Использование онтологий как моделей предметных областей

В статье анализируется проблема использования онтологий как моделей ПрО, то есть возможность выполнения онтологиями функций отражения существенных сторон ПрО, получения новой информации, прогноза, объяснения и др. Отдельный акцент делается на исследовании связи онтологий с математическими моделями.У статті аналізується проблема використання онтологій як моделей предметних областей (ПрО), тобто можливість виконання онтологіями функцій відбиття істотних сторін ПрО, отримання нової інформації, прогнозу, пояснення та ін. Окремо акцент робиться на дослідженні зв’язку онтологій з математичними моделями.The problem of ontologies using as models of application domain (AD), i.e. the possibility of reflection by ontologies of essential sides of AD, acquisition of new information, forecasting, explanation, etc. is analyzed in the paper. Particular emphasis is being given to the research a link between ontologies and mathematical models

Um modelo baseado em ontologia e análise de agrupamento para suporte à gestão de ideias

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento, Florianópolis, 2016.Na sociedade do conhecimento o processo de inovação é visto como um desafio às organizações que o utilizam como um diferencial para obtenção de vantagem competitiva frente ao mercado. Ao gerenciar e alinhar o processo de inovação às estratégias organizacionais torna-se possível proporcionar aos clientes produtos novos ou melhores, ou ainda inovar em processos ou em marketing. A Gestão de Ideias integra este processo e apresenta-se como um fator primordial para o sucesso do mesmo. Pode ser vista como uma área potencial que se encontra em expansão, possibilitando gerar retorno financeiro para a organização. O principal objetivo da área está em organizar ideias e implementá-las de maneira eficaz e eficiente. Porém, devido ao número de ideias coletadas em uma organização, o processo de seleção de ideias para execução torna-se não trivial. Ao utilizar técnicas de agrupamento é possível reunir grupos de ideias semelhantes e facilitar a visualização das informações. Esta dissertação possui como objetivo apresentar um modelo baseado em ontologia e na análise de agrupamento para suporte à Gestão de Ideias, visando auxiliar no processo de tomada de decisão. Para demonstração de viabilidade do modelo proposto, foi desenvolvido um protótipo para suportar as fases de indexação, extração, validação, agrupamento e visualização das ideias. O protótipo foi aplicado em três cenários de estudo utilizando ideias coletadas nos sites das empresas Starbucks® e Dell®. A partir da aplicação do protótipo identificou-se que ao analisar grupos de ideias semelhantes, e não somente ideias isoladamente, estes podem indicar padrões e tendências que auxiliem na tomada de decisão de quais ideias deveriam ou não serem implementadas. Como resultado apresenta-se um modelo capaz de auxiliar na tomada de decisão e no processo de destinação de recursos para investimentos em ideias. As evidências obtidas a partir da análise dos textos providos pelos especialistas da organização comprovam as descobertas efetuadas pelo modelo.Abstract: In the knowledge society the innovation process is challenging to organizations that use it as a differential to obtain competitive advantage over the market. Managing and aligning the innovation process to organizational strategies make possible to provide customers with better or new products, innovating in processes or marketing. The Ideas Management integrates this process and presents itself as a major factor in its success. It can be seen as a potential area, which is expanding, allowing generate financial return for organizations. The main objective of the area is to organize ideas and implement them effectively and efficiently. However, due to the number of ideas collected in an organization the process of selection of ideas for execution becomes non-trivial. Using clustering techniques can compose groups of similar ideas as well as to make easy information visualization. This work has intends to present a model based on ontology and cluster analysis to support the Idea Management, aiming to help in the decision-making process. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed model, a prototype was developed to deal with the phases of indexing, extraction, validation, clustering and visualization of ideas. The prototype was applied in three study scenarios using ideas collected on the websites of Starbucks® and Dell® companies. From the application of the prototype it was found that when analyzing of like-minded groups, not just ideas alone, these can indicate patterns and trends to assist in making decisions on which ideas should or should not be implemented. As a result, the model is able to assist in decision making and in the process of allocation of funds for idea investments. Evidence obtained from the analysis of the texts provided by the organization's experts confirm the findings made by the model

A systematic technology evaluation and selection method for computer-supported collaborative design

