Abstract
The relationship between product quality/function and customer satisfaction has been considered an important point for the new product development. The seminal paper by Kano was the first to thoroughly address the non-linear relationship between product performance/function and customer satisfaction. In the analysis framework of the original Kano model, five factors are assumed, among which indifference factor occupies 40% in the classification scheme. When we analyze survey response using Kano model, many quality attributes can be resulted in indifference factor. This implies that some attributes which are meaningful tend to be classified as indifferent attributes for the customer satisfaction. In order to tackle this problem, a modified Kano model is proposed by reducing the indifference factor. The modified Kano model can be robust for the survey response. A survey is performed for the quality attributes of the smart phone. The response is analyzed and compared based on the original and modified Kano model. The surveyed quality characteristics of the smart phone are performance related attributes, application programs, functional attributes and subjective emotional quality attributes. Many quality attributes classified as indifference factor in the original model are classified as attractive, must-be, and expected factors, respectively.
