Title: Enterprise ontologies for assessing information exchange and information quality in healthcare

Authors: Shuyan Xie; Markus Helfert

Addresses: Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore ' School of Computing, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

Abstract: Although the quality of information exchange is an important component in any organisation, this topic receives little attention in the literature. Expanding networks among organisations introduce increasing complexities when it comes to information exchange. However, information quality (IQ) assessment and improvement is poorly understood within the information exchange process. To address this gap in the literature, we apply design engineering methodology for organisations (DEMO) - a prominent enterprise ontology for organisational dynamics analysis - to examine causes of poor information exchange quality. An application of these techniques is carried out in a hospital emergency department. Evaluation is conducted through interviews and focus groups. Results suggest that this set of techniques elucidate IQ and information exchange problems and improvement potentials. Examination reveals the techniques are able to identify the causes of low information exchanges. The results provide insights for improving information exchange strategies.

Keywords: enterprise ontology; design engineering methodology for organisations; DEMO; information quality; emergency department.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPIM.2017.083795

International Journal of Business Process Integration and Management, 2017 Vol.8 No.2, pp.120 - 135

Received: 18 Jan 2016
Accepted: 03 Nov 2016
Published online: 22 Apr 2017 *

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