Computer ergonomics: experiences of the grade one learners in Gauetng online computer laboratory
- Authors: Ngcapu, Sibongile Ruth
- Date: 2008-07-07T09:33:49Z
- Subjects: Human engineering , Human-computer interaction , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10270 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/763
- Description: The study aims at determining how the aspects of the computer hardware and the furniture affect the experiences of the Grade one learners in the computer laboratory in a Gauteng school. Qualitative data has been used, that is, data was collected through interviews, observation, measurements and literature review. The findings indicate that the learners’ health is at risk as the computer workstations in the computer laboratory in a Gauteng school are not ergonomically designed to suit these learners, and the workstations too large. For learners not to be exposed to Musculo Skeletal Disorders (MSD), wrist pains, and vision problems, that may accumulate as a result of the strain they are subjected to when using a workstation not designed for their physique, the workstation in a Gauteng school will have to be adjusted accordingly. However, adjusting the hardware and furniture without the knowledge of using them safely is detrimental to their health. Learners and educators have to be taught ergonomics. Incorporating ergonomics as a theme in the curriculum would be the best option. A casual reminder by educators to the learners to enforce practicing ergonomics when working on the computers would gradually develop safe working practices and save the learner from upper limbs injuries , Prof. D. Van der Westhuizen
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngcapu, Sibongile Ruth
- Date: 2008-07-07T09:33:49Z
- Subjects: Human engineering , Human-computer interaction , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10270 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/763
- Description: The study aims at determining how the aspects of the computer hardware and the furniture affect the experiences of the Grade one learners in the computer laboratory in a Gauteng school. Qualitative data has been used, that is, data was collected through interviews, observation, measurements and literature review. The findings indicate that the learners’ health is at risk as the computer workstations in the computer laboratory in a Gauteng school are not ergonomically designed to suit these learners, and the workstations too large. For learners not to be exposed to Musculo Skeletal Disorders (MSD), wrist pains, and vision problems, that may accumulate as a result of the strain they are subjected to when using a workstation not designed for their physique, the workstation in a Gauteng school will have to be adjusted accordingly. However, adjusting the hardware and furniture without the knowledge of using them safely is detrimental to their health. Learners and educators have to be taught ergonomics. Incorporating ergonomics as a theme in the curriculum would be the best option. A casual reminder by educators to the learners to enforce practicing ergonomics when working on the computers would gradually develop safe working practices and save the learner from upper limbs injuries , Prof. D. Van der Westhuizen
- Full Text:
Information retrieval and processing with the use of intelligent mobile software agents
- Authors: Kolb, Derek
- Date: 2014-02-05
- Subjects: Knowledge management , Information technology - Management , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9040
- Description: M.A. (Information Technology) , The Internet contains large amounts of information that researchers can use, however, finding the required relevant information can be a lengthy exercise. Internet search engines, such as Google, allow users to search the Internet but these search engines only supply lists of information that "could" be relevant thereby forcing us, the users, to manually examine the list to select the relevant information that we require. Instead of requiring users to use Internet search engines to find lists of possibly useful information, it would be advantageous to have a system that would give an academic user a research summary report for the specified research query. This research summary report can be formatted in such a manner that would allow the user to have a list of links to the relevant information obtained, which could be used as an aid in the researcher's research projects. The design of the Mobile Agent Information Processing (MAIP) model and prototype relied heavily on mobile software agents (MSA). These MSAs will move from the creator system (the user's computer) to other known peer computer systems participating in the MAIP system. Whilst the MSAs are on the remote computer systems, relevant information is extracted from any of the text documents that are acknowledged as available by the remote host system. The extracted information will be returned to the creator system by each MSA where it will be processed and used to create the research summary report. The MAIP model is designed to locate, retrieve, and summarise information that is relevant to a researcher's research query, it can, therefore, be said that the MAIP model meets all the stated research objectives. The new and innovative model is deemed to offer an effective and feasible technology solution to the problem of information overload that exists within the electronic environment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kolb, Derek
- Date: 2014-02-05
- Subjects: Knowledge management , Information technology - Management , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9040
- Description: M.A. (Information Technology) , The Internet contains large amounts of information that researchers can use, however, finding the required relevant information can be a lengthy exercise. Internet search engines, such as Google, allow users to search the Internet but these search engines only supply lists of information that "could" be relevant thereby forcing us, the users, to manually examine the list to select the relevant information that we require. Instead of requiring users to use Internet search engines to find lists of possibly useful information, it would be advantageous to have a system that would give an academic user a research summary report for the specified research query. This research summary report can be formatted in such a manner that would allow the user to have a list of links to the relevant information obtained, which could be used as an aid in the researcher's research projects. The design of the Mobile Agent Information Processing (MAIP) model and prototype relied heavily on mobile software agents (MSA). These MSAs will move from the creator system (the user's computer) to other known peer computer systems participating in the MAIP system. Whilst the MSAs are on the remote computer systems, relevant information is extracted from any of the text documents that are acknowledged as available by the remote host system. The extracted information will be returned to the creator system by each MSA where it will be processed and used to create the research summary report. The MAIP model is designed to locate, retrieve, and summarise information that is relevant to a researcher's research query, it can, therefore, be said that the MAIP model meets all the stated research objectives. The new and innovative model is deemed to offer an effective and feasible technology solution to the problem of information overload that exists within the electronic environment.
