bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Supporting newly‐appointed judges: a legal knowledge management case study
Authors: Casanovas Pompeu , Poblet Marta , Casellas Núria , Contreras Jesus , Benjamins V. Richard , Blazquez Mercedes 
Published: January 2007

PurposeIn this paper we describe the process of developing and implementing a knowledge management system for the Spanish judicial domain. Spanish judges, especially newly‐recruited ones, hold a solid background of theoretical legal knowledge, but are much less familiar with the judicial knowledge of the more senior judges acquired from everyday practice and case resolution. The aim of this development is to capture and model these two aspects of judicial knowledge – theoretical and practical – for knowledge browsing and retrieving.Design/methodology/approachSemantic web technologies are applied to feed a question‐answering system based on ontologies of professional legal knowledge (OPLK).FindingsThere is a kind of specific legal knowledge, which belongs properly to the expert domain, not being captured by current legal core ontologies, i.e. Judges require clues, hints or well‐grounded practical guidelines that refer to the problem they have before them when they put a question or start the query. A scalable and useful frequently‐asked questions system should have a simple, natural language interface, work in a real time environment, and the questions included in the system should be of high quality and reflect the current situation.Originality/valueThe final system will enable the users to ask queries in natural language and obtain answers, which are supported by legal documents stored in specialized legal databases. Special care is taken regarding usability issues, in order to ensure the highest user satisfaction.
Semantic web portals: state‐of‐the‐art survey
Authors: Lausen Holger , Ding Ying , Stollberg Michael , Fensel Dieter , Lara Hernández Rubén , Han Sung‐Kook 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo present the state of the arts application of semantic web technologies in web portals and corresponding achievable improvements for identifying the potential improvement made by semantic web technology.Design/methodology/approachAn evaluation scheme is proposed to investigate various web portals that make use of semantic web technologies in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses. This scheme consists of three layers: information access, information processing and grounding technologies. Two academic portals and two commercial portals are selected based on the definition of semantic web portal. Detailed evaluation based on the proposed scheme is conducted on these four select portals.FindingsSemantic web technologies can definitely increase the information consistency and the information processing quality of web portals by using ontologies to model portal structure and consensus knowledge. Furthermore, semantic web services will be acting as the key technologies to lift current portals to next level.Originality/valueThis paper proposes an elaborated evaluation method for investigating various portals. It reveals the current status of semantic web applications in web portals.
The DILIGENT knowledge processes
Authors: Vrandečić Denny , Pinto Sofia , Tempich Christoph , Sure York 
Published: January 2007

PurposeAims to present the ontology engineering methodology DILIGENT, a methodology focussing on the evolution of ontologies instead of the initial design, thus recognizing that knowledge is a tangible and moving target.Design/methodology/approachFirst describes the methodology as a whole, then detailing one of the five main steps of DILIGENT. The second part describes case studies, either already performed or planned, and what we learned (or expect to learn) from them.FindingsWith the case studies it was discovered the strengths and weaknesses of DILIGENT. During the evolution of ontologies, arguments need to be exchanged about the suggested changes. Identifies those kind of arguments which work best for the discussion of ontology changes.Research implicationsDILIGENT recognizes ontology engineering methodologies like OnToKnowledge or Methontology as proven useful for the initial design, but expands them with its strong focus on the user‐centric further development of the ontology and the provided integration of automatic agents in the process of ontology evolution.Practical implicationsWith DILIGENT the experience distilled from a number of case studies and offers the knowledge manager a methodology to work in an ever‐changing environment.Originality/valueDILIGENT is the first methodology to put focus not on the initial development of the ontology, but on the user and his usage of the ontology, and on the changes introduced by the user. We take the user's own view seriously and enable feedback towards the evolution of the ontology, stressing the ontology's role as a shared conceptualisation.
