Master's assignment
Student: Suzanne Vosslamber
Supervisors: Albert Molderink, Gerard Smit, Maurice Bosman and Vincent Bakker
Location: Enschede
Finished: September 2013
ABSTRACT
A lot of research is done with consumers about features of successful feedback on saving energy, but little for professionals. Therefore this study examines whether the literature on feedback for consumers is also applicable for professionals in small to medium sized enterprises [SME’s]. Also, user characteristics of these professionals and their opinions towards potentially user engagement raising concepts are examined. To achieve these goals semi-structured interviews with fifteen professionals within SME’s and fifteen consumers were conducted. The results mostly show similarities in features for feedback but differences in the requirements for these features. Also, new relevant features were found. Further, professionals and consumers have similar motivations, and professionals are positive about concepts that may raise user engagement. This study adds new information about feedback for SME’s to the literature and concludes that the literature on consumers is applicable for professionals when considering the relevant features for feedback. However, when designing a feedback system, the literature is not applicable due to a lot of differences in the requirements for these features.