https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/36817 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:12:26 GMT 2026-04-28T11:12:26Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50528 Title: Blockchain technology in the Government of Malta : an analysis Abstract: This study examines various possibilities in which the blockchain technology can be applied in Malta, with specific relation to the public sector. The research explores benefits, challenges and requirements perceived to be necessary for the implementation of this emerging technology in the Government of Malta. In addition, it explores the future perspective of Malta in adopting the blockchain technology. Interviews were conducted with participants who were chosen through purposive sampling. The sampling frame included a participant with technical expertise and industry expertise, Chief Information Officers within ministries in which Blockchain could be adopted, and another participant from the Government of Malta for the strategic perspective that enriched the outcome of this study. Analysis of the interviews and participants’ perspectives generated over-arching themes. These individuals revealed that Blockchain technology holds promise to disrupt the public sector in Malta. However, since this technology is at its early stages, it was evident that further analysis, research and education were required. A number of possible use cases within the public sector were identified in this study. It can be concluded that although this shift is very likely to happen, the application of such a technology is still immature, and education must address both positive and negative sides prior to implementation. Description: B.SC.BUS.&I.T. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50528 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50527 Title: Web development direction : a study regarding the potential movement towards full-stack JavaScript in professional environments Abstract: Professional web development is often the result of a collaborative effort between two very distinct and opposing development fronts—front-end and back-end—both applying a set of different technologies, the combination of which results in a fully functional application. This collaborative effort requires not only competence in one’s respective specialisation but also the ability to communicate ideas, issues and solutions to development counterparts. However, due to developers on either side of the development spectrum applying different technologies and methodologies, a barrier to communication and collaboration is often prevalent. This hinders the overall speed, efficiency and quality of the development process, and creates a gap between both types of developers. But what if this gap could be rectified by allowing developers to create solutions by applying a single programming language on both fronts? This study is intended to examine the possibility of adopting a mutual programming language— JavaScript—to be used by both sets of developers, made possible through the emergence of Node.js, a runtime-environment allowing for the execution of JavaScript code on the server, rather than just the client. Furthermore, this study looks into the positives and negatives of full-stack JavaScript and tries to uncover whether it is within an organisation’s best interest to migrate towards it, and what are most important considerations to be made during this process. This is to be achieved by researching the matter from the perspectives of the two parties involved—technology managers and software developers. Using both qualitative and quantitative research, it is evident that the gap between professional development fronts could be rectified through the adoption of full-stack JavaScript, but the reluctance to limit an organisation to a singular programming language should not be discarded. To this end, in the presence of technical viability, the gap could still be eliminated by not only adopting Node.js but also by allowing for the use of other technologies—in conjunction with full-stack JavaScript—to supplement any shortcomings of this technology stack. In fact, doing so significantly increases the likeliness that a migration to a full-stack JavaScript aligns with an organisation’s best interest. Description: B.SC.BUS.&I.T. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50527 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50526 Title: Analysing the effectiveness of pervasive technologies adopted for health monitoring solutions Abstract: The increase in life expectancy of the average European, brings about many challenges related to health. Elderly people tend to develop more illnesses, such as the loss of cognitive abilities (dementia), as the population’s average age increases. This indicates that more people will be dependent on care and attention from relatives or caregivers. Such dependency can have several impacts on families due to added responsibilities, from a financial and emotional perspective. Our study will be focusing on Patients with Dementia (PwD) residing in a long-term care nursing home in Malta, entitled ‘St. Vincent de Paule’. Many challenges arise in care homes catering specifically for PwD, such as emotional burden and physical strain on their caregivers. Due to the symptoms that PwD suffer, such as agitation, anxiousness, aimless pacing and loss of memory, patients tend to wander haphazardly. This wandering is potentially very dangerous, as there are possibilities of patients escaping wards, ingesting inappropriate things, falling or causing severe injuries. Therefore, we will be evaluating pervasive technologies that can be adopted to capture the presence and physiological data of patients, as well as complementing the caregiver’s work and mitigating such dangers, via the logging of any patient observations, to eventually build a history. Dangers affecting PwD were identified through personal and group interviews, as well as field observation sessions. The appropriateness of adequate technologies to address these dangers was then statistically analysed. The research concludes that the participants had positive reactions to the chosen technologies, and that they can be of benefit to the identified scenarios, to mitigate dangers and help in the decision making of management. Description: B.SC.BUS.&I.T. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50526 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50522 Title: Perceptions that local ICT personnel working within the local public sector and local private sector have on cybersecurity Abstract: Through the internet, the world is becoming increasingly globalised. This is exposing Maltese businesses to criminals on a global scale. Cybercrimes are increasing at a rapid rate, and they are affecting businesses, citizens and the whole economy. This study aims to establish the perceptions that local ICT personnel working within the local public and local private sectors have on cybersecurity. This study focuses on the importance of cybersecurity while also examining the current local situation of cybersecurity. Additionally, it aims to understand the current major cybersecurity threats, identify measures that minimise these risks, and analyse emerging technologies and their effects on cybersecurity. Interviews were conducted with key participants gathered through purposive sampling. These participants included ICT personnel which work in the public and private sectors. The sample included Chief Information Officers within ministries, other public officers which are involved directly in cybersecurity and private sector personnel which work directly with information technology. Analysis of the interviews and participants’ perspectives produced some typical outcomes, and also some unexpected ones. Case in point, it was shown that participants from the private sector have experienced more cyberattacks than those who are from the public sector. With participants admitting that the overall cybersecurity awareness is low, it can be concluded that further awareness is needed. Based on the findings of this study, a number of recommendations are provided to improve the local perception of cybersecurity. Description: B.SC.BUS.&I.T. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50522 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z