Multiparty Session Actors

Actor coordination armoured with a suitable protocol description language has been a pressing problem in the actors community. We study the applicability of multiparty session type (MPST) protocols for verification of actor programs. We incorporate sessions to actors by introducing minimum additions to the model such as the notion of actor roles and protocol mailbox. The framework uses Scribble, which is a protocol description language based on multiparty session types. Our programming model supports actor-like syntax and runtime verification mechanism guaranteeing type-safety and progress of the communicating entities. An actor can implement multiple roles in a similar way as an object can implement multiple interfaces. Multiple roles allow for inter-concurrency in a single actor still preserving its progress property. We demonstrate our framework by designing and implementing a session actor library in Python and its runtime verification mechanism.Comment: In Proceedings PLACES 2014, arXiv:1406.331

Multi-Party Coordination in the Context of MOWS

Separation of concerns has been presented as a promising tool to tackle the design of complex systems in which cross-cutting properties that do not fit into the scope of a class must be satisfied. In this paper, we show that interactions amongst a number of objects can also be described separately from functionality, which enhances reusability of functional code and interaction patterns. We present our proposal in the context of Multi-Qrganisational Web-Based Systems (MOWS) and also present a framework that provides the infrastructure needed to implement multiparty coordination as an independent aspect

Collaborative Public Management: Coordinated Value Propositions among Public Service Organisations

Drawing from collaborative public management, this article seeks to contribute to public service logic by focusing on what precedes the public service user’s realization of value: the value proposition. A new care model for elderly people with multiple chronic diseases shows that coordinators with an inter-organizational mission, vertical and horizontal supporting structures, trust established through relationships, and recognition of service systems’ embeddedness in social systems are pivotal for the ability of public service organizations to develop coordinated value propositions. The contribution to policy and practice is an increased understanding of a coherent, rather than fragmented, welfare system for users/citizens

Model-based provisioning and management of adaptive distributed communication in mobile cooperative systems

Adaptation of communication is required to maintain the reliable connection and to ensure the minimum quality in collaborative activities. Within the framework of wireless environment, how can host entities be handled in the event of a sudden unexpected change in communication and reliable sources? This challenging issue is addressed in the context of Emergency rescue system carried out by mobile devices and robots during calamities or disaster. For this kind of scenario, this book proposes an adaptive middleware to support reconfigurable, reliable group communications. Here, the system structure has been viewed at two different states, a control center with high processing power and uninterrupted energy level is responsible for global task and entities like autonomous robots and firemen owning smart devices act locally in the mission. Adaptation at control center is handled by semantic modeling whereas at local entities, it is managed by a software module called communication agent (CA). Modeling follows the well-known SWRL instructions which establish the degree of importance of each communication link or component. Providing generic and scalable solutions for automated self-configuration is driven by rule-based reconfiguration policies. To perform dynamically in changing environment, a trigger mechanism should force this model to take an adaptive action in order to accomplish a certain task, for example, the group chosen in the beginning of a mission need not be the same one during the whole mission. Local entity adaptive mechanisms are handled by CA that manages internal service APIs to configure, set up, and monitors communication services and manages the internal resources to satisfy telecom service requirements

Comparing Three Coordination Models: Reo, ARC, and RRD

Abstract Three models of coordination-Reo, Actors-Roles-Coordinators (ARC), and Reflective Russian Dolls (RRD)-are compared and contrasted according to a set of coordination features. Mappings between their semantic models are defined. Use of the models is illustrated by a small case study

Organic Food for Youth in Public Settings: Potentials and Challenges. Preliminary Recommendations from a European Study

This report contains presentations from the four explorative work packages in iPOPY. The iPOPY project – innovative Public Organic food Procurement for Youth – is one of eight transnational research programs initiated by the 11 European countries participating in the CORE Organic I funding body network. iPOPY aims at increasing the consumption of organic food among young people, especially in school meal settings but also elsewhere, e.g. at music festivals. We work towards this goal by studying how organic food as well as the organic concept in general has been introduced in public food serving settings in various countries, and what may be the most promising approaches. Italy, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Germany are the countries being studied. The iPOPY work packages explore policy issues, supply chain organization and the impact of certification, the users’ perceptions and participation in the food system, and the health impacts of organic food implementation. By June 2010, iPOPY will be completed. Hence, this report is linked to the last iPOPY seminar arranged during the BioFach Trade Fair in Nuremberg, Germany. We arranged similar seminars also in 2008 and 2009. These seminars presented the situation with respect to organic school meals in many different European countries (2008) and in more detail in iPOPY countries as well as some relevant cases (2009). Proceedings are available from the 2009 seminar (Nölting et al 2009), and all presentations from the 2008 seminar are found on the iPOPY website, www.ipopy.coreportal.org. In the seminar in 2010, we will draw a link from iPOPY results to the municipality of Nuremberg, which has ambitious aims as to becoming an Organic Model City (BioModellstadt). This includes far reaching goals for the share of organic and regional food served in public schools and kindergartens. Further, the project results will be linked to the general situation for school meals in Europe. For this presentation, no written paper is available, but we will present the slides on the website. From the project we present preliminary recommendations and conclusions from the four explorative work packages

