Becoming to Know: Essays on Extended Epistemology of Knowledge Creation

This qualitative, explorative study, which comprises four essays, focuses on knowledge management (KM). It seeks to answer the question: How can the knowledge creation theory of KM benefit from social learning theories? While studying the five development phases of knowledge creation theory of KM through 1995-2008 and applying some social learning theories in essays, the concepts of knowing, learning and becoming have emerged. Drawing on these three concepts and on becoming ontology and extended epistemology as research philosophies the study suggests the ���becoming epistemology��� concept and develops the ���becoming to know��� framework. The framework proposes becoming as phronesis of dialectic interactions between learning and knowing. It shows how becoming to know evolves as an interplay between concrete experience and logical thinking in the present and in a living context. The proposed framework could be considered a contribution to the current development phase of the knowledge creation theory of KM because it illustrates how ontological and epistemological knowledge spirals come together, which is the essence of the knowledge creation theory of KM.

Representation of evidence: An approach to uncertainty handling in knowledge-based systems

Many knowledge based systems (KBS) transform a situation information into an appropriate decision using an in built knowledge base. As the knowledge in real world situation is often uncertain, the degree of truth of a proposition provides a measure of uncertainty in the underlying knowledge. This uncertainty can be evaluated by collecting `evidence' about the truth or falsehood of the proposition from multiple sources. In this paper we propose a simple framework for representing uncertainty in using the notion of an evidence space.

OntoFeed um leitor de Feeds com extens��o ontol��gica.

O problema que justifica o presente estudo refere-se �� falta de sem��ntica nos mecanismos de busca na Web. Para este problema, o cons��rcio W3 vem desenvolvendo tecnologias que visam construir uma Web Sem��ntica. Entre estas tecnologias, est��o as ontologias de dom��nio. Neste sentido, o objetivo geral desta disserta����o �� discutir as possibilidades de se imprimir sem��ntica ��s buscas nos agregadores de not��cia da Web. O objetivo espec��fico �� apresentar uma aplica����o que usa uma classifica����o semi-autom��tica de not��cias, reunindo, para tanto, as tecnologias de busca da ��rea de recupera����o de informa����o com as ontologias de dom��nio. O sistema proposto �� uma aplica����o para a Web capaz de buscar not��cias sobre um dom��nio espec��fico em portais de informa����o. Ela utiliza a API do Google Maps V1 para a localiza����o georreferenciada da not��cia, sempre que esta informa����o estiver dispon��vel. Para mostrar a viabilidade da proposta, foi desenvolvido um exemplo apoiado em uma ontologia para o dom��nio de chuvas e suas consequ��ncias. Os resultados obtidos por este novo Feed de base ontol��gica s��o alocados em um banco de dados e disponibilizados para consulta via Web. A expectativa �� que o Feed proposto seja mais relevante em seus resultados do que um Feed comum. Os resultados obtidos com a uni��o de tecnologias patrocinadas pelo cons��rcio W3 (XML, RSS e ontologia) e ferramentas de busca em p��gina Web foram satisfat��rios para o prop��sito pretendido. As ontologias mostram-se como ferramentas de usos m��ltiplos, e seu valor de an��lise em buscas na Web pode ser ampliado com aplica����es computacionais adequadas para cada caso. Como no exemplo apresentado nesta disserta����o, �� palavra chuva agregaram-se outros conceitos, que estavam presentes nos desdobramentos ocasionados por ela. Isto real��ou a liga����o do evento chuva com as consequ��ncias que ela provoca - a����o que s�� foi poss��vel executar atrav��s de um recorte do conhecimento formal envolvido.

Uso de ontologia em servi��o de contexto e descoberta de recursos para autoadapta����o de sistemas.