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Cost control for increased productivity in an engineering project environment
- Authors: Dirker, H.G.
- Date: 2012-08-17
- Subjects: Project management , Engineering -- Management -- Case studies , Cost control , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2647 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6092
- Description: M.Ing. , Project cost control constitutes one of the three most important aspects in managing a project effectively. The other two items are time and quality. In order to control the cost aspect of a project as effectively as possible, up-to-date information is needed. This points to a properly integrated cost control system that simultaneously supports all the needs of project management. Fortunately in todays engineering environment, information systems have evolved to such a level that simultaneous support to all aspects of project management is achievable. It is the goal of this thesis to investigate how to do proper cost control and status reporting in the correct manner and as effectively as possible by making use of modern information systems in order to increase to productivity levels of organisations. Ways in which the cost controlling process can be integrated with the status reporting process will be investigated. A case study will be done in the author's own project engineering environment and improvements to the process will be made in order to increase productivity levels in the author's working environment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dirker, H.G.
- Date: 2012-08-17
- Subjects: Project management , Engineering -- Management -- Case studies , Cost control , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2647 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6092
- Description: M.Ing. , Project cost control constitutes one of the three most important aspects in managing a project effectively. The other two items are time and quality. In order to control the cost aspect of a project as effectively as possible, up-to-date information is needed. This points to a properly integrated cost control system that simultaneously supports all the needs of project management. Fortunately in todays engineering environment, information systems have evolved to such a level that simultaneous support to all aspects of project management is achievable. It is the goal of this thesis to investigate how to do proper cost control and status reporting in the correct manner and as effectively as possible by making use of modern information systems in order to increase to productivity levels of organisations. Ways in which the cost controlling process can be integrated with the status reporting process will be investigated. A case study will be done in the author's own project engineering environment and improvements to the process will be made in order to increase productivity levels in the author's working environment.
