An Eco‐innovation Case Study of Domestic Dishwashing through the Application of TRIZ Tools

The benefits of applying a structured method such as TRIZ (Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadatch: the Russian theory of inventive problem solving) to Eco‐innovation are examined through use of two problem‐solving tools from TRIZ in an Eco‐innovation case study. A novel problem hierarchy model has been integrated to help identify the systems and sub‐systems level innovations required for Eco‐innovation. The benefits and shortcomings of the TRIZ tools, and the potential contribution of the problem hierarchy model in the innovation process are discussed.     

基于关联规则的创新矛盾矩阵的研究

随着市场竞争不断加剧,企业创新成为现代企业生存的重要一环。首先,将用于解决技术性发明创造而建立的TRIZ理论引入到企业创新研究之中;通过计算机知识发现和数据挖掘技术与TRIZ理论中的矛盾思想相结合,并根据德国弗朗克协会提出的企业创新九个领域,将其细分为相应若干指标器;在此基础上,提出使用指标器间关联规则替代TRIZ创新原理。最后,使用这些关联性与九个创新领域,得到了一种适合描述企业创新的矛盾矩阵构成方法,为解决企业创新提供了分析依据。     

MorphoTRIZ – Solving Technical Problems with a Demand for Multi‐Smart Solutions

Using two approved creativity techniques, technical problem solving can be supported in a systematic and analytical way: morphological and contradiction‐oriented problem solving (the latter as part of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving [Russian acronym: TRIZ]). In these techniques different anchor points for creativity are used: morphological‐oriented problem solving is characterized by structuring a system into independent partial systems and finding answers by combining the different solutions of these subsystems; contradiction‐oriented problem solving is focused on finding fundamental contradictions within a system, representing the core problems, and solving them by applying the accumulated experiential knowledge of previous inventors. In this paper a combination of both techniques is developed and deployed, using network‐oriented function analysis as a connecting concept. We refer to this combination as MorphoTRIZ. It is particularly helpful in technical problem solving, when there is a demand for a multitude of smart solutions, which has become quite common with regard to design‐oriented products and individualized mass production as well as various other purposes. Seen from the conceptional perspective of creative problem solving, MorphoTRIZ combines process elements: (i) for producing a multitude of ideas, (ii) for producing many categories of ideas, and (iii) for producing highly original ideas. It provides connections to further creativity techniques, to open innovation and also to the field of management research as application area.     

Assessing the effects of consumer involvement and service quality in a self‐service setting

The aim of this study is to assess how consumer involvement and service quality within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) influence consumers' adoption of self‐service technologies (SSTs). A model is proposed to test the antecedent factors of SSTs in a retail environment. A total of 441 valid questionnaires were received, and the data were examined by using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings show that consumer involvement has a significant positive effect on attitude toward SSTs. In addition, service quality plays an important role by significantly moderating the influence of intention to use SSTs on consumer behavior. The key objective of this study is to analyze the role that consumer involvement and service quality play in influencing the adoption of SSTs. Future research could classify the different levels of involvement and types of SSTs to confirm and extend our framework. Despite the increasing popularity of SSTs, few studies have to date examined the topic of technology acceptance in combination with user involvement. This study extends the original TAM and explains the conditions required for successful user involvement and service quality in consumers' adoption of SSTs. This study makes an original contribution by proposing a strategic model for a successful implementation of SSTs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

What is TRIZ? From Conceptual Basics to a Framework for Research

This paper introduces six aspects of the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ), from conceptual basics to a framework for interdisciplinary research, and explains some of the specific terminology, such as inventive principles, standard solutions, substance‐field‐systems or contradictions. The conceptual approach of TRIZ comprises the way from a concrete problem over an abstract problem to an abstract solution and from there to a concrete solution. This is supported by a toolkit, which helps the problem‐solver analysing and solving problems in different perspectives. The ‘power supply for notebook computers’ example demonstrates a problem‐solving process with TRIZ using contradiction thinking, the contradiction matrix and the inventive principles as tools. The TRIZ tools may be combined within a comprehensive process model such as ARIS or WOIS, which are briefly discussed. A framework for further research suggests five fields: the tools and their combination as the core, inspiration by new knowledge domains, adaptation to new fields of usage, psycho‐ and sociological contingency and integration with other creativity tools. The paper concludes with an overview of cornerstones in the history of TRIZ and suggests some introductory books and informative websites.     

