Aurona Gerber

2015

Hinkelmann, K., Gerber, A., Karagiannis, D., Thoenssen, B., van der Merwe, A., & Woitsch, R. (2015). A new paradigm for the continuous alignment of business and IT: Combining enterprise architecture modelling and enterprise ontology. Computers in Industry. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166361515300270

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download PDF

PaperFinal.pdf

The paper deals with Next Generation Enterprise Information Systems in the context of Enterprise Engineering. The continuous alignment of business and IT in a rapidly changing environment is a grand challenge for today's enterprises. The ability to react timeously to continuous and unexpected change is called agility and is an essential quality of the modern enterprise. Being agile has consequences for the engineering of enterprises and enterprise information systems. In this paper a new paradigm for next generation enterprise information systems is proposed, which shifts the development approach of model-driven engineering to continuous alignment of business and IT for the agile enterprise. It is based on a metamodelling approach, which supports both human-interpretable graphical enterprise architecture and machine-interpretable enterprise ontologies. Furthermore, next generation enterprise information systems are described, which embed modelling tools and algorithms for model analysis

@article{119,
  author = {Knut Hinkelmann and Aurona Gerber and Dimitris Karagiannis and Barbara Thoenssen and Alta van der Merwe and Robert Woitsch},
  title = {A new paradigm for the continuous alignment of business and IT: Combining enterprise architecture modelling and enterprise ontology.},
  abstract = {The paper deals with Next Generation Enterprise Information Systems in the context of Enterprise Engineering. The continuous alignment of business and IT in a rapidly changing environment is a grand challenge for today's enterprises. The ability to react timeously to continuous and unexpected change is called agility and is an essential quality of the modern enterprise. Being agile has consequences for the engineering of enterprises and enterprise information systems. In this paper a new paradigm for next generation enterprise information systems is proposed, which shifts the development approach of model-driven engineering to continuous alignment of business and IT for the agile enterprise. It is based on a metamodelling approach, which supports both human-interpretable graphical enterprise architecture and machine-interpretable enterprise ontologies. Furthermore, next generation enterprise information systems are described, which embed modelling tools and algorithms for model analysis},
  year = {2015},
  journal = {Computers in Industry},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166361515300270},
}

Thomas, A., Gerber, A., & van der Merwe, A. (2015). Visual Syntax of UML Class and Package Diagram Constructs as an Ontology. In KEOD 2015 the the 7th International Joint Conference on Knowledge Discovery, Knowledge Engineering and Knowledge Management.

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download PDF

Paper.pdf

Diagrams are often studied as visual languages with an abstract and a concrete syntax (concrete syntax is often referred to as visual syntax), where the latter contains the visual representations of the concepts in the former. A formal specification of the concrete syntax is useful in diagram processing applications as well as in achieving unambiguous understanding of diagrams. Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a commonly used modeling language to represent software models using its diagrams. Class and package diagrams are two diagrams of UML. The motivation for this work is twofold; UML lacks a formal visual syntax specification and ontologies are under-explored for visual syntax specifications. The work in this paper, therefore, explores using ontologies for visual syntax specifications by specifying the visual syntax of a set of UML class and package diagram constructs as an ontology in the Web ontology language, OWL. The reasoning features of the ontology reasoners are then used to verify the visual syntax specification. Besides formally encoding the visual syntax of numerous UML constructs, the work also demonstrates the general value of using OWL for visual syntax specifications.