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Evidence-based medicine as a web-based information-seeking model for health care practitioners
- Authors: Myers, Glenda
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:28:13Z
- Subjects: Evidence-based medicine , Computer network resources , Medical personnel information services , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1866
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The practice of medicine changes constantly and rapidly. Consequently, it is difficult for clinicians to learn about innovations, given the vast quantity of information available. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the process by which practitioners turn clinical problems into questions, and then systematically integrate personal clinical expertise with the best available external evidence as the basis for clinical decisions. To practice EBM, the practitioner is required to search the literature for relevant material, and then to synthesise knowledge and apply findings to each patient. Clinicians require fast and specific access to multiple data sources, but the availability of electronic full text documents has substantially exacerbated the lack of time to read the clinical literature owing to the demands of clinical practice, and is further compounded by the fact that the Web contains much health-related misinformation. Clinicians therefore require a means of searching the literature that will enhance the retrieval of accurate and evaluated clinical data from ranked resources, whereby the most relevant information is retrieved first from the most likely source. Strong correlations exist between four primary steps in EBM, and the formula commonly used in search strategy design in the field of information seeking. The similarities inherent in these steps suggest that an evidence-based approach to information seeking might enable endusers in the health professions to enhance their searching skills and to translate the clinical question into an appropriate information-seeking strategy. A main problem and two sub-problems were investigated, namely whether: · a Web-based EBM information-seeking model could be designed to enhance the information-seeking skills of healthcare practitioners · it was possible to design an information-seeking model more closely aligned with the clinical decision-making model familiar to healthcare practitioners · it was possible to design such a model in a manner that could further enhance the translation of the clinical question into an appropriate information-seeking strategy. Various models in medicine and the domain of information seeking were investigated. It was found that the model of the clinical decision-making process accorded with all six phases of the information-seeking process (ISP), whereas other information-seeking models only addressed the ISP from the formulation of the problem onwards, thus ignoring prior stages of initiation, selection and exploration in the ISP. A Web-based EBM information-seeking model (Model C) was devised and tested for compatibility against a general Web-based information-seeking model, and was found to be valid. Model C was further empirically assessed against a Web site design methodology, and was again found to be compatible. A unique approach to EBM information seeking is thus offered by Model C, which incorporates all aspects of the clinical-decision-making metaphor, as well as the “PICO” EBM filters (Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparative Intervention and Outcome), into a facet analysis template for the design of a clinical search strategy. Prior to selection of the EBM information resource, Model C further allows for the ranking of each resource and for the design of individual browsing and/or analytical search strategies, as appropriate, so as to enhance EBM information seeking amongst healthcare practitioners.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Myers, Glenda
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:28:13Z
- Subjects: Evidence-based medicine , Computer network resources , Medical personnel information services , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1866
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The practice of medicine changes constantly and rapidly. Consequently, it is difficult for clinicians to learn about innovations, given the vast quantity of information available. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the process by which practitioners turn clinical problems into questions, and then systematically integrate personal clinical expertise with the best available external evidence as the basis for clinical decisions. To practice EBM, the practitioner is required to search the literature for relevant material, and then to synthesise knowledge and apply findings to each patient. Clinicians require fast and specific access to multiple data sources, but the availability of electronic full text documents has substantially exacerbated the lack of time to read the clinical literature owing to the demands of clinical practice, and is further compounded by the fact that the Web contains much health-related misinformation. Clinicians therefore require a means of searching the literature that will enhance the retrieval of accurate and evaluated clinical data from ranked resources, whereby the most relevant information is retrieved first from the most likely source. Strong correlations exist between four primary steps in EBM, and the formula commonly used in search strategy design in the field of information seeking. The similarities inherent in these steps suggest that an evidence-based approach to information seeking might enable endusers in the health professions to enhance their searching skills and to translate the clinical question into an appropriate information-seeking strategy. A main problem and two sub-problems were investigated, namely whether: · a Web-based EBM information-seeking model could be designed to enhance the information-seeking skills of healthcare practitioners · it was possible to design an information-seeking model more closely aligned with the clinical decision-making model familiar to healthcare practitioners · it was possible to design such a model in a manner that could further enhance the translation of the clinical question into an appropriate information-seeking strategy. Various models in medicine and the domain of information seeking were investigated. It was found that the model of the clinical decision-making process accorded with all six phases of the information-seeking process (ISP), whereas other information-seeking models only addressed the ISP from the formulation of the problem onwards, thus ignoring prior stages of initiation, selection and exploration in the ISP. A Web-based EBM information-seeking model (Model C) was devised and tested for compatibility against a general Web-based information-seeking model, and was found to be valid. Model C was further empirically assessed against a Web site design methodology, and was again found to be compatible. A unique approach to EBM information seeking is thus offered by Model C, which incorporates all aspects of the clinical-decision-making metaphor, as well as the “PICO” EBM filters (Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparative Intervention and Outcome), into a facet analysis template for the design of a clinical search strategy. Prior to selection of the EBM information resource, Model C further allows for the ranking of each resource and for the design of individual browsing and/or analytical search strategies, as appropriate, so as to enhance EBM information seeking amongst healthcare practitioners.
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The extent, issues and trends of enterprise resource planning system usage in South Africa
- Authors: Worst, B.
