Interactive visualization of dynamic models

Models in information systems are usually static in the sense that they can be visualized in a traditional way, using for example diagrams. In this paper we consider models which can be visualized only using what we call interactive visualization, that is, a kind of visualization where interaction with the user is essential. The interaction with the user triggers an action potentially changing the models themselves, and therefore we call them dynamic models. Since dynamic models cannot be printed on paper, we introduce a generic visualization tool supporting the interactive visualization of dynamic models. The first key feature of our interactive visualization tool is a distinction between model content on the one hand, and model visualization on the other hand. Using this distinction, we neither represent actions changing the model as a separate control issue, nor do we consider it as part of the visualization only. Instead, we make the actions an integrated part of the model content. We call this second key featur

From the Theory of Mind to the Construction of Social Reality

In this paper we argue that the hypothesis of the theory of mind advanced in cognitive science can be the basis not only of the social abilities which allow interaction among individuals, but also of the construction of social reality. The theory of mind is the attribution, via the agent metaphor, of mental attitudes, like beliefs and goals, to other agents. Analogously, we attribute mental attitudes to social entities, like groups, normative systems and organizations with roles. The agent metaphor explains the necessary abilities to deal with complex aspects of social behavior, like acting in a group, playing a role in an organization, and living in a reality organized in institutions which create regulative and constitutive norms to regulate behavior. To show the feasibility of this approach we provide a computational model of the construction of social reality based on multiagent systems

Inferring trust

In this paper we discuss Liau's logic of Belief, Inform and Trust (BIT), which captures the use of trust to infer beliefs from acquired information. However, the logic does not capture the derivation of trust from other notions. We therefore suggest the following two extensions. First, like Liau we observe that trust in information from an agent depends on the topic of the information. We extend BIT with a formalization of topics which are used to infer trust in a proposition from trust in another proposition, if both propositions have the same topics. Second, for many applications, communication primitiv

Enterprise Architecture Analysis with XML

This paper shows how XML can be used for static and dynamic analysis of architectures. Our analysis is based on the distinction between symbolic and semantic models of architectures. The core of a symbolic model consists of its signature that specifies symbolically its structural elements and their relationships. A semantic model is defined as a formal interpretation of the symbolic model. This provides a formal approach to the design of architectural description languages and a general mathematical foundation for the use of formal methods in enterprise architectures. For dynamic analysis we define transformations of models of architectures, modeled in XML, and for this purpose the XML vocabulary for an architecture is extended with a few constructs defined in the Rule Markup Language (RML). There are RML tools available that perform the desired transformations. 1. Introductio

Integrating architectural models

The diversity of architectural models in enterprise architecture is a problem for their integration. In this paper we distinguish three kinds of models from each other and their visualization, and we illustrate how the distinctions can be used for model integration within the architectural approach. Symbolic models express properties of architectures of systems, semantic models interpret the symbols of semantic models, and subjective models are purposely abstracted conceptions of a domain.

Normative Multiagent Systems and Trust Dynamics

In this paper we use recursive modelling to formalize sanction-based obligations in a qualitative game theory. In particular, we formalize an agent who attributes mental attitudes such as goals and desires to the normative system which creates and enforces its obligations. The wishes (goals, desires) of the normative system are the commands (obligations) of the agent. Since the agent is able to reason about the normative system’s behavior, our model accounts for many ways in which an agent can violate a norm believing that it will not be sanctioned. We thus propose a cognitive theory of normative reasoning which can be applied in theories requiring dynamic trust to understand when it is necessary to revise it

Enforceable Social Laws

In this paper we study the enforcement of social laws in artificial social systems using a control system. We define the enforceable social law problem as an extension of Tennenholtz' stable social law problem. We distinguish the choice of social laws from the choice of control systems, where the latter leads to new computational problems. We consider also properties of sanction based control systems, and monitoring when there is no full observability

Organizations as Socially Constructed Agents in the Agent Oriented Paradigm

In this paper we propose a new role for the agent metaphor in the definition of the organizational structure of multiagent systems. The agent metaphor is extended to consider as agents also social entities like organizations, groups and normative systems, so that mental attitudes can be attributed to them - beliefs, desires and goals - and also an autonomous and proactive behavior. We show how the metaphor can be applied also to structure organizations in functional areas and roles, which are described as agents too. Thus, the agent metaphor can play a role similar to the object oriented metaphor which allows structuring objects in component objects. Finally, we discuss how the agent metaphor addresses the problems of control and communication in such structured organizations