Exploration of Conceptual Models: Application of the GOM Framework

Conceptual modeling is widely perceived as a core element of the IS discipline. Conceptual models are used for a variety of different purposes (for instance software engineering or organizational design). However, the quality and adequacy of conceptual models is difficult to access. The Guidelines of Modeling (GoM) are proposed as generalized criteria for measuring of model quality. However, the GoM framework has still to be instantiated in order to provide operational criteria for a specific modeling purpose. We contribute to this work by a formal exploration of conceptual models of web-based information systems. The analysis was found to be very useful for assessing a complex web-based informa-tion system with special regard to navigational issues ex post. CONCEPTUAL MODELING IN THE IS FIELD Conceptual models are created by using conceptual modeling grammars, for instance the Entity-Relationship Model grammar. Conceptua