- Date: 2012-09-11
- Subjects: Computer integrated manufacturing systems -- South Africa , Information storage and retrieval systems , Management information systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7339
- Description: M.Comm. , The concept is not new, but there are certain factors that complicated the application of this concept in actual practise: The rapid advances in technology, engineering and business processes, have left today's enterprise with a multitude of different computer applications to choose from. This puzzle consists of many variables, including : hardware, application software, operating systems, data bases and networks. An indication of the complexity of offerings available in the market today is reflected by a survey conducted by Paras on Process MRP Systems (Paras, 1992:7-28). The research problem is therefore to investigate the extent of usage of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems in South Africa. The research project has the following objectives: To determine the extent of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System usage in South African Industrial companies. To determine the different functional areas that ERP functionality is applied to in these companies, as well as trends in this area. To determine levels of support currently available to the South African Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System user. To determine the benefits realised . out of implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) functionality. This research explores the extent to which Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) functionality are being used in South Africa. As these systems are mainly used in Industrial companies, this research is limited to Industrial companies within South Africa. Companies in both the discrete and process environments are included in the study. Due to the cost of implementing such systems, these companies tend to be companieswith more than 100 employees, although relevant companies with fewer employees have been included. The larger majority of the companies operate in a distributed environment, with sites spread throughout South Africa, and in neighbouring and overseas countries. Due to the exploratory nature of the research problem, and the limited full enterprise wide use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems in South Africa, the scope will be wide, with the intent of this study to gain a broad perspective of the topic.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Worst, B.
- Date: 2012-09-11
- Subjects: Computer integrated manufacturing systems -- South Africa , Information storage and retrieval systems , Management information systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7339
- Description: M.Comm. , The concept is not new, but there are certain factors that complicated the application of this concept in actual practise: The rapid advances in technology, engineering and business processes, have left today's enterprise with a multitude of different computer applications to choose from. This puzzle consists of many variables, including : hardware, application software, operating systems, data bases and networks. An indication of the complexity of offerings available in the market today is reflected by a survey conducted by Paras on Process MRP Systems (Paras, 1992:7-28). The research problem is therefore to investigate the extent of usage of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems in South Africa. The research project has the following objectives: To determine the extent of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System usage in South African Industrial companies. To determine the different functional areas that ERP functionality is applied to in these companies, as well as trends in this area. To determine levels of support currently available to the South African Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System user. To determine the benefits realised . out of implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) functionality. This research explores the extent to which Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) functionality are being used in South Africa. As these systems are mainly used in Industrial companies, this research is limited to Industrial companies within South Africa. Companies in both the discrete and process environments are included in the study. Due to the cost of implementing such systems, these companies tend to be companieswith more than 100 employees, although relevant companies with fewer employees have been included. The larger majority of the companies operate in a distributed environment, with sites spread throughout South Africa, and in neighbouring and overseas countries. Due to the exploratory nature of the research problem, and the limited full enterprise wide use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems in South Africa, the scope will be wide, with the intent of this study to gain a broad perspective of the topic.
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Records management in a management consulting firm
- Authors: Mrwebi, Seipati Elizabeth
- Date: 2012-01-24
- Subjects: Business records management , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4300
- Description: M.A. , Information plays a very significant role in the economic development of the enterprises. It is increasingly used as a corporate resource to improve productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. This means that information in the form of records, is a strategic weapon to gain competitive advantage for the enterprise that creates and receives them. The study explores the problems that are facing terminology in the study of information management and records management. The problems that exist in terms of terminology are so intense that there is yet no universally acceptable definition for records and records management. The basic elements of records management are explored in attempt to position records management as an information management function. It demands records as vital information resources be managed throughout their life cycles, at a strategic level in much the same way as other economic resources such as people, money and land. In managing records effectively, the education and training of records managers is regarded as imperative. In order to test the information management function of records management, a survey is administered within Enterprise ABC to observe the records management practices amongst the records staff. The findings of the survey reveal that the records management practices within Enterprise ABC are chaotic in the sense that there are no standards and procedures that govern the flow of records within the enterprise.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mrwebi, Seipati Elizabeth
- Date: 2012-01-24
- Subjects: Business records management , Information storage and retrieval systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4300
- Description: M.A. , Information plays a very significant role in the economic development of the enterprises. It is increasingly used as a corporate resource to improve productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. This means that information in the form of records, is a strategic weapon to gain competitive advantage for the enterprise that creates and receives them. The study explores the problems that are facing terminology in the study of information management and records management. The problems that exist in terms of terminology are so intense that there is yet no universally acceptable definition for records and records management. The basic elements of records management are explored in attempt to position records management as an information management function. It demands records as vital information resources be managed throughout their life cycles, at a strategic level in much the same way as other economic resources such as people, money and land. In managing records effectively, the education and training of records managers is regarded as imperative. In order to test the information management function of records management, a survey is administered within Enterprise ABC to observe the records management practices amongst the records staff. The findings of the survey reveal that the records management practices within Enterprise ABC are chaotic in the sense that there are no standards and procedures that govern the flow of records within the enterprise.
