Pragmatics of Enterprise Modelling Languages: A Framework for Understanding and Explaining

Contains fulltext : 180503.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Radboud University, 12 januari 2018Promotor : Proper, H.A. Co-promotores : Sottet, J.-S., Hoppenbrouwers, S.J.B.A.XIX, 269 p

Towards Grounded Enterprise Modelling

Contains fulltext : 195308.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems. OTM 2017 Workshops Confederated International Workshops, EI2N, FBM, ICSP, Meta4eS, OTMA 2017 and ODBASE Posters 2017, Rhodes, Greece, October 23–28, 201

Streamlining Structured Data Markup and Agile Modelling Methods

Part 2: Short PapersInternational audienceStructured Data Markup allows Web developers to embed semantics in HTML pages, thus enabling clients (search engines, client apps etc.) to distil machine-readable resource descriptions from HTML code. This approach emerged from the Semantic Web paradigm as a powerful alternative to traditional Web scraping. Its enablers are dedicated HTML extensions (e.g., RDFa) and controlled vocabularies (e.g., Schema.org). Originating in a different context, Enterprise Modelling methods rely on diagrammatic means for describing and analysing an enterprise system in terms of key properties and conceptual abstractions. Hence, both the Semantic Web and Enterprise Modelling paradigms share a common interest in machine-processable semantics towards the goal of elevating semantics-awareness in information systems and decision support. Inspired by this overlapping, the paper proposes a mechanism for streamlining semantics between Structured Data Markup and enterprise modelling methods. Towards this goal, it employs the Resource Description Framework and the Agile Modelling Method Engineering Framework

Systems Approaches in the Enterprise Architecture Field of Research : A Systematic Literature Review

This study explores the use of the systems approaches (systems thinking and systems theories) as the theoretical underpinnings for Enterprise Architecture (EA) research. Both the academic and the practitioner communities have maintained an interest in EA due to its potential benefits, promising for the recent technological and business advances. EA as a research area is, however, characterized by diversified views depicted in different definitions of the concept, and no acknowledged common theoretical foundation. A number of prior studies have noticed this gap in the EA field of research, and called for a strengthening of the theory of EA. Variegated systems approaches have been suggested as a theory base. The aim of this study is to examine if, and to what extent the systems approaches could provide a common theoretical foundation. We contribute with a systematic literature review on the state-of-art of systems approaches in EA research. We find that the systems approaches are, indeed, frequently referred to in the EA studies. However, as of yet, the application of these theories appears to be fragmented, and the approaches are rarely systematically used in empirical studies. We discuss the findings, reflecting to the types of theory and the use of theory in our area of research.peerReviewe

Enterprise Modelling in the Age of Digital Transformation

Part 6: Experience ReportsInternational audienceThe digital transformation forces enterprises to change. In addition, the notion of economic exchange, core to the economy, has shifted from following a goods-dominant logic to a service-dominant logic, putting the focus on continuous value co-creation between providers and consumers. These trends drive enterprises to transform continuously.During enterprise transformations, coordination among the stakeholders involved is key. Shared understanding, agreement, and commitment, is needed on topics such as: the overall strategy of the enterprise, the current affairs of the enterprise and its context, as well as the ideal future affairs.Models, and ultimately enterprise modelling languages and frameworks, are generally seen as an effective way to enable such (informed) coordination. To this end, different languages and frameworks have been developed, including ArchiMate.ArchiMate, which has evolved to become a widely accepted industry standard, was developed at a time where the digital transformation was not yet that noticeable. At that the time, the focus was more on consolidation and optimisation. As such, it is logical to expect that the existing ArchiMate language may require some “updates” to be ready for digital transformations. The objective of this paper is therefore threefold: (1) posit, based on practical experiences and insights, key challenges which the digital transformation puts on enterprise (architecture) modelling languages, (2) assess to what extent ArchiMate meets these challenges, and (3) provide suggestions on how to possibly improve ArchiMate to better meet these challenges