NoSQL and especially graph databases are constantly gaining popularity among developers of Web 2.0 applications as they promise to deliver superior performance when handling highly interconnected data compared to traditional relational databases. Apache Shindig is the reference implementation for OpenSocial with its highly interconnected data model. However, the default back-end is based on a relational database. In this paper we describe our experiences with a different back-end based on the graph database Neo4j and compare the alternatives for querying data with each other and the JPA-based sample back-end running on MySQL. Moreover, we analyze why the different approaches often may yield such diverging results concerning throughput. The results show that the graph-based back-end can match and even outperform the traditional JPA implementation and that Cypher is a promising candidate for a standard graph query language, but still leaves room for improvements.

Knowledge management is more and more happening in social environments, supported by social software. This directly changes the way knowledge workers interact and the way information and communication technology is used. Recent studies, striving to provide a more appropriate support for knowledge work, face challenges when eliciting knowledge from user activities and maintaining its situatedness in context. Corresponding solutions in such social environments are not interoperable due to a lack of appropriate standards. To bridge this gap, we propose and validate a first specification of an anticipatory standard in this field. We illustrate its application and utility analyzing three scenarios. As main result we analyze the lessons learned and provide insights into further research and development of our approach. By that we reach out to stimulate discussion and raise support for this initiative towards establishing standards in the domain of knowledge management.

After the hype around Web 2.0, organizations have revisited their efforts on knowledge management in order to create beneficial effects from their employees’ activities in social environments. While there is not much doubt about the positive effects on crea-tivity and flexibility, handling the variety of knowledge work environments that are in use at different organizational units or business partners can negatively affect productivity. While stand-ards have generally mushroomed in the IT domain, there is a lack of standards in knowledge management. This paper argues for a standard on exchanging knowledge between social environments. We revisit related work, particularly standards which can be reused for knowledge exchange, define a set of concepts that help to address the problem of exchanging contextualized knowledge as represented in social environments and present a first step towards formalizing the set of elements in an ontology.

Knowledge management (KM) instruments increasingly utilize social software applications which provide an opportunity to connect human and technology orientation to improve knowledge activities. Social systems, such as wikis, micro-blogs or organizational social networks, support several knowledge purposes, e.g., to create and develop knowledge. Even though knowing the context of knowledge creation is considered beneficial for re-using and developing knowledge, it is currently not well represented in such systems. So far, there is no standard to exchange information between diverse systems. To address this gap, we introduce a specification which allows for an activity stream-oriented perspective on knowledge to represent the creation context of knowledge as well as the exchange of information on knowledge activities between social systems. Our approach is based on existing standards to capture information in KM settings for the main entities knowledge activities, objects, context and people. We suggest extensions to take on the challenge of representing the vast variety of context resulting from the usage of many different kinds of (social) software and services.

Knowledge Management [31] is a social activity. More and more organizations use social software as a tool to bridge the gap between technology- and human-oriented KM. In order to create interoperable, transferable solutions, it is necessary to utilize standards. In this paper, we analyze which standards can be applied and which gaps currently exist. We present the concept of knowledge bundles, capturing information on knowledge objects, activities and people as a prerequisite for social-focused KM. Based on our concept and examples, we derive the strong need for standardization in this domain. As a manifesto this paper tries to stimulate discussion and initiating a broad initiative working towards a common standard for the next generation of knowledge management systems. Our manifesto provides with eight recommendations how the KM community should act to address future challenges.

This paper is proposing a list of knowledge management instruments based on a thorough literature review considering English and German sources, a strict definition for km instruments and a new categorization scheme that allows identifying potential duplicates or missing pieces.

Even though there is abundant literature on successful cases of organizations applying knowledge management (KM) measures, many KM initiatives have failed to achieve their knowledge and business goals. In order to foster decisions about the design of such initiatives, information is required on success factors and barriers when selecting KM measures. Multi agent-based simulation (MABS) is suggested as instrument to investigate potential effects of KM measures on dependent variables such as sharing of knowledge in organizations or business performance. For such a simulation, the concept of knowledge sharing, influencing factors and their impact on business and knowledge goals is operationalized in a model based on an extensive multi-disciplinary literature survey. The model is implemented in a MABS tool used for a series of experiments contrasting results with/without KM measures. Skill management is found highly sensitive with respect to conditions of application and has no significant impact on knowledge or business goals. Experience management positively impacts knowledge and business goals. Personal documentation leads to specialist, project debriefings to generalist knowledge workers. Finally, the paper discusses the simulation’s limitations and further areas of application. http://www.springerlink.com/content/nq25053178121633/

Der vorliegende Beitrag berichtet von den Erfahrungen des Autors in der Verwendung des Wissensreifungsmodells bei der technisch geprägten Wissensmanagement-Beratung, um Vorhaben zu strukturieren, Schwerpunkte zu setzen, Lücken in der technischen Unterstützung der Wissensarbeit zu identifizieren und technische Unterstützung für einzelne Reifungsphasen zu empfehlen. Die Erfahrungen beziehen sich dabei auf die Akzeptanz und Verständlichkeit des Modells selbst, sowie auf die Eignung als Analyserahmen für die Anforderungsanalyse. Insgesamt wurde das Modell sehr gut angenommen und hat sich aufgrund seiner Flexibilität in vielen Fällen bewährt. Es wurde jedoch nicht als selbsterklärend und intuitiv verständlich empfunden.

Access to structured information in DBMS which is usually done using Business Intelligence tools and access to unstructured information in document and content management systems is going to be unified. First steps are already done and more to come soon.

Auch wenn er nicht mehr die Bezeichnung Office im Namen trägt, so rückt Microsofts SharePoint Server doch weiter an die Office-Clients heran. Während sich der Hersteller immer offensiver um die – auch kostenlose – Verbreitung seiner Client-Programme bemüht, muss sich SharePoint mehr und mehr als Umsatz- und Hoffnungsträger der Redmonder Office-Sparte bewähren.