Designing Information Systems for Behavior Change: Practical Applications (DISBC)

Contents

Information systems increasingly provide the necessary tools to collect, analyze, and communicate data about individuals both in organizational and private contexts. This makes it possible to implement data-driven behavioral interventions using various devices including mobile phones, fitness trackers, or electricity smart meters. While some of these products successfully induce behavior change, others completely fail. The seminar introduces students to key concepts from behavioral economics and psychology and how to use them to build effective applications for behavior change in relevant domains including sustainability, healthcare or household spending.

At the beginning of the semester, an introduction to the topic is provided and topics for the seminar thesis are assigned. During the semester, students work on their seminar thesis. The results are presented and discussed at the end of the semester.