FACTORS INFLUENCING THE STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITH BUSINESS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

For the last two decades, information technology (IT) in general, and information systems (IS) in particular have rapidly advanced in capability and have changed the way organizations do business. For many organizations, IT spending constitutes one of the biggest investments each year and as a result, the strategic alignment between information technology (IT) and business has been a priority for information system practitioners and business executives. However, the conditions under which IT can be used for competitive advantage continues to be a major challenge. The objectives of this thesis were to identify the behavioral, technical and organizational underlying strategic alignment factors, and to investigate strategic alignment influence of the use of IT for competitive advantage. The findings of this study further extend the strategic alignment research stream. This was achieved by developing, empirically testing, and validating the second-order strategic alignment factor model to investigate the influence of the strategic alignment between IT and business on the use of IT for competitive advantage. Using the survey method, a mail questionnaire has provided 202 respondents of IT and business executives from the Malaysian service sector (Tour and Travel agents). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques to validate the hypothesized second-order strategic alignment factor model. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the coordination of IT planning with business planning; communication between IT and managers; human resource skills maturity; IT infrastructure flexibility; and organizational change adaptability as the underlying strategic alignment factors. The analysis also supported that strategic alignment between IT and business to positively influence the use of IT for competitive advantage. Furthermore, the hypothesized second-order strategic alignment factor model demonstrated an adequate model fit with the sample data. Hence, the hypothesis that the proposed second-order factor model fits the data was supported. The study has made theoretical and practical contributions. First, the theoretical contribution, the proposed second-order strategic alignment model of this study has vii extended the cumulative research of aligning IT strategy with business strategy by examining how strategic alignment can influence the use of IT for competitive advantage. Another theoretical contribution is that, strategic alignment is specified as a second-order construct, derived from the first-order constructs; which are a coordination of IT and business planning factor; communication between IT and business managers factor; human resource skills maturity factor; IT infrastructure flexibility factor; and organizational change adaptability factor. The revised secondorder strategic alignment factor model not only has acceptable model fit, but also performs better than the alternative model. This study has provided a validated and tested research model that will be an important tool for practitioners and managers to be able to know and assess the underlying strategic alignment factors, and the influence of strategic alignment of the use of IT for competitive advantage

Mechanisms Of Cytokine-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction Of The Pancreatic Beta-Cell

MECHANISMS OF CYTOKINE-INDUCED METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION OF THE PANCREATIC BETA-CELL by ABIY MUSSA MOHAMMED August 2013 Advisor: Dr. Anjaneyulu Kowluru Major: Pharmaceutical Sciences Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Type I diabetes is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due to loss of pancreatic â-cell mass by autoimmune aggression. During the progression of the disease proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1â, TNFá and INFã are secreted by infiltrated and activated T-cells and macrophages which ultimately damage the pancreatic â-cell. However, the signaling mechanisms involved in cytokine-induced damage are only partially understood. Phagocyte-like NADPH oxidase [NOX2] has been shown to play regulatory roles in the metabolic dysfunction of the islet â-cell under the duress of glucolipotoxic conditions and exposure to proinflammatory cytokines. However, the precise mechanisms underlying NOX2 activation by these stimuli remain less understood. Herein, I determined some of the putative cellular mechanisms underlying proinflammatory cytokine-induced metabolic dysfunction and demise of the islet â-cell. Some of the novel findings of my study are: [i] cytokines induce ROS generation and oxidative stress via activation of phagocyte-like NADPH-oxidase [NOX2] such effects are comprised of Rac1 activation, p47phox phosphorylation, and gp91phox expression. I further confirmed that NOX2 is one of the sources for ROS generation under proinflammatory cytokines and glucotoxic conditions as demonstrated by activation of NOX2 activity which is sensitive to apocynin under those conditions; [ii] 2-Bromopalmitate, a classic inhibitor of protein palmitoylation, markedly attenuated cytokine-induced Rac1 activation, NOX2-mediated reactive oxygen species generation and inducible nitric oxide synthase-mediated nitric oxide release indicating that palmitoylation of specific G-proteins [e.g., H-Ras and Rac1] is a key regulatory step involved in cytokine-induced nitrosative and oxidative stress.In addition to oxidative and nitrosative stress, the effect of cytokines in other stress related signaling pathways were also examined. Cytokines activated JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK kinases. They also increased CHOP [C/EBP homologous protein] expression, a marker for endoplasmic reticulum stress, caused caspase-3 activation and FTase and GGTase degradation which leads to defective activation of key G-proteins, defective nuclear membrane assembly and loss in cell viability. Pharmacological inhibitors such as 2-bromopalmitate [inhibitor of palmitoylation], EHop-016 [inhibitor of Vav2-Rac1 axis] and NSC23766 [inhibitor of Tiam1-Rac1 axis] attenuated cytokine-induced JNK1/2 activation implying that Rac1 is upstream to cytokine-induced JNK1/2 activation. Based on the results obtained from my studies, I propose that protein palmitoyl transferase is a novel therapeutic target for the prevention of cytokine-induced metabolic dysfunction of the islet â-cell. As a logical extension of the in vitro studies, a preliminary work has been done in the NOD [non obese diabetic] mice, an animal model of Type I diabetes, and the results showed that both the islets of NOD and control mice express the NOX2 subunits namely, p47phox, p67phox, Rac1 and gp91phox

