Recommender systems for personal knowledge management in collaborative environments

Personal knowledge management (PKM) is different from the traditional centralized knowledge management (KM) modes. The PKM is suitable for distributed collaborative KM environments. This paper makes an explorative study on the PKM, and analyzes various forms of personal knowledge resources in the product development process. Then a model of recommender systems for PKM is proposed for knowledge sharing among members in the collaborative environment. The key function of the PKM recommender systems is to supply potentially useful personal knowledge resources from the sites where these knowledge resources are created to the sites where the members may need the knowledge. The PKM is in a mode of distributed control rather than a mode of centralized control, which is widely used by traditional KM methods and tools. This study paves a way for developing an advanced mode of KM platforms for PKM sharing in collaborative environments.     

Mining knowledge demands from information flow

Among a collaborative team, members usually come from diverse disciplines, and their demands for knowledge are also different from each other. Information flow is a type of collaborative process, which exists behind every collaborative team. This paper is concerned with how to obtain team members’ knowledge demands from the information flow. Firstly, the knowledge demands model is defined. Based on the model of knowledge demands and information filtering technologies, some approaches for mining demands from information flow are proposed. This study on the knowledge demand mining can pave the way for developing knowledge recommender systems, which can recommend proper knowledge to proper team members with a collaborative team.     

Extraction of user profile based on workflow and information flow

A collaborative team usually consists of team members with various domains. These members’ demands for knowledge are also different from each other. For recommending potentially useful knowledge to suitable members, their user profiles should be well managed and maintained. User profile can be input by the members, but a more intelligent way should be the automatic extraction of the user profiles. Workflow and information flow are two types of collaborative processes, which exist behind every collaborative team. This paper is mainly concerned with how to extract these team members’ user profile from the two types of contexts: workflow and information flow. This paper defines a model for the user profile. Then some methods are proposed for extracting the profile information on the basis of workflow and information flow. This study on the user profile extraction can pave the way for developing knowledge recommender systems, which can recommend proper knowledge to proper team members with a collaborative team.     

Collaborative filtering based on workflow space

The traditional recommender systems are usually oriented to general situations in daily lives (e.g. recommend movies, books, music, news and etc.), but seldom cover the recommendation scenarios for the collaborative team environments. We have done an explorative study on collaborative filtering mechanism for collaborative team environments, which is some kind of multi-dimensional recommender systems problem with consideration of workflow context. This paper proposed 3-dimensional workflow space model, and investigated the new similarities measure between members in workflow space. Then, the new similarities measure is utilized into collaborative filtering for recommender systems in collaborative team environments. At last, the efficiency and usability of the proposed method are validated by experiments referring to a real-world collaborative team of a manufacturing enterprise.     

Knowledge flow management for distributed team software development

Cognitive cooperation is often neglected in current team software development processes. This issue becomes more important than ever when team members are globally distributed. This paper presents a notion of knowledge flow and the related management mechanism for realizing an ordered knowledge sharing and cognitive cooperation in a geographically distributed team software development process. The knowledge flow can carry and accumulate knowledge when it goes through from one team member to another. The coordination between the knowledge flow process and the workflow process of a development team provides a new way to improve traditional team software development processes. A knowledge grid platform has been implemented to support the knowledge flow management across the Internet.     

Semantic Web based innovative design knowledge modeling for collaborative design

This paper describes a study about how to use the Semantic Web technologies for innovative design knowledge modeling in a multi-agent distributed design environment. Semantic Web based knowledge modeling for innovative design is proposed as prelude to the meaningful agent communication and knowledge reuse for collaborative work among multidisciplinary organizations. A model for innovative design is proposed at first, based on which a knowledge schema is brought forward. For sharing the design knowledge among an internet-based or distributed work team, even globally, A RDF-based knowledge model is presented to realize its representation on Semantic Web. A Semantic Web based repository for innovative design and its API for topper Semantic Web applications have been also constructed. The proposed knowledge modeling extends traditional product modeling with capabilities of innovative design, knowledge sharing and distributed problem solving, and is employed as a content language within the messages in the proposed multi-agent system architecture. The proposed approach is viewed as a promising knowledge management method that facilitates the implementation of computer supported cooperative work in innovative design of Semantic Web applications.     

