SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW

Information Technology is nothing new today; we see new inventions and modifications hitting shelf every day.
Information technology is wide field encompassing software and hardware, the field initiated several decades ago,
however commercially the concept was available from early 1960’s . This report covers software aspect of
information technology and further studies Human resource and its importance in the software industry

Human resource is an integral part of any organization as it provides extra advantage through creativity and
efficiency. The software industry is no different; in fact it is more dependants on creative intelligence of individuals
than any other industry.

Software industry from its inception in early 60’s, faced rapid multifold change and growth throughout decades, and
is now considered as one of the most important and bankable industries of the world, with software industry
revenues in 2008 exceeding 190 Billion dollars.

Initially software was dependant on highly complicated and complex hardware which was not manufactured
commercially, however with the advent of PC’s in the early 1980’s software and hardware was available for
commercial and private use. Software industry then started to find commercial requirement in banks hospitals and
various corporate sectors.

Industry utilizes Software Engineers and developers skills and abilities and the level of creative input it can bring in to
the software development process. The software development process is a step by step procedure that initiates
from development of idea/concept and follows designing and programming steps, than it is tested and finally
deployed to the end user/customer or sold commercially.

Success of software depends upon the creative talents of Software Engineer and Developer. Software development
requires sound technical knowledge and information from employees that is why for majority of the jobs not less
than a bachelor degree is required. A software professional should be well versed in mathematics and engineering
concepts. Software programming revolves around programming languages; currently Java, C# and SQL are amongst
the top choices for programmers and developers around the world.

Software education is very critical and it is important that curriculum designed is according to the current market
and industry demand, since software is a very dynamic and ever changing industry. It is important and critical to
understand that Software studies are but not limited to computer only, a software graduate should be practical and
creative; he must have strong business understanding and problem solving approach.

Standardization is very important in the development of software curriculum, therefore around the world in
different countries various bodies, organizations exist that design and authorize software curriculum. Example of this
can be Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), QAA conducts internal and external reviews to identify how well
universities are fulfilling their responsibilities and meeting the required criteria, QAA also develops and regulates
benchmark requirements for computer science degrees in UK. Similarly British Computer Society (BCS), the main
objective of BCS is to promote and initiate ICT development in UK, and to facilitate access of Information Technology
to entire UK. BCS also regulates and develops ICT regulation and all associated computer science fields in UK. BCS is
the only body in the UK that is legally authorized to award status of Chartered IT professionals (CITP).
Over the years software Industry has become a truly globalized industry with various countries contributing to its
growth. Underdeveloped countries like India, China and Brazil have also found there niche in this industry, over the
years these countries have utilized this human resource intensive industry and worked upon developed low cost
outsourced product for there clients in UK and USA, below major initiatives that led to Software industry
development have been highlighted country wise,

India

 Foreign companies were allowed to establish fully owned business units.

 Assigning status of Industry by the government (this opened door for financing).
 Tax exemption on Income from Exports in software and related sector
 Export Subsidies 60% on Hardware and Software.
 Duty Free import of hardware directly use for developing software developed for export purposes
 Many software giants such as HP, Texas Instruments and Microsoft opened their corporate offices and
further expanded.
 The Government of India laid foundation of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in major technology
intensive cities of India.
 From 1980’s onwards a lot of engineering universities opened computer science departments and by early
2000, thousands of institutes and many universities were established in India.

China

 Promoting local development of software.

 Financing facilities with subsidized interest rates for Small medium enterprises
 Use of local software and hardware products for Government and its allied organizations, Govt of China is
the biggest customer of Chinese software industry.
 Tax exemption on Research based software activities and working.
 Tax exemption on income from transfer or development of new technology
 Subsidies on import duties and taxes for import of latest technology equipment
 Investment of 100 billion dollars in infrastructure for software sector.
 Growth in industry is primarily based on domestic sales (90%).

