Performing Hybrid Recommendation in Intermodal Transportation – the FTMarket System’s Recommendation Module

Diverse recommendation techniques have been already proposed and encapsulated into several e-business applications, aiming to perform a more accurate evaluation of the existing information and accordingly augment the assistance provided to the users involved. This paper reports on the development and integration of a recommendation module in an agent-based transportation transactions management system. The module is built according to a novel hybrid recommendation technique, which combines the advantages of collaborative filtering and knowledge-based approaches. The proposed technique and supporting module assist customers in considering in detail alternative transportation transactions that satisfy their requests, as well as in evaluating completed transactions. The related services are invoked through a software agent that constructs the appropriate knowledge rules and performs a synthesis of the recommendation policy

Description Logics Approach to Semantic Matching of Web Services

As more resources and services become available on the Web, there is a growing need for infrastructures that, based on advertised descriptions, semantically match in a peer-to-peer way providers with requesters of web services. We address the problem of matchmaking of web services from a knowledge representation perspective. Based on our approach we propose match categorization in terms of exact match, potential match – when request and offer though not identical are compatible – and partial match – when one or more inconsistency is present – and rank of matches within categories. Then we report on our implementation of the proposed matchmaking framework in a prototype system

Semantic Matchmaking as Non-Monotonic Reasoning: A Description Logic Approach

Matchmaking arises when supply and demand meet in an electronic marketplace, or when agents search for a web service to perform some task, or even when recruiting agencies match curricula and job profiles. In such open environments, the objective of a matchmaking process is to discover best available offers to a given request. We address the problem of matchmaking from a knowledge representation perspective, with a formalization based on Description Logics. We devise Concept Abduction and Concept Contraction as non-monotonic inferences in Description Logics suitable for modeling matchmaking in a logical framework, and prove some related complexity results. We also present reasonable algorithms for semantic matchmaking based on the devised inferences, and prove that they obey to some commonsense properties. Finally, we report on the implementation of the proposed matchmaking framework, which has been used both as a mediator in e-marketplaces and for semantic web services discovery

Sistema experto para la detección de operaciones sospechosas de lavado de activos en entidades financieras utilizando CommonKADS

Presenta el diseño e implementación de un sistema experto en la detección de lavado de activos basándose en la determinación del riesgo de la transacción financiera inusual y el conocimiento del cliente. Para el desarrollo del sistema se usó la metodología CommonKADS por ser un estándar de facto en la construcción de sistemas basados en conocimiento. El sistema toma como entrada los datos de las operaciones bancarias contenidas en un caso inusual reportado y los datos del cliente obteniendo, mediante el motor de inferencia, el riesgo final del caso, que permitirá concluir si se debe reportar o no como sospechosa. Las pruebas realizadas han consistido en la evaluación de 251 casos obteniendo como resultado un porcentaje de acierto del 98.81% a la cuarta iteración.Tesi

Enterprise collaborative portal for business process modelling

The business processes of manufacturing enterprises have to be dynamic, especially when highly customised products are manufactured or different projects run simultaneously. Another trend in contemporary manufacturing is the necessity for co-operation between geographically dispersed teams. This research presents a new method for modelling business processes enabling co-ordination of dynamic workflows. This thesis focuses first on Business Process Modelling (BPM) techniques and outlines the limitations of the existing methodologies. Similarly, an overview of Enterprise Collaborative Portals (ECP) is conducted and a method for collaborative authoring of dynamic workflows is discussed. Next, the thesis introduces the concept of business process models with feedback based on the Product/process (P/p) methodology. An extension to this methodology, validated through a case study, is developed to overcome some of its limitations. The performance of the proposed extension is analysed and compared with that of the Unified Modelling Language (UML) and its advantages are highlighted. The case study used to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed approach involves the development of a golf training device prototype using Rapid Prototyping technology. The proposed process modelling methodology is validated in PTC Windchill EIMS, which also serves as a platform for the implementation of the enterprise collaborative portal. The thesis also proposes a benchmarking method for business processes based on the work of Spendolini and the extended P/p methodology. Benchmarking factors are identified and the proposed benchmarking methodology is validated with an example. The benefits of the proposed benchmarking methodology are outlined. Finally, a method for modelling business processes enabling co-ordination of dynamic workflows is presented. The same case study is used to illustrate the algorithm for collaborative authoring of the business process model. As a platform for the implementation of the proposed method, an object-oriented architecture is adopted.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Conceptualisation and development of the admin-avatar taxonomy : antecedents, attitudinal and behavioural consequences

