Developing Value Framework of Ubiquitous Computing

In this study, a value framework for ubiquitous computing is developed and presented. Using ‘value focused thinking’ approach suggested by Keeney, twenty-two potential users of ubiquitous computing were interviewed and 435 statements describing values expected from ubiquitous technology were obtained from these interviews. Subsequent purification and redundancy removal reduces these 435 statements into 166 objectives that these users have in their mind when thinking about ubiquitous computing. These 166 objectives were factorized into 35 objectives through clustering by three experts. These 35 objectives were classified into a means-ends network diagram by analyzing reciprocal relationships among them in a focus group activity of another three experts. Resulting means-ends network reveals a value framework inherent in users’ perception about ubiquitous computing technologies. This framework will be useful as a reference in developing new business models for ubiquitous computing as well as developing useful technologies themselves.