Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns

Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse

Public perception, justification and motivation of development aid. The Feasibility of Peter Singer's Culture of Giving

351 p.En esta tesis se discuten y contrastan las implicaciones éticas, psicológicas y práticas del altruismo efectivo de Peter Singer con el fin de responder a la pregunta de qué papel deben tener las donaciones y la recaudación de fondos en el contexto del alivio de la pobreza extrema global. Se examinen las consideraciones del punto de vista maximalista moral de Singer, que se basa en la responsabilidad individual de cada cuidadano de los países ricos de dedicar lo más posible a la erradicación de la pobreza extrema en apoyando las organizaciones más efectivas con sus ingresos. Esta posición es rechazada como demasiado exigente, ya que deja poco espacio para el desarrollo de la persona y de otras actividades valiosas. Per contra Singer capta una importante intuición ética, que es que parece irresponsable que la riqueza global se distribuya de tal manera que parte de la ponlación viva en la abundancia, mientras que otras sufren. Se demustra que hay maneras en que las instituciones globales y el estilo de vida occidental prejudica a la gente que vive en los paises en via de desarollo. Entonces se puede establecer un deber de actuar contra la pobreza global. Pero un análisis estadistico de los niveles de donaciones y del comportamiento de los donantes demuestra que las apelaciones como la de Singer pueden aumentar las donaciones solo de manera temporal. Las limites cognitivas y intuiciones conflictivas prevalecerán a largo plazo. Nuestra simpatía se centra en individuos que percibimos como cercano, inocente y similar a nosotros. La caridad puede incluso ser perjudical, ya que a menudo se centra en las simpatias y opiniones de los donantes. Por lo tanto, la posición de Singer ¿ que la evaluación de proyectos es necesaría ¿ es todavía más importante. Un análisis comparativo de las diferentes intervenciones concluye que el apoyo financiero directo es la mejor manera de ayudar a la gente en pobreza extrema. Debido a los mecanismos psicológicos y una desconfianza institucionalizada hacia los pobres, es poco probable que sea financiado a través de donaciones. Se propone como una solución un impuesto global sobre riqueza extrema, empresas multinacionales y recursos naturales

An aesthetic for sustainable interactions in product-service systems?

Copyright @ 2012 Greenleaf PublishingEco-efficient Product-Service System (PSS) innovations represent a promising approach to sustainability. However the application of this concept is still very limited because its implementation and diffusion is hindered by several barriers (cultural, corporate and regulative ones). The paper investigates the barriers that affect the attractiveness and acceptation of eco-efficient PSS alternatives, and opens the debate on the aesthetic of eco-efficient PSS, and the way in which aesthetic could enhance some specific inner qualities of this kinds of innovations. Integrating insights from semiotics, the paper outlines some first research hypothesis on how the aesthetic elements of an eco-efficient PSS could facilitate user attraction, acceptation and satisfaction

The role of shame in writing: How lived experience affects the writing process

Writing fluently without disabling apprehension requires an ability to control ideas despite the occurrence of censoring thoughts or shameful sensations. Such ability is characteristically lacking in apprehensive or blocking writers, who, therefore, have difficulty in composing. To understand the psychological and social factors that impede the writing process, and to give writers and compositionists insight into the features of writing that result in writer\u27s block, I held conversational interviews with twenty-four people who designate themselves as apprehensive writers about their literacy experiences and writing behavior. Analysis of these interviews shows that these people, in anticipation of a real or inward, imagined audience, behave so as to hide their writing, which is consistent with unacknowledged shame at a projected failure. Passive, engrossed reading appears to condition these people to set high standards for their writing performance. To tolerate writing and to acquire pride in it, the individual needs flexibility and sensitivity in the preparation and reception of written texts, and the university needs to accommodate writers\u27 self-reproach through institutionalizing writers\u27 coping mechanisms, such as de-emphasizing revision and using technology to reduce exposure

Ethics, Religion, and Spiritual Health

What does human enhancement technology (HET) and artificial intelligence (AI) have to do with religion? This book explores, specifically, the intersection of HET and AI with spiritual health, Christianity, and ethics. The exploration strengthens an emergent, robust body of publications about human enhancement ethics. What does it mean to make us “better” must also address the potential spiritual implications. Concern for spiritual health promises to make the study of religion and human enhancement ethics increasingly pressing in the public sphere. Some of the most significant possible and probable spiritual impacts of HET and AI are probed. Topics include warfare, robots, chatbots, moral bioenhancement, spiritual psychotherapy, superintelligence, ecology, fasting, and psychedelics. Two sections comprise this book: one addresses spirituality in relation to HETs and AI, and one addresses Christianity in relation to HETs and AI

Detecting Well-being in Digital Communities: An Interdisciplinary Engineering Approach for its Indicators

In this thesis, the challenges of defining, refining, and applying well-being as a progressive management indicator are addressed. This work\u27s implications and contributions are highly relevant for service research as it advances the integration of consumer well-being and the service value chain. It also provides a substantial contribution to policy and strategic management by integrating constituents\u27 values and experiences with recommendations for progressive community management

Detecting Well-being in Digital Communities: An Interdisciplinary Engineering Approach for its Indicators

In this thesis, the challenges of defining, refining, and applying well-being as a progressive management indicator are addressed. This work\u27s implications and contributions are highly relevant for service research as it advances the integration of consumer well-being and the service value chain. It also provides a substantial contribution to policy and strategic management by integrating constituents\u27 values and experiences with recommendations for progressive community management