End-user adoption of animated interface agents in everyday work applications

Recognizing the potential contribution that interactive software agents bring to everyday work applications, this paper reports on end-user adoption of animated interface agents in one particular work application environment: Microsoft 1 Office. The paper develops and empirically tests a theoretical model of the factors affecting an end-user’s choice to adopt and utilize such interface agents. From this theoretical model, a survey instrument was adapted and administered to 261 participants, familiar with animated interface agents. Results from a partial least squares (PLS) analysis indicates that a variety of factors are at play, which inhibit or foster a person’s choice to utilize and adopt animated interface agents. Of significance is that: (a) both perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment are important influencing factors; (b) users with high scores in innovativeness toward information technology are less likely to find animated interface agents enjoyable; (c) individuals with high animation predisposition scores perceive animated interface agents to be more enjoyable; and (d) users who perceive animated interface agents to be more enjoyable also perceive them to be more useful. Such insights can be used to leverage the introduction and rollout of animated interface agents in everyday work applications in ways that promote their avid adoption and use

A Study of the Relationship between CBT Developers\u27 Multiple Intelligences Dispositions and the Design of Computer-based Training

This study assessed the relationship between CBT developers\u27 multiple intelligences (MI) dispositions and their designs for computer-based training programs (CBTs). This study was based on the theoretical framework of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) and theories about instructional design (ID). Student developers in a class were surveyed using Shearer\u27s Multiple Intelligences Development Assessment Scales (MIDAS), a screening instrument that is designed to determine the students\u27 MIDAS profiles, or their intelligences. The students received instruction in using MI in their CBT design; and, after they had designed their CBTs, four professionals assessed their CBTs for inclusion of MI. Both quantitative and qualitative tests and analyses were performed on the association between students\u27 MIDAS profiles and the CBT reviewer ratings. While the findings of the correlation analysis of the quantitative data were refuted, some of the correlation and regression analyses of the observations of the qualitative data were conclusive regarding the hypothesis. CBT design was influenced by the student CBT designers MI as indicated by the MIDAS profiles, particularly in the qualitative analysis. Positive significant outcomes were reported for the linguistic spatial, intrapersonal, and kinesthetic intelligences. These findings show that knowledge of MI was influential on a few of the design variables, as the students were successful in designing CBTs that reflected inclusion of MI for tailoring to learners\u27 needs rather than to designers\u27 preferences. The information gathered in this study will make a significant contribution to the e-learning field because it sheds light on the association of MI with the development of CBTs

User Perceptions and Employment of Interface Agents for Email Notification: An Inductive Approach

This study investigates user perceptions and employment of interface agents for email notification to answer three research questions pertaining to user demographics, typical usage, and perceptions of this technology. A survey instrument was administered to 75 email interface agent users. Current email interface agent users are predominantly male, well-educated and well-off innovative individuals who are occupied in the IS/IT sector, utilize email heavily and reside in an Englishspeaking country. They use agents to announce incoming messages and calendar reminders. The key factors why they like to use agents are perceived usefulness, enjoyment, ease of use, attractiveness, social image, an agent’s reliability and personalization. The major factors why they dislike doing so are perceived intrusiveness of an agent, agent-system interference and incompatibility. Users envision an ‘ideal email notification agent’ as a highly intelligent application delivering messages in a non-intrusive yet persistent manner. A model of agent acceptance and use is suggested

Biologically-Inspired Concepts for Autonomic Self-Protection in Multiagent Systems

Biologically-inspired autonomous and autonomic systems (AAS) are essentially concerned with creating self-directed and self-managing systems based on metaphors &om nature and the human body, such as the autonomic nervous system. Agent technologies have been identified as a key enabler for engineering autonomy and autonomicity in systems, both in terms of retrofitting into legacy systems and in designing new systems. Handing over responsibility to systems themselves raises concerns for humans with regard to safety and security. This paper reports on the continued investigation into a strand of research on how to engineer self-protection mechanisms into systems to assist in encouraging confidence regarding security when utilizing autonomy and autonomicity. This includes utilizing the apoptosis and quiescence metaphors to potentially provide a self-destruct or self-sleep signal between autonomic agents when needed, and an ALice signal to facilitate self-identification and self-certification between anonymous autonomous agents and systems

Training Effects of Adaptive Emotive Responses From Animated Agents in Simulated Environments

