Relationship Between Corporate Governance and Information Security Governance Effectiveness in United States Corporations

Cyber attackers targeting large corporations achieved a high perimeter penetration success rate during 2013, resulting in many corporations incurring financial losses. Corporate information technology leaders have a fiduciary responsibility to implement information security domain processes that effectually address the challenges for preventing and deterring information security breaches. Grounded in corporate governance theory, the purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between strategic alignment, resource management, risk management, value delivery, performance measurement implementations, and information security governance (ISG) effectiveness in United States-based corporations. Surveys were used to collect data from 95 strategic and tactical leaders of the 500 largest for-profit United States headquartered corporations. The results of the multiple linear regression indicated the model was able to significantly predict ISG effectiveness, F(5, 89) = 3.08, p = 0.01, R² = 0.15. Strategic alignment was the only statistically significant (t = 2.401, p \u3c= 0.018) predictor. The implications for positive social change include the potential to constructively understand the correlates of ISG effectiveness, thus increasing the propensity for consumer trust and reducing consumers' costs

How do stakeholders perceive corporate sustainability initiatives? : a case study on SONAE MC

Considerando o poder e a responsabilidade das empresas, os consumidores finais e os clientes governamentais estão a conduzir as estratégias das organizações para um desenvolvimento de actividades, produtos e serviços mais sustentáveis. Para responder a pressões e a exigências externas, as empresas começaram a publicar seus planos estratégicos para a responsabilidade social, bem como a evolução dos mesmos ao longo dos anos. Esta tese ambiciona compreender se os stakeholders têm conhecimento das iniciativas de sustentabilidade da Sonae MC, uma empresa de retalho que opera em Portugal, bem como identificar os assuntos mais reconhecíveis para cada grupo de stakeholders. Um segundo objectivo deste estudo é contabilizar em que medida a empresa publica Indicadores Económicos, Ambientais e Sociais, de acordo com as orientações da Global Reporting Initiative. Neste mesmo contexto, faz parte dos objectivos desta tese promover a aplicação de ferramentas de medição da sustentabilidade, de modo a que as organizações possam monitorizar o seu desempenho, bem como comunicá-lo de acordo com uma directriz universal de padrão de comunicação. Os dados para esta análise foram fornecidos pela Sustentare Consulting. Para os stakeholders analisados, é possível afirmar que eles estão, no geral, cientes do compromisso de sustentabilidade da Sonae MC e, além disso, revelam diferentes áreas de interesse em iniciativas sustentáveis. No que diz respeito à publicação de Indicadores, a empresa divulgou apenas 13% dos mesmos no seu Relatório de Sustentabilidade 2009. Embora GRI seja um instrumento complexo para se dominar, a Sonae tem vindo a utilizá-lo progressivamente nos seus relatórios nos últimos anos, mas ainda há uma considerável lacuna na informação publicada.Considering the power and the responsibility of the companies, end costumers as well as government are driving organizations’ strategies for developing more sustainable activities, products and services. To respond to external pressures and demands, companies started publishing their strategic plans for corporate social responsibility as well as their progress over the years. The rationale of this thesis is to understand whether stakeholders are aware of sustainability initiatives led by Sonae MC, a retail company acting in Portugal, as well as to identify the most interesting subjects for each group of stakeholder. A second aim of this study is to account to which extent is this company publishing Economic, Environmental and Social Indicators, according to the Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines. On the same context, it is part of the objectives of this thesis to promote the application of sustainability measurement frameworks, so that organizations can track their performance as well as communicate it according to a universal sustainability standard reporting guideline. The data for this analysis was provided by Sustentare Consulting. For the stakeholders analyzed it is possible to conclude that they are generally aware of Sonae MC’s engagement in CSR and that they have different interests of sustainable initiatives. Concerning the Reporting framework, the company published only 13% of the Indicators in its 2009 Sustainability Report. Although this is a complex tool to master, Sonae has been progressively using it in its Reports in recent years, but there is still an opportunity to fill in further information gaps

Development of a theoretical model of integrated reporting for Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies

Purpose – The purpose of this case study research was to develop a theoretical model of integrated reporting for Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies. Design/Methodology/Approach – The goal of this case study research was to understand how and why integrated reports are prepared, to develop a theoretical model of integrated reporting for JSE listed companies through literature review and analysis of published integrated reports. In addition, to investigate the perceived success of integrated reporting by examining its requirements, objectives, enforceability and implications to the listed companies. Based on the above, to determine how companies fulfil the requirements of integrated reporting and what those requirements are. To determine by comparing published integrated reports of companies, similarities or comparability of the information published on integrated reports ascertaining the measurability of the success of the application of integrated reporting. Practical implications – This case study research provides a useful insight into drivers of integrated reporting. Limitations to the study – The lack of responses from industry experts contacted for interviews considered a limitation in validating the outcome of the study. Originality/Value – This case study research looks at the current adoption and application of integrated reporting by JSE listed companies

