Goal-driven agent-oriented software processes

The quality of software processes is acknowledged as a critical factor for delivering quality software systems. Any initiative for improving the quality of software processes requires their explicit representation and management. A current representational metaphor for systems is agent orientation, which has become one of the recently recognized engineering paradigms. In this article, we argue for the convenience of representing the software process using an agent-oriented language to model it and a goal-driven procedure to design it. Particularly we propose using the i* framework which is both an agent- and a goal-oriented modeling language. We review the possibilities of i* as a software process modeling language, and we also show how success factors can be made explicit in i* representations of the software processes. Finally, we illustrate the approach with an example based on the development of a set of ergonomic and safety software tools.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Tax Service Quality: The Mediating Effect of Perceived Ease of Use of the Online Tax System

AbstractThis study examines the mediating effect of perceived ease of use on the relationship between tax service quality and online tax system. A total of 206 surveyed data was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The result shows that perceived ease of use has a significant mediating effect on the relationship between tax service quality and online tax system, and tax service quality has a positive significant relationship with an online tax system. This study contributes to understanding the effective usage of the online tax system through self-employed taxpayers that leads to increase in tax compliance and revenue generation in Nigeria

Identifying the IT Readiness of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Several studies show that often IT projects are not successful in being on-time, on-budget and include full functionality. There can be multiple causes for this, and an important factor in this context is the extent to which a company is ready for an IT project. To help understand this aspect, this paper presents a framework for analyzing the \u27IT readiness\u27 in SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises). The framework defines IT readiness with a basis in three overall dimensions (company, management, and employees), which are subdivided into different characteristics. To illustrate the framework a case study of a Danish SME is presented. Furthermore, the paper discusses how to improve the IT readiness of a company

A Primary Study of Attributes of Innovations during the Prediffusion Stage

We provide a theoretical model for testing the adoption of information technology during the prediffusion stage (research and development and early trials) of an innovation. The model was tested using Linux based applications of Open Source Software (OSS). The results of surveying 1000 members of the Linux User Groups WorldWide (LUGWW) are presented. This study is significant because it provides empirical evidence that attributes of innovations correlate with adoption during the prediffusion stage (research and development) of an innovation. This extends diffusion of innovations research and has important implications for DOI theory and practice

Attributes Contributing to Students’ Use of Quality Software Development Practices

In 2001 the “McCracken group”, through a multi-institutional study, concluded that many students finishing their introductory programming courses could not program due to a lack of problem solving skills. In 2004 Lister established that students have a fragile grasp of skills to read and interpret code. Humphrey suggests that educators must shift their focus from the programs that the students create to the data of the processes the students use. This paper addresses the problem of poor performing students through an investigation of their quality appraisal techniques (QATs) and development processes. Firstly, a survey was conducted to determine the current software development practices used by a group of undergraduate Computer Science students. Numeric data collected revealed that the current practices used by the majority of students would not be sufficient to produce quality programs. Secondly, a case study was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the various factors that are likely to influence students’ intention to use QATs. Analysis of numeric data collected through a survey revealed that students’ intentions to use QATs are driven by ease of use, compatibility, usefulness, result demonstrability, subjective norm and career consequences. Thirdly, an experiment was conducted to determine students’ perceptions on the use of process measurement data to improve their current software development practices. Analysis of numeric and narrative data revealed that performance measurement data could provide students with useful information to adopt proper development practices

Critical factors for diffusion of web technologies for supply chain management functions: Malaysian perspective

Good supply chain management is essential for a successful company. Supply chain management can reach beyond the boundaries of a single company to share that information between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. This is where the information technologies play an important role. Information technology (IT) facilitates companies to share of large amounts of information along the supply chain, and is often referred to as vital facilitator of supply chain management (SCM) functions. As a new medium of communication, the Internet has conquered the world with break taking speed, and it’s the worldwide penetration and high level of standardization contributes to increase globalization. With new web technologies, Internet based systems can deliver functionality and information to user a standard web browser, thereby eliminating requirement for traditional Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or client based software and reducing information technology implementation and maintenance costs, cycles and burdens. The Internet offers the supply chain immense potential and entirely new ways for streamlining coordination between business partners and customers. Therefore, this study explores the use of use technologies for organizational SCM. Based on an extensive survey of Malaysian organizations, it investigates the diffusion of web technologies into supply chain functions. The findings suggested that top management support and Trialability play crucial role for diffusing web technologies in supply chain. This study provides a greater understanding of managers’ perception of web technologies diffusion in their organizations. Those interested in adopting web technologies in their supply chain activates may find these results helpful in guiding their effort

UNDERSTANDING THE ADOPTION OF USE CASE NARRATIVES IN THE UNIFIED MODELING LANGUAGE

This research examines the adoption of Use Case Narratives within the Unified Modeling Language (UML).Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a framework, practitioners with UML experience were asked questions to measure their Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness of Use Case Narratives and their Intentions to Adopt them. We extend Perceived Usefulness in the context of UML adoption to address the question “usefulness for what purpose(s)?” Generally, we find that TAM explains Use Case Narrative acceptance. More importantly, we find that Perceived Usefulness is explained by usefulness for specific software development tasks. This research provides three main contributions, beginning with an improved understanding of the role of Use Case Narratives in UML projects. Second, the study extends TAM by explaining how a technology is used rather than simply whether it is used. Third, this study provides a framework for future studies into other UML diagrams