Johanna Kluge

Inside the User’s Mind – Perception of Risks and Benefits of Unknown Technologies, Exemplified by Geothermal Energy

In the context of large scale projects public acceptance is indispensable for a sustainable roll out and broad implementation of technology. Especially when those projects deal with the implementation of relatively unknown technologies like geothermal energy. To find out what communication need the general public has, knowledge about the underlying cognitive attitudes toward the technology as well as the mental representation is important. In this context especially uncertainties about the consequences and risks are of importance. In this study we get a deeper understanding of the mental representation of geothermal energy by uncovering acceptance-relevant cognitions which were assessed by interviews with open answer format. Results show, that especially the communication about risks and possible disadvantages should be integrated in an adequate information strategy.

The potential of Facebook® for communicating complex technologies using the example of deep geothermal energy

Professional and transparent communication processes are crucial for the introduction of new complex technologies. In this context, the potential of social media applications such as Facebook has still to be investigated. Therefore, this paper addresses the potential of Facebook as an instrument in communicative measures for the acceptance of complex technologies taking deep geothermal energy as an example. Based on socio-scientific and linguistic approaches the special characteristics of Facebook as a communication and interaction environment and specific Facebook components are described. The description leads to a discussion about the opportunities and risks of using Facebook in communicative measures. Also, recommendations for the usage of specific Facebook components are given. The discussion shows that Facebook is suited for information as well as inclusion purposes. The Facebook components fan pages, groups and events can be applied as useful components in comprehensive communication strategies for complex technologies. The considerations and recommendations in this study are useful for communication professionals who develop and carry out communication concepts as well as for researchers who deal with Facebook in professional contexts.

As Simple as Possible and as Complex as Necessary

The successful implementation of renewable energy projects – such as deep geothermal power plants – depends on the acceptance of the local public. Therefore an adequate communication strategy is needed. We conducted three empirical studies to get an empirical basis for a communication strategy. Based on that we created a toolkit for the communication of deep geothermal energy. It consists of several hierarchical arranged tools consisting of empirical based advices for a communication strategy. Basically, to reach acceptance communication should create knowledge, trust and transparency. Cornerstones to achieve this are information and participation.

Two Faces and a Hand Scan- Pre- and Postoperative Insights of Patients Undergoing an Orthognathic Surgery

The current study deals with an empirical approach to an improvement of the patient and doctor relationship of patients undergoing an orthognathic surgery. The aim is the development of an information and communication concept for a smooth and positive treatment for medicine and patient. Such an intervention is a decisive experience and needs to be treated very sensitive. Patients with jaw modulation often suffer from medical-functional as well as psychological problems. Also after surgery, the change of appearance might lead to adjustment disorder. Therefore, a well-elaborated treatment is needed and essential. Retrospective already operated patients were interviewed regarding their expectations, fear, hopes and wishes as well as their individual experience with the surgery. The addition of technical support in form of a 3D scan was also assessed. First results portray a big need of an improved medical education concept as well as an overall positive assessment of the 3D scan.

Integrating Potential Users Into the Development of a Medical Wrist Watch in Four Steps

The focus of this study was on the integration of potential users into the development of a mobile medical device from the first idea up to a finished prototype. Apart from medical functions the special feature of this mobile small screen device is its completely icon based menu structure. In three consecutive studies the requirements concerning the design and usability of the wrist watch and its functionality were evaluated. A specific impact had the design of the, warning functions and the icon development that should be easily understood by affected users. In a fourth study, the developed prototype of the mobile small screen device was tested according to usability aspects and comprehensibility of the menu structure. Beyond chronically ill users, which were the target users, a group of healthy users served as control condition for evaluation purposes. Overall it could be shown that a completely icon-based menu structure on a small screen device is not only feasible, but also highly suitable if the design is following a completely user-centered development and evaluation procedure.

Health Is Silver, Beauty Is Golden?

The acceptance of novel technology is one if not the most decisive component of the success of the technology rollout. Though, acceptance criteria differ not only across the diversity of users, but might also differ across the different usage context. This is especially valid for technologies in the health and beauty context, in which the balance between pro-using arguments and contra-using arguments is especially fragile. This paper focuses on the impact of the context towards the motivation to use an invasive technology. A survey was conducted in which 170 participants of a wide age range (17-89 years) took part. In the study, three different usage scenarios were presented (medical scenario, preventative healthcare scenario and beauty scenario). After an introduction into each scenario the participants had to evaluate usage motives and barriers. The results corroborated the impact of the situational context and the dependency of acceptance outcomes on the reasons for which technology might be used. Overall, acceptance was highest for medical technology and lowest for the beauty context. Considering the single reasons for or against the technology, we find that nature and weighing of perceived barriers and concerns are quite similar, independently of the context.