Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Technological platforms such as hardware or systems form platform ecosystems, which are communities orchestrated by platform providers, outside complementors such as software providers, and consumers. Previous studies have suggested that a winner-takes-all situation among platform ecosystems could be induced by interactions between complementors and consumers. However, our observation of the Japanese video game market over the last 30 years indicated that complementors (i.e., software providers) usually seek to avoid winner-takes-all situations and, instead, promote symbiotic situations. Using the Lotka–Volterra equations from biology as a reference, we developed a model to understand the competitive behavior of complementors among platform ecosystems. We used a 19-year (1996–2015) dataset on the Japanese video game market and confirmed that complementors took as many actions to create symbiotic situations as they took to create winner-takes-all situations, if not more. Our results show that such actions by complementors are influenced by several factors of platform ecosystems. This study also suggests that certain complementors that contribute to symbiotic co-existence within a platform ecosystem could emerge as keystone firms/companies. These complementors could contribute to the sustainability of platform-based markets and facilitate the co-existence of multiple platform ecosystems.

DOI： 10.3390/su11030726

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.techfore.2017.01.017

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte Ltd  

DOI： 10.1142/S1363919618500044

Scopus

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Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

With the rapid expansion of online shopping, website design has become a critical factor influencing user experience and consumer satisfaction. This study examines the relationship between visual marketing elements embedded in e-commerce web page design and consumer satisfaction by analyzing 1500 product pages across five major categories (furniture, small items, food, home appliances, and clothing) on the Japanese platform Rakuten. The analysis reveals that in the furniture category, a higher proportion of images featuring visible faces and video explanations demonstrated positive correlations with consumer satisfaction. For food products, text color diversity demonstrated positive correlations with consumer satisfaction. In the home appliance category, text color and video explanations showed positive correlations with satisfaction, while the number of human images and video music showed negative correlations. For accessory products, images positioned at the website periphery, the number of human images, and video music showed negative correlations with consumer satisfaction. In the apparel category, text color and the number of human images demonstrated negative correlations with consumer satisfaction. However, in the analysis of the entire sample, no significant correlations were observed between visual marketing elements and consumer satisfaction. These findings suggest that visual marketing strategies should be tailored to specific product categories, which may contribute to improving consumer satisfaction with e-commerce platforms.

DOI： 10.3390/platforms3010005

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Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Complementors are the source of complementary goods. Increased participation by complementors fosters innovation in complementary goods, contributing to the sustainability of the ecosystem. This study examines how complementors’ experiential knowledge and their engagement with the community as an external knowledge source are correlated with the degree of innovation in complementary goods. A multiple regression analysis was conducted using data from the game mod platform Nexus Mods. Prior evidence indicates an inverted U-shaped relationship between experiential knowledge and the degree of innovation. It is suggested that when experiential knowledge accumulation exceeds an optimal level, further accumulation may lead to a decline in the degree of innovation. This study reveals that when complementors possess a high level of experiential knowledge, the positive relationship between their engagement with the community and the degree of innovation in complementary goods is strengthened. Complementors with abundant experience, who actively engage with the community as an external knowledge source, are more likely to drive innovation. Consequently, they play a crucial role in supporting the sustainable development of the ecosystem.

DOI： 10.3390/su17052279

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Authorship：Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)  

DOI： 10.1109/access.2025.3531993

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Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to examine how individual complementors' development behaviors (specifically, diversity- and distinctiveness-oriented development behaviors) impact the performance of complementary goods on the platform. To achieve this, we employed fixed-effects regression analysis and utilized panel data obtained from the free music platform “DOVA.” This study examines two aspects of the performance of complementor’s complementary goods: the highest performance related to the success of the platform ecosystem and the lowest performance related to platform ecosystem sustainment. The findings indicate that a high focus on diversity-oriented development behavior is positively correlated with the complementor's highest performance and negatively correlated with complementor's lowest performance. Additionally, distinctiveness-oriented development behavior also positively correlated with complementor's highest performance. However, low distinctiveness-oriented development behavior is negatively correlated with complementor's lowest performance. We reveal desirable development behaviors for complementary goods related to both content innovation and platform ecosystem sustainability. Based on these understandings, platform owners can target platform governance.