Aplica����es cientes de contexto precisam de mecanismos para recuperar informa����es sobre o seu contexto de execu����o. Com base no contexto atual, tais aplica����es s��o capazes de se autoadaptar para fornecer informa����es e servi��os adequados aos seus usu��rios. A abordagem comum para infraestruturas de apoio ��s aplica����es sens��veis ao contexto fornece servi��os para a descoberta de recursos atrav��s da utiliza����o de pares <chave-valor> e motores que executam apenas correspond��ncia sint��tica. Esta abordagem n��o considera as poss��veis rela����es sem��nticas entre as palavras-chave usadas. Portanto, a sua expressividade sem��ntica limitada, leva a um servi��o de descoberta que prov�� baixa taxa de recupera����o e baixa acur��cia. Este trabalho apresenta a utiliza����o de uma outra abordagem para o servi��o de contexto e descoberta, que utiliza ontologias para representar os recursos do contexto de execu����o e capturar a sem��ntica da consulta do usu��rio, melhorando assim o processo de descoberta para a autoadapta����o de sistemas sens��veis ao contexto. A abordagem proposta oferece tamb��m pontos de extens��o para as aplica����es clientes atrav��s da utiliza����o de outras ontologias. Esta abordagem foi integrada �� infraestrutura CDRF, de forma a adicionar sem��ntica aos servi��os desenvolvidos neste projeto. Exemplos de aplica����es s��o tamb��m propostos para demonstrar a utiliza����o dos novos servi��os.

Itiner��rios formativos do Internato Rural na Amaz��nia: experi��ncias nas fronteiras de mundo, saberes e pr��ticas e responsabilidade

O objetivo da pesquisa foi explorar os elementos constitutivos dos itiner��rios formativos desenvolvidos nas experi��ncias de Internato Rural na Amaz��nia, a partir do contato com a realidade e a cultura locais, observando poss��veis contribui����es para o aprendizado de valores ��tico-pol��ticos condizentes com a no����o de responsabilidade. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa com pressupostos fenomenol��gicos e an��lise baseada nas narrativas dos sujeitos entrevistados, basicamente estudantes que passaram recentemente pela experi��ncia de Internato Rural e professores envolvidos com o programa. Por suas peculiaridades, foram escolhidas as experi��ncias da Universidade do Estado do Amazonas e da Universidade Estadual do Par�� campus Santar��m. Foram tamb��m realizados grupos focais com estudantes e observa����o direta e participante da a����o dos estudantes em alguns munic��pios selecionados. Foram definidas tr��s categorias em que as narrativas se concentraram: Mundo; Saberes e Pr��ticas; e Responsabilidade. Estas foram analisadas na perspectiva das mudan��as de paradigma pertinentes a cada uma delas, sendo por isso designadas como fronteiras. Ao iniciar o Internato Rural, os estudantes se sentem em outro mundo, numa realidade que n��o conheciam, mas que encaram e se deixam surpreender. Essa sensibiliza����o parece criar um sentimento de perten��a �� regi��o, numa poss��vel reconcilia����o com o mundo, em manifesta����es narrativas que evocam o sentimento arendtiano de amor mundi. A partir desse processo de valora����o, as reflex��es se voltaram inclusive para a possibilidade de viver essa situa����o como m��dico, numa poss��vel ida para o interior. E tamb��m na reafirma����o da esperan��a que a ideia arendtiana de renova����o do mundo nos traz, com o advento da natalidade e com a apresenta����o do mundo aos novos atrav��s da educa����o. Durante o est��gio, os estudantes entram em contato com os saberes e pr��ticas tradicionais da floresta. Nesse encontro percebem a import��ncia das parteiras e dos pegadores, assim como da utiliza����o de plantas medicinais e outras pr��ticas pr��prias do local. Esse encontro foi visto, na maioria das vezes, de maneira positiva, ressaltando-se o respeito e a abertura para o aprendizado que devem estar presentes nas rela����es, numa tend��ncia mais conciliadora no di��logo entre a biomedicina e a medicina tradicional. As narrativas sobre esse encontro puderam ser interpretadas como express��o da pluralidade humana, sendo inclusive estimuladas por alguns estudantes. Ao final do Internato Rural, os estudantes o consideram mais que um est��gio acad��mico, uma experi��ncia de vida. Reconhecem a import��ncia de se tornarem mais humildes, de aprender a escutar melhor, de ter mais flexibilidade e paci��ncia. Essas s��o virtudes que parecem ganhar sentido para a medicina no cen��rio do interior. Houve a constru����o de um ju��zo sobre a pr��tica m��dica, baseado tanto na percep����o do significado da presen��a deles ali para aquela popula����o, quanto nos bons e maus exemplos com que tiveram oportunidade de conviver. Dessa forma emergiu a responsabilidade pessoal, na escolha de com que outro queremos conviver em pensamento. Por pertencerem ao coletivo da universidade p��blica, ressaltam a import��ncia e a responsabilidade de atuarem no interior, podendo desenvolver um compromisso especial com essa popula����o num senso de responsabilidade coletiva.

