Showing papers on "Knowledge sharing published in 1997"

Construction of Engineering Ontologies for Knowledge Sharing and Reuse

Abstract: This thesis describes an investigation into the practical use of ontologies for the development of information systems. Ontologies are formal descriptions of shared knowledge in a domain. An ontology can be used as a specification of an information system because it specifies the knowledge that is required for the tasks the information system has to perform. Sharing and reuse of ontologies across different domains and applications can therefore improve information systems design. Ontologies have been a subject for a lot of research carried out in the artificial intelligence community. Although many ontologies have been developed, they fail to demonstrate that ontologies for large and complex domains can be developed that can be used and reused across different applications. There are three reasons for this: (i) many ontologies have not been used to develop a real-life application, (ii) many ontologies have not been reused for different applications in different domains and (iii)many ontologies are merely taxonomies of domain concepts and fail to capture meta-level and tacit background knowledge.

The DARPA knowledge sharing effort: progress report

Abstract: Building knowledge-based systems today usually entails constructing a new knowledge base from scratch. Even if several groups of researchers are working in the same general area, such as medicine or electronic diagnosis, each team must develop its own knowledge base from scratch. The cost of this duplication of effort has been high and will become prohibitive as we build larger and larger systems. Furthermore, lack of methodology for sharing and communicating knowledge poses a signicant road-block in developing large multi-center research projects such as DARPA/Rome Laboratory Planning and Scheduling Initative. To overcome these barrier and advance the state of the art, we must finnd ways of preserving existing knowledge bases, and sharing, reusing, and building on them.

Knowledge Management: Linking People to Knowledge for Bottom Line Results

Abstract: Executives in large organizations know that they must develop better techniques to manage their greatest asset: knowledge. Organizations currently create and maintain knowledge in isolated systems targeted at specific workgroups. For users outside the workgroup, that knowledge is virtually invisible. Vendors of all manner of tools, from intranet development tools to document management systems to search engines, are calling their products Knowledge Management systems, without regard to what that means. Without new technologies to create revolutionary change in the way knowledge workers create, communicate and manage information, a Knowledge Management system has little chance of improving enterprise knowledge sharing. This paper explores the concepts and technologies associated with an effective Knowledge Management system.

Using Ontologies for Defining Tasks, Problem-Solving Methods and their Mappings

Abstract: In recent years two main technologies for knowledge sharing and reuse have emerged: ontologies and problem solving methods (PSMs). Ontologies specify reusable conceptualizations which can be shared by multiple reasoning components communicating during a problem solving process. PSMs describe in a domain-independent way the generic reasoning steps and knowledge types needed to perform a task. Typically PSMs are specified in a task-specific fashion, using modelling frameworks which describe their control and inference structures as well as their knowledge requirements and competence. In this paper we discuss a novel approach to PSM specification, which is based on the use of formal ontologies. In particular our specifications abstract from control, data flow and other dynamic aspects of PSMs to focus on the logical theory associated with a PSM (method ontology). This approach concentrates on the competence and knowledge requirements of a PSM, rather than internal control details, thus enabling black-box-style reuse. In the paper we also look at the nature of PSM specifications and we show that these can be characterised in a task-independent style as generic search strategies. The resulting ‘modelling gap’ between method-independent task specifications and task-independent method ontologies can be bridged by constructing the relevant adapter ontology, which reformulates the method ontology in task-specific terms. An important aspect of the ontology-centred approach described here is that, in contrast with other characterisations of task-independent PSMs, it does away with the simple, binary distinction between weak and strong methods. We argue that any method can be defined in either task-independent or task-dependent style and therefore such distinction is of limited utility in PSM reuse. The differences between PSMs which affect reuse concern the ontological commitments which they make with respect to domain knowledge and goal specifications.

