The interplay between information practices and information context: The case of mobile knowledge workers

Abstract

The knowledge workforce is changing: global economic factors, increasing professional specialization, and rapid technological advancements mean that more individuals than ever can be found working in independent, modular, and mobile arrangements. Little is known about professional information practices or actions outside of traditional, centralized offices; however, the dynamic, unconventional, and less stable mobile work context diverges substantially from this model, and presents significant challenges and opportunities for the accomplishing of work tasks. This article identifies 5 main information practices geared toward mobilizing work, based on in‐depth interviews with 31 mobile knowledge workers (MKWs). It then uses these 5 practices as starting points for beginning to delineate the context of mobile knowledge work. We find that the information practices and information contexts of MKWs are mutually constitutive: challenges and opportunities of their work arrangements are what enable the development of practices that continually (re)construct productive spatial, temporal, social, and material contexts for work. This article contributes to an empirical understanding of the information practices of an increasingly visible yet understudied population, and to a theoretical understanding of the contemporary mobile knowledge work information context.

Nomadic work and location independence: The role of space in shaping the work of digital nomads

“…Nomadic workers spend a lot of time finding and researching spaces that can accommodate their necessary work practices and are sometimes willing to pay to access them (Halford, 2005; Rossitto & Eklundh, 2007). Regardless of differences between nomadic workers, all of them have several issues in common, including the most prominent being the “burden of mobility” or the struggle to continuously find suitable environments for both working and living (Cass, Shove, & Urry, 2005; Jarrahi & Thomson, 2017). However, through their ability to creatively solve problems and consult others through knowledge sharing forums online, nomadic workers can learn how to prepare for any potential issues and ask questions through information and communication technologies (ICTs) before traveling to a certain area (Büscher, 2014; Jarrahi, Phillips, Sutherland, Sawyer, & Erickson, 2018; Messenger & Gschwind, 2016).…”

Nomadic Knowledge Sharing Practices and Challenges: Findings From a Long-Term Case Study

“…Ciolfi and de Carvalho have discussed the mediational role of technologies in mobilizing the work place, so that work activities can be accomplished in and across different locations [31]. Jarrahi & Thomson carried an empirical study of information practices of mobile knowledge workers and found that their work practices continuously evolve based on social, temporal, spatial and material contexts [32]. Bødker et al, have looked at a volunteer based community and documented their technology appropriation practices by using free technologies.…”

Personal artifact ecologies in the context of mobile knowledge workers

“…Human-centered computing researchers have led investigations into how ubiquitous infrastructures and mobile technologies shape the extension and expansion of knowledge work outside of the conventional office (e.g., Büscher, 2013;Ciolfi & de Carvalho, 2014;Czarniawska, 2014;Jarrahi & Thomson, 2017;Liegl, 2014;Perry, 2007;Rossitto et al, 2014). Popular themes in this body of work include planning and preparation needed for conducting work mobile-ly (i.e., mobilization work) (e.g., Bardram & Bossen, 2005;Perry & Brodie, 2006); the use of digital technologies for professional nomadism (e.g., de Carvalho et al, 2011;Su & Mark, 2008); and the extension of work into the home environment (e.g., Czarniawska, 2014;Middleton, 2008).…”

“…Listening to preferred music helped several participants working from public places such as coffee shops as well; many noted that they regularly use noise-canceling headphones so to stay focused. While these are rather innocuous examples, they are nonetheless indicative of the work-life overlap with which MKWs continually contend (explored more in Jarrahi & Thomson, 2017).…”