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With XML adopted as the technology trend on the Internet, and with investment in the current relational database systems, companies must convert their relational data into XML documents for data transmission on the Internet. In the process, to preserve the users' relational data requirements of data constraints into the converted XML documents, we must define a meaningful root element for each XML document. The construction of an XML document is based on the root element and its relevant elements. The root element can be selected from a relational entity table in the existing relational database, which depends on the requirements to present the business behind. The relevant elements are mapped from the related entities, based on the navigability of the chosen entity. The derived root and relevant elements can form a Data Type Definition Graph (DTD-graph) of an XML conceptual schema diagram which can be mapped into a Data Type Definition (DTD) of an XML schema. The result is a translated XML schema with semantic constraints transferred from a relational conceptual schema of an Extended Entity Relationship (EER) model. The data conversion from relational data to the XML documents can be done after the schema translation. The relational data are loaded into XML documents according to the translated DTD.

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Contracts and performance management, along with the concept of consumerism, have become the fundamental metaphors for New Public Management (NPM) and key changes in the public service. 'Doing well while doing good' and finding generally acceptable accountability measures for social services have become the perennial aspirations of planners, service providers and funders. This article examines the contingent factors and rationales behind the quality movement and recontracting exercise in reforming the delivery of personal social service programs in Hong Kong within the framework of New Public Management (NPM). It explains the use of long-term relational contracts rather than the standard business contracts between the government as funder and non-profit organisations as service providers. It also deals with the complex relationships among quality issues, quality standards, consumerism, accountability, performance indicators, and performance management.