[Intranet Portal Usage In Higher Education Institutions (HEI)]

by

Acknowledgement

Iwould take this opportunity to express gratitude my study supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first titles and last name here], declare that the contents of this thesis comprise my own unaided work, and that the thesis has not before been submitted for learned written test towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University (Adam, 1996).

(Alexander, 1995).

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Abstract

A Campus Portal is an exciting recent phenomenon forming part of the new generation of online services for all stakeholders in institutions of higher education. Conceptually the general notion of a Portal should be to be distinguished from that of other Webbased applications and the traditional Intranet of the institution. The literature review in Phase One of this research indicates that the major distinguishing characteristics of a Campus Portal are: (i) personalisation, by which end-users are only able to access information and online services pertinent to their activities, and (ii) customisation, by which end-users are able to select their preferred information channels and optional online services. The major objective of this research is to propose a development methodology specifically suitable for Campus Portal projects. While there are many accepted development methodologies for traditional and Web-based Information Systems, no clear body of knowledge on the development of Campus Portals has yet been recognised. Additionally, as this is a new area, the definitions, terms, concepts and important issues agreed to by academic researchers and practitioners, are still evolving. This research, therefore, needs to clarify and identify some important issues regarding Campus Portals and their development, prior to composing the development methodology. In the second and third phases of the research, two studies were carried out, a preliminary study and a case study. These generated more understanding of the issues and extended the body of knowledge on Campus Portals, especially concerning their development. In the final phase of the research, the review of existing development methodologies was continued filtering them through a set of identified criteria based on the findings of the two studies. Finally, the most appropriate development methodology was selected and modified in order to support the requirements identified in this research as critical for the development of a Campus Portal. The result was proposed as a Campus Portal Development Methodology (CPDM) fulfilling the main objective of the research.

Table of Content

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION7

Resrarch Objectives7

Research Questions8

Statement of the problem8

Background9

The Portal Quality Model13

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW16

Intranet16

Examples of Intranets in Distributed Learning17

What is Portals17

Background of the Portal Concept18

Intranet portals19

Intranet portal functions in HEI21

Benefits of a Portal22

Strategic Advantages of a Portal23

Usage of Intranet Portals23

Quality25

Content26

The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)27

Data Quality Model29

Framework for Analysis30

Consumer Expectations31

Campus Portal Stakeholders and Benefits32

Campus Portal Architecture34

The Global Trend of the Campus Portal35

Unique Characteristics of Campus Portals35

Summary36

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY37

Research Design37

Case Study37

Usability Testing38

Student Interviews - Performed User Tests40

Defining Quality40

Obtaining Quality41

Development of Portal43

Knowledge Portals46

Characteristics and Functionalities of the Campus Portal46

Personalisation47

Customisation47

Balance of ...