@{118,
  author = {Anitta Thomas and Aurona Gerber and Alta van der Merwe},
  title = {Visual Syntax of UML Class and Package Diagram Constructs as an Ontology},
  abstract = {Diagrams are often studied as visual languages with an abstract and a concrete syntax (concrete syntax is often referred to as visual syntax), where the latter contains the visual representations of the concepts in the former. A formal specification of the concrete syntax is useful in diagram processing applications as well as in achieving unambiguous understanding of diagrams. Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a commonly used modeling language to represent software models using its diagrams. Class and package diagrams are two diagrams of UML. The motivation for this work is twofold; UML lacks a formal visual syntax specification and ontologies are under-explored for visual syntax specifications. The work in this paper, therefore, explores using ontologies for visual syntax specifications by specifying the visual syntax of a set of UML class and package diagram constructs as an ontology in the Web ontology language, OWL. The reasoning features of the ontology reasoners are then used to verify the visual syntax specification. Besides formally encoding the visual syntax of numerous UML constructs, the work also demonstrates the general value of using OWL for visual syntax specifications.},
  year = {2015},
  journal = {KEOD 2015 the the 7th International Joint Conference on Knowledge Discovery, Knowledge Engineering and Knowledge Management},
  month = {12/11-14/11},
  isbn = {978-989-758-158-8},
}

2014

de Vries, M., van der Merwe, A., & Gerber, A. (2014). Extending the enterprise evolution contextualisation model. Enterprise Information Systems, 11(6). http://doi.org/10.1080/17517575.2015.1090629

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download

Enterprise engineering (EE) emerged as a new discipline to encourage comprehensive and consistent enterprise design. Since EE is multidisciplinary, various researchers study enterprises from different perspectives, which resulted in a plethora of applicable literature and terminology, but without shared meaning. Previous research specifically focused on the fragmentation of knowledge for designing and aligning the information and communication technology (ICT) subsystem of the enterprise in order to support the business organisation subsystem of the enterprise. As a solution for this fragmented landscape, a business-IT alignment model (BIAM) was developed inductively from existing business-IT alignment approaches. Since most of the existing alignment frameworks addressed the alignment between the ICT subsystem and the business organisation subsystem, BIAM also focused on the alignment between these two subsystems. Yet, the emerging EE discipline intends to address a broader scope of design, evident in the existing approaches that incorporate a broader scope of design/alignment/governance. A need was identified to address the knowledge fragmentation of the EE knowledge base by adapting BIAM to an enterprise evolution contextualisation model (EECM), to contextualise a broader set of approaches, as identified by Lapalme. The main contribution of this article is the incremental development and evaluation of EECM. We also present guiding indicators/prerequisites for applying EECM as a contextualisation tool.

@article{449,
  author = {Marne de Vries and Alta van der Merwe and Aurona Gerber},
  title = {Extending the enterprise evolution contextualisation model.},
  abstract = {Enterprise engineering (EE) emerged as a new discipline to encourage comprehensive and consistent enterprise design. Since EE is multidisciplinary, various researchers study enterprises from different perspectives, which resulted in a plethora of applicable literature and terminology, but without shared meaning. Previous research specifically focused on the fragmentation of knowledge for designing and aligning the information and communication technology (ICT) subsystem of the enterprise in order to support the business organisation subsystem of the enterprise. As a solution for this fragmented landscape, a business-IT alignment model (BIAM) was developed inductively from existing business-IT alignment approaches. Since most of the existing alignment frameworks addressed the alignment between the ICT subsystem and the business organisation subsystem, BIAM also focused on the alignment between these two subsystems. Yet, the emerging EE discipline intends to address a broader scope of design, evident in the existing approaches that incorporate a broader scope of design/alignment/governance. A need was identified to address the knowledge fragmentation of the EE knowledge base by adapting BIAM to an enterprise evolution contextualisation model (EECM), to contextualise a broader set of approaches, as identified by Lapalme. The main contribution of this article is the incremental development and evaluation of EECM. We also present guiding indicators/prerequisites for applying EECM as a contextualisation tool.},
  year = {2014},
  journal = {Enterprise Information Systems},
  volume = {11},
  pages = {787-827},
  issue = {6},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17517575.2015.1090629},
  doi = {10.1080/17517575.2015.1090629},
}

