UGA or TAM: Which Approach Explains Digital Voice Assistant Acceptance Better?

Digital voice assistants (DVAs) have the potential to radically change the communication between companies and their customers in the near future. However, despite enormous cost and convenience reduction advantages for both sides, their acceptance is still limited and even tools for measuring their acceptance are missing. Consequently, in this paper, we investigate whether the Uses and Gratifications Approach (UGA) and/or the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is/are better suited for this purpose. We have a closer look on a popular DVA – Google Assistant – and investigate DVA acceptance in a navigation and sightseeing context using a field experiment and a follow-up questionnaire (n=173 participants). The results are promising: Both approaches (UGA and TAM) are valid tools. Pastime, expediency, and enjoyment demonstrate to be important drivers for using DVAs

PERCEPTIONS ON THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING INNOVATIVE COST AND PRICE ANALYSIS SOFTWARE ACROSS NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND

Consistent with the 2018 National Defense Strategy’s call for organizations to streamline processes, the Department of Defense (DOD) introduced ProPricer proposal analysis software to expedite the government’s modeling, evaluating, and negotiating contractor proposal process. While some DOD acquisition organizations, such as Navy Strategic Systems Programs and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Office, implemented ProPricer proposal analysis software with favorable performance outcomes, it is unclear why other acquisition organizations have not. This qualitative research explores acquisition and contracting leader perceptions on the feasibility of adopting an innovative proposal analysis software platform at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The findings revealed three feasibility of adoption themes: cost versus relative advantage, proposal compliance checks and observability, and compatibility. Recommendations include a phased approach toward ProPricer software awareness, consideration, adoption, and implementation for NAVSEA acquisition and contracting leadership.Civilian, Department of the NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Combining the Technology Acceptance Model and Uses and Gratifications Theory to examine the usage behavior of an Augmented Reality Tour-sharing Application

An intelligent tour service system including an augmented reality (AR) tour-sharing Application (APP) and a query-answering server was developed in this study to promote tourist attractions involving local Hakka culture in Thailand. Subsequently, use of this APP to navigate Hakka culture tourist attractions in Thailand was observed. The novel random neural networks (RNNs) were proposed to obtain query-answering services, and the practical experimental results showed that the accuracy of RNNs was 99.51%. This study also integrated the Technology Acceptance Model with Uses and Gratifications Theory to predict the gratification, usage intention, and user attitudes toward marketed attractions of the AR tour-sharing APP. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and 446 valid questionnaires were returned. The following results were obtained: (a) self-presentation and perceived usefulness (PU) directly influenced gratification; (b) perceived entertainment indirectly influenced gratification through perceived ease of use and PU, and information sharing indirectly influenced gratification through PU; and (c) gratification was significantly and positively related to usage intention and attitude toward attractions. Based on these results, suggestions that new technology marketing can be used to promote causes other than Hakka tourist attractions established in Thailand can be contrived. For example, the tour-sharing APP developed in this study could be applied to emphasize the characteristics of Thai Hakka culture; users’ fondness for self-presentation and information sharing can be used for word-of-mouth marketing to attract additional visitors. In addition, this research provides a reference for enterprises and marketers regarding the use of AR tour-sharing APPs to market tourist attractions, and also for future related studies

Communicating Augmented Reality Devices Improving Technology Acceptance Among Electric Utility Field Workers

Augmented Reality (AR) is very useful for many different fields and purposes such as entertainment, education, military, navigation, industrial, or electric utility. Electric utilities find use in AR due to the flexibility of location and the real-time information sharing with visuals to keep employees safe and efficient. This exploratory study investigated the use of infographic templates as a way to introduce this new technology to line workers in the electric utility field. Infographics were used as a way to prime workers to be more aware of the technology and its possible uses as well as usefulness. Through the use of Communication Accommodation Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, the researcher found evidence indicating that presenting information in a clear and interesting way increased electric utility workers desire to adopt the new technology through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness (Davis, Bagozzi & Warshaw, 1989)

Análisis narrativo audiovisual en la serie de Netflix ‘Sex Education’

Las series en plataformas digitales deben tener en cuenta los elementos presentes en la narrativa audiovisual para que el mensaje que se desea transmitir tenga mayor impacto en el espectador. Por ello, la presente investigación tiene como objetivo analizar la narrativa audiovisual en la serie de Netflix ‘Sex Education’. Es de tipo aplicada, de enfoque cualitativo y con un diseño de estudio de caso. Se utilizó la técnica de observación, como instrumentos se trabajó con la guía de observación y de entrevista. Como especialistas, se contó con los aportes de una guionista y un director de cine para complementar la información del objeto de estudio. Se analizaron las 16 escenas más destacadas de la primera temporada de la serie. Como resultado destacó el uso adecuado de los elementos que presenta la narrativa audiovisual causando un impacto positivo en el espectador. Como conclusión se obtuvo que, de acuerdo a la narrativa audiovisual en la serie de Netflix ‘Sex Education’, se percibe el adecuado manejo de los elementos narrativos complementándose entre sí, lo que permitió que se cuente una buena historia con diversos mensajes claros y generando interés en la persona que lo observa