DOI： 10.1186/s43093-024-00403-8

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Other Link： https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s43093-024-00403-8/fulltext.html

Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39708

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Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Anime has become a global phenomenon due to its diverse cultural representations, relatable characters, and unique storytelling. However, there is limited research on the relationship between character personality and popularity. The aim of this study is to understand the relevance of the characters’ personalities to the audience’s evaluation of various characters. This study analyzed the correlation between the MBTI personality evaluations of characters in anime and their popularity, based on the data of the personality of each animation character reviewed by audiences. In this study, 885 characters from 200 anime aimed at a male audience were selected as a sample for research. The results showed that personality traits such as introversion, intuition, and thinking had an impact on the popularity of female characters but not male characters. The overall results were influenced by the larger sample size of female characters. By addressing this question, the study can contribute to the design of a character’s personality and overall success in anime.

DOI： 10.3390/bs14070522

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Walter de Gruyter GmbH  

Abstract

Previous studies have examined changes in software sales using the network effect theory framework based on hardware sales. This study aims to examine the effects of a software series’ length on software sales. We also investigate the moderating effects of how a platform’s life cycle influences the series’ sales. We adopted the double-jeopardy theory and brand loyalty discussions for both products and corporations. To test our hypotheses, we analysed 11,863 video game software samples in the Japanese market, addressing the following research questions: How does the length of a software series influence sales in terms of both the product and the corporate brand? How is the influence of the software series’ length on sales moderated by the stage of the platform’s lifecycle? Our findings show that a longer software series led to higher software sales for both the specific series as well as other software released simultaneously by the company. Moreover, we found that the positive relationship between the video game series’ length and sales of all the firm’s software was stronger when the platform had matured. By examining firm behaviours, such as software series releases and their effects, we confirmed that software series’ length is a core factor stimulating its sales and that of other series produced by a company. We also examined the impact of a platform’s lifecycle on video game sales. Our study contributes to the field by extending the literature on the effect of brand loyalty and the double-jeopardy theory.

DOI： 10.2478/mmcks-2023-0014

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Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：World Scientific Pub Co Pte Ltd  

In the field of product development, there is an increased focus on product complementarity. This study explores how the elements of multi-homing complementarity in the platform ecosystem (complementarity type, degree of platform complementarity, and degree of complementarity with other products) affect perceived product value. The data comprise 248 samples of smart-home multi-homing products, collected from the Amazon EC platform. The results indicate that prioritizing the degree of platform complementarity can increase the number of reviews, while prioritizing the degree of complementarity with other products can reduce that number. Focusing on unique complementarity can have a negative impact on ratings. Regarding the interaction term, the interaction of unique complementarity and the degree of complementarity with other products increases the number of reviews. Thus, unique complementarity should be included in the product-development process to ensure product quality and enhance sales.

DOI： 10.1142/s1363919623500044

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Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

This study aimed to determine the appropriate fashion design elements for fashion product innovation to achieve continuous product value and promote sustainable fashion. We focused on five fashion design elements: classical, transformative, patterned, multimaterial, and decorative. Using an apparel auction market dataset, we verified how the five design elements contributed to the value continuation of apparel products across five categories. We statistically confirmed the design elements that positively affect the continuous value of different apparel products per fashion product categories. This study can help designers select elements that sustain product value, providing them with direct references for recommendations.

DOI： 10.3390/su15107881

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Authorship：Last author,　Corresponding author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

This study analyzed what design elements are attractive to consumers of denim fabric products. A questionnaire survey was used to investigate the brands and design elements that consumers prefer. Subsequently, the degree to which participating consumers liked the five design elements (traditional, transformative, pattern, multi-material, and decorative designs), fast fashion brands, and luxury brands were used as explanatory variables to determine the consumers’ willingness to pay. A multiple regression analysis was performed on these variables. The results indicated that consumers who preferred traditional and transformative designs showed a positive effect on their willingness to pay for denim fabric products. Therefore, these elements could be attractive design elements that may command a high price point in new product planning proposals. Moreover, depending on the type of brand preferred by consumers, the impact of design elements on their purchase intention of denim fabric products has different consequences. This study analyzes the design elements preferred by consumers and contributes to the creation of design proposals by designers and apparel firms.