Marshall Application Realignment System (MARS) Architecture

The Marshall Application Realignment System (MARS) Architecture project was established to meet the certification requirements of the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) V2.0 Federal Enterprise Architecture Certification (FEAC) Institute program and to provide added value to the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Application Portfolio Management process. The MARS Architecture aims to: (1) address the NASA MSFC Chief Information Officer (CIO) strategic initiative to improve Application Portfolio Management (APM) by optimizing investments and improving portfolio performance, and (2) develop a decision-aiding capability by which applications registered within the MSFC application portfolio can be analyzed and considered for retirement or decommission. The MARS Architecture describes a to-be target capability that supports application portfolio analysis against scoring measures (based on value) and overall portfolio performance objectives (based on enterprise needs and policies). This scoring and decision-aiding capability supports the process by which MSFC application investments are realigned or retired from the application portfolio. The MARS Architecture is a multi-phase effort to: (1) conduct strategic architecture planning and knowledge development based on the DoDAF V2.0 six-step methodology, (2) describe one architecture through multiple viewpoints, (3) conduct portfolio analyses based on a defined operational concept, and (4) enable a new capability to support the MSFC enterprise IT management mission, vision, and goals. This report documents Phase 1 (Strategy and Design), which includes discovery, planning, and development of initial architecture viewpoints. Phase 2 will move forward the process of building the architecture, widening the scope to include application realignment (in addition to application retirement), and validating the underlying architecture logic before moving into Phase 3. The MARS Architecture key stakeholders are most interested in Phase 3 because this is where the data analysis, scoring, and recommendation capability is realized. Stakeholders want to see the benefits derived from reducing the steady-state application base and identify opportunities for portfolio performance improvement and application realignment

Organic Action Plans: Development, implementation and evaluation

This manual aims to support stakeholder involvement in future action plan development and implementation and evaluation processes at European Union (EU), national and regional level. The manual outlines the development of the organic food and farming sector in Europe; organic action plans as a component of European, national and regional policies for organic farming; planning and implementation of organic action plans; involvement of stakeholders in organic action plan development; and methods and tools for evaluation of organic action plans. The manual draws on key lessons learnt from more than two decades’ experience of development, implementation and evaluation of organic action plans throughout Europe

COUNTER-UXS ENERGY AND OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS

At present, there exists a prioritization of identifying novel and innovative approaches to managing the small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) threat. The near-future sUAS threat to U.S. forces and infrastructure indicates that current Counter-UAS (C-UAS) capabilities and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) need to evolve to pace the threat. An alternative approach utilizes a networked squadron of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed for sUAS threat interdiction. This approach leverages high performance and Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) conformance to create less expensive, but more capable, C-UAS devices to augment existing capabilities. This capstone report documents efforts to develop C-UAS technologies to reduce energy consumption and collaterally disruptive signal footprint while maintaining operational effectiveness. This project utilized Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) techniques to explore and assess these technologies within a mission context. A Concept of Operations was developed to provide the C-UAS Operational Concept. Operational analysis led to development of operational scenarios to define the System of Systems (SoS) concept, operating conditions, and required system capabilities. Resource architecture was developed to define the functional behaviors and system performance characteristics for C-UAS technologies. Lastly, a modeling and simulation (M&S) tool was developed to evaluate mission scenarios for C-UAS.Outstanding ThesisCivilian, Department of the NavyCivilian, Department of the NavyCivilian, Department of the NavyCivilian, Department of the NavyCivilian, Department of the NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

IFPRI Annual Report 2007-2008:

Food prices, Poverty reduction, Globalization, Food security Developing countries, Agricultural systems, trade, Markets, Natural resources, World food situation, Social protection, science and technology, Nutrition, Capacity strengthening,

Characterisation framework of key policy, regulatory and governance dynamics and impacts upon European food value chains: Fairer trading practices, food integrity, and sustainability collaborations. : VALUMICS project “Understanding Food Value Chains and Network Dynamics” funded by EU Horizon 2020 G.A. No 727243. Deliverable D3.3

The report provides a framework that categorises the different European Union (EU) policies, laws and governance actions identified as impacting upon food value chains in the defined areas of: fairer trading practices, food integrity (food safety and authenticity), and sustainability collaborations along food value chains. A four-stage framework is presented and illustrated with examples. The evidence shows that European Union policy activity impacting upon food value chain dynamics is increasing, both in terms of the impacts of policies upon the chains, and, in terms of addressing some of the more contentious outcomes of these dynamics. A number of policy priorities are at play in addressing the outcomes of food value chain dynamics. unevenness of the distribution of profit within food value chains, notably to farmers. Regulation of food safety and aspects of authenticity has been a key focus for two decades to ensure a functioning single market while ensuring consumer health and wellbeing. A food chain length perspective has been attempted, notably through regulations such as the General Food Law, and the rationalisation of the Official Controls on food and feed safety. However, there are still gaps in the effective monitoring and transparency of food safety and of food integrity along value chains, as exemplified by misleading claims and criminal fraud. This has led to renewed policy actions over food fraud, in particular. EU regulations, policies and related governance initiatives provide an important framework for national-level actions for EU member states and for EEA members. The more tightly EU-regulated areas, such as food safety, see fewer extra initiatives, but where there is a more general strategic policy and governance push, such as food waste reduction or food fraud, there is greater independent state-level activity. Likewise, there is much more variation in the application of both national and European (Competition) law to govern unfair trading practices impacting upon food value chains. This report presents the findings of a survey of members from the VALUMICS stakeholder platform, that were policy facing food value chain stakeholders across selected European countries, including both EU and EEA Member States. The survey was conducted to check the significance of the main policies identified in the mapping exercise at EU and national levels and so to incorporate the views of stakeholders in the research. The responses suggest the policy concerns identified in EU and national-level research resonate with food value chain stakeholders in participating nations. The report concludes by exploring in more detail how the themes of fairness and of transparency are being handled in the policy activities presented. Highlighted are the ways that both fairness and transparency can be extended within the existing frameworks of EU policy activity. The findings in this report provide an important context for further and detailed research analysis of the workings and dynamics of European food value chains under the VALUMICS project