Value of Information Logistics Integration in Digital Business Ecosystem

Digital business ecosystems (DBE) are becoming an increasingly popular concept for modelling and building distributed systems in heterogeneous, decentralized and open environments. Information- and communication technology (ICT) enabled business solutions have created an opportunity for automated business relations and transactions. The deployment of ICT in business-to-business (B2B) integration seeks to improve competitiveness by establishing real-time information and offering better information visibility to business ecosystem actors. The products, components and raw material flows in supply chains are traditionally studied in logistics research. In this study, we expand the research to cover the processes parallel to the service and information flows as information logistics integration. In this thesis, we show how better integration and automation of information flows enhance the speed of processes and, thus, provide cost savings and other benefits for organizations. Investments in DBE are intended to add value through business automation and are key decisions in building up information logistics integration. Business solutions that build on automation are important sources of value in networks that promote and support business relations and transactions. Value is created through improved productivity and effectiveness when new, more efficient collaboration methods are discovered and integrated into DBE. Organizations, business networks and collaborations, even with competitors, form DBE in which information logistics integration has a significant role as a value driver. However, traditional economic and computing theories do not focus on digital business ecosystems as a separate form of organization, and they do not provide conceptual frameworks that can be used to explore digital business ecosystems as value drivers—combined internal management and external coordination mechanisms for information logistics integration are not the current practice of a company’s strategic process. In this thesis, we have developed and tested a framework to explore the digital business ecosystems developed and a coordination model for digital business ecosystem integration; moreover, we have analysed the value of information logistics integration. The research is based on a case study and on mixed methods, in which we use the Delphi method and Internetbased tools for idea generation and development. We conducted many interviews with key experts, which we recoded, transcribed and coded to find success factors. Qualitative analyses were based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which sought cost savings, and Real Option Valuation, which sought an optimal investment program for the ecosystem level. This study provides valuable knowledge regarding information logistics integration by utilizing a suitable business process information model for collaboration. An information model is based on the business process scenarios and on detailed transactions for the mapping and automation of product, service and information flows. The research results illustrate the current cap of understanding information logistics integration in a digital business ecosystem. Based on success factors, we were able to illustrate how specific coordination mechanisms related to network management and orchestration could be designed. We also pointed out the potential of information logistics integration in value creation. With the help of global standardization experts, we utilized the design of the core information model for B2B integration. We built this quantitative analysis by using the Monte Carlo-based simulation model and the Real Option Value model. This research covers relevant new research disciplines, such as information logistics integration and digital business ecosystems, in which the current literature needs to be improved. This research was executed by high-level experts and managers responsible for global business network B2B integration. However, the research was dominated by one industry domain, and therefore a more comprehensive exploration should be undertaken to cover a larger population of business sectors. Based on this research, the new quantitative survey could provide new possibilities to examine information logistics integration in digital business ecosystems. The value activities indicate that further studies should continue, especially with regard to the collaboration issues on integration, focusing on a user-centric approach. We should better understand how real-time information supports customer value creation by imbedding the information into the lifetime value of products and services. The aim of this research was to build competitive advantage through B2B integration to support a real-time economy. For practitioners, this research created several tools and concepts to improve value activities, information logistics integration design and management and orchestration models. Based on the results, the companies were able to better understand the formulation of the digital business ecosystem and the importance of joint efforts in collaboration. However, the challenge of incorporating this new knowledge into strategic processes in a multi-stakeholder environment remains. This challenge has been noted, and new projects have been established in pursuit of a real-time economy.

Developing short sea shipping transportation chains at Helsinki-Tallinn route

Short sea shipping is an important part of the European economy and an alternative to road transport of goods in Europe. It represents an intermodal transport combination of sea and land on a Door-to-Door basis, and it aims to develop more sustainable transport network with the least negative impacts by the transport modes. This Master’s thesis addresses the development of short sea shipping transportation chains at Helsinki-Tallinn route. The Master´s thesis explores the development of short sea shipping at Helsinki-Tallinn route by analyzing the shipping costs per unit transported by different ship types and sizes between port of Helsinki-Vuosaari harbour and port of Tallinn-Muuga harbour, and examining the possibility of Ro-Ro traffic as well. The study is qualitative-quantitative method and it is based on a case study, data is collected from secondary and primary sources, and mixed methods analysis is used to implement the interviews and observations results with the databases analysis. In the thesis factors affecting on short sea shipping are explored and analyzed, also the possibility of Ro-Ro shipping is examined, by comparing the shipping cost and the environmental impact of different ships like container ships, Ropax, and CONRO ships. The finding of this research shows the importance of time at port and utilization as a shipping cost determinants, the relationship between ship type and costing, and the possibility of Ro-Ro shipping.

