A Methodology for Engineering Collaborative and ad-hoc Mobile Applications using SyD Middleware

Today’s web applications are more collaborative and utilize standard and ubiquitous Internet protocols. We have earlier developed System on Mobile Devices (SyD) middleware to rapidly develop and deploy collaborative applications over heterogeneous and possibly mobile devices hosting web objects. In this paper, we present the software engineering methodology for developing SyD-enabled web applications and illustrate it through a case study on two representative applications: (i) a calendar of meeting application, which is a collaborative application and (ii) a travel application which is an ad-hoc collaborative application. SyD-enabled web objects allow us to create a collaborative application rapidly with limited coding effort. In this case study, the modular software architecture allowed us to hide the inherent heterogeneity among devices, data stores, and networks by presenting a uniform and persistent object view of mobile objects interacting through XML/SOAP requests and responses. The performance results we obtained show that the application scales well as we increase the group size and adapts well within the constraints of mobile devices

Towards a Model of Leadership Development: A Case Study of a Large Evangelical Church in Virginia

Ministry leaders are leaving the vocation in record numbers, largely due to a lack of intentional leadership development or preparedness for the challenges they face. These leaders require a formalized process for developing both the cognitive and behavioral aspects of leading in the local church that authentic and spiritual leadership comprise. The exemplar examined in this case study, recognizing similar challenges, implemented a leadership development process derived from components of both authentic and spiritual leadership. Over the span of just 3 years, the church experienced a nearly 20-point increase in employee engagement, earning them the title of Best Christian Workplace. According to the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (2022), a 10-point swing in employee engagement is high. The fact that the exemplar experienced a nearly 20-point swing is extremely rare. The purpose of this study was to explore authentic and spiritual leadership development in the local church through the exemplar of this large evangelical church in Virginia. The findings confirmed that the exemplar has not only incorporated components of both authentic and spiritual leadership into their leadership development framework, but that staff and volunteers credit the exemplar’s intentional process with much of the success they have enjoyed over the past 3 years

Youth Discipleship Framework for Church Revitalization

In most recent years, the decline of youth in North American churches has become a general area of concern. Churches, para-ministries, and youth ministries alike have sought to combat the mass youth exodus. Despite the gains recognized in education, ministry to emerging generations in practical ways churches ar not fairing well in their ability to engage and maintain young believers. This project stems from the idea that a youth discipleship framework is essential to youth discipleship and church revitalization. This study uses dual quantitative and qualitative interviews with youth ministry leaders to understand their experiences and observations regarding the barriers to youth discipleship. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to examine the cognizance of youth ministry leaders to apply, recognize and address the need to develop and foster a comprehensive youth discipleship framework. This study consists of pre and post-assessments, surveys, and a strategic plan for implementing best practices for youth discipleship. The result of this project is to assist youth ministries in developing a framework for discipleship that promotes growth and leads to church revitalization

A Collaborative Visualization Framework Using JINI™ Technology

It is difficult to achieve mutual understanding of complex information between individuals that are separated geographically. Two well-known techniques commonly used to deal with this difficultly are collaboration and information visualization. This thesis develops a generic flexible framework that supports both collaboration and information visualization. It introduces the Collaborative Visualization Environment (COVE) framework, which simplifies the development of real-time synchronous multi-user applications by decoupling the elements of collaboration from the application. This allows developers to focus on building applications and leave the difficulties of collaboration (i.e., concurrency controls, user awareness, session management, etc.) to the framework. The framework uses an object sharing approach to share information and views between participants in a collaborative session. This approach takes advantage of several Java technologies (i.e., JavaBeans™, Jini™, and JavaSpaces™). JavaBeans™ establish a well-known standard for applications to operate within the framework. Jini™ services provide framework stability and enable code sharing across the network. Objects are shared between remote clients through the JavaSpaces™ service

Re-imagining Christian Education for Millennials in an African American Pentecostal Assemblies Context