hyo-xtm: a set of hyper-graph operations on xml topic map toward knowledge management

Knowledge management is a critical issue for the next-generation web application, because the next-generation web is becoming a semantic web, a knowledge-intensive network. XML Topic Map (XTM), a new standard, is appearing in this field as one of the structures for the semantic web. It organizes information in a way that can be optimized for navigation. In this paper, a new set of hyper-graph operations on XTM (HyO-XTM) is proposed to manage the distributed knowledge resources.HyO-XTM is based on the XTM hyper-graph model. It is well applied upon XTM to simplify the workload of knowledge management.The application of the XTM hyper-graph operations is demonstrated by the knowledge management system of a consulting firm. HyO-XTM shows the potential to lead the knowledge management to the next-generation web.

smoothing document language model with local word graph

ACM SIGIR; ACM SIGWEB

Evaluating SWICE-R (South West Information for Clinical Effectiveness - Rural). Final report for South West Workforce Development Confederations (Knowledge Resources Development Unit)

Yeoman, A., Durbin, J. &amp; Urquhart, C. (2004). Evaluating SWICE-R (South West Information for Clinical Effectiveness - Rural). Final report for South West Workforce Development Confederations, (Knowledge Resources Development Unit). Aberystwyth: Department of Information Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth. Sponsorship: South West WDCs (NHS)

An investigation of innovation and knowledge creation in virtual worlds

The Internet and World Wide Web have had, and continue to have, an incredible impact on our civilization. These technologies have radically influenced the way that society is organised and the manner in which people around the world communicate and interact. The structure and function of individual, social, organisational, economic and political life begin to resemble the digital network architectures upon which they are increasingly reliant. It is increasingly difficult to imagine how our ���offline��� world would look or function without the ���online��� world; it is becoming less meaningful to distinguish between the ���actual��� and the ���virtual���. Thus, the major architectural project of the twenty-first century is to ���imagine, build, and enhance an interactive and ever changing cyberspace��� (L��vy, 1997, p. 10). Virtual worlds are at the forefront of this evolving digital landscape. Virtual worlds have ���critical implications for business, education, social sciences, and our society at large��� (Messinger et al., 2009, p. 204). This study focuses on the possibilities of virtual worlds in terms of communication, collaboration, innovation and creativity. The concept of knowledge creation is at the core of this research. The study shows that scholars increasingly recognise that knowledge creation, as a socially enacted process, goes to the very heart of innovation. However, efforts to build upon these insights have struggled to escape the influence of the information processing paradigm of old and have failed to move beyond the persistent but problematic conceptualisation of knowledge creation in terms of tacit and explicit knowledge. Based on these insights, the study leverages extant research to develop the conceptual apparatus necessary to carry out an investigation of innovation and knowledge creation in virtual worlds. The study derives and articulates a set of definitions (of virtual worlds, innovation, knowledge and knowledge creation) to guide research. The study also leverages a number of extant theories in order to develop a preliminary framework to model knowledge creation in virtual worlds. Using a combination of participant observation and six case studies of innovative educational projects in Second Life, the study yields a range of insights into the process of knowledge creation in virtual worlds and into the factors that affect it. The study���s contributions to theory are expressed as a series of propositions and findings and are represented as a revised and empirically grounded theoretical framework of knowledge creation in virtual worlds. These findings highlight the importance of prior related knowledge and intrinsic motivation in terms of shaping and stimulating knowledge creation in virtual worlds. At the same time, they highlight the importance of meta-knowledge (knowledge about knowledge) in terms of guiding the knowledge creation process whilst revealing the diversity of behavioural approaches actually used to create knowledge in virtual worlds and. This theoretical framework is itself one of the chief contributions of the study and the analysis explores how it can be used to guide further research in virtual worlds and on knowledge creation. The study���s contributions to practice are presented as actionable guide to simulate knowledge creation in virtual worlds. This guide utilises a theoretically based classification of four knowledge-creator archetypes (the sage, the lore master, the artisan, and the apprentice) and derives an actionable set of behavioural prescriptions for each archetype. The study concludes with a discussion of the study���s implications in terms of future research.

