E-COMMERCE AND CYBER VULNERABILITIES IN BANGLADESH: A POLICY PAPER

E-commerce is one way among many that people buy and sell things in retail. Some companies sell products online only, but for many, e-commerce is a distribution channel that’s part of a broader strategy that includes physical stores and other revenue streams. Either way, e-commerce allows startups, small businesses, and large companies to sell their products at scale and reach customers worldwide. The growing scenario of E-commerce shapes a new dynamism in Business and offers no time-bound, cost-efficient, and hassle-free buy and sell. Following changing approach, security management in e-commerce (cyber security) is now the focus. People in Bangladesh are mostly unaware of the risks of using computing and digital devices and online platforms. This article articulated the risk factors associated with the growing reliance on digital technologies and devices. Then, some policy guidelines are prescribed for the national level and individual level, including leading social campaigns, new chapters in the school curriculum, advancing technological aptitudes of law enforcers, strengthening security systems in e-commerce, embanking sites, bringing frauds to justice, initiating law to define cybercrimes, fortifying institutional management of cyber securities

The Influences of Performance Appraisal on Teachers Professional Development: A Case Study of a Private School in Karachi, Pakistan

Development is implicit at every stage of appraisal irrespective of the approach; be it developmental (formative) or accountable (summative) (Bollington, Hopkins & West, 1993). If properly constructed and presented; the performance appraisal system can improve professional development of teachers, the management of the school, and students' learning outcomes. The focus of this study was to unpack the influences of performance appraisal on teachers' professional development. This study was conducted in one of the private schools in Karachi, Pakistan; and it involved ten participants, six appraisees, three appraisers and one reviewer. Data were collected using exploratory nature case study within the qualitative paradigm of research. Interviews and the document analysis were the major source of data collection. As a result of qualitative data analysis, the study has generated some findings related to the influence of performance appraisal on teachers' professional development. The study revealed that appraisees unanimously identified the purpose of appraisal as a summative assessment of teachers' performance for making administrative decisions such as; deciding annual increment and making teachers more accountable to school rule and regulations. The suggestions made by appraisees confirmed that the teachers did not perceive that there was a link between appraisal and the professional development of teachers. In contrast, the appraisers collectively considered performance appraisal as a tool to appreciate teachers' potentials and to identify areas for further enhancement. In addition, the findings of the study further suggest that the process of performance appraisal influences relations within teachers, and between teachers and supervisors negatively if handled in a less professional way. The findings of this study also suggest that a system of shared, informed and mutually agreed policy on performance appraisal should be developed by involving all key contributors and disseminated to all teachers to make the process clearer to all. This is also important to strengthen trust between teachers and the management of the school. The findings of this study may provide a useful insight to schools i.e. those who are in the process to introduce performance appraisal, or are reviewing their appraisal system and policies.