京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(情報学) / 甲第22805号 / 情博第735号 / 新制||情||126(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院情報学研究科社会情報学専攻 / (主査)教授 吉川 正俊, 教授 森 信介, 教授 田島 敬史 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Informatics / Kyoto University / DFAM

By using perceived risk theory to research consumers' feeling of safety in rapid transit, this study brings insight to the limited research area of consumer perceived risk of travelling by rapid transit in the context of unsafe and unpleasant incidents and its effect on consumer search behaviour. The existing models of risk induced information behaviour are mostly relevant for complex decisions. Hence when considering the service characteristics of rapid transit, the established literature is limited which makes it difficult when predicting search behaviour outcomes. From a practical essence, one identified barrier that limits the full potential usage of rapid transit is consumers perceived risk. Problem oriented policies have been implemented to address these issues. However, these initiatives need to be assessed in conjunction with understanding consumer behaviour and risk. Formed by the experiential nature of service, consumers want to reduce risk by processing information. Thus, the purpose of the research is to gain a better understanding of the perceived risk of rapid transit travel with regards to personal safety and exploring its effect on consumer information search behaviour. To address the purpose, the following research questions were stated and tested through hypothesis. RQ1 How do consumers view the perceived risk of rapid transit with regards to unsafe and unpleasant events? RQ2 How does the perceived risk of rapid transit with regards to personal safety, affect consumer search behaviours? By conducting extensive literature search, a theoretical framework could be concluded. Consisting of theories and models from the marketing literature with emphasis towards consumer behaviour and perceived risk. Empirical data was gathered and tested against the theoretical basis using a quantitative method of questionnaire survey and yielded 117 respondents. The empirical data was analysed using multivariate methods where the results were compared against the literature. The study can conclude that established theories and models can partially be used to understand perceived risk and information search behaviour in the context of rapid transit. The concluded results suggest safety as an important buying goal when selecting transportation mode. Although a perception of risk is present when travelling by rapid transit. The perceived risk can also be concluded to affect information search behaviour. Where increased perceived risk also increases information search. The information search can both be through active and passive information acquisition. Where passive search is deemed as the dominant search behaviour. This could partially be explained through rapid transits purchase characteristics of being habitual buying, with an iterative process of passive absorption. Lastly, natural dominant channels are considered most useful to acquire information and past experience the single most useful source. Moreover, the theoretical implications are significant in the view of understanding consumers' search behaviour when dealing with perceived risk of travelling by rapid transit. In a practical sense the implications are significant when considering the importance of understanding perceived risk in conjunction with consumer search behaviour when implementing strategies. Further research, however, is needed to understand perceived risks underlying relations to consumer search behaviour when dealing with habitual buying behaviour and unique service environments.

This dissertation deals with the decision-to-move process of elderly persons—from a marketer's perspective. The central problem addressed is the lack of empirical knowledge concerning the factors and influences associated with the information search process of elderly persons in making a residential move decision. The purpose was to investigate and understand the key factors and influences which are viewed as important by elderly individuals in their search for and use of information.

To capture diverse aspects of smart shopping for apparel, a comprehensive measurement based upon (a) shopping benefits and costs, (b) consumption economics, and (c) and consumer decision making stages was developed. Employing an extensive literature review, focus group interviews, personal interviews, and surveys, we developed the three-stage, seven-dimensional, and gender-neutral smart shopping measure for apparel. The smart shopping dimensions identified were: information search and planning in the prepurchase stage; effort/time savings, right purchase, and money savings in the purchase stage; and satisfaction and word of mouth in the postpurchase stage. The measure was validated with multiple tests and a structural model validated the significance of the proposed relationships among constructs. This study expanded the conceptualization of smart shopping for apparel by investigating cost and benefit components, by uncovering specific outcome constructs, and by identifying activities that generate smart shopper feelings. Suggestions for retailers as well as future research directions are provided.

