This paper proposes a novel hybrid authentication framework that combines offline and online verification to enhance security and performance in IoMT networks. In the offline phase, user and device identities are verified directly within the local area network (LAN), reducing latency and dependence on continuous server communication. The online phase employs a centralized authentication server to complete system-wide verification. The proposed method integrates Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) for lightweight and secure key exchange, XOR operations for efficient credential combination, and one-way hash functions for ensuring data integrity. To further strengthen the authentication process, the Improved Lotus Effect Optimization Algorithm (ILEOA) is introduced to select the optimal cryptographic key, minimizing latency and improving resistance to attacks. The architecture is specifically designed to meet the constraints of IoMT devices while achieving multiple security objectives, including protection against replay, impersonation, and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Agile Development Methods, considered as an alternative to the traditional plan-based methods, have received much attention since their inception. These practices have evolved and developed over time, culminating in 2001 with the Agile Manifesto. Since that time, preferred methodologies, implementations, and best practices have continued to evolve with a focus on doing what works best for the individual company or project. However, the concept of agility in software development has remained quite nebulous, lacking in clarity particularly about its underlying dimensions. In this research the authors conceive agility in terms of four distinct dimensions. Drawing from the theoretical perspective of holographic organization, they develop a model explaining how each of these underlying dimensions of agility contributes to project value in software teams. The authors test the model using survey data collected from industry practitioners and discuss findings.

Trust is considered as a critical enabler in reducing consumer concerns regarding e-commerce transactions. Another enabler that helps reduce consumers’ concerns is Web Assurance Seal Services (WASS). We suggest that both factors help in the reduction of a critical hindrance to e-commerce, namely consumer concerns, and foster e-commerce transactions. Prior research has focused on trust in e-commerce, and separately, on the effectiveness of WASS within certain nations or cultures. However, given that e-commerce is now a global phenomenon we contend that the national or cultural characteristics of consumers are important to understand. This comparative national research attempts to fill this gap. This study makes the following contributions: It identifies a hindrance (i.e., consumers’ concerns), and two enablers (i.e., effectiveness of WASS and trust) in e-commerce technologies as a shopping channel (i.e., trust in e-Channel). It proposes consumers’ concerns for e-commerce as a second-order three-dimensional construct (i.e., security, privacy, and business integrity concern) and compares the effects of trust in e-Channel and WASS on consumers’ e-commerce transaction intention in two different national/cultural contexts (i.e., the U.S.A. and South Korea). The results of the study indicate that the perceived effectiveness of WASS of the U.S. consumers has a strong positive impact on their transaction intention and has a strong negative influence on their concerns for e-commerce. In contrast, Korean consumers’ perceived effectiveness of WASS does not significantly influence their transaction intention and their concerns for e-commerce. The results of group comparison analysis confirm that the strength of perceived effectiveness of WASS of the U.S. consumers is significantly stronger than that of Korean consumers. Interpretations from a cross-national perspective, theoretical and practical implications as well as limitations are discussed.

Database design is difficult because it involves a database designer understanding an application and translating the design requirements into a conceptual model. However, the designer may have little or no knowledge about the application or task for which the database is being designed. This research presents a methodology for supporting database design creation and evaluation that makes use of domain-specific knowledge about an application stored in the form of domain ontologies. The methodology is implemented in a prototype system, the Ontology Management and Database Design Environment. Initial testing of the prototype illustrates that the incorporation and use of ontologies is effective in creating entity-relationship models.