Kathrin Figl

University of Innsbruck | UIBK · Department of Information Systems, Production and Logistics Management

Decision models play an important role in various areas of information systems research, including system analysis and design, compliance management, and various application domains. Decision models must be effectively presented so that analysts can assure their correctness and completeness. So far, empirical research on the cognitive effectiveness...

The dataset contains full-page screenshots of homepages of commercial banking (N = 1033), online shopping (N = 1064), and university (N = 1059) websites, as well as the raw and aggregated user ratings of webpage design prototypicality, visual aesthetics, perceived usability and trustworthiness, and user demographic information. Design prototypicali...

A user can often be unfocused and have only limited mental resources for processing website content, with the immediately-perceivable message-independent visual design features determining the first impression and attitude towards an organization behind the website. In such situations, webpage prototypicality-how much a webpage resembles the webpag...

Declarative process modeling languages, such as Declare, represent processes by means of temporal rules, namely constraints. Those languages typically come endowed with a graphical notation to draw such models diagrammatically. In this paper, we explore the effects of diagrammatic representation on humans’ deductive reasoning involved in the analys...

Privacy settings in online social networks are meant to give users more control over their personal information and to manage self-disclosure in a way that best suits their privacy preferences. However, previous research has shown that the mere design of privacy settings influences disclosure decisions, potentially leading to adverse decisions. Pri...

Despite the increasing relevance of how to counter fake news on social media, there are only a few studies on the merit of fake news flags. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to investigate how fake news flags and the reputation of sources affect believability and information elaboration of news content shared online. Based on the data of...

Many companies deploy scarcity cues, such as limited-time scarcity or limited-quantity scarcity cues, on their e-commerce websites to stimulate consumers’ purchase decisions. Despite increasing practical relevance, research has not yet investigated how consumers perceive scarcity cues and how these perceptions differ between limited-time and limite...

TThere is a growing body of literature recognizing the benefits of Open Data. However, many potential data providers are unwilling to publish their data and at the same time, data users are often faced with difficulties when attempting to use Open Data in practice. Despite various barriers in using and publishing Open Data still being present, stud...

In recent years, emotions expressed in social media messages have become a vivid research topic due to their influence on the spread of misinformation and online radicalization over online social networks. Thus, it is important to correctly identify emotions in order to make inferences from social media messages. In this paper, we report on the per...

Visual process models are meant to facilitate comprehension of business processes. However, in practice, process models can be difficult to understand. The main goal of this article is to clarify the sources of cognitive effort in comprehending process models. The article undertakes a comprehensive descriptive review of empirical and theoretical wo...

Digital nudging is receiving increasing attention by academics and practitioners in recent years. In this research, our main goal is to determine the relative impact of different nudging techniques on the customers' product choice processes and their attitudes towards e-commerce sites employing these techniques. Specifically, we are interested in t...

The use of process models to support business analysts’ idea-generation tasks has been a longstanding topic of interest in process improvement. We examine how two types of representations of organizational processes–textual and diagrammatic–assist analysts in developing innovative solutions to process-redesign tasks. The results of our study clarif...

Many universities use computer-assisted multiple-choice exams to handle large numbers of students in introductory courses. This paper describes how test-theoretical analysis can be used to offer continual feedback to examiners to ensure quality of multiple-choice exams. We present the design of an online system that gives examiners individual feedb...

Process model element labels are critical for an appropriate association between a symbol instance in a model and the corresponding real world meaning. Disciplines, in which an efficient presentation of text labels is crucial (e.g., cartography) have continuously improved their visualization design techniques for labels since they serve as effectiv...

The main aim of this study is to investigate human understanding of process models and to develop an improved understanding of its relevant influence factors. Aided by assumptions from cognitive psychology, this article attempts to address specific deductive reasoning difficulties based on process models. The authors developed a research model to c...

Feature modeling is a common way to present and manage variability of software and systems. As a prerequisite for effective variability management is comprehensible representation, the main aim of this paper is to investigate difficulties in understanding feature models. In particular, we focus on the comprehensibility of feature models as expresse...

As the complexity and variety of systems and software products have increased, the ability to manage their variability effectively and efficiently became crucial. To this end, variability can be specified either as an integral part of the development artifacts or in a separate orthogonal variability model. Lately, orthogonal variability models attr...

Process models describe someone’s understanding of processes. Processes can be described using unstructured, semi-formal or diagrammatic representation forms. These representations are used in a variety of task settings, ranging from understanding processes to executing or improving processes, with the implicit assumption that the chosen representa...