Exploring Strategies to Integrate Disparate Bioinformatics Datasets

Distinct bioinformatics datasets make it challenging for bioinformatics specialists to locate the required datasets and unify their format for result extraction. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies to integrate distinct bioinformatics datasets. The technology acceptance model was used as the conceptual framework to understand the perceived usefulness and ease of use of integrating bioinformatics datasets. The population of this study included bioinformatics specialists of a research institution in Lebanon that has strategies to integrate distinct bioinformatics datasets. The data collection process included interviews with 6 bioinformatics specialists and reviewing 27 organizational documents relating to integrating bioinformatics datasets. Thematic analysis was used to identify codes and themes related to integrating distinct bioinformatics datasets. Key themes resulting from data analysis included a focus on integrating bioinformatics datasets, adding metadata with the submitted bioinformatics datasets, centralized bioinformatics database, resources, and bioinformatics tools. I showed throughout analyzing the findings of this study that specialists who promote standardizing techniques, adding metadata, and centralization may increase efficiency in integrating distinct bioinformatics datasets. Bioinformaticians, bioinformatics providers, the health care field, and society might benefit from this research. Improvement in bioinformatics affects poistevely the health-care field which has a positive social change. The results of this study might also lead to positive social change in research institutions, such as reduced workload, less frustration, reduction in costs, and increased efficiency while integrating distinct bioinformatics datasets

Strategies to Improve Adoption of the Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework

The U.S. federal government spends millions of taxpayer dollars to implement the federal enterprise architecture framework (FEAF). This qualitative multiple case study extracted successful FEAF implementation strategies used by agencies in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The population for this study included 10 information technology (IT) planners in 3 federal agencies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and triangulated in comparison to 33 public documents. General system theory was used as a conceptual framework for the study, and data analysis included reviews of the academic literature, thematic analysis, and member checking to identify themes and codes related to successful aspects of the strategies collected. Key themes emerging from data analysis included critical leadership support for implementation, organizational culture, practices for maintaining an accurate organizational history, and means to maintain this knowledge. Based on the findings, the implications of this study for positive social change include efficient, effective, and reliable government services for U.S. citizens and a significant reduction in IT spending in federal agencies. In turn, the results may result in effective federal services and effective use of taxpayer money

Leveraging Augmented Reality for Real-time Operational Performance Management

Augmented Reality (AR) projects a virtual overlay onto real space so that the user can see a superimposed image over the real-world background. Although AR has advanced recently and a breadth of applications can be found in practice, they are focused on simple tasks with few examples of more complex work tasks. One area that could benefit from advancing AR technology is operations management, specifically operational performance measurement (OPM); however, a brief review of the literature reveals that this potential application area has not yet been explored. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to investigate the application of AR technology to OPM to improve real-time decision-making and management practice. A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate the current application areas related to management practices. This review did not identify any studies related to using AR to support OPM, but did identify many applications relevant to management activities that empirically demonstrate the benefit of adoption. The review analyzed the current development in this research area and how it has matured including evaluating the applications discussed in the identified publications to demonstrate the existing gap in the research related to OPM applications. An expert study was then conducted to explore potential challenges and benefits of such a device as well as to operationally define effective decision-making for operations managers. The results of the expert study were leveraged to develop a Design of Experiments based laboratory study to empirically test the effects of an AR supported environment on decision-making effectiveness and operational performance. The results showed that the AR device supported improved operational performance, but did not show a significant effect on participants\u27 perceived decision-making effectiveness. This study contributes to the academic literature on technology-enabled OPM and managerial decision-making as well as providing insights for industry professionals interested in adopting AR to support management functions

Information Technology Service Continuity Practices in Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

Disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) not using cloud solutions to ensure information technology (IT) service continuity may not withstand the impacts of IT disruption caused by human-made and natural disasters. The loss of critical IT resources leads to business closure and a resource loss for the community, employees, and families. Grounded in the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies IT leaders in DBEs use to implement cloud solutions to minimize IT disruption. Participants included 16 IT leaders in DBEs in the U.S. state of Maryland. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews and reviews of 10 organizational documents. Data were analyzed using inductive analysis, and three themes were identified: alignment with business requirements, sustaining business growth, and trust in cloud services. One recommendation is for IT leaders in DBEs to ensure cloud-based IT service continuity practices are built into all aspects of small business operation. The implications for positive social change include the potential for economic stability for families and environments that rely on the DBEs for continuing business and employment