International Journal of Electronic Business http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=38&year=2011&vol=9&issue=5/6 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Electronic Business 1470-6067 1741-5063 © 2011 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijeb_scoverijeb.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=38&year=2011&vol=9&issue=5/6 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45284 The evolution of service-oriented architectures towards digital ecosystems comprehends a number of challenges. One challenge is to develop services in a dynamic environment with high uncertainties and in collaboration with other companies. Another challenge lies in how to describe services sufficiently for trading them in digital ecosystems. This paper explores requirements of service engineering and description, and presents the ISE Framework and Workbench with its architecture and its functionality. Furthermore, this paper introduces a novel language for describing business services along with SLA management. This work concludes with a discussion about lessons learned during the development of the ISE Workbench. Integrated Service Engineering workbench: service engineering for digital ecosystems
Gregor Scheithauer; Konrad Voigt; Matthias Winkler; Veli Bicer; Anja Strunk
International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 392 - 413
The evolution of service-oriented architectures towards digital ecosystems comprehends a number of challenges. One challenge is to develop services in a dynamic environment with high uncertainties and in collaboration with other companies. Another challenge lies in how to describe services sufficiently for trading them in digital ecosystems. This paper explores requirements of service engineering and description, and presents the ISE Framework and Workbench with its architecture and its functionality. Furthermore, this paper introduces a novel language for describing business services along with SLA management. This work concludes with a discussion about lessons learned during the development of the ISE Workbench.

]]> 10.1504/IJEB.2011.045284 International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 392 - 413 Gregor Scheithauer; Konrad Voigt; Matthias Winkler; Veli Bicer; Anja Strunk Business Engineering, OPITZ CONSULTING München GmbH, Weltenburger Str. 4, 81677 Munich, Germany. ' CEC Dresden, SAP Research, Chemnitzer Str. 48, 01187 Dresden, Germany. ' CEC Dresden, SAP Research, Chemnitzer Str. 48, 01187 Dresden, Germany. ' FZI Forschungszentrum Informatik, Haid-und-Neu-Straße 10-14, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany. ' Computer Networks, TU Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 46, 01187 Dresden, Germany service engineering business process modelling BPM MDA model-driven architecture digital ecosystem service-oriented architecture SOA. 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 9 5/6 392 413 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45285 The SAMSON project uses technology as a catalyst to support and aid future developments in a regional learning community. This is in contrast to many ecosystem approaches that attempt a systems overhaul. The project is developing services to encourage the use of emerging standards-based technology in existing processes. These developments are forming the community and developing the ecosystem at a natural pace that aims to enhance existing processes and encourage innovation in a sustainable manner. An ecosystem for user centric learning: Revolution or evolution?
Tom Kirkham; Stuart Wood; Sandra Winfield; Kirstie Coolin; Angela Smallwood
International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 414 - 428
The SAMSON project uses technology as a catalyst to support and aid future developments in a regional learning community. This is in contrast to many ecosystem approaches that attempt a systems overhaul. The project is developing services to encourage the use of emerging standards-based technology in existing processes. These developments are forming the community and developing the ecosystem at a natural pace that aims to enhance existing processes and encourage innovation in a sustainable manner.

]]> 10.1504/IJEB.2011.045285 International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 414 - 428 Tom Kirkham; Stuart Wood; Sandra Winfield; Kirstie Coolin; Angela Smallwood Centre for International ePortfolio Development, Information Services, B1.59 Kings Meadow Campus, University of Nottingham, UK. ' Centre for International ePortfolio Development, Information Services, B1.59 Kings Meadow Campus, University of Nottingham, UK. ' Centre for International ePortfolio Development, Information Services, B1.59 Kings Meadow Campus, University of Nottingham, UK. ' Centre for International ePortfolio Development, Information Services, B1.59 Kings Meadow Campus, University of Nottingham, UK. ' Centre for International ePortfolio Development, Information Services, B1.59 Kings Meadow Campus, University of Nottingham, UK process management digital ecosystems lifelong learning personal data learning communities innovation data security data integration application integration XML standards e-learning electronic learning online learning. 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 9 5/6 414 428 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45286 In this paper, we propose an approach to model KIBS firm activities as digital ecosystem of services in a distributed environment supported ICT. In particular, we present a generic service system architecture with respect to “Everything as a Service” (*aaS) architecture to provide digital services in pervasive environment. To achieve interoperability, we introduce a service-based middleware relying on service characteristics and service lifecycles. The middleware enables operational and management features to achieve secure, proactive, and context-aware e-services. An important aspect of our approach is the ontological description of various components and the management of business activities with business rules. A pervasive environment for systemising innovative services in knowledge-intensive firms
Yong Peng; Youakim Badr; Frédérique Biennier
International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 429 - 453
In this paper, we propose an approach to model KIBS firm activities as digital ecosystem of services in a distributed environment supported ICT. In particular, we present a generic service system architecture with respect to “Everything as a Service” (*aaS) architecture to provide digital services in pervasive environment. To achieve interoperability, we introduce a service-based middleware relying on service characteristics and service lifecycles. The middleware enables operational and management features to achieve secure, proactive, and context-aware e-services. An important aspect of our approach is the ontological description of various components and the management of business activities with business rules.

