Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Intellectual ...

Xiaomi An et al
2.3 Reasons for developing a meta-syn<strong>the</strong>tic support system to guide practice
The above problems indicate that a knowledge asset management approach to building a metasyn<strong>the</strong>tic
support system is needed in practice for three reasons. Firstly, government information
resources on city travel and traffic are <strong>of</strong> poor quality, inconsistent and inaccurate, and in need <strong>of</strong>
development as knowledge assets to add value and promote quality control. Secondly, <strong>the</strong> activities
<strong>of</strong> collecting, processing, maintaining, updating and delivering government information resources are
separate, with disparate approaches, resulting in isolated yet overlapping systems, which require
more holistic, consistent approaches to knowledge asset sharing to allow <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> a
workable process control system. Finally, no <strong>of</strong>ficial mechanism <strong>of</strong> licensing for reuse <strong>of</strong> government
information resources for value-added services exists, and one needs to be developed to guide and
promote such activities.
3. Foundations for developing a meta-syn<strong>the</strong>tic support system
3.1 Needs identified in relevant Chinese literature
The following studies are based on 134 papers, 55 relevant laws, regulations, policies, standards and
guidelines relating to reuse systems <strong>of</strong> government information resources and city travel and traffic
information reuse and services taken from Chinese literature.
3.1.1 Research in and about reuse <strong>of</strong> government information systems and support
The most heavily discussed topics on reuse <strong>of</strong> government information systems in Chinese literature
are <strong>the</strong> value-added reuse <strong>of</strong> government information practices and systems <strong>of</strong> European Union and
U.S. (Gao, 2005; Chen & Huang, 2008; Chen & Ran, 2008; Chen and Wang, 2010; Ran, 2007, 2008,
2010; Yang, 2009, 2010). Differences <strong>of</strong> reuse practices <strong>of</strong> European Union and U.S. and <strong>the</strong>ir
practical effects have been discussed in terms <strong>of</strong> policy system, policy direction, reuse models and
benefits (Ding, 2009; Mu, 2010; Mu, Wang, Shao, Zhao, 2010; Shao and Wang, 2010).
Four types <strong>of</strong> reuse systems models have been studied, including a government administration
system model (Fu, 2006; Zhou, 2008; Chen and Wang, 2010), a non-pr<strong>of</strong>it public service system
model (Fu, 2006; Zhou, 2008; Chen, 2010), a marketing commercial service system model (Fu, 2006;
Zhou, 2008; Huan, 2008; Chen and Wang 2010; Rang, 2010), and a licensing system model (Huan,
2008) .
The following issues relating to support for government information reuse have been discussed: open
access to government information, public access rights to government information, participation rights
for public reuse <strong>of</strong> government information for value-added services, and security <strong>of</strong> government
information services (Chen and Huang, 2008; Xia, 2009a &b; Zhang, 2009a &b; Zhang, Zhao, Zhang,
2009).
The above studies indicate that current research is based on studies <strong>of</strong> international experiences from
abroad with little concern for <strong>the</strong> particular needs <strong>of</strong> Chinese practice, and <strong>the</strong> comprehensive
requirements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chinese legal, regulatory and standards environments. The focus has been on
<strong>the</strong> difference between reuse system models with little concern for <strong>the</strong>ir relationships and integrated
use, shared values and impacts.
3.1.2 Research in and about city travel and traffic information reuse and services
Five papers have been found relevant. Guan (2004) studied <strong>the</strong> display <strong>of</strong> road traffic information for
release and <strong>the</strong> releasing services. Li and Yu (2006) analysed features <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> information needs <strong>of</strong>
traffic information services, <strong>the</strong> means to release, and models for information services. Yang (2007)
studied <strong>the</strong> traffic information services model <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. and Japan and <strong>the</strong>ir operating systems. Li
(2010) introduced <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> traffic information resources and analyzed <strong>the</strong> problems <strong>of</strong> low use
<strong>of</strong> traffic information, She pointed out that lack <strong>of</strong> support systems for <strong>the</strong> communication <strong>of</strong>
information resources is <strong>the</strong> main reason for <strong>the</strong> existing problems. Liu (2010) studied <strong>the</strong> marketing
model, forms, products and pricing issues <strong>of</strong> road travel and traffic information services.
The research perspectives <strong>of</strong> above studies are limited to ei<strong>the</strong>r information technology or data
management, with little awareness <strong>of</strong> managing government information resources for city travel and
traffic as knowledge assets. Previous studies have focused on final control <strong>of</strong> traffic information
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