Semantic inter-organizational performance analysis using the balanced scorecard methodology

Evaluating inter-organizational relationships (IORs) is important in todays businesses for increasing competitiveness and business potential. Typically, IORs are measured by high-level key performance indicators (KPIs) such as trust, knowledge sharing, and others. However, these high-level KPIs are difficult to be measured quantitatively. It is therefore difficult to determine IORs and their outcomes since the evaluation of IORs results in a complex and ambiguous task. In this vision paper, we propose a set of research questions dealing with measuring and evaluating IORs. Based on these research questions, we define a conceptual framework including (i) the identification of KPIs from inter-organizational processes in combination with business information derived from EDIFACT messages and (ii) the alignment of KPIs to business goals by means of the Balanced Scorecard methodology and semantic technology. Having the approach at hand supports us in lifting operational information to the business level. The alignment between KPIs and business goals allows evaluating an organizations´ IORs and results in two distinct advantages. First, the explicit connection between KPIs and business goals results in a justification of the relation between IORs and business achievements. Second, the evaluation of IORs against strategic goals can be achieved semi-automatically.