• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to introduce a task complexity model combining task design aspects and complexity dimensions and to explain an approach to identifying and organizing task complexity factors based on the model. Background: Task complexity is a critical concept in describing and predicting human performance in complex systems such as nuclear power plants(NPPs). In order to understand the nature of task complexity, task complexity factors need to be identified and organized in a systematic manner. Although several methods have been suggested for identifying and organizing task complexity factors, it is rare to find an analytical approach based on a theoretically sound model. Method: This study regarded a task as a system to be designed. Three levels of design ion, which are functional, behavioral, and structural level of a task, characterize the design aspects of a task. The behavioral aspect is further classified into five cognitive processing activity types(information collection, information analysis, decision and action selection, action implementation, and action feedback). The complexity dimensions describe a task complexity from different perspectives that are size, variety, and order/organization. Combining the design aspects and complexity dimensions of a task, we developed a model from which meaningful task complexity factors can be identified and organized in an analytic way. Results: A model consisting of two facets, each of which is respectively concerned with design aspects and complexity dimensions, were proposed. Additionally, twenty-one task complexity factors were identified and organized based on the model. Conclusion: The model and approach introduced in this paper can be effectively used for examining human performance and human-system interface design issues in NPPs. Application: The model and approach introduced in this paper could be used for several human factors problems, including task allocation and design of information aiding, in NPPs and extended to other types of complex systems such as air traffic control systems as well.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2013

There is mounting evidence that complex computer system displays in control rooms contribute to cognitive complexity and, thus, to the probability of human error. Research shows that reaction time increases and response accuracy decreases as the number of elements in the display screen increase. However, in terms of supporting the control room operator, approaches focusing on addressing display complexity solely in terms of information density and its location and patterning, will fall short of delivering a properly designed interface. This paper argues that information complexity and semantic complexity are mandatory components when considering display complexity and that the addition of these concepts assists in understanding and resolving differences between designers and the preferences and performance of operators. This paper concludes that a number of simplified methods, when combined, can be used to estimate the impact that a particular display may have on the operator's ability to perform a function accurately and effectively. We present a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach and a method for complexity estimation.

• Architectural research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.19-30
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• 2011

This investigation, based on empirical research, examined the role of complexity and order in the aesthetic experience of architectural forms. The basic assumption of this study was that perception in architectural form is a process of interpreting a pattern in a reductive way. Thus, perceptual arousal is not determined by the absolute complexity of a configuration. Rather, the actual perceived complexity is a function of the organization of the system (order). In addition, complexity and order were defined and categorized into four variables according to their significant characteristics; simple order, complex order, random complexity, and lawful complexity. The series of experiments confirmed that there is a point on the psychological complexity dimension which is optimal. By demonstrating that consensual and individual aesthetic preference can be measured to have a unimodal function of relationship with complexity, the results of the experiments indicated that complexity and orderliness are effective design factors for enhancing aesthetics of a building facade. This investigation offered a conceptual framework that relates the physical (architectural form) and psychological factors (complexity and order) operating in the aesthetic experience of building facades.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.20 no.1 s.69
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• pp.126-132
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to propose a method to evaluate task complexity using CIFs(Complexity Influencing Factors). We developed a method that CIFs can be used in the evaluation of task complexity using fuzzy linguistic approach. That is, a fuzzy linguistic multi-criteria method to assess task complexity in a specific task situation was proposed. The CIFs luting was assessed in linguistic terms, which are described by fuzzy numbers with triangular and trapezoidal membership function. A fuzzy weighted average algorithm, based on the extension principle, was employed to aggregate these fuzzy numbers. Finally, the method was validated by experimental approach. In the result, it was validated that TCIM(Tink Complexity Index Method) is an efficient method to evaluate task complexity because the correlation coefficient between task performance time and TCI(Task Complexity Index) was 0.699.

