A model and framework for online security benchmarking

The variety of threats and vulnerabilities within the online business environment are dynamic and thus constantly changing in how they impinge upon online functionality, compromise organizational or customer information, contravene security implementations and thereby undermine online customer confidence. To nullify such threats, online security management must become proactive, by reviewing and continuously improving online security to strengthen the enterpriseis online security measures and policies, as modelled. The benchmarking process utilises a proposed benchmarking framework to guide both the development and application of security benchmarks created in the first instance, from recognized information technology (IT) and information security standards (ISS) and then their application to the online security measures and policies utilized within online business. Furthermore, the benchmarking framework incorporates a continuous improvement review process to address the relevance of benchmark development over time and the changes in threat focus.<br /

A conceptual model of feedback mechanisms in adjusted affordances – Insights from usage of a mental mobile health application

Affordance theory provides one of the most prominent lenses through which the socio-technical aspects of a system’s use can be investigated and understood. In this context, the literature has proposed that perceived and actualized affordances may be adjusted over time. Yet, how the adjustment of affordances occurs has not been explained in detail. Thus, in this article, we develop a conceptual model of feedback mechanisms that includes a more explicit description of how affordances are perceived by users, whether actualized and adjusted. With the model, we introduce the central concept of a generative base, out of which affordance perceptions emerge and which can be updated through affordance actualizations. With this base, we integrate mental model (MM) theory to explain better the differing perceptions before and after actor–artifact interactions. Our conceptual model is illustrated and specified using an empirical case of the mental mobile health (mHealth) app “Between The Lines” in Germany. In this study, we conducted 40 interviews in two rounds with 20 teenage app users. Our results show that the users’ perceptions of mHealth affordances become adjusted and hence change over time due to experiencing the actualization process, which may lead to an update of the generative base, including the user’s MM

Software Process Improvement in Very Small Entities: An investigation of Software Development Knowledge Management and Team issues in maintaining and evolving software process and process improvement.

technique at both management and team level in software development VSEs. These methods assisted the researchers in examining the attitude and perceptions of practitioners towards the research issues. The researchers also made use of survey questionnaires in VSEs in order to gain more input and to validate the qualitative data. The findings from the first stage analysis (qualitative analysis), in which the content analysis and grounded theory coding approaches were used, show the pattern and detailed categories that influence and are related with the software process and process improvement in VSEs. These categories are related to each other and allow the researchers to produce and validate the studies theoretical model. Likewise the second stage analysis (quantitative analysis) assisted the researchers in conforming and enhancing the first stage findings. This investigation shows that SPI programmes in VSEs are being undertaken in a very informal manner and also in indirect ways. The primary reasons identified for the informal nature of VSE SPI are due to cost, time, customer and company size, which give a higher priority to the product rather than process. In relation to teams, the small team size coupled with the working and management style have lead VSEs to be more informal in their knowledge management process and team organization. Moreover VSEs are largely ignoring the best practice SPI models. The reasons and acceptance criteria for this are discussed. This research also confirmed that SPI does not solely depend on technology but also the contributions of human aspects have a strong emphasize, especially in VSEs. Therefore a contribution of this research is to provide an extended knowledge and understanding of SPI research area in general and within VSEs domain in particular

A Novel Cyber Resilience Framework – Strategies and Best Practices for Today's Organizations

Cyber resilience refers to an organization's ability to maintain its essential functions, services despite cyber-attacks and swiftly recover from any disruptions. It involves proactive measures like gathering threat intelligence and managing risks, as well as reactive measures such as incident response planning, data backup and recovery. To achieve cyber resilience, organizations must implement robust cyber security measures, regularly update their incident response plans, and educate employees on safe online practices. Furthermore, having a comprehensive backup and recovery strategy in place is crucial to swiftly restore critical systems and data in the event of an attack. Overall, the proposed framework emphasizes cyber resilience as a continuous and proactive approach for managing cyber security risks and safeguarding against the growing threat of cyber-attacks

A conceptual model of feedback mechanisms in adjusted affordances – Insights from usage of a mental mobile health application

