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The primary purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive strategy for performance, reliability and scalability (PSR) testing of multi‐tier web applications.

The strategy for PSR testing is presented primarily through examination of the intangible knowledge base in the PSR testing field. The paper also draws on relevant recent work conducted in the area of software performance evaluation.

The study revealed that appropriate testing procedures are critical for the success of web‐based multi‐tier applications. However, there was little academic work that collectively focused on PSR testing issues. This paper provides step‐by‐step testing procedures to ensure that web‐based applications are functioning well to meet user demands.

Given the rapid changes in technology and business environments, more applied research will be needed in the area of PSR testing to ensure the successful functioning of web‐based applications. For future studies, structured interviews or case‐study methods could be employed to present the views of online companies.

This paper provides a comprehensive strategy and the suggested steps for managers and technical personnel to ensure that the multi‐tier, web‐based applications are effective, scalable and reliable.

Knowledge management (KM) is a process that deals with the development, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information and expertise within an organization to support and improve its business performance. Organizations are realizing that knowledge is a crucial resource for organizations and it should be managed judiciously. Organizations need to harness knowledge not only to stay competitive, but also to become innovative. KM requires a major shift in organizational culture and a commitment at all levels of a firm to make it work. Through a supportive organizational climate, ideally, through effective KM, an organization can bring its entire organizational learning and knowledge to bear on any problem, anywhere in the world, at anytime

It is the responsibility of any government to ensure efficient, transparent and reliable services to the common man through telecentres. The purpose of this study is to take into account the influence of people and process on transparency that leads to effective e-governance.

This study involved collecting data through questionnaire method from 400 citizens who visited the telecentres. Data were analysed by conducting chi-square test and independent sample t-test, and it was found that there exists significant influence of location on transparency.

The current study reiterates the fact from literature that transparency in transactions enables effective e-governance. Beneficiaries perceive that people and processes have influence on transparency.

The research adds up to the literature in establishing that there exist differentials among the rural and urban population with respect to transparency. Results could be skewed, as there could be an impact of population density across urban and rural areas.

This study brings out a framework and an action plan for the government to implement and ensure transparency in processes leading to effective e-governance.

The action plan ensures transparency in service delivery leading to effective e-governance. Increased transparency empowers citizens with increased trustworthiness towards services delivered through telecentres.

This paper fulfils the need for an action plan to assure citizens to use deliveries through telecentres with better transparency. The aspect of transparency is not being studied in the present context of service delivery by the government authorities in India. Moreover, the influence of transparency on e-governance is also under-explored.

The case deals with the unforeseen uncertainties faced by Reva, the first electric car of India, while entering the Indian market. The company was able to take up the challenge of making an energy efficient car. As a new product, Reva achieved operational success, developing an electric, low energy car. Its marketing strategies had limited consumer pull and had to be strengthened to gain consumer acceptance. The ecosystem worldwide is looking for support from governments on the concept and the infrastructure of this product category.

The purpose of this paper is fourfold: first, to provide the first systematic study on the ethics of blockchain, mapping its main socio-technical challenges in technology and applications; second, to identify ethical issues of blockchain; third, to propose a conceptual framework of blockchain ethics study; fourth, to discuss ethical issues for stakeholders.

The paper employs literature research, research agenda and framework development.

Ethics of blockchain and its applications is essential for technology adoption. There is a void of research on blockchain ethics. The authors propose a first theoretical framework of blockchain ethics. Research agenda is proposed for future search. Finally, the authors recommend measures for stakeholders to facilitate the ethical adequacy of blockchain implementations and future Information Systems (IS) research directions. This research raises timely awareness and stimulates further debate on the ethics of blockchain in the IS community.

First, this work provides timely systematic research on blockchain ethics. Second, the authors propose the first research framework of blockchain ethics. Third, the authors identify key research questions of blockchain ethics. Fourth, this study contributes to the understanding of blockchain technology and its societal impacts.

This purpose of this paper is to assess the perceived importance and actual implementation of four knowledge management (KM) strategies, i.e. culture; leadership; information technology; and measurement, in the Malaysian telecommunication industry.

Data were collected from 289 telecommunication organizations in Malaysia and analyzed using indices and parametric statistics.

The paired t‐test results show significant differences among all the KM strategies in terms of their importance and actual implementation. Strategies such as technology, culture and leadership are moderately implemented, with measurement being the least implemented factor.

This paper focuses on KM implementation rather than on learning and knowledge utilization.