Harmse, H., Britz, K., Gerber, A., & Moodley, D. (2014). Scenario Testing using Formal Ontologies. Retrieved from http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1301/ontocomodise2014_10.pdf

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download PDF

ontocomodise2014_10_0.pdf

One of the challenges in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is to ensure that the requirements that drive the development of a software system are correct. However, establishing unambiguous and error-free requirements is not a trivial problem. As part of the requirements phase of the SDLC, a conceptual model can be created which describes the objects, relationships and operations that are of importance to business. Such a conceptual model is often expressed as a UML class diagram. Recent research concerned with the formal validation of such UML class diagrams has focused on transforming UML class diagrams to various formalisms such as description logics. Description logics are desirable since they have reasoning support which can be used to show that a UML class diagram is consistent/inconsistent. Yet, even when a UML class diagram is consistent, it still does not address the problem of ensuring that a UML class diagram represents business requirements accurately. To validate such diagrams business analysts use a technique called scenario testing. In this paper we present an approach for the formal validation of UML class diagrams based on scenario testing. We additionally provide preliminary feedback on the experiences gained from using our scenario testing approach on a real-world software project.

@misc{106,
  author = {Henriette Harmse and Katarina Britz and Aurona Gerber and Deshen Moodley},
  title = {Scenario Testing using Formal Ontologies},
  abstract = {One of the challenges in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is to ensure that the requirements that drive the development of a software system are correct. However, establishing unambiguous and error-free requirements is not a trivial problem. As part of the requirements phase of the SDLC, a conceptual model can be created which describes the objects, relationships and operations that are of importance to business. Such a conceptual model is often expressed as a UML class diagram. Recent research concerned with the formal validation of such UML class diagrams has focused on transforming UML class diagrams to various formalisms such as description logics. Description logics are desirable since they have reasoning support which can be used to show that a UML class diagram is consistent/inconsistent. Yet, even when a UML class diagram is consistent, it still does not address the problem of ensuring that a UML class diagram represents business requirements accurately. To validate such diagrams business analysts use a technique called scenario testing. In this paper we present an approach for the formal validation of UML class diagrams based on scenario testing. We additionally provide preliminary feedback on the experiences gained from using our scenario testing approach on a real-world software project.},
  year = {2014},
  isbn = {urn:nbn:de:0074-1301-3},
  url = {http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1301/ontocomodise2014_10.pdf},
}

Gerber, A., Eardley, C., & Morar, N. (2014). An Ontology-based Key for Afrotropical Bees. In Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Applications. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: IOS Press. Retrieved from http://ebooks.iospress.nl/volume/formal-ontology-in-information-systems-proceedings-of-the-eighth-international-conference-fois-2014

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download PDF

0_Title.pdf

The goal of this paper is to report on the development of an ontologybased taxonomic key application that is a first deliverable of a larger project that has as goal the development of ontology-driven computing solutions for problems experienced in taxonomy. The ontology-based taxonomic key was developed from a complex taxonomic data set, namely the Catalogue of Afrotropical Bees. The key is used to identify the genera of African bees and for this paper we developed an ontology-based application, that demonstrates that morphological key data can be captured effectively in a standardised format as an ontology, and furthermore, even though the ontology-based key provides the same identification results as the traditional key, this approach allows for several additional advantages that could support taxonomy in the biological sciences. The morphology ontology for Afrotropical bees, as well as the key application form the basis of a suite of tools that we intend to develop to support the taxonomic processes in this domain.

