Construct redundancy in process modelling grammars: Improving the explanatory power of ontological analysis

Conceptual modelling supports developers and users of information systems in areas of documentation, analysis or system redesign. The ongoing interest in the modelling of business processes has led to a variety of different grammars, raising the question of the quality of these grammars for modelling. An established way of evaluating the quality of a modelling grammar is by means of an ontological analysis, which can determine the extent to which grammars contain construct deficit, overload, excess or redundancy. While several studies have shown the relevance of most of these criteria, predictions about construct redundancy have yielded inconsistent results in the past, with some studies suggesting that redundancy may even be beneficial for modelling in practice. In this paper we seek to contribute to clarifying the concept of construct redundancy by introducing a revision to the ontological analysis method. Based on the concept of inheritance we propose an approach that distinguishes between specialized and distinct construct redundancy. We demonstrate the potential explanatory power of the revised method by reviewing and clarifying previous results found in the literature

THE THABINA IRRIGATION SCHEME IN A CONTEXT OF REHABILITATION AND MANAGEMENT TRANSFER: PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS AND LOCAL EMPOWERMENT

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

A counter-mine that explodes silently: Romano and Schmitt on the unity of the legal order

This contribution is intended to provide an answer to a controversial question: Why does Carl Schmitt – perhaps the firmest advocate of the state unity – not only mention and praise Santi Romano’s book on the legal order – a work that can be rightfully considered an uncompromising defence of legal pluralism – but even list him among his inspirers? While a given (and essentially flawed) interpretation of Romano’s institutional model, like that provided by Schmitt, actually makes his concrete-order thinking better suited to cope with the legal pluralism of modern social theory (and this is a possible answer to the opening question), it ultimately reveals the serious deficiencies of what can be defined as Schmitt’s institutional decisionism. Contrary to what Schmitt believes, indeed, Romano’s social ontology decisively contributes to demonstrate how the argument Schmitt uses in his general attack on social pluralism can also be re-deployed in its defence. Yet, Schmitt’s reappraisal of Romano’s concept of institution, questionable as it may be, addresses and tackles a crucial issue – probably, the crucial issue of both the entire book and his legal institutionalism as a whole – that Romano himself appears to be unable to solve and that still remains an open and challenging question for most social theorists

The Method Evaluation Model: A Theoretical Model for Validating Information Systems Design Methods

Information Systems (IS) design research tends to emphasise the development of new methods (normative research), while addressing the evaluation of methods in only a limited fashion. A possible reason for this is the philosophical and methodological problems involved in validating methods (“knowledge how”) as opposed to theses (“knowledge that”). “Knowledge that” has been the major focus of scientific research, which is generally about establishing the truth of particular propositions (hypotheses). However an entirely different approach is required to validate methodological knowledge. This paper proposes a theoretical model and associated measurement instrument for evaluating IS design methods. The model is based on two previously unrelated areas of theory: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) from the IS success literature and Methodological Pragmatism from the philosophy of science. The resulting theoretical model combines two different but related dimensions of method “success”: actual effectiveness and adoption in practice. The model is applicable to all types of IS design methods as well as methods used in other domains. A laboratory experiment and a field experiment are conducted to test the model. The paper also presents some interesting findings about the use of undergraduate students in experimental studies

MODELLING AND THE REPRESENTATION OF REALITY: SOME IMPLICATIONS OF PHILOSOPHY ON PRACTICAL SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

A conceptual analysis of modelling is undertaken. The major challenges posed by the growth of open and integrated systems prompts a careful rethinking of the basis of modelling. Particular attention is paid to object- oriented modelling. Our approach is characterized by an analytic framework borrowed from the philosophy of language called theories of reference (ToRs). This body of theories aims at accounting for how expressions of language may actually refer to the real world, very much the same task as in modelling. As opposed to most of the related work in the literature, we see this body of theories as a rich class. We argue that a number of the alternative approaches to modelling should be acknowledged to have important and relevant similarities with a rich body of ToRs. Our principal aim, besides the more immediate one to correct what we argue are philosophically inaccurate interpretations, is to encourage a more fruitful discussion regarding modelling. Working out a basis for modelling should not be performed after identifying short-comings in the most simplistic version of ToRs. This strategy is even less appealing when we know that these short-comings have been identified—and to a large extent even solved—a long time ago within the philosophy of language. We ought to learn to appreciate each of the ToRs and use them whenever appropriate; each of them has its merits. The relationship between theoretical discussions of modelling and the practice of systems development is also commente

Evaluation of management strategies for the operation of high-speed railways in China

High-Speed Train (HST) operations have recently been introduced in rail passenger transportation markets worldwide. Although the technologies for such operations have levelled at speeds of around 300 km/h, the operating parameters to be adopted in each application will differ from country to country. The operating environment will be one of the crucial success factors for the implementation of HST operations in China. This paper compares three different management/ownership models which might be used in China. The paper analyzes the characteristics of each model and proposes an optimal plan of an operational system to develop HST operations in China by using a hierarchy goals achievement matrix approach

Husserl’s Concept of the ‘Transcendental Person’: Another Look at the Husserl–Heidegger Relationship

This paper offers a further look at Husserl’s late thought on the transcendental subject and the Husserl–Heidegger relationship. It attempts a reconstruction of how Husserl hoped to assert his own thoughts on subjectivity vis-à-vis Heidegger, while also pointing out where Husserl did not reach the new level that Heidegger attained. In his late manuscripts, Husserl employs the term ‘transcendental person’ to describe the transcendental ego in its fullest ‘concretion’. I maintain that although this concept is a consistent development of Husserl’s earlier analyses of constitution, Husserl was also defending himself against Heidegger, who criticized him for framing the subject in terms of transcendental ego rather than as Dasein. Husserl was convinced that he could successfully respond to Heidegger’s critique, but he did not grasp that Heidegger’s fundamental ontology was an immanent development, rather than a scathing criticism, of his own phenomenology