Chatbot Kim: A Digital Tutor on AI. How Advanced Dialog Design Creates Better Conversational Learning Experiences

Conversational user interfaces, aka chatbots, offer new ways of interaction that can be used not only for task-led applications, but also for learning itself. Still, most conversational learning applications offer a predominantly one-directional dialog – either bot-led, with the user only confirming, or user-led, with the bot answering questions, but not going beyond. In contrast to these common approaches, learnbot Kim by time4you [1] not only conveys information, but wraps it in an equally entertaining and instructive chat, combining pre-defined dialog turns with a flexible dialog management. This article explains the design decisions made during the dialog development process and the underlying reasons. After having read this text, you will have a better idea of how dialog in conversational learning can be modeled to allow for a more natural conversational experience.

The management index: simplifying business excellence for management teams?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present findings from a qualitative research study that was designed to examine the application of the management index (MI) to support effectiveness among management teams. Specifically, the research was twofold: to examine the usefulness of the MI as a tool to enhance effectiveness in management teams; and to identify conditions necessary for successful use of the MI. Design/methodology/approach A three-year multi-site qualitative case study was conducted with five medium- to large-scale organizations, from public and private sectors, to apply and examine the use of the MI. Data were collected from participants during a series of workshops designed to examine the ways in which the tool was used to enhance effectiveness in management teams, and conditions that were determined supportive or a hinder to using the tool. Findings Findings from the qualitative data demonstrate four primary uses of the in which the MI: pulse reader, navigation, systematic dialog, management team development. It is, however, not clear yet if the use of the MI contributes to improvement in efficiency and effectiveness. The degree of maturity within the organization and teams, as defined by open and transparent communication and clarity of purpose of direction, appear to be key factors for how well teams benefit from the MI. Furthermore, the tool appears to benefit from longer term usage rather than quick-fix usage, although this claim has yet to be validated by further investigations. Practical implications The MI was developed by Swedish Institute of Quality to provide a simpler performance measurement tool for management teams to support quality improvement processes in organizations in Sweden. The MI was developed to provide management teams with access to vital information that could serve as the basis for prioritizing areas of needed improvement, while reducing time and complexity associated with traditional business excellence models. Originality/value This study contributes to an ongoing dialogue about how to support quality management through the use of performance measurement tools. In particular, the study supports the need to develop understanding about the importance of dialogue and process combined with the use of measures to achieve results.