]]> 10.1504/IJEB.2011.045286 International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 429 - 453 Yong Peng; Youakim Badr; Frédérique Biennier Université de Lyon, CNRS, INSA-Lyon, LIRIS, UMR5205, F-69621 France. ' Université de Lyon, CNRS, INSA-Lyon, LIRIS, UMR5205, F-69621 France. ' Université de Lyon, CNRS, INSA-Lyon, LIRIS, UMR5205, F-69621 France. service systems business services knowledge-intensive firms ontology SWRL rules digital ecosystems ICT distributed computing pervasive computing interoperability secure e-services proactive e-services context-aware e-services security electronic services. 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 9 5/6 429 453 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45287 Electronic markets have emerged early as an important topic inside e-commerce research. This work presents a characterisation and analysis of fixed-price online negotiations. Using actual data from a Brazilian marketplace, we analyse selling practices, considering seller profiles and selling strategies. There are important factors that can be considered when analysing selling practices, such as the seller's reputation, offer's price and duration. Understanding how these factors affect the result is useful for buyers, sellers and e-market providers. We evaluate which factors impact on the success of selling practices in e-markets, which can be used to support sellers' decisions and recommend selling practices. Evaluating success factors of selling practices in electronic marketplaces
Adriano C.M. Pereira; Diego Duarte; Wagner Meira <suffix>Jr.</suffix>; Paulo Goes
International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 454 - 483
Electronic markets have emerged early as an important topic inside e-commerce research. This work presents a characterisation and analysis of fixed-price online negotiations. Using actual data from a Brazilian marketplace, we analyse selling practices, considering seller profiles and selling strategies. There are important factors that can be considered when analysing selling practices, such as the seller's reputation, offer's price and duration. Understanding how these factors affect the result is useful for buyers, sellers and e-market providers. We evaluate which factors impact on the success of selling practices in e-markets, which can be used to support sellers' decisions and recommend selling practices.

]]> 10.1504/IJEB.2011.045287 International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 454 - 483 Adriano C.M. Pereira; Diego Duarte; Wagner Meira <suffix>Jr.</suffix>; Paulo Goes Department of Computer Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG), Belo Horizonte, 30510-000, MG, Brazil. ' Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. ' Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. ' Management Information Systems Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson 85721-0108, AZ, USA electronic markets e-commerce selling practices web applications electronic commerce digital ecosystems electronic business e-markets e-business Brazil fixed-price negotiations online negotiations. 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 9 5/6 454 483 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45288 In this paper, we describe key design aspects of Digital Ecosystems (DEs) and how these can be realised in a web-like environment. In previous work we have framed the concept of a DE around complex interactions between interdependent agents and on important properties such as loose-coupling, no central point of control or failure, sustainability, resilience, and history. In this paper we describe an integrated set of design solutions for operationalising the key principles of DEs into a software infrastructure. The proposed reference architecture drives the construction of RESTful ecosystems that can support future internet applications. Towards a RESTful infrastructure for Digital Ecosystems
Alexandros Marinos; Sotiris Moschoyiannis; Paul Krause
International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 484 - 498
In this paper, we describe key design aspects of Digital Ecosystems (DEs) and how these can be realised in a web-like environment. In previous work we have framed the concept of a DE around complex interactions between interdependent agents and on important properties such as loose-coupling, no central point of control or failure, sustainability, resilience, and history. In this paper we describe an integrated set of design solutions for operationalising the key principles of DEs into a software infrastructure. The proposed reference architecture drives the construction of RESTful ecosystems that can support future internet applications.

