Alan Underwood

Generic Attributes of IS Graduates: A Comparison of Australian Industry and Academic Views

This paper describes the final phase of a study that validates a group of generic attributes of graduates of Australian undergraduate degree programs with majors in Information Systems (IS). 105 academics from all Australian universities that offer IS undergraduate degree programs of study and 53 member of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) took part in this study. A three round Delphi questionnaire was used. The results of this study are compared with a previous study of generic attributes conducted by the authors in Queensland, Australia. Differences between academics and industry are identified. The top three attributes in each study are the same, although the order is reversed in the national study. Some of these include the higher ranking of interpersonal skills, teamwork, and knowledge of the IS discipline by academics compared with the higher ranking of industry of self-motivation and the ability to learn independently. Other major findings include the high ratings of the attributes of team participation and the commitment to further learning and intellectual development. Oral and written communications are significantly rated as more important than a comprehensive knowledge of IS. This study has a very strong overall correlation with the previous Queensland study.

Professional Ethics in a Security and Privacy Context - the Perspective of a National Computing Society

Reference to the words profession and ethics in the media is becoming increasingly common as is the incidence of litigation and exposure by individuals and businesses alike to information technology. Yet, the meaning of the terms profession and ethics remains nebulous for most of us. Perhaps Levin [1] had the right idea in simplifying our understanding when in a speech he used the principle of the camel in illustrating the meaning of a profession: ”few can define it, but none can fail to recognise it.” This is equally appropriate to ethics.

A Framework for Certifying Critical Software Systems

This paper presents a framework proposed for the certification1 of critical computer software application systems. The framework exemplifies the basic quality movement tenet of continuous process improvement, as well as best practice, through its integration of relevant and available standards. Justification for the framework is based on the premise that absolute safety/security for most critical software application systems is currently an unobtainable goal. Consequently, it is imperative that those organisations and personnel involved in the development life cycle do everything in their power to improve the reliability of the delivered critical software system.

Knowledge Creation in Export Trading

In this research, we investigate how knowledge in the export trading industry is created. Prior research focuses on general businesses in local market environment. This research specifically focuses on export trading with overseas market needs. These needs require attention to different types of control and requirements beyond that of a local market. In this paper, Nonaka et al.s theory of organizational knowledge creation is explored. We specifically examine the processes of knowledge creation through four modes of knowledge conversion. Empirical investigations in export trading organizations are conducted. We examine how export firms obtain new knowledge for innovations based on collective knowledge being used in export trading. The findings indicate that the knowledge management processes in export firms allow for the creation of new knowledge. The collective knowledge (from groups and individuals) forms a basis for innovations and competitive intelligence. This collective knowledge also creates foresight, insight and hindsight in the export trading context.

Critical Systems Development — Ramifications for Management

This paper addresses the legal liability of developers of critical software systems in Australia and in so doing highlights the ramifications for management in accepting legal responsibility for their safe and reliable operation. The discussion focuses on the obligations imposed under the Trade Practices Act with the recent inclusion of product liability laws prompted by the 1985 EC liability directive. The increased emphasis on the liability of developers for the safe operation of their software reflects similar moves throughout the European Communities.