Services For Mobile Users Research Articles

TEFIS: A single access point for conducting multifaceted experiments on heterogeneous test facilities

A few years ago, an experimental facility composed of networking gear and simulation tools was sufficient for testing the main features of a prototype before the final product could be launched to the Internet market. This paradigm has certainly changed, but the lack of platforms enabling the realistic assessment of the different facets of a product, including cross-cutting trials across different testbeds, poses strong limitations for researchers and developers. In light of this, we present an open platform that offers a versatile combination of heterogeneous experimental facilities called “TEstbed for Future Internet Services” (TEFIS). TEFIS provides a single access point for conducting cutting-edge experiments on testbeds that supply different capabilities, including testbeds dedicated to network performance, software performance, grid computing, and living labs. We shall show that TEFIS covers the entire life-cycle of a multifaceted experiment, with the advantage that a single testrun can seamlessly execute across different experimental facilities. In order to demonstrate the potential and versatility of the TEFIS platform, we describe the deployment of four distinct experiments and provide a set of results highlighting the benefits of using TEFIS. The experiments described in this article cover: (i) the experimentation with an open API called OPENER (which is an open and programmable environment for managing experimentation with SDN applications); (ii) an application for skiers and tourists at the Megève ski resort in France; (iii) an application that can dynamically adapt the Quality of Experience (QoE) of multimedia services for mobile users; and (iv) an augmented reality workspace for remote education and learning purposes based on videoconferencing.

Understanding the adoption and usage of mobile payment services by using TAM3

This study aims at introducing a modified Technology Acceptance Model 3 TAM3 to investigate key factors that affect individuals' intention to adopt and use mobile payment M-payment in Jordan. It also helps merchandisers avoid spending thousands or even millions of dollars that, on investments, may have minimal and modest effect on whether or not the individuals tend actually to adopt and to use. To reach such ends, a questionnaire was distributed to collect data from 475 undergraduate university students by using a proportional stratified random sample, and analysed by using a structural equation modelling SEM. Results show that user's adoption and use of M-payment services can be anticipated from users' behavioural intentions, which are significantly affected by the following: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm, image, output quality, self-efficacy, perceptions of external control, and playfulness. This study shows that there is a promising and bright future for M-payment services in Jordan as more than 62% of respondents said that they are willing to merchandise by using their mobile phones.

Analysis of blocking rate and bandwidth usage of mobile IPTV services in wireless cellular networks.

Mobile IPTV services over wireless cellular networks become more and more popular, owing to the significant growth in access bandwidth of wireless cellular networks such as 3G/4G and WiMAX. However, the spectrum resources of wireless cellular networks is rare. How to enhance the spectral efficiency of mobile networks becomes an important issue. Unicast, broadcast, and multicast are the most important transport schemes for offering mobile IPTV services over wireless cellular networks. Therefore, bandwidth usages and blocking rates of unicast, broadcast, and multicast IPTV services were analyzed and compared in this paper. Simulations were also conducted to validate the analytical results. Numerical results demonstrate that the presented analysis is correct, and multicast scheme achieves the best bandwidth usage and blocking rate performance, relative to the other two schemes.

Investigating the Role of Attitude in the Adoption of Mobile Data Services

The present study proposed an extended theory of planned behavior, which includes the attitude construct in its original multidimensional sub groups of cognitive, affective and intention. The author adopted the salient beliefs of Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use from Technology Acceptance Model as the antecedents of the cognitive attitude; and Pleasure, and Arousal aspects of emotion as the antecedents of Affective attitude. The extended TPB model was empirically tested using a utilitarian (mobile money) mobile data services. The author analyzed the data using a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the strength of the relationship between the constructs. The results indicate that the extended TPB provides a satisfactory explanation of the role of attitude in predicting the behavioral intentions of users of mobile data services.

