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There are three aspects of integration that a computerized enterprise using multiple systems must address: (1) data integration (among, e.g., product design databases, shop floor control databases, and production planning databases), (2) knowledge integration (across various knowledge-based systems that share common enterprise facts, operating rules, or decision logic), and (3) data and knowledge integration (as as to, at least, calibrate databases with factbases and data models with knowledge models).

A key issue in this integration problem is the global representation of knowledge (including data semantic constraints and application processing logic) in a form compatible with that of data resources. This paper develops a rulebase model to address this need. In particular, the model combines production rule and relation into a structure that allows (1) full factbase management, (2) inclusion of complete logic (both condition and action), and (3) efficient rulebase processing. It contributes directly to the problem of trigger management (or more generally, rule and event management) in both single-site and multiple-site data and knowledge systems. The model is implemented as a part of the Metadatabase system at Rensselaer.

Conceptual modeling is a fundamental concept in information management. Although originated in the theory and practice of databases, its significance as a guiding principle reaches all areas of information integration efforts dealing with heterogeneous uses. In the field of knowledge-based systems, an emerging need is for expert system shells to be able to manage triggers that change frequently and to support heterogeneous applications which use the same rulebase simultaneously but in different ways. A conceptual schema is clearly in order for this new capability. In addition, it is central to integrating databases with knowledge bases as well as providing interoperability to multiple (heterogeneous and distributed) knowledge-based systems.

This paper presents a rulebase management system (RBMS) featuring a conceptual schema. The model of the conceptual schema is developed using the Two-Stage Entity-Relationship approach, which is compatible with most common methods and requires only standard data and rules processing technology to implement. The architecture and execution model of RBMS are discussed in details. Its specific implementation design is applicable to managing rules both in the usual rule-based systems and in the systems where rules are embedded into objects or entities. The processing methods are verified with a prototype, which is also discussed in this paper. The RBMS design is being implemented for Samsung Electronics Corporation.

Confronted with fast changing technologies and markets and with increasing competitive pressures, firms are now required to innovate fast and continuously. In order to do so, several firms superpose an intrapreneurial layer (IL) to their formal organization (FO). The two systems are in complex relations: the IL is embedded in the FO, sharing human, financial and technical components, but strongly diverges from it when it comes to representation, structure, values and behavior of the shared components. Furthermore, the two systems simultaneously cooperate and compete. In the long run, the organizational dynamics usually end to the detriment of the intrapreneurial layer, which remains marginal or regresses after an initial period of boom. The concepts of Multiple Systems and Collective Beings, proposed by Minati and Pessa, can help students of the firm adopt a different viewpoint on this issue. These concepts can help them move away from a rigid, Manichean view of the two systems' respective functions and roles towards a more fluid and elaborate vision of their relations, allowing for greater flexibility and coherence.