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REFIoT: A Framework to Combat Requirements Engineering in IoT Applications and Systems
No full textIn this research, we investigate the way in which Requirements Engineering is handled in the development of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Successful and correct requirements engineering improves the quality of the development process and the whole system, as well as of the resulting products and services. As a result of an extensive literature review, and based on the authors’ collective longitudinal experience gained through industrial experience and ongoing research using a variety of software development approaches and practices, we identified and categorized the challenges in requirements elicitation and requirements engineering for IoT applications. We encapsulated the categorized requirements engineering challenges into REFIoT, a conceptual Requirements Engineering Framework for IoT, which can be used as a tool by requirements engineers in the development of IoT applications to identify risks so that they can be minimized at an early stage of systems development using the values of the SPI Manifesto we propose mitigation actions.2179 CCIS8096Systems, Software and Services Process Improvemen
How important is tourism for growth?
No full textWe revisit the tourism-led growth hypothesis by utilising a panel set of 108 countries over the period 1996–2017. We quantify the effects of tourism on the entire conditional distribution of economic growth for both relatively poor and relatively rich countries within a panel quantile regression framework. We address the unobserved heterogeneity and potential endogeneity concerns. We reveal that the lower the conditional growth rate a country experiences the more important is tourism development for the conditional growth distribution for both developing and developed countries. The size of the effect in developed countries is twice as high as in developing ones. On the other hand, tourism specialisation is beneficial only at higher quantiles of the conditional growth distribution and only for developed countries. On the contrary, it brings about an undesirable effect in developing countries. Finally, we examine the impact of a reduction in tourism activity on economic growth due to an exogenous shock (i.e., COVID-19). Simulation analysis based on the quantile regression estimates shows that countries facing relatively low growth rates conditionally to the growth distribution are affected the most. Policymakers may consider the importance of tourism activity in the growth process and formulate strategies that align with the growth experience of each country.2944704472
Hybrid Evolutionary Approach to Team Building using PROMETHEE II
No full textMulti-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods, such as PROMETHEE II, play a crucial role in complex decision-making scenarios, including team formation. However, they face scalability challenges as the number of criteria and options increases. This paper introduces a novel Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithm integrated with PROMETHEE II, specifically designed for team formation. This hybrid approach combines the exploration power of evolutionary algorithms and the decision-making capabilities of PROMETHEE II, aiming to improve both performance and scalability in decision-making processes. Initial experiments demonstrate significant improvements in both solution quality and scalability compared to existing methods facing similar challenges. This research enables the creation of more efficient and effective team formation in complex decision-making scenarios.509 LNBIP3848Human-Centric Decision and Negotiation Support for Societal Transition
The denominator rule with unit ratio difference
No full textIn this paper we extend the denominator rule for ratios given in different units of measurement and we explain how to derive the relevant aggregation shares, which are given in terms of the denominator variable and the constants converting the relevant variables into the same unit of measurement.61218319
Efficiency analysis and benchmarking of container ports operating in lower-middle-income countries: a DEA approach
No full textContainer ports play a pivotal role in international trade, facilitating the movement of goods and fostering economic development. While much attention has been given to the efficiency of ports in high-income countries, container ports in lower-middle-income (LMI) countries have received less attention. This paper addresses this research gap by assessing container ports' operational efficiency across diverse LMI countries and determining ways for their efficiency enhancement and management optimization. The cross-sectional data for the year 2012 was collected for 53 container ports in LMI countries. This research utilizes data envelopment analysis, which offers the advantage of considering multiple inputs and outputs. The results show that the overall technical inefficiencies of LMI countries' container ports are mainly due to pure technical inefficiency rather than scale inefficiencies, and the most efficient ports have a combination of large and hub ports. They also reveal that larger ports (as measured by throughput) are not necessarily more efficient than ports with a small production scale. The results of this research can provide government authorities, port authorities, terminal operators, and investors with valuable insights into resource allocation, competitive advantage, and optimization of operating performance.9
The relationship between knowledge accumulation and gender norms
