Introduction and Diffusion of Electronic Commerce – What is Switzerland’s position in an international comparison? Results of an empirical study

What is Switzerland’s position today with regard to the acceptance, diffusion and usage of new work forms and business methods in the economy and society? One of the most extensive international surveys of population and businesses done thus far gives well founded answers to these questions: Last year, distinguished research institutes from 10 different countries of the European Union (Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom) and Switzerland carried out the research project ECATT99 Electronic Commerce and Telework Trends. With it they produced a study of the adoption and diffusion of new electronic business methods and work forms in the information society. Its approach makes the study unique within the framework of the European ESPRIT programme. In the whole of Europe (including Switzerland) around 8,000 private individuals and around 4,300 decision makers in private and public businesses were interviewed about knowledge, acceptance, current and planned usage of Electronic Commerce and telework. In addition, around 100 detailed case studies were carried out. For the future, regular biennial repeat studies are planned. Switzerland is taking part in this international comparison for the first time. The results of this report are primarily based on 400 interviews in the Swiss population and 200 interviews with owners or responsible senior staff in businesses of all sectors of German, French and Italian Switzerland. This report is limited to the project section on Electronic Commerce; a separate report is being prepared for the section on telework.Electronic commerce; E-commerce; Electronic Business; Information and Communication Technologies (ICT); Economics of Internet; Firms; Diffusion of technology; Adoption of technolgy; Swiss firms; Switzerland

Assessing the Millennium Challenge Corporation as a Model for Foreign Assistance Reform

This study assesses the effectiveness of different administrative models of US foreign assistance, with a unique focus on one that hypothetically channels more DFA-administered funds through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The study finds several limitations with this model, and so discounts the assumption that because the MCC is a fairly effective instrument of foreign assistance simply expanding it as is would spread its benefits on a larger scale. With some additions to its framework, however, the model may be quite effective and both politically and economically feasible.Millennium Challenge Account; Millennium Challenge Corporation; MCA; MCC; international economics; USAID; DFA; foreign aid; foreign assistance; international development; Prud'homme; Dan Prud'homme; Dan Prudhomme

Imperatives of Commodities Stockpiling in Nigeria

DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/52-04 Introduction Nigeria’s development has always hinged on its natural resources. The level of exploitation and degree of development of the resources have been playing and may likely to continue to play a central role in the economic, industrial and food security status and the wellbeing of the nation (Aribisala, 1993). Prior to independence, Nigeria depends on its forest resources for perspective planning for economic development. As far back as 1899, the perspective planning for economic development was to exploit the forest resources (Adeyoju, 1975). The export revenue from forestry grows at 1%, 8% and 28.8% between 1950-1960, 1960 - 1970 and 1970 - 1980 respectively (Aribisala, 1993). At the time of independence, Nigeria depended on export of agricultural products such as cocoa, cotton, groundnut, palm oil, palm kernel, various timber species, hides and skin, processed tin ore for its foreign exchange. The development of these resources was vigorously pursued by the British trading firms and this increased agricultural production and productivity, enthrone sustainable forest resources management principles and ensure optimal mineral development practices in order to aid optimisation of export of these commodities.  In the minerals sector, minerals such as tin, columbite, and coal constitute major exported commodities and intensification of exploitation activities led to  discovery of oil in the 1950’s and its exploitation from Oloibiri, Rivers State in 1956. The high price commanded by oil compared to other commodities in the international market brought oil to the forefront of exported commodities, and turned farming and related activities into lacklustre activities.  The petrodollars led to initiation of policies such as import substitution through the First National Development Plan, 1962 – 1968; and in 1970 – 1974; the Second Development Plan which highlighted the weakness of the import substitution strategy such as limited markets which do not allow for spread of industries, nor-allow for intermediate or capital funds (Aribisala, 1993).  These made government to shift policy forms to public sector led industrialisation, and, the establishment of big linkage industries such as Pulp and Paper Mills, Fertilizer Plants, Salt Refinery, etc. Although, these postponed the restructuring and transformation necessary to make the Nigerian economy self-reliant and self-sustaining, it created the impetus for local sourcing of industrial inputs.  The road to focus on the development of local industrial raw materials became imperative due to the vagaries in oil prices as the low price of oil in the international markets make importation of finished and semi-finished raw materials too expensive to the industrialisation strategy and forced the closure of many industries.  Since 1980’s to the present, the nation has tossed with a privatisation scheme and a holistic programme for the development of local raw materials for use in the manufacturing sector of the economy.  These led to establishment of government agencies such as the Raw Materials Research and Development Council in 1987 and a host of others.  It is imperative to stress that the dependence of the nation on commodity export and industrial processing has had its toll on optimal resource availability locally. Despite government’s effort to promote industrial utilisation of locally available raw materials and the establishment of a number of presidential committees for commodities development, capacity utilisation is still low across most industries.  Likewise efforts being made to promote food availability, economic and physical access to food are still facing several constraints, making it mandatory to put in place strategies that would promote improved capacity utilisation in the industries and to enhance food availability in the country

