Hugo Lotriet

Measuring Method Complexity of the Case Management Modeling and Notation (CMMN)

In 2014, the Object Management Group (OMG) published the Case Management Modeling and Notation (CMMN) version 1.0 specification, which is a new process modeling specification to complement its Business Process Modeling and Notation (BPMN) specification. The declarative nature of CMMN is intended to supplement the procedural perspective of BPMN. CMMN takes a data-centric view to process modeling based on business artifacts to provide flexibility for knowledge workers, while retaining the advantages of business process management (BPM) systems. As far as the researchers are aware, this research is among the first contributions to the understanding of CMMNs method complexity in the context of other process modeling notations. We used the meta-model-based method complexity approach introduced by Rossi and Brinkkemper to evaluate the method complexity of CMMN. The results were compared with other popular process methods, including BPMN, Unified Modeling Language (UML) Activity diagrams, and Event-driven Process Charts (EPC), all of which have undergone similar evaluations by other researchers. The initial results indicated that CMMN 1.0 compares favorably with BPMN 1.2.

Business Intelligence Challenges in the Context of Goods- and Service-Dominant Logic

Business Intelligence (BI) is highly promoted and praised, yet not all expectations are realised. Instead, numerous reports of failed BI implementations and challenges prevail. This paper examines BI challenges in the context of Goods-Dominant (G-D) and Service-Dominant (S-D) Logic. Literature sources and a qualitative case study are used to identify BIs challenges, conceptual perceptions and related beliefs. The link between these is then reflected and examples are provided demonstrating how G-D Logic may potentially be an underlying cause of or contributor to BIs challenges. A dominant focus -- typical of G-D Logic -- on BI as a product of a BI technology process is identified in BIs prevailing perceptions and beliefs. In this paper we demonstrate examples of how this is detrimental to the use and benefit of BI and propose S-D Logic as a solution with potential.

Towards understanding how expatriates use the Internet in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Expatriate research has indicated that expatriates often experience a number of difficulties, which can impact on their successful assimilation in host countries. This failure to adjust can impact on an individual level, for example upheaval of family life, and on organizational level, for example loss of investment in expatriate development upon premature return to host country. Considering this issue, a study was undertaken in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to develop a substantive grounded theory aimed at understanding how expatriates use the Internet in KSA. The expatriates in this study resided in Riyadh, the capital of KSA, both on and off compounds. This paper will report on the context in which the study was conducted followed by the methodological and theoretical aspects considered. It will conclude with a brief discussion on the proposed theory which can be conceptualized as: Negotiating adjustment in KSA - the Internet as a lifeline to the “real” world. As this research is still in progress the paper concludes with a description of the way forward for on the research project.

Towards understanding the contextual role of traditional leadership in the establishment of cyber communities amongst rural people in South Africa: The case of Dr J.S. Moroka Municipality

Abstract ICT policies instituted over a number of years by the South African government have failed manifestly in establishing cyber communities amongst rural people in South Africa. The authors of this article argue that for rural South African communities to reap the benefits of ‘cyber citizenship’ and Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) initiatives, it will be necessary for communities to enable themselves and to take ownership of initiatives to participate in the anticipated South African information society. The authors argue that the success of ICT4D initiatives depends very strongly on an understanding of the interaction of such initiatives with the social context at the local community level. One of the significant aspects of the social context at community level is the role of traditional leaders in these communities. This article examines the role of traditional leadership, with specific reference to the literature on traditional leadership in South Africa and the literature on the role of traditional leadership in ICT4D initiatives, as well as empirical findings from a case study that serves as an example of a ‘typical’ rural community in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Methodological challenges in e-skills shortage research in South Africa

This paper is situated within the context of the challenges related to the processes currently being undertaken in South Africa by the government to stimulate e-Skills capacity. The paper reports on findings of a systematic textual examination of existing ICT skills shortage research reports. Acknowledging the shortcoming of existing e-skills categories in a diverse, ever-changing ICT environment as well as the complexity of determining supply and demand for ICT skills, it is found that existing research on these matters in a South African context is difficult to interpret, not comprehensive enough and often not credible.

