A rapid simulation modelling process for novice software process simulation modellers

In recent years, simulation modelling of software processes have has promoted as a tool to understand, study, control, and manage software development processes. Claims have been made that simulation models are useful and effective at gaining insight into software development processes. However, little has been said about the process of developing simulation models for software engineering problems. Simulation modelling is a young discipline in software engineering. Consequently, many number software process simulation modellers are thought to be novices. The simulation modelling process is believed to have had an effect on the quality of a simulation study. Although there is a body of knowledge available in the general simulation literature to guide and educate novices, the software process simulation modelling literature lacks information for novice software process simulation modellers to understand and adopt a simulation modelling process. This thesis aims to develop a simulation modelling process for novice software process simulation modellers. This thesis reports how the development and evaluation of a simulation modelling process for novice software process simulation modellers. The rapid simulation modelling process (RSMP) is based on an empirical study of the contexts and practices of expert simulation modellers in SPSM and Operational Research (OR). The RSMP is intended to be independent of a particular simulation technique (i. e. system dynamics or discrete event simulation) and guides novice software process simulation modellers through a set of steps that should be undertaken during a simulation study; the RSMP emphasises heavy client contact and provides guidelines for model documentation. The RSMP has been evaluated through controlled experiments with novice software process simulation modellers using system dynamics (SD) modelling. In the future, it will be further evaluated with software process simulation modellers using discrete event simulation. The RSMP has also been evaluated with a panel of expert software process simulation modellers. The main contribution of this study lies in providing novice software process simulation modellers with a simulation modelling process, which embodies real world simulation practice and is intended to be independent of a particular simulation technique

Three empirical studies on market efficiency – evidence from the Pakistan stock exchange

The thesis is comprised of three interrelated empirical chapters on the Pakistan stock exchange which effects on the market efficiency. In the first empirical chapter, ‘Is the Market Efficient – Evidence from Pakistan stock exchange’. It is evaluating the short and long run market efficiency of the stock market from the period of Jan-2005 to Dec-2014. The chapter examines the market efficiency through using notable methodology of event study and also implementing the parametric and non-parametric test such as CAAR, t-test, Patell Z, Boehmer et al., Corrado rank and sign test. Within the chapter I have arranged the dataset based on firm size in order to evaluate whether the top 25% companies have more influence on market price in comparison with bottom 25% companies. Moreover, my data set also used the technique of market efficiency curve where my analysis is giving understanding of market reaction either it is over reacting or slow response towards the dividend announcement information. Another useful technique also implemented on the dividend announcement to identify the respective information as the good news, bad news or neutral. The results indicate strong evidence in support of dividend announcement towards market reaction. The results from this chapter show evidence in support of weak form of market efficiency in the context of the Pakistan stock exchange.The next empirical chapter entitled “Implementation of new price impact ratios: Evidence from the Pakistan stock Exchange” examines the liquidity measures, and, getting inspiration of the recent research of Florackis et al. (2011). The empirical chapter analyse two latest liquidity measures developed by Amihud (2002) return-to-volume (RtoV) and Florackis et al. (2011) return-to-turnover (RtoTR). Both the measures implemented into the Pakistan stock exchange. The results are more align with Florackis et al. (2011) (RtoTR) which suggests that lower RtoTR values indicates higher returns in contrast of high RtoTR ratio. Moreover, the results are also consistent with the work of Florackis et al. (2011) and Amihud and Mendelson (1986a) where trading frequency and trading cost are important features for evaluating the returns. In addition, the findings relating to RtoV ratio indicates the negative correlation with market capitalisation which explains that small stocks are illiquid.In the third empirical chapter, “Market Efficiency and Anomalies: Evidence from the Pakistan Stock Exchange” analysis is based on examining any existence of market anomalies in the Pakistan stock exchange. The analysis is considering three major anomalies i.e. day of the week effect which includes weekend effect as well, month of the year effect and holiday effect in Pakistan stock market. The importance of the particular study is to scrutinise the market anomalies by using one data set through implementation of ARCH and GARCH models. The results indicate that Pakistan stock exchange has a seasonality effect on weekend (Friday), Monday and Tuesday. The major anomalies exist in the month of August which explains the year end effect and in Pakistan the tax year ends in the month of June, additionally the announcement of budget from Government announced during the June (Federal) and July in (Provinces). However, holiday effect has no particular trend in the Pakistan stock market

Ecommerce in Pakistan: Challenges & Opportunities

Ecommerce has been promoted across the globe as one of the key enablers for youth entrepreneurship and employment. Despite a favorable internet and mobile demographics and increasing ecommerce adoption, Pakistan’s ecommerce market size remains tiny compared to other similar countries. As part of a larger study aiming to explore the challenges and opportunities in Pakistani ecommerce, we conducted a qualitative study with 10 e-entrepreneurs to explore the factors hindering ecommerce growth in Pakistan. We identify that along with the challenges related to customer, payments and logistics; the absence of institutions and trade bodies to support and promote ecommerce, are hindering explosive ecommerce growth in Pakistan. We suggest that development of a rational ecommerce policy based on field data and ground realities; and effective implementation of such policy has a pivotal role in providing the enabling environment for ecommerce growth. Therefore, we propose an in depth inquiry into the nature and size of ecommerce market in Pakistan, based on which ecommerce policy guidelines will be developed for ecommerce growth in Pakistan. Should an enabling environment be provided for ecommerce growth in Pakistan, a huge opportunity for youth and female entrepreneurship and employment can be created

Experimental Investigation Of Non-Linear Structural Dynamics of Shrouded Turbine Blade

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

Knowledge Management Practice at a Bulgarian Bank: A Case Study

This paper reports on knowledge management (KM) practices in the customer service and lending departments of one of Bulgaria's top retail banks and investigates how KM processes can be further improved. The Bank's KM activities have been studied using observations, interviews and informal discussions for data collection. Findings were compared and contrasted with existing literature in similar contexts. Although rudiments of knowledge sharing are evident from the KM activities in different departments of the bank, the limitations such as resistance to change of the implemented KM systems are impeding the effectiveness of the knowledge management process. More training and incentives are needed to increase knowledge creation and sharing. Moreover, a clearly articulated KM strategy along with success criteria and commitment and support from senior management is needed. There is a severe lack of knowledge management studies in Bulgarian context in general and Bulgarian banking sector in particular. The authors' findings will potentially help in improving knowledge sharing practice as well as provide a valuable insight into knowledge management related issues in the Bulgarian context. The findings from this research can be useful to companies from Eastern Europe and other regions in improving their knowledge sharing practice

Ravaged Lands: An Investigation of Factors Affecting Pakistan’s Tourism Industry

Since the war on terror initiated in 2001 after the attack on the Twin Towers, situated in New York, United States. The US led invasion of Afghanistan has spilled its consequences across its Eastern border. Since then Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism and religious extremism due to its strategic alliance with the United States of America. One industry that was completely obliterated by this situation was Pakistan’s Tourism industry. The objective of this research was to prove whether societal factors affect the tourism industry or cultural factors affect the tourist industry or the law and order situation has hampered the tourists’ activities in Northern areas of Pakistan. Developing a questionnaire and validating its reliability, statistical techniques proved that cultural factors had a more significant impact on Pakistan’s tourist mindset. Keywords: Tourism; Cultural factors; Societal factors; Victims of terrorism; War on terro