Effect of Educational Program on the Knowledge of Injured Administrative Staff Regarding Safety Computer Use

Objectives: To  assess the effectiveness of educational program on the knowledge of  injured administration staff  regarding safety computer use. Method: A Quasi Experimental ,One Group – pretest – posttest  study was carried out through the application of quantitative design through the period from September 1st , 2015 to May 23th , 2016.A purposive  sample of (20) individual from injured administrative staff of college of nursing/university of Kirkuk whom use computer were selected for the study, the scale of the study was rated according to the  right and wrong answers,data were analyzed through the use of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) which  applied (frequency,  percentage , mean of scores, standard deviation and Paired  T-test) at p-value ≤ 0.01. Results: The results of  the study showed  that most of the participants ( 25% ),   were from   age group ( 31 – 35 ) years, more than half of the them(60 %) were female, (65 %) of them had more than 10 years service and more than two third (75%)  were college graduate,  (65 %)  had more than 10 years' service and ( 55% ) of them  had less than (5 years) experience of computer use, while (30 %) of them had more than 10 years, most of the sample ( 75% ).were collage graduated. Conclusions: The study finding concluded poor staff knowledge in pretest in compare with high good knowledge in posttest, educational program highly statistically improved the knowledge of  administrative staff for requested level in which it may reduce further expected physical problems and risks. Recommendations Further program in such selection to be routinely repeated  during different times .To enhance their healthy life, we recommended to provide posters regarding the positioning and the exercises as a recourse for the staff. Generalization the program among the administrative staff of university of Kirkuk Key words: Effect , Educational Program , Knowledge , Safety Computer us

The Factor Influencing Hidden Economy Involvement in Libya

This paper aims to examine the influence of the demographic and attitudinal variables (tax rate and social burden, Islamic values, working experience, penalty, fairness of the government, age, gender, education, occupation, income level, and marital status) on hidden economy involvement in Libya. The questionnaire was developed and distributed in order to collect the data for the purpose of this study. From the correlation and regression analysis, it is found that tax rate and social burden, penalty and Islamic values variables are positively related to hidden economy involvement. For the demographic factors, the variable of occupation has a relationship with hidden economy involvement

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITH BUSINESS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

For the last two decades, information technology (IT) in general, and information systems (IS) in particular have rapidly advanced in capability and have changed the way organizations do business. For many organizations, IT spending constitutes one of the biggest investments each year and as a result, the strategic alignment between information technology (IT) and business has been a priority for information system practitioners and business executives. However, the conditions under which IT can be used for competitive advantage continues to be a major challenge. The objectives of this thesis were to identify the behavioral, technical and organizational underlying strategic alignment factors, and to investigate strategic alignment influence of the use of IT for competitive advantage. The findings of this study further extend the strategic alignment research stream. This was achieved by developing, empirically testing, and validating the second-order strategic alignment factor model to investigate the influence of the strategic alignment between IT and business on the use of IT for competitive advantage. Using the survey method, a mail questionnaire has provided 202 respondents of IT and business executives from the Malaysian service sector (Tour and Travel agents). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques to validate the hypothesized second-order strategic alignment factor model. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the coordination of IT planning with business planning; communication between IT and managers; human resource skills maturity; IT infrastructure flexibility; and organizational change adaptability as the underlying strategic alignment factors. The analysis also supported that strategic alignment between IT and business to positively influence the use of IT for competitive advantage. Furthermore, the hypothesized second-order strategic alignment factor model demonstrated an adequate model fit with the sample data. Hence, the hypothesis that the proposed second-order factor model fits the data was supported. The study has made theoretical and practical contributions. First, the theoretical contribution, the proposed second-order strategic alignment model of this study has vii extended the cumulative research of aligning IT strategy with business strategy by examining how strategic alignment can influence the use of IT for competitive advantage. Another theoretical contribution is that, strategic alignment is specified as a second-order construct, derived from the first-order constructs; which are a coordination of IT and business planning factor; communication between IT and business managers factor; human resource skills maturity factor; IT infrastructure flexibility factor; and organizational change adaptability factor. The revised secondorder strategic alignment factor model not only has acceptable model fit, but also performs better than the alternative model. This study has provided a validated and tested research model that will be an important tool for practitioners and managers to be able to know and assess the underlying strategic alignment factors, and the influence of strategic alignment of the use of IT for competitive advantage

Assessment Knowledge and Practice of Diabetic Patients (Type II) about Long Term Complications of their Disease in Kirkuk City

