Explanatory capability of enterprise models

摘要

Enterprise modelling technology prescribes systematic use and computer-aided documentation of knowledge about enterprises. The basis of this technology is the enterprise model, assumed to be developed during the organisational analysis, re-engineering or requirements acquisition processes where it serves as an additional source of knowledge elicitation as well. Enterprise modelling technology is also potentially applicable in the area of organisational learning. The enterprise model usually consists of several sub-models that have user-oriented meta-knowledge structures for communication with human sources of information. The success of the methodology in different areas depends on its representative and explanatory capabilities. Theoretical examination of the explanatory capability of enterprise models from the points of view of Aristotle’s explanatory principles shows that explanatory capability of the models usually is limited. The situation can be improved by richer representations of human-related issues in the enterprise modelling frameworks.