På grund av teknikens snabba utveckling behöver företag utveckla sina förmågor inom bevakning och analysering av ny information för att på så sätt få eller bevara försprånget gentemot sina konkurrenter. Många företag har en bristande strategi när det kommer till marknadsanalyser och företagen behöver idag förbättra sin utvärdering av verksamheten, marknaden och konkurrenterna. Syftet med detta arbete är att undersöka processen då ett företag ska hitta, studera och integrera ny teknik. Vidare ämnades det undersökas vilka utmaningar som finns för dessa processer och vilka metoder som används för att ta sig runt dessa. Frågeställningarna besvarades genom att inledningsvis upprätta ett teoretiskt ramverk av referenser och undersöka ämnet genom litteraturforskning för att få en grundläggande förståelse. Teorin jämfördes med en empirisk studie baserad på semistrukturerade intervjuer av verksamma på ett företag inom fordonsindustrin. Resultatet av studien visade att respondenterna inte använder sig av en bestämd systematik för omvärldsanalys och insamling av information utan snarare baserar sina metoder på det som passar bäst individuellt. Det finns utmaningar för nyanställda att hitta sin egen metodik och det finns även andra utmaningar såsom att specifika problem är svåra att hitta information om samt att företagets sekretess försvårar informationssökningen. För att effektivisera omvärldsanalysen och informationssökningen beställer företaget in produkter från konkurrenter som analyseras. Det tas även hjälp av intern expertis för att få utökad kunskap inom ett visst ämne. AI kan komma att bli ett viktigt verktyg för insamling av information i framtiden men är idag ej tillämpbart inom vissa organisationer på grund av företagssekretess. / Due to the rapid development of technology, companies need to develop their capabilities in monitoring and analyzing new information in order to gain or maintain an advantage. Many organisations lack strategies when it comes to market analysis and are in need to improve their evaluation of business, market and competitors. The purpose of this work is to investigate the process when an organisationsearches for, studies and integrates new technology. Furthermore, the work aims to investigate which challenges exist for these processes and which methods are being used to ease these challenges. The questions were answered by initially establishing a theoretical framework of references and researching the topic through literature research to gain a basic understanding. The theory was then compared with an empirical study in the form of views from interviews of employees at a company in the automotive industry based on a semi-structured interview survey. The results of the study showed that the respondents do not use a specific system for intelligence analysis and gathering information, but rather base their methods on individual preferences. There are challenges for new employees to find their own methodology and other challenges such as specific solutions are difficult to find and that the company's confidentiality requirements obstruct the search for information. In order to streamline the analysis of the environment and the search for information, the company orders products from competitors that are analysed. Internal expertise is also used to expand their knowledge within a certain subject. AI may become an important tool for gathering information in the future, but as of today it may still be an issue using it as a tool due to corporate confidentiality.

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The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of public information sources on an individual's satisfaction with the search process undertaken to select a physician. A quasiexperimental research design was adopted to randomly divide the medical staff of a large central Florida medical group into control and intervention groups of approximately 77 physicians each. The intervention involved insertion of the website address to online physician report cards on to each intervention group physician’s profile in the physician directory on the medical group's website. After two months, data were collected consisting of all individuals who had scheduled first-time appointments with one of the medical group's physicians during the two-month intervention period. A random sample of patients was drawn from each group and sample members were mailed a 62-item questionnaire along with a cover letter, summary of the research and postage-paid reply envelope. A total of 706 questionnaires were mailed and 61 completed questionnaires were returned, an 8.64% response rate. Intent-to-treat analysis was conducted using independent-samples t-tests to compare the research study’s continuous variables' mean scores for control and intervention group participants. The analysis revealed no significant difference in scores for control and intervention groups with the exceptions that the control group was somewhat more committed to conducting a search and selecting a new physician. The control group said the physician's communications skills influenced their satisfaction with the search and selection of a new physician quite a lot while the intervention group said physician communication skills somewhat influenced their satisfaction with search and selection. iv Results of the covariance structure analysis demonstrated that information use and level of commitment to search and select a new physician independently predict search satisfaction. As information use and search commitment increase, a patient's satisfaction with the search increases as well. Furthermore, as information use increases, the variety of information sources relied upon or used also increases. The findings support the alternative hypothesis that the positive or direct effect of physician report cards is demonstrated in the time and cost of patient search for a physician for both intervention and control groups. One other alternative hypothesis was partially supported, i.e., the effect of household income is confirmed in patient search and satisfaction in selecting a physician. The alternative hypotheses that proposed that physician report cards are more likely to be used to search for a medical specialist and that physician experience, office location and accepted insurance effect patient search and selection of a physician were not tested. Two other alternative hypotheses were rejected. The research findings also indicated that predictors of health care information search satisfaction vary based upon the environment and contextual factors in which the search is conducted.