Background:- Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome  that affects  all the body parts ,  is a life-long disease marked by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. It is the second leading cause of blindness and renal disease worldwide. This can cause severe short-term and long-term Complications s ranging from brain damage to amputations and heart disease Aim of the study :- In order to assess knowledge  and practice  of Diabetic patients (Type 2)  about long term complications of disease  in Kirkuk city  as well as to find out the relationship between patients knowledge , practice and some socio-demographic characteristic such as age ,gender ,educational level , address and job Methodology:- A descriptive study of a quantitative design were carried out at Azadi teaching hospital and Kirkuk general hospital in Kirkuk city for diabetic patients (type 2)  from 2nd of July , 2013, up to the 20th of  April , 2014.  A non-probability (purposive) sample of (200) definitely diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (type 2) selected from adult patients who were attended to Azadi Teaching Hospital and Kirkuk General Hospital in Kirkuk city. Developed questionnaire  was constructed for the purpose of the study which consisted of four  parts: the first part include the  demographic data (6 ) items , the second part consist from (5 ) items of patients   medical date , the third part was contained  (21) questions which assess the  knowledge of the diabetic patients about long term complications of diabetic and the fourth part was contained (10 ) questions which assess the  practice  of the diabetic patients about long term complications of diabetic . 3-likert scale option was used in the rating scale as: (3) for yes  , (2 ) for uncertain  ,and  ( 1 ) for no  . Content validity was determined by presenting the questionnaire to a panel of (10) experts . The data were collected through the use of interview. They were analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical analysis (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistical data analysis (chi-square, T –test and ANOVA  ) by using the statistical package of social science (SPSS ) version (17 ). Results :-The findings of the study indicated that (56.5%) of the patients were in age group between (45-60), (56.5%) were females, (53%) has family history of diabetic mellitus  , (44%) were house wives, (73%) were married, , (78.5%) living in urban also the study conclude highly significant relation between diabetic patients knowledge and their age , education level , marital status and job. Conclusions:- The study finding the patients knowledge and practice were poor about their  disease in Kirkuk city Recommendation :- Designed an educational programs to increase people knowledge about their  life style, etiology, signs and symptom, complication and treatment of diabetic mellitus and practice which decrease the impact of their disease . Advertisements and some health educational programs regard diabetic  mellitus should be encouraged through mass media Keywords:- diabetic patients , practice, Knowledge

Legislators and livestock: pastoralist parliamentary groups in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda

There is a serious information gap on the role of parliamentarians in natural resource management and development. This report looks at the potential of specialist groupings of Members of Parliament for promoting pastoral development and overcoming pastoral poverty and vulnerability in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda

Difficulties of Nursing Students During Clinical Training

Background: Nursing practice in the 21st century faces a number of challenges including increased nursing teaching schools and institutes, in adequate nursing staff, increasing healthcare costs, limited facilities, need for preceptor (link teacher), in adequate quality and numbers of hospitals. Clinical practice is crucial in nursing to integrate theory and practice to acquire skills and capability of critical thinking, solve problems and decision making. Aim of the Study: identify the difficulties which encountered the students of nursing college in the hospitals of Kirkuk city during study year 2011-2012, also to assess the extent of benefit from clinical training in the hospitals.   Methodology: A descriptive study, using the assessment approach was conducted on students of college of nursing /Kirkuk University from 2/5/2012 to 24/4/2013. A purposive, non-probability sample composed of (200) students (male & female) from the (2nd, 3rd &4th) classes were selected for the study. A questionnaire was developed for purposive of study & included 3 parts were demographic data, difficulties which encountered student & benefit of student from clinical training. The analysis of data was done by application of descriptive statistical data analysis approach (frequency, percentage, and the mean of scores).   Results: The age group (22-24) years was represent (51%) of the sample, the female represent (80%) from the sample, 2nd class were (42%) from the sample, & (68, 5%) were living in urban.   Conclusions: Most of the students were young, female, live in urban, and from the 2nd class. The findings were moderate for the teacher related factors, Health staff & patients related factors, student & tasks performance related factors, place and time related factors, And most of the students were moderately benefited from clinical training in the hospitals

Evaluating the impact of an intervention to increase uptake of modern contraceptives among adolescent girls (15-19 years) in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania: the Adolescents 360 quasi-experimental study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania have some of the highest teenage pregnancy rates and lowest rates of modern contraceptive use among adolescents. The transdisciplinary Adolescents 360 (A360) initiative being rolled out across these three countries uses human-centred design to create context-specific multicomponent interventions with the aim of increasing voluntary modern contraceptive use among girls aged 15-19 years. METHODS: The primary objective of the outcome evaluation is to assess the impact of A360 on the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) among sexually active girls aged 15-19 years. A360 targets different subpopulations of adolescent girls in the three countries. In Northern Nigeria and Ethiopia, the study population is married girls aged 15-19 years. In Southern Nigeria, the study population is unmarried girls aged 15-19 years. In Tanzania, both married and unmarried girls aged 15-19 years will be included in the study. In all settings, we will use a prepopulation and postpopulation-based cross-sectional survey design. In Nigeria, the study design will also include a comparison group. A one-stage sampling design will be used in Nigeria and Ethiopia. A two-stage sampling design will be used in Tanzania. Questionnaires will be administered face-to-face by female interviewers aged between 18 and 26 years. Study outcomes will be assessed before the start of A360 implementation in late 2017 and approximately 24 months after implementation in late 2019. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Findings of this study will be widely disseminated through workshops, conference presentations, reports, briefings, factsheets and academic publications