Rita Butkiene

Bio: Rita Butkiene is an academic researcher from Kaunas University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Semantic search & Higher education. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 13 publications receiving 50 citations.

Extending BPMN Business Process Model with SBVR Business Vocabulary and Rules

Abstract: Despite the fact that business process (BP) modeling has its long-lasting traditions in various areas of application, this discipline remains in the constant process of improvement and issue-solving. The possibilities of synergy among business process models and business vocabularies & rules are analyzed in this paper. The authors emphasize the existing gap between business process modeling and specification of business vocabularies & rules. Such situation may lead to misunderstandings while reading and interpreting business models and also miscommunication issues within among the organizations. Some of these issues could be resolved by realizing the integration of BP modeling standards with business vocabularies & rules. The paper presents some argumentation to back such statements. Later, basic principles of the approach for BPMN Business process model integration with SBVR business vocabulary & rules are presented and briefly described in this paper. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.itc.41.4.2013

Developing SBVR Vocabularies and Business Rules from OWL2 Ontologies

Abstract: Semantics of Business Vocabulary and Business Rules (SBVR) is OMG adopted metamodel allowing defining noun concepts, verb concepts and business rules of a problem domain in structured natural language based on formal logics. SBVR business vocabulary and business rules are capable of representing ontologies. There are some research works devoted to transforming SBVR into Web Ontology Language OWL2. The reverse way of representing ontology concepts with SBVR structured language was not investigated though there are much more ontologies than SBVR vocabularies. Our research is concentrated on methodology for creating SBVR vocabularies and rules from OWL2 ontologies without a loss of the expressive power, characteristic for ontologies, as some ontology-specific concepts have no direct representation in SBVR. The particular attention is devoted to applying SBVR vocabulary in semantic search.

Models for Administration to Ensure the Successful Transition to Distance Learning during the Pandemic

Abstract: Lack of guidelines for implementing distance learning, lack of infrastructure, lack of competencies, and security-related problems were the challenges met during the pandemic. These challenges firstly fall on the administration of a higher education institution. To assist in solving the challenges of the pandemic for the administration of a higher education institution, the paper presents several models for the organization of the processes of distance learning. These models are as follows: a conceptual model of distance learning, a model of strategic planning of distance learning, a model of the assessment before the start of distance learning, a model of the preparation for distance learning, and a model of the process of distance learning and remote work. Student profile, lecturer profile, organizational environment, assessment, and planning of the infrastructure of information and communication technology (ICT), assessment and planning of the virtual learning environment, and assessment of distance learning competencies of participants of the study process are also considered. The developed models are based on five main processes of instructional design, i.e., analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The models provide guidelines for the administration of higher education institutions on the preparation and delivery of distance learning during the pandemic. The models were validated by 10 experts from different higher education institutions. The feasibility of the data collection instrument was determined by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient that is above 0.9.

Pandemic-Induced Qualitative Changes in the Process of University Studies from the Perspective of University Authorities

Abstract: The pandemic COVID-19 period in education has brought many challenges to all organizations. The activities of the higher educational institutions are being affected and the situation may last for a long time. Under the current circumstances, it is important to shift to distance learning through online processes and improve educational processes at all organizational levels. Institutions have to ensure successful distance or remote learning process by identifying their opportunities, meeting challenges, and establishing the sustainable quality factors for remote or distance learning. This study aimed at identifying the pandemic-induced qualitative changes in studies that have occurred at the levels of university authorities, lecturers, and students. Universities of Lithuania were taken as a case study. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that the focus of analysis is not on the negative effects of the pandemic observed in higher education studies but on finding positive qualitative changes that are also of importance to future studies. Phenomenographic qualitative research strategy was chosen in the research and 15 in-depth semi-structured interviews with experts in university studies were conducted. Seven categories were distinguished during the research representing qualitative changes in studies at three levels—authorities, lecturers, and students. The discussed levels seemed to have a mutual effect on each other. The external motivation of leaders and the support and establishment of work and online study conditions encouraged both external and internal qualitative changes in studies from the perspective of lecturers as well as students.

