The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology for managing a management-consulting project on the axis of soft systems methodology (SSM). This paper provides a guideline for management consulting business and establishes a hypothesis about relevance between SSM and knowledge management. This paper starts proposing a new model for managing a consulting project. “PMDA cycle” is the core structure of the model and it explains knowledge creating activities. We would like to emphasize that PMDA cycle is more applicable to management consulting than basic SSM, and to suggest that PMDA cycle is related to knowledge management.

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This paper proposes the analytic frameworks of research in organizational knowledge structure for knowledge management. This paper introduce cognitive mapping method, and then explain about the outlines of this method, typical kind (attention map, categorization map, causal map), procedures and methodological points. And we positioned this method in the methods of research in organizational knowledge structure in order to show the direction of empirical research in organizational knowledge structure. It is that we use cognitive mapping method and case analysis multiply.

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Although there are still many technical problems to share knowledge in organizations, there seems to be no established method to measure an effect of knowledge sharing or to explain some crucial points to manage. We argue superiority conditions for an each knowledge management strategy and its constraints using a simulation technique. Throughout this study, we make a recommendation of what means should be used to share knowledge effectively.

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[in Japanese]

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One of the present authors (J. Masamoto) has been engaged in research and development in the industrial field (Asahi Kasei), and has experienced the importance of intellectual property right as the driving force for the progress of industry. Over these past years, the policy of the propatent, which originated in the USA, has formed the new flow of intellectual property right. In this study, the authors discuss the historical background and current situation of the business method patent, and consider its future prospects.

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ERP Implementation is the most important activity for many enterprises which demand quick and agile decision making. However, some ERP Implementation projects were not success or completion. Then, what factors are related with the success or failure of the project? This research analyzes the key success or failure factors for ERP Implementations project. Moreover, we discuss about the reliable criterion.

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In order to implement Business Process Engineering (BPE) smoothly and efficiently, Business Process Modeling (BPMod) software is very useful tool. Many companies have implemented a packaged software such SCM and ERP, and BPMod software tool becomes to be more important. In this study, we shows the case of the most suitable BPMod tool selection by AHP.

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Business Process Movement in which a business is focused from process viewpoint in order to realize agile management is getting to be popular and several modeling methodologies are proposed based on the movement. Most of those methodologies are from the field of traditional information design aiming at seamless implementation from business process design to information system design. In this article, we state a gesign methodology of business process with a given goal based on the viewpoint that a business is a kind of human activity systems.

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Proposing the general idea and the role of the EDR system that supports the extranet design review maneuvers (the EDR maneuvers) and the thing that are cooperating maneuvers, illustrate further that system construction way through case study. The general idea of an EDR system in this research refers to the information infrastructure that supports imagination trial production (digital mock-up) and a remote design review with a plan trial pruduction operation.

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[in Japanese]

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This papaer approached to user requirements definition for software development. Requirements definition is situated at early phase of software development. But all of requirements cannot finish in this phase working. To make progress in the project, decided requirements are appeared on the stage more then re-defined working when we didn’t wish for. How are factors related with changing and amendment requirements? This study is supported a method of controlled factors for requirements definition.

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[in Japanese]

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We, the Electronic Commerce Promotion Council of Japan (ECOM), has conducted an annual “Survey & Analysis of Successful EC Enterprises in Japan and the U.S” since 1998. In FY2001, we expanded our research field from BtoC EC to BtoB EC. The major results of our analysis are as follows: (1) EC popularity in everyday life in Japan; (2) success factors and methods of EC business on consumer front; (3) similarity and difference between BtoC EC and “open” BtoB EC; and (4) business models. This article is reported mainly based on the results of the questionnaire survey with permission the usage of the data from Ecom. Further detailed analysis will be on the next article.

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By consumptive inactivation and diversification of customer’s taste, etc., it is becoming a subject important for a supplier to make the opinion of a customer reflect in product development. However, collecting the opinion of a customer by the conventional method using a postcard etc. requires time and cost. Then, Web is expected in product development as the communication tool which connects a supplier and a customer easily and cheaply. This paper studies the product development which takes in the opinion of a customer by utilizing Web in a maker’s position.