Implementing Information Technology (IT) Strategy and Governance

Seminar notes from the University of Bridgeport and SENAC University Four Day Professional Development Seminar for Professor Gad Selig’s presentation “Implementing Information Technology (IT) Strategy and Governance: A Practical Guide to World Class IT Management Using Current and Emerging Best Practices for Competitive Advantage”

Ethics and taxation : a cross-national comparison of UK and Turkish firms

This paper investigates responses to tax related ethical issues facing busines

An analysis of industry's perspective on the recent changes to Circular A-76

Acquisition research (Graduate School of Business & Public Policy)Determining whether to obtain services in-house or through commercial contracts is an important economic and strategic decision for agencies. According to Office of Management and Budget July 2003 estimates, 26 percent of the workforce from agencies being tracked under the President?s Management Agenda are engaged in commercial activities that should be available for competition. In light of the fact that the Department of Defense has achieved greater than 30 percent savings on the roughly 3,000 competitions it has conducted since 1979, there appears to be plenty of room left for harvesting savings [Ref. 1]. Not surprisingly, use of Circular A-76 is expected to grow throughout the federal government.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

DXC Dandelion Program: 2018 in Review

[Excerpt] 2018 was another very successful year for the DXC Dandelion Program. DXC established a number of new, critical partnerships that continue to propel autism at work programs to the forefront of workplace inclusion. This has resulted in the program growing significantly throughout the year. DXC has now successfully established seven teams across four states in Australia, employing over 80 people on the autism spectrum

The Outsourcing of National Defense

The outsourcing of military activities and services has grown dramatically in recent decades. My objective is to understand and explain this phenomenon at work in the United States Department of Defense (DoD) using theoretical frameworks of strategic efficiency, political ideology and organizational theory factors. This study seeks to answer the question, why has the DOD outsourced support activities and functions that contribute to larger national security objectives and were traditionally performed by DoD personnel? I\u27ll use a case-study methodology to examine outsourcing in the DoD between 1970 and 2005, to include an in-depth look at the information technology (IT) networks area of the military services. I\u27ve chosen these cases because they combine to represent a broad perspective of outsourcing behavior across each service over time as well as a specific core area relevant to the war-fighting mission of each service. Since the phenomenon is under explored in political science, my study will be valuable in expanding our understanding of the factors influencing the increasing role of market actors in national defense activities. I\u27ll also address issues regarding the distribution of power, authority and public accountability while identifying relevant bureaucratic, ideological and organizational factors affecting the development and implementation of national security

Joint-Base Contracting: A Comparative Analysis of Joint-Base Contracting Activities Between Services

Sponsored Report (for Acquisition Research Program)The Department of Defense (DoD) recently created 12 joint bases by consolidating the support functions of geographically close bases under the lead of a single Service. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission recommended the joint-basing initiative based on the expected savings of $183.8 million annually. The objectives of the BRAC process were to achieve cost savings, transformation, improvement of capabilities, and enhancement of military value. Using a case study approach, this research identified the specific factors that contribute to the organizational successes of joint-base contracting at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). These factors include processes, governance structures, organizational structures, and communication. This research also identifies barriers to consolidation, as well as compares and contrasts the way JBSA and JBLM operate. Additionally, this research identifies strengths and weaknesses of the approaches the Air Force and the Army use. Thus, by documenting specific enablers and barriers, this research should help to guide the planning and implementation of future consolidations throughout the DoD and other government organizations.Acquisition Research ProgramApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

AN ANALYSIS OF THE DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY TRANSITION PLAN WITH REGARD TO THE IMPACT ON CONTRACTING OPERATIONS WITHIN THE MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM

This analysis examines the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) transition plan with regard to contracting operations within the Military Health System (MHS). First, the study addresses various Government Accountability Office (GAO) cases relating to healthcare reform. The documents establish a pattern of the government’s attempt to address needed change in the MHS. Next, the analysis provides an overview of contracting capabilities from each service component. The findings highlight the impact of these capabilities as a result of DHA’s authority, direction, and control (ADC) of the MTFs. Third, the analysis addresses the efficiencies in the acquisition process. The findings identify any gained efficiencies as described in DHA’s Quadruple Aim initiative. Additionally, the analysis addresses the Medical Q-Service contracting vehicle. The results highlight cost-savings using this strategic, contract vehicle and compare the data to market trends and government expenditures. The results of this study will lend a better understanding of the operational and strategic impact of the DHA transition plan. Last, the recommendations focus on optimizing existing operational capabilities and processes, and increasing contracting efficiencies. The goal is to improve the overall ability to conduct medical contracting operations effectively while reducing costs and maintaining a high level of medical capability.Major, United States ArmyMajor, United States ArmyApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite