Ingénierie et Architecture d’Entreprise et des Systèmes d’Information - Concepts, Fondements et Méthodes

L'ingénierie des systèmes d'information s'est longtemps cantonnée à la modélisation du produit (objet) qu'est le système d’information sans se préoccuper des processus d'usage de ce système. Dans un environnement de plus en plus évolutif, la modélisation du fonctionnement du système d’information au sein de l'entreprise me semble primordiale. Pendant les deux dernières décennies, les pratiques de management, d’ingénierie et d’opération ont subi des mutations profondes et multiformes. Nous devons tenir compte de ces mutations dans les recherches en ingénierie des systèmes d’information afin de produire des formalismes et des démarches méthodologiques qui sauront anticiper et satisfaire les nouveaux besoins, regroupés dans ce document sous quatre thèmes:1) Le système d’information est le lieu même où s’élabore la coordination des actes et des informations sans laquelle une entreprise (et toute organisation), dans la diversité des métiers et des compétences qu’elle met en œuvre, ne peut exister que dans la médiocrité. La compréhension des exigences de coopération dans toutes ses dimensions (communication, coordination, collaboration) et le support que l’informatique peut et doit y apporter deviennent donc un sujet digne d’intérêt pour les recherches en système d’information.2) Le paradigme de management des processus d’entreprise (BPM) est en forte opposition avec le développement traditionnel des systèmes d’information qui, pendant plusieurs décennies, a cristallisé la division verticale des activités des organisations et favorisé ainsi la construction d’îlots d’information et d’applications. Cependant, les approches traditionnelles de modélisation de processus ne sont pas à la hauteur des besoins d’ingénierie des processus dans ce contexte en constant changement, que ce dernier soit de nature contextuelle ou permanente. Nous avons donc besoin de formalismes (i) qui permettent non seulement de représenter les processus d’entreprise et leurs liens avec les composants logiciels du système existant ou à venir mais (ii) qui ont aussi l’aptitude à représenter la nature variable et/ou évolutive (donc parfois éminemment décisionnelle) de ces processus.3) Les systèmes d’information continuent aujourd’hui de supporter les besoins classiques tels que l’automatisation et la coordination de la chaîne de production, l’amélioration de la qualité des produits et/ou services offerts. Cependant un nouveau rôle leur est attribué. Il s’agit du potentiel offert par les systèmes d’information pour adopter un rôle de support au service de la stratégie de l’entreprise. Les technologies de l’information, de la communication et de la connaissance se sont ainsi positionnées comme une ressource stratégique, support de la transformation organisationnelle voire comme levier du changement. Les modèles d’entreprise peuvent représenter l’état actuel de l’organisation afin de comprendre, de disposer d’une représentation partagée, de mesurer les performances, et éventuellement d’identifier les dysfonctionnements. Ils permettent aussi de représenter un état futur souhaité afin de définir une cible vers laquelle avancer par la mise en œuvre des projets. L’entreprise étant en mouvement perpétuel, son évolution fait partie de ses multiples dimensions. Nous avons donc besoin de représenter, a minima, un état futur et le chemin de transformation à construire pour avancer vers cette cible. Cependant planifier/imaginer/se projeter vers une cible unique et, en supposant que l’on y arrive, croire qu’il puisse exister un seul chemin pour l’atteindre semble irréaliste. Nous devons donc proposer des formalismes qui permettront de spécifier des scenarii à la fois pour des cibles à atteindre et pour des chemins à parcourir. Nous devons aussi développer des démarches méthodologiques pour guider de manière systématique la construction de ces modèles d’entreprise et la rationalité sous-jacente.4) En moins de cinquante ans, le propos du système d’information a évolué et s’est complexifié. Aujourd’hui, le système d’information doit supporter non seulement les fonctions de support de manière isolée et en silos (1970-1990), et les activités appartenant à la chaîne de valeur [Porter, 1985] de l’entreprise (1980-2000) mais aussi les activités de contrôle, de pilotage, de planification stratégique ainsi que la cohérence et l’harmonie de l’ensemble des processus liés aux activités métier (2000-201x), en un mot les activités de management stratégique et de gouvernance d’entreprise. La gouvernance d'entreprise est l'ensemble des processus, réglementations, lois et institutions influant la manière dont l'entreprise est dirigée, administrée et contrôlée. Ces processus qui produisent des ‘décisions’ en guise de ‘produit’ ont autant besoin d’être instrumentalisés par les systèmes d’information que les processus de nature plus opérationnels de l’entreprise. De même, ces processus stratégiques (dits aussi ‘de développement’) nécessitent d’avoir recours à des formalismes de représentation qui sont très loin, en pouvoir d’expression, des notations largement adoptées ces dernières années pour la représentation des processus d’entreprise.Ainsi, il semble peu judicieux de vouloir (ou penser pouvoir) isoler, pendant sa construction, l’objet “système d’information” de son environnement d’exécution. Si le sens donné à l’information dépend de la personne qui la reçoit, ce sens ne peut être entièrement capturé dans le système technique. Il sera plutôt appréhendé comme une composante essentielle d’un système socio-technique incluant les usagers du système d’information technologisé, autrement dit, les acteurs agissant de l’entreprise. De mon point de vue, ce système socio-technique qui mérite l’intérêt scientifique de notre discipline est l’entreprise. Les recherches que j’ai réalisées, animées ou supervisées , et qui sont structurées en quatre thèmes dans ce document, visent à résoudre les problèmes liés aux contextes de l'usage (l'entreprise et son environnement) des systèmes d’information. Le point discriminant de ma recherche est l'intérêt que je porte à la capacité de représentation :(i) de l'évolutivité et de la flexibilité des processus d'entreprise en particulier de ceux supportés par un système logiciel, d’un point de vue microscopique (modèle d’un processus) et macroscopique (représentation et configuration d’un réseau de processus) : thème 2(ii) du système d’entreprise dans toutes ses dimensions (stratégie, organisation des processus, système d’information et changement) : thème 3Pour composer avec ces motivations, il fallait :(iii) s’intéresser à la nature même du travail coopératif et à l’intentionnalité des acteurs agissant afin d’identifier et/ou proposer des formalismes appropriés pour les décrire et les comprendre : thème 1(iv) se questionner aussi sur les processus de management dont le rôle est de surveiller, mesurer, piloter l’entreprise afin de leur apporter le soutien qu’ils méritent du système d’information : thème

Import and Export Strategies to Sustain Business Under Economic Sanctions

Economic sanctions can result in more than a 70% decrease in business activities in a sanctioned country. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to identify the strategies import and export small business owners use to sustain businesses under economic sanctions. The population for this study was import and export small business owners in the state of Khartoum, Sudan. General systems theory served as the conceptual framework and underpinned the study. The data collection included semistructured interviews and government financial reports. Adhering to an interview protocol, conducting transcript reviews of participants\u27 interviews, member checking, and methodological triangulation represented the measures to ensure dependability, trustworthiness, creditability, transferability, and confirmability of the research. The thematic data analysis involved data cleaning, uploading the transcribed interviews into qualitative data analysis software, reorganizing the data, coding relevant information, and methodological triangulation against financial reports from the Central Bank of Sudan and the World Development Bank Indicators. The results from the thematic data analysis led to the identification of some major themes, notably, innovative strategies to secure funding and increase business sustainability despite the unfavorable economic climate consequent to the prevalent economic sanctions. The consensus among participants denoted that creative strategies presented the only choice to overcome the adverse business climate. The study findings may contribute to positive social change as the knowledge from it may aid in the improvement of employment, the living standards, and the prosperity of small businesses and societies in Sudan

0028/2009 - Problemas na Elicitação de Requisitos: Uma visão de pesquisa/literatura

A primeira fase na engenharia de requisitos é a elicitação de requisitos, na qual as informações sobre as necessidades do cliente são adquiridas, sendo crucial e crítica e podendo comprometer todas as etapas subseqüentes do desenvolvimento. O presente relatório apresenta um levantamento dos problemas que ocorrem durante a elicitação de requisitos citados na literatura da área

An analysis of the water crisis and its impact on sustainable development in Cape Town, South Africa

The access and availability of water have been South Africa’s challenge for millennia. Cape Town has experienced a severe water crisis, never witnessed since its establishment in 1652. The city’s water problems began in 2015 when below-average precipitation was received. Consecutive droughts were experienced until 2018 when water problems reached its peak and became a crisis as taps were expected to run dry. The systems theory and sustainable development concept guided the research process. The study was exploratory and descriptive, following a qualitative approach that used interviews and documentary sources. The study explored the causes and impacts of Cape Town’s water crisis and the implemented strategic interventions, and the role of public participation for improved access and availability of water to a population nearing 5 million. Purposive sampling was used because units were sampled strategically according to their relevance to the research problem. Snowball sampling was also used where the researcher asked for referral to other participants. Data-rich participants were selected for interviews, particularly from government, business, industry and institutions. Forty-two participants were interviewed for the required data. Climate change and governance issues were established as critical factors causing the crisis. Impacts were severe across agriculture, tourism, industrial and retail sectors. Local to national level economy as well as individual and households were impacted. Diversification of water sources, especially by desalinisation, reuse and groundwater, as strategic intervention, was established, although with some challenges. Public participation has gained support in alleviating water problems and establishing cohesion in a racially divided Cape Town. The study advances critical lessons, knowledge and understanding required for effective policy reforms, preparedness against climate change, design and implementation of strategic interventions, excellent governance, and the role of public participation in advancing the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Ukutholakala kanye kwamanzi kanye nokubakhona kwamanzi sekwaba sitjhijilo sesikhathi esingangemileniyamu eSewula Afrika. Idorobha leKapa (Cape Town) lihlangabezene nomraro omkhulu wokutlhogeka kwamanzi, okumtlhago ezange lakhe lahlangabezana nawo solo lasungulwa ngomnyaka ka-1652. Imiraro yezamanzi yedorobha leKapa yathoma ngomnyaka ka-2015 lokha izulu elingaphasi kwesilinganiso esifaneleko nalinako. Ngemva kwalokho kuye kwaba nesomiso kufikela ngomnyaka ka-2018 lokha imiraro yamanzi nayifika ezingeni eliphezulu khulu kanti lokho kwaba mraro khulu, njengombana iimpompi zazilindelwe bona zome kere. Igama elithi umqondo wamasistimu (systems theory) kanye netuthuko esimeleleko ngiwo arhola phambili ihlelo lerhubhululo. Irhubhululo belingelinqophe ukuvumbulula nokuhlathulula, lilandele indlela yelwazi (qualitative approach) esebenzise iinhlolombono kanye nemithombo yemitlolo (documentary sources). Irhubhululo lihlole abonobangela kanye nemithintela yemiraro yamanzi edorobheni leKapa kanye namahlelo amizamo yamano asetjenzisiweko, kanye nendima yokuzibandakanya komphakathi ahlose ukwenzangcono imizamo yokutholakala kwamanzi kanye nokubakhona kwamanzi kunani labantu ababalelwa kumamiliyoni ama-5. Ihlelo lokuthatha isampula i-Purposive sampling lisetjenziswe ngesizathu sokobana amayunidi asampulwe ngokwamano, ngokhambisana kwawo nomraro werhubhululo. I-Snowball sampling nayo isetjenziswe lapho umrhubhululi abuze khona ukobana akhonjiswe abanye abadlalindima. Abadlalindima abanothe ngedatha/abanedatha enengi bakhethelwe iinhlolombono, ikakhulukazi kusukela kurhulumende, kezebhizinisi, kezamabubulo kanye namaziko. Abadlalindima abamasumi amane nababili bakhethelwe ukobana kutholakale idatha efunekako.. Iindaba zokutjhuguluka kobujamo bezulu kanye nezokuphatha zisungulwe njengemithintela eqakathekileko ebangela imiraro. Imithintela ibemimbi khulu kuyo yoke imikhakha wezokulima, wezevakatjhobukela, wezamabubulo kanye nezeentolo zegrowuzari. Ubujamo lobu bezomnotho bube nomthintela kusukela ephasini loke kufikela eendaweni zemakhaya kanti kwehla kwaya phasi esigabeni semizi kanye nesigabeni sabantu. Ukwehlukaniswa ngeengaba kwamahlelo wemithombo yezamanzi, ikakhulukazi ukusungulwa kwamahlelo wokutsengwa kwetswayi emanzini (desalinisation), ikakhulukazi, ukusetjenziswa kanengi kwamanzi kanye namanzi avinyilika phasi, lokhu kusungulwe njengamano wokungenelela, nanyana bekuneentjhijilo. Ukuzibandakanya komphakathi sekuthole isekelo elikhulu ekulweni nemiraro yezamanzi kanye nokusungulwa kwetjhebiswano labantu edorobheni leKapa elihlukaniswe ngokobuhlanga. Irhubhululo libeka ngaphambili iimfundo eziqakathekileko, ilwazi kanye nokuzwisisa okufunekako ukobana kube namatjhuguluko asebenzako womthethomgomo, ukuzilungiselela ukulwa nokutjhuguluka kobujamo bezulu, idizayini kanye nokusetjenziswa kwemizamo yamano, ihlelo elihle khulu lezokuphatha, kanye nendima yokuzibandakanya komphakathi ekufikeleleni iinRhuluphelo eziSimeleleko zeTuthuko (Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).U swikelela na u wanala ha madi yo vha yone khaedu khulwanesa lwa mileniamu. Cape Town yo tshenzhela thaidzo khulwanesa ya madi, ine ya sa athu u vha hone u bva tshe ya vha hone nga 1652. Thaidzo ya madi kha dorobo khulwanesa yo thoma nga 2015 musi hu tshi tanganedzwa mudzikiso u re fhasi ha mbalotshikati. Gomelelo line la khou tevhekana lo tshenzhelwa u swika 2018 musi thaidzo ya madi i tshi vha nthesa na u vha thaidzo musi phaiphi dzi tshi lavhelelwa u sa tsha bva madi. Musi thiori ya sisiteme dzo fhambanaho na mutalukanyo wa u dzudza mveledziso zwi tshi endedza kuitele kwa thodisiso. Ngudo yo todisisa na u wanulusa hu tshi khou tevhedzwa kuitele kwa khwalithethivi kwo shumisaho zwiko zwa inthaviwu na rekhodo dza vhathu dzi kwamaho matshilo avho. Ngudo yo wanulusa zwivhangi na masiandaitwa zwa thaidzo dza madi Cape Town na zwitirathedzhi zwo shumiswaho kha u dzhenela, na mushumo wa u shela mulenzhe ha tshitshavha kha u khwinisa u swikelela na u vha hone ha madi zwa vhathu vhane vha swika milioni thanu. Ho shumiswa tsumbonanguludzwa dzo sedzaho kha zwitaluli zwa vhathu ngauri yuniti dzo nanguludzwa nga ndila ya tshitirathedzhi u ya nga u tea hadzo kha thaidzo ya thodisiso. Ho dovha ha shumiswa na tsumbonanguludzwa dzine mutodisisi a livhiswa kha munwe muthu nga mudzheneli hune mutodisisi a humbela u livhiswa kha vhanwe vhadzheneleli. Vhadzheneleli vho pfumaho ndivho ya data vho nangiwa kha inthaviwu, nga maanda u bva muvhusoni, mabinduni, ndowetshumo na kha zwiimiswa. Vhadzheneli vha 42 vho inthaviwu kha data ine ya todea. Tshanduko ya kilima na mafhungo a kuvhusele zwo bveledzwa sa zwitaluli zwa ndeme zwine zwa khou vhanga thaidzo. Masiandaitwa o vha o nanaho kha vhulimi hothe, vhuendelamashango, ndowetshumo na sekhithara dza mbambadzo. Masiandaitwa o vha kha levele ya ikonomi yapo na ya lushaka na vhathu na mita. Tshanduko ya zwiko zwa madi, nga maanda nga u bvisa muno kha madi, u shumisa hafhu na madi o tou bwiwaho, sa tshitirathedzhi tsha u dzhenela, yo thomiwa, naho hu na dzinwe khaedu. U dzhenela ha tshitshavha ho wana thikhedzo kha u khwinisa thaidzo dza madi na u bveledza vhuthihi Cape Town ho fhandekanywaho nga mirafho. Thodisiso yo bveledza ngudo dza ndeme, ndivho na u pfesesa hune ha todea kha u khwinisa mbekanyamaitele dzo teaho, u lugela u hanedzana na tshanduko ya kilima, u bveledza na u shumisa tshitirathedzhi tsha u dzhenelela, kuvhusele kwa mathakheni, na mushumo wa u dzhenelela ha tshitshavha kha u bvela phanda na u swikelela Zwipikwa zwa u Dzudza Mveledziso (dzi SDG).Development StudiesM.A. (Development Studies

