Recent Advances in Understanding Particle Acceleration Processes in Solar Flares

We review basic theoretical concepts in particle acceleration, with particular emphasis on processes likely to occur in regions of magnetic reconnection. Several new developments are discussed, including detailed studies of reconnection in three-dimensional magnetic field configurations (e.g., current sheets, collapsing traps, separatrix regions) and stochastic acceleration in a turbulent environment. Fluid, test-particle, and particle-in-cell approaches are used and results compared. While these studies show considerable promise in accounting for the various observational manifestations of solar flares, they are limited by a number of factors, mostly relating to available computational power. Not the least of these issues is the need to explicitly incorporate the electrodynamic feedback of the accelerated particles themselves on the environment in which they are accelerated. A brief prognosis for future advancement is offered.Comment: This is a chapter in a monograph on the physics of solar flares, inspired by RHESSI observations. The individual articles are to appear in Space Science Reviews (2011

F.O.: Using Rational Unified Process in an SME - A Case Study

Abstract. The Rational Unified Process (RUP) is a comprehensive software development process framework emphasizing use-cases, architecture focus and an iterative approach. RUP is widely known and many organizations have tried to adopt it. Being a framework, RUP has to, in some way, be tailored to the specific context of use, no software development project is alike. This paper presents a case study of a Norwegian SME that tried to adopt RUP in the simplest way, by introducing the methodology by providing comprehensive documentation and some simple training. Our study shows that the use of RUP had some positive effects but also that the use has been scattered. Interviews with users of RUP show that there is a great need of better training and practical support in getting most value out of RUP. The key message is that if you consider taking RUP into use you have to invest resources in it. Training and support are key success factors. 1

Ecosystem-Driven Software Development : A case study on the emerging challenges in inter-organizational R&D

Most companies today experience a situation in which they are part of a complex business ecosystem of stakeholders that influence business outcomes. Especially for companies transitioning from selling products to becoming systems, solutions and services providers, this is causing a significant shift in their business strategies and relationships. Instead of focusing on internal processes, companies need to strategically position themselves in a dynamic network of actors to accelerate synergies and value co-creation. However, while this shift in business strategy is inevitable, it is not without challenges. An understanding for how to align internal, as well as external processes is critical, as well as a careful assessment on how to establish strategic partnerships in a dynamic network of interests. Based on on-going research, this paper outlines the emerging challenges that most software development companies face when adopting an ecosystem-driven approach, and the different mitigation strategies to manage these

Ecosystem-driven software development: A case study on the emerging challenges in inter-organizational R&D

Most companies today experience a situation in which they are part of a complex business ecosystem of stakeholders that influence business outcomes. Especially for companies transitioning from selling products to becoming systems, solutions and services providers, this is causing a significant shift in their business strategies and relationships. Instead of focusing on internal processes, companies need to strategically position themselves in a dynamic network of actors to accelerate synergies and value co-creation. However, while this shift in business strategy is inevitable, it is not without challenges. An understanding for how to align internal, as well as external processes is critical, as well as a careful assessment on how to establish strategic partnerships in a dynamic network of interests. Based on on-going research, this paper outlines the emerging challenges that most software development companies face when adopting an ecosystem-driven approach, and the different mitigation strategies to manage these

Evaluating the governance model of hardware-dependent software ecosystems - a case study of the axis ecosystem

Ecosystem governance becomes gradually more relevant for a set of companies or actors characterized by symbiotic relations evolved on the top of a technological platform, i.e. a software ecosystem. In this study, we focus on the governance of a hardware-dependent software ecosystem. More specifically, we evaluate the governance model applied by Axis, a network video and surveillance camera producer, that is the platform owner and orchestrator of the Application Development Partner (ADP) software ecosystem. We conduct an exploratory case study col- lecting data from observations and interviews and apply the governance model for prevention and improvement of the software ecosystem health proposed by Jansen and Cusumano. Our results reveal that although the governance actions do not address the majority of their governance model, the ADP ecosystem is considered a growing ecosystem provid- ing opportunities for its actors. This can be explained by the fact that Axis, as the orchestrator and the platform owner, does not address the productivity and robustness of the ecosystem adequately, but has a net- work of vendors and resellers to support it and some of the governance activities (e.g. communication) are achieved by non-formal means. The current governance model does not take into consideration