Inner speech and bilingual autobiographical memory: a Polish-Danish cross-cultural study.

Thirty years after fleeing from Poland to Denmark, 20 immigrants were enlisted in a study of bilingual autobiographical memory. Ten "early immigrators" averaged 24 years old at the time of immigration, and ten "late immigrators" averaged 34 years old at immigration. Although all 20 had spent 30 years in Denmark, early immigrators reported more current inner speech behaviours in Danish, whereas late immigrators showed more use of Polish. Both groups displayed proportionally more numerous autobiographical retrievals that were reported as coming to them internally in Polish (vs Danish) for the decades prior to immigration and more in Danish (vs Polish) after immigration. We propose a culture- and language-specific shaping of semantic and conceptual stores that underpins autobiographical and world knowledge.

Putting meaning into NETMAR ��� the open service network for marine environmental data

The open service network for marine environmental data (NETMAR) project uses semantic web technologies in its pilot system which aims to allow users to search, download and integrate satellite, in situ and model data from open ocean and coastal areas. The semantic web is an extension of the fundamental ideas of the World Wide Web, building a web of data through annotation of metadata and data with hyperlinked resources. Within the framework of the NETMAR project, an interconnected semantic web resource was developed to aid in data and web service discovery and to validate Open Geospatial Consortium Web Processing Service orchestration. A second semantic resource was developed to support interoperability of coastal web atlases across jurisdictional boundaries. This paper outlines the approach taken to producing the resource registry used within the NETMAR project and demonstrates the use of these semantic resources to support user interactions with systems. Such interconnected semantic resources allow the increased ability to share and disseminate data through the facilitation of interoperability between data providers. The formal representation of geospatial knowledge to advance geospatial interoperability is a growing research area. Tools and methods such as those outlined in this paper have the potential to support these efforts.

Tools for Finding Inconsistencies in Real-world Logic-based Systems

Currently there is extensive theoretical work on inconsistencies in logic-based systems. Recently, algorithms for identifying inconsistent clauses in a single conjunctive formula have demonstrated that practical application of this work is possible. However, these algorithms have not been extended for full knowledge base systems and have not been applied to real-world knowledge. To address these issues, we propose a new algorithm for finding the inconsistencies in a knowledge base using existing algorithms for finding inconsistent clauses in a formula. An implementation of this algorithm is then presented as an automated tool for finding inconsistencies in a knowledge base and measuring the inconsistency of formulae. Finally, we look at a case study of a network security rule set for exploit detection (QRadar) and suggest how these automated tools can be applied.

