Challenges of adopting agile methods in a public organization

Agile development methods are widely used among business enterprises. Since the introduction of the Agile Manifesto in 2001, several agile methods have been implemented, first in single-team set-ups and later in larger multi-team set-ups for complex Information Technology (IT) system development. However, the adoption of agile methods has been slow in the public sector. This is also reflected in the academic literature, as there are only a few studies discussing agile adoption in public organizations. This paper contributes to research on the use of agile practices specifically in the context of public organizations, and sheds light on the challenges a public organization may face while adopting these practices. The aim of this paper is to identify and categorize the challenges that may hinder efficient adoption and use of agile methods in public IT projects that include private software vendors. This research is based on a case study of a large governmental office. As a result, this paper presents several categories of identified challenges, the root causes of these challenges, and a discussion of the characteristics of these challenges for the public sector

Challenges of adopting agile methods in a public organization

Agile development methods are widely used among business enterprises. Since the introduction of the Agile Manifesto in 2001, several agile methods have been implemented, first in single-team set-ups and later in larger multi-team set-ups for complex Information Technology (IT) system development. However, the adoption of agile methods has been slow in the public sector. This is also reflected in the academic literature, as there are only a few studies discussing agile adoption in public organizations. This paper contributes to research on the use of agile practices specifically in the context of public organizations, and sheds light on the challenges a public organization may face while adopting these practices. The aim of this paper is to identify and categorize the challenges that may hinder efficient adoption and use of agile methods in public IT projects that include private software vendors. This research is based on a case study of a large governmental office. As a result, this paper presents several categories of identified challenges, the root causes of these challenges, and a discussion of the characteristics of these challenges for the public sector

Kirjallisuuskatsaus: Matkailun jakamistalous vastuullisuuden viitekehyksessä

The growth of tourism-related activities in sharing economy, especially accommodation and mobility, started at the turn of the 2010s. Since then the growth has accelerated and strengthened every year. Expansion of the phenomenon has raised sharing economy from the role of a challenger or alternative activity into mainstream. This movement has to be taken into account in the traditional tourism business and development actions. The multidimensional phenomenon has also attracted researchers’ attention in recent years. Research is done in different disciplines and studies that are published in a wide range of scientific publications. In this review, the results of a comprehensive literature review are presented. Responsibility and values play an important role in scientific discussion regarding sharing economy in tourism. Also, in order to manage and develop the tourism sharing economy in a mutually beneficial direction, it is important to be aware of and take into account the aspects of responsibility. The results of the review are analyzed and classified in the framework of five-dimensional responsibility

Ympäristöystävällisten keksintöjen nopeutettu patentointi pk-yritysten näkökulmasta

Accelerated patenting of environmentally friendly inventions from the perspective of SMEsThis article examines the potential of accelerated patent examination, the so-called fast track system, to incentivise the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. The fast track system is one of the few universally adopted IPR-related measures to incentivise the innovation of environmentally friendly technologies, and several national intellectual property offices around the world have introduced different applications of the system.The article analyses various national applications of the system and the system’s merits and weaknesses particularly relative to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they have a notable potential for sustainable innovations. Based on the analysis, the article assesses possibilities to develop the system into greater efficiency when it comes to innovation and deployment of environmentally friendly technology.The article finds that the fast track system per se is an appropriate tool to accelerate the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. However, the attractiveness and thus the societal benefits of the system could be increased by improving the present systems. This could mean, for example, unifying national requirements set for different fast track systems, lighter procedural requirements or substantive requirements aimed expressly at environmentally friendly technologies. Additionally, binding elements could be included in exchange for strong additional incentives. Particularly for SMEs, it might be beneficial to lower patenting costs and include counselling and guidance in the system. Nevertheless, the fast track system is only one means among others to integrate sustainability approaches in the intellectual property system

Equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine distribution:The case of the Andean Community

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how equitable vaccine distribution still remains unaccomplished. While access to COVID-19 vaccines has been efficient in the EU, the Latin American situation is very different. For example, the Andean Community reports that, as of December 2022, 83% of the population had received at least the first dose of the vaccine while only 43% had received the third dose (http://www.orasconhu.org). Motivated by the challenges and successes endured by countries in the Andean Community vis-à-vis the EU during COVID-19 vaccine roll-outs, we analyse key legal, policy and management factors affecting vaccine equity. We are especially critical of the strategy followed in the Andean Community, namely, of increasing dependency on imports and donations instead of harnessing other more effective policies. We highlight the specific role of the factors identified in achieving coherent policy strategies and propose recommendations to promote equitable vaccine distribution in the Andean Community, and beyond