Exploring the issues in knowledge management

This paper introduces a general, formal treatment of dynamic constraints, i.e., constraints on the state changes that are allowed in a given state space. Such dynamic constraints can be seen as representations of "real world" constraints in a managerial context. The notions of transition, reversible and irreversible transition, and transition relation will be introduced. The link with Kripke models (for modal logics) is also made explicit. Several (subtle) examples of dynamic constraints will be given. Some important classes of dynamic constraints in a database context will be identified, e.g. various forms of cumulativity, non-decreasing values, constraints on initial and final values, life cycles, changing life cycles, and transition and constant dependencies. Several properties of these dependencies will be treated. For instance, it turns out that functional dependencies can be considered as "degenerated" transition dependencies. Also, the distinction between primary keys and alternate keys is reexamined, from a dynamic point of view.

CONCEPTUAL MODELING AND CLUSTER ANALYSIS: DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR INFORMATION ARCHITECTURES

An information architecture (IA) specification is given for a dutch organization, the CBR (Central Bureau for certificates of driving proficiency). A discussion of the specification process shows that other issues are taken into account than those tackled by the information planning method used. However, this is done in an informal and intuitive manner. We argue that the specification of alternative information architectures can give a more solid basis to this process. In order to generate these alternative architectures, various design strategies are needed. A generalization of design strategies can be found in cluster analysis. The application of cluster analysis calls for an appropriate problem representation. This is achieved by using a model hierarchy as a conceptual model of the data being handled in an information planning process. The model hierarchy also serves as the basis of a decision support system for information architecture specification, which is described briefly. To demonstrate the feasibility of our approach, we compare the original CBR architecture with an information architecture generated by the decision support system. It turns out that the new architecture performs better with respect to the decentralization perspective of the organization

Towards a better understanding of the e-health user: comparing USE IT and Requirements study for an Electronic Patient Record.

This paper compares a traditional requirements study with 22 interviews for the design of an electronic patient record (EPR) and a USE IT analysis with 17 interviews trying to understand the end- user of an EPR. Developing, implementing and using information technology in organizations is a complex social activity. It is often characterized by ill-defined problems or vague goals, conflicts and disruptions that result from organizational change. Successfully implementing information systems in healthcare organizations appears to be a difficult task. Information Technology is regarded as an enabler of change in healthcare organizations but (information) technology adoption decisions in healthcare are complex, because of the uncertainty of benefits and the rate of change of technology. (Job) Relevance is recognized as an important determinant for IS success but still does not find its way into a systems design process

Information Systems and Healthcare XXIII: Exploring Interoperability of Electronic Healthcare Records by Studying Demand and Supply in the Netherlands

Every year, the Dutch Minister of Health promises that by the following year, all citizens in the Netherlands will have an Electronic Health Record (EHR). Until now this promise has not been met. One of the main requirements for realizing a national EHR is an interoperability framework, agreeable to the government, vendors and users. This paper first studies the demand side using the results of twenty two interviews with physicians, asking them about their core processes and their expected value of an EHR. This provides us with the adoption perspective on the EHR market. Next we look at the current EHR market, investigating the suppliers and their achievements and market share. Finally we take a look at the government side with an overview of the interoperability requirements dictated by the national IT-agenda for healthcare. The contribution of this paper is twofold: o First, our main conclusion is that success in the EHR market in the Netherlands is not yet motivated by interoperability requirements. o Second, from a detailed analysis on micro level the following result stands out: A majority of the end users (demand side) do not get support in their relevant working processes

On the Adaptation of an Agile Information Systems Development Method

Little specific research has been conducted to date on the adaptation of agile information systems development (ISD) methods. This article presents the work practice in dealing with the adaptation of such a method in the ISD department of one of the leading financial institutes in Europe. Two forms of method adaptation, static adaptation and dynamic adaptation, are introduced and discussed in detail. We provide some insights plus an instrument that the ISD department studied uses to deal with the dynamic method adaptation. To enhance our understanding of the observed practice, we take into account two complementary perspectives: the engineering perspective and the socio-organizational perspective. Practical and theoretical implications of this study are discussed.Keywords: agile method; information systems development; method adaptation; method engineerin