"i-Mode" in Japan: How to explain its development

Abstract

This paper presents first results of a project about the development of i-mode and tries to draw conclusions on what a German or European reader may learn from the i-mode case. The literature about i-mode and the many success factors which have been discussed are reviewed, including cultural factors. One of the aims of the project is to explore the question whether i-mode is co-determined by cultural factors. As many interviews with experts and actors showed, i-mode appears at least to be influenced by such factors (e.g. quality orientation). However, the fierce competition at all levels (including radio infrastructure) is the most prominent economic factor. The project has been supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. © 2006 Physica-Verlag Heidelberg.