186
Consensus-building among various stakeholders from different fields is one of
key issues to solve for facilitating their collaboration. In order to build consensus, it
is important to know what others are thinking about each other because differences
of their viewpoints cause some conflicts. However, it is difficult to understand different views in particular when they come from different fields. To overcome this
problem, we took an ontology-based approach.
Gruber (1993) defined ontology as an “explicit specification of conceptualization.” A well-constructed ontology can present an explicit essential understanding
of the target world. Based on ontology engineering, a wide range of knowledge can
be organized in terms of general, highly versatile concepts and relationships. In
order to provide a base knowledge for consensus building across various domains,
the authors have developed a biofuel ontology on the basis of the sustainability science ontology (Kumazawa et al. 2009), literature surveys, and stakeholder analysis.
And the authors have developed a divergent ontology exploration tool that can
generate comprehensive conceptual maps from user’s multiple arbitrary perspectives (Kozaki et al. 2011). The exploration tool allows the user to explore ontologies
interactively according to their interests. The results of their explorations are visualized as conceptual maps. That is, the conceptual maps represent viewpoints of the
users.
This section describes detail design and functions of ontology-based application
system which supports consensus-building system based on the ontology exploration and effectiveness of ontology system for developing for biofuel strategy
options.
12.2 System Architecture and Process
Chapter 3 introduces stakeholder perspectives and emphasizes the importance of
multilevel governance. The purpose of stakeholder analysis is to indicate whose
interests should be taken into account and why they should be taken into account
during decision-making process on a particular issue (Crosby 1991). This analysis
also focuses on the quantity and types of resources those groups or actors can mobilize to affect outcomes regarding that issue. Stakeholder analysis encompasses a
range of different methodologies and tools for analyzing stakeholder interests. This
analysis should be generally conducted by an independent researcher/organization
viewed as neutral to the issue in focus (Fig. 12.1).
On the other hand, this chapter explains the ontology-based knowledge structuring and visualizing (mapping) system that can facilitate holistic framing and collaboration among various stakeholders in a particular issue. By using this system,
users (stakeholders) can explore various conceptual linkages regarding their specific interests and create conceptual maps which visualize relevant concepts with
semantic links (nodes) around the focal concept (Fig.12.1).
K. Kozaki et al.
Consensus-building among various stakeholders from different fields is one of
key issues to solve for facilitating their collaboration. In order to build consensus, it
is important to know what others are thinking about each other because differences
of their viewpoints cause some conflicts. However, it is difficult to understand different views in particular when they come from different fields. To overcome this
problem, we took an ontology-based approach.
Gruber (1993) defined ontology as an “explicit specification of conceptualization.” A well-constructed ontology can present an explicit essential understanding
of the target world. Based on ontology engineering, a wide range of knowledge can
be organized in terms of general, highly versatile concepts and relationships. In
order to provide a base knowledge for consensus building across various domains,
the authors have developed a biofuel ontology on the basis of the sustainability science ontology (Kumazawa et al. 2009), literature surveys, and stakeholder analysis.
And the authors have developed a divergent ontology exploration tool that can
generate comprehensive conceptual maps from user’s multiple arbitrary perspectives (Kozaki et al. 2011). The exploration tool allows the user to explore ontologies
interactively according to their interests. The results of their explorations are visualized as conceptual maps. That is, the conceptual maps represent viewpoints of the
users.
This section describes detail design and functions of ontology-based application
system which supports consensus-building system based on the ontology exploration and effectiveness of ontology system for developing for biofuel strategy
options.
12.2 System Architecture and Process
Chapter 3 introduces stakeholder perspectives and emphasizes the importance of
multilevel governance. The purpose of stakeholder analysis is to indicate whose
interests should be taken into account and why they should be taken into account
during decision-making process on a particular issue (Crosby 1991). This analysis
also focuses on the quantity and types of resources those groups or actors can mobilize to affect outcomes regarding that issue. Stakeholder analysis encompasses a
range of different methodologies and tools for analyzing stakeholder interests. This
analysis should be generally conducted by an independent researcher/organization
viewed as neutral to the issue in focus (Fig. 12.1).
On the other hand, this chapter explains the ontology-based knowledge structuring and visualizing (mapping) system that can facilitate holistic framing and collaboration among various stakeholders in a particular issue. By using this system,
users (stakeholders) can explore various conceptual linkages regarding their specific interests and create conceptual maps which visualize relevant concepts with
semantic links (nodes) around the focal concept (Fig.12.1).
K. Kozaki et al.