Action collective patronale : les m��canismes de diffusion entre les niveaux sectoriel et local

Cette recherche s'int��resse �� l'acteur patronal organis��, encore peu ��tudi�� en Am��rique du Nord. Pourtant, cet acteur est fortement organis�� au Qu��bec et il exerce une influence reconnue sur les politiques publiques et les relations industrielles. Cette recherche vise �� mieux comprendre la logique d���action des employeurs et les lieux o�� ils exercent leur influence. Plus important encore, la recherche s���interroge sur les m��canismes de diffusion utilis��s par les associations patronales pour transmettre �� leurs membres des orientations et des lignes directrices �� adopter. Tout comme pour l���acteur syndical qui doit d��velopper sa capacit�� repr��sentative (Dufour, Hege, Levesque et Murray, 2009), nous croyons qu���il en est de m��me pour l���acteur patronal. Bref, cette ��tude cherche �� comprendre comment les associations patronales vont s'assurer que leurs membres adoptent des pratiques en lien avec les positions d��fendues dans les institutions du march�� du travail et dans la sph��re des politiques publiques. Notre question de recherche est la suivante : Quels sont les m��canismes d��velopp��s par les associations patronales pour diffuser leurs orientations en mati��re de politiques publiques et de relations du travail en vue d���influencer les pratiques locales de gestion de leurs membres? Au plan th��orique, cette ��tude mobilise les id��es d��velopp��es par les approches n��o-institutionnalistes pour mieux expliquer comment les acteurs vont utiliser les institutions en place pour fa��onner les r��gles dans leurs int��r��ts, ce qui suppose d���abord une capacit�� de repr��sentation et une coh��rence dans les actions entre les niveaux o�� se situent l���acteur. On cherche �� comprendre comment les associations peuvent coordonner les actions patronales en r��action aux changements qui s���op��rent dans l���environnement institutionnel. Les associations patronales sont des entrepreneurs institutionnels (Crouch, 2005) qui sont �� la recherche active d���opportunit��s et de leviers de pouvoir �� utiliser pour maximiser leurs int��r��ts de leurs membres et par la m��me occasion, r��duire les incertitudes en provenance de l���environnement (Campbell, 2004; Streeck et Thelen, 2005; Crouch, 2005). Toujours au niveau th��orique, cette ��tude se base sur les id��es avanc��es par la sociologie des logiques d���action. Cette approche th��orique nous permet de rendre compte des niveaux sectoriel et local o�� s���enracinent les comportements des employeurs. Au niveau sectoriel, il existe une pluralit�� d���instances qui contribuent �� fa��onner les logiques d���actions des associations patronales. La sociologie des logiques d���actions nous permet d���envisager l���association patronale comme un groupe qui dispose d���une vie qui lui est propre avec une relative autonomie de fonctionnement. La capacit�� d���influence de l���association serait tributaire des m��canismes de coordination de l���action utilis��s pour susciter l���accord au sein du groupe. Les m��canismes de coordination de l���action devraient permettre une connexion r��guli��re et stable entre l���association et ses membres. Cette recherche s���int��resse aux associations patronales qui ont recours �� un ensemble de moyens pour diffuser les orientations privil��gi��es aux entreprises membres. Au plan empirique, cette recherche propose de r��pondre aux trois objectifs suivants : (1) mieux comprendre les formes d���organisation patronales dans les mines au Qu��bec; (2) mieux saisir la structure et la logique d���action des associations patronales sur les politiques publiques, les relations de travail et le march�� du travail et finalement (3) mieux comprendre les m��canismes d��velopp��s par les associations patronales pour diffuser leurs orientations en vue d���influencer les pratiques locales de gestion de leurs membres. Pour atteindre nos objectifs de recherche, nous avons utilis�� une m��thodologie qualitative de recherche soit une ��tude de cas du secteur des mines au Qu��bec. Cette derni��re a ��t�� conduite en trois ��tapes : la pr��paration, la collecte des donn��es et l���interpr��tation (Merriam, 1998). Les donn��es de cette ��tude ont ��t�� recueillies �� l���hiver 2012, par le biais d���entretiens semi-directifs aupr��s de gestionnaires d���entreprises mini��res et de dirigeants d���associations mini��res. Une analyse qualitative du contenu de ces entrevues a ��t�� effectu��e en lien avec la revue de litt��rature et nos propositions de recherche. �� cette fin, nous avons utilis�� la technique de l���appariement logique de Yin (1994), ce qui nous a permis de comparer nos observations �� nos propositions de recherche. Au niveau des r��sultats, nous avons pu constater que les associations patronales du secteur des mines au Qu��bec, endossent davantage le r��le de porte-parole de l���industrie aupr��s du gouvernement que celui de d��veloppeur de services aux membres. Les actions des associations patronales s���exercent �� tous les niveaux d��cisionnels afin d���assurer la meilleure promotion possible des int��r��ts des employeurs. La repr��sentation politique repr��sente le champ d���activit�� le plus important qui compose la logique d���action des associations patronales de la fili��re min��rale qu��b��coise. Mentionnons ��galement que la repr��sentation des int��r��ts des entreprises aupr��s du public et des m��dias est ��galement vitale �� l���action collective patronale dans un souci d���acceptabilit�� sociale. Les associations d���employeurs vont tenter principalement d���influencer les pratiques en relations industrielles qui permettent d���assurer une meilleure image de l���industrie et qui sont jug��es prioritaires en fonction du contexte institutionnel en place. La recherche nous a permis d���observer un impact favorable et significatif �� la capacit�� de diffusion pour cinq des sept m��canismes de diffusion faisant partie de notre mod��le d���analyse. Trois de ces cinq m��canismes favorisent la capacit�� de diffusion descendante (transposition de la logique d���action sectorielle sur les pratiques locales des membres) et les deux autres favorisent plut��t la capacit�� de diffusion ascendante (transposition des enjeux locaux jug��s prioritaires sur la logique d���action sectorielle). Les m��canismes qui supportent au mieux la coh��sion au sein de l���association sont ceux qui impliquent une relation dynamique entre les repr��sentants et les membres et entre les membres eux-m��mes d���o�� la pertinence d���une diffusion descendante et ascendante des orientations. Il est �� noter qu�����tant donn�� que cette recherche consiste en une ��tude de cas, des limites m��thodologiques li��es �� la g��n��ralisation des r��sultats sont pr��sentes. Il n���est pas ais�� d���affirmer que les r��sultats de cette microanalyse soient g��n��ralisables en raison des sp��cificit��s du secteur �� l�����tude. En contrepartie, les analyses ont servi �� l�����laboration d���un mod��le qui pourra ��tre utilis�� dans des ��tudes futures.