The Effects of Relationship-Destroying Factors on Customer Relationships: Relationship Recovery as the Moderator

threshold for switching mobile phone numbers between different mobile communication service providers has largely decreased since the government lifted the ban on mobile phone number portability service. Users can convert their mobile communication service from their current provider to others while maintaining their existing phone numbers. demand for mobile communication services has been increasing, along with the popular sales of smartphones and tablet PCs. However, more and more complaints have emerged in response to system service failures, employee service mistakes, and the sales promotion activities offered from competitors, which could destroy the trading relationship. These factors will lead to the customers’ intentions of complaining and switching to another service provider. This study aims to explore the relationship between destructive factors in trading relations, service providers’ relationship-recovery policies, and the outcome of customer default. Empirical data were collected from mobile service users through online questionnaires. Using the general linear model (GLM) to test the research hypotheses, the results showed that (1) the relationship-destroying factors including service system failures and personnel service errors positively impact customers’ complaining and switching intentions and (2) the financial and psychological recovery policies might decrease the customers’ complaining intention. Finally, this research also offers mobile communication services providers with strategic implications in customer relationship management. Keywords: Relationship-destroying factors, relationship recovery, customer response To cite this document: Hui-Chen Chang, Yi-Ching Tsai, and Sheng-Yuan Hsu, The Effects of Relationship-Destroying Factors on Customer Relationships: Relationship Recovery as the Moderator, Contemporary Management Research, Vol.9, No.4, pp.369-388, 2013. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.7903/cmr.11261

스마트폰 뱅킹서비스의 지각된 위험과 지각된 즐거움이 지속적 사용의도에 미치는 영향

논문투고일:2013년 10월 27일 논문수정완료일:2013년 12월 13일 논문게재확정일:2013년 12월 18일 * 경희사이버대학교 글로벌경영학과 교수 ** 경희사이버대학교 글로벌경영학과, 교신저자 Recently, due to the proliferation of smartphones, users of mobile banking services which are based in wireless Internet without constraint of the time and places are significantly increased. In the study, considering the characteristics of mobile banking services based on the smartphone and the user behavior. we analyse the factors which have an effect on the behavioral intention to use mobile banking services based on the smartphone. For this purpose, we use the model which is based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and add two constructs:the perceived enjoyment and the perceived risk. A survey data for 194 students at the K cyber university is used for statistical analysis. As a result, the perceived ease of use affects the perceived usefulness and the perceived enjoyment, and the perceived ease of use. And the perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment affect continuous intention to use. On the other hand, the hypothesis which the perceived risk would affect adversely the continuous intention to use is rejected. Through this study, we expect to provide the useful implications for the smartphone banking services and contribute to the development of strategy for them. Keyword:TAM, Perceived Enjoyment, Perceived Risk, Smart phone Banking Service, Smart phone 韓國IT서비스學會誌 第12卷 第4號 2013年 12月, pp.205-218

A consumer value analysis of mobile internet protocol television based on a means-end chain theory

With the rise of the 4G technology, TV or video services based on mobile devices have received increasing attention from consumers. Using means-end chain theory, this study examines the cognitive structure of mobile internet protocol television (IPTV) users. Here, the cognitive structure refers to the attribute–consequence–value linkage that consumers consider as important in mobile IPTV services. The study classifies consumers based on two dimensions (their gender and occupation) and presents hierarchical value maps of mobile IPTV services. For this, the study collects data on 112 potential users of mobile IPTV services by using the association pattern technique. The results indicate as the representative cognitive structure of men and students; as that of women; and as that of office workers.