Multi‐criteria group decision‐making method based on TODIM with probabilistic interval‐valued hesitant fuzzy information

Probabilistic interval‐valued hesitant fuzzy sets (PIV‐HFSs) are suitable for aggregating information from different groups because the probabilistic information of all the groups can be included by using interval values. Moreover, decision makers (DMs) prefer to use interval values to provide evaluation information. Furthermore, the traditional multi‐criteria group decision‐making (MCGDM) approach has some limitations, such as obtaining the DMs' weights with inappropriate methods and neglecting the interactions amongst the criteria and the psychological characteristics of DMs. Motivated by these research background, the main contents of this study are as follows. First, PIV‐HFSs are proposed, and the convex combination operation is extended into PIV‐HFSs. Second, a hybrid MCGDM approach with PIV‐HFSs is suggested that is based on the maximizing deviation method, fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) and TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese for interactive and multi‐criteria decision‐making model). Third, an evaluation case of health management centres based on the service‐specific failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is considered. The results show that the most crucial secondary factor is frequency (0.35775) and that the most serious failure mode is the inaccurate check‐in. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can evaluate service quality effectively and that it performs better than other methods.     

The utilization of e‐government services: citizen trust,innovation and acceptance factors*

Abstract. Electronic government, or e‐government, increases the convenience and accessibility of government services and information to citizens. Despite the benefits of e‐government – increased government accountability to citizens, greater public access to information and a more efficient, cost‐effective government – the success and acceptance of e‐government initiatives, such as online voting and licence renewal, are contingent upon citizens’ willingness to adopt this innovation. In order to develop ‘citizen‐centred’ e‐government services that provide participants with accessible, relevant information and quality services that are more expedient than traditional ‘brick and mortar’ transactions, government agencies must first understand the factors that influence citizen adoption of this innovation. This study integrates constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusions of Innovation theory and web trust models to form a parsimonious yet comprehensive model of factors that influence citizen adoption of e‐government initiatives. The study was conducted by surveying a broad diversity of citizens at a community event. The findings indicate that perceived ease of use, compatibility and trustworthiness are significant predictors of citizens’ intention to use an e‐government service. Implications of this study for research and practice are presented.     

Service design for intelligent parking based on theory of inventive problem solving and service blueprint

This study refines a structural service design stages based on the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) and the service blueprint approach. This study uses the case study of intelligent parking services with the mobile application technology and vehicle license plate recognition system in a high-end shopping mall. In the problem definition stage, the research analyzes the enterprise problem. In the service resolution stage, the TRIZ contradiction analysis and the service blueprint of the parking service as it existed is depicted from the principles of problem resolution. In the solution evaluation stage, new intelligent parking mobile applications (apps) are proposed following the principles generated in the second stage. Furthermore, the failure points and waiting points in the prior service blueprint are overcome and the new service performance is significantly improved. It contributes to enriching the service design literature, and extends the range of TRIZ applications for future parking technology.     

A quality‐of‐service‐based framework for creating distributed heterogeneous software components

Component‐based software development offers a promising solution for taming the complexity found in today's distributed applications. Today's and future distributed software systems will certainly require combining heterogeneous software components that are geographically dispersed. For the successful deployment of such a software system, it is necessary that its realization, based on assembling heterogeneous components, not only meets the functional requirements, but also satisfies the non‐functional criteria such as the desired quality of service (QoS). In this paper, a framework based on the notions of a meta‐component model, a generative domain model and QoS parameters is described. A formal specification based on two‐level grammar is used to represent these notions in a tightly integrated way so that QoS becomes a part of the generative domain model. A simple case study is described in the context of this framework. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Integrating service quality evaluation model to improve employees' satisfaction for high‐tech iindustry