The children's taunt "Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers" gives new credence to the information search process at the elementary school level. Children keep what they find, claim it as their own, and accept information without discernment or critique. This study examines the effectiveness of teaching information literacy skills through three different approaches. The first curricular approach uses direct instruction to teach children how to do research using the Florida Research Process FINDS Model. The second approach pairs the FINDS Model with a unit of study that is related to classroom curriculum. The third approach examines the FINDS Model in conjunction with project learning, a constructivist model based on student interest. One hundred twenty- eight third grade students attending a public elementary school in Southwest Florida during the 2008-2009 school year participated in the study. A mixed-methods research approach was used to gather data. Quantitative data was collected with an information literacy pre and post test, and an anonymous media lessons" survey about student preferences. Qualitative data were gathered through a review of student work samples and student interviews. Statistically significant gains were found between the pre to post test scores for all three groups, however no statistically significant differences were found among groups. Although quantitative data did not reveal differences among the treatment groups, qualitative findings revealed that the group taught research skills through the connection to classroom curriculum approach performed better. Thus the findings of this study support existing research which proposes that the best practice for teaching research skills to young children is through a connection to classroom curriculum.

When entrepreneurs are searching for more information to develop their business ideas, they generally do not have enough time to do extensive research and thus are inclined to take shortcuts. This could undermine the rationality of their decisions, depending on what information is not found. However, one popular shortcut offers an interesting opportunity. By consulting experts, entrepreneurs can save time and, if they apply the search principles identified in this study, they can further avoid search obstacles, such as cognitive biases and poor decision framing. For example, by consulting skeptics of a technology, entrepreneurs can counteract their own optimism. While the right mitigation techniques for bias may seem obvious once the bias has been identified, acting pro-actively is not obvious and seems to require experience or prior learning. The results of this study were obtained by applying grounded theory on data obtained from semi-structured interviews. Nine interviews were done in Stockholm, Sweden. The interviewees included founders of companies, a business developer and a business coach for entrepreneurs.

En omfattande transformering av marknadsmiljön har bidragit till funderingar och frågor gällande om kundrelationshantering är tillräckligt utvecklat för att hänga med i digitaliseringens framfart och lever upp till dagens konsumentförväntningar. Den litteratur som finns påvisar trots allt en hög grad av misslyckande relaterat till implementering av kundrelationshantering. Teori kring varför misslyckanden uppstår är dock bristfällig, men befintlig litteratur pekar på att bristfällig förståelse gällande framväxande teknologi kan vara en bidragande orsak. Syftet med studien är att förstå hur digitaliseringen påverkar kundens informationssökning och vad detta kan få för konsekvenser på relationen till säljaren. För att kunna besvara syftet genomfördes en empirisk undersökning baserad på en kvalitativ design där fem köpare och fem säljare inom bilbranschen intervjuades.  Resultatet påvisar att det digitala informationsflödet bidrar till att det för kunden har blivit bekvämare att söka och hitta information. En aspekt som till följd av digitaliseringen visat sig vara den avgörande faktorn gällande utformningen av kundens externa informationssökning. Resultatet påvisar dock att kunden i större utsträckning uppfattar osäkerhet och risk om information hämtas från internet, detta på grund av svårigheten att avgöra vad för information som är korrekt. Studien bidrar till ett förtydligande gällande kundrelationshanteringens utformning för att bekräfta dagens konsumentförväntningar i och med en digitalisering av marknadsmiljön. Hanteringen av säljarens relation till kunden bör utformas som konsulterande med fokus på informationsbekräftelse och rådgivning. Relationen till säljaren är viktig för kunden, men ur ett kognitivt anseende snarare än ett affektivt. / An extensive transformation of the market environment has contributed to reflections and questions regarding whether customer relationship management is sufficiently developed to keep up with the progress of digitization and live up to today’s consumer expectations. Nevertheless, the existing literature demonstrates a high degree of failure related to the implementation of customer relationship management. However, theory around why failures occur is lacking, but existing literature points to a lack of understanding regarding emerging technology as a contributing cause. The purpose of the study is to understand how digitization affects the customer’s search for information and what consequences this may have on the relationship with the seller. In order to answer the purpose, an empirical investigation based on a qualitative design was carried out where five buyers and five sellers from the car dealer industry were interviewed. Results demonstrate that the digital information flow contributes to the fact that it has become more convenient for the customer to search and find information. An aspect which, as a result of digitization, has proven to be the decisive factor regarding the design of the customer’s external information search. The results show, however, that the customer perceives uncertainty and risk to a greater extent if information is obtained from the internet, this due to the difficulty in determining what information is correct. The study contributes to a clarification regarding the design of customer relationship management in order to confirm today’s consumer expectations with a digitization of the market environment. The handling of the seller’s relationship with the customer should be designed as consulting with a focus on information confirmation and guidance. The relationship with the seller is important to the customer, but from a cognitive rather than an affective perspective.