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The experiences of radiographers working with PACS and RIS in Gauteng
- Authors: Mulla, Fathima Ahmed Saeed
- Date: 2014-06-02
- Subjects: Picture Archiving and Communication Systems , Radiology Information System , Radiography, Medical - Technological innovations , Radiography, Medical - Digital techniques , Information storage and retrieval systems , Radiological technologists - South Africa - Gauteng - Attitudes
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11293 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10886
- Description: M.Tech. (Radiography) , Conventional film and paper based radiology departments have been replaced by information technology at a rapid rate internationally. The leading technology is the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and Radiology Information System (RIS). The necessity to follow global trends has become more apparent in Africa. Simultaneously, Gauteng has now reached a stage where PACS and RIS have been widely implemented. It has been recommended that radiographers must be prepared for the change in expectations and levels of accountability required when PACS and RIS are adopted into the radiology department. The research question that arises is: What are the experiences of radiographers using PACS and RIS in Gauteng, South Africa? The aim and objectives of this explanatory sequential study was to explore and describe the experiences of radiographers using PACS and RIS in Gauteng, South Africa and to develop guidelines to facilitate the job satisfaction of radiographers in a PACS and RIS-driven radiology department. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. The explanatory design is a two-phased mixed methods design. The study began with the first, quantitative phase in which the researcher collected data from the six participating diagnostic radiology practices in the form of questionnaires. For the second phase the researcher interviewed information-rich radiographers who participated in the first phase of the data collection in focus groups. The findings, of this study, indicate that the participants in this study experience PACS and RIS in a positive manner, but that strategies could be put into place to further enhance their experience. Guidelines for facilitating job satisfaction of radiographers in a PACS and RIS-driven radiology department are suggested
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mulla, Fathima Ahmed Saeed
- Date: 2014-06-02
- Subjects: Picture Archiving and Communication Systems , Radiology Information System , Radiography, Medical - Technological innovations , Radiography, Medical - Digital techniques , Information storage and retrieval systems , Radiological technologists - South Africa - Gauteng - Attitudes
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11293 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10886
- Description: M.Tech. (Radiography) , Conventional film and paper based radiology departments have been replaced by information technology at a rapid rate internationally. The leading technology is the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and Radiology Information System (RIS). The necessity to follow global trends has become more apparent in Africa. Simultaneously, Gauteng has now reached a stage where PACS and RIS have been widely implemented. It has been recommended that radiographers must be prepared for the change in expectations and levels of accountability required when PACS and RIS are adopted into the radiology department. The research question that arises is: What are the experiences of radiographers using PACS and RIS in Gauteng, South Africa? The aim and objectives of this explanatory sequential study was to explore and describe the experiences of radiographers using PACS and RIS in Gauteng, South Africa and to develop guidelines to facilitate the job satisfaction of radiographers in a PACS and RIS-driven radiology department. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. The explanatory design is a two-phased mixed methods design. The study began with the first, quantitative phase in which the researcher collected data from the six participating diagnostic radiology practices in the form of questionnaires. For the second phase the researcher interviewed information-rich radiographers who participated in the first phase of the data collection in focus groups. The findings, of this study, indicate that the participants in this study experience PACS and RIS in a positive manner, but that strategies could be put into place to further enhance their experience. Guidelines for facilitating job satisfaction of radiographers in a PACS and RIS-driven radiology department are suggested
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Evaluation of an enterprise resource planning system as a performance enhancing tool for non-profit organisations
- Authors: Khan, Obaid Ullah
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Information storage and retrieval systems , Non-profit organizations , Management information systems , Enterprise resource planning systems
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4943