Design is a global activity. It requires collaboration between individuals across borders and beyond barriers. Modern global design is achieved using computer technologies that support many activities of a design process. However, merely supporting design does not guarantee that it is a successful endeavour. The requirements of computer-supported collaborative design are abstract. They are influenced by human-to-human interaction and/or human to computer interaction. As our society moves towards faster communication technologies and a higher number of collaborative technologies available, the need to evaluate the available tools and select the best tool at the appropriate time of the design process is becoming more compelling. If the best tools are not identified, there are missed opportunities for productivity, impacting team communication, cooperation, coordination, and collaboration. Student designers at University have experienced an observable change in technology use within their personal and academic lives. The proliferation of Web 2.0 technologies and the spread of social media, social network sites and mobile technologies have impacted how students socialise and engage in group project work. However, it is unclear if these technologies support or hinder the design process. This behaviour change has led to a motivation to understand the use of technologies to support Computer-Supported Collaborative Design teamwork. This research intended to support Computer-Supported Collaborative Design teamwork by defining the requirements of Computer-Supported Collaborative Design, the technologies which can be used to support Computer-Supported Collaborative Design, the technology functionalities which these technologies feature, and to use this knowledge to systematically evaluate and select the appropriate technology to use for any given collaborative situation. The outcomes of this research documented within this thesis became the development of a systematic and automated method to allow engineering design teams to evaluate technologies based on the existing knowledge of the requirements of Computer Supported Collaborative Design and select which technologies would best support their group design activities. This technology evaluation and selection method was achieved by the creation of the Computer-Supported Collaborative Design matrix, a tool which enables the evaluation of technologies against Computer-Supported Collaborative Design requirements; the creation of an auto-population method for the tool supporting consistency and efficiency of using the method; and the development of an education programme to ensure the correct use of the Computer-Supported Collaborative Design matrix. The Computer-Supported Collaborative Design matrix can be used to support the assessment and selection of technology for use in Computer-Supported Collaborative Design projects by engineering design teams in an educational environment. The tool has been evaluated through demonstration of use for a class and implementation within a class environment. Beyond the Computer-Supported Collaborative Design matrix as a tool, a robust and systematic method of creating the tool has been documented, which is the first step towards broader use of the tool.Design is a global activity. It requires collaboration between individuals across borders and beyond barriers. Modern global design is achieved using computer technologies that support many activities of a design process. However, merely supporting design does not guarantee that it is a successful endeavour. The requirements of computer-supported collaborative design are abstract. They are influenced by human-to-human interaction and/or human to computer interaction. As our society moves towards faster communication technologies and a higher number of collaborative technologies available, the need to evaluate the available tools and select the best tool at the appropriate time of the design process is becoming more compelling. If the best tools are not identified, there are missed opportunities for productivity, impacting team communication, cooperation, coordination, and collaboration. Student designers at University have experienced an observable change in technology use within their personal and academic lives. The proliferation of Web 2.0 technologies and the spread of social media, social network sites and mobile technologies have impacted how students socialise and engage in group project work. However, it is unclear if these technologies support or hinder the design process. This behaviour change has led to a motivation to understand the use of technologies to support Computer-Supported Collaborative Design teamwork. This research intended to support Computer-Supported Collaborative Design teamwork by defining the requirements of Computer-Supported Collaborative Design, the technologies which can be used to support Computer-Supported Collaborative Design, the technology functionalities which these technologies feature, and to use this knowledge to systematically evaluate and select the appropriate technology to use for any given collaborative situation. The outcomes of this research documented within this thesis became the development of a systematic and automated method to allow engineering design teams to evaluate technologies based on the existing knowledge of the requirements of Computer Supported Collaborative Design and select which technologies would best support their group design activities. This technology evaluation and selection method was achieved by the creation of the Computer-Supported Collaborative Design matrix, a tool which enables the evaluation of technologies against Computer-Supported Collaborative Design requirements; the creation of an auto-population method for the tool supporting consistency and efficiency of using the method; and the development of an education programme to ensure the correct use of the Computer-Supported Collaborative Design matrix. The Computer-Supported Collaborative Design matrix can be used to support the assessment and selection of technology for use in Computer-Supported Collaborative Design projects by engineering design teams in an educational environment. The tool has been evaluated through demonstration of use for a class and implementation within a class environment. Beyond the Computer-Supported Collaborative Design matrix as a tool, a robust and systematic method of creating the tool has been documented, which is the first step towards broader use of the tool

Modelo de conhecimento para mapeamento de instrumentos da gestão do conhecimento e de agentes computacionais da engenharia do conhecimento baseado em ontologias