Brazil

 Formulation of Research and Development program for IT in early 1990’s

 Foreign investment was allowed in Brazil industry, increasing competition and reducing price.
 Introduction of Informatics Law with effect from 1993 provided financial support to companies producing
good locally having at least 5% R&D expenditure.
 Since, 1996 the Ministry of Science and Technology has provided financial support to as many as 600
Brazilians to obtain PhD’s in IT under Softex Program

Thailand

 Development of bodies such as:

 o Thailand’s ministry of Information and Communication Technology – has developed 2002-2006
strategic ICT and software development plan for Thailand, and is continuously working for the
economic development and expansion of this sector.
o The National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)
o The National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTECH)
o Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) – focuses in development of industrial development of
technology.
 Development of Software Technology Parks in Thailand, they provide consultation, trainings, as well as
arrange seminars. In addition they also provide basis infrastructure facilities

The trend of outsourcing emerged to provide business advantage to organizations through cutting the business
expenditures. The idea is to focus on core activities and outsource rest of the operations to third world countries in
order to save labor cost. All the major countries like United States and Great Britain are opting for this mechanism
and are outsourcing various business functions to third world countries such as India, China, Brazil and Thailand. Due
to this trend the software industries of underdeveloped countries have seen rapid growth. China has changed its
focus from hardware development to software development and its government is showing a lot of interest in
developing it, but it is the $60 billion worth of India’s IT industry that has captured the world’s attention. The major
advantage of India’s software industry over China is the benefit of language and easy interaction to the software
market around the world.

The impact of software outsourcing is very positive on the underdeveloped countries as it provides employment
opportunities and improves the economy. The major outsourcing business activity is Call Centre which is used to
assist customers and is very essential for providing value to customers. India is market leader in this domain as it has
language privilege over China and Brazil. Another outsourcing activity that is gaining a lot of attention is software
coding. In this domain, India again has major advantage over other countries as its government is very supportive in
this field and the level of Indian programmers is very good. India not only produces creative programmers it also
produces them in huge quantities as education is much cheaper there than the developed countries. Also, being part
of third world country their salary level is quite lower than the programmers of developed countries which work as
an added advantage for them.

The research and development centers are also being outsourced to underdeveloped countries and major software
giant such as Microsoft is establishing its R&D Centre IN China. Now it is up to the government of Libya to apply
these mechanisms for the development of its software industry as it is evident that outsourcing phenomenon is
growing day by day.

Libya, being under the Leadership of Moammar- Al- Gaddafi since last four decades is living in isolation due to the
imposed sanctions by UN and USA. It is just recently the ban has lifted and country is trying to stabilize itself through
trade agreements with Italy and bilateral relations with European Union. The country has nil production in
agriculture field but is blessed with the fortune of oil and is a Oil based wealthy nation. Although, country is
currently facing 25% unemployment rate that shows that wealth is not divided equally.

The Libyan government is very unsupportive when it comes to foreign investment and that is why people are not
provided with employment opportunities like other developing countries. However, after the removal of ban the
government realized the importance of trade relations and a rise in foreign investment has incurred due to the
bilateral trade with Germany, Italy and Spain. The government is also trying to promote tourism but due to the
previous sanctions Libya is not considered as a favorable tourist destination. However, government is trying to
change its image by investing heavily in renovation of Hotels, Airports and Historical sites. Also visits from famous
leader such as Tony Blair is adding positive outlook to the country and many companies such as Shell and Exxon
Mobil have restarted their business activities in Libya.

Libyan government is very keen in providing education to all Libyans till university level for free. Government has
established schools not only at cities but at small towns and tribes as well and that is why the country has literacy
rate of 80%. Currently Libya has 84 universities but the level of teachers is not up to the mark due to lack of
exposure to technological advancement. However, government is taking important steps to improve the scenario
like providing scholarships to students to study in foreign developed countries and by funding various international
institutes in Libya. The aim of government is to develop qualified workforce that is competent with the workforce of
developed countries. However, private education is not allowed in Libya and that limits teachers to gain
international exposure.

