Agile development methodologies are becoming increasingly popular, especially in projects that develop web applications. However, incorporation of software security in lightweight approaches can be difficult. Using security testing techniques throughout a complete agile development process by running automated tests in continuous integration environments is one approach that strives to improve security in agile projects. Instead of performing security testing at the end of the development cycle, such methods enables early and continuous detection of security risks and vulnerabilities. The purpose of this thesis is to study how existing security testing techniques operate in continuous integration environments and what level of security they can help assure. The work is a qualitative analysis of dierent security testing techniques and evaluates how they technically fit into a continuous integration environment as well as how they adhere to agile principles. These techniques are also analyzed with the use of OWASP Top Ten to determine which security requirements they can verify. The outcome of the analysis is that no existing security testing technique is a perfect fit for usage in continuous integration testing. Each technique has its distinct advantages and drawbacks that should be taken into consideration when choosing a technique to work with in continuous integration environments.

In this master thesis two different worldviews are compared: a mechanistic, and an organic worldview. The way we think the world and the nature work reflects on how we think organizations work, or how they ought to work. The mechanistic worldview has dominated our way of thinking since the seventeenth century, and it compares the world with a machine. The organic worldview could use a number of different metaphors, but the one addressed in this thesis is complexity theory. Complexity theory is related to chaos theory and is concerned with complex adaptive systems (cas). Complex adaptive systems exist everywhere and are systems such as the human immune system, economies, and ecosystems. What complexity theory tries to do is to understand these systems—how they arise, how they function and how order emerge in them. When looking at complex adaptive systems you can’t just look at the different parts. You must take a more holistic view and look at the whole and the interaction of the parts. If you just look at the parts you will miss the emergent properties that have emerged as the system has self-organized. One prominent aspect of these systems is that they don’t have any central authority, but somehow order do arise. In relation to organizations, complexity theory has something to say about almost all aspects of organizations: from what kind of leadership is needed, and how teams should be organized to the physical structure of the organization. To understand what complexity theory is and how to relate that to (software developing) organizations is the main focus of this thesis. Scrum is an agile and lightweight process which can be applied on development projects in general, but have been used in such diverse examples as software development projects, marketing programs, and business process reengineering (BPR) initiatives. In this thesis Scrum is used as an example of how to apply complexity theory to organizations. The result of the thesis showed that Scrum is highly influenced and compatible with complexity theory, which implies that complexity theory is of some use in software development. However, there are more work to be done to determine how effective it is, how to introduce it into organizations, and to explore more specific implementations. This master thesis should give the reader a good understanding of what complexity theory is, some specific issues to consider when applying complexity theory on organizations, and some specific examples of how to apply complexity theory on organizations.

This is a report concerning the software development project Eldflugan, a system developed by eight students at Linköping University. It addresses experience from developing a web-based e-commerce using Scrum, an agile development method, which was used throughout the project. The teams work, how Scrum was applied with both advantages and disadvantages is being lifted. Different development environments have been used due to separate issues and opportunities, which is described. The database management systems, MySQL, and the local version, SQLite, are discussed as well as AJAX and PJAX, tools for giving the users a better and faster experience. To prepare Eldflugan for entering the e-commerce market, a marketing plan including environmental scanning, a SWOT analysis and a STP, has been made. Ethical aspects such as legal, use and handling of personal information and how it is communicated are also being addressed. Finally the report discusses product weaknesses, future opportunities, implementation difficulties and how those could have been prevented. It was found that Scrum is best used when it is utilized fully and a risk analysis can prevent unexpected problems to surface.

This master thesis deals with problems of information technology projects and their solutions using agile project management. Based on an analysis of the company and its projects is suggested solution using agile methods.

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This master thesis focuses on the agile methods description and their use in creating of company strategic material. The main part of this thesis consist of the SCRUM and Kanban method. The work contribution is an optimization of the document creation process. The solution proposed is implemented through the MS SharePoint server with mind mapping module and Kanban board module. Thanks to this solution, company project can be managed in a more effective, faster and higher quality way.

This master thesis deals with choice of appropriate approach to software development. The thesis specifies currently used approaches of project management. Current project status and approaches are analysed. The thesis focuses on choice of method and its application in the project.

Abstract Agility – namely, the ability of a supply chain to rapidly respond to changes in market and customer demands – is regarded as the bearer of competitive advantage in today's business world. The need for agility has traditionally been associated with supply chains in high technology industry products. However, traditional industries also face similar challenges in terms of speed, flexibility, increased product diversity and customization. This study contributes to the discussion on agility in supply chain management (SCM) and provides a novel focus on the development of an agile supply chain in a traditional industry. The object of this study is the development of an agile supply chain in a steel product network in the Raahe area in Northern Finland. The case network is undergoing a shift towards project-oriented business, where quick responses are the priority and agility is recognised as the facilitating factor. Using a constructive approach, an agile supply chain for a steel product network, SteelNet system, is developed. SteelNet system functions through the Internet and agent software technology. In identifying the new challenges raised by advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) in the development of an agile supply chain, the study presents some valuable ICT options for SCM. Following a review of the current understanding of agility in SCM literature, the study identifies the key elements of agile supply chains and proposes a four-dimensional agile supply chain framework by which to assess levels of agility. Using the framework, the study describes how the key elements appear in the case network. The study assesses the change process, and the necessary improvement steps, towards agility. It is concluded that agile supply chains have a major role also in traditional industry, and comprehensive implementation of ICT throughout the chain is of utmost importance in the development of an agile supply chain. Further insights to the discussion on agility are provided, and these and the conclusions extend a drawbridge to other companies and business networks in traditional industry to consider the clear advantages to developing their own agile supply chains.

