Pablo Arranz Val

Viable system model structuring of success factors in software projects

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the principal success factors of a software project structured upon the basis of the viable system model (VSM). Design/methodology/approach To do so, an exploratory empirical analysis is conducted of a set of software projects, in which the degree of compliance with the requirements set down by the VSM and the success rating of their development are identified. Findings The results of the study indicate that the most influential factors in achieving global viability in a software project are the local environment, the organizational units and the intelligent system. Building on those factors, a mathematical prediction model is developed, reaching an accuracy of 63.16 percent in its predictions. Research limitations/implications The authors wish to point out that due to the number of projects employed in the statistical analysis, the results have to be interpreted with caution and are of an exploratory nature. Practical implications The authors seek to show that the VSM is an extremely useful tool for the management of software projects and, by extension, projects of a general nature. The authors therefore suggest that knowledge of VSM would be of incalculable value for managers wishing to manage projects successfully and to survive in such a complex and rapidly changing environment as the software project environment is. Its application allows us to diagnose and to detect the critical factors to achieve such success. Social implications In addition, the research seeks to increase the universality of VSM, contributing to a better understanding of it and a better and greater formalization of it in favor of its acceptance and its practical use, seeking in this way to palliate some critical principals related to its abstraction and limited applicability and to increase its rigor and validity as an instrument for the diagnosis and the design of viable organizations. Originality/value The novelty of this study is therefore principally found in the application of the VSM to the organizational structure of a software project in such a way that it allows us to detect key factors in its success. Besides, building on the validation of this proposal through the completion of a quantitative empirical analysis, this study also offers a prediction mathematical model that relates key factors with the success of the project.

Key factors in levels of public satisfaction with urban waste collection in a northern Spain city

Levels of public satisfaction among the inhabitants of Burgos with their urban waste collection service are analyzed by comparing satisfaction levels in 2006 and in 2016, as well as the homogeneity of these satisfaction levels in the different areas of the city into which it was divided in 2016. To do so, an empirical exploratory analysis is completed on a representative sample of the population. A regression model is used to identify the significant factors from among all of the factors in the analysis. Then, a predictive model is defined that increases the probability of successful decision-making among the managers responsible for this service. The results provide support for one of the starting hypotheses, considering the daily collection of organic waste, the daily collection of selective waste, the capacity of organic waste containers, the proximity of organic waste containers, the cleanliness of pavements and the cleanliness of walkways as significant factors in the evaluation of public satisfaction. With these factors, the predictive model offers us a certainty index of 66.26% in its predictions.

¿CÓMO ORGANIZAR UN CONGRESO CIENTÍFICO DE CALIDAD? CLAVES Y VARIABLES DEL ÉXITO DEL XV CONGRESO NACIONAL Y V IBEROAMERICANO DE PEDAGOGÍA

INTRODUCCION. La calidad, como concepto multidimensional, ha impregnado de forma progresiva y transversal todas las esferas del comportamiento universitario —titulaciones, investigacion, servicios, profesorado—. La incorporacion de enfoques centrados en la excelencia organizacional ha generado, al mismo tiempo que una cultura empirica en todos los actores universitarios, una praxis evaluadora que facilita y orienta la toma de decisiones y, consecuentemente, la mejora de las actividades, entre ellas los congresos de caracter cientifico. METODO. El articulo expone los resultados de la investigacion llevada a cabo para conocer el impacto y valorar la organizacion y desarrollo del XV Congreso Nacional y V Iberoamericano de Pedagogia celebrado en Burgos en julio de 2012. Mediante un enfoque basado en los grupos de interes y considerando los aspectos estructurales, institucionales, organizativos, de difusion cientifica, socioafectivos y personales, se analizan las variables decisivas que intervienen en la planificacion y desarrollo de un congreso cientifico, midiendo tambien su influencia cuantitativa y cualitativa en la satisfaccion de los participantes. RESULTADOS. Los resultados muestran que los congresos, cumplimentando determinados condicionamientos, estimulan la interaccion y reflexividad personal, satisfacen las expectativas de los actores y contribuyen a la difusion y aprendizaje de los avances en la investigacion especializada. DISCUSION. Los resultados obtenidos refuerzan el valor publico y el estatuto de calidad de los congresos.