A knowledge grid model and platform for global knowledge sharing

This paper proposes a knowledge grid model for sharing and managing globally distributed knowledge resources. The model organizes knowledge in a three-dimensional knowledge space, and provides a knowledge grid operation language, KGOL. Internet users can use the KGOL to create their knowledge grids, to put knowledge to them, to edit knowledge, to partially or wholly open their grids to all or some particular grids, and to get the required knowledge from the open knowledge of all the knowledge grids. The model enables people to conveniently share knowledge with each other when they work on the Internet. A software platform based on the proposed model has been implemented and used for knowledge sharing in research teams.     

Trust and knowledge sharing in diverse global virtual teams

Global virtual teams (GVTs) allow organizations to improve productivity, procure global knowledge, and transfer best practice information instantaneously among team members. GVTs rely heavily on IT and have little face-to-face interaction, thereby increasing problems resulting from geographic barriers, time language, and cultural differences, and inter-personal relationships. The purpose of our study was to design a normative framework that would assist organizations in understanding the relationship between diversity, mutual trust, and knowledge sharing among GVTs, with additional focus on understanding the moderating impact of collaborative technology and task characteristics. Empirical data was collected from 58 GVTs and analyzed using a Hierarchical Multiple Regression technique. Results showed that in GVTs, deep level diversity has a more significant relationship with team processes of mutual trust and knowledge sharing than visible functional level diversity. This relationship is moderated by the collaborative capabilities of available technology and levels of interdependence of the task. Furthermore, knowledge sharing and mutual trust mediate the relationship between diversity levels and team effectiveness.     

Knowledge integration and sharing for collaborative molding product design and process development

This study presents a systematic approach to developing a knowledge integration and sharing mechanism for collaborative molding product design and process development. The proposed approach includes the steps of (i) collaborative molding product design and process development process modeling, (ii) an ontology-based knowledge model establishment, (iii) knowledge integration and sharing system framework design, (iv) ontology-based knowledge integration and sharing methods development, and (v) ontology-based knowledge integration and sharing mechanism implementation. The mechanism can support collaborative molding product design and process development by providing functions of knowledge integration and sharing. Results of this study facilitate the knowledge integration and sharing of collaborative molding product design and process development to satisfy the product knowledge demands of participants, and thus increase molding product development capability, reduce molding product development cycle time and cost, and ultimately increase molding product marketability.     

Ontology-driven collaborative annotation in shared workspaces

In the last decade, collaboration and sharing on the Web have become mainstream. Digital, remote interaction happens on a daily basis, not only to share digital resources, but also to create, manage and discuss them, in every possible situation where collaboration is required: from work teams to groups of friends, from community committees to no-profit organizations. In this paper we address the task of collaborative management of digital resources within a team, with a special focus on the task of semantic annotation, where team members, possibly supported by automated reasoning, enrich resources with properties that help in organizing, retrieving and creating connections between contents of different types. We focus in particular on the problem of reaching an agreement on the annotation itself among the participants. The paper presents a qualitative user study aimed at observing users behavior when faced with this task. The results of the study are then analyzed in order to draw guidelines, which are then implemented in a tool for collaborative annotation. This study is carried out in the context of the Semantic Table Plus Plus (Sem T++) Project, a framework supporting collaboration over thematic workspaces, whose goal is to enhance cooperation through awareness, enhanced communication and easy sharing of digital content.     