MetroNet: a disruption‐tolerant approach for mobile downloads on metro systems

ABSTRACTIn this study, we propose a disruption‐tolerant network based system called MetroNet, which exploits the precise schedules of metro systems to pre‐fetch data and facilitate mobile Internet downloads, even if an end‐to‐end path between the source (i.e. content sources) and the destination (i.e. users) does not exist contemporaneously. Using a comprehensive set of simulations, as well as real‐world scenarios of the Taipei and Atlanta metro systems, we demonstrate that MetroNet can handle the intermittent Internet connectivity caused by mobility and therefore provide a better mobile download service. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed call admission control algorithm utilises the network resource effectively and provides better quality of service for mobile users than the first‐come‐first‐serve and least‐first algorithms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Understanding the Patterns of the Usage of Mobile Telecommunication Services by Selected Undergraduate Students in Nigeria

The New technology and information tend to have a lot of attractions on students, especially young adults which constitute the sample of this paper. However, mobile telecommunications offer various services that interest young people. These services are used to create and maintain social interactions while also relying on it for educational purposes. This paper is based on empirical research to examine the academic and social uses of mobile telecommunication services by first-year Information Technology (IT) students at Lagos State University, Nigeria (LASU). Students’ use of mobile telecommunications services is analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the theory of planned behaviour. The study identifies challenges that could affect the use of mobile telecommunication services and it also pinpoints some factors that influence the acceptance and usage of mobile phones in education. The analysis enables the understanding of the significance of the variables and their influences on students’ perceptions. The significance of these factors as well as limitation of the study was ascertained. This paper provides insight into the usage of mobile telecommunication services for different academic and social activities as well as presenting the impact of mobile telecommunication services on students’ life.

Determinants of customer loyalty in Kenya: does corporate image play a moderating role?

Purpose– Although previous studies have attempted to explain why some customers remain loyal to a product or service provider and/or why others switch, few studies have interrogated the role of social pressure as well as the moderating role of corporate image.Methodology– The paper uses a composite measure of customer loyalty which provides both behavioral aspects and attitudinal loyalty. Survey data derived from a sample of 140 users of mobile services in Kenya was used and the hypotheses was tested using moderated regression analysis.Findings– The results indicate that perceived service value, service quality and social pressure were significant predictors of customer loyalty, while customer satisfaction was not significant. Corporate image was found to moderate the relationship between service value, service quality, social pressure and customer loyalty.Research limitations– Even though the study utilized a sample similar to other existing studies, future research should use larger samples, different measures of variables and different contexts.Implications– To improve on customer loyalty, mobile telecommunication firms in Kenya should place more emphasis on the value offered to customers as well as the needs of the social units like family, friends and colleagues. Moreover, telecommunication firms should invest in good corporate image in order to realize the benefits of customer loyalty.Originality/value– The study adds value to the understanding of the determinants of customer loyalty. More importantly, social pressure is an important determinant of customer loyalty. Second, corporate image plays a moderating role in customer behavior. Thus firms eager to engender customer loyalty should invest in corporate image.

스마트폰 기반 멀티미디어서비스에 있어서 지각된 즐거움과 지각된 위험이 수용의도에 미치는 영향

Recently, due to the proliferation of smartphones, users of mobile multimedia services which are based on wireless internet without constraint of the time and places are significantly increased. In this study, considering the characteristics of mobile multimedia and the user behavior, we analyse the factors which have an effect on the behavioral intention to use the mobile multimedia services. For this purpose, we use the model which is based on Technology Accepted Model (TAM) and add two constructs; the perceived enjoyment and the perceived risk. A survey data for 280 students at the K cyber university is used for statistical analysis As a result, the perceived ease of use affects the perceived usefulness and the perceived enjoyment, and the perceived ease of use. And the perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment affect continuous intention to use. On the other hand, the hypothesis which the perceived risk would affect adversely the continuous intention to use is rejected. Through this study, we expect to provide the useful implications for the mobile multimedia services and contribute to the development of strategy for them.

Integrating Technology Readiness into the Expectation–Confirmation Model: An Empirical Study of Mobile Services

The aim of this study was to integrate technology readiness into the expectation-confirmation model (ECM) for explaining individuals' continuance of mobile data service usage. After reviewing the ECM and technology readiness, an integrated model was demonstrated via empirical data. Compared with the original ECM, the findings of this study show that the integrated model may offer an ameliorated way to clarify what factors and how they influence the continuous intention toward mobile services. Finally, the major findings are summarized, and future research directions are suggested.