Academics and practitioners have increasingly acknowledged the significance of the consumer–brand relationship in both traditional and online contexts. However, the impersonal nature of the online environment is considered to be a hindrance in the development of the brand–consumer relationship. The literature suggests that strong relationship outcomes depend on successful relationship marketing tactics. Admin-avatar concept is a new concept -firstly emerged in this research- which can be used as a technological and marketing tactic. Admin-avatar can embody consumer-facing employees and mimic their real-life roles on companies’ websites, thereby playing a key role in enhancing the relationships between consumers and brands in the online environment. Despite the importance of this technology, very little attention has been paid to the investigation of the admin-avatar concept from a marketing perspective. Following a systematic review of the literature found in 10 major electronic databases and published between 1993 and 2013, significant gaps in literature were identified. Specifically, this research examines the nature of the admin-avatar concept, including its main characteristics, dimensions, and conditions as well as the attitudinal and behavioural consequences of admin-avatar users.Adopting the mixed methods design, a taxonomy was developed from interviews (qualitative phase) which laid the foundation for the development of the admin-avatar framework. Spiggle’s (1994) framework was adopted for the qualitative data analysis. A conceptual framework was developed and built on the theoretical foundations of reasoned action theory (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975). The admin-avatar framework was empirically tested through a series of lab-based experiments (quantitative phase). Following a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was carried out to purify the scales, determine the dimensionality of the constructs and support their convergent and discriminant validity. The context used for this study was the university admissions admin-avatar. propositions were tested using repeated measures (first experimental deign study), factorial design (second experimental deign study) and serial mediation techniques for both experimental studies. The results mostly support the taxonomy developed from the qualitative phase.This thesis contributes to the new technology in marketing and practice, specifically by: (1) providing a clear and comprehensive definition of the admin-avatar concept, (2) developing a comprehensive taxonomy of admin-avatar that enriches the area of new technology in marketing by the further investigations by applying the taxonomy to other contexts (e.g., schools, banks, retails and other commercial companies), and (3) confirming the notion that the addition of an admin-avatar will transform the consumer attitude towards the website and the brand. Furthermore, the addition of an admin-avatar will prompt consumers to engage in voluntary behaviours such as saying positive things about the organisation/brand (word of mouth) and recommending the brand and its products to other potential consumers (recommendation). In other words, adding the admin-avatar on the brand website will significantly change the attitudes of brand’s consumers. These positive attitudes will encourage consumers to do voluntary behviours for the brand. From a practical perspective, these findings offer practitioners a clearer and richer understanding of the admin-avatar, facilitating appropriate designs for admin-avatar(s). The findings of this research also give practitioners clear insights into the main advantages of the admin-avatar, such as the degree of its convenience (e.g., quickness and effortless), hedonism (excitement) and attractiveness

Enterprise collaborative portal for business process modelling

The business processes of manufacturing enterprises have to be dynamic, especially when highly customised products are manufactured or different projects run simultaneously. Another trend in contemporary manufacturing is the necessity for co-operation between geographically dispersed teams. This research presents a new method for modelling business processes enabling co-ordination of dynamic workflows. This thesis focuses first on Business Process Modelling (BPM) techniques and outlines the limitations of the existing methodologies. Similarly, an overview of Enterprise Collaborative Portals (ECP) is conducted and a method for collaborative authoring of dynamic workflows is discussed. Next, the thesis introduces the concept of business process models with feedback based on the Product/process (P/p) methodology. An extension to this methodology, validated through a case study, is developed to overcome some of its limitations. The performance of the proposed extension is analysed and compared with that of the Unified Modelling Language (UML) and its advantages are highlighted. The case study used to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed approach involves the development of a golf training device prototype using Rapid Prototyping technology. The proposed process modelling methodology is validated in PTC Windchill EIMS, which also serves as a platform for the implementation of the enterprise collaborative portal. The thesis also proposes a benchmarking method for business processes based on the work of Spendolini and the extended P/p methodology. Benchmarking factors are identified and the proposed benchmarking methodology is validated with an example. The benefits of the proposed benchmarking methodology are outlined. Finally, a method for modelling business processes enabling co-ordination of dynamic workflows is presented. The same case study is used to illustrate the algorithm for collaborative authoring of the business process model. As a platform for the implementation of the proposed method, an object-oriented architecture is adopted

Sustainable Development of Real Estate

Research, theoretical and practical tasks of sustainable real estate development process are revised in detail in this monograph; particular examples are presented as well. The concept of modern real estate development model and a developer is discussed, peculiarities of the development of built environment and real estate objects are analyzed, as well as assessment methods, models and management of real estate and investments in order to increase the object value. Theoretical and practical analyses, presented in the monograph, prove that intelligent and augmented reality technologies allow business managers to reach higher results in work quality, organize a creative team of developers, which shall present more qualitative products for the society. The edition presents knowledge on economic, legal, technological, technical, organizational, social, cultural, ethical, psychological and environmental, as well as its management aspects, which are important for the development of real estate: publicly admitted sustainable development principles, urban development and aesthetic values, territory planning, participation of society and heritage protection. It is admitted that economical crises are inevitable, and the provided methods shall help to decrease possible loss. References to the most modern world scientific literature sources are presented in the monograph. The monograph is prepared for the researchers, MSc and PhD students of construction economics and real estate development. The book may be useful for other researchers, MSc and PhD students of economics, management and other specialities, as well as business specialist of real estate business. The publication of monograph was funded by European Social Fund according to project No. VP1-2.2-ŠMM-07-K-02-060 Development and Implementation of Joint Master’s Study Programme “Sustainable Development of the Built Environment”