The dynamics of work organization, knowledge and technology during software development

Abstract: In this paper we report findings from a study of the impact of cognitive and organizational factors upon the work of a software development project within a commercial context. We chose to study the relationship between the way in which project work is organized; the distribution of knowledge amongst project members; their use of programming tools; and the major problems that occurred during the development of a large scale computer program. Our findings point to a dynamic interplay between these factors which partly reflects the importance of expertise and knowledge within the project as well as evidence of opportunistic and emergent forms of work organization, communication and collaboration. Our study demonstrates the importance of recognizing the influence that managerial interventions and the use of new technology can have upon the conduct of software development, as well as the difficulties such changes may bring about when they disrupt organizational and cognitive processes such as “mutual adjustment” and “knowledge sharing”. We conclude the paper by describing a series of implications and recommendations. These cover issues related to the “knowledge intensive” nature of software development; the influence of new technology upon project work; as well as recommendations regarding the management of software projects and the software process.

A new paradigm for knowledge-based competition: building an industry through knowledge sharing

Abstract: A common assumption in traditional strategic management thinking is that competitive success may be achieved by the creation and protection offirm-specific factors, either favourable market positions, as in industrial organization-based frameworks, or unique resources, such as intellectual properg and tacit knowledge, as in resource-based frameworks. This paper argues that owing to certain long-term trends in technology, industries and socieg, this paradigm is no longer appropriate for modern knowledge-based industries, particularly emerging high-technology industries. In these industries, technologies and firms are increasing4 interconnected in a complex web of interactions, and the main task o f strategic management is one o f managing technological and industy co-evolution. Complexity theory is used to identify mechanisms and strategies for creating sustainable technological communities and industries.

A Web-Based Compositional Modeling System for Sharing of Physical Knowledge.

Abstract: This paper describes a compositional modeling system called CDME (Collaborative Device Modeling Environment) for constructing domain theories of physical systems, composing models of devices, and simulating their behavior. We have implemented the system with the goal of encouraging sharing as well as the collaborative construction of knowledge bases describing physical domains. To maximize the chance of sharing and reuse of knowledge, CDME is implemented as a collection of network services on the World Wide Web. Knowledge is represented at three distinct levels: the physical, ontological, and logical. We describe the levels of representation, and how the system enables knowledge sharing at each level.

An intelligent agent community approach to knowledge sharing

Abstract: This paper illustrates a community of intelligent agents and how they facilitate knowledge sharing in the process of environmental scanning. The main components of the distributive feature of the agent community are a manager that controls all processes at a node, a server to handle the inter-node communication requests and services, a planner to provide an efficient plan of communication, and a scheduler to use the resources effectively. Methodologically, these are detailed from a software engineering perspective as we present an example of the agent community in use: supporting a group working in disparate units of the organization. These units include new business acquisition at the strategic level and new services to increase market share units at the tactical level of the organization.

Ontological structures for knowledge sharing

Abstract: Many benefits could be obtained by bringing together sources of knowledge so that information could be shared and greater understanding generated. The KRAFT project1 is investigating the re‐use and fusion of constraint‐based knowledge in particular. This paper describes the approach being taken by the project and examines the ontological structures involved.

The Neutral Representation Project

Abstract: The evolving complexity of many modern artifacts, such as aircraft, has led to a serious fragmentation of knowledge among software systems required for their design and manufacture. In the case of aircraft design, views of the same generic design knowledge are redundantly encoded in multiple software systems, each system using its own idiosyncractic ontology, and each system containing that knowledge in an implicit, taskand vendor-specific form. This situation is expensive, due to high cost of developing from scratch, maintaining and keeping synchronized the many systems used in design. Boeing’s "Neutral Representation" project aims to address these concerns by prototyping languages and methods for making these underlying ontologies and knowledge explicit, and hence more sharable and maintainable. We are approaching this goal through three tasks: Building explicit, neutral, machinesensible representations of design knowledge; structuring that knowledge into reusable components, indexed by the ontologies which they use; and linking those representations with existing design systems. In this paper we present the work done this year, and discuss issues related to ontological engineering and knowledge sharing which have arisen.

Knowledge Sharing Through Electronic Course Delivery

Abstract: SUMMARY The changing nature of computing and communications technologies has critical implications for the future delivery of education. There are three crucial issues. First, the delivery of distance education, student remediation, performance assessment and accreditation through mechanisms such as the Worldwide Web (WWW). Second, the development of guidelines which will allow designers to embed sound pedagogic principles into computer‐based education provision. Third, the development of suitable electronic performance support systems to support student and staff activities within such environments. This paper addresses these problems through a discussion of the underlying processes. Three case studies are then presented which illustrate how these ideas have been practically applied and the impact that such work has on the wider problems of knowledge sharing through electronic course delivery within a university setting. This work provides a powerful framework for future knowledge sharing on a global scale.

