Using Mobile Phones at Work in Personal and Professional Information Processes

Abstract

Employees use mobile phones for several information processes at work, either in relation to their work or their personal life. This study uses descriptive statistics and regression analysis in order to identify which information processes are accessed by employees to reach their personal and professional goals when using mobile phones at work, using a sample of 368 professionals from different fields in Romania. The results of the study show that messaging applications (e-mail, sms, Messenger, Whatsapp, etc.) and searches for information on the Internet are the biggest time consumers for personal purposes, while telephone conversations (voice only) and searches for useful information on the Internet are the biggest consumers of working time for professional purposes. Based on the opinions of employees, we found that the most important effect of mobile phone use at work for personal purposes lies in the fact that it helps employees be more productive through a better work–life balance. The mobile phone was originally designed as a personal device, but today, since employers are allowing or requiring its use, during work, it is also used for professional purposes.

Review of Smartphone as an Office: Security Risks and Mitigation Measures

“…Digital cameras, music and video players, portable satellite navigation, e-book readers, voice recorders, paper diaries, personal organizers, and watches are just a few conventional products replaced by smartphones [13]. According to [17], a smartphone is a tool used by the user to perform any commonly accepted information processing, such as information gathering, organization, analysis, storage, and retrieval, as well as transmission and reception, processing, and display.…”

“…Smartphones are equipped with cameras to record both pictures and videos. In addition, the camera can be used for other things, like visual searches Although smartphones were initially intended to be used for personal purposes, [17] claimed that, because of policies that permit or require their use, they are now also used for work-related activities. Smartphones have Internet access that allows people to do a variety of things with them, including access to social networks and knowledge sharing [17].…”

“…Smartphone users can access a wide variety of services from their devices, including phone calls, internet access, data sharing and storage, online and offline games, mobile TV and radio, word processing, spreadsheets, and a host of other tools. Consequently, users' reliance on smartphones to perform a variety of activities and facilitate daily work practices has increased globally [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. The use of a mobile office is an opportunity provided by smartphones and other apps; however, there are also many risks that must be considered.…”

“…Consequently, traditional structures and business processes are transformed into ubiquitous functionality and virtual structures [6]. According to [4], a mobile phone is "a portable computing device that employs mobile communication technologies." Data, voice, and video can be transmitted wirelessly from a smartphone or other wirelessly capable devices using mobile communication technologies, without the need for a permanent physical connection.…”

“…Smartphones are increasingly being used to aid various aspects of office work. Telework, also known as distance work and flex work, which combines office and out-ofoffice work, is now common [3], [4]. Currently, smartphones function as networked computers, data storage devices, navigational aids, sound and video recorders, mobile banks, mobile doctors, photo galleries, and social network hubs.…”