Embracing or embattled by converged mobile devices? Users’ experiences with a contemporary connectivity technology

Abstract

In this qualitative study, we examine how converged mobile devices (e.g. BlackBerries, Treos, and iPhones) are experienced by users of this contemporary connectivity technology. Perhaps not surprisingly, users experience similar pressures to be accessible and responsive; however, the sources of these expectations extend beyond those internal to organizations to include sources external to organizations (e.g. family, friends, industry, CMD-user community, and society in general). Users’ reactions to responsiveness-accessibility pressures differ in this study, clustering into three different categories — ‘enthusiastic,’ ‘balanced,’ and ‘trade-offs.’ Further analyses reveal three emergent factors influencing users’ reactions: the number of expectation sources; specificity of the sources; and adoption motives. Our research builds on technology and work studies to include factors that are related to heterogeneity in interpretations and enactments. Moreover, findings suggest that in the context of this connectivity technology, the role of the organization may not be as central as it has been in many other studies of technology and work.

Voluntary Work‐related Technology Use during Non‐work Time: A Narrative Synthesis of Empirical Research and Research Agenda

“…proactively keeping ICTs switched on and connected to the Internet), although we acknowledge social pressures to engage in work-related ICT use during non-work time (e.g. Fenner and Renn 2010;Matusik and Mickel 2011;Mazmanian 2013) and employees being contacted by others (e.g. Arlinghaus and Nachreiner 2013;Schieman and Young 2013).…”

“…2 We then searched scientific databases across different research disciplines (business and management studies, psychology and social sciences), such as Business Source Complete, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS) and PsycINFO, supplemented by searching conference proceedings, hand-searching references in key publications (e.g. Fenner and Renn 2010;Matusik and Mickel 2011; and personal enquiries regarding relevant material in press. 1 For a recent systematic literature review of quantitative research, please seeĎuranová and Ohly (2016).…”

“…In qualitative research, employees have frequently expressed the perceived pressure exerted by their organizational context to be constantly available and to engage in work-related ICT use during non-work time (Barley et al 2011;Cavazotte et al 2014;Currie and Eveline 2011;Crowe and Middleton 2012;Golden 2013;Harmer et al 2008;Ladner 2008;Lowry and Moskos 2008;Maliszewski 2013;Matusik and Mickel 2011;Mazmanian 2010Mazmanian , 2013Mazmanian et al 2006Middleton 2007;Porter and Kakabadse 2006;Quesenberry and Trauth 2005;Schlosser 2002;Stoner et al 2009;Towers et al 2006). Matusik and Mickel (2011) further outlined that perceived pressure to be responsive is more frequently reported with a high number of different expectation sources (e.g.…”

“…Matusik and Mickel (2011) further outlined that perceived pressure to be responsive is more frequently reported with a high number of different expectation sources (e.g. not just one's supervisor, but also several colleagues).…”

Picture perfect? Exploring the use of smartphone photography in a distributed work practice

“…A particular concern is the impact of smartphones on work-load management and work-life balance (Middleton, 2008, Wajcman et al, 2008, Mazmanian, 2009, Allen and Shoard, 2005, Matusik and Mickel, 2011, Bittman et al, 2009. Research is also starting to explore the implications for group processes such as decision making (Dennis et al, 2010) and for knowledge work in general (Wajcman and Rose, 2011).…”