Sukumar Rathnam

A computational model of coordination

This paper explores and explicates the concept of coordination in small workgroups. The authors develop a computational model within which the key constructs of coordination can be precisely defined. This framework can serve as the basis for additional theoretical developments and as a basis for developing software systems designed to support coordination in workgroups. Coordination is viewed as management of conflicting demands on finite resources by actors or activities. These activities may be informational in nature. The authors conceptualize the underlying primitive concepts that constitute the idea of coordination. This conceptualization views coordination as a cycle of four phases: the definitional phase, the conflict resolution phase, the action phase, and the adaptation phase. The authors then set forth a formal model of coordination, both as a phenomenon and as a process. Within the context of the framework the authors have created, key concepts of decomposability, Pareto-satisfactory, informational privacy, informational decentralization, and informational efficiency are explored.

The role of complexity in object-oriented systems development

The authors discuss the underlying principles of the object-oriented paradigm and their impact on software complexity. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of object-oriented methodology it is important to understand and evaluate its impact on software quality and programmer productivity. The authors propose a model where the impact of software complexity on abstract constructs such as software quality and productivity can be studied in object-oriented software development. It is concluded that the underlying concepts of object-oriented computing are sound and reduce complexity if applied correctly.<<ETX>>

Informational and decision processes for flexible manufacturing systems

A formal method based on the Semantic Unification and Logic (Semlog) environment, a typed object-oriented programming environment to develop control software for flexible manufacturing systems is described. The method minimizes the effort needed to transform the manufacturers problem description into the programmers solution plan. The representation scheme facilitates abstract and high-level descriptions as well as automated reasoning by using primitives representing the domain elements and their interrelationships. The programming language constructs that facilitate software modeling and the development of decision-making algorithms in a flexible manufacturing system are described.<<ETX>>

Groupware perceptions and reality: an E-mail survey

The authors discuss the research trends in groupware and the products that are currently available, and describe the results of an electronic mail (E-mail) survey conducted among 278 empirical researchers, system developers, and end-users of computer-supported cooperative work products and systems. The directions for future research in terms of the emerging trends are also presented.<<ETX>>

A framework for distributed decision support systems

Decision support systems have been primarily designed to support individual decision making. From the viewpoint of organizational decision making, an even greater potential gain can be achieved by using computers to support distributed decision making. Distributed decision support systems offer a methodology which can be used to combine distributed and heterogeneous models and problem solving processes under a single unified framework. In this paper, a formal definition of distributed decision support systems is provided. A framework for building the components of a distributed decision support system is then introduced. In particular, the authors examine the language system, problem solving system, and coordination components of the system.<<ETX>>

An interactive graphics based visual modelling tool

Interactive computer based graphics systems are increasingly being used in modelling environments. In these situations the main design goals for software systems, which support visual output display, are: the ease of prototyping, an easy-to-use interface, a large set of graphic primitives and a powerful image composition scheme. This paper first presents the theoretical basis, and then some of the design issues, for a system we built to aid the visualization of the graphical output from a modelling process. The paper concludes by describing applications of the software in various modelling contexts. The main contribution of our research is that it introduces new and powerful image composition techniques as opposed to providing geometric primitives. The graphical output of any formal mathematical model can be described in terms of either an iterated function system, or a recursive function. We have, in our research, used the recursive function approach to describe graphical objects. This is achieved by creating a context free grammar to describe any recursive function. A picture grammar, that is equivalent to the context free grammar, is then developed. The software implementation section of our work focuses on building an interpreter for the resulting language. The main theoretical issues that we deal with in the paper are the design of the recursive functions and context free grammars for visual modelling tools. The main implementation issues that we deal with in the paper are the design of the dynamic data structures, the LOGO-like command nature of the input interface, the context sensitive help system, the design of complex graphic primitives like splines and panelled polygons, and the creation of composite images using the notion of recursive replacement terminating in primitive geometric structures. The current implementation of the tool has been used in several different contexts. Among them are: the modelling of crystal growths, the animation of dynamic processes (for slides in commercials) and the generation of fractal images (to aid in the creative design of wallpaper and textile patterns).

What can computer programs do to facilitate negotiation processes

Recently, there has been considerable interest in the development of computer systems for use in negotiations. However, these systems are exclusively focussed on joint problem solving in cooperative settings. This paper concentrates on negotiation situations that are marked by conflict. Using a social-theoretic framework we identify the scope of computer assistance for negotiation in non-cooperative situations. We focus on the descriptive part of Raiffa’s asymmetric descriptive/prescriptive strategy for competitive decision-making. An outline of a software system is presented. Such a system can help build a database of negotiation case histories that can be represented graphically. We explore its use in competitive bargaining situations where the system can provide a descriptive model of the opponents’ bargaining behavior and help classify a negotiator in terms of negotiation strategies he is inclined to use. This allows the user to adopt a prescriptive approach in t~. process of concession-making in negotiations. The principles of a computer program FACILITATOR to facilitate the process of negotiation are also presented. * chaudhur@umb sky.bitnet ** mgmtrao@acsu.buffalo.edu *** sukuntar@emx.utex as.edu Permission to copy without fee all or part of this material is granted provided that the copies are not made or distributed for direct commercial advantage, the ACM copyright notice and the title of the publication and its date appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of the Association for Computing Machinery. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires a fee and/or specific permission. a 1991 ACM 0-89791-456-2/91 /0010 /0269...

Resolving cognitive conflict in requirements definition: a blackboard-based model and system architecture

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Facilitating coordination in customer support teams: a framework and its implications for the design of information technology

Many IS managers consider requirements definition to be one of the most difficult phases in a system analysis and design project. It is also felt that no other phase contributes as much to the potential success or failure of the final product. One of the reasons that a successful requirements analysis is so elusive is because the information needed for an accurate solution is distributed among the individual designers and domain experts that comprise the design team. Inherent in a requirements analysis are two problems: the actual problem of understanding and defining the artifact under design, and the problem of eliciting the ideas and information that each individual possesses and integrating these into a coherent and comprehensive design specification. This paper explores this problem of cognitive conflict within a requirements analysis domain. The characteristics of the problem are examined and a proposed process of resolution is considered. A blackboard-based framework is presented as a possible vehicle for implementing the proposed resolution scheme. The characteristics of the blackboard model are discussed and its applicable features are examined in detail. The requirements of a system to support requirements analysis are presented along with the design details of BARD, a blackboard assisted requirements definition system. Implications for design and directions for future research are outlined.