It seems many Christian Pentecostal churches are struggling to disciple and retain a millennial population. According to a recent Gallup Poll, 57% of religious millennials have church membership, and this represents the lowest percentage among current generations as overall church membership and participation trends downward from 76% in 1948 to 52% in 2018 (Jones, 2019). The factors contributing to the poll must be explored both from outside and inside of the church. One may wonder if the church is providing the proper education and training to attract and retain millennials. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study research design will be to explore current pedagogical methodologies and ICT use in Christian education among pastors and teachers in the Gates of Heaven Assembly of Churches (GOHAOC) and to assess the current level of satisfaction with and participation in Christian education ministry activities of the GOHAOC among the millennial members of the church community. At this stage in the research, ICT is defined as a “diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. These technologies include computers, the Internet, broadcasting technologies (radio and television), and telephony” (Amin, 2018, p.2). Pastors, Christian educators, and millennials will be interviewed and surveyed to explore contributing factors to the target group\u27s discipleship practices. The qualitative methodology was chosen to analyze the practices surrounding the research problem. Research findings and recommendations from this research will contribute to the body of literature on discipling millennials

Computer-Supported Collaborative Production

This paper proposes the concept of collaborative production as a focus of concern within the general area of collaborative work. We position the concept with respect to McGrath's framework for small group dynamics and the more familiar collaboration processes of awareness, coordination, and communication (McGrath 1991). After reviewing research issues and computer-based support for these interacting aspects of collaboration, we turn to a discussion of implications for how to design improved support for collaborative production. We illustrate both the challenges of collaborative production and our design implications with a collaborative map-updating scenario drawn from the work domain of geographical information systems

Antecedent and Consequence of E-procurement Implementation on Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: An Institutional Theory Perspective

The purpose of the study is to investigate the antecedents of e-procurement adoption and implementation and its consequence on organizational performance of small and medium enterprises in Ghana. Using the institutional theory as theoretical lens, the study examined the influence of memetic, normative and coercive force on e-procurement implementation. The findings of the study indicate memetic, normative and coercive forces have a positive impact on the adoption and implementation of e-procurement system among SMEs. Consequently, e-procurement implementation on performance of SMEs. The findings of the study have both implication for academic and practice. The findings of this study have significant implications for policy makers, SMEs, and other stakeholders in the procurement process in Ghana. Policymakers can use the study findings to develop policies and regulations that promote e-procurement adoption among SMEs. SMEs, on the other hand, can use the study findings to identify the benefits of e-procurement adoption and make informed decisions on implementing e-procurement systems. Keywords: Institutional Theory, SME performance, Ghana, PLS – SEM, Normative Forces, Memetic Forces, Coercive Forces DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/15-9-02 Publication date:May 31st 202

Lay leadership collaboration, communication, and succession among the baby boomer, generation X, and millennial generational cohorts

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/2509/thumbnail.jp

House Church Leaders: A Multisite Case Study

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine house church leaders in situ within three typologies of home gatherings. Billings (2011) identified three stages of house church formats: (a) Oikos, where the congregants assemble in the home for a complete meal, including the Eucharist; (b) Domus, where the curate renovates and dedicates rooms in their homes for Christian usage; and (c) Aula, where rented facilities house larger gatherings, the liturgy becomes more formalized, and the Eucharist is no longer a full meal (Billings, 2011). House church leaders and congregants sampled fit the three typologies while addressing a gap in the literature. Observations, diaries, individual interviews, and focus groups formed the data of this multisite case study, adding new knowledge to shared leadership in the home. Ten themes were developed to address the five research questions. The external and internal challenges facing house church leaders were identified as (a) Western-base ecclesiology, (b) time constraints, (c) commitment and accountability, and (d) child care. Regarding how house church leaders address these challenges, the participants reported (e) marring the mission of whole-life discipleship by example; this was performed through intentional involvement, with encouragement, and for equipping the saints. The theme about follower perceptions of church leadership was (f) intimate families. The observed leadership characteristics were (g) interspersed and dispersed. The themes describing the alignment of the leadership characteristics with shared leadership were (h) size, (i) voice, and (j) shared purpose