Exploring regression testing and software product line testing - research and state of practice

In large software organizations with a product line development approach a selective testing of product variants is necessary in order to keep pace with the decreased development time for new products, enabled by the systematic reuse. The close relationship between products in product line indicates an option to reduce the testing effort due to redundancy. In many cases test selection is performed manually, based on test leaders’ expertise. This makes the cost and quality of the testing highly dependent on the skills and experience of the test leaders. There is a need in industry for systematic approaches to test selection. The goal of our research is to improve the control of the testing and reduce the amount of redundant testing in the product line context by applying regression test selection strategies. In this thesis, the state of art of regression testing and software product line testing are explored. Two extensive systematic reviews are conducted as well as an industrial survey of regression testing state of practice and an industrial evaluation of a pragmatic regression test selection strategy. Regression testing is not an isolated one-off activity, but rather an activity of varying scope and preconditions, strongly dependent on the context in which it is applied. Several techniques for regression test selection are proposed and evaluated empirically but in many cases the context is too specific for a technique to be easily applied directly by software developers. In order to improve the possibility for generalizing empirical results on regression test selection, guidelines for reporting the testing context are discussed in this thesis. Software product line testing is a relatively new research area. The understanding about challenges is well established but when looking for solutions to these challenges, we mostly find proposals, and empirical evaluations are sparse. Regression test selection strategies proposed in literature are not easily applicable in the product line context. Instead, control may be increased by increased visibility of the effects of testing and proper measurements of software quality. Focus of our future work will be on how to guide the planning and assessment of regression testing activities in large, complex reuse based systems, by visualizing the quality achieved in different parts of the system and evaluating the effects of different selection strategies when applied in various regression testing situations

Managing software development information in global configuration management activities

Software Configuration Management (SCM) techniques have been considered the entry point to rigorous software engineering, where multiple organizations cooperate in a decentralized mode to save resources, ensure the quality of the diversity of software products, and manage corporate information to get a better return of investment. The incessant trend of Global Software Development (GSD) and the complexity of implementing a correct SCM solution grow not only because of the changing circumstances, but also because of the interactions and the forces related to GSD activities. This paper addresses the role SCM plays in the development of commercial products and systems, and introduces a SCM reference model to describe the relationships between the different technical, organizational, and product concerns any software development company should support in the global market

Technologies for climate change adaptation: agricultural sector

This Guidebook presents a selection of technologies for climate change adaptation in the agricultural sector. A set of twenty two adaptation technologies are showcased that are primarily based on the principals of agroecology, but also include scientific technologies of climate and biological sciences complemented with important sociological and institutional capacity building processes that are required to make adaptation function. The technologies cover monitoring and forecasting the climate, sustainable water use and management, soil management, sustainable crop management, seed conservation, sustainable forest management and sustainable livestock management. Technologies that tend to homogenize the natural environment and agricultural production have low possibilities of success in conditions of environmental stress that are likely to result from climate change. On the other hand, technologies that allow for, and indeed promote, diversity are more likely to provide a strategy which strengthens agricultural production in the face of uncertain future climate change scenarios. In this sense, the twenty two technologies showcased in this Guidebook have been selected because they facilitate the conservation and restoration of diversity while at the same time providing opportunities for increasing agricultural productivity. Many of these technologies are not new to agricultural production practices, but they are implemented based on assessment of current and possible future impacts of climate change in a particular location. Agro-ecology is an approach that encompasses concepts of sustainable production and biodiversity promotion and therefore provides a useful framework for identifying and selecting appropriate adaptation technologies for the agricultural sector. The Guidebook provides a systematic analysis of the most relevant information available on climate change adaptation technologies in the agriculture sector. It has been compiled based on a literature review of key publications, journal articles, and e-platforms, and by drawing on documented experiences sourced from a range of organizations working on projects and programmes concerned with climate change adaptation technologies in the agricultural sector. Its geographic scope is focused on developing countries where high levels of poverty, agricultural production, climate variability and biological diversity currently intersect. Key concepts around climate change adaptation are not universally agreed. It is therefore important to understand local contexts – especially social and cultural norms - when working with national and sub-national stakeholders to make informed decisions about appropriate technology options. Thus, decision-making processes should be participative, facilitated, and consensus-building oriented and should be based on the following key guiding principles: increasing awareness and knowledge, strengthening institutions, protecting natural resources, providing financial assistance and developing context-specific strategies. For decision-making the Community–Based Adaptation framework is proposed for creating inclusive governance that engages a range of stakeholders directly with local or district government and national coordinating bodies, and facilitates participatory planning, monitoring and implementation of adaptation activities. Seven criteria are suggested for the prioritization of adaptation technologies: (i) The extent to which the technology maintains or strengthens biological diversity and is environmentally sustainable; (ii) The extent to which the technology facilitates access to information systems and awareness of climate change information; (iii) Whether the technology support water, carbon and nutrient cycles and enables stable and/or increased productivity; (iv) Income-generating potential, cost-benefit analysis and contribution to improved equity; (v) Respect for cultural diversity and facilitation of inter-cultural exchange; (vi) Potential for integration into regional and national policies and can be scaled-up; (vii) The extent to which the technology builds formal and information institutions and social networks. Finally, recommendations are set out for practitioners and policy makers: • There is an urgent need for improved climate modelling and forecasting which can provide a basis for informed decision-making and the implementation of adaptation strategies. This should include traditional knowledge. • Information is also required to better understand the behaviour of plants, animals, pests and diseases as they react to climate change. • Potential changes in economic and social systems in the future under different climate scenarios should also be investigated so that the implications of adaptation strategy and planning choices are better understood. • It is important to secure effective flows of information through appropriate dissemination channels. This is vital for building adaptive capacity and decision-making processes. • Improved analysis of adaptation technologies is required to show how they can contribute to building adaptive capacity and resilience in the agricultural sector. This information needs to be compiled and disseminated for a range of stakeholders from local to national level. • Relationships between policy makers, researchers and communities should be built so that technologies and planning processes are developed in partnership, responding to producers’ needs and integrating their knowledge