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This paper discusses the differentiation factors among the players in the Internet businesses. The paper points out that the Internet-specified factors effect the differentiation of the businesses on the secondary power. Another point is that the degree of the effects relate to the characteristics of the products of each business site.

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There are many shops that can’t gather clients as the expectation while it is said that the market of the Internet sales for the consumer expanded in this several years. Consumer’s perceived risk is featured in this research as a factor that the development of the Internet shop is obstructed. The trial (risk reduction system) of the various shops to reduce risk was observed and they were classified with the theoretical outline. Furthermore, the consumer questionnaire investigation of the Japanese consumers was conducted. and relations between the consumer attribute and the risk reduction system were explained. The future figure of the internet shops was suggested from this result.

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The occupational description made into the object of teleworking is a white-collar worker job. However, the white-collar meaning is ambiguous. To solve this subject, an information processing-model called the missions and action in a job is proposed. It can be understood as what consists of five actions, read, write, talk, listen and consider. Even if it tries 1980 of a white-collar worker and the comparison of the time analysis in 1999 corresponding to the action, it is in the same tendency. The way a white-collar worker should be is not influenced by teleworking.

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This paper presents a model for two-player gift giving with emotion. It pays attention to a gift giving model that Ruffle proposed, and the expansion of the model by Ruffle is done. First of all, we show the expansive model allowed the receiver’s action. According to the result of an analysis of the expansive model, if the giver gives a gift, the receiver receives it anytime. Next, we consider introducing player types to explain the real world by the model. The result of analysis shows that the receiver does not receive a gift in some condition. In the next place, this paper shows the two terms gift giving model in the case of the receiver does counter giving. In addition, this model allows “fairness” of exchange, and we introduce “economic fairness function.” This function reflects to the utility function for players. We analyze the two terms gift giving model, and consequently the game form can be simplified about some alternatives. We also discuss “psychological fairness function,” and the utility function of n terms gift giving model.

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The accident considered to have generated by man’s misunderstanding has happened. Examination of the process regards the man who cannot correct a misunderstanding as the tendency not to accept various support positively being strong. It is considered important to solve that it is that what man cannot actually correct a misunderstanding. This research examined exper imentally the feeling heuristics and the Less-is-better effect that a belief influenced judgment, using the individual-difference index that influencing two actions, action/state intention nature, and risk intention nature, is considered. As for an action intention-risk pursuit type man, a result cannot correct a misunderstanding, but the man of a state intention shows that risk pursuit type and evasion type all can correct a misunderstanding.

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The purpose of this paper is formalizing an informal group system model consists of the interpersonal relation system components that are emotinal balancing cellular automata designed by agent-based approach. The framework of the interpersonal relation system model is based on the general system theory and the social psychological interaction theories, that are Heider’s balance theory and Festinger’s cognitive dissonance theory. The individual system which composes of an informal group system model has the environment models. The environment models represent the pressure of emotion and any other things of the neighbourhood.

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This Essay deal with IT Manpower training patern in South-East Asia This area is famouse for advaced IT policy (IT20000 etc) in the world. especially, The Sinapore goverment promote IT manpower training policy. IT Manpower training patern consists of four Patern. And these four paterns advanced each other.

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The purpose of this study is to grasp the situation in perspective of the telecommunication infrastructures in Asian countries. Focusing at the possession rate of telecommunication, we analyzed the development stage of each country. We could observe their economic development as “seasonal flying in formation of migratory birds.” Japan in followed by NIES countries, and they are followed by ASEAN countries. Concerning about popularization of fixed phone, we could observe similar development with economic development. In advanced countries, popularization of mobile phone is remarkable, and it is equal to former one. These mean that mobile phone will impact on developing country in near future.

