This book is based on the fact that there is still no work on the topic of online user behavior in a ubiquitous context. Ubiquitous refers here to the ability we now have to use multiple ways to access and use the Internet for shopping, learning, reading, playing, communicating and so on, anywhere at any time. At same time, e- and m-commerce, e- and m-learning and knowledge management systems continue to grow, in various organizations such as companies, universities or business schools. Design schools are increasingly using virtual worlds for lectures and online evaluations but there is no literature on this aspect, in a handbook format and for a practical usage. There are various uses of the Internet in different fields that could be applied in other situations, including web interface designs using accessibility guidelines. To our knowledge no book presents results of such studies on new devices like mobiles or tablets, and web design for these particular interfaces seems to require proper insights.
In summary, it is not easy to find literature both on the academic and professional sides related to the topic of consumer behavior conducted in a ubiquitous manner. Our goal is to provide a better understanding of how to adapt and optimize an online offer of services, products, or any type of knowledge-based product/service, e.g. lectures, in a ubiquitous situation. This is what this book will present, looking at the mobile and more generally ubiquitous online environment, focusing on commerce, learning and knowledge management.
The objective is to offer a book and a companion website in which these three main contents are available: theory, tools, applications. Theory of ubiquitous online user behavior (using academic research in marketing, information systems, ergonomics and human computer interaction, as well as cognitive psychology, as mobilized in previous research papers). We intend to ask selected academic colleagues (in marketing, information systems, psychology, etc.) to write chapters according to the call. Tools required and made available on the Internet, the Content Management Systems by way of useful tools to help visually impaired or color blind as well as companion sites or referral sites, offering ways to improve the design of m-commerce and m-learning websites, which are not currently in the literature. I could build on my experiences as a web designer for this part, given some knowledge of the tools mentioned. I also want to ask for feedback from web designers I know, and add them in the book in parallel to practical cases. This would give a professional approach to the book, on top of the academic theory.