Current Issue : October - December Volume : 2014 Issue Number : 4 Articles : 4 Articles
The global IT industry and software engineering academia have over the years, fine-tuned \nmany aspects of iterative software development process models. As a result, almost all large \nscale enterprise systems are now quite successfully built using agile, iterative software \nengineering processes that features small phases with significant feedback loops. Many global \nenterprises have further enhanced these successes with good return-on-investment by utilizing \nthe specialized and optimized software development services provided by outsourced and \noften offshore-based providers. In contrast, many large-scale eGovernment solution \nimplementations from around the world are procured and implemented according to a \nsequential software development process model, commonly known as the Waterfall Model. \nThis phenomenon is primarily due to the nature of eGovernment solution procurement models. \nNearly all such eGovernment procurement models dictate that comprehensive requirements \nhave to be detailed out up-front. A solutions provider (vendor) is then procured by following a \nstringent process and is tasked with the implementation of the entire solution. This \nmethodology is particularly prevalent in eGovernment solution implementation scenarios in \ndeveloping countries, and unfortunately, such solutions tend to display a high rate of failure. \nThis paper discusses an approach that leverages best practices in enterprise software \nengineering in order to improve the success and development speed of eGovernment solutions. \nThis approach was successfully employed in a large-scale eGovernment initiative in Sri Lanka....
This paper examines the effect of exchange rate volatility for two small countries, Croatia and Cyprus, on aggregate exports during the period of first quarter of 1990 to first quarter of 2012. It is claimed by some researchers that exchange rate volatility causes a reduction on the overall level of trade. Empirical researchers often utilize the standard deviation of the moving average of the logarithm of the exchange rate as a measure of exchange rate fluctuation. In this study, we propose a new measure for volatility. Overall, our results suggest that there is a positive effect of volatility on exports of Croatia and Cyprus....
This article evaluates and analyses the literature on the relationship between minority nationalism and the process of globalisation and identifies the key trends in nature and direction of the modern sub-state nationalism. The finding suggests that the creation of opportunities by globalisation for minority nations is dependant on the level of the economic development and economic integration of sub-state entities and their host nation-states. The overall picture that emerges from analysis of the economic data suggests that it is mainly the minorities in developed countries that are reported to benefit from economic globalisation for the promotion of their nationalist agenda through peaceful means. The paper consists of three parts. In part I, some cases of sub-state nationalisms in developed countries are reviewed. In part II the result of studies on minority nationalism in relatively developed and developing countries are examined and in part III, a summary and analysis of the key findings is provided. Through an examination of the GDP figures, the relation between the level of economic development and the reported rise of sub-state nationalism is evaluated. A similar process is repeated for evaluating the relationship between the level of economic integration and the reported opportunities for sub-state nationalists and relevant trade data is used for this purpose. Other factors such as the impact of suprastate entities, the role of new global economic order and sub-state�s instrumental approach to globalisation are also considered....
This paper draws attention to the discourses surrounding the use of mobile smartphones for protesting (M-Protesting) in Jamaica. More specifically, it presents the findings of a qualitative descriptive research project which utilized a fusion of the case study and discourse analysis methodology to illustrate how protestors describe their experiences with mobile smartphones for protesting a cause. The findings suggest that the respondents interviewed for this study regard the mobile smartphones as an ââ?¬Ë?effectiveââ?¬â?¢ and efficientââ?¬â?¢ tool for protesting their cause. More specifically, mobile smartphones were described as being more effective and efficient than traditional ââ?¬â?¢brick and mortarââ?¬â?¢ protesting techniques. Mobile smartphones were more ââ?¬Ë?effectiveââ?¬â?¢ because this technology allowed the protestors to engage citizens in ââ?¬Ë?meaningfulââ?¬â?¢ conversations about their cause. Mobile smartphones were described as more ââ?¬Ë?efficientââ?¬â?¢ because they allowed the protestors to convey their messages to a wide cross section of users over a vast space, simultaneously and in real-time. The findings have wider implications for how civil society groups engage contemporary and future rule of law issues not only in Jamaica but also in other parts of the democratic world....
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