All the major departments in Libya are under the influence of Moammar- Al – Qadhafi and education system is no
exception. The higher education of Libya is governed by People’s Committee Of Higher Education (PCOHE) whose
main objectives are to provide free education, develop infrastructure and standard curriculum and to standardized
all education in Arabic. PCOHE is also responsible for budgeting and internal administration of universities as well. A
subdivision of PCOHE was formed under the name of National Authority for Scientific Research (NASR) in 2004 to
technologically advance the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The NASR is sponsored and
guided by UNESCO with the aim of expanding telecommunication sector, implementing modern technology in all
technical institutes and to encourage research for business opportunities in Libya.

The underdeveloped infrastructure and lack of exposure to latest technologies has created problems for all
industrial sectors of Libya. Libyan software industry is also facing major problems as due to lack of exposure
software studies in initiated on self learning basis. The telecommunication sector is also very limited and is based on
small stature that is unable to meet the needs of software industry. Only one internet service provider (ISP) is
available in Libya and is very expensive as well. The industry initiated in late 90’s on a very small scale to cater local
demand and simple software was developed based on C language. The major software organizations are based on
Tripoli. The software offered was mainly data management and business software and were aim towards small and
medium level organizations.

Currently a lot of African and international telecommunication and software companies are operating in Libya such
as GeoTronics, Applied Technology and FARES but the industry still has a lot of way to go. The industry is mainly
focusing on software coding and network solutions but the phenomenon of Call Centre is also emerging . Human
resource of software industry is currently quite inexperienced due to the initial stage of industry and most of the
employees are fresh graduates. Many of them are not even fully qualified as Libyan education system is not up to
the mark with the rest of the world as students are not taught latest languages such as JAVA and SQL and are not
exposed to latest technologies.
 HYPOTHESIS

1. Competency level of work force has a direct impact on the progress of the software industry (A)

2. Existing Human Resource and students are incapable of developing Software Industry in Libya (B)

In the below questionnaire for students I have at the end mentioned the hypothesis the question pertains
to, as per my working (B) will cover students and software professionals and (A) will cover software
industry. In the summary I have linked the part from which we have developed questionnaire. Kindly
check and let me know.
 Questionnaire for Students

Name (Optional): ________________________________________

Gender: ________________________________________
Institute: ________________________________________

1. DEMOGRAPHICS:
a. Which part of Libya do you belong to? (B)
b. Why are you living in Tripoli? (B )

a. _____________________________________
b. _____________________________________

2. Which degree of Information Technology (IT) are you currently enrolled in? (B )

□ Certification
□ Diploma
□ Bachelors
□ Masters
□ Other (please specify)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

3. Which year of your IT program are you currently in? (A)

□ First
□ Second
□ Third
□ Fourth
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

4. In which University/institute you are currently studying, please also descried briefly about your
University/institute (Courses offered etc):
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

5. What are your areas of interests in this field? (A)

 □ Software development/ programming
□ Database management
□ Web development
□ Graphics
□ Software Project Management SPM)
□ Not decided
□ Other (please specify)
___________________________________________________________________

6. Do you have state-of-the-art hardware/ software in your institute? (A)

□ Yes
□ No
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

7. What Languages/Softwares have you studied? (B)

□ Java
□ C#
□ SQL
□ Other ___________

8. Does your institute provide you the opportunity of hands-on training? (B)

□ Yes
□ No
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

9. How will you rate the education level of your institute? (C )

Highly satisfactory Satisfactory Neutral Unsatisfactory Highly unsatisfactory

10. How will you rate the ‘Teaching Methodology’ of your teachers? (C )

Highly satisfactory Satisfactory Neutral Unsatisfactory Highly unsatisfactory

11. How will you rate the ‘Technical Knowledge’ of your teachers? (C )
 Highly satisfactory Satisfactory Neutral Unsatisfactory Highly unsatisfactory

12. Are you satisfied with Software Technology Curriculum offered in Libya and developed by People’s
Committee of Higher Education (PCOHE) and National Authority for Scientific Research (NASR)? (C )

