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Leading technologies are very attractive for students preparing their theses as the completion of their studies. Such an orientation of students connected with professional experiences seems to be a crucial motivator in the research in the management and business areas where these technologies condition the development of professional activities. The goal of the paper is the analysis of students’ thesis topics defended in the last 10 years in business informatics and computer science in two selected universities in Poland. Our study relies on a detailed review and analysis of qualitative data, obtained from a literature review and multi-case-study research. In the case of the artificial intelligence domain, we have identified six areas of research, namely: general AI, machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), artificial neural networks (ANNs), expert systems, and hybrids. In the case of the knowledge management domain, we have recognized eleven areas of research, regarding the following sectors: e-government, technology, space exploration, social media, manufacturing, healthcare, finance, entertainment, education, e-commerce, and business. Future research will be directed toward extending the scope by including other regions and universities as well as identifying and analyzing students’ motivational factors, associated with research pro jects and higher education.

Since the education sector is associated with highly dynamic business environments which are controlled and maintained by information systems, recent technological advancements and the increasing pace of adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies constitute a need to identify and analyze the issues regarding their implementation in education sector. However, a study of the contemporary literature reveled that relatively little research has been undertaken in this area. To fill this void, we have identified the benefits and challenges of implementing artificial intelligence in the education sector, preceded by a short discussion on the concepts of AI and its evolution over time. Moreover, we have also reviewed modern AI technologies for learners and educators, currently available on the software market, evaluating their usefulness. Last but not least, we have developed a strategy implementation model, described by a five-stage, generic process, along with the corresponding configuration guide. To verify and validate their design, we separately developed three implementation strategies for three different higher education organizations. We believe that the obtained results will contribute to better understanding the specificities of AI systems, services and tools, and afterwards pave a smooth way in their implementation.

The utilization of management control systems in university management poses a considerable challenge because university’s strategic goals are not identical to those applied in profit-oriented management. A university’s management control system should take into account the processing of management information for management purposes, allowing for the relationships between different groups of stakeholders. The specificity of the university operation assumes conducting long-term scientific research and educational programmes. Therefore, the controlling approach to university management should considerat long-term performance measurement as well as management in key areas such as research, provision of education to students, and interaction with the tertiary institution’s socio-economic environment. This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework of the Intelligent Management Control System for Higher Education (IMCSHE) based on cognitive agents. The main findings are related to developing the assumption, model, and technological basis including the artificial intelligence method.

International audience; Knowledge Management as an area of education is still a big challenge for teachers and practitioners. Nevertheless, there are several useful teaching methods in active education, especially oriented towards courses where innovation and delivering dynamic knowledge are critical. The goal of the paper is to present and discuss criteria relevant in the selection of active educational methods supporting knowledge management courses. Examples of real cases from business schools seem to confirm the usefulness of a learner-centered approach.

Undeniably, in this rapidly changing world some knowledge granules change over time. Tracking these changes seems to be one of the most crucial processes in knowledge management. Every potential change is a result of knowledge adoption and application to solve a given problem or task in particular domains. However, there is a lack of a model that provides an event-driven framework, along with the core adoption process explicitly expressed with related factors, which together serve as an efficient tool to adopt and reuse knowledge on one hand, while on the other, to measure and evaluate the various aspects of knowledge quality and usefulness. This paper aims to fill this gap by introducing a knowledge adoption process and an ontology-aided encapsulation knowledge (OAKE) model. While the former breaks down the tacit adoption process into two explicit sub-processes and measurable factors, the latter exposes knowledge evolution over time by a sequence of recorded events.

Modern decision-taking processes are supported by advanced information technologies. There are many products on the market representing more and more smart solutions therefore selection of proper software is not easy especially if managers are oriented on minimizing costs in computer infrastructure. It is significantly important for people representing small and medium-sized enterprises. On the other hand it is common expectation of well-educated staff as graduates of academia. This is very essential assumption for educational sector where teaching methodology and defined software packages are discussed and proposed. Initial point of the research is discussion of teaching methodology essence and diversification. In our paper we propose methodology of selection free software tools essential in education limited to teaching of business intelligence. Especially Magic Quadrant prepared by Gartner is carefully analyzed. The main software products offering by different companies were taken into account and procedure of selection was defined including list of criteria essential in the choice of a product. The list of criteria embraces different perspectives of the selection. Power BI as the selected tool is presented in more details.

Nowadays in information society we face a huge amount of data and information sharing on the Web by customers of public administrator sectors. Services performed for customers from the nature are very flexible – so preparation ontology for such goals must include dynamic aspects. The goal of this paper is creation dynamic ontology for relationships type of C2C (Citizen to City). It is especially important in knowledge management at the local level of administration in case of monitoring uncompleted matters, evaluation of effectiveness of clerks representing selected departments or in decisions of administration restructuring. In this paper we propose a dynamic-oriented knowledge model, designed to distribute and manage urban knowledge as a representative of local self-government. Ontology including mentioned knowledge management supporting is prepared using sophisticated Ontorion Fluent Editor.