- Description: M.Comm. , Non-profit organisations are generally self-regulated bodies and usually manage their operations in an independent manner. This self-management aspect of non-profit organisations can create room for unethical behaviour such as mismanagement and poor performance. As public benefit organisations that primarily function because of donor funding, there is increased pressure from funders and stakeholders for non-profit organisations to provide greater accountability and transparency relating to their work. An information technology solution that can assist non-profit organisations in achieving greater accountability and transparency, as well as improvement in resource utilisation, is the implementation and use of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. However, whether such systems can improve the performance of non-profit organisations and their accountability to stakeholders has not been widely researched. This exploratory study aimed at identifying whether the use of an ERP system at two non-profit organisations (one based in South Africa and the other in Taiwan) assisted in accountability and transparency in their operations. Furthermore, it was investigated whether the use of an ERP system assists with optimal resource unitisation. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through the use of an interview guide with six senior managers to assess whether they perceived that the use of an ERP system promoted accountability and transparency. An electronic survey was distributed to a population of 271 users of the system (with 85 completed responses) to gain insight into user perceptions regarding performance improvement through use of an ERP system. Overall, three participants from the South African non-profit organisation suggested that the Maconomy ERP system was beneficial in achieving accountability and transparency goals. They indicated that they system provided them with the ability to monitor and control project activities at the organisation. The three participants from the Taiwanese non-profit organisation indicated that Maconomy ERP system assisted them with accountability and transparency objectives in a limited way. They further suggested that they realise that the system has the potential to assist them further with this requirement as it is still to be rolled out to the entire organisation. Furthermore, most respondents at the South African organisation perceived that the use of the Maconomy ERP system improves operational and personal performance. With regard to the survey, the majority of respondents reported that they understood the system and perceived that it provides value to the organisation. Most respondents at the Taiwanese non-profit organisation perceived that the Maconomy ERP system is beneficial to their organisation; however, most suggested that it does not improve their personal performance. A difference in length of the exposure to the system by respondents could be the cause of the differences in perceptions regarding personal performance. Overall, most of the respondents at both organisations perceived that adopting the Maconomy ERP system to improve performance at their organisation was the correct decision.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Khan, Obaid Ullah
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Information storage and retrieval systems , Non-profit organizations , Management information systems , Enterprise resource planning systems
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4943
- Description: M.Comm. , Non-profit organisations are generally self-regulated bodies and usually manage their operations in an independent manner. This self-management aspect of non-profit organisations can create room for unethical behaviour such as mismanagement and poor performance. As public benefit organisations that primarily function because of donor funding, there is increased pressure from funders and stakeholders for non-profit organisations to provide greater accountability and transparency relating to their work. An information technology solution that can assist non-profit organisations in achieving greater accountability and transparency, as well as improvement in resource utilisation, is the implementation and use of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. However, whether such systems can improve the performance of non-profit organisations and their accountability to stakeholders has not been widely researched. This exploratory study aimed at identifying whether the use of an ERP system at two non-profit organisations (one based in South Africa and the other in Taiwan) assisted in accountability and transparency in their operations. Furthermore, it was investigated whether the use of an ERP system assists with optimal resource unitisation. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through the use of an interview guide with six senior managers to assess whether they perceived that the use of an ERP system promoted accountability and transparency. An electronic survey was distributed to a population of 271 users of the system (with 85 completed responses) to gain insight into user perceptions regarding performance improvement through use of an ERP system. Overall, three participants from the South African non-profit organisation suggested that the Maconomy ERP system was beneficial in achieving accountability and transparency goals. They indicated that they system provided them with the ability to monitor and control project activities at the organisation. The three participants from the Taiwanese non-profit organisation indicated that Maconomy ERP system assisted them with accountability and transparency objectives in a limited way. They further suggested that they realise that the system has the potential to assist them further with this requirement as it is still to be rolled out to the entire organisation. Furthermore, most respondents at the South African organisation perceived that the use of the Maconomy ERP system improves operational and personal performance. With regard to the survey, the majority of respondents reported that they understood the system and perceived that it provides value to the organisation. Most respondents at the Taiwanese non-profit organisation perceived that the Maconomy ERP system is beneficial to their organisation; however, most suggested that it does not improve their personal performance. A difference in length of the exposure to the system by respondents could be the cause of the differences in perceptions regarding personal performance. Overall, most of the respondents at both organisations perceived that adopting the Maconomy ERP system to improve performance at their organisation was the correct decision.
