Leif B. Methlie

Understanding mobile commerce end-user adoption: a triangulation perspective and suggestions for an exploratory service evaluation framework

In the literature on mobile commerce service adoption, aggregate diffusion issues or technology issues are usually the focus. However; a comparison of the slow adoption of WAP services in Europe with the successful adoption of comparable I-mode services in Japan and technologically simple SMS-based services in Scandinavia, suggests that aggregate and technology-based models are insufficient to explain the mobile commerce adoption process. We suggest that alternative explanations may be found in both the business models at the supply side and in the individual end-users behavior at the demand side of the mobile commerce value chain. We focus on this demand side issue, and consider the adoption requirements of mobile commerce end-users. A triangulation of three perspectives on the mobile commerce end-user is suggested to understand and explain the end-user adoption process. The three perspectives view the end-user as a technology user, a consumer and a network member, respectively. The three perspectives are combined in a common framework. With each perspective follows relevant theories, models and methodologies. We also suggest applying the framework to design evaluation guidelines that can be used by service providers, operators and terminal producers to evaluate and predict end-user adoption of mobile commerce services in 3G and later mobile technologies.

Business model choices for value creation of mobile services

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the link between business model decisions and customer value creation for mobile services.Design/methodology/approach – An empirical survey was conducted of 54 service provider professionals across six mobile services.Findings – The paper reveals that there is a categorization of mobile services according to extrinsic and intrinsic effects on end‐user values. Mobile specificity is found to be the most influential business model option. The research model was found to be adequate for empirical studies.Research limitations/implications – This is an explorative study.Practical implications – The findings of this study can be used by service providers of mobile services to choose options that improve the customer value of a service.Originality/value – This paper is a new economic study of the link between a business model and performance based on end‐user values. It is of value for service providers and researchers.

Tourism web sites and value-added services: the gap between customer preferences and web sites' offerings.

The purpose of this article is to report on a study of 1) what kind of value-added services offered by tourism businesses’ Web sites are perceived the most important by customers, and 2) a comparison between customers’ preferences for and the actual offerings of value-added services by tourism businesses’ Web sites. A survey among customers of online tourism businesses shows that search engines, service integration, and personalization are the most preferred value-added services by the customers. In addition to the survey among customers, a survey was undertaken among tourism businesses to reveal the level of value-added services offered on their Web sites. By comparing the results of customers’ preferences for value-added services and tourism companies’ offerings, it is found that tourism businesses should provide more value-added services on their Web sites in order to fill the gap between customers’ preferences for such services and the companies’ actual offerings.

Data management for decision support systems

In describing a DSS architecture it is common to include a database as a component in the system. However, the DSS literature pays little attention to the data management function. Emphasis is placed on model aspects and user-system interface. In this paper we shall develop some characteristics of the data management function for a DSS. They are based on data management functions in some existing management tools as well as general developments within database theory. Finally, a particular feature of data management, data extraction, is treated. Data extraction enables loading of data into a DSS from data files external to the DSS.

Exploring the Relationship Between Mobile Data Services Business Models and End-User Adoption

Adoption of mobile data services may be analyzed within the framework of two-sided markets. Service or content providers should adopt platforms for developing, integrating and distributing mobile services and end-users should adopt the offered services as well as the user platform offered. These two markets are often analyzed separately using different theoretical perspectives and models. In this article, we propose a model for integrating the two sides of the mobile data services market. The model is used to propose relationships between dominant actors’ choice of business models for individual services and the end-users’ perceived value of these services.

The drivers of services on next-generation networks

This paper is concerned with the drivers of service development on future telecommunication networks. As these networks are being transformed into next-generation networks, new and different services are being developed and mediated. However, little is known about the drivers of this development, and frameworks for strategic management of service innovation are scarce. This paper offers two contributions. First, it develops a conceptual framework for the identification and classification of drivers. This framework is derived from prevailing theories in organizational economics, strategic management, and marketing. Second, it presents, based on an analysis of contributions from 24 domain experts, which types of drivers for network service development receive the most attention by the experts. The analysis reveals that demand factors like customer values, service quality, and user readiness by far outnumber the supply factors as well as the general environmental factors, demonstrating the importance of the users for service development in this area. The results will assist service providers to identify drivers of a specific service offering and adjust the business model to these drivers.

On knowledge-based decision support systems for financial diagnostics

This paper consists of two parts. In the first part a conceptual framework of knowledge-based DSS for financial decision making is discussed. Characteristics of the DSS technology and the expert system technology are described. Subsequently, as financial decision making to a large extent is diagnostic decision making, a diagnostic reasoning process is described in terms of conceptual structure, tasks, reasoning strategy and classification. Finally, a conceptual framework of a knowledge- based DSS supporting financial diagnostic tasks is described focusing on functional capabilities and systems architecture.

External information services: A survey of behavioral aspects of demand

Abstract More and more of the information a company needs to know about its environment will be computerized. On-line databases will be available in remote locations and interrogated by persons being assigned gatekeeping functions in various sectors of the company. This paper describes some characteristics of the external information services sector of the information business. It reports the findings of a survey of demand of external information services among Norwegian industrial companies. It seeks to determine usage patterns on the basis of company characteristics, awareness, and experience. Attitude profiles are computed for users and non-users.

Schema design using a data structure matrix

Abstract A formal design procedure of a data base schema based on the conceptual framework of the Codasyl DBTG, is presented. A data structure matrix is used to identify and interrelate entry types of the data base. The design procedure rests upon a description of the set of information messages conceptually communicated with the data base. The messages are determined by an information analysis. The derived schema is a feasible DBTG-schema, i.e. the information requirements are retained in the entry and set types defined. However, the schema is not evaluated with regards to efficiency. The data structure matrix is compatible with the well known data structure diagram. However, the matrix includes the structural elements as well as entry descriptions. Finally, the design procedure is demonstrated on a case study.