Considering different aspects of knowledge functioning, context is poorly understood in spite of intuitively identifying this concept with environmental recognition. For dynamic knowledge, context especially seems to be an essential factor of change. Investigation on the impact of context on knowledge dynamics or more generally on the relationship between knowledge and its contextual interpretation is important in order to understand knowledge dynamics. The aim of this paper is to research and examine the nature of knowledge transformation (a specific sort of life-cycle), and to identify contextual factors affecting knowledge dynamics.

Nowadays, we face a huge amount of data and information sharing on the Web by different users worldwide. A multidimensional perspective in describing a university ontology seems to be very important for the modelling of higher education resources. This paper proposes a multi-dimensional knowledge model, designed to distribute and manage knowledge resources efficiently. We propose our model as the foundation of an advanced knowledge platform including the following dimensions: time, area and social. Three crucial domains should be considered in this model: educational, research and managerial. The ontology including the mentioned knowledge management aspects is prepared using Ontorion Fluent Editor.

The main objective of conducting this study is to shed light on the benefits and role of data warehouse (DW) as a source of knowledge acquisition in enhancing the process of decision-making. It is believed and assumed that meaningful and significant information can be acquired from DW which provides valuable knowledge to support business process and decision-making. The theoretical assumptions are supported by the results of a questionnaire survey, which was conducted on top management of Jordanian firms. The questionnaire was developed based on the findings from related literature and other related research questionnaires. Over 250 firms, which were listed on Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) at the time of data collection, were involved in the survey. The researchers arrived at scores of significant and remarkable results regarding DW and its benefits and role in enhancing the process of decision-making. In general, the respondents had a positive attitude towards the use of DW.

Smart city as a concept of using intelligent technologies to support all sectors of urban agglomerations seems to be very promising and important. Creation of specialised knowledge portals denotes the necessity of integration essential city components (people, economy, living, mobility, environment and governance). Two factors important in such platforms are discussed in the paper: usability of e-learning and active presence of knowledge inventors in development of urban knowledge portals. Aim of this paper is to present how city's authorities can develop their network by co-working with external knowledge inventors and small training business services with using the dedicated knowledge platform.

Exclusion phenomenon in common understanding denotes processes in which members of society or groups of people are permanently blocked from resources (mostly considered as social exclusion). No doubts, such sort of phenomena is observed as unwanted not only from “outsiders” but also from local and global society points of view. The exclusion (and its antonym inclusion) phenomenon can be investigated including many perspectives: starting from identifying exclusion as a process, through multidimensional aspects up to solutions available in the domain.

Exclusion phenomenon denotes processes in which some group of people or individuals is permanently blocked from resources (mostly considered as social exclusion). The discussed phenomenon can be considered in many aspects: identifying exclusion as a process, multidimensional research in this area and presenting solutions useful in solving problems. Real support of the processes in overtaking exclusion phenomenon can be offered from Information and Communication Technologies area. The aim of this paper is the presentation of smart city portals content in order to support services devoted to exclusion processes neutralization. Several existing portals of selected smart cities are taken into account. The contents of the research sample will be analysed to investigate the state of the art solutions in the area and confronted with the concept of knowledge portal. The paper consists of five parts, including Introduction and Conclusions. The three merit parts describe exclusion phenomena, then general concept of knowledge portal devoted to services is presented and the last part demonstrates existing solutions in this area.

The main purpose of conducting this research is to investigate empirically the role and importance of data warehouse (DW) in enhancing the effectiveness of decision-making. It is believed and assumed that meaningful and significant information can be acquired from DW which provides valuable knowledge to support business process and decision-making. A mail questionnaire survey was regarded as the appropriate method for gathering data. The questionnaire was developed based on the findings from related literature and other related research questionnaires. All the firms (277), which were listed on Amman Stock Exchange (ASE), at the time of data collection, were selected. The researchers arrived at scores of significant and remarkable results regarding DW and its role in enhancing the process of decision-making. The survey’s findings showed that the percentage of implementing DW in the Jordanian firms involved is 35 %. In general, the respondents had a positive attitude towards the implementation of DW.