Affordance theory provides one of the most prominent lenses through which the socio-technical aspects of a system’s use can be investigated and understood. In this context, the literature has proposed that perceived and actualized affordances may be adjusted over time. Yet, how the adjustment of affordances occurs has not been explained in detail. Thus, in this article, we develop a conceptual model of feedback mechanisms that includes a more explicit description of how affordances are perceived by users, whether actualized and adjusted. With the model, we introduce the central concept of a generative base, out of which affordance perceptions emerge and which can be updated through affordance actualizations. With this base, we integrate mental model (MM) theory to explain better the differing perceptions before and after actor–artifact interactions. Our conceptual model is illustrated and specified using an empirical case of the mental mobile health (mHealth) app “Between The Lines” in Germany. In this study, we conducted 40 interviews in two rounds with 20 teenage app users. Our results show that the users’ perceptions of mHealth affordances become adjusted and hence change over time due to experiencing the actualization process, which may lead to an update of the generative base, including the user’s MM.A conceptual model of feedback mechanisms in adjusted affordances – Insights from usage of a mental mobile health applicationpublishedVersionPaid Open Acces

From feeding-back to feeding-forward: managerial feedback as a trigger of change in SMEs

© 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore and theorize the process of managerial feedback in relation to change in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach: This research embraces a qualitative methodology in the context of manufacturing SMEs. Drawing on 30 in-depth interviews, and observations conducted with various managers in six SMEs operating in three countries, it is argued that managers benefit more by using daily, ongoing, feedback as a trigger of change in their organizations. Findings: The findings suggest that there is an overall view that managers appear to be reluctant to change existing processes using formalized feedback mechanisms, which runs counter-intuitive to the literature. In contrast, informal methods of feedback work better in enhancing organizational change. Moreover, another two features of feedback enhance this process, namely, benefits oriented and confidence oriented. As such, this study contributes to existing knowledge and practice by proposing a three-fold form of feedback through which managers expand their perspectives of feedback from feeding-back to feeding-forward thereby enhancing the opportunities of triggering change. Research limitations/implications: Feedback should merely be considered as a dynamic and socially constructed managerial practice. A practice where actors not only exchange information and share knowledge, but also act, react and interact with each other as they constantly rethinking the change process. The proposed aspect of feedback emphasizes knowledge therapeutically and in combination with the dialogical discourse (practical illustration) that increases the odds for capturing change as a natural, rather than exceptional. Practical implications: Practitioners, as such, may wish to consider the terminology used when it comes to studying change and its implementation in a crisis context. Using deformalized managerial feedback mechanisms to tackle a formal phenomenon like “change” could help avoid employees perceiving a negative connotation, causing resistance or confusion and feeling threatened. Therefore, the authors suggest that practitioners, during development initiatives on modernizing or altering organizational processes, consider replacing the term “change” as a formal concept. Originality/value: It is an investigation from an exploratory perspective in studying and understanding the causes, factors and modalities that trigger managerial feedback toward organizational change in manufacturing SMEs

Enhancing Student learning and development in cooperation with our alumni.

Enhancing student learning in cooperation with our alumni is a piece of action research that has been ongoing for five years, this paper reports on the process of research and the key findings from this research. The starting point was an audit of the various relationships we had with our alumni, then a cycle of review and reflection to develop and fine tune strategies over five years as we continue to enhance the student experience. The area that has developed the furthest has been the mentoring system using alumni. Each cycle of research has led to the need for further research, the next cycle of research focusing on the effectiveness of intra-generational mentoring. We would suggest that the methodology offers a potential structure for other action researchers in Higher Education and it is now the method we use in reviewing and enhancing the student experience on a number of fronts in hospitality

Improving Digital-Enabled Strategic Agility with Enterprise Strategy SaaS Platform Affordances: A Manufacturing Perspective

Strategic Agility allows organizations to rapidly respond to market movements and integrate these opportunities into their organization. Open Strategy, utilizing frameworks such as Objectives and Key Results, increases Strategic Agility by enhancing transparency and inclusiveness in strategy development and execution. However, leaders lack effective digital tools to rapidly align organizations at scale and track progress, especially when creating Strategic Agility. To address this, Enterprise Strategy SaaS Platforms (Strategy SaaS), a new breed of strategy software, is being developed to facilitate Digital-Enabled Strategic Agility (DESA). This research explores the enablers of Strategy SaaS adoption and its impact on DESA through two manufacturing cases using Integrated Affordance Theory. Results indicate Strategy SaaS enables organizations to sense, decide, coordinate, and act on their Open Strategy initiatives more effectively. However, it also requires additional enablers due to the business-led nature of implementation. The research contributes a tangible action plan for leaders to increase DESA