Improving group decision making: a fuzzy GSS approach

Group decision-making methods have been developed extensively, but their adaptation for use in organizations has been problematic. According to Arrow's (1963) Impossibility theorem, one conceivable reason is that a group decision outcome could never satisfy all decision makers' individual preferences. In order to accommodate individual decision maker's preferences in a group decision-making task, this correspondence presents a fuzzy multiperson multicriteria decision making (MMCDM) model and a structured group decision-making process. The fuzzy MMCDM model includes fuzzy individual preference generation and group preference aggregation. The structured decision-making process keeps the group interaction on track, so that the fuzzy MMCDM model can be effectively applied to the group decision-making task. Based on the proposed model and the decision-making process, a fuzzy group support system (GSS) has been developed and applied to a group assessment task. An empirical study was conducted and the experiment results showed that use of the fuzzy GSS enhanced individual understanding, consensus, and satisfaction of the group decision outcome     

Message and source factors, market uncertainty, and extrafunctionalinformation processing: hypotheses and empirical evidence

This article examines how the perceived quality of extrafunctional information improves the innovation management process and contributes to success with innovations. Data collected from 420 Japanese managers and 270 US managers are used to test hypotheses about the antecedents of satisfaction with extra-functional information and the impacts on new product performance. The results demonstrate that the level of marketing and R&D managers' satisfaction with extrafunctional information is an important predictor of new product success and financial performance. The results also show that marketing and R&D managers differ significantly in their preferences and criteria for evaluating extrafunctional information. The empirical evidence suggests that the factors that increase R&D's satisfaction with market information are not necessarily the same as those that increase marketing's satisfaction with R&D satisfaction. Each functional area should recognize which message factors are most related to high satisfaction with received information, and emphasize these when sending such information. The authors also discovered the moderating effects of market and technical uncertainty that should provide guidance for marketing and R&D managers on how to allocate their efforts in information transfer based on the external environment. The empirical findings also revealed some cross-cultural differences, as well as a few similarities, between US and Japanese respondents     

Enhancing customer loyalty to mobile instant messaging: Perspectives of network effect and self-determination theories

Mobile instant messaging (MIM) apps are popular information and communication technologies (ICTs). As known for ICTs, network effect variables such as perceived network size and perceived complementarity are important for determining user loyalty. However, there is insufficient research on why they are determinants, i.e., knowing the underlying mechanism. Grounded in network effect and self-determination theories, we study such underlying mechanism. Based on an analysis of responses from an online survey of 292 participants using structural equation modelling, we find that the network effect variables of perceived network size and perceived complementarity are positively related to three user-perceived values, namely user-perceived functional, self-expressive, and social values. They are, in turn, positively related to satisfaction of the needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness, respectively, that further leads to user loyalty. This study contributes to the MIM literature by being the first to use the three user-perceived values and satisfaction of the three needs as novel process variables to construct a model for explaining the impacts of network effect variables on user loyalty to MIM apps. This study provides the insight that MIM providers can more effectively enhance user loyalty by providing the three values that users appreciate and satisfying the three needs, when increasing and advertising their network sizes and availability of complementary offerings.     

Communication convergence in electronically supported discussions: An adaptation of Kincaid's convergence model

Group Support Systems (GSS) support intellectual and collaborative group work. For example, one type of GSS is Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS). EMS provide software to facilitate a group's ability to brainstorm and organize ideas, and then formulate, select, or prioritize alternatives. Accompanied by human facilitation, EMS use information technology to augment team meetings by (a) fostering independent thinking without disruption, and (b) enabling better understanding and agreement among team members. Existant models of communication do not effectively portray the communication interaction occurring in EMS (or the broader umbrella of GSS). The purpose of this article is to extend Kincaid's convergence model and present a preliminary, holistic, conceptual model of communication that includes the contributions GSS makes to communication effectiveness in group discussions. The suggested model portrays the interactivity of group participants and accounts for process losses and/or process gains (termed “noise” and “noise abatement”) which may affect the GSS process. Additionally, the model shows the connection between the communication process and the participants' contextual linkages to what has happened in the past and what will occur after the communication ends.     

What drives purchase intention on Airbnb? Perspectives of consumer reviews,information quality,and media richness

The owners of idle assets and their potential users create economic benefits through providing or sharing idle assets or skills, and this process has been formalized and monetized at large scales by companies such as Uber, Airbnb, USpace and others. This research seeks to understand the factors affecting the purchase intention on Airbnb users in terms of five key factors: rating, rating volume, review, information quality, and media richness. ANOVA and path analysis are used to test the relationships of these factors with perceived value, satisfaction and purchase intention. Results indicate that perceived value and satisfaction are key determinants of intention to buy, while rating volume, review, information quality, and media richness are important precursors. In addition, gender and usage experiences with Airbnb are also used to classify the sample to assess the difference between each classification. The results of this study can provide a useful reference to researchers and firms and individuals working in the sharing economy.     