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento, Florianópolis, 2009Esta tese tem como base a visão interdisciplinar da práxis das áreas Engenharia do Conhecimento e Gestão do Conhecimento. Para apoiar a Gestão do Conhecimento em seus processos de criação, organização, formalização, compartilhamento, aplicação e refinamento de conhecimento, a Engenharia do Conhecimento desenvolve modelos, utilizando sistemicamente métodos, técnicas e ferramentas. Uma análise da literatura dessas áreas revelou um desconhecimento dos construtos utilizados em pesquisas e desenvolvimentos interdisciplinares e a necessidade de um modelo de conhecimento da convergência de construtos inerentes. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo propor um modelo de conhecimento baseado em ontologias para mapear a utilização de Agentes Computacionais da Engenharia do Conhecimento em Instrumentos da Gestão do Conhecimento. Utilizando elementos da Engenharia de Ontologias, o modelo foi desenvolvido e teve sua viabilidade técnica comprovada em dois cenários, confirmando sua capacidade para: (a) organizar, formalizar e compartilhar conhecimento já estabelecido; e (b) criar conhecimento novo, não estabelecido academicamente, para ser aplicado e/ou refinado. O modelo também foi verificado por nove especialistas de domínio das áreas inerentes, os quais apontaram como resultados: (i) um conjunto de questões que norteiam o entendimento de objetos de investigação em aplicações e pesquisas interdisciplinares da Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento; (ii) a explicitação de parte de um modelo de conhecimento no domínio da Engenharia do Conhecimento a ser utilizado no projeto de seus Agentes Computacionais; (iii) a explicitação de parte de um modelo de conhecimento no domínio da Gestão do Conhecimento a ser utilizado na implantação de seus Instrumentos; (iv) uma forma de integração do conhecimento inerente ao projeto de Agentes Computacionais da Engenharia do Conhecimento como soluções tecnológicas mais aderentes aos Instrumentos da Gestão do Conhecimento; e (v) alguns insumos à prospecção de um ambiente aberto para publicação, compartilhamento e exploração do conhecimento interdisciplinar

Memoria organizacional basada en ontologías y casos para un sistema de recomendación en aseguramiento de calidad

Administrar el conocimiento organizacional representa una ventaja clave en las empresas de software. Para que dicha administración sea eficiente es importante contar con una Memoria Organizacional que de soporte a la captura, estructuración, reuso y diseminación del conocimiento creado por sus empleados. La utilidad de una Memoria Organizacional radica en que el conocimiento que almacena pueda ser fácilmente compartido entre sistemas dentro de la organización o entre organizaciones colaborativas. En esta tesis mostramos cómo se puede implementar una Memoria Organizacional Basada en Ontologías y Casos que administre en forma consistente, automática y distribuída el conocimiento presente en una empresa. A medida que el área de Gestión del Conocimiento va progresando hacia una disciplina más madura, se van obteniendo importantes resultados de investigación relacionados a Memoria Organizacional, Gestión del Conocimiento y Razonamiento Basado en Casos. Sin embargo, se observa que el desarrollo rápido y caótico de tanta información relacionada a estas áreas, proveniente de fuentes heterogéneas, y la falta de consenso en la terminología utilizada, dificulta su aplicación y reuso de forma eficiente en los procesos de Gestión del Conocimiento. Con el propósito de dar solución a esta problemática, uno de los aportes de esta tesis es proveer una conceptualización del dominio de Memoria Organizacional Basada en Casos (MOBC) que se formaliza en una Ontología para dicho ámbito. La Ontología de MOBC, combina aspectos de Memoria Organizacional con Razonamiento Basado en Casos para representar cada ítem de conocimiento informal. La estructuración del conocimiento informal en casos, facilita la captura, transferencia, y reuso a través de un procesamiento automático. La ontología propuesta, es usada como base para el diseño y construcción de un sistema de Memoria Organizacional Basada en Casos y un sistema de recomendación para proyectos de medición y evaluación en aseguramiento de calidad, que usa la MOBC como su componente central. En Ingeniería de Software/Web, el aseguramiento de la calidad y como consecuencia la medición y evaluación, son procesos de soporte claves para el desarrollo y mantenimiento de aplicaciones de software. Por lo tanto la administración en forma consistente y eficiente del conocimiento relacionado a dichos proyectos es muy importante para la toma de decisiones, el reuso y la recomendación en nuevos proyectos, tomando ventaja de las experiencias anteriores, lecciones aprendidas y las buenas prácticas.Facultad de Informátic

Strategic Assortment Decisions in Omnichannel Retailing: The Design and Evaluation of an Omnichannel Assortment Ontology for Consumer Confusion.

