An ontology-based approach to product extension services modelling in servitisation. (22nd November 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shen, Jin; Wang, Liya; Sun, Yiwen
• Is Part Of: International journal of services operations and informatics. Volume 5:Number 4(2010)
• Page Start: 373
• Page End: 399
• Publication Date: 2010-11-22
• Subjects: PESs -- product extension services -- servitisation -- ontologies -- ontology building -- semantic modelling -- OWL -- knowledge representation -- knowledge exchange -- multidisciplinary teams; Service industries -- Management -- Periodicals; Service industries -- Management -- Information technology -- Periodicals; 658.5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-539X

Abstract

Manufacturers are undergoing a transition from being product-focused to service-based. Product Extension Services (PESs) are essential ingredients in various servitisation strategies. As the business of PESs grows quickly, it is imperative to develop a formal conceptual model. Thereby, this paper investigates an ontology-based approach for representing information and semantic knowledge of intangible PESs. A general knowledge representation scheme, called PESO, is hierarchically developed. At the lower level, a meta-ontology is defined where agreed terms and vocabulary are explained explicitly. The concepts and relations in the ontology are elicited from empirical research. The process ontology in OWL-S is reused by using ontology import mechanism. A precise and formal representation based on OWL is also provided. The resulting PESO provides a common semantic foundation for meaningful representation and knowledge exchange across multi-disciplinary teams and heterogeneous systems. A specific PES called 'Building Solution' is finally illustrated to demonstrate the potential of PESO.