Knowledge discovery and sharing in an information system

Abstract: The collection, organization, retrieval and interpretation of knowledge and information are not only important to an organization's success but vital to its survival. This paper deals with the knowledge conversion within/between tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge in new product development. Based on the framework of NII services, an Internet service for knowledge discovery and sharing, is proposed in the context of their on-going development of an information system for knowledge amplification.

At the Core of a Knowledge Base

Abstract: As organizations have become increasingly effective at reducing costs and improving efficiency in their operations, their attention has shifted to revenue growth. Tapping the collective creativity and know‐how of employees is emerging as one of the best ways to anticipate customer needs and grow new markets. Typically, when companies set out to create knowledge bases, the first issue that they tackle is technology. In many cases, resources and patience are exhausted by the time they have resolved technology issues. This paper reviews Arthur Andersen’s experiences in developing knowledge bases ‐ focusing on content; knowledge sharing; and culture change.

Leveraging Knowledge for Operational Excellence

Abstract: A recognition that pockets of business and process excellence existed alongside mediocrity led Texas Instruments to establish a Best Practice Sharing programme under the direction of the Office of Best Practices. The Office of Best Practices, launched in 1994, is a dedicated unit which helps Texas Instruments’ worldwide businesses to identify, access and transfer best practices. TI’s Best Practice Sharing initiative was implemented to provide a mechanism for dialogue between TI leadership and TI employees and to facilitate collaboration based on the company’s strengths and business gaps. The goal is to provide a quicker path to achieving business excellence. In addition to providing these solutions, the Best Practice Sharing project has provided TI employees with a greater sense of the synergies possible across the company and a greater feeling of shared vision. This paper reviews the TI‐BEST programme, the Best Practice Sharing initiative, and examines the lessons learnt and benefits gained from best practices knowledge sharing.

Software Development as Knowledge Creation

Abstract: This paper proposes a fundamental change in the way we view software development and the role of software in our society. We argue that the conventional understanding of software as a vehicle for automation is responsible for some of the most serious problems in the industry. As an alternative, we present a view of software as knowledge, and software development as knowledge creation. This shift in understanding can help to unsettle many deeply ingrained beliefs that have contributed to the software crisis; it points the way to alternative processes based on the goals of inquiry, discovery, and knowledge sharing.

Requirements for components of an intelligent information retrieval model for the WWW

Abstract: We are currently witnessing an eruption of (potentially) useful information that is made available over the Internet. Providing easy and efficient access to this information is crucial bearing in mind the high levels of distribution and semantic heterogeneity (compounded also by syntactic mismatches) exhibited by the Web. The paper describes a framework for information retrieval based on knowledge sharing and reuse. The authors adopt a common three-layer WWW architecture, consisting of a user agent, an information location service provider (mediator), and a resource access mechanism (wrapper). Their contribution is to functionally decompose these components in order to give more precise meaning to their roles, and to enable design decisions about the division of labour (and associated meta-knowledge) between them. They set out requirements for an adequate information resource description so that one can handle the variety of information resources connected to the Internet. They show that it is desirable for the meta-knowledge to be communicated between the WWW layers and propose that it should be part of the mediator functionality.

Exploiting abstraction relationships' semantics for transaction synchronization in KBMSs

Abstract: Currently, knowledge sharing is turning out to be a crucial area that needs to be supported by Knowledge Base Management Systems (KBMSs). We propose an approach for transaction synchronization in KBMSs-LARS (Locks using Abstraction Relationships' Semantics). We show how we obtain serializability of transactions thereby providing different locking granules. The main benefit of our technique is the high degree of potential concurrency, which is obtained by means of a logical partitioning of the knowledge base (KB) grounded in the abstraction relationships, and the provision of many lock types to be used on the basis of each partition. In this way, we capture the abstraction relationships' semantics which are contained in a KB graph for transaction synchronization purposes and enable the exploitation of the inherent parallelism in a knowledge representation approach.

