabilities of South African SMEs

Federal Register

Daily publication of the U.S. Office of the Federal Register contains rules and regulations, proposed legislation and rule changes, and other notices, including "Presidential proclamations and Executive Orders, Federal agency documents having general applicability and legal effect, documents required to be published by act of Congress, and other Federal agency documents of public interest" (p. ii). Table of Contents starts on page iii

Mobilising Morality: Moral Education Reform within China’s 21st Century ‘New Era’

The purpose of this study is to enhance our understanding of Chinese moral education reforms under the scope of Xi Jinping’s ‘New Era’ national reforms. It does this through examining the relationship between the prescribed expectations and lived realisations of moral education reform within the compulsory moral education class (deyu) in Mainland Chinese primary schools. This research adopts a constructivist and grounded theory epistemological perspective. Theoretically, it draws upon cross-cultural theories of moral education, socio-political philosophy, cultural hegemony, and moral philosophy. The research methodology utilises a mixed methods approach to critically analyse the current state of moral education and its socio-political implications. Methodologies used include autoethnography, critical discourse analysis, semi-structured qualitative interviews, and quantitative surveys. It was originally assumed that there would be a prominent disparity between the prescribed expectations and lived realisations of moral education reform due to vague official policies that included few details regarding implementation or assessment measures. This research found this to be true, but also found that the functional role of moral education reforms extends far beyond the classroom. The effect of this was that moral education not only passively facilitates social change, but actively produces social change. This thesis suggests that moral education is a driving force in an ideological policy feedback loop that reproduces cultural hegemony and ruling Party legitimacy. By highlighting the integral role of moral education within ongoing socio-political transformations in contemporary Chinese society, this thesis argues that moral education is a driving force for Chinese 21st century ‘New Era’ development.United States Department of State Fulbright Program, University of Cambridge Faculty of Education, and University of Cambridge St John's Colleg

Conceptual aspects management of competitiveness the economic entities: collective monograph

The authors of the book have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to effectively use modern approaches the management of competitiveness the economic entities in order to increase the efficiency of using the resource potential, formation of competitive advantages and development strategies. Basic research focuses on economic diagnostics of ensuring the competitiveness of economic entities, marketing and logistics, analysis of energy-efficient potential, assessment of development potential. The research results have been implemented in the different models of inventory management, corporate social responsibility management, business process management and project management. The results of the study can be used in decision-making at the level the economic entities in different areas of activity and organizational-legal forms of ownership, ministries and departments that promote of development the economic entities and increase their competitiveness. The results can also be used by students and young scientists in modern concepts and mechanisms for management of competitiveness the economic entities in the context of efficient use the resource potential and introduction of modern innovations

How employee portal contributes for the intangible assets value creation

Today's increasingly business competition and the information technologies development led to huge corporate organisational changes and pulled intangible assets up in the value chain. Employees’ skills, talent and know how, intellectual property, information, information systems, infrastructure, culture, teamwork capacity and other forms of non-physical assets are critical sources of value. But in order to generate value they must be integrated with each other and aligned with the objectives for the internal processes. To address some organisation concerns related to value creation and change management, a theoretical multi-tier framework was developed. This framework illustrates the path and flows of value-creation, the relationships between “intangible assets” and the representation of “enabling changes projects”. Strategy Map and Benefits Dependency Network were combined, resulting in a stronger framework to help organizations enhancing their strategy knowledge, to reduce the risk of projects failure, and to capture real value from their investments. In order to understand how an employee portal contributes for the intangible assets value creation process, an Employee Portal case study was carried out. The author performed a preliminary study comprising a literature review and data collection followed with semi-structured interviews and analysis of employee satisfaction surveys results to triangulate and confirm all the data gathered.O aumento da competitividade empresarial aliado ao nível de desenvolvimento das tecnologias de informação provocou enormes mudanças organizacionais e aumentou a importância dos ativos intangíveis na cadeia de valor. As competências, talento e o “saber fazer” dos colaboradores, a propriedade intelectual, informação, sistemas de informação, infraestrutura, cultura organizacional, capacidade de trabalho em equipa e outras formas de ativos intangíveis são fontes importantes de valor. Contudo para gerarem valor, estes ativos devem estar integrados entre si e alinhados com os objetivos para os processos internos. Para endereçar algumas preocupações, da organização, relacionadas com a criação de valor e com a gestão da mudança, desenvolvemos um modelo teórico com estrutura multicamada. Este modelo ilustra os caminhos e os fluxos de criação de valor, as relações entre os "ativos intangíveis" e a representação dos "facilitadores de mudança". Combinámos o Mapa Estratégico e a rede de dependência de benefícios, resultando num modelo mais robusto para ajudar as organizações a melhorar o conhecimento da estratégia, reduzindo o risco de falha de projetos e captando o valor real de seus investimentos. Por forma a entender a forma como um portal de colaborador contribui para o processo de criação de valor dos ativos intangíveis da empresa, foi realizado um estudo de caso com um portal de colaborador. O autor realizou um estudo preliminar que compreende a revisão da literatura e coleta de dados, seguida por entrevistas semiestruturadas e análise dos resultados de questionários de satisfação de colaboradores para triangulação e confirmação dos dados recolhidos

Photovoltaic-powered wireless communication system for rural schools outside national utility grid