In today's modeling practice we can observe a convention to model business processes from left-to-right or from top-to-bottom. Even though the choice of flow direction changes the visual appearance of a process model significantly, this convention is barely discussed by standard documents and modeling guidelines. In addition, most recommendations r...

Visual process models are helpful when analyzing and improving complex organizational processes. However, the symbol sets used in different modeling notations vary in perceptual discriminability, visual expressiveness, and semantic transparency; such factors are likely to influence a notation's perception and cognitive effectiveness. In this paper,...

Decision Support Systems Abstract Process modeling grammars are used to create models of business processes. In this paper, we discuss how different routing symbol designs affect an individual's ability to comprehend process models. We conduct an experiment with 154 students to ascertain which visual design principles influence process model compre...

Most business process modeling languages are visual languages. Yet, very little attention has been devoted to the choice of symbols used. This article contributes to the visual languages literature by providing an enriched understanding about how symbol choice affects the ease of memorizing and recalling visual diagrams. Specifically, the experimen...

Designing business processes in a creative way is an important requirement for implementing process-aware information systems. In this article we investigate how process modeling competence and individual creativity style and capacity influence creativity in a business process redesign task. We explore these relationships with a laboratory experime...

As work teams become more distributed, effective computer-mediated communication is increasingly impacting their performance. This study investigates how team climate influences communication frequency among team members and their use of different communication media. Data were collected in two information systems courses offered at an Austrian uni...

Users' perceptions and beliefs are relevant for the adoption of conceptual modeling languages in practice. This paper examines the relationship between user perception of the quality of a conceptual modeling language from a cognitive point of view and its perceived usefulness. The article builds on Moody's framework of quality characteristics of vi...

Although (business) process models are frequently used to promote human understanding of processes, practice shows that understanding complex models soon reach cognitive limits. The aim of this paper is to investigate the cognitive difficulty of understanding different relations between model elements. To allow for empirical assessment of this rese...

The purpose of this article is to discuss the influence of creative personality on process redesign. Building on creativity theories stemming from the field of cognitive psychology, we identify important individual factors during process redesign, and hypothesize their contributions to creative process design using a modelling tool. We present an i...

Process models provide visual support for analyzing and improving complex organizational processes. In this paper, we discuss differences of process modeling languages using cognitive effectiveness considerations, to make statements about the ease of use and quality of user experience. Aspects of cognitive effectiveness are of importance for learni...

The introduction of learning technologies into education is making the design of courses and instructional materials an increasingly complex task. Instructional design languages are identified as conceptual tools for achieving more standardized and, at the same time, more creative design solutions, as well as enhancing communication and transparenc...

The ability to work effectively in teams has been a key competence for information systems engineers for a long time. Gradually, more attention is being paid to developing this generic competence as part of academic curricula, resulting in two questions: how to best promote team competencies and how to implement team projects successfully. These qu...

The higher education sector is faced with several strategic decisions in order to maximize quality, impact, and competitiveness. In the context of ¿engineering¿ competences and learning outcomes one core challenge is the inclusion of curriculum stakeholders in prioritizing subject-specific and generic competences in study programs. In this paper...

This paper proposes a novel approach to modeling cooperative learning sequences and the promotion of team and social competences in blended learning courses. In a case study – a course on Project Management for Computer Science students – the instructional design including individual and cooperative learning situations was modeled. Specific emphasi...

This paper presents an empirical study investigating the use of instant online feedback on face-to-face presentations. This innovative way of using information technology for the specific communication purpose of giving feedback was researched in the context of a university course on “Human-Computer Interaction and Psychology”. A total sum of 80 st...

This paper presents an empirical study investigating the use of instant online feedback on face-to-face presentations. This innovative way of using information technology for the specific communication purpose of giving feedback was researched in the context of a university course on “Human-Computer Interaction and Psychology”. A total sum of 80 st...

Peer review is used as an effective quality assurance measure in many contexts, including science, business, programming or education. In education, several studies confirmed the positive effects of peer reviewing on student learning. Based on recent research concerning the role of media in the peer review process this study investigates how studen...

Effektiv mit neuen Medien wie E-Mail und Chat oder via Online-Plattform zu kommunizieren ist eine generische Kompetenz, die für den Alltag in einer vernetzten Arbeitswelt für AbsolventInnen aller Studienrichtungen relevant ist. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie förderliche Aktivitäten für „virtuelle“ Kommunikationskompetenz im Rahmen universitärer Lehre so in...