Tragedian tarina. Nuoren itsemurhaan päättynyt elämä vanhemman kertomana

Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan suomalaisnuorten itsemurhia teon inhimillisen ja sosiaalisen ulottuvuuden näkökulmasta. Tutkimustehtävänä on itsemurhan tehneen lapsen vanhempien subjektiivisten kokemusten tavoittaminen. Tarkoituksena on selvittää (1) millaisia sisältöjä ja merkityksiä nuoren elämä ja itsemurha saavat vanhempien kertomuksissa, (2) millä tavoin vanhemmat ovat ennakoineet nuoren tulevaa itsemurhaa ja millaisiksi varjelevat tekijät muodostuvat vanhempien ennakointien pohjalta sekä (3) miten auttamistyö merkityksellistyy osana ennusmerkkeihin ja varjeleviin tekijöihin liittyviä kertomuksia. Tutkimus on suunnattu edistämään itsemurhien ehkäisyä. Tutkimustyyppinä on narratiivinen laadullinen tutkimus. Pääaineistona on 14 lapsen itsemurhakuoleman kokeneen vanhemman kerronnallista haastattelua. Nuorten kuoliniän vaihteluväli on 15–31 vuotta. Täydentävä aineisto koostuu vanhempien kanssa käydyistä sähköpostikeskusteluista sekä heidän antamasta kirjallisesta lisämateriaalista, johon lukeutuu vanhempien omia muistelmia, heidän itsemurhan tehneiden lasten päiväkirjamerkintöjä ja jäähyväiskirjeitä. Analysointi on väljästi ymmärrettynä aineistolähtöinen. Analyysi perustuu narratiivisuuden ja sisällönanalyysin suomiin mahdollisuuksiin tukeutuen myös elämäkerralliseen näkökulmaan. Elämä ja kuolema ovat toistensa vastakohtia ja tiloja, jotka ovat jatkuvassa vuorovaikutuksessa keskenään. Itsensä surmaamisessa merkityksellistyy tavoitteellinen toiminta, jolla on korostuneesti yhteys nuoren sosiaaliseen ympäristöön suhteineen ja tapahtumineen. Ennusmerkit, eli vanhempien jälkikäteen näkemät vihjeet ennen lapsen itsemurhaa, liittyvät useisiin samanaikaisesti tapahtuneisiin prosesseihin, joissa elämään yleisesti liittyvät osa-alueet ovat yhdistyneet toisiinsa ja sekoittuneet keskenään. Varjelevat tekijät rakentuvat ennusmerkkien kääntöpuolina eli sisältöinä, joita vanhemman näkökulmasta nuoren eläessä olisi pitänyt tapahtua. Kyse voi olla myös seikoista, joista vanhempi on jälkeenpäin pohtinut, että tämä jonkun olisi pitänyt ymmärtää tai tehdä toisin. Vanhemmat kritisoivat laajasti auttamistyötä. Kritiikki kohdistui palvelujärjestelmään ja auttamistyötä toteuttaneiden tahojen toimintaan. Vanhempien kriittinen toimijuus tekee näkyväksi yksilön ja yhteiskunnan välisen kompleksisen suhteen. Palvelujärjestelmää on kehitettävä kokemusperäisen tiedon näkökulmasta. Ammattikäytännöissä korostuu psykososiaalisen työn merkitys. Tutkimus osoittaa, että sensitiivisten aiheiden tutkiminen on tärkeää ja laadullisen kulttuurisen kontekstin huomioivain itsemurhatutkimuksen tarve on suuri.