The impact of central government steering and local network dynamics on the performance of mandated service delivery networks: the case of the Primary Health Care networks in Flanders

This paper focuses on the impact of central – local relations on the performance of local service delivery networks set up by central government. Analyzing network literature leaves us with some questions about the impact of coordination strategies of central government as a possible determinant of network-level effectiveness for this type of network and the possible interaction between central government coordination (as part of the network context) and internal network dynamics and the combined effects hereof on the effectiveness of mandated service delivery networks in particular. Our analysis shows that both levels are important to explain the outcomes of the Primary Health Care networks in Flanders. Our study also leads to some important observations about the meaning of ‘central government coordination’ in this context

Developing System-Level Capacity to Support Local Instructional Reform: The Case of One Large-Scale School Improvement Initiative.

In this era of accountability-driven, standards-based education policy, learning to develop system-level leadership capacity to prepare schools for instructional reform is imperative in advancing school improvement work. The investigation of school improvement networks increases awareness of how network-based consultants can facilitate the implementation of instructional practices in local contexts. Understanding how these consultants operate and which competencies are beneficial to their enactment of the role informs the field about building local capacity for instructional improvement. This case study of one large-scale school improvement initiative examines the organizational designs for the practice and guidance of network-based consultants, the interpretation and enactment of their role, and the initiative’s continual improvement process vis-à-vis the design and support for this work. This study comprises data gathered through observations, interviews, and documents. The analysis of these data draws on Feldman & Pentland’s (2003) ostensive and performative aspects of organizational routines. The ostensive defines what, ideally, the routine comprises; the performative is the execution of the routine in context (Feldman & Pentland, 2003). Spillane (2005) broadened these concepts beyond routines, noting that “ostensive and performative distinctions can be applied to other aspects of the situation, including structures and tools” (Spillane, 2005, p. 148). Following suit, I expand the ostensive and performative dichotomy to the designs for, and guidance of, practice. Through this analysis, I identified the most highly privileged functions of this consultant role as the organization and co-facilitation of local implementation teams and effective communication. Extending this finding, the most highly favored competencies for coordinators are communication, interpersonal skills, and content knowledge. These results reflect an emphasis on building the capacity of local districts to implement and sustain the improvement model within their contexts. The most highly privileged modes of guidance emerging from this analysis are interactive, human resources that allow for real-time, individualized support. Additionally, I expose challenges that the initiative faces due to the lack of an organized system for continuous improvement, and I suggest ways for the organization to be more deliberate and efficient in gathering and using feedback to improve the design and guidance of the consultant role.PhDEducational StudiesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116661/1/jmrachko_1.pd

The Sensemaking Experience of Newly Appointed District Teacher Leader Coordinators: A Case Study

In an effort to address diverse needs in K-12 education, policymakers have proposed initiatives to increase the leadership opportunities for classroom teachers. Although teachers have undertaken leadership roles in schools throughout history, the notion of teacher leadership spurred by policy is in the emergent stages. As educators and leaders in various roles implement teacher leadership policy, learning must ensue at both an individual and collective level to adapt schools to a new model of leadership. This study examined how district-level teacher leader coordinators in one Iowa region came to understand their role as leaders. A case study approach illuminated the experience of these individuals as Iowa teacher leadership policy was initially implemented. Data were collected through the use of interviews, observations, and document reviews. Participants included district-level teacher leader coordinators and regional leaders supporting teacher leadership to gain insights from multiple levels of policy implementation. The findings of this study identified themes for sensemaking and leading within the teacher leader coordinator’s role. The study revealed that coordinators were guided in learning their new teacher leadership roles through both formal policy guidance and informal interactions with leaders and peers. Coordinators enacted their leadership roles in a bridge building capacity, linking other teacher leaders to resources and modeling leadership processes and actions