Wee-Kek Tan

Consumer-based decision aid that explains which to buy

Providing explanation to justify product recommendations is critical in the online purchase decision process. Bulk of the extant literature has focused on the provision of decision aids facilitating screening of product alternatives and presenting of filtered alternatives. In comparison, few studies are conducted to examine decision aids that support the assessment and evaluation of the presented product alternatives prior to actual purchase, i.e., explanation-featured decision aid. This article conceptualizes three implementations of explanation aid differed by the forms of explanation elaboration. Experimental results indicate that a more elaborated explanation aid could heighten a consumers decision confidence leading to lesser cognitive effort expended and inferior product choice made. Highlights? We proposed three types of explanation aid differing in the degree of elaboration. ? They are trace of reasoning (most elaborated), justification and strategic. ? Using a more elaborated explanation aid will increase perceived decision confidence. ? Using a more elaborated explanation aid will decrease decision time. ? Using a more elaborated explanation aid will decrease decision quality.

Real-time parallel adaptive neural network control for nonlinear servomechanisms—an approach using direct adaptive techniques

Abstract In this paper, a parallel adaptive neural network control system applicable to nonlinear dynamical systems of the type commonly encountered in many practical position control servomechanisms is developed. The controller is based on the use of direct adaptive techniques and an approach of using an additional parallel neural network to provide adaptive enhancements to a basic fixed neural network-based nonlinear controller. Properties of the proposed new controller are discussed in the paper and it is shown that if Gaussian radial basis function networks are used for the additional parallel neural network, uniformly stable adaptation is assured and asymptotic tracking of the position reference signal is achieved. The effectiveness of the proposed adaptive neural network control system is demonstrated in real-time implementation experiments for position control in a servomechanism with asymmetrical loading and changes in the load.

Conveying information effectively in a virtual world: Insights from synthesized task closure and media richness

Scholars and practitioners alike increasingly emphasize the importance of the virtual world as a new medium of communication. Key to the success of this digital medium is its ability to support information exchange when compared with face-to-face communication. Its potential is highlighted by the literature illustrating the inadequacy of traditional computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools, such as e-mail and video conferencing, to support communication among geographically dispersed coworkers. Many of the traditional CMC tools lack the needed support for effective information exchange to varying degrees. The emergence of a sophisticated virtual world, such as Second Life, has met this dearth. We draw on the theories of task closure and media richness to propose a parsimonious model of information exchange behavior in a virtual world context. Observations from a series of group-based project discussion sessions in face-to-face and virtual world settings, respectively, suggest that the information exchange between coworkers in both settings could be similar. Specifically, virtual coworkers might be able to achieve task closure (i.e., the complete transmission of intended work-related information) in the same way as their counterparts in the face-to-face context.

A self-organizing fuzzified basis function network control system applicable to nonlinear servomechanisms

The application and extension of suitable techniques for integrating neural network and fuzzy system methodologies to enhance a basic fixed neural network-based nonlinear control strategy with the property of self-organization are investigated. It is shown that by establishing a suitable correspondence between Radial Basis Function networks and fuzzy systems, it is possible to develop a self-organizing controller, utilizing a class of Fuzzified Basis Function Networks (FBFN), that autonomously organizes its network structure to the required size and parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed self-organizing FBFN control system is demonstrated in real-time implementation experiments for position control in a servomechanism with asymmetrical loading and changes in the load.

Training students to be agile information systems developers: a pedagogical approach

This article reports four consecutive semesters of continuous effort to refine an Information Systems (IS) development course in a public university. The course seeks to impart IS undergraduates, future Information Technology (IT) professionals, on the importance of agility, flexibility and adaptability in enterprise-level software development. Several unique characteristics of the course include (1) the emphasis on team-based guidance rather than traditional lecture-based teaching, (2) the stress on providing working, integrated software solution, (3) the value of adopting progressive and flexible method of software development, and, most notably, (4) the importance of being adaptive to changes in system requirements. A hybrid agile methodology developed for conducting the course is also discussed.

Training students to be innovative information systems developers: synergizing project-based learning with problem-based learning

The competitive nature of todays business environment has made it necessary for educators to inculcate in our students a sense of innovativeness in Information Systems (IS) development. While working on real-world projects presents the most ideal opportunity to achieve this objective, it is not always possible to gain access to them. This paper proposes how the case study pedagogy using problem-based learning can be synergized with project-based learning to provide a feasible alternative. An integrative research model based on the IS development methodology acceptance theories is used to investigate the usefulness, satisfaction and acceptance of the proposed business innovation process.

Developments in learning control enhancements for nonlinear servomechanisms

Two learning control enhancement schemes applicable to nonlinear dynamical systems of the type commonly encountered in many practical servomechanisms are developed. The key difference between the two schemes lies in the fact that the first scheme utilizes previous cycle errors in the learning strategy while the second utilizes present cycle errors. The uniqueness of these learning controllers is that, in contrast to existing learning methods, they make full use of available a priori information on nominal models of the system and, as a result, overcome the problem of large swings in the control effort during the learning process, which is a major problem with conventional learning controllers. Properties of the schemes are discussed, and it is shown that the strategies developed assure iterative improvement in repetitive operation and asymptotic tracking of the reference signal. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed schemes are then investigated and compared through simulation.

Impact of blog design features on blogging satisfaction: an impression management perspective

Trends observed among bloggers worldwide suggest that self-presentation is a main motivation to blog and a greater majority of bloggers do so with the aid of third party hosting services and tools. Thus, providing tools that are designed to meet the usability requirement of bloggers with respect to self-presentation may increase blogging satisfaction. Grounded on the theory of impression management, we propose that a blogger actively engages in impression management with content, functional and aesthetic blog design features. This can lead the blogger to obtain a perceived confirmation from the readers of his or her identity, i.e., perceived identity verification. Perceived identity verification may heighten blogging satisfaction since it helps the blogger to achieve the goal of self-presentation. Results obtained from an online survey, which was preceded by a focus group discussion, provide support for our conjecture. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

A framework for robust neural network-based control of nonlinear servomechanisms

Abstract A framework for robust neural network-based control of nonlinear servomechanisms is proposed and presented. This framework utilizes a general controller structure that comprises a nonlinear compensation block and a robust control block. Two different strategies for designing the control laws for these are discussed and it is shown that uniform stability of the overall system even in the presence of modeling mismatches and non-parametric uncertainly is achieved. The effectiveness of this proposed framework is demonstrated in real-time implementation experiments for position control in a servomechanism with asymmetrical loading and changes in the load.

The Social Dimension of Mobile Commerce – Engaging Customers Through Group Purchase

Social commerce and mobile commerce have become increasingly popular in recent years because they enhance customer’s shopping process and increase businesses’ revenue. However, the extant literature does not prescribe sufficient design guidelines for implementing social commerce in a mobile commerce context. This research draws on the idea of group purchase to inject an element of social commerce into mobile commerce. A set of mobile commerce design features is carefully contrived to support group purchase in a process that maximizes social interaction among customers and their shopping partners. This could potentially increase user engagement with the mobile commerce application and encourage customer loyalty and repeated purchase.