Le partage des connaissances en d��veloppement international : influence des processus relationnels sur les r��sultats et incidences sur le renforcement des capacit��s.

Le Canada consacre chaque ann��e des milliards en aide internationale. Selon le Minist��re des affaires ��trang��res, commerce et d��veloppement, l���aide d��ploy��e en 2013 s���est chiffr��e �� plus de 5,48 milliards de dollars. Dans chaque projet mis en ��uvre dans les pays en d��veloppement, des ressources humaines donnent de leur temps et s���efforcent de contribuer au renforcement des capacit��s des organisations locales. Ces projets sont des initiatives de coop��ration technique ou renferment des composantes de coop��ration technique; les personnes qui y sont affect��es doivent accomplir de multiples t��ches, dont celle d���agent de partage de connaissances. Cette th��se explore ce ph��nom��ne en apportant un ��clairage sur les processus relationnels sous-jacents aux ��changes entre les personnes li��es �� ces initiatives, soient les conseillers volontaires expatri��s et les membres des ��quipes locales qui accueillent de telles initiatives. Elle tend �� appuyer l���influence marqu��e des relations interpersonnelles sur les r��sultats de partage de connaissances, sauf que la confiance, �� elle seule, ne suffit pas pour atteindre des objectifs de d��veloppement durable. L���analyse des cas, s���appuyant principalement sur des entrevues semi-dirig��es effectu��es �� Ha��ti et au S��n��gal, nous permet d���affirmer l���importance de s���attarder �� la capacit�� d���assimilation dynamique des parties au partage, mais ��galement aux r��les des gestionnaires des organismes partenaires locaux dans leur engagement �� r��aliser des mandats visant le partage de connaissances.