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The informatization of Vietnam has progressed recently, but the growth has realized only in 2 big cities. The future development needs the preparation of infrastructure, the training of teachers, and the policy for the IT industries.

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In this paper, I intend to merge theory of organizational learning with theory of reinforcement learning. I suppose the knowledge creating model of team with multi-agent model. I define socialization as the meeting of team members, externalization as rewriting to database, combination as combining knowledge of database, internalization as memorizing knowledge in database. Through these four phases, they accomplish their tasks. I examine the relation sort of tasks with performance of team and suggest the better combination of four phases.

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In this paper, first we survey the current Peer-to-Peer system and Knowledge Management. In this process we classify more about Peer-to-Peer’s features and the issues which current Knowledge-Management tools contain. Then we propose an architecture for Peer-to-Peer Oriented Knowledge Management System which provides ‘Ba’ environment for question and answers where workers in the enterprise can communicate directly with each other. This system not only inherits the benefits of Peer-to-Peer system but also resolves the common issues facing current Konowledge-Management tools. In this proposed system, we adopted Information-Mining technology to manage user’s knowledge field. So this system contains a simple server which play a roll only to manage the user’s Knowledge.

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Investigating the case of Eisai Co., Ltd., I consider the effects of declaring departmental knowledge vision on corporate intranet in this study. Eisai is developing “the knowledge map” mainly to share the corporate mission with employees. All departments and sub-organizations in Eisai have their knowledge vision after talk, and uploaded it on the intranet. Analyzing survey data and interview data, I got some findings. (1) The knowledge visions at department level and sub-organization level can bridge over the gaps between abstract corporate vision and concrete frontline activities. (2) Through the knowledge vision making process, the dialoging capability of sub-organizations can be improved. (3) To promote collaboration over departments, we need the person who can gain insight into the relations between sub-organizations from their knowledge visions. Just uploading knowledge visions on intranet is not enough.

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This thesis presents the incentive model in which the properties of jobs and the monitoring system are involved. In this model, the properties of jobs formalized as the parameter that business result depends on. I consider three types of monitoring systems. As a consequence, it is shown that the monitoring may induce the expected profits of the principal and the agent’s effort level. To induce more the expected profits of the principal and the agent’s effort level. the principal should forge a good relationship with the agent.

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The purpose of this study is that the neuron in the model of the neural computing is expressed and connected with weighted majority game. We express perceptron which uses a neuron element as a composition element with combination of weighted majority game, and we analyze the neural computing. Moreover, contrarily, we aim for applying the model of neural computing to the social system model using weighted majority game.

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This paper tries to propose a framework for analyzing firm’s information disclosure strategy using a game with information exchange First, we extend traditional games in strategic form, and propose a new form of games with information exchange. Second, we discuss repeated games based on the extended form. Finally, three typical strategies on the propose repeated games of the prisoner’s dilemma will be presented and analyzed through computer simulation. The simulation will show the superiority of a strategy which faithfully discloses information.

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Nursery school managers are working hard in order to fill the capacity in connection with the birthrate decrease, and also directing their power towards childcare everyday. And more, they are going to attain management differentiation by providing infantile guardians with various services. Especially, the guardians are comparatively young. Among them, a person with the high information literacy called “Digital Mama” also exists. Therefore, the service using the information technology is one of the effective means to attain management differentiation. This paper reports the development of a high-tech infantile service which notifies automatically the nursery pick-up bus location, by detecting with GPS, to the guardian’s mobile phone by E-mail. Universities, a company, and a nursery school participated in the development and the service for a guardian was experimentally offered in the nursery school in southern Osaka. The experimental details, including the questionnaire results, are shown in this paper.

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This paper shows an experimental system that generates biological stories and discographical stories of show business artists such as singers, actresses/actors, idols and similar various characters, under the control of a framework of folkloric story. We call this system Geino Narrative Generation System (GNGS). “Geino” is a Japanese word with a very wide meaning which includes show business, performing arts, entertainment and other artistic activities. This system forms a part of a research project on Geino information system which is trying to define various Geino phenomena by the methodology of informatics and develop computer systems for creation and simulation. The Geino information system is a complicated system which executes cyclically and strategically a sequence of processes of generation, circulation and acceptance of diverse narrative texts, and forms a very advanced business form which includes colorful research themes. In this paper, lastly we consider on the implications to the area of marketing of such a simulation system.