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The Corporate Role in a Changing Society: A Model of Sensemaking and of Firm Characterization

Aquesta tesi està organitzada com un compendi de quatre articles cadascun dels quals investiga com les empreses donen sentit a la Responsabilitat Social Corporativa (RSC). Proposem un model teòric de creació de sentit que ens permiti a posteriori la caracterització d'empreses. En aquest model volem explicar com els directius entenen les responsabilitats socials i medi ambientals de l'empresa, així com el rol d'aquesta en la societat. Mitjançant quatre recerques empíriques en forma d'articles, que abasten 10 casos de estudi i l'anàlisi de més de 900 informes corporatius, mirem d'entendre tres característiques del comportament que constitueixen les dimensions del nostre model: cognitiva, lingüística i conativa. Inductivament proposem les sub-dimensions del nostre model trobant patrons d'interrelació i evolució que descriuen el comportament de les empreses. Observem que l'evolució en els últims anys de l'RSC tendeix cap a la definició de l'RSC com un element més estratègic de l'empresa. També notem un augment de la comprensió de l'RSC mes post-positivista. La conclusió és que la institucionalització del discurs formalitzat pot ésser un dels vectors d'evolució de l'RSC. Proposem, normativament, que l'evolució futura de l'RSC passa per una comprensió mes política del rol de l'empresa en la societat, definida a través de processos deliberatius.Esta tesis está organizada como un compendio de cuatro artículos, cada uno de los cuales investiga como las empresas le dan sentido a la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC). Proponemos un modelo teórico de creación de sentido el cual nos permite a posteriori la caracterización de empresas. En este modelo pretendemos explicar cómo los directivos entienden las responsabilidades sociales y medioambientales y el rol de la empresa en la sociedad. A través de cuatro investigaciones empíricas en la forma de artículos que comprenden 10 casos de estudio y el análisis de más de 900 informes corporativos, tratamos de entender tres características del comportamiento que constituyen las dimensiones de nuestro modelo: cognitiva, lingüística y conativa. Inductivamente proponemos las sub-dimensiones de nuestro modelo encontrando a través de ellas patrones de interrelación y evolución que describen el comportamiento de las empresas. Observamos que la evolución en los últimos años de la RSC tiende hacia a la definición de la RSC como un elemento más estratégico de la empresa. Sin embargo, también notamos un aumento de la comprensión de la RSC más post-positivista. Concluimos que la institucionalización del discurso formalizado puede ser uno de los vectores de evolución de la RSC. Proponemos normativamente, que una futura evolución de la RSC pasa por una comprensión más política del rol de la empresa en la sociedad definida a través de procesos deliberativos.This thesis is organized in a compendium of four articles each of which furthers our knowledge of on how companies make sense of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). We propose a model of organizational sensemaking-sensegiving characterization explaining how managers think, persuade and act regarding their social and environmental responsibilities and their role in society. Through four empirical research studies, mainly based on 10 in-depth case studies and over 900 corporate reports, we look at three features of behaviour that constitute the dimensions of the model: cognitive, linguistic and conative. We inductively propose the sub-dimensions that guide CSR-related activities recognizing some common patterns of interrelation and evolution. These patterns may lead to a better understanding of firm's CSR behaviour over the last decade. From our empirical research we observe an evolution in time towards a more strategic form of CSR. However, we also notice an increase of the post-positivistic view of CSR. We conclude that the institutionalization of formalized forms of discourse might be one of the drivers behind CSR's evolution. We normatively argue that further evolution in CSR should include its strategic incorporation but also a broader political understanding of the role of the firm in society redefined in an open and deliberative manner

