Investigating the evaluation and selection of knowledge management tools

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Knowledge management is becoming increasingly fashionable because organisations perceive they are no longer working in a predictable and incremental environment. The number of knowledge management tools available on the software market is numerous, making the selection of a suitable tool not as simple as may originally be perceived. This dissertation investigates possible ways of assisting the evaluation and selection process of a commercial knowledge management tool so that an organisation may purchase a tool that is suitably close to their business requirements. In order to achieve this, various levels of empirical investigation is carried out on 44 knowledge management tools by the researcher. Furthermore, four case studies are undertaken to support and enhance the findings from empirical investigation. The case studies consist of a research group, a computer centre based within a university, a content management consultancy, and an IT consulting and software services company. The outcome of the research is a framework to facilitate the evaluation of commercial knowledge management tools. In addition, a frame of reference that describes the issues and factors that can be taken into consideration during the selection of a commercial knowledge management tool is proposed. A taxonomy for the classification of knowledge management tools is presented along with proposals for further development of knowledge management tools

Understanding the consumption process through in-branch and e-mortgage service channels: A first-time buyer perspective

This article is (c) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here (////BURA web address here). Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.Purpose – The twin aims of this paper are to explore the differences in the consumption process between the traditional in-branch and web-based (e-mortgage) service channels and how the differences relate to any problems identified in the electronic service environment, with respect to information search and product evaluation. Design/methodology/approach – A process-oriented approach comparing the two service channels (in-branch vs e-mortgage) was conducted in two study phases. Data from the e-mortgage process were collected using protocol analysis with 12 first-time buyers (FTBs) applying on a website belonging either to a hybrid or to an internet-only bank. Results of the e-mortgage process were mapped on to stages of the in-branch process, which was captured by observation of six FTB mortgage interviews to determine the level of correspondence and emergent issues. Findings – Support for the FTB in the e-mortgage process was problematic and service provision was found to be product- rather than consumer-oriented. Practical implications – The study highlights the importance of design issues in the electronic service environment for creating confidence in the online advice and information available on home mortgages for FTBs. Originality/value – The paper promotes increased understanding by financial service providers of the characteristics that support the consultative selling process for complex products such as mortgages and inform multichannel retailing

Use of complementary and alternative medicines by patients with orthopaedic disorders in western part of India: a cross sectional study

Background: Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are consumed all over the world for variety of health problems. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and pattern of CAM in patients with orthopaedic disorders.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out at outpatient department of Orthopaedics at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Data was collected with help of questionnaire which contained sociodemographic details and details of use of CAM if any by the attending patients. Data was analysed for sociodemographic and clinical characters, pattern of use of CAM, source of information and reasons for using CAM.Results: Out of 500 participants 196 (39.2 %) reported use of CAM. Mean age of participants was 42.6±19.8 (mean±SD) years and 130 (66.3%) users were women. Illiterate patients (57%) were the most frequent users of CAM. About 77% of patients aged 60 years and above used CAM. Fibromyalgia (48%) was the commonest condition for CAM use. Folk medicines (46%) and ayurvedic medicines (45%) were most commonly used CAM. Advice from friends/relatives was the commonest source of information. None of the respondents had knowledge of adverse effects of CAM used by them and about 70% did not inform their doctor about use of CAM.Conclusions: Use of CAM is highly prevalent in patients with orthopaedic disorders, women, illiterate and elderly being the more likely users. Concurrent use of folk remedies with allopathic medicines has potential for interactions between the two. History of use of CAM should be obtained as a routine from patients with musculoskeletal complaints

The comparative development of the cuticle of Romanomennis culicivorax in susceptible and resistant hosts

Summary -The development of Romanomennis culicivorax cuticle in the resistant host Toxorhyncites brevipalpis was studied ultrastrueturally and compared to that in the susceptible host Aedes aegypli. In susceptible hosts, reared at 26 oC, the parasitic stage of R. culicivorax was characterized by the formation and persistance of a surface coat over the epicuticle, 24-48 hours after host infection. The surface coat was lost 24-48 hours after exit from the hosto In the resistant host, T. brevipalpis, the surface coat was invaded by capsular material. The defense response of T. brevipalpis manifested itself as an initial, strong, humoral reaction, the capsule of which was later surrounded by haemoeytes. The changes in cuticular ultrastructure, leading to the observed one parasitic and one post-parasi tic moults are described. Résumé -Développement comparé de la cuticule de Romanomermis culicivorax chez les hôtes sensibles et résistants -Une étude comparative d'ultrastructure a porté sur le développement de la cuticule de Romanomennis culicivorax chez un hôte résistant, Toxorhyncites brevipalpis, et un hôte sensible, Aedes aegypli. Chez l'hôte sensible, élevé à 26 oC, le stade parasite de R. culicivorax est caractérisé par la formation et la persistance d'un enduit recouvrant l'épicuticule 24 à 48 h après l'infestation. Cet enduit superficiel disparaît 24 à 48 h après la sortie hors de l'hôte. Chez l'hôte résistant, T. brevipalpis, cet enduit est pénétré par des matières capsulaires. La réaction de défense de T. brevipalpis se traduit par une réponse initiale hormonale marquée, la capsule étant plus tard entourée par des hémocytes. Les modifications ultrastructurales de la cuticule conduisant à la mue parasitaire et à la mue post-parasitaire observées sont décrites

The Use of IT to Increase Nutritional Awareness in Young Children

It has been well documented that obesity amongst young children is on the increase. By the age of 5 the level of obesity is alarming and is much greater than expected in comparison to the national standards. To address this problem, an overall health programme is required encompassing healthy eating and physical activity. However, a radical change of this nature has not shown any long-term benefits and can result in a negative attitude from the child. Therefore, more subtleways of increasing awareness in children about healthy eating were thought to be the key. Since children are spending an increasing amount of their free time playing computer games, it was thought that this would be a good way of introducing them to healthy eating. Therefore, a prototype system is developed and tested to identify whether IT can be used to raise nutritional awareness in young children. The results show that the increase is marginal, but the system did encourage discussion about the effects of food amongst a group of children aged between 4-5

The Need for an Adoption and Acceptance Framework for Mobile Digital Library Services

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