Knowledge sharing in virtual enterprises via an ontology-based access control approach

Collaborating throughout a product life cycle via virtual enterprise (VE) is one of the most promising strategies for enhancing global competitiveness. Efficient and secure knowledge sharing is critical to the success of a VE. This study presents a novel approach, model and technology for knowledge access control and sharing across enterprises. First, this study proposes an ontology-based knowledge sharing model and a multiple-layer knowledge representation framework on which a knowledge access control model for knowledge sharing in a VE is proposed. In the proposed model, user authorizations permitting access to knowledge in a VE are classified into two levels: (1) basic privileges and (2) extended privileges. The former is evaluated from four dimensions, i.e. who, what, when and where, while the latter is determined by considering how three domain ontologies, i.e., product, organization and activity, are related. This study then develops a knowledge access control policy (KACP) language model which is used to identify the knowledge access control and sharing rules of a VE and all its enterprise members. The knowledge access control model proposed in this study can facilitate VE Knowledge management and sharing across enterprises, enhance knowledge sharing security and flexibility and regulate knowledge sharing to expeditiously reflect changes in the business environment.     

一种基于约束管理的CSCW支撑平台结构模型

提出了一种新的基于约束的ＣＳＣＷ支撑系统结构模型，该模型构筑在现有的分布式系统之上，向上提供各种协同功能。现实世界中的各种协同要求从理论上均同象为分布对象之间的一组约束关系，所以可以通过一个″通过约束管理器″即可透明地定义各种对象事件之间的约束关系，形成－协同规则库，并通过该约束管理器的″约束条件触发″，″约束求解（推理）″，″冲突协调″机制便可满足不同层次的协同应用要求。该模型采用了适合于ＣＳＣ     

An analysis of peer similarity for recommendations in P2P systems

In this paper, we propose a novel recommender framework for partially decentralized file sharing Peer-to-Peer systems. The proposed recommender system is based on user-based collaborative filtering. We take advantage from the partial search process used in partially decentralized systems to explore the relationships between peers. The proposed recommender system does not require any additional effort from the users since implicit rating is used. The recommender system also does not suffer from the problems that traditional collaborative filtering schemes suffer from like the Cold start and the Data sparseness. To measure the similarity between peers, we propose Files?? Popularity Based Recommendation (FP) and Asymmetric Peers?? Similarity Based Recommendation with File Popularity (ASFP). We also investigate similarity metrics that were proposed in other fields and adapt them to file sharing P2P systems. We analyze the impact of each similarity metric on the accuracy of the recommendations. Both weighted and non weighted approaches were studied.     

基于Super—P2P的分布式知识管理模型

根据第二代知识管理的思想，以及现在企业、组织的分散式管理特点，论文在分析了多种P2P结构的基础上，将Super-P2P结构应用于知识管理，提出了基于Super-P2P结构的分布式知识管理模型，以解决集中式知识管理遇到的问题。接着，对模型的知识俘获机制以及所提供的知识服务进行了研究。通过应用案例分析，基于Super-P2P的分布式知识管理模型可以实现更高程度的知识共享，提供高质量、高可靠性的知识服务。     

Why does site visit matter in global software development: A knowledge-based perspective

ContextFace-to-Face (F2F) interaction is a strong means to foster social relationships and effective knowledge sharing within a team. However, communication in Global Software Development (GSD) teams is usually restricted to computer-mediated conversation that is perceived to be less effective and interpersonal. Temporary collocation of dispersed members of a software development team is a well-known practice in GSD. Despite broad realization of the benefits of visits, there is lack of empirical evidence that explores how temporary F2F interactions are organized in practice and how they can impact knowledge sharing between sites.ObjectiveThis study aimed at empirically investigating activities that take place during temporary collocation of dispersed members and analyzing the outcomes of the visit for supporting and improving knowledge sharing.MethodWe report a longitudinal case study of a GSD team distributed between Denmark and Pakistan. We have explored a particular visit organized for a group of offshore team members visiting onshore site for two weeks. Our findings are based on a systematic and rigorous analysis of the calendar entries of the visitors during the studied visit, several observations of a selected set of the team members’ activities during the visit and 13 semi-structured interviews.ResultsLooking through the lens of knowledge-based theory of the firm, we have found that social and professional activities organized during the visit, facilitated knowledge sharing between team members from both sites. The findings are expected to contribute to building a common knowledge and understanding about the role and usefulness of the site visits for supporting and improving knowledge sharing in GSD teams by establishing and sustaining social and professional ties.     