Distressed debt in Germany: What's next? Possible innovative exit strategies

During the past two years, private equity funds have acquired substantial portfolios of nonperforming loans from banks in Germany. Typically a private equity investor does not commit funds unless exit strategies are clearly defined. The usual exit strategies for distressed debt investors are fix it (restructuring and turnaround), sell it (sale of debt or equity), or shut it down (liquidation). A new alternative exit strategy for NPL investors considered here is the transfer of credit recovery risk. --Focus,diversification,specialization,monitoring,bank returns,bank risk,Non Performing Loans,Distressed debt investing,Synthetic securitization,Collateralized debt obligations,Credit risk transfer,Credit derivatives,Credit default swaps,Credit recovery swaps,Credit portfolio management,Credit portfolio risk,Credit portfolio returns,Efficiency of credit risk portfolio allocations,Learning effects

An analysis of the state of green business in the South African retail sector

'Green' business is claimed by some South African retailers even though they lack well-founded and integrated sustainable, social, and environmental commitments. This is because no standards of greening exist for retail in South Africa. The purpose of this study is to explore, 'What constitutes green retail in the South African supermarket sector?' This required investigation into the sustainability of the companies' green business processes, social component of sustainability, and the existing state of the green retail sector. The five dominant supermarkets were selected to answer a questionnaire based on different environmental variables and principles. Interviewee responses were supplemented with publicly available company reports and these were then critiqued by allocating a level of commitment to sustainability of companies' green business processes, social considerations of sustainability, and establishing the current state of the green retail sector. Results show that within business processes, sustainable procurement is becoming increasingly accounted for through eco-labels and enterprise development programs. Distribution processes assist in verifying green claims and production. Various international and local sustainability programs are used to validate green efforts in the lack of national standards. Best practice frameworks are being utilised in the absence of local green standards and where limited, some are creating their own innovative solutions. Sustainability is a core focus at an executive level to some to ensure full integration of sustainability. Retailers may not necessarily pursue trends, but they have similar pressures that are often variably addressed. Although retailers' attempts to green their operations may not be standardised, the retail industry in South African has almost privatised sustainability and socio-economic development as they have superseded legislation to contribute to society and transform communities. It is an opportunity for retailers to take responsibility for their operations and in doing so create innovative solutions that address South Africa's environmental and social issues, in spite of the lack of green standards and governmental regulation, and in doing so become leadership companies that are accountable to their consumer base

Automating the management of software projects in a developing it economy

Software project management is the control of the transformation of users’ requirements and resources into a successful software result (product). This work automates the management of software projects in an emerging IT economy like Nigeria. It also explores the simulation of management practices such as configuration management and risk management. The COCOMO II model was employed for the estimation process, while the Risk Model from The American Systems Corporation (ASC) was used for risk management. Experimental data was obtained from AcadSoft Solutions, Calabar, Unical Computer Centre, and OmegaBiz.ng Software Solutions & Consultancy, Calabar. The resultant network-based software tool was developed on object-oriented technology using Java. The study established that good management practices may still be applied by the Nigerian software industry that lacks expertise in software management. Multi-site development approach facilitates large projects by using simple network-based application that aids collaboration among team members. Future research could extend to system and real-time software projects, to give a holistic picture of software project management in developing countries