BUSINESS PROCESS MODELLING USING RIVA AND ARIS – PART 1, PROCESS ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPMENT: COMPARATIVE STUDY (7)

Business process modelling has been given great attention due to its crucial role in developing computer-based systems that support (and automate) organizational processes. In information systems; building the right process architecture is vital, since a poor division of organizational processes can lead to complex designs or incoherent structure. Moreover, process architecture acts as a big picture of what the organization does, and represents dynamic relationships between the existing processes, which in turn helps understand how the organization works (Ould, 2005). A number of process architecture methods are available, however, few studies focused on assessing these methods, and comparing some of them to find out how easy they are to be used in particular contexts, and whether they can be standardized. In a previous work for the author, ARIS was used to generate a process architecture diagram for academic libraries (Tbaishat, 2015). This paper discusses the derivation of a Process Architecture Diagram (PAD) using Riva method in detail; in contrast to the process architecture diagram developed using ARIS. The information system selected as an example for this comparative study is in the context of academic libraries, embedding various –generic - library processes. ARIS is more professional tool that can be used to support large organizational systems with clear division of processes, many users and less complicated architecture. The translation from ARIS process architecture to Riva\u27s PAD is not likely to be straightforward, since there are major differences between the two methods, and it will rely on the analyst\u27s ability of interpretation

A Context Dependent Implementation Method for Business Process Management Systems

For the implementation of Business Process Management and supporting information systems there are many methodologies available. However, most of these methods consist of an one-size fits all approach and do not take into account the specific situation of the organization in which an information system is to be implemented. These situational factors, however, strongly determine the success of any implementation project. In this paper, a method is provided that establishes situational factors of and their influence on implementation methods. The provided method enables a more successful implementation project, because the project team can create a more suitable implementation method for business process management system implementation projects

The Determinants of Firms' Innovativeness on Construction Technology in Malaysian Heavy Construction Sector

The peculiar characteristics of constructed products significantly differentiate construction from manufacturing. Past researches seem have been given greatest attention and concentration to the innovation in manufacturing sector. This research assesses the determinants of firm’s innovativeness in construction sector, which has been neglected by researchers despite its immense importance to the technological advancement in affecting the degree of innovation implementation and adoption. A total of fourteen hypothesises were developed and tested. These hypotheses are established within the context of heavy construction sector characteristics that are consistently suggested to be significant determinants of firm innovativeness. These characteristics include (1) market structure characteristics, (2) organisation and task characteristics, (3) adopter industry competitive environment, and (4) external cooperation linkage. This study has reviewed the problem of determinants of firms’ innovativeness in technological innovation the Malaysian heavy construction sector to meet the three outlined objectives. Hypotheses were tested utilising survey data collect from Malaysia Construction Industry Development Board, CIDB Grade 7 construction firms throughout the Malaysia. The relationships of the identified four domains were discussed in this research. The results indicate that adopter industry competitive environment and external cooperation linkage are among the variables that significantly affect the degree of innovation implementation and adoption. Results also indicate that 13 out of 14 hypothesises are supported and positively affecting the degree of innovation implementation and adoption. Lastly, a new model closely reflects the essence of the determinants of firm’s innovativeness in heavy construction sector was formulated. Therefore, the results suggest that increasing the rate of innovation implementation and adoption may be enhanced to a greater degree by increasing adopter industry competitive environment and external linkage rather than implementing market structure environment characteristics or organisation and task characteristics. This research has value and has advanced knowledge in construction industry, especially, and hence the aim has successfully attained

March 5, 2013 AASU Graduate Affairs Committee Minutes

March 5, 2013 AASU Graduate Affairs Committee Minute

On the advancement of science and technology among nations: the importance of government policies upon the development of advanced technology industries in five countries

The aims of this study were to compare the importance of government policies upon the development of advanced technology industries in five countries: France, West Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Japan. Three advanced technology industries were selected: microelectronics, machine tools and advanced materials. Data were collected from governments in the five countries, academia, independent research organizations, trade associations, industry and international organizations. The data were analyzed using statistical procedures and the results were related to classical and the "new" theories of comparative advantage determinants for the five countries. Critical analysis was also undertaken of the theories that postulate the role of government policies for industrial growth in the light of the rapid geographic diffusion of advanced technology sectors across national boundaries. As a result of these analyses the role of government policies upon the development of advanced technology industries was identified in the five countries. Analyses were undertaken to determine government policies that were successful and those that were not and the reasons for the success or failure of these policies in the light of economic, social, political and geographic factors

Business process management in health care : current challenges and future prospects

The emphasis of performance management in health care is shifting from output or outcome-based to a system-based approach. In particular, clinicians and managers are re-focusing their attention on processes so as to achieve better health system performance, as a reaction to the financial crisis. Health care management is increasingly applying systems thinking and business process management (BPM) as philosophies, which have proved to make a difference in organizational performance and competitiveness to the industry at large. This commentary provides answers to five questions that emerged through a reflective exercise and use of secondary data sources and informal interviews. These questions are intended to contribute toward better understanding of the meaning and application of BPM by scholars and practitioners in health care management. The questions are as follows: What is BPM and is it relevant to health care? Has BPM been extensively applied to health care? Why focus on quality in health care delivery? What are the current challenges of health care and can BPM help? What role BPM will play in future to facilitate effective health care management?peer-reviewe

Confronting Space Debris Through the Regime Evolution Approach

This article examines the complex policy problem of space debris and elaborates a proposal for a bottom-up cooperative regime for its mitigation. While debris proliferation generates costs and threatens the safety of personnel and equipment, this policy problem is compounded by the realization that debris constitutes a by-product of desirable space activities which facilitate national progress and domestic increases in values. It is further complicated by increased private participation, conflicting interests of participants, and a global order susceptible to outlier behavior. Scholars attempting to tackle this policy problem have failed to appreciate the complex legislative process through which international rules develop, proposing to apply other regimes of global governance, mutatis mutandis, to facilitate debris mitigation. This article offers a more realistic approach which evaluates substance, process, and metrics of success. Utilizing the policy-oriented lens of the New Haven School of International Law, this Article applies the novel regime evolution approach to propose an optimum global order for space debris mitigation which promotes the highest gain in values for all participants. The article outlines the international values which the regime must optimize and the interactions between the participants which will shape its development. The proposed cooperation regime follows the realization that the international community must prioritize the protection and promotion of benefits from space activities for participants, rather than be fixated solely on mitigating externalities. This regime will successfully sway policy choices towards debris mitigation because it is feasible for adoption, effective at optimizing values, and manageable vis-à-vis outliers

Sovereignty, jurisdiction, and property in outer space: space resources, the outer space treaty, and national legislation

Space resources and space property rights have long been popular topics. This interest has increased recently. The development of an embryotic space resources industry, and national legislation intended to foster it, has turned what had previously been a somewhat academic discussion about the true scope of the ‘freedom’ to use outer space and the limitations of the ‘non-appropriation principle’ into one of significance not just for outer space but the international order more broadly. There is an ambiguity at the heart of the Outer Space Treaty, it places the ‘freedom of use’ of outer space in the first article, its preamble talks of opening outer space for the human future, yet the non-appropriation principle potentially prevents all of that. In order for there to be a human future in outer space humanity needs to be able to make use of the resources in outer space, but if they cannot be ‘appropriated’ then that cannot happen. This thesis seeks to understand that contradiction and identify solutions. It examines the Outer Space Treaty as the foundational and fundamental core of the space governance regime but also seeks to place it and the concept of property rights in a wider context. Utilizing, treaties, laws, negotiating records, and secondary sources from a range of disciplines, this thesis will examine the seeming contradiction between being free to use something but not to appropriate it. It will find that it is possible to construct a property rights regime for space resources within the framework of the Outer Space Treaty. However, in order for that regime to be practically useful, it will require international cooperation and coordination. It will require positive action to achieve. The alternative is anarchy, the likes of which Article II of the Outer Space Treaty was intended to avoid

Indian River Lagoon surface water improvement and management (SWIM) plan, 2002 update.

In recognition of the need to place additional emphasis on the restoration, protection, and management of the surface water resources of the state, the Florida Legislature, through the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act of 1987, directed the state’s water management districts to “design and implement plans and programs for the improvement and management of surface water” (Section 373.451, Florida Statutes [FS]). The SWIM legislation requires the water management districts to protect the ecological, aesthetic, recreational, and economic value of the state’s surface water bodies, keeping in mind that water quality degradation is frequently caused by point and nonpoint source pollution and that degraded water quality can cause both direct and indirect losses of aquatic habitats. This 2002 update is the second update of the Indian River Lagoon SWIM Plan. This 2002 plan update includes a status report on the state of the Lagoon, a summary of progress on projects undertaken since the last update, and recommendations for future projects and other actions over the next 5 years. (262pp.