Marta Díaz Boladeras

Framework for the analysis of executive information systems based on the perceived usefulness and the perceived ease of use

The acquisition and use of information are key factors in successful executive performance. Although there are various and different media that executives use to obtain information, in the last decade the academic research has emphasised computer-based systems. Inside this group of systems, we can find the Executive Information Systems (EIS), which are tools that can help executives to obtain relevant informationmore efficiently.Recently, EIS have been analyzed through the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with significant results. A deeper review of these results, the existing literature, as well as our own experience, suggest there are some factors that affect to the use of EIS indirectly or as moderating variables, instead of directly as recent studies suggest. The objective of our research is to propose a framework based on the TAM, which shows the different types of factors that affect to the Perceived Usefulness (U) and Perceived Ease of Use(EOU) of EIS, as well as how the kind of influence of these factors on U and EOU. ©© Intangible Capital, 2009 – 5(4):370-386 – ISSN: 1697-9818 doi: 10.3926/ic.2009.v5n4.p370-386 Framework for the analysis of executive information systems based on... 371 J.L. Cano Giner – V. Fernandez – M. Díaz Boladeras

Quantity of Movement as a Measure of Engagement for Dementia: The Influence of Motivational Disorders

Engagement in activities is crucial to improve quality of life in dementia. Yet, its measurement relies exclusively on behavior observation and the influence that behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) have on it is overlooked. This study investigated whether quantity of movement, gauged with a wrist-worn accelerometer, could be a sound measure of engagement and whether apathy and depression negatively affected engagement. Fourteen participants with dementia took part in 6 sessions of activities: 3 of cognitive games (eg, jigsaw puzzles) and 3 of robot play (Pleo). Results highlighted significant correlations between quantity of movement and observational scales of engagement and a strong negative influence of apathy and depression on engagement. Overall, these findings suggest that quantity of movement could be used as an ancillary measure of engagement and underline the need to profile people with dementia according to their concurrent BPSD to better understand their engagement in activities.

Evaluating Group-Robot Interaction in Crowded Public Spaces: A Week-Long Exploratory Study in the Wild with a Humanoid Robot Guiding Visitors Through a Science Museum

This paper describes an exploratory study on group interaction with a robot guide in an open largescale busy environment. For an entire week, a humanoid robot was deployed in the popular Cosmocaixa Science Museum in Barcelona and guided hundreds of people through the museum facilities. The main goal of this experience is to study in the wild the episodes of the robot guiding visitors to a requested destination focusing on the group behavior during displacement. The walking behaviorfollow-me and the face-to-face communication in a populated environment are analyzed in terms of guide–visitors interaction, grouping patterns and spatial formations. Results from observational data show that the space con¯gurations spontaneously formed by the robot guide and visitors walking together did not always meet the robot communicative and navigational requirements for successful guidance. Therefore, additional verbal and nonverbal rompts must be considered to regulate e®ectively the walking ogether and follow-me behaviors. Finally, we discuss lessons learned and recommendations for robots spatial behavior in dense crowded scenarios.

Experience the world with archetypal symbols: a new form of esthetics.

This paper reports on the results of a user-based evaluation that was conducted on a 3D virtual environment that supports diverse interaction techniques. More specifically, the interaction techniques that were evaluated were touch, gestures (hands and legs) and the use of a smart object. The goal of the experiment was to assess the effectiveness of each interaction modes as a means for the user to complete common tasks within the application. A comparison is attempted in order to provide an insight to the suitability of each technique and direct future research in the area.According to the theories of symbolic interactionism, phenomenology of perception and archetypes, we argue that symbols play the key role in translating the information from the physical world to the human experience, and archetypes are the universal knowledge of cognition that generates the background of human experience (the life-world). Therefore, we propose a conceptual framework that depicts how people experience the world with symbols, and how archetypes relate the deepest level of human experience. This framework indicates a new direction of research on memory and emotion, and also suggests that archetypal symbolism can be a new resource of aesthetic experience design.

Social HRI for People with Dementia: One Size Fits All?

Motivational and emotional disorders (i.e. apathy and depression) are very frequent in dementia and might greatly affect the positive psychological state experienced during social HRI. We conducted a six-weeks study in two nursing homes comparing the affective states that two playful activities, board cognitive games and social robot play (Pleo), were able to elicit in people with dementia. Results show that a significant increase in pleasure (positive affect) is present in the robot condition when participants are considered in their totality, but once they are grouped based on the presence of motivational and emotional disorders, the pleasure experienced in the robot condition is significantly lower in the group with such disorders.

Electrodermal activity: Explorations in the psychophysiology of engagement with social robots in dementia

The study of engagement is central to improve the quality of care and provide people with dementia with meaningful activities. Current assessment techniques of engagement for people with dementia rely exclusively on behavior observation. However, novel unobtrusive sensing technologies, capable of tracking psychological states during activities, can provide us with a deeper layer of knowledge about engagement. We compared the engagement of persons with dementia involved in two playful activities, a game-based cognitive stimulation and a robot-based free play, using observational rating scales and electrodermal activity (EDA). Results highlight significant differences in observational rating scales and EDA between the two activities and several significant correlations between the items of observational rating scales of engagement and affect, and EDA features.