Nikos I. Karacapilidis

A comparative assessment of measures of similarity of fuzzy values

The properties of several measures of similarity of fuzzy values are presented and compared. The measures examined include the measure based on the union and intersection, the one based on the maximum difference and the one based on the differences as well as the sum of corresponding grades of membership. It is shown that several properties are common to all measures. However, some properties do not hold for all of them.

Computer supported argumentation and collaborative decision making: the HERMES system

Abstract Collaborative decision making problems can be addressed through argumentative discourse and collaboration among the users involved. Consensus is achieved through the process of collaboratively considering alternative understandings of the problem, competing interests, priorities and constraints. The application of formal modeling and analysis tools to solve the related processes is impossible before the problem can be articulated in a concise and agreed upon manner. This paper describes H ermes , a system that augments classical decision making approaches by supporting argumentative discourse among decision makers. It is fully implemented in Java and runs on the Web, thus providing relatively inexpensive access to a broad public. Using an illustrative example, we present the argumentation elements, discourse acts and reasoning mechanisms involved in H ermes . We also describe the integration of advanced features to the system; these enable users to retrieve data stored in remote databases in order to further warrant their arguments, and stimulate them to perform acts that best reflect their interests and intentions.

The Zeno argumentation framework

The Zeno Argumentation Framework is a formal model of argumentation based on the informal models of Toulmin and Rittel. Its main feature is a labelling function using arguments to compute heuristic information about the relative quality of the alternative positions proposed as solutions for some practical issue. The Zeno Argumentation Framework was designed to be used in mediation systems, an advanced kind of electronic discussion forum with special support for argumentation, negotiation and other structured forms of group decision-making.

A knowledge centred framework for collaborative business process modelling

Purpose – The paper aims to present the design rationale, the structure and the use of a web‐based information systems framework for collaborative business process modelling.Design/methodology/approach – By viewing process modelling as a “problematic situation” that entails a considerable amount of social and knowledge activity in order to be resolved, a novel process modelling construct has been developed and a participative problem‐structuring methodology adapted to the specific domain. The framework presented is the result of an action research study for process improvement and has been introduced in a real organizational setting as a pilot application.Findings – Experiences from the use of the framework presented indicate that it stimulates interaction and makes participants more accountable for their modelling contributions, as well as aiding them to define, understand, document, analyze and improve business processes in a holistic manner by interacting with one another and with the model under const...

Supporting collaboration in the development and management of lean supply networks

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the appropriate information and communication technology can act as a catalyst in the development and operations management of lean supply networks; not by automating tasks and procedures, but by providing the enabling infrastructure required for structuring difficult problems and issues arising at inter-organisational boundaries and for taming the social complexity of their resolution processes. Towards this end, we present the design rationale and the functionalities of Co-LEAN, which is an integrated suite of software tools developed by the authors for the design and management of lean supply networks. In addition to providing full operational support in the planning and execution of the lean supply network, Co-LEAN supports internet-based collaboration in the specification of value, the identification and optimisation of value-streams, the alignment of supply-chain strategy with the overall operations strategy, and the supply-chain improvement tasks. The paper discusses the knowledge and information management requirements of lean supply networks, and presents the main components and functionalities of Co-LEAN in the context of a use case in a supply network formed around a stainless steel tanks’ manufacturer.

Intelligent agents for an artificial market system

Markets are complex artifacts. The design of such artifacts is made possible by continuation — a process that breaks the design into pieces small enough to be within the cognitive reach of the designer. Continuation requires frequent testing of critical behaviors. For the economic agents in markets, these behaviors include certain sensitivities to learning, cooperation and the distribution of autonomy. The paper argues that these sensitivities are best tested by software agents containing relatively simple algorithms, that is, low intelligence agents.

Computer‐supported G2G collaboration for public policy and decision‐making

Purpose – This paper investigates whether and how G2G collaboration for policy and decision‐making can be effectively supported by an appropriately developed information system.Design/methodology/approach – The research method adopted in this paper follows the “Design Science Paradigm”, which has been extensively used in information systems research.Findings – As resulted from the case study described in this paper, the proposed system has significant potential for supporting G2G collaboration for policy and decision‐making. It can support the collaborative understanding of social problems and needs, and the development of alternative actions or solutions for them. In addition, it can support the collaborative development of detailed action plans for the selected alternative(s). During the implementation of these actions, the system can be used for the collaborative monitoring of them, the identification of implementation problems and issues, and the development of alternatives for managing them. Finally,...

Computer-supported collaborative argumentation and fuzzy similarity measures in mutiple criteria decision making

Abstract Group decision making is usually performed in the presence of conflicting goals and criteria, brought up by spatially dispersed parties with different backgrounds and interests. Recent advances in information technology and computer science may satisfactorily address a variety of related problems, such as communication among the decision makers and efficient elicitation and representation of the domain knowledge. Furthermore, they may significantly automate the decision making process itself. On the other hand, the inherent uncertainty of the problem advocates the use of approximation models, often coming from the fuzzy sets discipline. This paper presents an integrated framework for multiple criteria decision making among groups on the World Wide Web. The agents involved use a fully implemented argumentative discourse system to pursue their criteria and objectives, the aim being the specification of the desired solution to the problem. The system organizes the collective knowledge in a discussion graph with truth maintenance and consistency checking features. Fuzzy similarity measures are then involved in order to assess alternative existing solutions with respect to the desired one. Scope and purpose We view multiple criteria decision making as a collaborative process, where decision makers have to follow a series of communicative actions in order to establish a common belief on the dimensions of the problem. Such dimensions may concern the choice criteria, the existing or desired alternative solutions, or the objective function, to mention some. This paper presents a framework for multiple criteria decision making among groups. Our approach exploits recent advances in information technology and manages to (i) remove the communication impediments among spatially dispersed decision makers, (ii) efficiently represent the domain knowledge, (iii) develop efficient mechanisms to structure and consistently maintain the decision analysis, and (iv) automate the multiple criteria decision making process per se. The framework is based on a fully implemented system, namely H ermes , which enhances decision making by supporting argumentative discourse among decision makers. The system is implemented in Java and runs on the World Wide Web, thus providing relatively inexpensive access to a broad public.

Interweaving knowledge management, argumentation and decision making in a collaborative setting: the KAD ontology model

Admitting that ontologies are a means to accomplish a shared understanding of different knowledge domains and to facilitate sharing and reuse of bodies of knowledge across groups and applications, this paper presents an ontology model, namely KAD, which applies to argumentative discourses carried out in collaborative decision making settings. The proposed model interweaves concepts from the Knowledge Management, Argumentation Theory, Decision Making, and Multicriteria Decision Aid disciplines. Through the case of manufacturing management, it is shown that KAD can be easily expanded in order to apply to any particular knowledge domain, after the proper definition of the relevant semantics.

A framework for group decision support systems : Combining AI tools and OR techniques

Abstract Work on the implementation of Group Decision Support Systems has to exploit recent advancements of computer science. Existing frameworks for single-user Decision Support Systems, based on well-established Operations Research methods such as Multicriteria Decision Making techniques, have to be integrated with successful technical developments in electronic communication and computing. Starting from the presentation of the related Operations Research background, this paper proceeds by discussing challenges coming from the areas of Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Information Systems on the World Wide Web platform. Based on this discussion, a framework for an ‘open’, computer-mediated Group Decision Support System is proposed. The term ‘open’ is related to a platform-independent system, which can efficiently support alternative types of goals and control protocols between its users.