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In this paper, we propose a system which user can input information for various database using single input form of electronic mail or portable mail. Thereby, we think that user can input information easily regardless of the skill level of computer operation, because they are familiar to use e-mail operation. Also, we think that user can input information whenever and everywhere by using portable mail. In order to confirm the effectiveness of this system, we held the meetings of idea generation as an experiment and investigated the number of the idea input, awareness, and log data of the participants.

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It is said that it has been developing around B2B smoothly about the EC business of our country. But, there is a subject in the change in relations between the firms along with B2B and the problem in their information sharing. And, it is probably a fact that there are many subjects in the introduction of EDI, the reuse of the EDI data, the increase in efficiency of the payment system, and so on, too. This paper deals with the analysis of the present and subject of B2B and EDI in the Japanese firms based on the questionnaire enforced by authors. As a result, it is found that each firm assumes an unclear attitude to the agreement about the information sharing in the corporate networks. The reuse of the EDI data proceeds in the firms that engaging to EDI is active, too. While the diffusion of the Internet EDI which moves Web-EDI to the center proceeds in many firms, those firms hold a careful attitude to it. Though a new payment means is introduced in many firms under the recent financial deregulation, it became clear that stability to the payment system through the banking service was also being looked for.

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Many Web sites provide information and business. Those Web sites have need of techniques on how to improve the usability for the Web, because usability makes an impression of being aimed for a business. In addition, Web sites must be managed quick response time for access users. In this paper, we analyze user behavior on Web business sites and propose optimum design method.

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The Internet is making the new “E-market” appear. It exceeds the framework of the dichotomy of traditional “Markets and Hierarchies”. Not only is the relationship of a seller and a buyer but a third person’s (market side) intervention which offers the “place” of dealings and is supported in various forms conspicuous there. This research thinks about the justification for existence of a market and the “middle man” in information circulation from a viewpoint of cost and relationship. Based on them, his state of an electronic market is caught in classification theory. And it analyzes positively as a case study based on interviews.

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In spite of the zero interest policy, new loans for equipment funds of the enterprise is still weak implication. We observed the time series character the official interest rates and the plant investment of civilian demands. And we examined the relevant systems a macro-policy making and the micro-management activities from organization cybernetics about the non-linear dynamic change to a divergent structure from the growth process of the economic industry. It is exceeded an economic preference principle, we affirmative suggestion could get it about the way of Japan which turned it to the various high-quality society systems in the long term.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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The purpose of this paper is to introduce a practical learning system for the work study by using a 3D computer graphic simulator. The learning system is consisted of the following two sub-systems. The first sub-system is the dynamic simulation data of “virtual human models” by using the 3D-CG simulator. The second is the new development of educational software systems linked with the dynamically virtual human data.

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The Cyber collaborative education program is one of the most significant projects, using AML (Aoyama Media Labo.) e-learning systems in the research institute of Aoyama Gakuin University. We developed and evaluated this Web-based collaborated business planning education program, not only theoretically but also practically. We will present that the Cyber collaborated program using e-learning systems can help student to understand business planning theory and practice, through discussing capability for frequent communication between a professor and students.

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Computer Ethics covers various themes such as hacker, computer crime, professional ethics, system invasion, responsibility, security, privacy, intellectual property right, encryption and etc. The purpose of this paper is to show the hypothesis that can understand the relations of these themes. First, I would like to offer four categories of invisibility/visibility and professional/user that support us to analyze computer ethics from a bird’s-eye view of point. Second, various themes of computer ethics will be plotted into four categories. Finally, I will discuss the relations of the themes and the contents of them.

