Defining Interoperability: A Universal Standard
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13052/jicts2245-800X.1323Keywords:
interoperability, standardization, cross-domainAbstract
Interoperability is a cornerstone of modern scientific and technological progress, enabling seamless data exchange and collaboration across diverse domains such as e-health, logistics, and IT. However, the lack of a unified definition has led to significant fragmentation, with over 117 distinct definitions documented across various fields. This paper addresses the challenge of defining interoperability by tracing its historical evolution from its military origins to its current applications in sectors like healthcare and logistics. This work proposes a novel, universal definition encompassing multiple interoperability dimensions, including technical, semantic, syntactic, legal, and organisational aspects. This comprehensive definition aims to resolve the inconsistencies and gaps in current practices, providing a robust framework for enhancing global collaboration and driving innovation. The proposed definition is evaluated against key criteria such as flexibility, clarity, measurability, scalability, and the establishment of common standards, demonstrating its potential to unify efforts across different fields. This work highlights the profound impact a standardised interoperability approach can have on critical areas like healthcare, where streamlined patient data exchange and improved outcomes are urgently needed.
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