Powerful public sector knowledge management: a school district example
Authors: Edge Karen 
Published: January 2007

PurposeDrawn from a recent research study of the Toronto District School Board, this paper aims to examine how the District employs knowledge management to initiate and improve early literacy instruction and achievement.Design/methodology/approachThis study draws on Nonaka and Takeuchi's framework to explore how focusing on tacit‐to‐tacit knowledge‐sharing strategies influence early literacy‐based knowledge sharing within and across schools. Data collection involved the collection and analysis of documents used and designed by Early Years Listeracy Project (EYLP) staff members. The second phase engaged a cross‐section of 34 EYLP teachers, administrators and senior TDSB superintendents and EYLP management team members in individual semi‐structured interviews. Participants commented on their experience vis‐à‐vis the various knowledge management strategies used to support its implementation. Data from the interviews was codified, analyzed and summarized and summaries were shared with participants for comment.FindingsThe District has employed a comprehensive strategy designed to build instructional and leadership capacity via the use of in‐school knowledge activists and informal professional networks. This paper explores the impact of these strategies on school and district‐level teacher and leader learning and organizational culture.Originality/valueThe overall impact of these strategies for professional and organizational learning and the challenges associated with employing knowledge management within education and the broader public sector are presented.
BASIC Lab: a software tool for supporting the production of knowledge in research organizations through the management of scientific concepts
Authors: Jaime Astrid , Gardoni Mickaël , Mosca Joël , Vinck Dominique 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe important role of publicly funded basic research has been widely recognized. The knowledge produced is made available to society, who could use it for innovation and in this way contribute to economic growth. Thus, it is important to support scientific activities. Proposes to examine how researchers could profit from approaches such as knowledge management.Design/methodology/approachSome research organizations were studied and their knowledge management practices analyzed. Special attention was paid to the realization of research projects.FindingsAn approach is proposed based on the capitalization of all the artifacts managed during the bibliographical activities performed by researchers.Research limitations/implicationsAt the current state of advancement of the project, only a prototype of the software tool has been developed.Originality/valueAs sociology studies have observed that a fundamental aspect of science is the modification and construction of new concepts, it is proposed to include the support of the management of scientific concepts as a way of assisting this knowledge production process. In conclusion this work gives the basis of the definition of a software tool that should help to accomplish this activity.
A multi‐facet taxonomy system with applications in unstructured knowledge management
Authors: Cheung C.F. , Lee W.B. , Wang Y. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeUnstructured knowledge management (UKM) becomes indispensable for the support of knowledge work. However, unstructured knowledge is inconvenient and difficult for sharing, organizing and acquisition. This paper seeks to present the development and implementation of a multi‐facet taxonomy system (MTS) for effective management of unstructured knowledge.Design/methodology/approachMulti‐facet taxonomy is a multi‐dimensional taxonomy which allows the classification of knowledge assets under multiple concepts at any levels of abstraction. The MTS system is based on five components: multi‐dimensional taxonomy structure, thesaurus model, automatic classification mechanism, intelligent searching, and self‐maintenance of taxonomy, respectively. Artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language process (NLP) technologies are used in the development of the MTS.FindingsWith the successful development of the MTS, the accuracy of categorization of unstructured knowledge is significantly improved. It also allows an organization to capture the valuable tacit knowledge embedded in the unstructured knowledge assets. This helps an organization to explore business opportunities for continuous business improvement.Practical implicationsThe implementation of the MTS system not only dramatically reduces the human effort, time and cost for UKM but also allows an organization to capture valuable knowledge embedded in unstructured knowledge assets.Originality/valueAs the knowledge work and task become more complex and are dynamically changing with time and involve multiple concepts, the MTS addresses the inadequacy of conventional single dimensional taxonomy for managing unstructured knowledge. The self‐maintenance capability of the MTS ensures that the taxonomy is up‐to‐date and new knowledge is classified automatically for better knowledge sharing and acquisition.
Functional model of a sense‐emerging assistant for knowledge construction and management
Authors: Bussotti Paolo , Chiara Pettenati Maria 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper aims at presenting the functional model of a “sense‐emerging assistant knowledge management system” (SEA‐KMS) intended to assist the emergence of sense in activities supporting the user in the attribution of full sense to what he is doing.Design/methodology/approachThe design of this KMS is based on the theoretic background of narrative/passion semiotics and the concept of sense as oriented meaning of actions. SEA‐KMS is designed to provide user‐supportive functions to help the user in understanding the value of his activity: contextualise the user in his activity in relation to the overall activities as well as give him personalised assistance from the theoretical and practical aspects of the activity in order to mitigate working situations possibly felt as alienating.FindingsAssisting the user in attributing full sense to the value of his activity fosters his further knowledge construction, which will eventually result in a more effective and satisfactory accomplishment of the task. This assistance policy can prove to be particularly effective if knowledge from user‐monitoring is exploited to select and provide the user with the opportune knowledge in a contextualized way.Practical implicationsThe major expected practical implication is the global benefit as a result of increased individual awareness in the activity and in the overall organizational processes.Originality/valueThe system tries to make sense emerge in an individual, by punctually acting to mitigate passion‐related behaviours which often emerge as an individual sense‐path as a reaction to alienating working situations.