@inbook{101,
  author = {Aurona Gerber and C. Eardley and Nishal Morar},
  title = {An Ontology-based Key for Afrotropical Bees},
  abstract = {The goal of this paper is to report on the development of an ontologybased
taxonomic key application that is a first deliverable of a larger project that
has as goal the development of ontology-driven computing solutions for problems
experienced in taxonomy. The ontology-based taxonomic key was developed from
a complex taxonomic data set, namely the Catalogue of Afrotropical Bees. The
key is used to identify the genera of African bees and for this paper we developed
an ontology-based application, that demonstrates that morphological key data can
be captured effectively in a standardised format as an ontology, and furthermore,
even though the ontology-based key provides the same identification results as the
traditional key, this approach allows for several additional advantages that could
support taxonomy in the biological sciences. The morphology ontology for
Afrotropical bees, as well as the key application form the basis of a suite of tools
that we intend to develop to support the taxonomic processes in this domain.},
  year = {2014},
  journal = {Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Applications},
  pages = {277-288},
  publisher = {IOS Press},
  address = {Rio de Janeiro, Brazil},
  isbn = {978-1-61499-437-4 (print) | 978-1-61499-438-1 (online)},
  url = {http://ebooks.iospress.nl/volume/formal-ontology-in-information-systems-proceedings-of-the-eighth-international-conference-fois-2014},
}

Lombard, N., Gerber, A., & van der Merwe, A. (2014). The Construction and Use of an Ontology to Support a Simulation Environment Performing Countermeasure Evaluation for Military Aircraft .

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download PDF

LombardOC_Changed_MTechDok_June2014.pdf

No Abstract

@phdthesis{99,
  author = {Nelia Lombard and Aurona Gerber and Alta van der Merwe},
  title = {The Construction and Use of an Ontology to Support a Simulation Environment Performing Countermeasure Evaluation for Military Aircraft},
  abstract = {No Abstract},
  year = {2014},
  volume = {MTech},
}

de Vries, M., Gerber, A., & van der Merwe, A. (2014). The Nature of the Enterprise Engineering Discipline. In . LNBIP Springer. Retrieved from http://ciaonetwork.org/events/past-events/4th-enterprise-engineering-working-conference

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download

No Abstract

@inbook{98,
  author = {Marne de Vries and Aurona Gerber and Alta van der Merwe},
  title = {The Nature of the Enterprise Engineering Discipline},
  abstract = {No Abstract},
  year = {2014},
  publisher = {LNBIP Springer},
  url = {http://ciaonetwork.org/events/past-events/4th-enterprise-engineering-working-conference},
}

Gerber, M. C., Gerber, A., & van der Merwe, A. (2014). An Analysis of Fundamental Concepts in the Conceptual Framework Using Ontology Technologies. SAJEMS - The South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 17. Retrieved from http://www.sajems.org/index.php/sajems/article/view/525/434

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download PDF

525-6053-1-PB_0.pdf

The interpretation of financial data obtained from the accounting process for reporting purposes is regulated by financial accounting standards (FAS). The history and mechanisms used for the development of ʻThe Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting’ (the Conceptual Framework) as well as the financial accounting standards resulted in impressive volumes of material that guides modern financial reporting practices, but unfortunately, as is often the case with textual manuscripts, it contains descriptions that are vague, inconsistent or ambiguous. As part of the on-going initiatives to improve International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) promotes the development of principle-based IFRS, which aim to address the problems of vagueness, inconsistency and ambiguity. This paper reports on the findings of a design science research (DSR) project that, as artefact, developed a first version ontology-based formal language representing the definitions of asset, liability and equity (the fundamental elements of the statement of financial position as defined in the Conceptual Framework) through the application of knowledge representation (ontology) techniques as used within computing. We suggest that this artefact may assist with addressing vagueness, inconsistencies and ambiguities within the definitions of the Conceptual Framework. Based on our findings, we include suggestions for the further development of a formal language and approach to assist the formulation of the Conceptual Framework. The project focuses on the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting after the incorporation of Phase A in the convergence project between the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and IASB.