Strategisen johdon dynaamiset kyvykkyydet tuoteinnovaation mahdollistajana healthtech-toimialalla

Tämän Pro Gradu –tutkielman tarkoituksena selvittää yritysten strategisen johdon roolia tuoteinnovaatioiden mahdollistajina. Tutkielmassa perehdytään dynaamisiin kyvykkyyksiin ja dynaamisiin johtamiskyvykkyyksiin tuoteinnovaatiotoiminnan taustalla healthtech-toimialalla. Tutkimuksen perustana on teoriakatsauksen pohjalta laadittu viitekehys, joka toimii pohjana tutkimuksen empiirisessä osuudessa. Viitekehys koostuu innovaatioteoriasta sekä dynaamisista kyvykkyyksistä, jotka ovat sensing-kyvykkyys, seizing-kyvykkyys ja reconfiguring-kyvykkyys. Kyvykkyyksien taustalta selvitetään minkälaisia prosesseja, rutiineja ja toimintatapoja yrityksillä, ja niiden strategisella johdolla, on tuoteinnovaatioiden johtamisessa. Tutkimuksessa empiriisessä osuudessa käytettiin tapaustutkimusta, jonka aineisto kerättiin tutkimuksen kohderyhmälle toteutuin teemahaastatteluin. Haastattelurunko koostui tutkielman viitekehyksen pohjalta. Teemahaastatteluiden litteroitu aineisto analysoitiin sisällönanalyysin keinoin, jonka jälkeen päädyttiin johtopäätöksiin siitä, minkälaisia prosesseja, rutiineja ja toimintatapoja kyvykkyyksien taustalla on, mikä on innovaatioiden rooli liiketoiminnalle, ja miten dynaamiset johtamiskyvykkyydet näyttäytyivät. Tärkeinpänä tutkimustuloksena havaittiin, että selkeitä teorian mukaisia rutiineja, prosesseja ja toimintatapoja löytyi niin uusien mahdollisuuksien havaitsemissa, niihin tarttumisessa kuin uhkilta suojautumisessa. Havaittiin myös, että toimialalla innovaatioiden rooli on korostunut.

Representations of cultural encounters in the global business press – The importance of cross-cultural competence

This qualitative study has started from the interest to examine how the reality of crosscultural encounters is presented in the global business press. The research paper emphasizes different ways to classify culture and cross-cultural competency, both from the point of view of individuals and organizations. The analysis consists of public discourses, where cross-cultural realities are created through different persons, stories and contexts For data collection, a comprehensive database search was performed and 10 articles from the widely known worldwide business magazine The Financial Times were chosen as the data for the study paper. For the functions of addressing the research study questions, Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) and also Discourse Analysis (DA) are utilized, added with the continuous comparison method of grounded theory in the formation of the data.The academic references consist of literary works and articles presenting relevant concepts, creating a cross-cultural framework, and it is designed to assist the reader in the navigation through the topics of culture and cross-cultural competency. The repertoires were formed from the data and following, the first repertoire is contrast difference between home and target culture that the individual was able to discern. As a consequence of the first repertoire, the companies then offer cultural training to their employees to prepare them to situations of increasing levels of cultural variation. The third repertoire is increased awareness of other cultures, which is conveyed as a result of cultural training and contextual work experience. The fourth repertoire is globalization as an international business environment, where the people in the articles perform their job functions. It is stated in the conclusions that the representations emphasize Western values and personal traits in leadership.

Color, phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of honey from Roraima, Brazil

The total phenolic and flavonoid content, color, and antioxidant activity were evaluated from ten honey samples from Apis mellifera L. collected from Roraima State, Brazil. The total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and ranged from 250 to 548 mg gallic acid kg-1 of honey. The total flavonoid content was obtained using two methods: total flavones/flavonols were determined with aluminum chloride, and flavonones/dihydroflavonols were determined with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. The results ranged from 9 to 48.6 mg of quercetine kg-1 of honey and 1805 to 2606 mg of pinocembrin kg-1 of honey, respectively. Antioxidant activity was measured with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavengers, and the results of the IC50 ranged from 3.17 to 8.79 mg/mL. Statistical analysis demonstrated positive correlations between color intensity, flavone and flavonol content, and phenolic content and negative correlations with antioxidant capacity.

Heat Demand Forecasting Models’ Development: Use of Data Mining Tools in SQL Server Analysis Services

This thesis introduces heat demand forecasting models which are generated by using data mining algorithms. The forecast spans one full day and this forecast can be used in regulating heat consumption of buildings. For training the data mining models, two years of heat consumption data from a case building and weather measurement data from Finnish Meteorological Institute are used. The thesis utilizes Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services data mining tools in generating the data mining models and CRISP-DM process framework to implement the research. Results show that the built models can predict heat demand at best with mean average percentage errors of 3.8% for 24-h profile and 5.9% for full day. A deployment model for integrating the generated data mining models into an existing building energy management system is also discussed.