Consumer confusion is a phenomenon observed in retail settings where consumers feel irritation or frustration during the shopping journey. Consumers can be overwhelmed by assortment size, complex product variety, brand similarities, information inconsistencies or by intense stimuli from store atmospherics inducing information overload, leading to adverse reactions. Oftentimes, these experiences result in various negative short- and long-term consequences such as helplessness, purchase abandonment, dissatisfaction, or loss of trust or loyalty, thus representing a crucial challenge for retailers to prevent or mitigate. Consumer confusion has been studied extensively in a single-channel context, for instance, by investigating information overload phenomena in online shopping situations or examining increased choice sets resulting from large assortment sizes in physical stores. However, although omnichannel retailing has become the current state-of-the-art in the retail industry today, consumer confusion research from an omnichannel perspective is still very scarce. With the increased adoption of the omnichannel strategy by retailers that allow free switching behaviour for their customers during their shopping journeys, a new dimension to the consumer confusion phenomenon is observed. Customers are not only exposed to potential confusion at a specific retail situation in a single channel but are now confronted with potential new negative experiences while comparing products, prices, or information across channels. Particularly, when confronted with assortment inconsistencies across channels while switching channels, customers can experience irritation, frustration, or annoyance if the desired item is not to be found on the other channel, leading to adverse reactions that can potentially impact the retailer's financial performance. Prior literature has considered consumer confusion induced by assortment size, variety, or layout, but neglected its occurrence from assortment inconsistencies across channels from a channel switching perspective so far. This thesis focuses on the consumer confusion phenomenon resulting from assortment inconsistencies across channels from a channel-switching perspective in omnichannel retailing. Strategic assortment decisions in omnichannel retailing involve the coordination of the assortment between channels. Retailers can decide to realise a “Full”, “Asymmetric”, or “No Integration” approach for their assortment across channels. These strategic assortment decisions are taken at the Marketing-Operations-Interface (MOI), an interface harmonizing oftentimes conflicting relationships between objectives of the marketing and operations functions of the retailer. Although identical assortment across channels seems to be the desired solution to prevent consumer confusion (representing an objective from the marketing function), retailers oftentimes apply partial integration to benefit from channel-specific advantages such as the Long Tail effect (representing an objective from the operations function) which is detrimental to consumer confusion prevention. Retailers seem to neglect the significance of consumer confusion while making strategic assortment decisions at the MOI indicating that the phenomenon is not sufficiently explored or captured in an omnichannel context. Retailers appear to lack knowledge of the relevant concepts, dimensions, and consequences of the consumer confusion phenomenon. As a result, retailers are likely to fail in addressing and preventing the occurrence of the consumer confusion phenomenon in an omnichannel context. Current studies on strategic assortment decisions and consumer confusion in omnichannel retailing are very scarce and primarily based on experimental studies with a strong lack of empirical contributions. More importantly, none of the studies considers channel switching behaviour in the context of consumer confusion although representing the primary condition for the phenomenon to occur. There is a need for the integration and alignment of knowledge capturing the domains for strategic assortment decisions, the consumer confusion concept, and its short- and long-term consequences from a channel switching behaviour perspective in order to inform strategic assortment decisions at the MOI. Ontologies are explicit and formal specifications of shared conceptualisations that can structure and link information of specific domains and thus are a suitable technique for knowledge representation. Grounded on a Design Science project, this research designs and develops an ontology-based knowledge representation that captures and aligns domain knowledge on strategic assortment decisions, the consumer confusion concept and its consequences from a channel switching behaviour perspective in an omnichannel retailing context. The literature- and practitioner-informed Omnichannel Assortment Ontology for Consumer Confusion is able to integrate and represent relevant concepts and their relationships at the MOI in order to inform omnichannel retailers on the link between strategic assortment decisions and the consumer confusion phenomenon. The ontology is instantiated and evaluated through a System Dynamics model based on a case study that demonstrates successfully its ability to inform omnichannel retailers on strategic assortment decisions and the consumer confusion concept at the MOI. This study contributes to theory and practice in various ways. From a theoretical perspective, this is the first study to link strategic assortment decisions with the consumer confusion concept from a channel switching behaviour perspective. The solution design embodies novel design knowledge on the construction of an ontology-based knowledge representation. Moreover, the study enhances the fields of omnichannel assortment, consumer confusion, and channel switching behaviour research by introducing novel concepts, tools, and an improved understanding of the domains and their interplay with each other. From a managerial perspective, the ontology effectively serves as a knowledge reference that is able to guide strategic decision-making in assortment integration for omnichannel retailers at the MOI. This allows omnichannel retailers to identify and mitigate potential adverse consumer reactions induced by consumer confusion, thus eventually preventing financial impact on their retail performance