The Impact of Computer Hardware Theft on ICT Introduction to South African Rural Communities: An Interpretive Assessment Through Focus Groups and Morphological Analysis within a Process-Based Research Framework

The Universal Service Agency (USA) was established through the Telecommunications Act (103 of 1996) with the specific purpose of promoting access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for all people in South Africa. It was established on the assumption that ICTs are a basic right and a necessary aspect of social and economic functioning. Attempts have been made by both local and international institutions to introduce these technologies to South African communities. A disturbing trend of computer hardware theft is beginning to emerge from several rural communities, which threatens the goals of the USA and other related initiatives.

Towards a "BI Value Coin": Applying Service Research to Address Business Intelligence Challenges

Academic and practitioner literature reports on numerous Business Intelligence (BI) challenges. Spohrer states that knowledge discovery and knowledge application are two sides of the same coin where both sides are needed for value to emerge. Aligned with this, we identify that the failed emergence of BI value - typified by the prevalence of BI challenges - results from a myopic focus on producing data and neglect to use what is produced. Identifying that existing approaches to overcome BI challenges are largely ineffective, we present literature and case study findings showing how a shift to S-D Logic may bring about a balanced focus on production and use within BI. We apply Spohrers coin analogy along with service research concepts such as Service-Dominant (S-D) Logic and service systems theory conceptually to BI, viewing BI as a series of exchange activities from collection (discovery) of operand resources (e.g. data) to use of operant resources (e.g. intelligence).

Implementing Deterministic Finite State Machines using Guard-Stage-Milestone

The Guard-Stage-Milestone (GSM) has emerged as a recent data centric approach to define business processes. GSM is one of the approaches to business artifacts in which the business process is described around the lifecycle of the data. Since its introduction in 2011, several research teams have worked on formally proving GSM properties. This paper describes a transformation of deterministic finite state machines (DFSM) into GSM types, by mapping states to GSM stages and input symbols to GSM incoming events. The state transition function of the DFSM is mapped such that it forces each snapshot of the resulting GSM type to correspond to a state of the resulting machine. The transformation presented in here faithfully rewrites a DFSM into a GSM type and it is suitable for automation.

Metrics for the Case Management Modeling and Notation (CMMN) Specification

The Case Management Modeling and Notation (CMMN) specification, published by the Object Management Group (OMG) in 2014, describes a declarative style for modeling business processes. The declarative nature of CMMN is intended to supplement the procedural style of the Business Process Modeling and Notation (BPMN). Although multiple metrics have been developed and verified for BPMN, the authors are not aware of any metrics developed for CMMN. Being a relative new process specification the understanding of complexity metrics for CMMN ought to be beneficial for practitioners and researchers by providing a way to compare case management models. This study provides a formal description of CMMN and three metrics are defined, namely size, length, and complexity. The metrics are theoretically validated using the formal framework for software measurements defined by Briand et al. and the complexity metric is further validated using Weyukers properties for software complexity measures.

Towards the incorporation of activity-based learning and reflection into Botswana information systems development practice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a co-design process that was initiated between government and the private sector in Botswana to redesign current ISD practice with particular focus on finding a solution for learning failure. Learning failure was analysed retrospectively using concepts of “task conscious” and “learning conscious” learning. Design/methodology/approach – On the basis of a typical Botswana ISD project in which the lead researcher participated, inefficiencies and shortcomings in the standardised Botswana ISD process in terms of full utilisation of learning processes to support systems success were examined. Through the Developmental Work Research (DWR) methodology, which is based on Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) principles, IS practitioners from government and the private sector, together with users collaborated to redesign the current Botswana ISD work practice in order to address this shortcoming. Findings – The result has been the incorporation of activity-ba...