Improving the performance of a performance measure
Authors: Tangen Stefan 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss how to design an individual performance measure, which usually means the measurement practitioner must deal with many requirements other than the ones that can be found when designing a complete performance measurement system.Design/methodology/approachDifferent requirements suggested in the performance measurement literature from the past 20 years have been sorted out in order to structure the different tasks to conduct when designing a measure.FindingsExplains how to form or select a formula that fulfils the purpose of a measure. Defines 15 parameters that fully specify a measure. Clarifies positive and negative measure properties.Practical implicationsMeasurement regimes are often built without a clear understanding of what is being measured. The article includes several practical tools that can be used when designing a performance measure.Originality/valueDiscusses the question “how to measure?”, while most of past research in the field has been aimed at solving “what to measure?”.
An integrated business improvement system (IBIS) for construction
Authors: Beatham Simon , Anumba Chimay , Thorpe Tony , Hedges Ian 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo review the key facets of a performance measurement system (PMS) and report on the development of a new model based on the European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model.Design/methodology/approachThe research involved detailed literature reviews and action research within the case study organisation. It involved the design of an integrated business improvement system (IBIS) that enables proactive performance measurement within an organisation.FindingsKey performance indicators (KPIs) are now widely used in the construction industry but there is little evidence that they are being used as an integral and systematic part of an overall PMS. The approach proposed here and encapsulated in IBIS is intended to improve current practice.Practical implicationsThe research found that the active engagement of both senior management and potential end‐users is vital for the successful design and implementation of a PMS.Originality/valueThe novelty of the paper lies in the detailed description of the stages followed in the development of the IBIS, and the model itself. It will be of value to researchers and business improvement managers both within and outside the construction industry
Is your organisation ready for beyond budgeting?
Authors: de Waal André A. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTraditionally, budgeting is considered to be one of the most important management tools to steer the organisation, evaluate its performance and motivate its people. However, criticism of the budgeting process has increased considerably in the past decade. This paper aims to examine an alternative to budgeting known as “beyond budgeting”, comparing it to traditional budgeting.Design/methodology/approachExamines some of the literature regarding budgeting and describes the beyond‐budgeting entry scan, a tool which helps organisations to assess whether they are ready to start the powerful change process of abandoning the budget.FindingsThere are many possibilities, on the scale of traditional budgeting to beyond budgeting, to modernise the budgeting process. However, the beyond‐budgeting model deserves serious consideration because it enables an organisation to look with a fresh view at its budgeting process, other planning processes, and organisational structure.Originality/valueEach organisation should at least explore the benefits of introducing one or more beyond‐budgeting principles. This is especially interesting because research has shown that the more beyond‐budgeting principles an organisation implements, the better it performs.
Evolution towards excellence: use of business excellence programs by Canadian organizations
Authors: Boys Kathryn , Wilcock Anne , Karapetrovic Stanislav , Aung May 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the broad issues related to business excellence and the application of such programs.Design/methodology/approachIn brief, this study investigated the use of business excellence programs including the use of the ISO 9000:2000 series of standards, by Canadian organizations. The results of a national survey on the use of business excellence programs are reported.FindingsThe use of business excellence programs by Canadian organizations appears to be related to the size and location of the organization. Organization size and location also appear to be related to the sequence in which businesses choose to implement various components of business excellence as well as the difficulty they experience with that implementation. There may be differences in the use of business excellence programs between organizations within different industry sectors, and those with different organizational structures. Finally, the use of business excellence programs was found not to affect organizations' self‐reported level of excellence.Originality/valueThe results of this study have implications for government policy makers who seek to better support businesses, quality program administrators, and business practitioners.
