Foundation of a framework to support knowledge management in the field of context-aware and pervasive computing

In this paper we propose a framework to combine Knowledge Management and context-aware and pervasive computing, emphasizing on synchronization and adaptation issues of workflow processes in mobile settings. The key aspect of the proposed framework is to enable adaptive, two-way interaction between contextaware systems and users in mobile settings. In contrast to existing concepts, we aim at capturing active feedback from users, which should contribute to the Organizational Memory, after being reviewed, evaluated and classified. Thus, users would not only act as consumers but also as suppliers of relevant information and knowledge to the system and other users. In addition, the concept includes existing approaches to adapt to, for instance, different Quality of Service levels in order to provide a maximum level of local autonomy. We suggest using the adaptation concept to also support adjustments to cross-cultural differences in perceiving and communicating information and knowledge. Our work is motivated by the need for a distributed, context-aware and pervasive computing framework to support maintenance and administration tasks related to the International Monitoring System (IMS) of the CTBTO PrepCom, an international organization located in Vienna, Austria