Abstract
Training of engineers is necessary for business process reengineering or creating new industries with Geographic Information System (GIS). This paper investigates preferences for open courses on GIS. As a result of questionnaires to participants in three conferences, many people are highly interested in applications of GIS and related technologies such as the Internet and cellular phones. A conjoint analysis shows that the respondents prefer open courses resulting in certifications for professional engineers held on Saturdays or in the evenings. Four large clusters exist in respondents from cluster analysis. Although professional engineers receive no preferential treatment in Japanese government offices, some public officials belong to clusters which attach great importance to attending the certified GIS course.