Peer-Reviews leisten einen wertvollen Beitrag für die Qualitätssicherung in Unternehmen sowie im Wissenschaftsbetrieb und haben auf Grund zahlreicher positiver Effekte für Studierende und Lehrende als didaktische Methode auch in der Wissensvermittlung Einzug gehalten. Im Kontext aktueller Forschung über die Rolle neuer Medien im Peer-Review-Prozess...

This paper proposes a holistic approach to designing for the promotion of team and social competences in blended learning courses. Planning and modelling cooperative learning scenarios based on a domain specific modelling notation in the style of UML activity diagrams and comparing evaluation results with planned outcomes allows for iterative optim...

Visual process models provide support for analyzing and improving com-plex organizational processes. In this paper, we discuss differences of process mod-eling languages according to their ease of use and quality of user experience. These aspects are of importance for learning a modeling language, creating models, and un-derstanding models. Modelin...

In today’s information society it is critical to use computer-mediated communication effectively. This article explores whether the highly recognized face-to-face communication concept “active listening” can also be applied to online settings. Demanding verbal and nonverbal skills, this way of communication improves mutual understanding by using te...

The capability to effectively work in teams has been a key competence for computer scientists for a long time. Gradually, more attention is paid to developing this generic competence as part of academic curricula. At the University of Vienna, we have conducted and researched a number of different courses that were aimed at developing studentspsila...

While learning goals need to be predefined at the curriculum and course level, it is the concrete course offering, the instructor or facilitator, the student colleagues and learning designs that are decisive in determining whether learning goals can truly be called ldquolearner-centered.rdquo In this paper we identify features and preconditions of...

The main scientific aim of this study was to investigate how Computer Science students regarded their social networks among study colleagues. The study was conducted at the Research Lab for Educational Technologies (University of Vienna) in order to find connecting factors for improving students' networks by means of curricular design as well as in...

Web-services have established their role as facilitating tools for interactive and collaborative learning that supports social knowledge construction. In particular, ePortfolios are gaining importance in supporting the learning process and students’ reflection. This motivated us to introduce and investigate an interactive mode in an academic course...

"Active listening" is a well-known ingredient in contexts that involve gathering information and solving problems. Demanding both verbal and nonverbal skills, this way of communication improves mutual understanding by using techniques like paraphrasing. The benefits are manifold and crucial for computer scientists. For instance, it avoids misunders...

The highly recognized concept of "active listening" is widely adopted in contexts that involve gathering information and solving problems. Demanding both verbal and nonverbal skills, this way of communication improves mutual understanding by using techniques like paraphrasing. The benefits are manifold and crucial in many areas of life for all kind...

This paper presents a quantitative study on students' motivation in technology-enhanced courses. Four technology-enhanced courses with differing course designs were investigated concerning their impacts on student's motivation. Results show that, although the designs vary only in some didactical elements, the course designs differ significantly con...

In the preceding years we practiced person centered, technology enhanced learning in a course on organizational development that was particularly well received by students. In this paper we share the underlying philosophy, discuss the current course design, students' reactions, and our experiences and lessons learned in order to provide a realistic...

Since the capability to work in teams, both national and international, has become a key requirement on computer science graduates, we have been exploring ways in which to support students in enhancing this capability during their studies. In this paper we share our approach, 'philosophy', and learning from the preceding years regarding the develop...

In addition to "hard" skills and factual knowledge, engineering graduates are nowadays required to have "professional" skills and attitudes such as effective communication and collaboration, the ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, meeting and expressing constructive criticism, and reflecting and learning from own experience. However, t...

Peer-reviewing is gaining importance as didactic technique in computer science courses. Through reviewing their peers, students develop evaluation skills, increase their reflection ability, and develop awareness of their own work's quality. This paper presents an experimental study exploring communication and collaboration aspects of the peer-revie...

For students as well as professionals in business informatics the ability to work in teams and to be part of a supporting network are major success factors. This observation appears to be just one instance of a more general goal, namely the fostering of meta-cognitive skills and attitudes in new curricula. In our research and educational practice w...

In this experiential paper we employ action research to investigate the real life processes and technology support in building an interdisciplinary blended learning community in which, at the stage of writing the article, the authors are participating. Regarding technology support, we are interested in the requirements – concerning functionality an...

In this experiential paper we employ action research to investigate the real life processes and technology support in building an interdisciplinary blended learning community in which, at the stage of writing the article, the authors are participating. Regarding technology support, we are interested in the requirements - concerning functionality an...

This study explores how media preferences for team communication tasks change over time. Data was collected in a blended learning course on web engineering in which students were assigned to develop web based systems in small teams. In the beginning, the middle and the end of term they were asked to fill in an online form about the atmosphere in th...