Factors affecting the development of sophisticated database marketing systems.

In the late 1980s, companies in a wide variety of industries began to implement segmented marketing strategies using database marketing (DBM) systems. Several surveys noted that some organisations were developing sophisticated DBM systems to achieve competitive advantage, while others, in similar marketplaces, seemed unable, or unwilling, to exploit the potential benefits of these powerful systems. Alternatively, evidence from industrial reports suggested that most companies were failing to fully exploit the capabilities oftheir systems. Hence, this research was designed to determine the factors affecting levels of sophistication in database marketing (DBM) systems. First, theories from marketing and information systems were synthesised to develop a generic model of DBM systems. Next, notions about the sources of competitive advantage were reviewed to identify potential factors promoting the development of sophisticated DBM systems. This review resulted in four such factors being hypothesised: market orientation as a specific organisation culture, database size (i.e. number of customers) as a key resource, locus of control of the senior marketing manager as an important individual characteristic, and the difference between consumer and business markets as a factor in firms' external environment. Empirical data were collected from two random samples of senior marketing managers in US catalogue companies using postal surveys. Data from the first sample (36 observations) were used to develop a valid and reliable construct to measure the level of sophistication in DBM systems. Further data were collected from a second random sample using two further postal surveys (69 observations), which confirmed and replicated the results obtained from the first sample. Overall, the research findings show that the development of sophisticated DBM systems is positively associated with two factors: market orientation of organisation culture, and database size. The other two factors - locus of control and type of market - failed to show any association with the level of sophistication in DBM systems. Further data analyses revealed a strong association between the elements of sophisticated OBM systems and marketing notions of sources of competitive advantage

The STEM trail: Alaska Native undergraduates find the right path in higher education

Dissertation (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2022The goals of this research are twofold. (1) This research explores decision making and college experiences of Alaska Native undergraduates pursuing degrees in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and (2) this research, using participant observation explores the Indigenous metaphor of "the trail" to frame student persistence towards their degrees. Twelve participants, representing various STEM fields, Alaska Native cultures, and K12 schooling experiences, shared their motivations and aspirations through interviews and photographs. Key findings indicate the significant role that Indigenous Knowledge plays in influencing student decisions around majoring in STEM degrees. Findings also illuminate the variety of K12 STEM experiences and the influence on decisions to major in STEM. Awareness (ellangeq) and self-authorship as student development theory, also impact decision making. The use of "the trail" as a metaphor for persistence illustrates a strength-based model for persistence, that notes the importance of the individual and the role of the individual as a community member. This metaphor also displays aspects of preparation, finding the right path, obstacles, supports, and destinations. This metaphor also calls into question the role of the institution as students work to navigate the terrain towards their degrees.Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, AISES Lighting the Pathway to Faculty Careers, Calista Education and Culture, Inc., and UAF College of Rural and Community Developmen