Access to global information is inarguably one of the key ways of bringing development to any community. In developing worlds, many rural schools lie outside both the Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) cable network and the national utility grid. Rapid developments in information and communication technology (ICT) continue to widen the digital divide between urban and rural schools. In South Africa, although these rural areas are outside the ISP’s cable network, they enjoy excellent mobile (cellular) communications network coverage. Fortunately, leading mobile operators in the country (MTN and Vodacom) have incorporated mobile data packet services into their cellular communication networks since 2002. A stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system for powering ICT equipment in off grid rural schools was designed and installed; and its performance monitored. Performance of the system was considered in two categories, which are; cost and service performance. In cost performance, return on investment (ROI) and payback period (PB) are the two critical considerations. The PV system designed in this study gave an impressive ROI and PB of 286percent and 5 years, respectively. In order to monitor and evaluate the service performance a data acquisition system (DAS) was designed and installed. Besides proving the potential of PV in powering ICT equipment, results from the DAS also suggested a more efficient way of employing PV as a power source for powering equipment that is based on Switched-Mode Power Supply Units. Concurrent and continuous change in irradiance and temperature result in a four-segment pattern of rising and falling module efficiency throughout the day. Generally, modules produce more energy on cooler sunny days than hotter sunny days. Infrared (IR) Thermography was also used as part of both indoor and outdoor module tests. During indoor tests at pre-deployment stage, IR Thermography showed development of hot spots in mismatched cells of reverse-biased modules. On the outdoors, IR Thermography reiterated the effect of bird droppings on module surfaces by showing hot spots forming on areas covered by the droppings. For internet connectivity, a customized Mobile Internet Device (MIDevice) was designed, built and tested. The device allows remote computer systems to be connected to the Internet via the already existing mobile communication network k using General Packet Radio Services (GPRS). An entire rural school local area network (LAN) can be connected to the Internet via a single MIDevice. An experimental setup was designed in order to monitor and evaluate performance of GPRS in specific and mobile Internet solutions in general. Results obtained proved that GPRS can indeed be a solution for remote Internet connectivity in rural schools. In order to improve performance of GPRS or mobile Internet connections, caching, pop-up blocking and proxy filtering are necessary.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 200

Photovoltaic-powered wireless communication system for rural schools outside national utility grid

Access to global information is inarguably one of the key ways of bringing development to any community. In developing worlds, many rural schools lie outside both the Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) cable network and the national utility grid. Rapid developments in information and communication technology (ICT) continue to widen the digital divide between urban and rural schools. In South Africa, although these rural areas are outside the ISP’s cable network, they enjoy excellent mobile (cellular) communications network coverage. Fortunately, leading mobile operators in the country (MTN and Vodacom) have incorporated mobile data packet services into their cellular communication networks since 2002. A stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system for powering ICT equipment in off grid rural schools was designed and installed; and its performance monitored. Performance of the system was considered in two categories, which are; cost and service performance. In cost performance, return on investment (ROI) and payback period (PB) are the two critical considerations. The PV system designed in this study gave an impressive ROI and PB of 286percent and 5 years, respectively. In order to monitor and evaluate the service performance a data acquisition system (DAS) was designed and installed. Besides proving the potential of PV in powering ICT equipment, results from the DAS also suggested a more efficient way of employing PV as a power source for powering equipment that is based on Switched-Mode Power Supply Units. Concurrent and continuous change in irradiance and temperature result in a four-segment pattern of rising and falling module efficiency throughout the day. Generally, modules produce more energy on cooler sunny days than hotter sunny days. Infrared (IR) Thermography was also used as part of both indoor and outdoor module tests. During indoor tests at pre-deployment stage, IR Thermography showed development of hot spots in mismatched cells of reverse-biased modules. On the outdoors, IR Thermography reiterated the effect of bird droppings on module surfaces by showing hot spots forming on areas covered by the droppings. For internet connectivity, a customized Mobile Internet Device (MIDevice) was designed, built and tested. The device allows remote computer systems to be connected to the Internet via the already existing mobile communication network k using General Packet Radio Services (GPRS). An entire rural school local area network (LAN) can be connected to the Internet via a single MIDevice. An experimental setup was designed in order to monitor and evaluate performance of GPRS in specific and mobile Internet solutions in general. Results obtained proved that GPRS can indeed be a solution for remote Internet connectivity in rural schools. In order to improve performance of GPRS or mobile Internet connections, caching, pop-up blocking and proxy filtering are necessary.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 200

Social Barriers to Entry: Liquefied Natural Gas Import Terminals in the US from 2000 to 2013

Management scholars recognize the uncertainties and challenges during the market entry process that can impede operational startup. However, very little empirical research exists to fully understand these challenges and explain firm responses. Even less attention has been paid to the threats from non-market actors and the countering strategies employed by firms. Hence, this thesis explores firm reactions to community contestation, as a form of social barrier to entry that can prevent the firm from exploiting market opportunities. Specifically, I consider the strategic implications of firms’ rhetorical responses to community contestation during the market entry process. For this thesis, U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry (2000–2013) is an appropriate context because only 26 out of the 59 proposed LNG import terminals could even get to the regulatory approval stage. Regulatory success, defined as the gain of regulatory approval in a relatively short amount of time compared to other competing proposals, was a necessary precursor for achieving operational startup and implementing the market entry strategy. The regulatory success of many proposals was threatened by extensive negative media attention due to sustained community contestation, forcing the Federal regulatory agencies to carry out an extensive and time-consuming evaluation in order to project an image of fairness. Firms had to employ rhetorical strategies to publicly counter the community contestation but were not equally successful. Using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), I identify four rhetorical strategies associated with the regulatory success. I find that a demonstrable community need enables an avoidance rhetorical strategy whereby firms try to sail through the regulatory process without catching public attention, especially when the design disadvantages of their proposals risk being exposed. When community need is not demonstrable but contestation levels are high, firms implement counterattack rhetorical strategies to undermine any community contestation, at times directly targeting the firm’s detractors, and not just the issues they raised. By conceiving of community contestation as a social barrier to entry and showing how it can be mitigated using rhetorical strategies, my study contributes to the literatures on rhetoric, firm entry, and non-market strategies at the community level