Model-based evaluation environment for sustainability

Nowadays, many companies are using enterprise models within an enterprise planning system to develop their business strategy. In order to follow a holistic sustainability approach, environmental, economic and social aspects have to be integrated into these models on a strategic, tactical and operational level. This results in an increased model complexity and requires mechanisms to ensure consistency and efficient model management. Furthermore, the user is confronted with a variety of data and is not able to perform model validation and verification as well as using the enterprise model as a tool for operational support. This paper presents an approach of a model-based evaluation environment by extending enterprise models with sustainability artefacts, to empower the users within their decision-making towards a sustainable enterprise orientation. A framework for contextual enterprise modelling is applied to provide configurable individual model evaluation and application views

Model-based evaluation environment for sustainability

Nowadays, many companies are using enterprise models within an enterprise planning system to develop their business strategy. In order to follow a holistic sustainability approach, environmental, economic and social aspects have to be integrated into these models on a strategic, tactical and operational level. This results in an increased model complexity and requires mechanisms to ensure consistency and efficient model management. Furthermore, the user is confronted with a variety of data and is not able to perform model validation and verification as well as using the enterprise model as a tool for operational support. This paper presents an approach of a model-based evaluation environment by extending enterprise models with sustainability artefacts, to empower the users within their decision-making towards a sustainable enterprise orientation. A framework for contextual enterprise modelling is applied to provide configurable individual model evaluation and application views

Introducing argumentative and discursive enterprise leading and management

Leading an enterprise requires, obviously, decision making. However, these decisions require explanations in order to make it possible for stakeholders to get an understanding about the enterprise's strategic direction. This is even more important when these stakeholders are in charge to transpose such strategic decision into their tactical or operational work. Enterprise modelling may be capable of depicting strategies per se, but it is rather a vessel of communication than of explanation. Whilst, a strategy may be accordingly modelled, those who receive such a model needs to purposeful interpret and successfully implement it. However, without any insights, justifications or references that go beyond the claim of a model, it is dificult to embrace the theory of the actual modeller. Therefore, in this paper argumentative modelling will be specifically applied to the domain of strategic management. Moreover it will be elucidated how modelled strategic arguments can be used as a basis for enterprise architecture alignment and management. As it will be shown in the paper, the application of argumentative modelling overcomes classical restrictions and makes it possible to support a discourse, which can be later on used as an explanation for the intentions of the modeller

Simulation modelling and strategic change : creating the sustainable enterprise

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Benchmarking performance management systems

The Balanced Scorecard and associated performance management approaches, has become a widely practiced and popular management reporting method in recent times. Moreover, enabling technology, which assists in the delivery and personalisation of corporate performance information, is having a deeper and more rapid impact than ever before. This paper presents a brief comparative benchmarking study of leading enterprise performance management systems. Also, the author discusses the merits of bespoke internet technology development and out-of-the-box portal functionalities. An analysis of key business drivers and implementation risks of such approaches is highlighted via a case study example, and concludes the paper

Advanced Techniques for Assets Maintenance Management

16th IFAC Symposium on Information Control Problems in Manufacturing INCOM 2018 Bergamo, Italy, 11–13 June 2018. Edited by Marco Macchi, László Monostori, Roberto PintoThe aim of this paper is to remark the importance of new and advanced techniques supporting decision making in different business processes for maintenance and assets management, as well as the basic need of adopting a certain management framework with a clear processes map and the corresponding IT supporting systems. Framework processes and systems will be the key fundamental enablers for success and for continuous improvement. The suggested framework will help to define and improve business policies and work procedures for the assets operation and maintenance along their life cycle. The following sections present some achievements on this focus, proposing finally possible future lines for a research agenda within this field of assets management

The integrated use of enterprise and system dynamics modelling techniques in support of business decisions

Enterprise modelling techniques support business process re-engineering by capturing existing processes and based on perceived outputs, support the design of future process models capable of meeting enterprise requirements. System dynamics modelling tools on the other hand are used extensively for policy analysis and modelling aspects of dynamics which impact on businesses. In this paper, the use of enterprise and system dynamics modelling techniques has been integrated to facilitate qualitative and quantitative reasoning about the structures and behaviours of processes and resource systems used by a Manufacturing Enterprise during the production of composite bearings. The case study testing reported has led to the specification of a new modelling methodology for analysing and managing dynamics and complexities in production systems. This methodology is based on a systematic transformation process, which synergises the use of a selection of public domain enterprise modelling, causal loop and continuous simulationmodelling techniques. The success of the modelling process defined relies on the creation of useful CIMOSA process models which are then converted to causal loops. The causal loop models are then structured and translated to equivalent dynamic simulation models using the proprietary continuous simulation modelling tool iThink

Integration of decision support systems to improve decision support performance

Decision support system (DSS) is a well-established research and development area. Traditional isolated, stand-alone DSS has been recently facing new challenges. In order to improve the performance of DSS to meet the challenges, research has been actively carried out to develop integrated decision support systems (IDSS). This paper reviews the current research efforts with regard to the development of IDSS. The focus of the paper is on the integration aspect for IDSS through multiple perspectives, and the technologies that support this integration. More than 100 papers and software systems are discussed. Current research efforts and the development status of IDSS are explained, compared and classified. In addition, future trends and challenges in integration are outlined. The paper concludes that by addressing integration, better support will be provided to decision makers, with the expectation of both better decisions and improved decision making processes