Microblogging,friendship maintenance,and life satisfaction among university students: The mediatory role of online self-disclosure

Despite a substantial literature suggests that computer-mediated communication impact individuals’ various psychosocial factors, relatively few studies have elucidated the underlying mechanism behind these associations. Building upon self-disclosure theory and previous studies, the principal purpose of this present research is to systematically explore the relationships among microblog utilization, online self-disclosure, friendship maintenance, and perceived life satisfaction. A web-based survey was implemented using a total of 426 university students in Northwestern China. Structural equation modeling reveals that intensity of microblog use is positively associated with these students’ friendship maintenance and life satisfaction. Additionally, online self-disclosure plays the crucial mediatory role in the relationships between microblog use, quality of relationships, and gratification with life. The results imply that as microbloggers disclosure their inner thoughts or emotional states with other users online, they could foster their friendship maintenance and obtain greater life satisfaction. However, contrary to the expectation, students’ friendship maintenance is not discovered to be a significant predictor of the sense of life satisfaction in the online environment. Overall, these obtained outcomes of the empirical work could offer new insights into the deep comprehending of the social psychological process of microblogging among younger generation in the new media context.     

Group satisfaction with group work under surveillance: The stimulus-organism-response (SOR) perspective

With this study, we explored an emerging type of surveillance, namely, peer-to-peer surveillance, in which individuals with lateral surveillance devices (e.g., smart glasses, wearable cameras) can stealthily observe others. Specifically, we investigated how, compared with centralized surveillance, peer-to-peer surveillance affects group satisfaction with group work and the processes of cognitive and affective appraisals. We developed our research model in the framework of stimulus-organism-response. In our experiment, we randomly assigned 60 three-member groups to one of three conditions (no monitoring, centralized monitoring, peer-to-peer surveillance) and conducted a group task. The results revealed that peer-to-peer surveillance influenced satisfaction with group work through mediators such as perceived surveillance (cognition) and stress (affect). By elucidating the significant roles of cognition and affect in the emerging pervasive surveillance, we contribute to understanding human responses to the risks caused by novel information and communication technologies.     

Can a GSS stimulate group polarization? an empirical study

This study investigates the impact of the electronic communication and anonymity capabilities of a group support system (GSS) on group polarization. Three support levels were studied: verbal support, identified GSS support, and anonymous GSS support. Information exposure was varied at two levels: exposure to positions without arguments and exposure to positions with arguments. The dependent variables were preference change and choice shift. Anonymous GSS groups produced higher choice shift than verbal groups. Anonymous GSS groups who were exposed to positions with arguments also had higher preference change than groups in other treatments. These results indicate that the anonymity and electronic communication capabilities of a GSS can be used conjointly to stimulate group polarization, especially when groups exchange mutual positions and arguments     

Crafting a smartphone repurchase decision making process: Do brand attachment and gender matter?

In this fast changing digital era, smartphones users tend to change their smartphones regularly. Therefore, retaining existing consumers has been a challenging task for smartphone manufacturer brands. Given the status quo in smartphone industry and deficiencies in smartphone research, this study proposes a model that integrates Expectation Confirmation Model and brand attachment to shed light on smartphone repurchase decision making process. Besides, gender differences are also accounted for in the model. This study employs a two-staged approach, namely PLS-ANN, in analysing the data collected from 510 existing smartphone owners. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was firstly engaged, and followed by artificial neural network analysis. Besides, a non-parametric partial least squares multi-group analysis has also been conducted to discover gender differences in such decision making process. The results suggest that brand attachment is the most influential and relevant driver of consumers’ intention to repurchase smartphones from current brand (measured by continuance intention). Moreover, male consumers are more sensitive to the influence of brand attachment in developing their satisfaction and continuance intention, while female consumers are relying more on perceived usefulness. Interestingly, perceived usefulness does not significantly influence male consumers in continuance intention development. Practical and theoretical implications are subsequently offered.     

