Multi-agent workflow model (MAWM): A workflow model designed for Chinese business processes.

摘要

In this thesis, we have provided a starting point for organizational issues, especially cultural issues support in workflow modeling. Our research focuses on the context of Chinese business processes. Based on our study of Chinese business culture, we identified a set of desirable properties for workflows in Chinese business process modeling.; A new workflow model, namely multi-agent workflow model (MAWM), is proposed. The cultural dependent issues in Chinese business process modeling are considered and catered for in MAWM. Moreover, MAWM offers high flexibility in workflow modeling.; Further, the structural correctness of a process in MAWM is verified. A set of structural correctness criteria are defined and based on them a series of verification algorithms are designed. Also, we show that the verification algorithm for a single process is linear in complexity. As such, it is more efficient than contemporary algorithms, which are polynomial.; Our research has shown that there are one must cater for the cultural requirements for effective Chinese business process modeling. This aspect, however, has been undermined. MAMW is our attempt to break through this “cultural vs. technology” iceberg.