Corporate social responsibility in online retail – Perceptions from online discussions on Amazon

Online retail has experienced substantial growth due to the increased utilization of digital technologies. The growth in the industry has created numerous multinational corporations, which serve customers all around the world. As a result, the online retailers’ efforts in sustainability have been more often in publicity. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the efforts going beyond the company’s interest in order to bring social good, have been discussed in the academic community for decades. While the various effects of CSR in retail and business generally have been realized, the research aims to make a contribution by examining the concept from the viewpoint of online retail by focusing on interaction at online discussion forums. The main research question asks: What is the role of online retailer CSR in the online discussion forum context? In order to answer this question, additional three sub-research questions are suggested: 1) What elements of CSR are relevant in the online retailer context? 2) How are discussion forums used in communication regarding CSR and online retail by different discusser types? 3) What kind of company perceptions and consumer behavior appear in online discussions of Amazon’s CSR? The study is qualitative of nature, using the content analysis research method to examine posts found from four different public online discussion forums. A qualitative, interpretative analysis was used, although quantitative measures regarding discussion posts were also presented. The analysis contains a coding process, where attributes are attached to discussion posts. As a result of the process, specific patterns can be indicated in order to categorize the posts. As the research uses Amazon as the case company, the case study method is also adopted. In the online retail context, ethics regarding the online retailer’s tax and labor policies are found as most relevant elements. Customers, using discussion forums to share their experiences and opinions regarding online retailer CSR efforts, are realized as the most prominent stakeholder. The research also highlights the role of online retailer employees providing details on internal business practices. However, the not realize the possibility to participate in discussions. Most discussion posts refer either to a positive, negative or mixed reaction towards CSR efforts, it is suggested that the concept is relevant also in online retail. Although online retailer CSR efforts are somewhat linked to company perceptions, the concept has a minimal role in consumer behavior. In online retail, CSR efforts can reduce the risk of being involved in discussions related to controversies. In addition, online retailer CSR efforts should communicate how the retailer contributes locally.

Corporate social responsibility in online retail – Perceptions from online discussions on Amazon

Online retail has experienced substantial growth due to the increased utilization of digital technologies. The growth in the industry has created numerous multinational corporations, which serve customers all around the world. As a result, the online retailers’ efforts in sustainability have been more often in publicity. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the efforts going beyond the company’s interest in order to bring social good, have been discussed in the academic community for decades. While the various effects of CSR in retail and business generally have been realized, the research aims to make a contribution by examining the concept from the viewpoint of online retail by focusing on interaction at online discussion forums. The main research question asks: What is the role of online retailer CSR in the online discussion forum context? In order to answer this question, additional three sub-research questions are suggested: 1) What elements of CSR are relevant in the online retailer context? 2) How are discussion forums used in communication regarding CSR and online retail by different discusser types? 3) What kind of company perceptions and consumer behavior appear in online discussions of Amazon’s CSR? The study is qualitative of nature, using the content analysis research method to examine posts found from four different public online discussion forums. A qualitative, interpretative analysis was used, although quantitative measures regarding discussion posts were also presented. The analysis contains a coding process, where attributes are attached to discussion posts. As a result of the process, specific patterns can be indicated in order to categorize the posts. As the research uses Amazon as the case company, the case study method is also adopted. In the online retail context, ethics regarding the online retailer’s tax and labor policies are found as most relevant elements. Customers, using discussion forums to share their experiences and opinions regarding online retailer CSR efforts, are realized as the most prominent stakeholder. The research also highlights the role of online retailer employees providing details on internal business practices. However, the not realize the possibility to participate in discussions. Most discussion posts refer either to a positive, negative or mixed reaction towards CSR efforts, it is suggested that the concept is relevant also in online retail. Although online retailer CSR efforts are somewhat linked to company perceptions, the concept has a minimal role in consumer behavior. In online retail, CSR efforts can reduce the risk of being involved in discussions related to controversies. In addition, online retailer CSR efforts should communicate how the retailer contributes locally.

