The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the relationship between rating accuracy and distributional rater errors through applying an analysis model of merit rating errors. The result of an experiment involving a total of 190 undergraduate students shows a high correlation between elevation, one of the rating accuracy components, and the estimated value of distributional rater errors when applying an analysis model of merit rating errors. This suggests that for distributional rater errors, using an analysis model of merit rating errors is an effective measure for rating accuracy in comparison with traditional rater error measures (e.g., average, kurtosis, skewness, standard deviation).

View full abstract

Service systems can be designed efficiently and effectively as a result of clarifying the distinctive properties of the system. Compared to other systems, service systems require more functions that are not designed in advanced. Functions not designed in advance, that is "non-predesigned functions", can be designed based on an analysis of what causes these functions. This paper aims to clarify the non-predesigned factors in a service system and examines measures used to design the system. Firstly, the distinctive properties of the service system compare with other systems are clarified. Secondly, non-predesigned factors are clarified based on these distinctive properties. Finally, measures used to determine the non-predesigned functions during system design are indicated. These measures must be used effectively in order to design service system that realizes high customer value.

View full abstract

Most regional shopping streets in Japan are gradually disappearing. The reasons for this trend are the automobile society, diversified consumer needs, fewer markets and an increase in the number of large suburban shopping malls. On the other hand, information technology has recently begun to be used in the business operations of shopping streets, and community business has been attracting considerable attention. Community business can be defined as activities involving the continuous use of business techniques through which community residents deal with regional problems; particularly, problems that are often difficult for public institutions and enterprises to resolve. In addition, there are high expectations that shopping streets can manage community business because they have a significant influence on the community based upon the fact that stores in shopping streets have commonly been deeply entrenched in the local community for a long time. In this study, we construct an information system that supports the activities of shopping streets. This system is used to collect information provided by stores in the shopping street and local residents who visit the shopping street. Furthermore, we analyze community activities based on the information collected using this system. The system has been used for a regional shopping street called Zaimokuchou in Iwate since September 2008. The regional characteristics that are important for practicing community business are clarified by analyzing the collected information.

View full abstract