Cloud-assisted adaptive video streaming and social-aware video prefetching for mobile users

While the demands of video streaming services over the mobile networks have been souring over these years, the wireless link capacity cannot practically keep up with the growing traffic load. The gap between the traffic demand and the link capacity, along with time-varying link conditions, results in poor service quality of video streaming services over the mobile networks, such as intermittent disruptions and long buffering delays. Leveraging the current cloud computing technology, we propose and discuss a framework to improve the quality of video services for mobile users, which includes two parts: cloud-assisted adaptive video streaming, and social-aware video prefetching. For each active mobile user, a private agent is constructed in the cloud center to adaptively adjust the video quality (bit rate) by the scalable video coding technique based on the feedback of link condition. Meanwhile, the online social network interactions among mobile users are monitored by the cloud-based agents, so that the videos that are shared among users will be effectively prefetched to mobile users in advance. The adaptability of the video streaming and the effectiveness of the social-aware prefetching supported by the cloud computing are evaluated based on a prototype implementation of the framework.

Capabilities, Costs, Networks and Innovations: Impact of Mobile Phones in Rural India

India did not participate in the landline phone revolution but has seen an unprecedented growth in mobile phones, with over 919 million subscribers by the end of March 2012, making it second only people face several developmental constraints, such as low literacy, poor healthcare facilities, low per capita income, a high degree of poverty and problems related to poor infrastructure. Mobile phones can facilitate need-based and user-centric information and services at a cost that is affordable to India’s rural population, which was hitherto unreachable. Given this context, this study explores the socioeconomic impact of mobile phone usage in rural areas on the basis of a field survey conducted in two states of India: Punjab – a relatively developed state – and Bihar – a relatively underdeveloped state. The field survey revealed that mobile phones helped users gather information for both agricultural and non-agricultural purposes, as well as enabling them to keep in touch with their relatives and migrant family members. Mobile users benefit by obtaining timely information on a variety of subjects, including on employment opportunities and higher education for their children, by transferring funds and even by calling family members during emergencies. However, there is a marked difference in the usage of mobile phones among those in Punjab compared with those in Bihar. In developed areas, people were found to be early users of new technologies, reflected also in high usage of mobile value-added services (MVAS) and innovative uses like money transfer and agricultural information in Punjab. Meanwhile, a major and somewhat neglected dimension of mobile phone usage is that making communication substantially cheaper promotes social interaction. Multi-locational households with at least one migrant worker are increasing in numbers. Cheap mobile phones help such households keep in touch and remit money. Social relations can also cross traditional boundaries. The study also reveals that there are many innovations in the use of mobile phones, often carried out by users of different kinds, pointing to the importance of users in innovation processes.

Geo-Store: A Framework for Supporting Semantics-Enabled Location-Based Services

Location-based services (LBSs) are popular information services for mobile users, who access them using location-aware mobile devices over wireless networks. To enable devices to understand and exchange information on the Web, LBS providers use Semantic Web data sources to develop semantics-enabled LBSs. However, there are currently limited solutions for processing spatial queries, the building blocks of most LBSs, on Semantic Web data to support these services. The Geo-Store system evaluates spatial queries on RDF triple stores (Semantic Web data management systems) to provide semantics-enabled LBSs.

Prototyping of an E-Commerce Mobile Marketing System

Electronic marketing is an essential part of e-commerce. With mobile device usage trends that grow exponentially in the last several years, providing electronicmarketing services for mobile users has been becoming business opportunities.Despite these opportunities, mobile marketing system for e -commerce has not been widely studied. As mobile devices are personal tools, mobile marketing systems must be properly designed such that the systems will be accepted by users. This paper presents the design and prototype of an e-commerce mobile marketing system resolving user acceptance criteria, such as information personalization, privacy protection, up -to-date content and social network. The proposed system integrates a marketing provider website and mobile applications used by shoppers. The design and prototypeare provided for the website, mobile application and the communication between both sub -systems that employs web services and a clou d service. Prototype testing and evaluation have been performed to ensure that the proposed system works properly.

