  This paper studies operator forms of the nonhomogeneous associative classical Yang-Baxter equation (nhacYBe), extending and generalizing such studies for the classical Yang-Baxter equation and associative Yang-Baxter equation that can be tracked back to the works of Semonov-Tian-Shansky and Kupershmidt on Rota-Baxter Lie algebras and $\mathcal{O}$-operators. In general, solutions of the nhacYBe are characterized in terms of generalized $\mathcal{O}$-operators. The characterization can be given by the classical $\mathcal{O}$-operators precisely when the solutions satisfy an invariant condition. When the invariant condition is compatible with a Frobenius algebra, such solutions have close relationships with Rota-Baxter operators on the Frobenius algebra. In general, solutions of the nhacYBe can be produced from Rota-Baxter operators, and then from $\mathcal{O}$-operators when the solutions are taken in semi-direct product algebras. In the other direction, Rota-Baxter operators can be obtained from solutions of the nhacYBe in unitizations of algebras. Finally a classifications of solutions of the nhacYBe satisfying the mentioned invariant condition in all unital complex algebras of dimensions two and three are obtained. All these solutions are shown to come from Rota-Baxter operators. 
Operator forms of nonhomogeneous associative classical Yang-Baxter   equation