Enterprise Knowledge Development Research Articles

Reference model for building innovation networks in information technology

Abstract: The change in organizational processes by means of associating the new resources made available by IT (Information Technology) with the intrinsic characteristics of business-related areas embodies one of the innovation concepts. This work proposes a reference model for the formation of innovation networks focused on implementing systems that represent innovations by associating IT with the business area. The research methodology is based on an exploratory case study, composed of several analysis units, and on the organizational modeling methodology EKD (Enterprise Knowledge Development) to formulate the reference model. This research proposition contributes to systematize the formation process of collaborative alliances among the innovation agents in order to implement Information Technology-based systems.

Modelagem organizacional na gestão de contratos de obras públicas: estudo de caso na Universidade Federal do Ceará

Percebem-se, na administração pública, muitos problemas na contratação de obras e serviços, tais como: não cumprimento do objeto do contrato, atraso na entrega do produto e orçamentos executados superiores aos estimados. A pesquisa tem como objetivo apresentar uma modelagem organizacional para a gestão de contratos de obras públicas, aplicada na Universidade Federal do Ceará. O artigo apresenta como resultado os submodelos organizacionais: modelo de objetivos e regras de negócio, modelo de processo, modelo de atores e recursos desenvolvidos sob a luz da metodologia Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD). A visão sistêmica, proporcionada pelos submodelos, possibilita a melhoria dos processos e a identificação clara sobre a gestão de contratos, indicando as oportunidades de melhorias. O estudo permite estabelecer estratégias que auxiliam na identificação dos entraves na contratação pública.

Reference model for implementing ERP systems: an analytical innovation networks perspective

The process for implementing ERP systems is related with the identification of a large range of variables (organisational goals, business rules, business processes, actors, resources and specifics and unique concepts to support these variables). The main agents related to the implementation are the solution supplier, the customer company and the consulting service. If the implementation process is addressed as an organisational innovation, the question is: How to coordinate the ERP implementation resources from an innovation agents network? In order to answer this question, a reference model is proposed for the formation and management of an innovation agent’s network for ERP implementation. The research method is based on a multi-case study for identifying the requirements and to elaborate the reference model applying a modelling method the Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD). As results, the reference model in an analytical perspective of innovation networks and their drivers, enables to identify, understand and support the process of implementing ERP systems under the EKD models they are: goals; business rules; business processes; actors and resources; concepts; technical components and requirements.

Reference model for collaborative management in the automotive industry

Changes in the competitive environment require corporate restructuring, strengthening the relationship between the participants in a supply chain, implementing inter-organisational collaborative actions. Different strategies for collaborative actions render the subject relevant to researchers and managers. Integration, cooperation and partnership are essential to the success of this restructuring; the practices in this subject will be treated as Collaborative Management. The main objective is to analyse and synthesise the requirements of Collaborative Management in the automotive industry. The multicase study begins with an exploratory study to identify the theoretical elements that involve collaborative activity between companies, followed by a multiple case study in order to analyse the collaborative strategies used by companies. With the data collected a reference model will be produced using the Enterprise Knowledge Development methodology under a collaborative management approach. The data will enable the systematic and consistent representation of the collaboration between companies, helping to clarify the Collaborative role, and the integration relationship with the inter-organisational managing strategies.

Integrated model for implementation and development of knowledge management

This paper proposes an integrated model for implementation and development of knowledge management (KM) using the Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) modeling methodology. This research was based on a qualitative exploratory–descriptive design and its status is conceptual or theoretical research. The objective was achieved by developing a literature research over KM and organizational modeling. Based on this initial research, the first model version was generated, according to the procedures indicated by the EKD methodology. Subsequently, this first model version was submitted for analyses, appraisal and validation, resulting in the final model version. This model is composed of sub-models of goals, rules, concepts, processes, actors, resources, requirements and technical components providing a holistic and systemic vision of knowledge management. The model may serve as a guide for organizations that aim to implement or improve their KM activities.

Reference model for implementing an MRP system in a highly diverse component and seasonal lean production environment

Companies are currently choosing to integrate logics and systems to achieve better solutions. These combinations also include companies striving to join the logic of material requirement planning (MRP) system with the systems of lean production. The purpose of this article was to design an MRP as part of the implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) in a company that produces agricultural implements, which has used the lean production system since 1998. This proposal is based on the innovation theory, theory networks, lean production systems, ERP systems and the hybrid production systems, which use both components and MRP systems, as concepts of lean production systems. The analytical approach of innovation networks enables verification of the links and relationships among the companies and departments of the same corporation. The analysis begins with the MRP implementation project carried out in a Brazilian metallurgical company and follows through the operationalisation of the MRP project, until its production stabilisation. The main point is that the MRP system should help the company's operations with regard to its effective agility to respond in time to demand fluctuations, facilitating the creation process and controlling the branch offices in other countries that use components produced in the matrix, hence ensuring more accurate estimates of stockpiles. Consequently, it presents the enterprise knowledge development organisational modelling methodology in order to represent further models (goals, actors and resources, business rules, business process and concepts) that should be included in this MRP implementation process for the new configuration of the production system.