No full textGender norms, encompassing social and cultural attitudes that dictate suitable behaviors for women and men, are pivotal in shaping societal dynamics. This paper explores the intricate relationship between knowledge accumulation, as reflected in a nation’s economic complexity, and its gender norms. Drawing on the revealed preferences of a substantial cohort, totaling 64,954 individuals from up to 49 countries, and their respective countries’ economic complexity indices, we uncover a non-trivial relationship. At lower levels of economic complexity, there exists an inverse correlation between less rigid gender norms and technological sophistication. This suggests that the initial stages of knowledge accumulation coincide with inflexible gender norms, particularly regarding women’s roles within households. However, as economic complexity surpasses a certain threshold, this correlation reverses. Further knowledge accumulation aligns with more adaptable gender norms, indicating a shift towards less rigidity, especially concerning women’s roles in the public sphere. These findings underline the connection between economic development and shifting gender norms. Notably, while economic complexity catalyzes a transition towards less rigid norms regarding women’s household roles at lower stages, it is only at a certain threshold that significant changes in norms pertaining to women’s public roles become evident. This study contributes to understanding the evolution of gender norms in the context of economic development. By shedding light on the intricate dynamics between knowledge accumulation and gender norms, it emphasizes the significance of considering socioeconomic factors in addressing gender norms. Findings have implications for policymakers and stakeholders offering valuable insights into the mechanisms driving societal change.1160
Multi-scale Intervention Planning Based on Generative Design
No full textThe scarcity of green spaces, in urban environments, consists a critical challenge. There are multiple adverse effects, impacting the health and well-being of the citizens. Small scale interventions, e.g. pocket parks, is a viable solution, but comes with multiple constraints, involving the design and implementation over a specific area. In this study, we harness the capabilities of generative AI for multi-scale intervention planning, focusing on nature based solutions. By leveraging image-to-image and image inpainting algorithms, we propose a methodology to address the green space deficit in urban areas. Focusing on two alleys in Thessaloniki, where greenery is lacking, we demonstrate the efficacy of our approach in visualizing NBS interventions. Our findings underscore the transformative potential of emerging technologies in shaping the future of urban intervention planning processes.14799 LNCS225233Generative Intelligence and Intelligent Tutoring System
Evaluating the Success of Digital Transformation Strategy in Greek SMEs
No full textPrior studies have neglected the significance of IS strategy in choosing and implementing the suitable IS according to situation, instead concentrating on the impact of digital transformation methods on performance and crucial elements that influence IS adoption. The use of strategy-as-practice is useless because there are no formal procedures in place, and no strategic planning has been done. This makes it impossible for management to use IS planning to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. In this study, we look at how the performance of IS is impacted by strategic processes and practices. The survey’s participants were 294 information technology managers from Greek SMEs. The results of the study suggest that top-level management should receive training on how to strategically apply IS planning to strengthen competitive advantage. In order to align the organization’s strategy and structure, it is also the manager’s duty to select the proper IT infrastructure. The findings aid managers in setting priorities for logistical tasks and in comprehending the importance of IS planning in this area.502 LNBIP164182Information System
Evaluation of Blockchain for the Development of an IoT-based Trustworthy Learning Management System
No full textA diploma is a document that certifies that a student has successfully completed his courses of study and has been granted by an educational institution (such as a college or university). Obtaining a diploma leads to a better job. However, in recent years, it has been observed that employers can hire unqualified individuals for specialized roles. Fake degree certifications are on the rise because of new technologies and are worth over a billion dollars. The two most significant and inventive technologies of the past ten years are blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT refers to the gathering of connected objects with one another via wearable technology and software for online data exchange and communication with other devices. Blockchain technology, on the other hand, is one way to ensure that diplomas are authentic. Several distributed and cryptographic techniques and algorithms are employed by Blockchain, a distributed hyperledger. Overcoming security risks and vulnerabilities in the educational field is an essential prerequisite to developing a robust IoT-based Learning Management System. An IoT-based LMS is a revolutionized suggestion in the educational environment as it offers software programs or web-based technologies in a transformed learning system and also in the administrative system of an educational institution. An IoT-based LMS is promising security. The goal of this article is to demonstrate how to eliminate diploma fraud using a private blockchain and IoT-based secure decentralized learning management system (LMS). Our recommended algorithm using a machine learning model based on blockchain systems, has as a result the decentralization, security, invariability, and transparency of diploma verification data. The conclusions of our method ensure whether diplomas are authentic or fake, offering potential jobs to graduates.63682024 7th World Symposium on Communication Engineering (WSCE
Iterative optimisation in dynamic environments via local pursuit
No full textWe discuss an iterative optimal control approach in which a multi-agent group of control systems discovers locally optimal trajectories in environments with time-varying terrain geometry and moving, deforming obstacles. Works in literature have addressed only special cases of this problem with time-invariant terrain geometry. One such bio-inspired optimal control approach, applicable in static environments, is ‘local pursuit’, a method that iteratively solves partially-constrained final state problems by having agents follow one another, each agent moving optimally towards its predecessor. We show that if, instead, agents evolve in their own time-delayed ‘copy’ of the environment and act based on the most recent time history of their predecessors local neighbourhoods, then the original method can be extended to the dynamic environments described above. Furthermore, we discuss the computational complexity of our approach and demonstrate its effectiveness and computational advantages in a series of simulations.11