Survey of Open-Source Clouds Capabilities Extension

Abstract: In this paper, we present a survey, which would be beneficial to anybody considering private or hybrid cloud solution implementation or implementing custom scheduling optimization algorithm on popular cloud computing platforms. The cloud computing platform can be deployed as a private cloud on-premises or in dedicated data centre space, as a public service or as a combination of both. In this survey, we review similarities and differences of most popular private cloud implementation platforms and their compatibility with public cloud solutions. The survey reveales the prevalence of resource scheduling and service deployment algorithms within some popular open-source clouds.

Modeling Languages for Business Processes and Business Rules: A Representational Analysis

Abstract: Process modeling and rule modeling languages are both used to document organizational policies and procedures. To date, their synergies and overlap are under-researched. Understanding the relationship between the two modeling types would allow organizations to maximize synergies, avoid content duplication, and thus reduce their overall modeling effort. In this paper we use the Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW) representation theory to compare the representation capabilities of process and rule modeling languages. We perform a representational analysis of four rule modeling specifications: The Simple Rule Markup Language (SRML), the Semantic Web Rules Language (SWRL), the Production Rule Representation (PRR) and the Semantics of Business Vocabulary and Business Rules (SBVR) specification. We compare their BWW representation capabilities with those of four popular conceptual process modeling languages. In our analysis we focus on the aspects of maximum ontological completeness and minimum ontological overlap. The outcome of this study shows that no single language is internally complete with respect to the BWW representation model. We also show that a combination of two languages, in particular SRML and BPMN, appears to be better suited for combined process and rule modeling than any of these modeling languages used independently.

Do process modelling techniques get better? A comparative ontological analysis of BPMN

Abstract: Current initiatives in the field of Business Process Management (BPM) strive for the development of a BPM standard notation by pushing the Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN). However, such a proposed standard notation needs to be carefully examined. Ontological analysis is an established theoretical approach to evaluating modelling techniques. This paper reports on the outcomes of an ontological analysis of BPMN and explores identified issues by reporting on interviews conducted with BPMN users in Australia. Complementing this analysis we consolidate our findings with previous ontological analyses of process modelling notations to deliver a comprehensive assessment of BPMN.

Business Process Management: A Survey

Abstract: Business Process Management (BPM) includes methods, techniques, and tools to support the design, enactment, management, and analysis of operational business processes. It can be considered as an extension of classical Workflow Management (WFM) systems and approaches. Although the practical relevance of BPM is undisputed, a clear definition of BPM and related acronyms such as BAM, BPA, and STP are missing. Moreover, a clear scientific foundation is missing. In this paper, we try to demystify the acronyms in this domain, describe the state-of-the-art technology, and argue that BPM could benefit from formal methods/languages (cf. Petri nets, process algebras, etc.).

Low-Code as Enabler of Digital Transformation in Manufacturing Industry

Abstract: Currently, enterprises have to make quick and resilient responses to changing market requirements. In light of this, low-code development platforms provide the technology mechanisms to facilitate and automate the development of software applications to support current enterprise needs and promote digital transformation. Based on a theory-building research methodology through the literature and other information sources review, the main contribution of this paper is the current characterisation of the emerging low-code domain following the foundations of the computer-aided software engineering field. A context analysis, focused on the current status of research related to the low-code development platforms, is performed. Moreover, benchmarking among the existing low-code development platforms addressed to manufacturing industry is analysed to identify the current lacking features. As an illustrative example of the emerging low-code paradigm and respond to the identified uncovered features, the virtual factory open operating system (vf-OS) platform is described as an open multi-sided low-code framework able to manage the overall network of a collaborative manufacturing and logistics environment that enables humans, applications, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to seamlessly communicate and interoperate in the interconnected environment, promoting resilient digital transformation.

Effect of linked rules on business process model understanding

Abstract: Business process models are widely used in organizations by information systems analysts to represent complex business requirements and by business users to understand business operations and constraints. This understanding is extracted from graphical process models as well as business rules. Prior research advocated integrating business rules into business process models to improve the effectiveness of important organizational activities, such as developing shared understanding, effective communication, and process improvement. However, whether such integrated modeling can improve the understanding of business processes has not been empirically evaluated. In this paper, we report on an experiment that investigates the effect of linked rules, a specific rule integration approach, on business process model understanding. Our results indicate that linked rules are associated with better time efficiency in interpreting business operations, less mental effort, and partially associated with improved accuracy of understanding.