C. lo Storto
A Distributed Cognition Framework to Compare ECommerce Websites Using Data Envelopment Analysis
863 - 871
2009
3
4
International Journal of Computer and Information Engineering
https://publications.waset.org/pdf/6490
https://publications.waset.org/vol/28
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
This paper presents an approach based on the
adoption of a distributed cognition framework and a non parametric
multicriteria evaluation methodology (DEA) designed specifically to
compare ecommerce websites from the consumeruser viewpoint. In
particular, the framework considers a website relative efficiency as a
measure of its quality and usability. A website is modelled as a black
box capable to provide the consumeruser with a set of
functionalities. When the consumeruser interacts with the website to
perform a task, heshe is involved in a cognitive activity, sustaining a
cognitive cost to search, interpret and process information, and
experiencing a sense of satisfaction. The degree of ambiguity and
uncertainty heshe perceives and the needed search time determine
the effort size – and, henceforth, the cognitive cost amount – heshe
has to sustain to perform hisher task. On the contrary, task
performing and result achievement induce a sense of gratification,
satisfaction and usefulness. In total, 9 variables are measured,
classified in a set of 3 website macrodimensions (user experience,
site navigability and structure). The framework is implemented to
compare 40 websites of businesses performing electronic commerce
in the information technology market. A questionnaire to collect
subjective judgements for the websites in the sample was purposely
designed and administered to 85 university students enrolled in
computer science and information systems engineering
undergraduate courses.
Open Science Index 28, 2009