Global Sharing of Consulting Knowledge

Abstract: Knowledge is a valuable asset that is a challenge to share globally. At Andersen Consulting, ~ the knowledge is our collective consulting expertise, which includes how we do our work, what work we have done, and current developments in our lines of work. The users of this knowledge are the over 40,000 Andersen consultants worldwide who sell their services to external clients. Our group works to conceptualize knowledge management issues and address them by developing tools, interfaces, processes, and architectures to facilitate knowledge sharing. To this end, we collaborate with a large comnaunity of knowledge managers, who own and maintain many of the hundreds of Lotus Notes® 2 databases located throughout the world.

The WISECARE Project and the impact of information technology on nursing knowledge.

Abstract: The European Union retained the WISECARE project "Work flow Information Systems for European nursing CARE" for funding. The project focuses on the use of telematics technology for clinical and resource management in oncology care in hospitals. This paper outlines the impact of introducing this kind of advanced nursing informatics application on the management of nursing knowledge. Three shift in knowledge management that will get high attention in WISECARE, are identified. The first is the shift from knowledge dissemination to knowledge sharing. The second is the shift from individual knowledge to organisational knowledge. The third is the shift from deductive, prescriptive knowledge as seen in guidelines, protocols to more inductive, experience based knowledge. The paper emphasizes that the real impact of information technology is not in the automation of existing processes but on the discovery of new ways of organisation and living.

Working group report on information infrastructure for global and virtual enterprises

Abstract: Studies IT-based methods and tools to facilitate cooperation between people working at different locations in heterogeneous environments. Several important issues related to virtual enterprises are discussed, and contributions to their resolution offered. The issues covered include: geographical distance; dynamic properties; knowledge capture and sharing; conflict management; formal verification; scalability and extendibility; and security.

ode1 for ~ntuitive

Abstract: This paper proposes a system which eases the job of entering and sharing expert analysis on a database system, with emphasis to pictorial and document information. With this system a medical doctor expert on the analysis of certain imagery can not only do the normal browsing/querying but also interact with the images in a human-like fashion storing his analysis to be shared in a PACS system. Knowledge information is organized in dynamically configurable nested collections hierarchy with categories and registries that allow a web-based intuitive navigation and interaction with the system. The system combines hyperlink navigation applied at all levels with user-friendly advanced visual query facilities. It also includes facilities for extended semantics. It is cooperative, helping the user to choose the next step. The intelligent conjunction of all those features creates a very useful system. We conceive it as a possible add-on to any existing database. It is called KnowShareSys or KSS, synonyms for Knowledge Sharing System.

Sharlok : An open group learning support system focusing on awareness

Abstract: In this paper we describe Knowledge Awareness (KA), which supports the inspiration of collaborative learning in the open group learning support systems using networks, and its test system Sharlok (Sharing, Linking and Looking for Knowledge). Sharlock is an open learning environment where every learner connected to the network can store knowledge and discuss it. KA means knowledge awareness in which, using the past history of learners in the shared database, we become aware of the existence of the learners or the presence of knowledge that can be discussed. As KA inspires discussion, the learners learn eagerly and the shared database is refined and expanded. An evaluation of the test system proposed in this paper is described and the effectiveness of KA is demonstrated.

A model for intuitive knowledge sharing

Abstract: This paper proposes a system which eases the job of entering and sharing expert analysis on a database system, with emphasis to pictorial and document information. With this system a medical doctor expert on the analysis of certain imagery can not only do the normal browsing/querying but also interact with the images in a human-like fashion storing his analysis to be shared in a PACS system. Knowledge information is organized in dynamically configurable nested collections hierarchy with categories and registries that allow a web-based intuitive navigation and interaction with the system. The system combines hyperlink navigation applied at all levels with user-friendly advanced visual query facilities. It also includes facilities for extended semantics. It is cooperative, helping the user to choose the next step. The intelligent conjunction of all those features creates a very useful system. We conceive it as a possible add-on to any existing database. It is called KnowShareSys or KSS, synonyms for Knowledge Sharing System.