I,Chatbot: Modeling the determinants of users’ satisfaction and continuance intention of AI-powered service agents

Chatbots are mainly text-based conversational agents that simulate conversations with users. This study aims to investigate drivers of users’ satisfaction and continuance intention toward chatbot-based customer service. We propose an analytical framework combining the expectation-confirmation model (ECM), information system success (ISS) model, TAM, and the need for interaction with a service employee (NFI-SE). Analysis of data collected from 370 actual chatbot users reveals that information quality (IQ) and service quality (SQ) positively influence consumers’ satisfaction, and that perceived enjoyment (PE), perceived usefulness (PU), and perceived ease of use (PEOU) are significant predictors of continuance intention (CI). The need for interaction with an employee moderates the effects of PEOU and PU on satisfaction. The findings also revealed that satisfaction with chatbot e-service is a strong determinant and predictor of users’ CI toward chatbots. Thus, chatbots should enhance their information and service quality to increase users’ satisfaction. The findings imply that digital technologies services, such as chatbots, could be combined with human service employees to satisfy digital users.     

Evaluating portal performance: A study of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) portal

This study examines the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) portal performance. Performance is viewed in terms of user satisfaction (i.e. students perspectives). It incorporates three constructs (system, information and service quality) introduced by DeLone and McLean as well as perceived usefulness first introduced in the technology acceptance model. Empirical data was collected using a survey questionnaire administered to students in two universities in Malaysia. The study illustrated that generally the students are satisfied with the portal’s performance. It was found that perceived usefulness is the most significant factor that influences their level of satisfaction. The study would enable PTPTN to enhance the portal performance.     

Technology novelty, project complexity, and product developmentproject execution success: a deeper look at task uncertainty in productinnovation

This paper applies the construct of task uncertainty to study relationships between product development project characteristics and project outcomes. The authors characterize product development projects in terms of their technology novelty and project complexity levels. This characterization is based on product development literature and organizational information processing theory. They hypothesize that technology novelty and project complexity characteristics contribute to project task uncertainty and are in turn associated with project execution outcomes. A cross-sectional survey of 120 new product development projects for assembled goods was employed to test relationships between project characteristics and project success. Success measures include achievement of individual project goals, such as technical performance, unit-cost, time-to-market and overall achievement of project goals     

The physical body as a computing interface: Theoretical conceptualization of embodied affordances and empirical validation

Despite the growing interest in immersive virtual reality (IVR) for collaboration and the rising prevalence of commercial applications, the extant body of knowledge on IVR is still in a nascent stage. A paucity of empirical studies have investigated the affordances engendered for collaboration, resulting in a lack of theoretical underpinnings for comprehending the impact of IVR on collaboration outcomes. In an effort to address these lacunae in research, this study explores how IVR affordances for collaboration influence task performance and collaboration satisfaction. Drawing on the metaverse framework for collaboration against the backdrop of the corporeal embodiment concept, this study develops a research model that investigates the interplay between IVR affordances for collaboration, collaborative behavior enactment, and collaboration outcomes. The model was tested using data collected from 168 subjects who participated in a virtual collaboration using IVR in a laboratory setting. The results of the study showed that avatar customizability was a key antecedent to embodied affordances, among which embodied communication and embodied team processing jointly influenced collaborative behavior enactment, which, in turn, influenced collaboration outcomes (task performance and collaboration satisfaction). This study contributes to the IVR literature by conceptualizing novel affordances for collaboration facilitated by IVR and empirically scrutinizing the manner in which perceived affordances precipitate their actualization, subsequently affecting collaboration outcomes. With respect to practice, the findings of this study provide useful insights for organizational managers and IVR developers who seek to harness the benefits of IVR for effective collaboration.     

RDP地面支援系统设计

地面支援系统作为计算机系统调试、开发、维修和仿真的重要工具，业已成为机载计算机系统设计的重要组成部分．本文将介绍为机载脉冲多普勒火控雷达数据处理机（ＲＤＰ）所配置的地面支援系统，还将详细地介绍该系统软件包的５个组成部分：监控软件包、开发软件包、飞行任务软件包、维修软件包和事后处理软件包．     

Perceived channel efficiency and motivation and orientation of information seeking as predictors of media dependency

This study examined media dependency in the context of Internet media. It introduced the construct perceived channel efficiency in information seeking process and tested its effect on media dependency. The study found that perceived channel efficiency of the traditional media and Internet news sites, and motivation and orientation of information seeking contributed significantly to media dependency. Motivational and news-related factors varied in their effects on perceived channel efficiency and media dependency. Contrary to the media dependency thesis, availability of alternative media was not found to be a negative predictor of dependency on preferred media. Possible reasons were discussed, including changing scenarios of functional alternatives in the digital age, conscientious media selection and the ritualistic use of media.     