Um modelo de atores e recursos para redes de cooperação entre empresas em obras de edificações

As redes de cooperação entre empresas têm papel estratégico para que as empresas acessem tecnologias, informação, mercados e recursos, aumentando assim seus conhecimentos, suas experiências e obtendo economias de escala e escopo. O objetivo do artigo é propor um modelo de atores e recursos para auxiliar a formação de redes de cooperação entre empresas de construção civil em obras de edificações. Para tal finalidade, realizou-se um estudo de caso múltiplo de caráter exploratório em sete obras de edificações em diferentes estágios de execução. A modelagem organizacional foi realizada com a metodologia Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) para representar os relacionamentos interorganizacionais, as responsabilidades de cada ator envolvido e o processo de ciclo de vida da rede. Como resultado, sistematizou-se um modelo de atores e recursos para obras de edificações de modo que os potenciais gestores da rede tenham uma visão clara dos relacionamentos e responsabilidades dos atores na realização dos processos.

The structure of JIBS's social network and the relevance of intra-country variation: A typology for future research

We examine articles published in the Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS) and introduce a typology to support the relevance of intra-country variation in international business (IB). Based on social network theory, our analysis uses multidimensional scaling to study 53,203 citations from 1158 qualifying JIBS articles to determine the journal's social structure. The results indicate that three current research clusters (multinational enterprise knowledge development, foreign entry and cultural effects, and the internationalization process and national culture) are based on established IB theory. Then we respond to calls in the literature to improve research concerning intra-country variation, and propose a typology of three dimensions (social, demographic, and geographic) to study the diversity of individual, firm, and economic activity in a country. The social dimension evaluates the importance of modernist and traditionalist values, the demographic dimension proposes differences between urban and rural settings, and the geographic dimension discusses the relevance of border and interior locations. We suggest a nested typology that unifies these three dimensions for continued use in IB. Future research opportunities related to JIBS's social structure and the intra-country variation typology are recommended.

Método de avaliação do modelo de processos de negócio do Enterprise Knowledge Development

Apresenta o método de avaliação do modelo de processos de negócio do Enterprise Knowledge Development (MPN-EKD) e um exemplo de aplicação. Para criar o método de avaliação, foi desenvolvida a formalização do modelo de processos de negócio do EKD (MPN-EKD) e o mapeamento de sse modelo em redes de Petri. Por meio desse método, é possível verificar se o modelo tem erros de construção e travamentos. O EKD é uma metodologia que fornece uma forma sistemática e controlada de analisar, entender, desenvolver e documentar uma organização. A metodologia EKD não possui uma sintaxe e uma semântica bem definidas, dificultando análises mais complexas dos modelos e a verificação da consitência do modelo. Essa dificuldade motivou um estudo baseado em redes de Petri. O formalismo de redes de Petri a torna uma importante técnica de modelagem para a representação de processos. Além disso, redes de Petri permitem rastrear cada etapa da operação sem ambigüidade e possuem métodos eficientes de análise que garantem que o modelo está livre de erros.

Arquiteturas de Referência para Redes de Cooperação em Sistemas Produtivos Dinâmicos: Uma Sistematização Conceitual Baseada em EKD

The article proposes a critical Review about reference architecture, based on the methodology EKD (Enterprise Knowledge Development) for the formation of cooperation networks among companies in industry. The use of this modeling methodology provides, to those involved in the project, a clear vision of the objectives, norms and procedures involved in the network, in addition to the requirements needed for the structuring of a future information system, exploring the need for intensive exchange of information

Mapeamento do modelo de processos de negócio do EKD em redes de Petri

O EKD - Enterprise Knowledge Development - é uma metodologia que fornece uma forma sistemática e controlada de analisar, entender, desenvolver e documentar uma organização. Infelizmente não possui uma sintaxe e semântica bem definidas, dificultando análises mais complexas dos modelos. Como resultado, o modelo de processos de negócio do EKD pode ser ambíguo e de difícil análise, principalmente em sistemas mais complexos, não sendo possível verificar a consistência e completude do modelo. Neste trabalho, esses problemas serão tratados sob uma abordagem baseada em redes de Petri. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar o mapeamento do modelo de processos de negócios do EKD em redes de Petri. O mapeamento permitirá que o modelo de processos de negócios do EKD seja analisado de forma que seja possível verificar a consistência e completude do modelo.

