An eco asset ontology towards effective eco asset management. Issue 4 (14th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zeb, Jehan
• Is Part Of: Built environment project and asset management. Volume 7:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 388
• Page End: 399
• Publication Date: 2017-09-14
• Subjects: Asset management -- Eco asset -- Eco asset knowledge management -- Eco asset management -- Eco asset ontology -- Natural asset; Construction industry -- Management -- Periodicals; Construction projects -- Management -- Periodicals; Public works -- Management -- Periodicals; Sustainable buildings -- Periodicals; 624.068
• DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-11-2016-0061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-124X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop an ontology of eco or natural assets to represent eco asset knowledge at two levels: eco asset metal model and eco asset ontology (EA_Onto). The three objectives of this paper are to: define eco assets explicitly to reach a common understanding of the terms; evaluate the ontology; and discuss a potential area of application. Design/methodology/approach: A seven-step methodology was used to develop the proposed ontology: define the scope; develop the eco asset meta model (EA_MM), define taxonomy, code ontology, capture ontology, evaluate ontology and document ontology. Findings: The EA_MM was developed to represent eco asset domain knowledge, which was further extended to develop the EA_Onto, explicitly defining the eco asset knowledge in asset management. As a part of evaluation, it was found that the knowledge representation is consistent, concise, clear, complete and correct. Practical implications: Theoretically, the proposed ontology is a significant contribution to the body of knowledge in asset management. Practically, the knowledge representation provides a common understanding of eco assets for asset management experts. In addition, it will be used in applications for effective eco asset management. Originality/value: The current literature lacks explicit declaration of eco assets, how they are related to built environment for effective integration and how asset management functions are to be applied to accomplish effective eco asset management. Presently, eco assets are managed on an ad hoc basis, which need to be explicitly defined through developing an EA_Onto for implementation in applications for effective eco asset management.