Social Capital in Rural Family businesses

The phenomenon of family business has received increasing attention during the past three decades. Theoretical knowledge suggests the family system influences the business so much that it becomes a recourse. The resource is an intense form of social capital known as family social capital (FSC). Despite this progress, theoretical clarification is needed to strengthen the premise of the phenomenon. An exploration of family business by using a grounded theory (GT) technique provided theoretical clarity. The GT began with a pilot study followed by a series of intensive interview with 25 rural family businesses and the relevant stakeholders from the agricultural industry. This led to an integrated theory, tying together systems theory, social capital, and the resource-based view (RBV). The integrated theory is an extension of the bathtub-resource analogy. The analogy illustrates that resources are not instantaneous but gradually emerge from specific inputs, like the level of water in a bathtub gradually increases from the inflow of water. The resource of FSC experiences phases of cultivation, preservation, or decay. Cultivation is the inflow tap, preservation occurs when a sufficient level of FSC occurs, and decay is the outflow of FSC. The temporality of FSC helps understand how the phenomenon requires time for certain factors to occur. The research proposes for FSC to generate a sustainable competitive advantage (SCA), a family business must be, at least, in a state of preservation. Furthermore, the temperature of the water in the bathtub is important. This research proposes internal FSC (iFSC) and external FSC (eFSC) as the hot and cold water taps of the bathtub. Like a good bath the temperature must be right, for FSC to achieve SCA a balance of iFSC and eFSC is required. The iFSC considers through the number of family members, the generation number, and the number of active generations. The use of shared language and values helps understand how iFSC generates knowledge contributing to SCA. The eFSC considers employee relations, customer relations, and the outside experience of family members. This disentangles the cluster of relations surrounding the family connected to the business. The cluster of relations represents the industry, the habitat for structural holes. This perspective recognises how structural holes fill or form over time through technological advances. The implications of theoretical clarification for theory, practice, and policy are included

Heuristics for use case descriptions.

Use cases, as part of the Unified Modelling Language, have become an industry standard. The major focus has been on the use case diagram. It is only recently that any detailed attention has been paid to the use case description. The description should be written in such a way as to make it communicable to its reader. However, this does not always appear to be the case. This thesis presents the 7 C's of Communicability as quality features of use case descriptions that make them more comprehensible. The 7 C's are derived from software engineering best practice on use case descriptions and from theories of text comprehension. To help in writing descriptions, the CP Use Case Writing Rules are proposed, a small set of guidelines derived from the 7 C's. Going beyond requirements, software engineers often employ use case descriptions to help them build initial design models of the proposed system. Despite Jacobson's claim that "objects naturally fall out of use cases", fording design-oriented classes and objects in use case descriptions is shown not to be straightforward. This thesis proposes a Question Set which allows the engineer to interrogate the description for important elements of specification and design. Experimentation shows that the CP Writing Rules furnish descriptions that are as comprehensible as those written by other guidelines proposed in the literature. It is also suggested that descriptions be written from the perspective of their intended audience. The limitations of conducting requirements engineering experiments using students are considered and it is suggested that experimenters should not expect large effects from the results. An industrial case study shows that although the CP Rules could not be applied to all events in the use case descriptions, they were applied to most and at varying levels of abstraction. The case study showed that the 7 C's did identify problems with the written descriptions. The Question Set was well received by the case study stakeholders, but it was considered time consuming. One of the overriding findings from the case study was that project time constraints would not allow the company to use the techniques suggested, although they recognised the need to do so. Automation would make industrial application of the CP Rules and 7 C's more feasible