This study addresses the deficiency research of service quality by integrating the importance–satisfaction model (I‐S model) and the performance control matrix to provide a more comprehensive assessment model for improving specific quality attributes. The study applies this integrated measuring instrument in a Taiwanese high‐tech industry by using a questionnaire survey of production‐line employees to assess importance and satisfaction in their capacity as internal customers of the company. The study thus identifies and prioritizes quality attributes that require improvement. The findings are significant for service providers because they take into account: (i) the relative importance of quality attributes; (ii) the relative satisfaction level of these attributes; and (iii) the resources available for improvement. The study demonstrates that the I‐S model and the performance control matrix, taken together, provide an excellent measuring instrument for assessing priorities for quality improvement. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Performance Analysis of The Auxiliary‐Model‐Based Multi‐Innovation Stochastic Newton Recursive Algorithm for Dual‐Rate Systems

The stochastic Newton recursive algorithm is studied for dual‐rate system identification. Owing to a lack of intersample measurements, the single‐rate model cannot be identified directly. The auxiliary model technique is adopted to provide the intersample estimations to guarantee the recursion process continues. Intersample estimations have a great influence on the convergence of parameter estimations, and one‐step innovation may lead to a large fluctuation or even divergence during the recursion. In the meantime, the sample covariance matrix may appear singular. The recursive process would cease for these reasons. In order to guarantee the recursion process and to also improve estimation accuracy, multi‐innovation is utilized for correcting the parameter estimations. Combining the auxiliary model and multi‐innovation theory, the auxiliary‐model‐based multi‐innovation stochastic Newton recursive algorithm is proposed for time‐invariant dual‐rate systems. The consistency of this algorithm is analyzed in detail. The final simulations confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

基于QFD/TRIZ/FUZZY集成技术的微摩擦测试仪力传感器设计

基于QFD/TRIZ/FUZZY集成技术,建立了用户需求和设计需求的关系.利用产品创新设计方法解决设计中的技术矛盾,得到创新问题的最优原理解.研究MEMS器件微摩擦测试仪力传感器的质量屋,选取材料强度和材料变形作为创新设计的主要技术矛盾,按照TRIZ方法给出解决冲突的原理解集合,应用模糊层次分析法对各原理解进行评价,得到最优设计方案,验证了该集成方法的可行性.     

How to Improve E‐Satisfaction and E‐Loyalty and Strengthen the Links Between Them: Value From Regulatory Fit

This article aims to investigate how regulatory fit can improve e‐satisfaction and e‐loyalty and strengthen the links between e‐satisfaction and both its antecedents (two technology acceptance model factors and the perceived quality of e‐shopping) and consequence (e‐loyalty). The research model and hypotheses are constructed through a literature review. An empirical study is performed to test the proposed research model, using survey research. The data are gathered via a questionnaire, which is developed on the basis of prior empirical studies. Results from this study point to the following: first, the two technology acceptance model factors and the perceived quality of e‐shopping significantly affect e‐satisfaction, which in turn e‐loyalty. Second, regulatory fit not only improves e‐satisfaction and e‐loyalty but also strengthens the links between e‐satisfaction and both its antecedents and consequence. On the basis of these findings, the implications are discussed and directions for future research are highlighted.     

传导矛盾问题的成因及解决方法

由于目前还没有对传导矛盾问题的成因进行过深入剖析,所以无法给出有效的解决方案.为解决此问题,定义了传导相关度,并通过其找到传导矛盾问题的根本成因,然后将其转化为TRIZ理论中的技术矛盾,再利用矛盾矩阵中的创新理论找到传导矛盾问题的解决方案.应用实例表明了该方法的有效性,为复杂矛盾问题系统中传导矛盾问题的分析和解决提供了参考依据.     

UXDs-driven conceptual design process model for contradiction solving using CAIs

Design is situational, which means the explicit consideration of the state of the environment, the knowledge and experience of the designer, and the interaction between the designer and the environment during designing interact. When computer-aided innovation systems (CAIs) are applied to the design, the environment and the situation are different from the traditional design process and environment. The basic principles of some CAIs available in the world market are directly related to theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ). Special TRIZ solutions, which have a few inventive principles and the related cases for contradiction problem solving, are medium-solutions to domain problems. The second stage analogy process is used to generate domain solutions and in this process, the TRIZ solutions are used as source designs of analogy-based process. Unexpected discoveries (UXDs) are the key factors to trigger designers to generate new ideas for domain solutions. The type of UXDs for the specific TRIZ solutions is studied and a UXDs-driven contradiction solving for conceptual design is formed. A case study shows the application of the process step by step.     