Humans are distinct from machines in their capacity to emote, stimulate, and express emotions. Because emotions play such an important role in human interactions, human-like agents used in pedagogical roles for simulation-based training should properly reflect emotions. Currently, research concerning the development of this type of agent focuses on basic agent interface characteristics, as well as character building qualities. However, human-like agents should provide emotion-like qualities that are clearly expressed, properly synchronized, and that simulate complex, real-time interactions through adaptive emotion systems. The research conducted for this dissertation was a quantitative investigation using 3 (within) x 2 (between) x 3 (within) factorial design. A total of 56 paid participants consented to complete the study. Independent variables included emotion intensity (i.e., low, moderate, and high emotion), levels of expertise (novice participant versus experienced participant), and number of trials. Dependent measures included visual attention, emotional response towards the animated agents, simulation performance score, and learners\u27 perception of the pedagogical agent persona while participants interacted with a pain assessment and management simulation. While no relationships were indicated between the levels of emotion intensity portrayed by the animated agents and the participants\u27 visual attention, emotional response towards the animated agent, and simulation performance score, there were significant relationships between the level of expertise of the participant and the visual attention, emotional responses, and performance outcomes. The results indicated that nursing students had higher visual attention during their interaction with the animated agents. Additionally, nursing students expressed more neutral facial expression whereas experienced nurses expressed more emotional facial expressions towards the animated agents. The results of the simulation performance scores indicated that nursing students obtained higher performance scores in the pain assessment and management task than experienced nurses. Both groups of participants had a positive perception of the animated agents persona

Does the computer helpdesk vocational training course change attitude about customer service?

The purpose of this research was to determine whether The Computer Helpdesk vocational computing course, in conjunction with The Virtual Workplace simulation computer program, changed attitude about customer service. Thirty-seven adult female students at Fujairah Women\u27s College of the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates took part in the study. To assess possible attitude change, a combination of observation, interview and survey techniques were used. The Likert scale customer service attitude survey, which measured beliefs and perceptions about customer service, fanned the primary data gathering instrument. Qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated, and quantitative results were analysed using MANOVA. Results suggest strongly that the combination of the Computer Helpdesk course and the Virtual Workplace simulation program generally did not change attitude about customer service, however some degree or amount of attitude change in some subjects was detected

Self-actualization Resulted in Friendship in Luca (2021)

This research is entitled “Self-actualization Resulted in Friendship in Luca (2021).” It is aimed to uncover Luca’s process of self-actualization through friendship in the Luca (2021) film. The researcher employs a qualitative method in analyzing the data. The data of this research are acquired from dialogues and scenes from the film “Luca (2021)”. Luca is a boy who develops his personality and achieves self-actualization through friendship. This research employs a psychological approach since it examines the analysis that primarily involves Maslow’s theory of self-actualization. Moreover, in order to examine the self-actualization process experienced by Luca as a result of his friendship, the researcher also utilizes friendship theory. Based on Wood’s theory of three fundamental aspects of friendship, this research discovered that the factors that present Luca’s friendship include expressing mutual trust, revealing mutual affection, and providing support. This research also found that three aspects of Luca’s friendship in the Luca (2021) film resulted in his self-actualization. This demonstrates that Luca can meet his physiological requirements, safety and security needs, belonging and love needs, and self-esteem needs adequately through his friendship. As a result, Luca has attained self-actualization, as proven by the friendships he has established. Based on Maslow’s theory of self-actualization, the results of this research reveal Luca’s characteristics as a self-actualizing individual, namely, being realistic person, being self-confident as a sea monster, being attentive to others, having interpersonal connection, willing to learn from anyone, and reaching peak achievement

THE STANCE LOGISTICS: An Attempt to Adapt Logistics Principles on Human and Inter-human Movement Behaviors

The broad span of Logistics Management encompasses control of time, place, movement, energy (efforts, labor), as well as the positioning, stance and movement of products, materials, commodities, and people. This study coins the term Stance Logistics to focus on the stance and movement of people within the range of Logistics principles. The philosophy behind this is to enhance the required sensitivity with respect to management and control of time, place, movement, motion, stance and energy in material and nonmaterial exchanges and in all types of human encounters. Stance Logistics includes not only the “on foot” (pedestrian) or “in-vehicle” (automated) movements and public behaviour in stopping, standing, and positioning, but also individual predisposition of physical and mental response, and awareness (aesthesia). This essay describes the application of the scientific principles of Logistics to the personal experiences of people. Current Logistics literature includes mostly models developed on pedestrian and evacuation movement behaviour. To the author’s knowledge, however, there is nothing documented on the issue of personal individual Logistics Stance. Behaviours, especially that of blocking other people’s ways and passages, intervening, rudeness and queue-jumping in various environmental settings have not been extensively studied, if at all, whether during walking, pausing, stopping, face-to-face encounters, standing or waiting in lines and lanes or waiting for an elevator or metro train door to open. This study seeks underlying clues to increase sensitivity and awareness of people’s movement particularly in public areas by shedding light on Logistics behaviours of people. When combined with applicable models of pedestrian movements and integrated with the general principles of Logistics, Stance Logistics can serve as an important guide to facilitate the daily activities of many people. It is believed that, this exploratory study will pave the way for further research to produce promising results on the aspects of this new concept of Stance Logistic