Exploring e3-value ontology-based service engineering for participatory processes of community development projects

Abstract

In recent years, the global economy has witnessed a steady transition from broad-based government development projects to community-driven participatory processes as a viable conduit for channelling development efforts. However, these participatory processes are being faced with intrinsic challenges of unsustainability, bureaucracy, funding constraints, conflicts amongst project actors, social capital problems, political power tussles, inadequate systems for tracking progress and lack of an integrated approach, which are precursors that impede the effectiveness of project implementation. Participatory processes have transformed from the use of conventional systems to applications of digital technologies in order to address these challenges. However, the existing digital technologies for participatory processes often lack a value-based approach. This inherent curb has been tackled in this study using the e3-value (value perspective) and e3-control (process perspective) ontology-based service engineering to orchestrate an innovative change in participatory processes. To realise this innovation, the proposed value-based service system was modelled on service innovation life cycle model that integrates service exploration, value co-creation, process modelling and system evaluation. Consequently, a value-based requirements specification has been constructed using a process-oriented approach, which represents a departure from the traditional functional approaches to offer leaner, flexible and market-oriented structures that guarantee better organisational performance. The requirements specification was implemented to realise a mobile cloud service system that allow seamless data sharing and facilitate participatory processes. The applicability of the service system was illustrated using an expert-driven and criteria-based usability evaluation. Consequently, the service system provides an adequate framework for communicating the understanding of services for participatory processes.