□ Yes – Go to Q13
□ No – Go to Q14

13. How do you rate the current curriculum at your place of study ? (C ) change it to (B)

□ Excellent
□ Good
□ Average
□ Bad
□ Poor

14. According to you what are the limitations of current curriculum? (C ) change it to (B)

□ Outdated Courses
□ Lack of Qualified teachers
□ Absence of Practical Assignments
□ Other _____________________

15. How will you rate the ‘awareness about latest global technology/ developments in the industry’ of your
teachers? (C )

Highly satisfactory Satisfactory Neutral Unsatisfactory Highly unsatisfactory

16. Which of the following do you think meets closest with your objective of joining this field? (A)

□ Personal interest in the field

□ Higher number of jobs/ easier job availability in the local market
□ Higher number of jobs/ easier job availability in the global market
□ Promising career growth/ path
□ Highly paid jobs
□ Social pressure
□ Importance of software industry in the economic growth of a country
□ Did not have any other option
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
17. If given an opportunity, will you move abroad to further your career path or you will stay in Libya and
work on the development of the software industry of the country? (A)

□ I will stay in Libya

□ I will move abroad, if given the opportunity
□ I haven’t decided
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

18. In your opinion, how important is the role of software industry in the economic growth of a country? (C )
change it to (B)
Extremely important Important Not-so-important Not-at-all important

19. In your opinion, what is the current status of the software industry in Libya? (C ) change it to (B)
Highly satisfactory Satisfactory Neutral Unsatisfactory Highly unsatisfactory

20. In your opinion, what is the most important reason for slow development of software industry in Libya
(you can choose up-to 3 reasons)? (C ) change it to (B)

□ Language barrier
□ Lack of technical educational institutes
□ Lack of trained workforce
□ No/ limited support from the Government
□ Lack of economic resources
□ Poor/ unsatisfactory infrastructure/ social development
□ Lack of local demand of software/ technology
□ No/ low foreign investment
□ I think the development of software industry in Libya is satisfactory
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

21. Please give suggestions on how in your opinion, the software industry in Libya can be developed to match
with other global giants. (C )/ (B)
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________
Questionnaire for Employees/Employers

Name (Optional): ________________________________________

Gender: ________________________________________
Company: ________________________________________

1. DEMOGRAPHICS:
a. Which part of Libya do you belong to? (C )
b. Why are you living in Tripoli? (C )

c. _____________________________________
d. _____________________________________

2. What is your qualification? (A)

□ Certification – Please Specify _________________

□ Diploma
□ Bachelors
o Computer Engineering
o Computer Software Programming
o Engineering Other
□ Masters
o Computer Engineering
o Computer Software Programming
o Engineering Other
□ Other (please specify)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

3. How many years of experience you have in this industry? (A)

0 – 1 years 2 – 3 years 4 – 5 years 6 – 8 years Above 10 years

4. What is your area of specialization? (A )

□ Software development/ programming

□ Database management
□ Web development
□ Graphics
□ Software Project Management SPM)
□ No specific area or role assigned
□ Other (please specify)
___________________________________________________________________
5. How will you classify yourself? And please describe why? (A/B)

□ Software Developer
□ Software Engineer
□ Project Manager
□ Trainee
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

6. What Languages/Softwares do you work? (please mark 1, 2 3 with one most and 3 least) (B )

□ Java
□ C#
□ SQL
□ Other ___________

7. What is the nature of work you mostly do in your company? (B)

□ Developing new software products

□ Making replicas of existing licensed software
□ Developing product as per local market needs
□ Providing maintenance to clients on contract basis.
□ Searching for work
□ Call center
□ Web designing
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

8. How do you rate your self in using the following? (Please choose area pertaining to you and write 1 to 5,
with 5 shows you best and 1 shows you are not capable) (A)

□ Java
□ C#
□ SQL
□ Oracle
□ Php
□ Other __________
9. According to you what are the basic academic requirements of working in the Libya software industry?
Please select maximum of Two options? (A/B)

□ Have to be an Engineer
□ Must have sound knowledge of (You can select from sub options as well)
o Java
o C#
o SQL
□ Should be a certified professional
□ Foreign Qualified
□ Should have a very creative mindset
□ Libyan University Computer Science Graduate s are well qualified to do jobs.