@article{90,
  author = {Mathinus Gerber and Aurona Gerber and Alta van der Merwe},
  title = {An Analysis of Fundamental Concepts in the Conceptual Framework Using Ontology Technologies.},
  abstract = {The interpretation of financial data obtained from the accounting process for reporting purposes is regulated by financial accounting standards (FAS). The history and mechanisms used for the development of ʻThe Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting’ (the Conceptual Framework) as well as the financial accounting standards resulted in impressive volumes of material that guides modern financial reporting practices, but unfortunately, as is often the case with textual manuscripts, it contains descriptions that are vague, inconsistent or ambiguous. As part of the on-going initiatives to improve International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) promotes the development of principle-based IFRS, which aim to address the problems of vagueness, inconsistency and ambiguity. 

This paper reports on the findings of a design science research (DSR) project that, as artefact, developed a first version ontology-based formal language representing the definitions of asset, liability and equity (the fundamental elements of the statement of financial position as defined in the Conceptual Framework) through the application of knowledge representation (ontology) techniques as used within computing. We suggest that this artefact may assist with addressing vagueness, inconsistencies and ambiguities within the definitions of the Conceptual Framework. Based on our findings, we include suggestions for the further development of a formal language and approach to assist the formulation of the Conceptual Framework. The project focuses on the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting after the incorporation of Phase A in the convergence project between the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and IASB.},
  year = {2014},
  journal = {SAJEMS - The South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences},
  volume = {17},
  pages = {369-411},
  isbn = {2222-3436},
  url = {http://www.sajems.org/index.php/sajems/article/view/525/434},
}

Gous, H., Gerber, A., & Schutte, C. (2014). Towards a reference architecture for integrated knowledge networks.

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download

No Abstract

@phdthesis{86,
  author = {Henno Gous and Aurona Gerber and C. Schutte},
  title = {Towards a reference architecture for integrated knowledge networks},
  abstract = {No Abstract},
  year = {2014},
  volume = {PhD},
}

Coetzer, W., Moodley, D., & Gerber, A. (2014). A knowledge-based system for discovering ecological interactions in biodiversity data-stores of heterogeneous specimen-records: A case-study of flower-visiting ecology. Ecological Informatics.

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download PDF

FlowerVisiting_SemanticInteroperability_Revised_0.docx

We modeled expert knowledge of arthropod flower-visiting behavioral ecology and represented this in an event-centric domain ontology, which we describe along with the ontology construction process. Two smaller domain ontologies were created to represent expert knowledge of known flower-visiting insect groups and expert knowledge of the flower-visiting behavioral ecology of Rediviva bees. Two application ontologies were designed, which, together with the domain ontologies, constituted the ontology framework of a prototype semantic enrichment and mediation system that we designed and implemented to improve semantic interoperability between flower-visiting data-stores. We describe and evaluate the system implementation in a case-study of three flower-visiting data-stores, and we discuss the system’s scalability, extension and potential impact. We demonstrate how the system is able to dynamically extract complex ecological interactions from heterogeneous specimen data-stores. The conceptual stance and modeling approach are potentially of general use in representing knowledge of animal behavior and ecological interactions, and in engineering semantic interoperability between data-stores containing behavioral ecology data.

@article{81,
  author = {Willem Coetzer and Deshen Moodley and Aurona Gerber},
  title = {A knowledge-based system for discovering ecological interactions  in biodiversity data-stores of heterogeneous specimen-records:  A case-study of flower-visiting ecology},
  abstract = {We modeled expert knowledge of arthropod flower-visiting behavioral ecology and represented this in an event-centric domain ontology, which we describe along with the ontology construction process. Two smaller domain ontologies were created to represent expert knowledge of known flower-visiting insect groups and expert knowledge of the flower-visiting behavioral ecology of Rediviva bees. Two application ontologies were designed, which, together with the domain ontologies, constituted the ontology framework of a prototype semantic enrichment and mediation system that we designed and implemented to improve semantic interoperability between flower-visiting data-stores. We describe and evaluate the system implementation in a case-study of three flower-visiting data-stores, and we discuss the system’s scalability, extension and potential impact. We demonstrate how the system is able to dynamically extract complex ecological interactions from heterogeneous specimen data-stores. The conceptual stance and modeling approach are potentially of general use in representing knowledge of animal behavior and ecological interactions, and in engineering semantic interoperability between data-stores containing behavioral ecology data.},
  year = {2014},
  journal = {Ecological Informatics},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
}

2013

Harmse, H., Britz, K., & Gerber, A. (2013). Scenario Testing on UML Class Diagrams using Description Logic.