Abstract Information and communications technology (ICT) companies face challenges in an unpredictable business environment, where demand-supply forecasting is not accurate enough. How to optimally manage product change process and demand-supply chain in this type of environment? Companies face pressures to simultaneously be efficient, responsive and innovative, i.e. to minimise costs, and shorten order delivery and product change periods. This thesis included three action research cycles within a real demand-supply chain of a significant international actor. Each action research cycle sought answers by going into one extreme of minimising costs, diminishing order delivery period, or shortening product change periods. In practice, these research cycles included the case company changing their business accordingly for each of these cases. Conducting required changes in the case company were economically significant trials. The results of this doctoral dissertation provide tips for global high tech companies. Large international companies typically have manufacturing sites in different parts of the world. According to the results, mental shift from local optimisation to a global one is required for efficient manufacturing operations. Companies have traditionally considered their strategy as a choice between minimising costs, quick delivery, and rapid product change. Also, companies have believed that one single strategy is adequate and applicable to all of their products. According to this thesis, different products may have a different strategy. This would allow companies to flexibly react to the needs of different customer groups, business environments, and different competitors. In addition, strategy can be changed relatively often, monthly, weekly, or even daily. Based on the results of this doctoral thesis, companies must harmonise their product portfolio globally, including all their sites. Once the same product version is at all sites, they can help each other from components supply viewpoint. Consequently, product changes can be taken through quicker. / Tiivistelmä Informaatio- ja kommunikaatioalan yritykset kohtaavat haasteita toimiessaan vaikeasti ennustettavassa liiketoimintaympäristössä, jossa tilaus-toimitusennusteet ovat epätarkkoja. Miten tällaisessa ympäristössä hallitaan optimaalisesti tuotemuutosprosessi ja tilaus-toimitusketju? Yrityksillä on paineita olla samanaikaisesti tehokkaita ja innovatiivisia: miten minimoida sekä kustannuksia että lyhentää toimitus- ja tuotemuutosaikoja. Tämä väitöskirja tehtiin toimintatutkimuksena merkittävän kansainvälisen yrityksen todellisessa tilaus-toimitusketjussa. Toimintatutkimus eteni vaiheittain kokeilemalla kolmea eri ääripäätä minimoimalla 1) kustannuksia, 2) toimitusaikoja ja 3) tuotemuutosaikoja. Käytännössä nämä ääripäät sisälsivät case-yrityksen liiketoiminnan muuttamista vastaavasti sisältäen taloudellisesti merkittäviä kokeiluja. Tämän väitöskirjan tulokset tarjoavat käytännön esimerkkejä globaaleille korkeanteknologian yrityksille. Suurilla kansainvälisillä yrityksillä on tyypillisesti valmistusyksiköitä eripuolilla maailmaa. Tämän tutkimuksen tulosten mukaan yritykset tarvitsevat asennemuutoksen paikallisesta optimoinnista globaaliin, jotta tuotanto toimisi tehokkaasti. Perinteisesti yritykset ovat ymmärtäneet strategian tarkoittavan valinnan tekemistä kustannusten minimoinnin, nopeiden toimitusaikojen tai nopeiden tuotemuutosten välillä. Yritykset ovat myös uskoneet, että yksi yrityskohtainen strategia kattaa kaikki yrityksen tuotteet. Tämän väitöskirjan tulosten mukaan yrityksen eri tuotteilla voi olla erilainen strategia. Tällainen ratkaisu mahdollistaa nopean reagoinnin muutoksiin asiakasryhmien tarpeissa, liiketoimintaympäristössä ja kilpailutilanteissa. Strategiaa voidaan myös muuttaa usein, kuukausittain, viikoittain tai jopa päivittäin. Tämän väitöskirjatutkimuksen tulosten mukaan, yritysten tulisi harmonisoida tuoteportfolionsa globaalisti kattaen kaikki tuotantolaitokset. Silloin kun yrityksen kaikissa valmistusyksiköissä valmistetaan samaa tuoteversiota, yksiköt voivat auttaa toisiaan komponenttien hankinnassa. Tuotemuutokset voidaan tällöin toteuttaa nopeammin.

Abstract The purpose of this thesis is to contribute empirical evidence focusing on sustainable competitive advantage through ERP systems. It identifies the shift towards strategic positioning while moving in different ERP stages and industrial environments. The work starts from the premise that advanced ERP processes are simply commodities insinuating competitive convergence. The literature considers IT and strategy but few texts deal with understanding ERP resources over time in order to become source of sustainable advantage. As companies undergo transformation or strive to develop new approaches to competition, it is particularly significant to investigate this venture. The exploratory inquiry in this dissertation aims to develop insights by a combination of qualitative and quantitative research traditions. The dual approach seeks to integrate the best research practices for contribution to the pertinent stakeholders. The first section is the introductory part followed by publications including case studies and surveys conducted on the basis of the gaps identified between theory and practice. The work is limited in scope and the intention is to appreciate knowledge acquired from the studies instead of drawing rigid extensive conclusions. However, the study traces that the ERP systems do provide competitive advantage, the sustainability depending on integrating to meet the business needs and building uniqueness. The implication is to capitalize on the potential of ERP, the idea being not to imitate competitors but to tailor applications to the company's overall strategy.