DOI： 10.3390/textiles3010002

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Authorship：Last author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

Wood attributes are important, because they directly affect the price persistence of wood products. Consumers consider the “aesthetic,” “traditionality,” “decay resistance,” and “scarcity” attributes important when evaluating wood. This study analyzed the impact of these four attributes on the price persistence of acoustic guitars. We obtained data from a Japanese internet auction platform and winning-bid data for two representative brands, Martin and Yamaha. We performed a quantitative analysis using the winning bid price as the dependent variable and the adoption of various wood attributes in each part of the guitar corresponding to the four attributes as explanatory variables. We found that rosewood, mahogany, palisander, and ebony have a significant impact on price persistence, and that all of them fit the four attributes of traditionality, decay resistance, scarcity, and aesthetics. We also found that traditionality was the key attribute among the four. Using wood in luxury brands without traditionality was not effective, even if other attributes were present. For mass-market brands, scarcity and decay resistance had positive effects on price persistence. The finding that scarcity and decay resistance were important only for mass-market brands can help companies understand market demand, determine product attributes, and achieve product–market fit.

DOI： 10.1186/s10086-022-02054-1

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Other Link： https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s10086-022-02054-1/fulltext.html

Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Recently, smart home products have shown signs of rapid development and increasing awareness of smart home platforms. In order to make smart home enterprises enter the era of Smart Home 2.0, it is necessary to consider the elements related to smart home platforms. This study examines the relationship between consumers’ value perception and the platform ecosystem theory and how this relationship contributes to their perception of smart home products’ value. This study aims to reveal the influence of smart home platform elements on the value perception of consumers regarding consumers’ perception of the smart home products’ value. To achieve this goal, an online survey (n = 595) was implemented to collect data from Japanese respondents. The analytical results presented in this study indicated that consumers, who sense the value of modularization of smart home products and inter-consumer connectivity, can sense the value of smart home products. In addition, consumers who can perceive the value of a platform service can indirectly feel the value of smart home products through modularity and inter-consumer connectivity. The results presented in this study provide new insights into product development in Smart Home 2.0.

DOI： 10.3390/s21217391

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Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.24464/jjs.5.1_1

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Solving important social problems and promoting sustainable development requires solutions involving multiple stakeholders. Nevertheless, previous social marketing studies were limited to individual behavioral changes and lacked a perspective to involve surrounding stakeholders. This study focused on education for sustainable development (ESD) on a field trip and clarified the factors that promote students’ knowledge diffusion from the viewpoint of network externalities. A questionnaire was distributed, and responses from 1950 high school students were collected. This study used factor analysis to unveil the factors related to students’ features and field trip experiences and clarified how these factors promote driving network externalities and expanding the network through regression analysis. The findings indicated that the experiential value obtained from visiting a site with actual social problems has a large positive effect on driving network externalities and expanding the network. Therefore, encouraging driving network externalities and expanding networks by providing ESD on a field trip can contribute to solve social problems and achieve sustainable development.

DOI： 10.3390/su12208539

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：IGI Global  

In platform ecosystems, the proper modification of goods provided could promote innovation and fulfill the need for diversity among consumers. However, most platforms in the service industry currently serve merely as intermediaries for existing services. This study aims to clarify how the function of a platform, which brings a modification of the content of services, contributes to the development of the platform ecosystem in service industries. The results of an agent-based simulation that imitates platform-based markets of a service industry reveal that the facilitation of changing the content of services could have negative effects for the platform ecosystem if there are no supportive functions. The authors demonstrate that two supportive platform functions contribute to successful modifications in service content the facilitation of customer involvement improves the sustainability of the ecosystem by increasing profits of platform users, and the support for capturing latent needs extends to the platform-based market.

