Reference modeling of commercial Web information systems using the Extended World Wide Web Design Technique (eW3DT)

Abstract

Due to a constantly changing environment as well as a lack of willingness to modify existing organizational structures and decision models, the full economic potential of Web information systems (WIS) has not yet been realized. A reference model as a normative concept represents an abstraction of a typical company, its functional units, or its (Web) information systems and is intended to facilitate the exploitation of this potential. The data object types of the presented meta model, the Extended World Wide Web Design Technique (eW3DT), focus on the document oriented storage layer of the Dexter Hypertext Reference Model. They provide hypertext designers with a framework and graphical notation for the construction of both reference and implementation models, during the software development process of commercial WIS. As a precondition for pursuing a partial globalization strategy, eW3DT distinguishes between technical and content specific responsibilities for designing, implementing, and maintaining WIS.