Empirical Investigation on Agile Methods Usage: Issues Identified from Early Adopters in Malaysia

Agile Methods are a set of software practices that can help to produce products faster and at the same time deliver what customers want. Despite the benefits that Agile methods can deliver, however, we found few studies from the Southeast Asia region, particularly Malaysia. As a result, less empirical evidence can be obtained in the country making its implementation harder. To use a new method, experience from other practitioners is critical, which describes what is important, what is possible and what is not possible concerning Agile. We conducted a qualitative study to understand the issues faced by early adopters in Malaysia where Agile methods are still relatively new. The initial study involves 13 participants including project managers, CEOs, founders and software developers from seven organisations. Our study has shown that social and human aspects are important when using Agile methods. While technical aspects have always been considered to exist in software development, we found these factors to be less important when using Agile methods. The results obtained can serve as guidelines to practitioners in the country and the neighbouring regions

Renal Cell Carcinoma with Unusual Metastasis to the Small Intestine Manifesting as Extensive Polyposis: Successful Management with Intraoperative Therapeutic Endoscopy

We present here a rare clinical case of a 53-year-old gentleman with metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to the small intestine presenting with extensive polyposis and massive gastrointestinal bleeding which was successfully managed with intraoperative endoscopic polypectomy and segmental small bowel resection. The patient presented with melena 2 weeks after right nephrectomy for RCC. Capsule endoscopy found extensive polyposis throughout the small bowel, and the histological features confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic RCC. The patient eventually underwent laparotomy with intraoperative endoscopy of the entire small bowel. Most of the polyps were removed by snare polypectomy. Three segments of the small bowel with extensive transmural involvement had to be resected with primary anastomosis. In the 2 months following his surgery, the patient had no further evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding. The decision of meticulously removing close to 100 polyps by intraoperative endoscopy prevented the patient from requiring total small bowel resection and lifelong dependence on parenteral nutrition. In conclusion, gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with known RCC should always trigger full gastrointestinal work-up including capsule endoscopy and, if necessary, double balloon enteroscopy

Interplay of cognition and emotion in IS usage: Emotion as mediator between cognition and IS usage

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the effects of emotion as outcomes of cognition, in turn influencing levels of information system (IS) usage at work. In doing so, the author presents set of propositions illustrating an integrated model by adapting both cognitive and affects aspects to explain continuance of IS usage. Design/methodology/approach - This conceptual paper explains the importance of cognitive judgement to IS usage via emotional lenses. Based on literature covering the concepts of technology adaptation theory, emotions, as well as the theoretical foundations in cognitive appraisal, the author has examined the relationship between cognition and IS usage with mediating emotion. Findings - Propositions based on literature review of cognition and emotions in IS research are presented for further empirical study. The author argues that by connecting cognitive judgement and emotional reactions on IS, both ease of use and usefulness should be considered in designing IS as to how these may generate positive or negative emotions. Research limitations/implications - As the success of IS depends on the users' continued use of the system, an integrated model adapting both cognitive and affects aspects will be better equipped to explain continuance of IS usage. Practical implications - Good IS design could influence not only the effectiveness of IS but also the emotional well-being of employees. Originality/value - This is one of the first studies to consider together the impact of the cognitive and affective processes leading to IS continuance in one model. This is one of the first studies in which one single model is used to consider together the impact of the cognitive and affective processes leading to IS continuance. Thus, the author contributes to IS continuance literature as well as employees' well-being literatures given how IS is embedded in today's working organization. The author also believes the m

A novel mathematical model for a multi-period, multi-product optimal ordering problem considering expiry dates in a FEFO system

International audienceOne of the main challenges of retail units is to determine the order quantities of different types of products, each with a specific expiry date, so that the system cost including shortage cost is minimized. We study a new multi-product multi-period replenishment problem for a First Expired-First Out (FEFO) based warehouse management system. The proposed nonlinear model is first converted to a linear one and then solved by applying two evolutionary algorithms: the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), in which design parameters are set using Taguchi method. Computational results demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model for perishable items and comparing the results shows the efficiency of the proposed metaheuristics as well