Using Control Frameworks to Map Risks in Web 2.0 Applications

Web 2.0 applications are continuously moving into the corporate mainstream. Each new development brings its own threats or new ways to deliver old attacks. The objective of this study is to develop a framework to identify the security issues an organisation is exposed to through Web 2.0 applications, with specific focus on unauthorised access. An extensive literature review was performed to obtain an understanding of the technologies driving Web 2.0 applications. Thereafter, the technologies were mapped against Control Objectives for Information and related Technology and Trust Service Principles and Criteria and associated control objectives relating to security risks. These objectives were used to develop a framework which can be used to identify risks and formulate appropriate internal control measures in any organisation using Web 2.0 applications. Every organisation, technology and application is unique and the safeguards depend on the nature of the organisation, information at stake, degree of vulnerability and risks. A comprehensive security program should include a multi-layer approach comprising of a control framework, combined with a control model considering the control processes in order to identify the appropriate control techniques.Web 2.0, Security risks, Control framework, Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (CobiT), Trust Service Principles and Criteria

Knowledge management in sustainable supply chain management: improving performance through an interpretive structural modelling approach

Sustainable supply chain management is one vital element in achieving competitive advantage in business management and knowledge management is seen to be one key enabler. However, in previous studies the interrelationships between knowledge management and sustainable supply chain management are still under-explored. This study proposes a set of measures and interpretive structural modelling methods to identify the driving and dependence powers in sustainable supply chain management within the context of knowledge management, so as to improve the performance of firms from the textile industry in Vietnam. The research result indicated that learning organisation, information/knowledge sharing, joint knowledge creation, information technology and knowledge storage are amongst the highest driving and dependence powers. These attributes are deemed to be most-effective to enhance the performance of firms. To further enhance the value of this research, theoretical and managerial implications are also discussed in this study

Enhancing IT investments productivity: Integrating network QOS and it indirect costs

Increasing productivity is considered one of the major driving factors for a successful business. From an Information Technology (IT) infrastructure perspective, obtaining an optimised performance of resources is expected to improve productivity. From a technical viewpoint, the introduction of Quality of Service (QoS) models have been perceived to optimise the performance of the organisation network backbone. These models aim to provide an acceptable level of service assurance to the newly introduced applications and services such as voice and video. From a management viewpoint, the proper management of IT investments indirect costs can lead to a reduction of the overall cost portfolio. Consequently, both benefits and productivity increase are likely to be realised. This paper introduces network QoS strategy within the hierarchy of business infrastructure. In addition, it aims to identify the relationship between network QoS and IT indirect costs. Such integration demonstrates how network QoS strategy can be used to control IT indirect costs as well as enhancing network performance

Data Storytelling with Dashboard: Accelerating Understanding through Data Visualization in Financial Technology Company Case Study

In the rapid development many organisation rely on context data to support as well as to assist its decision making process. Consequently, Business Intelligence (BI), Dashboard, and Data Visualization emerged as primary tools in early 1990s as a way to help practitioners, data analyst, and data scientist to present context data into an actionable information for decision making process. However, despite its robust and powerful tools, recent study done by Kaggle’s survey in 2017 resulted that in the last five years, many companies were not able to create effective data-driven dashboard due to complex dataset, poor dashboard design, and insufficient storytelling. Hence, understanding of who is going to use dashboard, choosing which data and metrics to visualize in the right context, knowing how to convey information, driving engagement, and persuading audiences are essential in current business practices. This study is aimed to help practitioners to understand the impact of effective dashboard can have on decision making process, to design leveraging dashboard, and to present the dashboard in storytelling. A literature study is performed to gather all relevant information resulted in guidelines for dashboard creator. Case study in financial technology company is applied to experiment and to test the guidelines for assisting dashboard creator to present data-driven insight to the stakeholder

Data Storytelling with Dashboard: Accelerating Understanding Through Data Visualization in Financial Technology Company Case Study

