Title: Managing knowledge through electronic commerce applications: a framework for integrating information coming from heterogeneous web sources

Authors: Ilario Benetti, Sonia Bergamaschi, Scarso Enrico

Addresses: University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Department of Information Engineering, via Vignolese, 905/b, 41100 Modena, Italy. University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Department of Information Engineering, via Vignolese, 905/b, 41100 Modena, Italy. University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, Department of Information Engineering, via Vignolese, 905/b, 41100 Modena, Italy

Abstract: The paper aims at investigating the interplay existing between Electronic Commerce (EC) technologies, knowledge and Knowledge Management (KM), an issue that has raised attention in the academic and professional literature in recent times. To this end, a careful examination of the logic and working mechanisms of MOMIS is conducted, a semi-automatic framework for integrating information coming from heterogeneous sources that is under development at the Department of Information Engineering of the University of Modena e Reggio Emilia. In particular, the use of MOMIS to create virtual catalogues (i.e. EC instruments that dynamically retrieve information from multiple heterogeneous sources) is discussed in depth from a knowledge-based point of view. The analysis seems to confirm that EC and KM are not unrelated managerial issues, but rather that they can (and must) be beneficially integrated. More specifically, it seems possible to state that a better and more accurate understanding of knowledge management processes are essential to design and realise more effective EC applications.

Keywords: knowledge management; electronic commerce; content management; heterogeneous web sources.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEB.2003.002176

International Journal of Electronic Business, 2003 Vol.1 No.3, pp.237-257

Published online: 21 Jul 2003 *

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