How do we learn to get success together through crowdfunding platform? From the perspectives of system learning and multi-motivations

In recent years, crowdfunding has been widely applied as a new approach for solving the finance shortage problem of start-ups. The crowdfunding platform (CFP) has disseminating extensive knowledge of diverse fields and offers a channel for users who share the same interests to communicate with. However, relevant studies of CFP participant behavior overlook the knowledge value projected by CFP in the sense that CFP demo real cases for promoting the project success. Therefore, this study takes the ground of IS continuance theory and extends it by introducing the multi-motive theory (MISC) in investigating user CFP continuous behavior. In particular, this study examines the role of system learning (SL) on the association with CFP continuous-usage intentions. As Lowry et al. (2015) propose the SL concept as an intrinsic motivation and relevant to SL for adopting information system; there is no strong evidence confirmed their proposition yet. Results confirm that both intrinsic motivation perceived through the sense of perceived enjoyment and extrinsic motivation (CFP satisfaction) are associated with users' continuance intention. However, the intrinsic motivations of the system learning (knowledge sharing and stay informed) are partially associated with the perceived enjoyment and perceived usefulness. Discussions and implications for theory are given in the end.     

The role of self in third-person effects about body image

This study examines the perceived effect of idealized media images on self and classmates for three levels of outcome undesirability: perception of ideal body weight, effect on self-esteem, and likelihood of developing an eating disorder. A significant third-person effect was observed, which widened as the outcome increased in social undesirability. Those with high self-esteem exhibited stronger third-person effect than those with low self-esteem. The overall pattern of findings suggests that two related but distinct processes might be involved in the third person effect: (a) a general process associated with self-esteem, which explains perceived effect of media both on self and others; and (b) a specific process tied to situational personal vulnerability, which explains perceived effect on self, but does not explain perceived effect on others.     

Factors influencing users’ employment of mobile map services

This study introduces an integrated research model to examine user acceptance of mobile map services, hypothesizing potential causal connections between key cognitive factors and users’ intention to use the services. This study determined potential variables that may be significantly related to perceived usefulness of mobile map services through in-depth interviews with two groups: a user and an expert group. Collected data of 1109 users who took part in the internet survey were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that satisfaction with and perceived usefulness of the mobile map services were the most significant antecedents of users’ attitude toward the services and behavioral intention to use them. Users’ attitude and flow state also affected their intention to use the services, while perceived locational accuracy, service, and display quality had notable effects on attitude. This study demonstrates the significant effects of these and other examined factors, and the findings reveal that flow played a multiple moderating roles significantly affecting various connections in the integrated research model. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Testing the Long-Term Effects of the Go Sun Smart Worksite Health Communication Campaign: A Group-Randomized Experimental Study

This study examined the long-term effects of the Go Sun Smart (GSS) campaign, a large-scale health communication intervention designed to promote sun safety to employees at 26 ski areas in western North America. Employees were enrolled in a pair-matched group-randomized pretest–posttest controlled design with 2 follow-up surveys. Half of the ski areas were randomly assigned to implement GSS in the winter. This article reports analyses of a hierarchical linear design with responses from 1,463 employees who completed the second follow-up survey at the end of the following summer (69% of those who completed the first posttest). GSS continued to have positive effects on employees who worked at intervention ski areas into the summer. Employees exposed to GSS reported less sunburning, engaged in more sun safety behaviors, were more aware of the program, and had more discussions of sun safety at home than employees at matched control group resorts. The long-term effects of GSS support recommending that sun protection programs be implemented at workplaces, but such programs should be implemented with high fidelity to achieve maximum benefits. Despite limitations due to nonresponse, geography, measurement, and ethnicity, the hierarchical clustered design improved the internal validity and generalizability of the findings.     

A Study on the Use Intention of Long Term Evolution Mobile Service

The rapid development of ICT is bringing about a digital transformation. The digital transformation affects all areas, and ICT is at the center of many technologies. In particular, the importance of technical services for wireless communications is being increasingly emphasized. Thus, the qualities of technical services for wireless communications have effects not only on the companies who provide services but also on the consumers who receive them. As technologies develop, consumers want to receive more stable and higher quality services. In this regard, this study classified the qualities of LTE service into call quality, speed quality, and user support quality, investigated their influential factors on perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and playfulness, and analyzed their causal relationship with satisfaction and continuous use intention. As a result of analysis, all the hypotheses were accepted; except for the one that call quality will have effects on perceived usefulness (H1-1), except for the one that social influence will have effects on user satisfaction (H7-2), except for the one that customer membership will have effects on perceived usefulness (H8-1), except for the one that social influence will have effects on perceived usefulness (H8-2). The results of this study provided practical guidelines to service providers through the causal relationship analysis of various variables affecting LTE services satisfaction and constant services.