The use of cloud applications is becoming increasingly popular due to their scalability and cost advantages. However, companies need help in adopting cloud applications due to their internal policies and compliance requirements. Trust and security are crucial factors that influence the adoption of cloud applications. This book proposes a cloud architecture that addresses this challenge by shifting the trust for compliance-driven configurations of cloud applications from the cloud application provider to the blockchain. The architecture was developed using design science research and evaluated using mixed-method semi-structured guided interviews. The results show that the proposed architecture can significantly reduce adoption risk due to compliance-driven cloud application configurations, shifting trust from the cloud provider to the blockchain. This book presents an innovative approach to address the challenge of adopting cloud applications, and enhancing trust and security for businesses.

This open access book constitutes papers from the 5 research workshops, the poster presentations, as well as two panel discussions which were presented at XP 2021, the 22nd International Conference on Agile Software Development, which was held online during June 14-18, 2021. XP is the premier agile software development conference combining research and practice. It is a unique forum where agile researchers, practitioners, thought leaders, coaches, and trainers get together to present and discuss their most recent innovations, research results, experiences, concerns, challenges, and trends. XP conferences provide an informal environment to learn and trigger discussions and welcome both people new to agile and seasoned agile practitioners. The 18 papers included in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from overall 37 submissions. They stem from the following workshops: 3rd International Workshop on Agile Transformation 9th International Workshop on Large-Scale Agile Development 1st International Workshop on Agile Sustainability 4th International Workshop on Software-Intensive Business 2nd International Workshop on Agility with Microservices Programming.

This book explores the main challenges and trends related to the use of blockchain technology for digital business innovation with the aim of providing practitioners with stimulating insights and ideas. Readers will find a unified survey of current scientific work on blockchain and related phenomena, such as bitcoin, from a range of perspectives, including information systems, technology management, innovation research, computer science, and engineering. In this way, the book links research and industry practices suitable for use by practitioners in their day-to-day activities and also provides an update on what academia may offer in terms of industry proposals. The contents are divided into three parts. After discussion of blockchain technology and management, including impacts on value chains and systems, governance, and security issues, the bitcoin phenomenon and main technological trends in the use of blockchain are addressed. The final part presents examples of business innovation using blockchain that are drawn from across the globe. Throughout, the author adopts a methodologically rigorous approach while ensuring that the text is readily understandable for readers, regardless of their degree of acquaintance with blockchain.

This book provides an effective overview of the state-of-the art in software engineering, with a projection of the future of the discipline. It includes 13 papers, written by leading researchers in the respective fields, on important topics like model-driven software development, programming language design, microservices, software reliability, model checking and simulation. The papers are edited and extended versions of the presentations at the PAUSE symposium, which marked the completion of 14 years of work at the Chair of Software Engineering at ETH Zurich. In this inspiring context, some of the greatest minds in the field extensively discussed the past, present and future of software engineering. It guides readers on a voyage of discovery through the discipline of software engineering today, offering unique food for thought for researchers and professionals, and inspiring future research and development.

The book discusses the various ways that blockchain technology is changing the future of money, transactions, government, and business. The first two chapters walk through the foundation of blockchain. Chapters 3–12 look at applications of blockchain in different industries and highlight its exciting new business applications. It show why so many companies are implementing blockchain, and present examples of companies who have successfully employed the technology to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. Chapter 13 highlights blockchain’s powerful potential to foster emerging markets and economies including smart cities, value-based healthcare, decentralized sharing economy, machine to machine transactions, data-sharing marketplace, etc. Chapter 14 offers a conceptual model, provides information and insights, and covers a step-by-step approach to plan and develop blockchain-based technology.

Handbook of Blockchain, Digital Finance, and Inclusion, Volume 1: Cryptocurrency, FinTech, InsurTech, and Regulation explores recent advances in digital banking and cryptocurrency, emphasizing mobile technology and evolving uses of cryptocurrencies as financial assets. Contributors go beyond summaries of standard models to describe new banking business models that will be sustainable and will likely dictate the future of finance. The volume not only emphasizes the financial opportunities made possible by digital banking, such as financial inclusion and impact investing, but it also looks at engineering theories and developments that encourage innovation. Its ability to illuminate present potential and future possibilities make it a unique contribution to the literature. Explores recent advances in digital banking and cryptocurrency, emphasizing mobile technology and evolving uses of cryptocurrencies as financial assets Explains the practical consequences of both technologies and economics to readers who want to learn about subjects related to their specialties Encompasses alternative finance, financial inclusion, impact investing, decentralized consensus ledger and applied cryptography Provides the only advanced methodical summary of these subjects available today

Blockchain technology is one of the most talked about topics in the sphere of information technology as well as in the facilitation of electronic business. The cryptocurrency Blockchain applications are well known and well-publicized, however, this technology has the potential to influence the way that we do business today, as its use expands to new areas. Blockchain, which is one form of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), offers opportunities to increase the reliability and security of trade transactions. The repetition of data among multiple ledgers in a network, as well as the immutability of information after it has been integrated into the Blockchain, can increase levels of confidence for both traders and regulators.