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

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

Factors Impacting the Buying Behavior of Housewives towards Hypermarkets in Karachi

The objective of this research is an effort to understand what are the factors that impact the choice of hypermarkets made by housewives and what do they think about the factors like Convenience level, Store atmosphere, Price and Variety of products, which influence the buying behavior. This research is qualitative in nature and in-depth interview technique is used for the collection of data through respondents and then thematic analyses have been constructed. The results of the study concluded that Convenience level is the most important factor that affects the choice of hypermarkets for the housewives. It is considered as a positive factor for their shopping experience. Some factors within convenience level include parking space available, a well-stated store in terms of prices and category placement so that it saves time and the most important convenience factor due to which housewives are not willing to shift permanently to other store is the location/nearness of the hypermarket to their homes. It is further concluded that the Store atmosphere must be friendly that doesn’t make the customer confuse every time they visit the store. Proper placement of the goods on the aisle, space between them, lightening and the music it is being played all affects the shopping experience of the customer. Prices do affect the way the customer shops but it is not considered a factor that makes the customer shifts their store permanently if it’s not convenient for them. Variety is the least impacting factor that would make the customer shifts their outlet. The housewives generally like hypermarkets as it serves as a one-stop shop for them for all their required items Keywords: Hyperstar, Buying behavior, Housewives, Convenience Level, Store Atmosphere, Variety of Product

Impact of Digital Media on Brand Loyalty and Brand Positioning

The objective of this research was to find out the importance of digital media and business to increase their revenues and market their products in a better way. Another objective of this research to differentiate between conventional and new media and to view the level of awareness about their concept among people. This research is exploratory and research design is qualitative in nature. We conducted interviews from different experts of digital media who are fully aware with latest trends of marketing. The findings of this research reveal that a wise marketing strategy can increase the market share of different brands in Pakistan (especially new entrants) in comparison of conventional media. It is concluded that the digital media has a key role in creating brand royalty since advertising has changed from traditional to digital so there is a much scope available in this area, consumer interest is increasing in this type of marketing platform in Pakistan, especially big companies like (Coca-Cola, Unilever, P&G, Gucci) have successfully created their brand image and brand association by engaging various activities through digital media. In today’s world digital media is important because it is cost effective, develop more awareness and also the queries put forward by the consumers are answered by the companies quickly. Through digital media companies constantly improve themselves and try to create a good image about the product. Keywords: Digital Media, Brand Loyalty, Brand positioning, exploratory, marketing strateg