The main objective of conducting this research is to investigate empirically the role of data warehouse (DW) in enhancing decision-making or, more precisely, the researchers surveyed the top management of Jordanian firms regarding the role and importance of DW in improving the effectiveness of decision-making. It is believed and assumed that meaningful and significant information can be acquired from DW which provides valuable knowledge to support business process and decision-making. A mail questionnaire survey was regarded as the appropriate method for gathering data. The questionnaire was developed based on the findings from related literature and other related research questionnaires. All the firms (277), which were listed on Amman Stock Exchange (ASE), at the time of data collection, were selected over half answered positively. The researchers arrived at scores of significant and remarkable results regarding DW and its role in enhancing the process of decision-making. The survey's findings showed that the percentage of implementing DW in the Jordanian firms involved is 35%. In general, the respondents had a positive attitude towards the implementation of DW.

Exclusion phenomenon in common understanding denotes processes in which some group of people or individuals are permanently blocked from resources (mostly considered as social exclusion). For sure such sort of phenomena is observed as unwanted not only from “outsiders” but also from local and global society point of view. The exclusion (and its antonym inclusion) phenomenon can be investigated including many aspects: starting from identifying exclusion as a process, multidimensional research in this area up to solutions available in the domain. In order to be successful in overtaking this phenomenon groups and institution involved in this process should be supported by ICT solutions. The paper consists of five parts which gradually present context of the problem and proposed solutions. After short introduction concerning research background the discussed concept of exclusion processes is presented. In the main section real examples of exclusion processes are investigated which allows to define assumptions of knowledge portal architecture and some examples of performed services. It creates opportunities for formulation final conclusions about the necessity and usability the developed platform.

Artykul jest probą naszkicowania wzorca programow nauczania informatyki ekonomicznej na studiach licencjackich krajowych uczelni ekonomicznych. Jest to przedsiewziecie pionierskie dla informatyki ekonomicznej, nie istnieje bowiem zaden opracowany standard miedzynarodowy programu nauczania w tej dziedzinie. Informatyka ekonomiczna, nawet w wielu krajach o wysokim poziomie ICT, nie jest formalnie uznana jako wyodrebniona dyscyplina naukowa w obszarze nauk spolecznych. W artykule przedstawione zostaną aktualne ramowe programy nauczania informatyki ekonomicznej w wiodących uczelniach ekonomicznych w kraju. Podane zostaly tez aktualne sylabusy kluczowych przedmiotow, ktore powinny sie znaleźc w przyszlym programie wzorcowym.

Knowledge-Based (KB) technology is being applied to complex problem solving and safety and business critical tasks in many application domains. Concerns have naturally arisen as to the dependability of Knowledge-Based Systems (KBS). As with any software, attention to quality and safety must be paid throughout development of a KBS, and rigorous Verification and Validation (V&V) techniques must be employed. Research in V&V of KBSs has emerged as a distinct field only in the last decade, and is intended to address issues associated with quality and safety aspects of KBSs, and to provide such applications with the same degree of dependability as conventional applications. In recent years, V&V of KBSs has been the topic of annual workshops associated with the main AI conferences, such as AAAI, IJCAI and ECAI.

This paper presents the development of a study program in “Business Informatics” at the Wroclaw University of Economics, Poland and its educational evolution since the InSITE2011. Gathering experiences and having strong cooperation with software companies, we decided to redesign our program including two aspects of education: practice and compacting courses into more problem oriented topics. Additionally, education effects are discussed in the National Framework of Qualification context. The new structure of subjects taught and the organization of the curriculum for bachelor’s and master’s levels are detailed. The authors discuss also potential direction of professional education based on participation of partners interested in our graduates: IBM Poland, Oracle Poland, SAP Poland, and Volvo. Examples of common initiatives with our partners are presented.

In this paper a study program of “Business Informatics” at the Wroclaw University of Economics, Poland, is presented. The structure of subjects taught and organization of the curriculum for Bachelor and Master levels are detailed. The education model is presented along with descriptions of profession-oriented modules. The authors discussed also a comparison of the new program of Business Informatics and a previous one, called “Informatics and Econometrics” that was common and official program of applied informatics in business schools in Poland. The perspectives and the constraints of program implementation of the new field of study are indicated.

International audience; Knowledge granularity, usually identified with the size of knowledge granules, seems to be real challenge for knowledge consumers as well as for knowledge creators. In this paper, relationships between knowledge granularity as a result of different ways of a knowledge representation are considered. The paper deals with the problem of developing knowledge grid in the context of encapsulation of knowledge including different dimensions and measures. The origin of the problem is discussed in the first section stressing flexibility of knowledge interpretations. Concepts of knowledge granularity (also from formal point of view) are presented in the next section. The nature of well represented knowledge is considered in the next chapter with references to granularity of knowledge. In the last part of the paper the question of formulating knowledge granularity in the context of knowledge grid concepts is discussed. This document comprising guidelines for authors is divided into several sections.

The paper deals with the problem of knowledge granularity in case of building intelligent systems. The origin of the problem is discussed, some knowledge classifications are presented, next the links between types of knowledge and knowledge granularity are shown. In the last part of the paper the question of knowledge granularity types and their usage in intelligent systems is presented and discussed.

