Hitoshi Mitomo

A Behavioral Economic Interpretation of the Preference for Flat Rates: The Case of Post-paid Mobile Phone Services

This paper aims to empirically test the existence of a biased preference for flat rate service plans related to mobile phones, and to examine how psychological factors can affect such preferences. We define such preference as “flat-rate preference”and interpret it in terms of behavioral economic concepts. Behavioral economics, in spite of its limitations in empirical analysis, provides deeper insights into human behavior than traditional economic models since it considers psychological factors within decision-making processes and allows for irrational choices by consumers. By applying several important concepts from behavioral economics, we seek to investigate a more reasonable explanation for mobile users’ flat-rate preference. Loss aversion, reference dependence, the shape of probability weighting function, mental accounting, ambiguity aversion and cognitive dissonance are employed to examine such preference. Non-parametric methods are applied in the empirical analysis to data that was collected through an online survey in Japan. We successfully show the existence of the flat-rate preference in terms of loss aversion and reference dependence although we failed to identify the influences of the shape of the probability weighting function. The other three concepts could also be recognized as factors conducive to preference behaviors.

Impact of telecommuting on mass transit congestion: the Tokyo case

Telecommuting, a dispersed style of commuting enabled by developments in info-communication technology, is becoming increasingly popular among Japanese white-collar employees. According to our estimates, 9-14 million employees will telecommute by 2010, which will result in a 6.9-10.9% reduction in congestion in Tokyo, Japan. Associated cost savings are equivalent to 7.9-26.4% of annual spending on public transportation. Due to the considerable size of these positive external effects, some degree of policy support will be necessary to achieve a socially optimal level of penetration by telecommuting.

The underlying factors of the perceived usefulness of using smart wearable devices for disaster applications

Abstract Smart wearable devices offer much potential to assist citizens in disasters. To the general public, however, using these devices for disaster applications is still a novel concept. In disasters, most people are reluctant to rely on unfamiliar technologies. Thus, for these devices to become truly useful in disasters, it is important to understand factors that affect their acceptance by the public. Previous studies show that perceived usefulness is a clear antecedent of people’s acceptance of smart wearable devices. However, the underlying factors that affect perceived usefulness itself are not clearly known. Thus, the aim of this study is to fill this gap, and by doing so, to derive some practical implications for solution developers and governments. This study used structural equation modelling to analyse survey data collected from 647 respondents in Japan. We found that the respondents’ perceived usefulness of the current applications of smart wearable devices was a strong predictor of their perceived usefulness of using these devices for disaster applications. Although indirect factors such as the ownership of ICT gadgets and the usage of social media also had some influences, most of their effects were mediated through increasing the respondents’ perceived usefulness of the current applications. In other words, through appreciating the functions of the current applications of smart wearable devices, people can visualise the usefulness of these devices in disaster situations. That being said, we found that in parallel, people also had concerns on the privacy issues of these devices. These findings shed light on the promotion and development of this fast growing technology for disaster applications.

Cultivation effects of mass and social media on perceptions and behavioural intentions in post-disaster recovery - The case of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Mass and social media have different effects on peoples perceptions of the disaster.Effects of mass media are much stronger than effects of social media.Mass media is especially influential on those who were not affected by the disaster.Social media resonates more with those who were directly affected by the disaster.The perception of bonds is the most influential on peoples behavioural intentions. Prior research has found that both mass and social media can play an influential role in post-disaster recovery. In particular, media information has been found to encourage people to support the recovery efforts. However, the mechanisms underlying this process have not been thoroughly investigated. Such knowledge is essential for both governments and non-governmental organisations so that they may apply these findings in post-disaster recovery. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to conduct an in-depth investigation on how mass and social media can influence peoples perceptions of a disaster and their behavioural intentions with respect to post-disaster recovery activities.This study uses the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake as a case study, and employs structural equation modelling with a data set of 2047 samples collected from an original Internet survey. Through the lens of cultivation theory, we find that mass and social media can play different roles and exert different influences on peoples perceptions of the disaster. Mass media, specifically television is found to be the most influential, especially on those not directly affected by the disaster. Social media, on the other hand, although with a much weaker effect, can resonate more with those who were directly affected. Further, a positive perception of strong bonds in families and society as a result of media exposure is found to be the most effective in increasing the intention to participate in activities related to recovery such as boosting civic communications, taking altruistic actions and preparing for future disasters. The findings have implications for post-disaster recovery, in that they can provide a roadmap on how information via mass and social media can be used to motivate and connect the general public and the disaster victims.

