Specifying and Analyzing Static and Dynamic Patterns of Administrative Processes

In the last decade, patterns have proved their effectiveness for the reuse of software development artifacts from early as well as late phases of the process. This paper proposes analysis patterns based on accurate and thorough observations of administrative processes such as organizing meetings, making group decisions, hiring of personnel, etc. The patterns proposed in this work are characterized by coming equipped with a basic workflow, captured in the form of an UML activity diagram, aside of providing an object structure modeled as UML static structure diagram. Besides serving as analysis models for subsequent software development, the primary intent behind administrative patterns is to visualize and to standardize frequently reoccurring processes and thus to support quality assurance and - control. Furthermore, administrative patterns lay the basis for various ways of evaluating the underlying processes in order to improve them

Environmental policy instruments in a new era

The aim of this paper is to give a long term sustainability perspective on instrumentation in environmental policy, within a broad, also strategic, evaluative framework. To arrive at integrated insight, the basic function of policy instruments is discussed: why do you need them at all and how would they look like? It comes out that it is not at all clear how policy instruments can be classified and described. Nor is it clear how a consistent evaluation of policy instruments can be set up. Still, as some ordering is necessary for instrument development and instrument choice, an analytic framework is developed. One basic problem in discussions on policy instruments is that both their functioning and their effects are context dependent. This implies that in decisions on policy instrumentation, binding society for a long time, also long term changes in context are to be taken into account, in terms of structural, cultural and economic developments in society. Some main lines of development are discussed, with implications for instrument choice. Within these mouldable boundaries, some practical guidelines are given for policy development at a case level. --environmental policy,environmental strategy,policy instruments,policy evaluation,globalisation

Geospatial Narratives and their Spatio-Temporal Dynamics: Commonsense Reasoning for High-level Analyses in Geographic Information Systems

The modelling, analysis, and visualisation of dynamic geospatial phenomena has been identified as a key developmental challenge for next-generation Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In this context, the envisaged paradigmatic extensions to contemporary foundational GIS technology raises fundamental questions concerning the ontological, formal representational, and (analytical) computational methods that would underlie their spatial information theoretic underpinnings. We present the conceptual overview and architecture for the development of high-level semantic and qualitative analytical capabilities for dynamic geospatial domains. Building on formal methods in the areas of commonsense reasoning, qualitative reasoning, spatial and temporal representation and reasoning, reasoning about actions and change, and computational models of narrative, we identify concrete theoretical and practical challenges that accrue in the context of formal reasoning about `space, events, actions, and change'. With this as a basis, and within the backdrop of an illustrated scenario involving the spatio-temporal dynamics of urban narratives, we address specific problems and solutions techniques chiefly involving `qualitative abstraction', `data integration and spatial consistency', and `practical geospatial abduction'. From a broad topical viewpoint, we propose that next-generation dynamic GIS technology demands a transdisciplinary scientific perspective that brings together Geography, Artificial Intelligence, and Cognitive Science. Keywords: artificial intelligence; cognitive systems; human-computer interaction; geographic information systems; spatio-temporal dynamics; computational models of narrative; geospatial analysis; geospatial modelling; ontology; qualitative spatial modelling and reasoning; spatial assistance systemsComment: ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (ISSN 2220-9964); Special Issue on: Geospatial Monitoring and Modelling of Environmental Change}. IJGI. Editor: Duccio Rocchini. (pre-print of article in press

A Taxonomy of Workflow Management Systems for Grid Computing

With the advent of Grid and application technologies, scientists and engineers are building more and more complex applications to manage and process large data sets, and execute scientific experiments on distributed resources. Such application scenarios require means for composing and executing complex workflows. Therefore, many efforts have been made towards the development of workflow management systems for Grid computing. In this paper, we propose a taxonomy that characterizes and classifies various approaches for building and executing workflows on Grids. We also survey several representative Grid workflow systems developed by various projects world-wide to demonstrate the comprehensiveness of the taxonomy. The taxonomy not only highlights the design and engineering similarities and differences of state-of-the-art in Grid workflow systems, but also identifies the areas that need further research.Comment: 29 pages, 15 figure

Developing an IS-impact decision tool: A literature based design science roadmap

This paper derives from research-in-progress intending both Design Research (DR) and Design Science (DS) outputs; the former a management decision tool based in IS-Impact (Gable et al. 2008) kernel theory; the latter being methodological learnings deriving from synthesis of the literature and reflection on the DR ‘case study’ experience. The paper introduces a generic, detailed and pragmatic DS ‘Research Roadmap’ or methodology, deriving at this stage primarily from synthesis and harmonization of relevant concepts identified through systematic archival analysis of related literature. The scope of the Roadmap too has been influenced by the parallel study aim to undertake DR applying and further evolving the Roadmap. The Roadmap is presented in attention to the dearth of detailed guidance available to novice Researchers in Design Science Research (DSR), and though preliminary, is expected to evolve and gradually be substantiated through experience of its application. A key distinction of the Roadmap from other DSR methods is its breadth of coverage of published DSR concepts and activities; its detail and scope. It represents a useful synthesis and integration of otherwise highly disparate DSR-related concepts

FDI and Development: Policy and Research Issues in the Emerging Context

This paper is a general review of the emerging policy and research issues in the current context of rapid technological change and policy liberalization. It deals with the benefits and costs of FDI to development and the market failures that affect their impact on developing host countries. It focuses on the impact of FDI on local enterprise development, static versus dynamic benefits and bargaining with TNCs. It ends with a brief catalogue of outstanding research issues.

Microsimulation, CGE and Macro Modelling for Transition and Developing Economies

microsimulation, computable general equilibrium, development, transition