Application of the Balanced Scorecard in Spanish private health‐care management
Authors: Urrutia Ignacio , Eriksen Scott D. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to address the question of whether the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) can be utilized in non‐profit organizations, in particular hospital sector organizations. A secondary objective addresses the issue of whether the BSC can be utilized employing the methodology encountered in the literature.Design/methodology/approachA case is presented of a private Spanish hospital, specializing in psychiatric patients, which is owned by a religious congregation and which utilizes a very primitive and informal information system. The case describes the design of the strategic map and the BSC for this hospital.FindingsThe paper concludes that the BSC is applicable to any type of organization, albeit with modifications; a BSC for non‐profit organizations must be modified to include a mission perspective, thus supporting Kaplan's model for non‐profit organizations. Hospitals should also include an additional perspective which provides specific information on social demographic factors regarding the hospital's operating environment.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper is threefold. First, the case supports Kaplan's inclusion of a mission perspective for non‐profit organizations. Second, it further modifies the non‐profit BSC by including an additional perspective which provides specific information on social demographic factors regarding the hospital's operating environment. The authors are unaware of any instance where this additional perspective has been included in the model. Finally, the case provides a fully developed BSC and strategy map for a hospital which can be used as a template for other health‐care organizations.
Dumbing down performance measures
Authors: Walsh Paul 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine why and how firms adopt less‐than‐perfect surrogate measures and, in extreme cases, dumb down measures to support strategic scorecards.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a taxonomy to classify the different types of surrogate measures and workarounds are suggested for evaluating performance when surrogate measures are present.FindingsThe use of low investment surrogate measures is tempting when firms face the prospect of measuring strategic objectives, especially around intangible assets. Current approaches tend to be ad hoc and would benefit from being more systematic.Practical implicationsThe approach enables firms to recognise the potential for dumb measures, suggest workarounds and improve current practice for managing with less relevant measures.Originality/valueThe taxonomy and workarounds presented provide greater rigour, insight and legitimacy to the use of surrogate measures in scorecards.
Project outcomes and outputs: making the intangible tangible
Authors: Nogeste Kersti , Walker Derek H.T. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce and discuss a process for specifying project scope and success criteria more completely – in terms of expected project outcomes, benefits and outputs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports on the third in a series of five action research case studies along with a validation exercise conducted at an Australian state police force senior management conference.FindingsThe findings confirmed that project stakeholders are able to identify, prioritise and define intangible project outcomes when provided with a process for doing so. The process described in this paper provides project stakeholders with the means to cross‐reference hitherto inexplicit intangible outcomes to explicit tangible outputs. Results indicate strong support for the process as a planning/review tool for projects required to deliver a combination of tangible and intangible outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThe series of five action research case studies was drawn from the public sector. Nevertheless, the authors propose that the approach can be applied more generally to projects which require the delivery of intangible project outcomes. The validation exercise conducted at an Australian state police force senior management conference collected workshop attendees' responses to brief pre‐ and post‐workshop surveys. Whilst encouraging, the results should be treated with caution because survey responses were only collected from people responsible for delivering project outcomes, not receiving them.Originality/valueThe key breakthrough contribution of the process described in this paper is the use of outcome profiles to cross‐reference intangible outcomes to tangible outputs; making the intangible tangible.
Is HRCA a concept which summarizes the innovation work in the most intrinsic parts of firms during the last decades?
Authors: Olsson Birgitta 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the concept of HRCA – human resource costing and accounting – and to encourage debate in this research area. The knowledge dimensions or research areas of HRCA could be described by using a simple model or classification scheme. The model could be seen as a way to describe the links between accounting and financial calculation in company development, a development characterized as the innovation of the intrinsic area in a company. The three articles in this issue are also introduced, with a short overview of each of them.Design/methodology/approachThe objective is achieved by a pure theoretical approach. The subject of the paper is to try to explain the existence of the people dimension in the two knowledge areas of “accounting” and “costing” and link them to the “external” and “internal” organizational perspectives. In the HRCA area the aim is to see and understand the common body for these two areas of research: how to make people more transparent in a company's business. This is referred to as the “people dimension”.FindingsIn the article a model is reported which the author has found to be helpful when discussing the people dimension in organizational innovation. The model is helpful if one wishes to study and understand the innovation work going on in the most intrinsic and traditional parts of a company, usually driven in the same way, by rules and traditions, year after year.Originality/valueThe contribution of the paper is that it introduces the concept of the “people dimension” as the common interest for those dealing with accounting or costing in the forefront of development. The paper is of value for those dealing with trying to understand why human and intellectual capital has not become more accepted as something to be made more transparent in accounting and costing.