10. Since you are well experienced in this industry, Please refer to standard Academic Curriculum for Libyan
Computer Science graduates attached for you? Do you think the current curriculum is up to date with
standard Software Industry requirements? (C ) change it to (B)

□ Yes
□ No
□ Needs slight changes, following subjects should be added
o ____________________
o ____________________
o ____________________
o ____________________
o ____________________

11. What do you think of current workforce in Libyan Software Industry? (A)

□ Not qualified
□ Lacks practical exposure
□ Lacks basic knowledge
□ Non professional
□ Is not qualified to take professional assignments
□ Very talented but require exposure
□ Very competitive
□ Have a very professional attitude
□ Lack professional attitude

12. Are you satisfied with Role of People’s Committee of Higher Education (PCOHE) in ICT development of
Libya? (C )

□ Yes
□ No
□ Needs Improvement
o ____________________
o ____________________
o ____________________
 o ____________________
o ____________________

13. What factors hinder growth of Software Industry in Libya? (C )

□ Growth rate is OK
□ Lack of Qualified Human Resource
□ Ban on Exports
□ Lack of Foreign exposure
□ Absence of Telecommunication/Internet setup in Libya
□ Lack of Business Opportunities/ no work available in Local market
□ Government Restrictions in Foreign Investment
□ Lack of Support from Government
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

14. According to you, what is the role of government in this (YOUR ) sector? (C ) CHANGE IT TO (B)

□ No support
□ Very Supportive
□ Have no idea

15. What actions should be undertaken by Government for ICT and Software Industry development in Libya?
With emphasis on Human Resource development? (A/C) CHANGE IT TO A/B)

□ Develop infrastructure for Telecommunications and Internet

□ Give the status of ‘Industry’ to Software Sector
□ Reduce import and export barriers to trade for software sector
□ Tax exemptions for the software sector
□ Promote and attract foreign investment in this sector
□ Investment in development Universities that provide latest equipment
□ Revise the current software studies curriculum in line with international standards
□ Introduce computerization in Government department and become customer of Software sector.
□ Develop a Software Development committee/board
□ Develop Software Technology Parks
□ Encourage Foreign scholarships in the software sector to promote interest in general public
□ Other please specify
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

16. In your opinion, how important is the role of software industry in the economic growth of a country? (C )
CHANGE IT TO (B)
 Extremely important Important Not-so-important Not-at-all important

17. In your opinion, which of the following is the most successful factor in the development of software
industry for a developing country? (C ) CHANGE IT TO (B)

□ Training workforce in-line with global standards/ technology

□ Creating local demand of software through computerizing of state-run departments
□ Developing low-cost copies of imported software
□ Developing export base with quality software development in line with global needs
□ Outsourcing technology
□ Development of Information Technology Parks
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

18. Developing countries like India, China, Thailand and Brazil are taking advantage of ‘Outsourcing’ in the
software industry, which has resulted in a boom in the said industry in these countries. In your opinion,
can this methodology help Libya’s software industry to grow? (C )

□ Yes
□ No
□ Other (please elaborate)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

19. Based on your knowledge, which developing country out of the following has the most successful business
model in the software industry: (A)

□ India
□ China
□ Brazil
□ Thailand
□ Libya working model is OK
□ I don’t know
□ Other (please specify)
a. __________________________________
b. __________________________________
c. __________________________________
TAKE BOTH OF THEM OFF AND PUT THE QUATION THAT SCAND ON THE EMAIL

20. Please give suggestions on how in your opinion, the software industry in Libya can be developed to match
with other global giants. (B)
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________