• Archives of design research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2001

The primary purpose of this research is to identify effects of the complexity levels of visual factors on user's communication in the web-sites. In this study, six complexity levels of visual factors were manipulated with four items(graphics, moving graphics, size and links) to test communication effects. As a result, user's communication was influenced by the complexity of illustration. This result shows that web sites with moderate levels of illustration complexity are more preferred than with complex or simple levels of visual complexity.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.141-158
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• 2001

This paper examines the effects of environmental uncertainty, structural decentralization, formalization, complexity and task interdependence on the information sharing through information system. 197 firms in Korea are surveyed and analyzed to investigate the relationship between the contextual variables and the information sharing. The result of multiple regression analysis shows that task interdependence, structural decentralization, complexity are significant factors to influence on the Information Sharing. Also, additional analysis shows that task interdependence, structural decentralization are major factors in service industry, and task interdependence, structural complexity are in manufacturing industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.91-101
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• 1997

In this paper, the complexity of the product is evaluated quantitatively regarding to access of assembly tools and handling of part. To evaluate the complexity of the product, we grasped factors that could influence on the complexity of the product with access and handling, and then we determined the criteria of comparison for each complexity factor. The criteria compare the complexities of product alternatives on each access and handling.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• no.41
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• pp.137-145
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• 2003

This research analyzed the space scheme in connection with complexity, one of the new changes in the discount stores, and has a goal of predicting the direction of space scheme in the upcoming complexity era. The research was conducted in the following way. Firstly, this researcher tried to grasp what kinds of changes were required in the overall distribution industry socially and economically. Secondly, the characteristic and situation of discount stores were scrutinized. Thirdly, the domestic stores' complexity status was classified and types of those were elicited. Fourthly, the time-series change and use were analyzed. The result of this analysis reveals that the types of complexity can be divided by location and adjustment to environmental changes. The time-series analysis shows that total operating area, the number of parked cars and the tenant ratio have increased dramatically in 2000 and 2003. And, according to the correlation analysis between factors, the tenant ratio has, a strong correlation with other two factors. Self-complexity takes the basic form of living facilities and complexity with other facilities is combined with other cultural, sales, educational and administrative ones. Mass-complexity is merged with the stadiums, parks or station sites. As you've seen, the concept of complex shopping mall for the realization of one stop shopping and convenience will continue in the days to come. It is desirable that the study on the large-scale shopping spaces will be conducted continually for the preparedness of future life style.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.272-286
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• 2013

Mass customization is a marketing strategy to meet consumer needs for variation and uniqueness of products. Although there are quite a few studies quantitatively investigated the options provided by mass customization process, scholarly work related to mass customization has provided mixed results on consumer perception of complexity and their responses. The purpose of the study is to derive the factors that influence consumer complexity perception in online apparel mass customization process and consumers' needs to enhance mass customization services. Data were collected by conducting focus group interviews of which 29 participations in 4 groups. The results of the study suggested that consumers perceived complexity through mass customization process due to too many choice options. However, the effect of number of options on respondents' complexity perception was different depending on consumer characteristics such as consumer expertise and fashion involvement, and the characteristics of consumer preference development. Shopping context such as shopping purpose is another moderating factor. This study also suggests that a variety of marketing strategies which can enhance mass customization services affect the relationship between the number of options and consumers' complexity perception. The findings of the study provide academic and managerial implications.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.151-164
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• 2013

A key input for the assessment of Human Error Probabilities (HEPs) with Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) methods is the evaluation of the factors influencing the human performance (often referred to as Performance Shaping Factors, PSFs). In general, the definition of these factors and the supporting guidance are such that their evaluation involves significant subjectivity. This affects the repeatability of HRA results as well as the collection of HRA data for model construction and verification. In this context, the present paper considers the TAsk COMplexity (TACOM) measure, developed by one of the authors to quantify the complexity of procedure-guided tasks (by the operating crew of nuclear power plants in emergency situations), and evaluates its use to represent (objectively and quantitatively) task complexity issues relevant to HRA methods. In particular, TACOM scores are calculated for five Human Failure Events (HFEs) for which empirical evidence on the HEPs (albeit with large uncertainty) and influencing factors are available - from the International HRA Empirical Study. The empirical evaluation has shown promising results. The TACOM score increases as the empirical HEP of the selected HFEs increases. Except for one case, TACOM scores are well distinguished if related to different difficulty categories (e.g., "easy" vs. "somewhat difficult"), while values corresponding to tasks within the same category are very close. Despite some important limitations related to the small number of HFEs investigated and the large uncertainty in their HEPs, this paper presents one of few attempts to empirically study the effect of a performance shaping factor on the human error probability. This type of study is important to enhance the empirical basis of HRA methods, to make sure that 1) the definitions of the PSFs cover the influences important for HRA (i.e., influencing the error probability), and 2) the quantitative relationships among PSFs and error probability are adequately represented.