Estrutura organizacional para a difusão da produção mais limpa: uma contribuição da metodologia seis sigma na constituição de redes intra-organizacionais

A "Produção Mais Limpa" é uma metodologia criada para aumentar a sustentabilidade ambiental das manufaturas. Devido a sua importância para o desenvolvimento sustentável, a Produção Mais Limpa foi amplamente promovida pela Organização das Nações Unidas e por diversas redes de organizações visando à difusão desta metodologia. No entanto, após mais de dez anos de atuação, estas redes para a difusão da Produção Mais Limpa têm se confrontado com significativas e recorrentes barreiras organizacionais que limitam seu desempenho. Utilizando-se do referencial teórico de "organizações em rede" no contexto da inovação, este artigo se baseia num aprofundado estudo de caso sobre uma estrutura organizacional em rede dentro de uma empresa multinacional que opera dezenas de manufaturas em diversos países. Esta empresa triplicou o desempenho ambiental em toneladas de poluição prevenidas e multiplicou em oito vezes o número de projetos de Produção Mais Limpa bem sucedidos, após ter implementado uma estrutura organizacional em rede para aumentar sua capacidade de gerenciar projetos para a melhoria de processos. Para explicar os motivos de tal aumento de desempenho ambiental, o artigo utiliza a metodologia de modelagem organizacional Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) para descrever as interações entre os objetivos, regras e processos do Programa de Produção Mais Limpa desta corporação, assim como as suas estruturas de relacionamento entre os atores que viabilizaram a integração das competências necessárias para a geração de uma maior capacidade de inovação ambientalmente sustentável nas manufaturas.

Incorporating privacy requirements into the system design process

PurposeTo present a new methodology for incorporating privacy requirements into the system design process called PriS, and describe its applicability in the e‐VOTE system for presenting methodology's way‐of‐working.Design/methodology/approachPriS is a requirement engineering methodology focused on privacy issues. It provides a set of concepts for modelling privacy requirements (anonymity, pseudonymity, unlinkability and unobservability) in the organisation domain and a systematic way‐of‐working for translating these requirements into system models. The conceptual model used in PriS is based on the Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) framework. PriS models privacy requirements as a special type of goal.FindingsBased on the analysis of a number of well‐known privacy‐enhancing technologies as well as of existing security requirement engineering methodologies, this paper pinpoints the gap between system design methodologies and technological solutions. To this end, PriS is suggested, with a view to providing a methodological framework for matching privacy‐related requirements with the proper implementation techniques.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a new methodology for addressing privacy requirements during the design process. It guides developers to choose the most appropriate implementation techniques for realising the identified privacy issues. PriS methodology has a high degree of applicability on Internet systems that wish to provide services that ensure users privacy, such as anonymous browsing, untraceable transactions, etc.

EbXML-compatible data models and services for enterprise knowledge distribution in the collaboration network

In the e-commerce and collaborative commerce environment, the information technologies and internet have been widely used to support efficient information, document, and knowledge flow. In the knowledge-oriented era, one of the typical issues for collaborative commerce is to systematically extract, integrate and distribute knowledge within the collaboration network. That is, applicable data models are required to efficiently conduct knowledge creation, authority management, process control and knowledge distribution. This research focuses on the establishment of ebXML-based data models to support enterprise knowledge construction, validation and distribution. In order to facilitate the knowledge provision and collaborative commerce applications, this research also develops a knowledge validation, management and distribution prototype system to support construction of the enterprise knowledge centre or development of the knowledge service network.

A decision-making pattern for guiding the enterprise knowledge development process

During enterprise knowledge development in any organisation, developers and stakeholders are faced with situations that require them to make decisions in order to reach their intentions. To help the decision-making process, guidance is required. Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) is a method offering a guided knowledge development process. The guidance provided by the EKD method is based on a decision-making pattern promoting a situation and intention oriented view of enterprise knowledge development processes. The pattern is iteratively repeated through the EKD process using different types of guiding knowledge. Consequently, the EKD process is systematically guided. The presentation of the decision-making pattern is the purpose of this paper.

Enterprise knowledge development: the process view

Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) is a method for reasoning on change in organisations. It tackles different aspects of organisations: who does what, how and why. Applying EKD is an iterative, non-linear and guided process. Guidance is based on a decision making pattern that promotes a situation and decision-oriented view. The claim is that EKD engineers are repeatedly faced with situations that need them to make decisions. Thanks to the use of the decision making pattern together with domain specific, EKD specific or generic knowledge, the EKD process systematically provides guidance. Generic guidance is the default option that includes the co-operative aspects of decision making.