]]> 10.1504/IJEB.2011.045288 International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 484 - 498 Alexandros Marinos; Sotiris Moschoyiannis; Paul Krause Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Department of Computing, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK. ' Department of Computing University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK. ' Department of Computing University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK digital ecosystems REST representational state transfer complex systems architecture software infrastructure internet web application. 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 9 5/6 484 498 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45289 SOAP is the protocol used most often in web services communications. Implementations of the Web Services Resource Framework (WSRF) use SOAP as a communications protocol as well. Performance analyses for SOAP toolkits have been performed for various cases and toolkits but WSRF implementations have generally not been taken into account. This work firstly compares the SOAP performance of four WSRF implementations, namely Apache Muse, the Globus Toolkit, WSRF::Lite and UNICORE 6's WSRFLite, followed by an examination of the performance of WSRF operations. The benchmark results give an indication on how implementations fare performance-wise and can be used to decide which implementation is to be used, especially if performance is an issue. A performance comparison of four WSRF implementations
Roland Kübert; Hai-Lang Thai
International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 499 - 515
SOAP is the protocol used most often in web services communications. Implementations of the Web Services Resource Framework (WSRF) use SOAP as a communications protocol as well. Performance analyses for SOAP toolkits have been performed for various cases and toolkits but WSRF implementations have generally not been taken into account. This work firstly compares the SOAP performance of four WSRF implementations, namely Apache Muse, the Globus Toolkit, WSRF::Lite and UNICORE 6's WSRFLite, followed by an examination of the performance of WSRF operations. The benchmark results give an indication on how implementations fare performance-wise and can be used to decide which implementation is to be used, especially if performance is an issue.

]]> 10.1504/IJEB.2011.045289 International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 499 - 515 Roland Kübert; Hai-Lang Thai High Performance Computing Center Stuttgart, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstraße 19, 70569 Stuttgart. ' High Performance Computing Center Stuttgart, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstraße 19, 70569 Stuttgart SOAP WSRF web services resource framework performance benchmark communications protocols. 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 9 5/6 499 515 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45290 Disintermediation has become increasingly intense, particularly in the tourism industry where many suppliers have successfully utilised the internet and website as a direct channel to sell to their customers. This paper investigates disintermediation situations and argues that in practice disintermediation, despite becoming increasingly intense, will just require travel agents to acclimatise rather than to be removed from the tourism supply chain. Four in-depth case studies of Thai tourism SMEs are presented to show how or whether the hotels have attempted to disintermediate travel agents and how the travel agents responded to the disintermediation. Disintermediation in the tourism industry: an investigation of Thai tourism SMEs
Laddawan Kaewkitipong
International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 516 - 535
Disintermediation has become increasingly intense, particularly in the tourism industry where many suppliers have successfully utilised the internet and website as a direct channel to sell to their customers. This paper investigates disintermediation situations and argues that in practice disintermediation, despite becoming increasingly intense, will just require travel agents to acclimatise rather than to be removed from the tourism supply chain. Four in-depth case studies of Thai tourism SMEs are presented to show how or whether the hotels have attempted to disintermediate travel agents and how the travel agents responded to the disintermediation.

]]> 10.1504/IJEB.2011.045290 International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 516 - 535 Laddawan Kaewkitipong Department of Management Information Systems, Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University, 2 Prachan Road, Pranakorn, Bangkok 10200, Thailand disintermediation e-business electronic business tourism supply chains Thailand SMEs small and medium-sized enterprises travel agents hotels. 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 9 5/6 516 535 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45291 In this paper, we present a solution to the problem of e-contract validation in a supply chain with chain contracting topology. In chain contracting, there are multiple bi-lateral contracts that are related, for example one original contract between two partners is modified by subsequent negotiations to form other bi-lateral contracts between other parties in the supply chain. We study how to validate these contracts and ensure appropriate relationship between these contracts. We first identify key technical requirements for such a solution and then present our models that address these requirements. The models are based on the concepts of commitment scheme and zero-knowledge proof. It can be implemented in a contract engine that supports both the contract formation and contract execution phases of the contract life cycle. Also proposed is a cryptographic scheme to facilitate the electronic transfer of payments. Managing e-contracts in a supply chain
Shuguang Liu; Michael Guiry
International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 536 - 551
In this paper, we present a solution to the problem of e-contract validation in a supply chain with chain contracting topology. In chain contracting, there are multiple bi-lateral contracts that are related, for example one original contract between two partners is modified by subsequent negotiations to form other bi-lateral contracts between other parties in the supply chain. We study how to validate these contracts and ensure appropriate relationship between these contracts. We first identify key technical requirements for such a solution and then present our models that address these requirements. The models are based on the concepts of commitment scheme and zero-knowledge proof. It can be implemented in a contract engine that supports both the contract formation and contract execution phases of the contract life cycle. Also proposed is a cryptographic scheme to facilitate the electronic transfer of payments.

]]> 10.1504/IJEB.2011.045291 International Journal of Electronic Business, Vol. 9, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 536 - 551 Shuguang Liu; Michael Guiry School of Business, State University of New York at New Paltz, 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA. ' H-E-B School of Business and Administration, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209, USA contract validation electronic payment supply chain management SCM chain contracting e-contracts electronic contracts online contracts e-payment online payment. 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00 9 5/6 536 551 2012-02-04T23:20:50-05:00