In the rapid development many organisation rely on context data to support as well as to assist its decision making process. Consequently, Business Intelligence (BI), Dashboard, and Data Visualization emerged as primary tools in early 1990s as a way to help practitioners, data analyst, and data scientist to present context data into an actionable information for decision making process. However, despite its robust and powerful tools, recent study done by Kaggle’s survey in 2017 resulted that in the last five years, many companies were not able to create effective data-driven dashboard due to complex dataset, poor dashboard design, and insufficient storytelling. Hence, understanding of who is going to use dashboard, choosing which data and metrics to visualize in the right context, knowing how to convey information, driving engagement, and persuading audiences are essential in current business practices. This study is aimed to help practitioners to understand the impact of effective dashboard can have on decision making process, to design leveraging dashboard, and to present the dashboard in storytelling. A literature study is performed to gather all relevant information resulted in guidelines for dashboard creator. Case study in financial technology company is applied to experiment and to test the guidelines for assisting dashboard creator to present data-driven insight to the stakeholder

New Card Technologies in Retail Banking: Competition and Collaboration in the 1990s

This thesis examines the alternative bank card technologies being considered for retail banking in the UK in the 1990s. Influential organisations suggest that this technology needs updating, and various new technologies are being developed. The thesis identifies the most influential organisations within four groups considered key for retail banking technology: the technology supply industry, the adopting industry, the market and other key players. The observations and analysis in this thesis are based on information provided by each of these four key groups, through written Surveys, face-to-face and telephone interviews, and from a range of written sources. A selection of past and present bank card trials are also described, with particular focus on the introduction of smart card technology. Results confirm that the innovation process in the retail banking industry accords with a highly interactive model, with feedback loops throughout the innovation process. The adopting industry is seen to follow the innovation process in the opposite direction to that experienced in manufacturing industry. Thus, smaller incremental innovations eventually lead to more radical changes which effect complete systems change on a national basis - a ‘reverse cycle’ model of innovation. The thesis analyses the evolution of competitive and cooperative strategies, particularly between banks and their collective organisations, building societies and retailers. The thesis concludes that the dominant institutions driving card technology innovation and standards globally are the international debit and credit card corporations Mastercard, VISA and Europay, operating through their organisation EMV. In the UK, the major clearing banks, and their ABACS organisation, and the large retailers are also key actors. The thesis suggests that smart card is the most likely to be adopted

A framework for improving the quality of management information

Good management information is critical to the success of any organisation. Without proper information, the organisation will starve and management will steer it towards its own destruction. Although management usually receives a constant flow of information every day, it does not necessarily serve its purpose. The information could be useful and contribute to good decision making. It could also be wrong, which could contribute to poor decisions and failure. Finally it could be available but inappropriate to the management of the organisation. Computer systems produce most of the management information in organisations. There are a variety of types of computer equipment and applications that could make a significant contribution to improve the quality of the information produced in an organisation. Improving the quality of the information could enhance the decisions and actions of management and therefore improve the results of the organisation. The objective of this study is to develop a framework for enabling managers to understand the attributes of quality information, and to identify appropriate computer equipment and applications to enhance the quality of information. The hypothesis is as follows: "Quality information is that information that can have a decisive impact on the decisions and action of the decision maker. It is feasible to identify the attributes of quality information. This research clarifies the main and supportive attributes of quality information. Computer equipment and applications, collectively known as computer tools, used and managed in an organisation contribute to enhance or impair quality information. These tools, and the role they can play to produce quality information, will be explained in this study. " To support the hypothesis the study is conducted in three phases. Phase 1 will establish the attributes of quality information. It commences by considering the historical development of computers and information. It explores the different driving forces that produced the technology of today and tomorrow. It then explores the nature and characteristics of information to develop an appreciation for the complexity and intricacies of information. This phase concludes by identifying the attributes of quality information: relevancy, accuracy, timeliness and comprehensibility. Phase 2 will assess the contribution of computer tools to produce quality information. The contribution that the computer equipment and applications make to enhance the attributes of quality information is described and evaluated. Computer tools are defined, and a method of assessing their contribution to enhance quality is designed and applied. The phase concludes with a summary of the contribution that the tools could make to enhance specific information components. The final phase produces a framework to evaluate the production of quality information. With a clear understanding on the one hand of the attributes of quality information, and, on the other hand of the contribution that different computer equipment and applications can make to improve the quality of information, a framework is developed to help managers to identify appropriate technology to improve the information on which they base their decisions. This framework could be used by information managers to improve the effectiveness of management's actions and decisions. The results of the study, it is submitted, support the stated hypothesis and add benefit to the practical application of information management.Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2009.AccountingUnrestricte

