SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard language to communicate with a relational database system. SQL is a core competency for people in the data management field and is, therefore, a foundational skill taught to users in information systems. This research analyzes data from the group of students with two different problem sets. The data set consisted of student activity, log data, captured by the database management system as students executed queries. The primary goal of analyzing data in this research is to observe the exact sequence of attempts while students formulate SQL queries, understand the patterns students use and how these patterns help them learn SQL for the purpose of finding better ways to teach these skills. This research will try to improve students? learning processes and how they can be taught more efficiently about the SQL language and its usage.

The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have the potential to enable these businesses to grow through access to new markets and administrative efficiencies. However, the growth of the smallest of these SMEs which are micro-enterprises is hindered by their inability to adopt ICTs. This paper investigates how micro-enterprises can adopt ICTs to grow and achieve competitiveness. It investigates a set of seven micro-enterprises through an interpretive field study in which action research was used to diagnose and treat the micro-enterprises. This was done using interventions through a process called “Information Technology (IT) Therapy”. This process involved providing individualized IT solutions to pressing problems and opportunities. The increase in competitiveness of these micro-enterprises was assessed using the Focus Dominance Model and their growth through a modified model of micro-enterprise growth. This research contributes to assisting micro-enterprises achieve sustained growth and competitive advantage.

Information technology (IT) plays an important role in the growth of small businesses. Many businesses unfamiliar with technology tools risk being left behind in the so-called digital divide, rendering them unable to compete in today's business environment. Efforts to train owners of microenterprises often employ plan driven training, which emphasizes structure and linear learning with pre-defined learning objectives. This has been effective to a point, but it is sometimes insufficient to help microenterprises to cross the digital divide. This study proposes an alternative educational method, known as agile training. Agile Training is adapted from the Agile method of information systems development. Agile Training is an iterative method, designed to produce a demonstrable set of valuable technical skills on a short timetable. This innovative educational method adds process and psychological factors to standard plan driven training.

The growth of micro-enterprises is a key driver of economic development. The ability of micro-enterprises to adopt IT can potentially increase their growth by 3.4% according to a World Bank expert. However these gains do not always take place as the challenges are many. Current theoretical models on IT adoption focus on the intent to adopt IT in large organizations where employees’ attitudes and perceptions are measured in terms of their objectives within the structures of accountability. Micro-enterprises are unique in that the intention to adopt is an individual decision made by the micro-entrepreneur. It is often the innovative ways in which IT is used that enable the gains to be realized by micro-entrepreneurs. This chapter describes a process that can be used to enable micro-entrepreneurs faced with limited resources to adopt IT to grow their businesses. This process of IT therapy involves diagnosis, interventions and an assessment of IT for development outcomes. Examples and guidelines are provided to enable this process to be used by practitioners. This chapter concludes with alternatives for sustainable development and guidelines for achieving these improvements in micro-enterprises.

The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have the potential to enable these businesses to grow through access to new markets and administrative efficiencies. However, the growth of the smallest of these SMEs which are micro-enterprises is hindered by their inability to adopt ICTs effectively to achieve competitive advantage. This chapter investigates how micro-enterprises can adopt ICTs to grow and achieve competitiveness. This investigation of a set of seven micro-enterprises took place through an interpretive field study in which action research was used to diagnose and treat the micro-enterprises with interventions through a process of “Information Technology (IT) Therapy”. This process involved providing individualized IT solutions to pressing problems and opportunities and the development of a longer-term IT project plan, customized for each of the businesses. The increase in competitiveness of these micro-enterprises was assessed using the Focus Dominance Model and their growth through a modified model of micro-enterprise growth based on the resource based view of the firm. This research also contributes with a unique set of skills and experiences that ITD innovators can bring in helping micro-enterprises achieve sustained growth and competitive advantage.

Organizations depend on their work practices to focus employees' knowledge, skills and attention on value creating activities that support organizational goals. Researchers have made considerable progress in developing tools and processes that improve the design and development of new work practices, but far too often new work practices are not widely and readily accepted in the workplace. The Value Frequency Model has been proposed as one way to explain and predict when intended users would be willing to change to a new work practice. In the four years since its introduction much has been learned through the use and study of this model. This dissertation elucidates the model's theoretical foundations and clarifies the mechanisms and inter-relationships that underpin the model to propose an updated research model. It then presents the results from the first-ever large-scale empirical study of the Value Frequency Model. A revision to the theory and validated tools that could increase the likelihood of successful development and deployment of new work practices are presented.

This research observes a global implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP)/human resources management system (HRMS) software at an international company. The software was implemented in 16 countries. Variables such as cultural differences, communication-distance, management support, trust, and resistance to change were evaluated in the literature review. These variables have an impact on implementation success during global HRMS implementation. Further analyses on specific success factors faced with global implementations were evaluated using semi-structured interviews. The authors prepared a questionnaire to further explore the data. Respondents rated questions related to management support the highest overall. An interesting find was that the semi-structured interview results indicated that the software chosen was not a perfect fit for the global community. The mean for questions related to global HRMS success was higher for respondents located in the United States than those located in other locations.

Purpose Information and communication technologies (ICTs) open new opportunities for micro‐enterprises to improve their businesses. However, challenges to using ICTs impede these businesses from growing into drivers for development. This paper seeks to investigate the adoption of ICTs in 11 micro‐enterprises in an underserved community of Omaha, Nebraska. Design/methodology/approach Following an action research study, this research provides insight into the key challenges and opportunities facing micro‐enterprises in their use of ICTs to create value for their businesses. Findings The process of “IT therapy” provides individualized technology‐related assistance, with an emphasis on relationship‐building, customized training, context sensitivity, and solutions that target strongly‐perceived needs of the businesses studied. Originality/value The paper's contribution is in the methodology for facilitating the adoption of ICTs in micro‐enterprises.

The use of information technology in micro- enterprises has been shown to bring about improvements in accessing new markets, in achieving administrative efficiencies, increased productivity and competitiveness. To benefit from IT, micro-enterprises require specialized intervention and support. At the same time these micro-enterprises require skill sets that can translate their unique needs to IT solutions. This paper provides an IT Therapy approach to addressing micro-enterprise needs through IT. Following an action research approach to investigating micro-enterprises, this paper provides insights into how IT can bring about sustained improvements in micro-enterprises. The contribution of this paper is in guidelines of how IT can bring about development in micro-enterprises. This has implications for IT interventions to support micro- enterprises to achieve broader goals of sustainable development.