Proposal of a controlled vocabulary to solve semantic interoperability problems in social security information exchanges

Published date18 November 2013
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-02-2013-0018
Date18 November 2013
Pages602-619
AuthorFrancisco Delgado Azuara,José Ramón Hilera González,Raul Ruggia
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology
THEME ISSUE PAPER
Proposal of a controlled
vocabulary to solve semantic
interoperability problems in
social security information
exchanges
Francisco Delgado Azuara
Development Center, National Institute of Social Security, Madrid, Spain
Jose
´Ramo
´n Hilera Gonza
´lez
Computer Science Department, University of Alcala, Madrid, Spain, and
Raul Ruggia
ISSA, Geneva, Switzerland
Abstract
Purpose – This report aims to present the state of play of semantic interoperability problems in
social security data exchanges.
Design/methodology/approach The subject is presented as an open issue and taking into
account the circumstances of the exchanges. Electronic exchanges in European Union social security
are used as a case study.
Findings – Semantic level of these exchanges seems to be the weakness and the use of controlled
vocabularies is proposed as possible solution. The creation and maintenance of metadata sets are
finally considered as a compromise solution.
Originality/value – The article proposes a solution for the current semantic problems in electronic
exchanges of social security information. The solution could be useful for social security institutions
all over the world.
Keywords Metadata, eGovernment, Interoperability, Vocabulary,Social security
Paper type Case study
1. Introduction
Interoperability is the ability of information and communication technology systems
and of the business processes they support to exchange data and to enable the sharing
of information. This is the definition of European Interoperability Framework for
pan-European eGovernment services (EIF, 2004). The application of interoperability,
particularly in complex organizational contexts, means taking into account the
different organizational levels or sectors involved in the interaction. The general
concept of interoperability can thus be subdivided into various dimensions. Whether
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
An earlier version of this paper was presented at the LOV symposium, held in Madrid, Spain, on
18 June, 2012.
LHT
31,4
602
Received 22 February 2013
Revised 6 August 2013
Accepted 27 August 2013
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 31 No. 4, 2013
pp. 602-619
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/LHT-02-2013-0018
applied to e-government as in defence and strategy systems, or in digital libraries and
information services, is characterized by the following dimensions (ISSA, 2012):
.Political. Collaborators must have visions which are compatible, priorities which
are in line with each other and must focus on the same objectives.
.Legal. Adequate synchronization of the legislation in collaborating countries
must include the fact that the electronic data generated in one country must be
properly recognized when used by the receiving country.
.Organizational. This refers to the definition of business objectives based on
business procedures and tries to facilitate collaboration between administrations
or institutions which wish to exchange information and which may have
different structures and internal procedures.
.Semantic. Ensures that the precise significance of the information exchanged is
comprehensible for any other application not initially developed for this purpose.
Semantic interoperability enables systems to combine the information received
with information from other sources and to process it in a coherent way.
.Technical. Addresses critical aspects of linking computer and service systems.
Includes key aspects such as open interfaces, interconnected services, the
integration of data and middleware, the presentation and exchange of data,
security and the accessibility of services.
Social security data exchanges have some particularities that make that the
non-ambiguous definition of core concepts used in the institutions has a key impact on
the success and quality of system interconnections as well as on the shared usage of
common information systems. These semantic issues of social security data exchanges
have not been solved up until now.
In the context of European interoperability strategy (EIS), which has its focus on
interoperability (EIS, 2012), controlled vocabularies are one of the main artifacts to
ensure common understanding of assets as a prerequisite for building interoperable
applications on a pan-European level. In particular, controlled vocabularies and
ontologies – being the most elaborate – have to be used to handle semantic
interoperability conflicts (Fraunhofer ISST, 2009a).
The solution proposed is based in controlled vocabularies and take into acc ount the
recommendation of EIS that suggest the use of metadata schemas.
This work focus is an extension of the paper presented in the Linking and Opening
Vocabularies Symposium 2012 (LOV, 2012).
2. Interoperability in social security
2.1 General aspects
Interoperability techniques play an increasingly important role in the implementation
of social security systems, particularly those which include social programs or services
provided by different institutions. The implementation of interoperability requires
strong political support in favor of cooperation, and the generation of compatible
institutional approaches focusing on similar objectives in terms of the implementation
of social security programmes (ISSA, 2012).
Legal interoperability must be used wherever possible to give formal structure to
the political approaches which affect the application of interoperability in the
Semantic
interoperability
problems
603

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