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The effects of evaluation and rotation on descriptors and similarity measures for a single class of image objects
- Authors: Loots, Conrad
- Date: 2008-06-06T10:32:17Z
- Subjects: Multimedia systems , Information storage and retrieval systems , JPEG (image coding standard) , MPEG (video coding standard) , Image processing
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9199 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/564
- Description: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. If this proverb were taken literally we all know that every person interprets images or photos differently in terms of its content. This is due to the semantics contained in these images. Content-based image retrieval has become a vast area of research in order to successfully describe and retrieve images according to the content. In military applications, intelligence images such as those obtained by the defence intelligence group are taken (mostly on film), developed and then manually annotated thereafter. These photos are then stored in a filing system according to certain attributes such as the location, content etc. To retrieve these images at a later stage might take days or even weeks to locate. Thus, the need for a digital annotation system has arisen. The images of the military contain various military vehicles and buildings that need to be detected, described and stored in a database. For our research we want to look at the effects that the rotation and elevation angle of an object in an image has on the retrieval performance. We chose model cars in order to be able to control the environment the photos were taken in such as the background, lighting, distance between the objects, and the camera etc. There are also a wide variety of shapes and colours of these models to obtain and work with. We look at the MPEG-7 descriptor schemes that are recommended by the MPEG group for video and image retrieval as well as implement three of them. For the military it could be required that when the defence intelligence group is in the field, that the images be directly transmitted via satellite to the headquarters. We have therefore included the JPEG2000 standard which gives a compression performance increase of 20% over the original JPEG standard. It is also capable to transmit images wirelessly as well as securely. Including the MPEG-7 descriptors that we have implemented, we have also implemented the fuzzy histogram and colour correlogram descriptors. For our experimentation we implemented a series of experiments in order to determine the effects that rotation and elevation has on our model vehicle images. Observations are made when each vehicle is considered separately and when the vehicles are described and combined into a single database. After the experiments are done we look at the descriptors and determine which adjustments could be made in order to improve the retrieval performance thereof. , Dr. W.A. Clarke
- Full Text:
- Authors: Loots, Conrad
- Date: 2008-06-06T10:32:17Z
- Subjects: Multimedia systems , Information storage and retrieval systems , JPEG (image coding standard) , MPEG (video coding standard) , Image processing
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9199 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/564
- Description: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. If this proverb were taken literally we all know that every person interprets images or photos differently in terms of its content. This is due to the semantics contained in these images. Content-based image retrieval has become a vast area of research in order to successfully describe and retrieve images according to the content. In military applications, intelligence images such as those obtained by the defence intelligence group are taken (mostly on film), developed and then manually annotated thereafter. These photos are then stored in a filing system according to certain attributes such as the location, content etc. To retrieve these images at a later stage might take days or even weeks to locate. Thus, the need for a digital annotation system has arisen. The images of the military contain various military vehicles and buildings that need to be detected, described and stored in a database. For our research we want to look at the effects that the rotation and elevation angle of an object in an image has on the retrieval performance. We chose model cars in order to be able to control the environment the photos were taken in such as the background, lighting, distance between the objects, and the camera etc. There are also a wide variety of shapes and colours of these models to obtain and work with. We look at the MPEG-7 descriptor schemes that are recommended by the MPEG group for video and image retrieval as well as implement three of them. For the military it could be required that when the defence intelligence group is in the field, that the images be directly transmitted via satellite to the headquarters. We have therefore included the JPEG2000 standard which gives a compression performance increase of 20% over the original JPEG standard. It is also capable to transmit images wirelessly as well as securely. Including the MPEG-7 descriptors that we have implemented, we have also implemented the fuzzy histogram and colour correlogram descriptors. For our experimentation we implemented a series of experiments in order to determine the effects that rotation and elevation has on our model vehicle images. Observations are made when each vehicle is considered separately and when the vehicles are described and combined into a single database. After the experiments are done we look at the descriptors and determine which adjustments could be made in order to improve the retrieval performance thereof. , Dr. W.A. Clarke
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