Examining continuance usage of mobile Internet services from the perspective of resistance to change

Retaining users and facilitating their continuance usage are critical for mobile Internet service providers. From the perspective of resistance to change, this research identified the factors affecting continuance usage of mobile services. We collected data among mobile Internet users and conducted data analysis with structural equation modeling. The results indicated that trust and switching costs have strong effects on resistance to change, which in turn affects continuance usage. In addition, trust affects perceived usefulness and flow experience. The results indicate that mobile service providers need to increase users’ resistance to change in order to facilitate their continuance usage.

Analysis of Mobile Service Usage Behaviour with Bayesian Belief Networks

The purpose of this paper is to identify probabilistic relationships of mobile service usage behaviour, and especially to understand the probabilistic relationship between overall service usage diversity and average daily service usage intensity. These are topical themes due to the high number of services available in application stores which may or may not lead to high usage diversity of mobile services. Four analytical methods are used in the study, all are based on Bayesian Networks; 1) Visual analysis of Bayesian Networks to find initially interesting patterns, variables and their relationships, 2) user segmentation analysis, 3) node force analysis and 4) a combination of expert-based service clustering and machine learning for usage diversity vs. intensity analysis. All the analyses were conducted with handset-based data collected from university students and staff. The analysis indicates that services exist, which mediate usage of other services. In other words, usage of these services increases the probability of using also other services. A service called Installer is an example of this kind of a service. In addition, probabilistic relationships can be found within certain service cluster pairs in their usage diversity and intensity values. Based on these relationships, similar mediation type of behaviour can be found for service clusters as for individual services. This is most visible in the relation between System/Utilities and Business/Productivity service clusters. They do not have a direct relationship but usage diversity is a mediator between them. Furthermore, segmentation analysis shows that the user segment called experimentalists uses more mediator services than other user segments. Furthermore, experimentalists use a much broader set of services daily, than the other segments. This study demonstrates that a Bayesian Network is a straightforward way to express model characteristics on high level. Moreover, Node Force, Direct and Total effect are useful metrics to measure the mediation effects. The clustering implemented as a hybrid of machine learning and expert-based clustering process is also a useful way to calculate relationships between clusters of more than a hundred individual services.

Exploiting Statistical Mobility Models for Efficient Wi-Fi Deployment

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of numerous new Internet services for mobile users. Supporting mobile applications through public Wi-Fi networks has received significant research attention. Nevertheless, recent empirical studies have shown that unplanned Wi-Fi networks cannot provide satisfactory quality of service (QoS) for interactive mobile applications because of intermittent network connectivity. In this paper, we exploit statistical mobility characteristics of users to deploy Wi-Fi Access Points (APs) for continuous service for mobile users. We study two AP deployment problems that aim at maximizing the continuous user coverage and minimizing the AP deployment cost, respectively. Both problems are formulated based on mobility graphs that capture the statistical mobility patterns of users. We prove that both problems are not only NP-complete but are identical to each other as well. We develop several optimal and approximation algorithms for different topologies of mobility graphs. We prove that our approximation algorithms generate the result that is at least half of the optimal solution. The effectiveness of our approaches is validated by extensive simulations using real user mobility traces.

The presence of mobile devices among business students

World and local usage of smart mobile devices has been growing on a year over year basis. Increasing capabilities and popularity of such devices had prompted us to research the usage of mobile devices and services among students of a business school. The research, performed on two groups of students, showed a smartphone penetration rate among our students that is comparable to data from other European countries. The research also proved statistically significant differences between full and part time students, and among varied usage of mobile devices. Not surprisingly, students who use smartphones and/or tablet computers use more mobile services than students without smart mobile devices. Research also showed a more positive attitude towards study among students with access to different devices when compared to students, who only use personal computers.