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download PDF

Scenario Testing on UML Class Diagrams using Description Logic 0.9.6.pdf

As part of the requirements phase of building a software system, a conceptual model could be created which describes the information and processes of the business. This conceptual model is often expressed as a UML class diagram. In an attempt to validate the UML class diagram, stakeholders test various usage scenarios against it. The availablity of formal reasoning procedures will greatly ease finding associated inconsistencies. To date, substantial research has been done on transforming UML class diagrams into different Description Logics. In this paper we explore how Description Logics can be used to fascilitate scenario testing as a means to validate the UML class diagrams. Since identity constraints on UML class diagrams have not been mapped to a Description Logic as yet, we evaluate the suitability of using either DLR_ifd or SROIQ(D) for this purpose.

@misc{76,
  author = {Henriette Harmse and Katarina Britz and Aurona Gerber},
  title = {Scenario Testing on UML Class Diagrams using Description Logic},
  abstract = {As part of the requirements phase of building a software system, a conceptual model could be created which describes the information and processes of the business. This conceptual model is often expressed as a UML class diagram. In an attempt to validate the UML class diagram, stakeholders test various usage scenarios against it. The availablity of formal reasoning procedures will greatly ease finding associated inconsistencies. To date, substantial research has been done on transforming UML class diagrams into different Description Logics. In this paper we explore how Description Logics can be used to fascilitate scenario testing as a means to validate the UML class diagrams. Since identity constraints on UML class diagrams have not been mapped to a Description Logic as yet, we evaluate the suitability of using either DLR_ifd or SROIQ(D) for this purpose.},
  year = {2013},
}

Gerber, A., de Vries, M., & van der Merwe, A. (2013). Towards an enterprise evolution contextualisation model. In ES 2013 - the first international conference on Enterprise Systems. Cape Town.

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download

No Abstract

@{73,
  author = {Aurona Gerber and Marne de Vries and Alta van der Merwe},
  title = {Towards an enterprise evolution contextualisation model.},
  abstract = {No Abstract},
  year = {2013},
  journal = {ES 2013 - the first international conference on Enterprise Systems},
  month = {07/11 - 08/11},
  address = {Cape Town},
}

Gerber, A., van der Merwe, A., & Bayes, K. (2013). An Investigation into UML Case Tool Support for the Zachman Framework. In ES 2013 - the first international conference on Enterprise Systems. Cape Town.

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download

No Abstract

@{72,
  author = {Aurona Gerber and Alta van der Merwe and Kevin Bayes},
  title = {An Investigation into UML Case Tool Support for the Zachman Framework},
  abstract = {No Abstract},
  year = {2013},
  journal = {ES 2013 - the first international conference on Enterprise Systems},
  month = {01/11 - 08/11},
  address = {Cape Town},
}

Gerber, A., van der Merwe, A., & van der Linde, J. (2013). The Impact of Managerial EA Decisions on Software Development Employees. In ES 2013 - the first international conference on Enterprise Systems. Cape Town.

Abstract BibTex Entry BibTeX Download

No Abstract

@{71,
  author = {Aurona Gerber and Alta van der Merwe and Judith van der Linde},
  title = {The Impact of Managerial EA Decisions on Software Development Employees.},
  abstract = {No Abstract},
  year = {2013},
  journal = {ES 2013 - the first international conference on Enterprise Systems},
  month = {07/11 - 08/11},
  address = {Cape Town},
}