ICTs and sustainability: The managerial and environmental impact in Japan

There are manifold causal linkages between information and communications technologies (ICTs) and social sustainability. In this article, these linkages are classified into three areas: direct improvement of corporate productivity, changed behaviour of people/organizations, and improved decision‐making capabilities within society. A framework is proposed to analyse the first two of these three linkages, together with the results of a questionnaire survey. These point to a continuous growth trend in Japanese ICT investment with sectoral variations, and statistically significant evidence of ICTs’ contributions to corporate operations and environmental issues.

Rich information on environmental issues and the poor reflections on consumers' green actions: A behavioral economic approach

In this study, some obstacles in using information and communication technology (ICT) for public relation activities regarding environmental protection are reviewed. While there are many ways of dispersing information on environmental hazards, people may not be very responsive. In this study, we hypothesize that the obstacles to effective information dispersion can be attributed to factors such as limited memory retention, projection bias, and urgency of the problem, which are major concepts of behavioral economics. An empirical survey supports this hypothesis and emphasizes the need to overcome these obstacles in order to improve the efficiency of dispersing information on the environment.

Effects of Media Information on Collective Resilience in a Disaster-A Case Study of the Crisis of Stranded Commuters in Tokyo During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

This article examines the relations between media information and collective resilience—collective solidarity behaviours that emerge from a crowd—in a disaster. It uses the crisis of stranded commuters in Tokyo during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake as a case study with data collected from an original survey. Using a cluster analysis and a multinomial logistic regression, it is found that media information is positively related to the characteristics of collective resilience, such as shared identity and mutual help. Specifically, among those who felt threatened by the disaster, people who had received more information from media, particularly from social media and mobile telephones, were more likely to display higher levels of these characteristics. It is contended that this is because media information can help people to feel more empowered and, thus, more willing to interact with and help others.

Cloud computing adoption and determining factors in different industries: a case study of Thailand

The cloud computing model is a modern concept of computation that provides a number of benefits to its adopters. This online computing model has been widely used in the Western world and accepted to have some business and economic impacts. The aim of this paper is first to provide some basic knowledge about cloud computing and point out the greatest benefit of it, which is cost reduction in fixed ICT capital and services. Second, this study attempts to find the determining factors for cloud computing adoption and proposes some policy recommendations accordingly. Thailand is selected as ground for investigation. The discrete choice model of logistic regression is selected as an econometric tool to extract the relationships of different attributes and the probability of cloud computing adoption in 206 industries. The results point out significant determining factors categorised into internet and technology, cost, and difficulties in ICT usage. Some policy implications include an effort to improve internet capability of employees, provide investment incentives such as tax reduction and low-cost loans for initial setups of cloud computing systems, and develop reliable internet network with advanced capability and low cost of use.

Economies of Scale, Scope and Vertical Integration in the Provision of Digital Broadcasting in Japan

Digital television is transforming both broadcasting and, as a result of convergence, the larger world of communications. The impending analogue switch-off will have a major impact on households all over the developed world. Digital Broadcasting considers the effects of digital television on the availability, price and nature of broadcast services in the Americas, Europe and Japan. It shows how this depends upon what platforms – cable, satellite, fixed or wireless broadband – countries have available for use and also upon government policies and regulatory interventions.

Optimal Pricing of Telecommunications Service in an Advanced Information-Oriented Society

In Japan, the telecommunications market has been developed with the monopolistic supply by the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (NTTPC), which is now privatised. In early 1985 the NTTPC was placed under private management in order to introduce market mechanisms. This market will become highly developed and diversified not only because of the advancement of telecommunications technology but also because of the free entry of competitive firms. In addition, telecommunications systems will be more important as an infrastructure which will sustain the social and economic growth hereafter.