Implementation of educational change in Finland: The case of the undivided basic education reform

For the past decades, educational large-scale reforms have been elaborated and implemented in many countries and often resulted in partial or complete failure. These results brought researchers to study policy processes in order to address this particular challenge. Studies on implementation processes brought to light an existing causal relationship between the implementation process and the effectiveness of a reform. This study aims to describe the implementation process of educational change in Finland, who produced efficient educational reforms over the last 50 years. The case study used for the purpose of this study is the national reform of undivided basic education (yhtenäinen peruskoulu) implemented in the end of the 1990s. Therefore, this research aims to describe how the Finnish undivided basic education reform was implemented. This research was carried out using a pluralist and structuralist approach of policy process and was analyzed according to the hybrid model of implementation process. The data were collected using a triangulation of methods, i.e. documentary research, interviews and questionnaires. The data were qualitative and were analyzed using content analysis methods. This study concludes that the undivided basic education reform was applied in a very decentralized manner, which is a reflection of the decentralized system present in Finland. Central authorities provided a clear vision of the purpose of the reform, but did not control the implementation process. They rather provided extensive support in the form of transmission of information and development of collaborative networks. Local authorities had complete autonomy in terms of decision-making and implementation process. Discussions, debates and decisions regarding implementation processes took place at the local level and included the participation of all actors present on the field. Implementation methods differ from a region to another, with is the consequence of the variation of the level of commitment of local actors but also the diversity of local realities. The reform was implemented according to existing structures and values, which means that it was in cohesion with the context in which it was implemented. These results cannot be generalized to all implementation processes of educational change in Finland but give a great insight of what could be the model used in Finland. Future studies could intent to confirm the model described here by studying other reforms that took place in Finland.

Implementation of educational change in Finland: The case of the undivided basic education reform

For the past decades, educational large-scale reforms have been elaborated and implemented in many countries and often resulted in partial or complete failure. These results brought researchers to study policy processes in order to address this particular challenge. Studies on implementation processes brought to light an existing causal relationship between the implementation process and the effectiveness of a reform. This study aims to describe the implementation process of educational change in Finland, who produced efficient educational reforms over the last 50 years. The case study used for the purpose of this study is the national reform of undivided basic education (yhtenäinen peruskoulu) implemented in the end of the 1990s. Therefore, this research aims to describe how the Finnish undivided basic education reform was implemented. This research was carried out using a pluralist and structuralist approach of policy process and was analyzed according to the hybrid model of implementation process. The data were collected using a triangulation of methods, i.e. documentary research, interviews and questionnaires. The data were qualitative and were analyzed using content analysis methods. This study concludes that the undivided basic education reform was applied in a very decentralized manner, which is a reflection of the decentralized system present in Finland. Central authorities provided a clear vision of the purpose of the reform, but did not control the implementation process. They rather provided extensive support in the form of transmission of information and development of collaborative networks. Local authorities had complete autonomy in terms of decision-making and implementation process. Discussions, debates and decisions regarding implementation processes took place at the local level and included the participation of all actors present on the field. Implementation methods differ from a region to another, with is the consequence of the variation of the level of commitment of local actors but also the diversity of local realities. The reform was implemented according to existing structures and values, which means that it was in cohesion with the context in which it was implemented. These results cannot be generalized to all implementation processes of educational change in Finland but give a great insight of what could be the model used in Finland. Future studies could intent to confirm the model described here by studying other reforms that took place in Finland.

Deviations of Governance In IT Multi-Sourcing: A Case Study

IT outsourcing (ITO) refers to the shift of IT/IS activities from internal to external of an organization. In prior research, the governance of ITO is recognized with persistent strategic importance for practice, because it is tightly related to ITO success. Under the rapid transformation of global market, the evolving practice of ITO requires updated knowledge on effective governance. However, research on ITO governance is still under developed due to the lack of integrated theoretical frameworks and the variety of empirical settings besides dyadic client-vendor relationships. Especially, as multi-sourcing has become an increasingly common practice in ITO, its new governance challenges must be attended by both ITO researchers and practitioners. To address this research gap, this study aims to understand multi-sourcing governance with an integrated theoretical framework incorporating both governance structure and governance mechanisms. The focus is on the emerging deviations among formal, perceived and practiced governance. With an interpretive perspective, a single case study is conducted with mixed methods of Social Network Analysis (SNA) and qualitative inquiries. The empirical setting embraces one client firm and its two IT suppliers for IT infrastructure services. The empirical material is analyzed at three levels: within one supplier firm, between the client and one supplier, and among all three firms. Empirical evidences, at all levels, illustrate various deviations in governance mechanisms, with which emerging governance structures are shaped. This dissertation contributes to the understanding of ITO governance in three domains: the governance of ITO in general, the governance of multi-sourcing in particular, and research methodology. For ITO governance in general, this study has identified two research strands of governance structure and governance mechanisms, and integrated both concepts under a unified framework. The composition of four research papers contributes to multi-sourcing research by illustrating the benefits of zooming in and out across the multilateral relationships with different aspects and scopes. Methodologically, the viability and benefit of mixed-method is illustrated and confirmed for both researchers and practitioners.