Impacts for m-Internet applications and perspectives in agriculture

Mobile communication and the mobile Internet can provide important opportunities, economic advantages for enterprises end organisations and support their more efficient operating as they can use it anytime and anywhere. We can make their wide spread usage, innovation effect and advantages economical way if we consider the effect system of technologies and services. The technological, social and economical complex effect system puts pressure on spreading of business applications. The types of applicable equipment are increasing. There can be found four player groups according to social aspects: manufacturers, enterprises, customers and workers. The Internet technology and the Internet network have become essential communication tools in business processes recently. Using the Internet by means of mobile appliances increases the possibilities. If we study the business process the expenses, advantages, disadvantages can be seen well. Nowadays these applications are more and more successful in the following areas such as in agriculture, in different parts of food industry, in extension services, precision agriculture, logistics

Looking to the future: Framing the implementation of interprofessional education and practice with scenario planning

Background: Adapting to interprofessional education and practice requires a change of perspective for many health professionals. We aimed to explore the potential of scenario planning to bridge the understanding gap and framing strategic planning for interprofessional education (IPE) and practice (IPP), as well as to implement innovative techniques and technology for large‑group scenario planning. Methods: A full‑day scenario planning workshop incorporating innovative methodology was designed and offered to participants. The 71 participants included academics from nine universities, as well as service providers, government, students and consumer organisations. The outcomes were evaluated by statistical and thematic analysis of a mixed method survey questionnaire. Results: The scenario planning method resulted in a positive response as a means of collaboratively exploring current knowledge and broadening entrenched attitudes. It was perceived to be an effective instrument for framing strategy for the implementation of IPE/IPP, with 81 percent of respondents to a post‑workshop survey indicating they would consider using scenario planning in their own organisations. Discussion: The scenario planning method can be used by tertiary academic institutions as a strategy in developing, implementing and embedding IPE, and for the enculturation of IPP in practice settings.Government of Western Australia, Department of Health

Client’s championing characteristics that promote construction innovation

Purpose: clients or users of products, processes or services are being identified as potential sources of innovation in construction. There are concerns on the degree of innovation within the construction industry, despite having potential to be innovative. The role that can be played by the construction client to promote innovation in the industry is well documented. However, lack of knowledge on the desirable characteristics of the construction client was identified as one of the barriers for the construction client to be an effective innovation promoter. Accordingly, the paper evaluates the characteristics of the construction client that promotes innovation. Research Methodology: the multiple holistic case studies were used as the research strategy and semi-structured interviews were used as the principal data collection technique. Code-based content analysis and cognitive mapping were used to analyse the interviews. Data analysis was supported by two computer aided software namely NVivo and Decision explorer. Findings: clients can increase the efficiency of work carried out towards the construction process, stimulate team dynamics and team action through the championing characteristics which in turn can strengthen the innovation process that lead to the innovative product. Being a team player, promoting respect for people, and knowledge and information dissemination are identified as constituents of the championing characteristics of clients that promote innovation in construction projects. The personal skills of clients such as competence, value judgement, flexibility, and self motivation will energise the success of the championing characteristics. Originality/value: the client characteristics identified from the study widen the knowledge base of the client to successfully engage in construction innovation