A Generic Architecture for Virtual Enterprise Memories

In this paper, we propose a generic architecture for Corporate Memories (CMs) of Virtual Enterprises (VEs): VEMs. The proposed architecture is based on existing architectures and design case studies of CMs and VEMs. It takes into account works in Knowledge Management (KM) (especially in VEs) and the different characteristics of VEs. Conceptually, the proposed architecture describes the VEM structure, content, and management system. The management system includes components dedicated to: VEM construction (integration of the VE Knowledge Sources: VEKSs), VEM management (access control, personalization and semantic indexing), VEM diffusion, VEM evolution, and virtual work management (communication, coordination of the cooperative activities and collective problems solving). The proposed VEM is based on several formal knowledge representation models and each model consists of one or several ontologies. It includes a model for VEKSs integration, a cooperation model for virtual work management, a model for the knowledge access control, and a user model.