Towards the definition of a Science Base for Enterprise Interoperability: A European Perspective

• Main Author: Keith Popplewell
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics 2011-10-01
• Series: Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics
• Subjects: Enterprise Interoperability; Science Base
• Online Access: http://www.iiisci.org/Journal/CV$/sci/pdfs/CN11001.pdf

Research on Enterprise Interoperability (EI) has evolved to meet real pragmatic needs to support the ever more collaborative nature of, for example, enterprise supply chains, and virtual enterprises. Research outputs have therefore focused on generating solutions to current problems, rather than to developing a body of knowledge which is structured for ease of re-use. In Europe there is move to define just such a structure: an Enterprise Interoperability Science Base (EISB). We explore here the current state of this ongoing research, reviewing the understanding gained so far, and looking to the likely future outcomes. However this is clearly not just a European research domain. The main purpose of presenting the European perspective is to stimulate interaction with researchers in all regions who have an interest in the domain. We therefore address three issues. We review the development of neighbouring sciences, identifying science base structures, and methodologies for their development. The definition and objectives of a science base are analysed, leading to an outline structure for an EISB to include formalised problem and solution spaces as well as structured EI domain knowledge. Twelve Scientific Themes of EI are identified and the current state of research in each is briefly discussed.