Avoiding semantic and temporal gaps in developing software intensive systems

Development of software intensive systems (systems) in practice involves a series of self-contained phases for the lifecycle of a system. Semantic and temporal gaps, which occur among phases and among developer disciplines within and across phases, hinder the ongoing development of a system because of the interdependencies among phases and among disciplines. Such gaps are magnified among systems that are developed at different times by different development teams, which may limit reuse of artifacts of systems development and interoperability among the systems. This article discusses such gaps and a systems development process for avoiding them.     

Digitalization process of complex B2B sales processes – Enablers and obstacles

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the extent to which salespeople use technology throughout complex B2B sales processes. The research on technology in society considers specifically which enablers and obstacles are most prominent in driving the digitalization of complex B2B sales processes. This research applies a post-positivism approach based on a qualitative design, using insights from case studies. Data collection is based on an in-depth series of interviews with salespeople in several companies, in order to collect information about the digitalization of complex B2B sales processes. Findings indicate that a complex B2B sales process is not easily digitalized. On the contrary, there are a number of hurdles to overcome. General results reported contextualize the major specific one, while the specific ones focus on enablers and obstacles in complex B2B sales processes. The research aids our understanding of the process of obtaining valid information in this context. It also helps to classify and organize different kinds of analog and digital sources and channels of information. Provides suggestions for further research. This study proposes using a mixed structure in the sales department to obtain benefits of communication technologies and to use what advantages digitalization provides. This may start by dividing digitalization process into functions and after that, using the remaining possibilities, by territory, accounts or products, depending on the company. The study reveals dimensions (indicators and context) and sub-dimensions (organizational, technological, cultural and security issues) of relevance in the digitalization of complex B2B sales process.     

Fostering SME's co-development of innovative projects in biotech clusters: Extending the sets of enablers for the knowledge creation process

We explore the linkage of specific sets of enablers for the knowledge-creation process (KCP) mobilized in innovative projects co-developed by biotech SMEs and the role of industrial clusters in easing the access to enablers. Two French and one Brazilian high-tech SMEs belonging to two biotechnological clusters were investigated. Deductive and inductive approaches were applied in a complementary manner. Findings revealed a larger set of enablers at the company's level than predicted in the literature. We identified two sets of KCP enablers at the cluster's level, classified as open access and restricted access, which are used for different purposes and simultaneously. These dynamics enabled the studied SMEs to improve their co-developed innovative projects in a more effective way. Data also revealed that the enablers that benefit SMEs are more likely provided by the cluster organisations.     

The motivations,enablers and barriers for voluntary participation in an online crowdsourcing platform

This paper examines the phenomena of online crowdsourcing from the perspectives of both volunteers and the campaign coordinator of Tomnod – an online mapping project that uses crowdsourcing to identify objects and places in satellite images. A mixed-methods approach was used to study the enablers and barriers to participation, taking into consideration the whole spectrum of volunteers. The results show broad diversity in online volunteers, both in their demographics and the factors affecting their voluntary participation. The majority are older than 50 years and many – particularly the most active volunteers – have disabilities or long term health problems. The personal circumstances of participants are highlighted as a major factor affecting involvement in campaigns. Like many other platforms, altruism is a key motivator, yet many participants are more interested in the quality of their data and the impact it has on the ground. For many participants of online crowdsourcing campaigns, their involvement is strongly linked to the level of contact they have with campaign coordinators, both in the design of the platform and in providing feedback on the impact of their contributions.     

基于PDM Enablers的飞行器并行设计文档管理模型

传统的产品数据管理（PDM）系统之间没有标准的接口,缺乏互操作性,难以与国际接轨,限制了飞行器并行设计中产品数据交互的范围。Object Management Group（OMG）发布的产品数据管理使能（PDM Enablers）规范支持分布式产品数据管理环境并对不同的PDM系统提供了标准接口,能够很好地解决以上问题。该文以PDM Enablers为依据,采用面向对象的建模方法,首先提出了基于Enablers的飞行器并行工程环境体系结构;其次建立了基于Enablers的文档管理模型,并着重对文档的状态变迁及版本管理机制进行研究;最后讨论了支持飞行器并行设计的文档管理信息存储模式。     

An ISM approach for modelling the enablers of flexible manufacturing system: the case for India

The volatile condition of today's market is forcing the manufacturing managers to adapt the flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) to meet the challenges imposed by international competition, ever changing customer demands, rapid delivery to market and advancement in technology. There are certain enablers, which help in the implementation of FMS or in the transition process from traditional manufacturing systems to FMS. The utmost need is to analyse the behaviour of these enablers for their effective utilization in the implementation of FMS. The main objective of this paper is to understand the mutual interaction of these enablers and identify the ‘driving enablers’ (i.e. which influence the other enablers) and the ‘dependent enablers’ (i.e. which are influenced by others). In the present work, these enablers have been identified through the literature, their ranking is done by a questionnaire-based survey and interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach has been utilized in analysing their mutual interaction. An ISM model has been prepared to identify some key enablers and their managerial implications in the implementation of FMS.