Contemporary computers give huge possibilities for processing different structures of data e.g. multimedia data types and very unconstrained in construction - object types. Moreover these different structures are processed using methods called intelligent. Knowledgebases (a specific sort of intelligent systems), as a consequence of variety of solutions, belong ambiguous terms. Principally, applications with a stored knowledgebase and a reasoning mechanism - to stress its structural components - are termed knowledgebases. Directions of the research concerning knowledgebases and expressing their peculiar characteristics (coming from the main message of scientific formation in the past) are presented in this paper. The starting point of the paper is observed impact of management processes on intelligent systems and vice versa. Managerial context (including classical, behavioural, quantitative, integrating contemporary and future management approaches) of knowledgebases became the ground to draft development of applications of this sort framework. Taking into account research on knowledgebases, a set of knowledgebase development determinants is discussed.

Observing new concepts in information technology, we pay attention to its impact on more effective supporting human and organisational knowledge. Knowledge management (KM) is one of such promising and intriguing concepts. Its goals and infrastructures are defined in different ways, therefore interdisciplinary approach seems to be useful. We have presented a short survey of theoretical concepts in management, marketing and decision theory, which were adapted by the theory of KM. On the other hand, knowledge validation (KV), defined as two procedures: verification and evaluation any form of knowledge, is aimed on assuring its quality. The paper discusses the crucial interrelationships between knowledge validation and management. The main goal of this work is positioning KV activities in the context of knowledge management process, emphasising usability of KV techniques during the whole process.

Distance learning improves access to education and - in most cases - advances the quality of education delivery. Its key attributes are: openness, interactiveness and using multimedia teaching materials allowing: learning by anybody, at any place and anywhere. In order to assure high quality of learning, the offered courses should satisfy audience expectations and should convey knowledge in modern ways. To analysing teaching effectiveness we have evaluated a number of distance education courses. The paper describes evaluation aspects of distance learning environment and proposes the following criteria useful for this task: knowledge completeness, consistency and adequacy. Apart from knowledge passing, we have to deliver courses in an attractive form. We propose guidelines useful for evaluation of courses prepared in the LearningSpace (Lotus Notes application) environment s. The quality of education can be greatly improved by following these guidelines Two of the courses designed for MBA studies: "Business Plan Preparation” and " Management Decision Support Systems" illustrate the usability of the course evaluation method.

Information systems must be protected from unauthorized access. Authorization has been studied extensively as the main form ofpreserving the security of databases. Every database management system provides a sophisticated set of options aimed at protecting the database from unauthorized access. An important practical problem is how to take advantage of the database security options to ensure that a user is permitted to access the database through the application program but may not be allowed to access the database directly via database query tools. A related issue is how to extend the user privileges on the client part of the application so that only authorized GUI controls are available to the user. In this paper we propose a model for the design of necessary authorization settings into both the client and the server parts of a database application. The settings are stored in an Authorization Database (ADB) to which the program connects to customize itself for the current user. The customization is based on an application role granted to the user. An application role is activated for a connection (user session). After the database server authenticates the user, the user login to the application role can be transparently obtained by the application from the ADB.

Validation of a knowledge base is an important aspect of the knowledge-based systems (KBS) development procedure, which aims to assure the system’s ability to reach correct results. Very promising seems to be knowledge-bases (KBs) generated by classification algorithms as an example of machine-learning approach. The paper addresses the issues of verification and evaluation of KBs existing as rule-based systems and generated with classification algorithms. The framework consists of three steps. The first one relies on creation a set of rules using two tested algorithms: C4.5 and GIMS and then transformation rules into decision tables. In the second one, rules are verified, taking into account two criteria: completeness and consistency. Finally, during the last step, the set of rules is evaluated using two additional criteria: adequacy and reliability. The classification problem refers to bank customers, which apply to get credit; their applications can be approved or refused. Certain unique features of generated rules are shortly commented in a summarisation.

Validation is a critical process in the whole knowledge-based system life cycle. A knowledge base incorporated into such systems has to be verified or (more generally) validated. There have been many approaches to develop specialised procedures and techniques, aimed at assuring the highest level of knowledge quality. Keeping in mind “knowledge validation mappings”, we believe a more global view is necessary to facilitate applying the proper techniques, so the paper deals with practical guidelines of knowledge validation (KV). Facing the most popular techniques of KV: decision tables-based, decision trees-based or nets-based with the criteria set to be utilised, we try to define certain principles useful in the validation procedures referring to two levels: general and detailed. The first one refers to paradigms, which arise from interrelationships among the crucial components of the KV process (procedures, approaches and criteria). The detailed principles are addressed to specific forms used for knowledge representations: rules, frames, neural nets and others.