41046454
Development Barriers to International Information Systems
This paper examines how componentbased software can aid the development of global information systems that reflect local issues. In presenting the idealistic contribution of component-based development, the paper draws on the findings of a case study to note that there are several difficulties that need to be addressed if the approach is to be successful in practice. The conclusion drawn is that considerable attention needs to be paid to the means for understanding and representing: (a) the needs of given domains; and (b) variation in those needs across local contexts. It is proposed that these points cannot be considered as trivial, as such understanding runs against the dominant tradition in information systems development, which is enshrined in both formalism and education.
39791639
Simulation optimisation using a genetic algorithm
Abstract The paper presents an attempt to apply genetic algorithms (GAs) to the problem of optimising an existing simulation model. A simple real-coded GA is presented and used to change the simulation model parameters. With each new parameter set proposed, a simulation run is performed. From the statistics gathered by running the simulation, a goal function is constructed that measures the quality of these parameters. Because of its nature and the stochastic and unpredictable behaviour of the complex simulation model, the goal function used leads to a highly non-linear, noisy and mixed (discrete and continuous) programming optimisation problem. A GA successfully works on it, and as a result gives a parameter set that measures substantially better than the nominal one. This demonstrates the capability of GAs to solve hard inverse problems even in the area of complex simulation model optimisation.
17715219
A hierarchical framework for evaluating simulation software
Abstract In simulation software selection problems, packages are evaluated either on their own merits or in comparison with other packages. In either method, a comprehensive list of criteria for evaluation of simulation software is essential for proper selection. Although various simulation software evaluation checklists do exist, there are differences in the lists provided and the terminologies used. This paper presents a hierarchical framework for simulation software evaluation consisting of seven main groups and several subgroups. An explanation for each criterion is provided and an analysis of the usability of the proposed framework is further discussed.
609354
Adapting to Survive: Lessons Learned from an Investigation into the Effects of Contextual Change on Information Systems
In an effort to create shareholder value in the new frontier opened by a world but volatile economy, organizations have long ago realized that processes, structure and control procedures have to be reconstructed anew. It follows that information systems should be approached not as static artifacts but as dynamic entities able to model the ever-changing organization. In this paper we report of a case study investigating the effects of privatization on the systems of an industrial organization. Our findings illustrate the vulnerability of information systems in turbulent environments, provide insight into the causes of misfit due to contextual change, and establish flexibility as a success variable of contemporary information systems.
22331060
An appraisal of web-based simulation: whither we wander?
Abstract The direction that web-based simulation modelling is taking is determined and deliberated. Environments and languages for web-based simulation are reviewed, particularly Java-based approaches. Web-based applications are discussed. After proposing a summary of the review, ways of working that will have an unpredictable effect on the future of simulation modelling are proposed. The future direction of web-based simulation is speculated on, given the argument pursued in the paper.
24905037
Using Machine Learning Techniques to Interpret Results from Discrete Event Simulation
This paper describes an approach to the interpretation of discrete event simulation results using machine learning techniques. The results of two simulators were processed as machine learning problems. Interpretation obtained by the regression tree learning system Retis was intuitive but obviously expressed in a complicated way. To enable a more powerful knowledge representation, Inductive Logic Programming (ILP) system Markus was used, that also highlighted some attribute combinations. These attribute combinations were used as new attributes in further experiments with Retis and Assistant. Some interesting regularities were thereby automatically discovered.
2076128
Simulation in healthcare management: a soft approach (MAPIU)
Abstract Simulation application in healthcare is not as widely perceived for problem solving as it is in other application areas. This might be due to the way simulation is applied in healthcare modelling, as it follows a traditionally based on engineering approach. This may not be a problem in itself; however, healthcare systems are often complex in that they involve multiple decision-makers and thus understanding and communication between the various stakeholders is potentially problematic. Problem understanding and efficient communication means can widely contribute to the solution; consequently a modelling approach is proposed in this paper to enhance such understanding and communication. The approach is based on participation of stakeholders; it is also iterative. An example is given aiming to show how this approach has been used to successfully facilitate the modelling process, concluding that involving stakeholders throughout enables them to fully appreciate the findings. This approach thus serves to enrich the communication process.
14281951
Developing a Theory to Explain the Insights Gained Concerning Information Systems and Business Process Behaviour: The ASSESS-IT Project
Business Process (BP) literature promotes the value of business processes as essential gearwheels that help organisations to reach their goals. Similarly, many process design approaches claim that information technology is a major enabler of business process, a view also shared by the Information Systems (IS) community. Despite this, BP and IS approaches do not provide clear guidance on how to coordinate the design of BP and IS. Nor is any indication of which modelling techniques could be used to detect and design IT opportunities within a business process context given.The ASSESS-IT project examined this domain and proposed the use of simulation techniques to achieve BP and IT integration. The outcome of this project gave indication that depicting the dynamic behaviour of IS could be very helpful for BP modellers to predict the impact that the insertion of IS may have on organisational processes. This paper proposes a simulation framework to depict IS behaviour within a BP simulation model, namely BPS/ISS, and tests it using the case study that was part of the ASSESS-IT project.