Utilizing knowledge context in virtual collaborative work

The understanding of knowledge can be impaired if it is isolated from the proper context. Despite the importance of contextual information, there has been limited support for utilizing context in current knowledge management and collaborative systems. This paper presents a knowledge context model, called KC-V, which facilitates the use of contextual information in virtual collaborative work. Four benefits of using KC-V are suggested: evolutionary accumulation of knowledge aligned with collaborative activities, supporting the virtual team lifecycle, improved understanding by rich navigation paths, and searching for knowledge with similar context. A web-based collaboration system called VWSS is developed using KC-V.     

Development of a distributed collaborative design framework within peer-to-peer environment

Distributed collaborative design and manufacture enables manufacturing organizations to maintain competitiveness in the fiercely competitive global industry. This requires that the distributed system not only maintains data consistency across globally-distributed locations seamlessly, but also allows team members to access the storage system and computing resources transparently and securely. Current grid applications mainly based on client-server architecture are inflexible and rigid for fast changing collaborations among manufacturers, especially for small and medium enterprises. In this paper, a distributed collaborative design framework is presented with a hybrid of grid and peer-to-peer technology. In order to access computational resources for design, analysis and process simulation, a meta-scheduler is designed and implemented. It helps in resource discovery and optimal utilization of resources. A test bed is established, based on the framework proposed to demonstrate a distributed collaborative design and manufacturing environment.     

基于Super-P2P语义网格的知识共享模型

在语义网格的研究中,如何超越集中式的语义存储,实现更高程度的资源共享,是目前语义网格的研究热点之一。在分析多种P2P结构的基础上,该文Super-P2P结构应用于语义网格,以解决语义网格的语义集中式存储问题。研究了Super-P2P语义网格的资源发现机制以及基于其的知识服务。应用案例分析证明,基于Super-P2P语义网格的知识共享模型可以实现更高程度的资源共享,提供高质量、高可靠性的知识服务。     

Balancing the Fluency-Consistency Tradeoff in Collaborative Information Search with a Recommender Approach

Creative group work can be supported by collaborative search and annotation of Web resources. In this setting, it is important to help individuals both stay fluent in generating ideas of what to search next (i.e., maintain ideational fluency) and stay consistent in annotating resources (i.e., maintain organization). Based on a model of human memory, we hypothesize that sharing search results with other users, such as through bookmarks and social tags, prompts search processes in memory, which increase ideational fluency, but decrease the consistency of annotations, e.g., the reuse of tags for topically similar resources. To balance this tradeoff, we suggest the tag recommender SoMe, which is designed to simulate search of memory from user-specific tag-topic associations. An experimental field study (N = 18) in a workplace context finds evidence of the expected tradeoff and an advantage of SoMe over a conventional recommender in the collaborative setting. We conclude that sharing search results supports group creativity by increasing the ideational fluency, and that SoMe helps balancing the evidenced fluency-consistency tradeoff.     

Knowledge sharing mechanisms and techniques in project teams: Literature review,classification, and current trends

Knowledge management is the process of capturing, sharing, developing, and using the knowledge efficiently. Knowledge sharing as one of the important parts of the knowledge management system means that an individual, team, and the organization share the knowledge with other members in the form of activities through the various ways. On the other hand, a project team is a team whose members usually belongs to different departments and are assigned to join the same project. In a project team, knowledge sharing is very important because it provides a link between the member and the project team by sharing knowledge to reduce cost and increase the performance. However, despite the importance of the knowledge sharing mechanisms and techniques in the project teams, to the best of our knowledge, the comprehensive and systematic research and study about the antecedents and backgrounds of knowledge sharing mechanisms between project teams is rare. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to provide the comprehensive and detailed review of the state-of-the-art knowledge sharing mechanisms in the project team as well as directions for future research. Also, this paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) on the knowledge sharing mechanisms in project teams up to the end of 2015. We identified 71 papers, which are reduced to 28 primary studies through our paper selection process. By providing the state-of-the-art information and the challenges issues, this survey will directly support academics, researchers and practicing professionals in their understanding of developments in knowledge sharing mechanisms and techniques in project teams.