DOI： 10.4018/jbe.2020010101

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

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Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Maintaining a consistently trending portfolio of complements is vital to sustaining platform leadership. Prior research has highlighted the value of open innovation, but has largely disregarded the strategic identification and management of distinctive complements that drive extended platform value, particularly via platform policy modifications. The relevance of prior research around influential policies such as refund leniency becomes largely irrelevant once applied to platform conditions. Utilizing Steam as the medium of analysis, this paper distinguishes complements into three classifications of sustainability, representing its contribution to developing platform leadership. Steam’s refund policy alteration is investigated for its effects on refund revenue reductions and additional demand on each classification, assessed using an indirectly related linear regression between playtime distribution and game age, and a binomially distributed t-test on the percentage of favorable games. The results reveal that, while all patterns experience significant volumes of refunds, corresponding revenue enhancements are perceived only among unsustainable games. This creates a disadvantageous foundation for high-value complements and consequently, an unforeseen disincentive for association, potentially inciting preferential linkage with competitors. This paper further proposes a precedent for future open innovation and platform management research, where complements of highest relevance are identified and granted heightened priority to protect their sustainability.

DOI： 10.3390/joitmc5040075

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

To achieve both a large number of platform users and the sustainability of service intermediation platform ecosystems, this study attempts to clarify appropriate platform fee settings and promising market types. It focuses on hotel-booking platforms and platform-based markets. We conduct agent-based simulation experiments with the conditions of (a) platform fee setting, (b) supply and demand balance, and (c) the consumer type categorized as “mandatorily” purchasing consumers (e.g., business travelers whose purchase of a hotel service is mandatory) and “optionally” purchasing consumers (who can refuse services if their requirements are not satisfied). Our simulation results reveal that when the platforms focus on mandatorily purchasing consumers, they could acquire larger platform users through fee settings, depending on the balance of supply and demand; however, they could not maintain ecosystem sustainability in any of the cases. When the platform focuses on optionally purchasing consumers, it can achieve both a large number of platform users and ecosystem sustainability with platform fee settings of consumer incentives, especially in excessive supply markets.

DOI： 10.3390/su11174563

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Frontiers Media SA  

Embodied synchronization is widely observed in human communication, and is considered to be important in generating empathy during face-to-face communication. However, the quantitative relationship between body motion synchronization and degree of empathy is not fully understood. Therefore, we focused on head motion to investigate phase and frequency differences in head motion synchronization in relation to degree of empathy. We specifically conducted a lecture-based experiment using controlled spoken text divided into two parts: high empathy and low empathy. During the lecture, we measured the acceleration of speakers' and listeners' head motions using an accelerometer, and calculated the synchronization between the time-series data from their acceleration norms. The results showed greater head motion synchronization during high empathy. During high empathy, the speakers' head motions began before those of listeners' in the medium (2.5 to 3.5 Hz) and high (4.0 to 5.0 Hz) frequency ranges, whereas the speakers' head motions tended to start later than those of the listeners' in the low (1.0 to 2.0 Hz) and medium (2.5 to 3.5 Hz) frequency ranges. This suggests that the degree of empathy is reflected by a different relationship between the phase and frequency of head motion synchronization during face-to-face communication.

DOI： 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01622

PubMed

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Publisher：Academy of Management  

DOI： 10.5465/ambpp.2020.19240abstract

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Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.procir.2020.05.100

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Publisher：Springer Singapore  

DOI： 10.1007/978-981-15-3118-7_19

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Language：English  

DOI： 10.1016/j.techfore.2018.11.022

Web of Science

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English  

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publisher：Portland State University  

DOI： 10.1109/PICMET.2015.7273191

Scopus

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Publisher：IEEE  

DOI： 10.1109/sii.2013.6776680

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Language：English   Publisher：IEEE  

DOI： 10.1109/SII.2012.6427358

Scopus

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Award type：Award from Japanese society, conference, symposium, etc.  Country：Japan

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Award type：Award from international society, conference, symposium, etc.  Country：Japan

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