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Most of contents related to business are communicated with natural language. They are know-how of trial and error procedures, information for cost reduction, answers for questions during decision making and so on. Recent IT environment enables to accumulate them as electronic data naturally. In this study, methods to analyze and categorize document data have been developed using text-mining technology and knowledge map for intellectual capital. Delegate words of each specialty are grouped and located in the two dimensional map. The related words to the document are highlighted in the map. It is possible to visualize the results of document analysis using knowledge-map.

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We know that text-mining technology is effective to search or to classify documents. Its characteristic consists of using the so-called “co-occurence”; co-occurrence means that two or more similar words appear together. We think that there are many types of information that present this property, music being one them. If we suppose that similar musical notes appear closely, by assigning correspondent words to each note, we believe that text-mining technology can be used to search or classify music. Based on this idea, in the present research we analyzed more than 200 pieces of Japanese popular music. The results obtained by using this analysis were very similar to the opinions that experts on Japanese popular music express intuitively.

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In the data mining fields, we often adopt the selection method that limit great many combinations of item sets to a certain set of rules a priori by the given conditions and thresholds, and some techniques to visualize the selected rules. The oriented graphs, matrix diagrams and Venn diagrams are widely utilized. In this paper, we give a mathematical consideration for representation with Venn diagrams and show some useful conditions for the visualization forms. Next we propose new form of diagram based on the conditions. And we illustrate an implementation using our approach. Finally we discuss the effectiveness of our technique.

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This paper describes a new neural network modeling method for rule extraction, which incorporates an integrated learning algorithm for structure and weight parameters. Although neural networks have wide application, in a multi-layer neural network the establishment of structure parameters such as the number of units and connections between units depends on the experience of the engineer and hence the accuracy of mapping is reduced in many cases. In the proposed method, the structure and weight parameters of neural network in each problem are automatically determined by optimizing production rules by genetic operations. The optimizaiton can be quickly realized by parallel computation.

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[in Japanese]

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Recent rapid IT development potentially enables corporate management to utilize IT (Information Technology) more effectively in order to design a high performance organization. This means that a top management must formulate a distinctive IT strategy, which is unique to the company. In order to do so, a comprehensive IT management approach is required, which have strategy, organization and information system synchronized. In the approach, organizational missions of IT related functions, not IS (Information System), should be identified first in light or corporate strategic intent. Based on the missions identified for IT functions, IT related organizational responsibilities are to be determined, and then organizational skills required to execute the responsibilities are followed to be clarified. Finally, the required IT functions are to be designed into an organization of each company most efficiently as well as effectively. In this process, both to what degree the organizational skill is necessary to the company in terms of core competence and control and to what skill management level (“acquire”, “develop”, ”utilize”, ”maintain”) each required organizational skill belongs must be taken into serious consideration. This Strategic IT Management framework enables a corporate management to focus its resources on the core business by taking account of how IT can be used as a leverage function as well as utilizing IT outsourcing most effectively and efficiently.

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Changes are drastically altering the business environment for every industry. The impact and successive waves of influence that these changes are making is substantial. We focus on Japanese pharmaceutical industry as a case research and investigate the critical factors affecting business strategies from the point of view of the three drastic changes (technological innovaction, social change, and artificial change). The objective of this study is to identify the challenges and opportunities for the industry and enterprises in the context of dramatic business transformation.

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A lot of enterprises separate information system organization as subsidiaries. The original purposes of subsidiarisation are to raise the cost incentives to promote informatization, to establish competitive information systems for parent companies, and to make profits as independent companies. IS subsidiaries must have a balanced strategy between missions as IS organizations of parent companies and as independent companies. We study the best strategy of IS subsidiaries through several case studies.

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Discussions in this paper are shown in below points - (1), (2), (3).
(1) Explaination on concept of redidual variety.
(2) Relevance of residual variety in two mechanisms- adaptation and monitoring - control - in VSM.
(3) The nessecity of enhancement of residual variety. This is modeled by framework of residual variety in Fig. 3.

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