Viability of part cargoes in tramp shipping company’s routing and scheduling decisions

Operational excellence of individual tramp shipping companies is important in today’s market, where competition is intense, freight revenues are modest and capital costs high due to global financial crisis, and tighter regulatory framework is generating additional costs and challenges to the industry. This thesis concentrates on tramp shipping, where a tramp operator in a form of an individual case company, specialized in short-sea shipping activities in the Baltic Sea region, is searching ways to map their current fleet operations and better understand potential ways to improve the overall routing and scheduling decisions. The research problem is related to tramp fleet planning where several cargoes are carried on board at the same time, which are here systematically referred to as part cargoes. The purpose is to determine the pivotal dimensions and characteristics of these part cargo operations in tramp shipping, and offer both the individual case company and wider research community better understanding of potential risks and benefits related to utilization of part cargo operations. A mixed method research approach is utilized in this research, as the objectives are related to complex, real-life business practices in the field of supply chain management and more specifically, maritime logistics. A quantitative analysis of different voyage scenarios is executed, including alternative voyage legs with varying cost structure and customer involvement. An on-line-based questionnaire designed and prepared by case company’s decision group again provides desired data of predominant attitudes and views of most important industrial customers regarding the part cargo-related operations and potential future utilization of this business model. The results gained from these quantitative methods are complied with qualitative data collection tools, along with suitable secondary data sources. Based on results and logical analysis of different data sources, a framework for characterizing the different aspects of part cargo operations is developed, utilizing both existing research and empirical investigation of the phenomenon. As conclusions, part cargoes have the ability to be part of viable fleet operations, and even increase flexibility among the fleet to a certain extent. Naturally, several hinderers for this development is recognized as well, such as potential issues with information gathering and sharing, inefficient port activities, and increased transit times.

The Nutritional Knowledge, Eating Habits, and Body Image of Adolescent Females

This mixed methods investigation examined the nutritional knowledge and habits of adolescent girls in grades 9 through 12 at a secondary school in southern Ontario. Through questionnaires, interviews, and the use of teaching and curriculum documents, this study attempted to understand whether the current nutrition curriculum is influential in developing students' nutritional knowledge, healthy eating habits, and a favourable body image. Data collection occurred over a 2-month period, involving 90 female participants, and the data analysis program SPSS was used for analysis of the quantitative questionnaire data. Interview data were organized into categories, and analysis of any emerging themes occurred. Teaching and curriculum documents were examined to determine any overlap and develop an understanding of the participants' exposure and experience within nutrition within the classroom setting. The findings of this study suggest that the current nutrition education did have an impact on the participants' nutrition knowledge. However, the impact on their eating habits and body image was limited in the context it was measured and tested. The knowledge learned within the classroom may not always be applied outside of the classroom. This study suggests that improvement in the current nutrition curriculum may be needed to have a bigger impact on adolescent females. The findings from the study shine light on areas of improvements for educators as well as development of future curriculum. Changes may need to be made not only in the specific curriculum content and expectations but also the delivery of it by the classroom teacher.

Undergraduate Students' Experiences of Their Mathematical Identity

This research study explored how undergraduate mathematics students perceive themselves as capable mathematics learners and whether gender differences exist in the undergraduates students' perceptions. The research was framed by three approaches of understanding identity: self-efficacy, environment, and four faces of learner's identity. A mixed methods approach to the study was used where data were collected from interviews and an online questionnaire. Data analysis revealed that undergraduate mathematics students' perceptions of their mathematical identity as capable mathematics learners are influenced by their perceptions of their experiences such as: (a) perceptions of having previous knowledge of the course, (b) being able teach others and others understand it, (c) being recognized by their professors, (d) contributing and fitting in, (e) having opportunities to interact with their peers, and (f) being able to fit in with their image of a capable mathematics learner.