Integration of ontology-based decision support and a cognitive map approach to predict flat-screen TV market trends

• This study examined the dynamic competitive relationship between LCD and PDP TVs.
• This study supports updating an ontology to context changes LCD and PDP TV markets.
• This study proposes an ontology approach to context modeling using a cognitive map.

In previous studies of the ontological approach to context modeling, two issues have remained unresolved: (1) how to update an ontology to adapt to changes in context, and (2) how to make proper inferences from the ontology established. To address the first issue, this study proposed the use of an ontology and cognitive map-based decision-support mechanism that emphasizes the competitive relationships between LCD (liquid crystal display) and PDP (plasma display panel) TVs. We investigated the dynamic competitive relationship between these TVs using ontological and cognitive map approaches by suggesting a robust form of context modeling that adapts to changes in context. This study also addressed how to facilitate the prediction of market trends for LCD and PDP TVs from the ontology established and proposed a new ontological approach to context modeling of the LCD and PDP TV markets.