Multiaspect‐based opinion classification model for tourist reviews

Tourist reviews on social media websites reflect the tourist's opinions concerning various aspects of a tourist place or service (e.g., “comfortable room” and “terrible service” in hotel reviews). Extracting these aspects from reviews is a challenging task in opinion mining. Therefore, aspect‐based opinion mining has emerged as a new area of social review mining. Existing approaches in this area focus on extracting explicit aspects and classification of opinions around these aspects. However, the implicit and coreferential aspects during aspect extraction are often neglected, and the classification of multiaspect opinions is relatively less emphasized in prior art. In this paper, we propose a model, namely, “enhanced multiaspect‐based opinion classification” that addresses existing challenges by automatically extracting both explicit and implicit aspects and classifying the multiaspect opinions. In this model, first, a probabilistic co‐occurrence‐based method is proposed that utilizes the co‐occurrence between aspects and sentiment words to identify the coreferential aspects and merge them into groups. Second, an implicit aspect extraction method is proposed that associates the sentiment words with suitable aspects to build an aspect‐sentiment hierarchy. Third, a multiaspect opinion classification approach is proposed that employs multilabel classification algorithms to classify opinions into different polarity classes. The effectiveness of the proposed model is evaluated by conducting experiments on benchmark and real‐world datasets. The experimental results revealed the supremacy of multilabel classifiers by achieving 90% accuracy per label on classification when extracting 87% domain‐relevant aspects. A state‐of‐the‐art performance comparison is conducted that also verifies the advantages of the proposed model.     

Composing and scheduling service‐oriented applications in time‐triggered distributed real‐time Java environments

During the last decade, the number of distributed application domains with temporal requirements has significantly augmented, arising the necessity of exploring new concepts and paradigms that allow, on the one hand, the development of dynamic and flexible distributed applications and, on the other hand, the reusability of code. Service‐oriented paradigms have been successfully applied to distributed environments, increasing their flexibility and allowing the reusability of their components. Besides, distributed real‐time Java technologies have shown to be a good candidate to deploy real‐time distributed applications. This paper presents a model for service‐oriented applications on a time‐triggered distributed real‐time Java environment, focusing on the definition of the temporal model of an application and its schedulability, applying and evaluating this model in real‐time service‐oriented composition algorithms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Consensus analysis of continuous‐time second‐order multi‐agent systems with nonuniform time‐delays and switching topologies

In this study, consensus problems for second‐order multi‐agent systems with nonuniform and switching topologies are investigated. Each agent has a self‐delay, and each delay is independent of the others. As a measure of the disagreement dynamics, a class of positive semi‐definite Lyapunov–Krasovskii functions are introduced. Using algebraic graph theory and these Lyapunov–Krasovskii functions, sufficient conditions are derived by contradiction under which all agents asymptotically reach consensus. Finally, the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results is demonstrated through numerical simulations.     

Understanding post‐adoption IS usage stages: an empirical assessment of self‐service information systems

Organisations have invested in self‐service information systems (IS) to provide a direct interface for service delivery. Enriching the usage of these systems can provide organisations with immense benefits. However, limited research has been directed towards understanding post‐adoption IS usage behaviour in general and specifically in the context of self‐service IS. This study proposes post‐adoption IS usage behaviour as a broader concept constituting feature level usage of IS, integration of IS in the work system and exploration of new uses of IS. We evaluate how the new conceptualisation can be used to classify users at different stages of self‐service IS usage. Further, we examine user perceptions that differentiate among the users situated at different self‐service IS usage stages. Data were collected in the context of a self‐service Web‐based IS to validate the post‐adoption IS usage constructs and to examine the proposed thesis. The newly developed conceptual structure and measures for post‐adoption IS usage behaviour exhibit strong psychometric properties. The analysis shows three distinct post‐adoption IS usage stages and highlights that usefulness, user‐initiated learning, ease of use, satisfaction and voluntariness of use differentiate users at the different stages of post‐adoption IS usage. The results show that these variables aggregate into value confirmation and learning orientation as two higher‐level concepts. Further, we evaluate the predictive efficacy of the research model in classifying users into different post‐adoption self‐service IS usage stages. Implications are drawn for future research.