Malaysian telecommunication organizations should give equal attention to the implementation of all the four KM strategies. They need to have proper planning and overcome any problem or difficulty for the four KM strategies to be implemented smoothly, and subsequently narrow the gaps between the perceived importance and actual implementation of these strategies. Such viable practice will significantly help the government of Malaysia to achieve the K‐Economy status and Vision 2020.

This study is perhaps one of the first to empirically investigate and compare the perceived importance and actual implementation of the four KM strategies in the Malaysian telecommunication industry.

This research examines the level of perception and implementation of 11 identified knowledge management (KM) success factors and their differences among the information and communication technology (ICT) companies operating in Malaysia.

The survey data was obtained from a study of 427 middle managers from 194 ICT companies using a set of structured questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to confirm that the 11 KM variables are valid and are in conformity to the literature review. Paired t‐test was then used to identify the differences between the KM factors perceived as important and the implementation of those factors.

The results show that all the 11 factors are perceived as important for successful KM implementation, but there are significant differences between all the factors perceived as important and the level of implementation of those factors.

Future studies should include a bigger sample size and from various industries so as to ensure that the results can be generalised. It is also important that the success factors presented can be correlated with organisational performance. Since the study examines the level of implementation of KM factors, a longitudinal study is necessary.

Such significant findings reinforce the findings of previous researchers on the importance of the various KM success factors proposed. In addition, it provides information on the current level of KM implementation in these companies in Malaysia. Based on the differences between the two, strategies are recommended on how the Malaysian ICT companies can improve their KM practices and thus narrow the gap between the two.

This paper has implications on the Malaysian ICT companies in formulating strategies on how to deploy a full swing KM programme as a strategic weapon for their business success.

The objective of this paper is to investigate and compare the practices of knowledge management (KM) processes, which have been grounded in the KM literature, between public and private higher education institutions (HEIs).

Data were collected from 594 academics from three public and three private HEIs in Malaysia.

The analyses suggest that all the six KM processes (knowledge creation, capture, organisation, storage, dissemination, and application) are moderately practiced by the institutions surveyed and that there are significant differences in the overall practices of KM processes between the public and private HEIs.

This paper raises awareness and provides initial guidelines to the HEIs as knowledge‐intensive organisations in formulating strategies on how to properly implement and manage their KM processes.

This study has extended knowledge in KM for it is probably the first to provide a comparative analysis between public and private HEIs. It further opens up new lines of future research possibilities.

The purpose of this paper is to identify factors related to rural healthcare services and establish a hierarchical model for the effective rural healthcare management in India.

A questionnaire survey identified and correlated numerous factors related to the Uttarakhand rural healthcare systems. Experts opinion were translated into a reachability matrix and an interpretive structural model. A fuzzy matriced impacts croises-multiplication applique and classment (FMICMAC) analysis arranged the factors as hierarchical stages using their driving power.

The interpretive structural and FMICMAC hierarchical models suggest four key driving factors: diseases, climatic conditions, population growth and political pressure.

Despite numerous issues, rural healthcare services can be improved by considering key driving factors that could be used as a prediction tool for policy makers.

Results demonstrate that population control, coordinating services with local bodies and rural health center annual maintenance can be game changers toward better healthcare services.

The purpose of this paper is to present a systemic analysis of the complex interaction of factors affecting the reverse logistics (RL) processes in a pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC).

This study uses a systems thinking approach. Initial problem structuring involved the analysis of behavior-over-time of main variables and incorporated stakeholder analysis. Further, a participative group model building process was used to develop a systems model.

The model was analysed to identify a set of feedback loops operating in the system responsible for the complexities of the problem. To address this, the stakeholders identified three strategic interventions. The first intervention relates to returns avoidance by alleviating market flooding of medicines, second intervention aims at improving the infrastructure for quality and performance management and the third targets balanced risk sharing between the main stakeholders involved in the supply chain. The findings suggest strong linkage between RL network design and key activities in returns management. The study lays a platform for developing a simulation model.

Data collection was confined to stakeholders belonging to a PSC based in the South Indian state of Kerala and excluded the participation of doctors due to practical constraints. The application of systems thinking and modelling was limited to the qualitative phases of the methodology.

The study illustrates a participative process capable of revealing the differing viewpoints of multiple stakeholders involved in a PSC.

It provides a holistic approach based on the systems thinking and modelling methodology for analysing the complexities related to RL in the Indian pharmaceutical industry.