Social and organizational consequences of wireless communications: A selective analysis of residential and business sectors in The United States

Abstract

While much effort has been directed towards predicting the potential market for mobile personal communication technologies, little prospective analysis has been devoted to how these technologies are likely to change the way people live their lives and the way businesses and other organizations will operate. This paper systematically explores these questions by presenting not only case study information and qualitative data, but the results of national surveys as well. Among the topics examined for residential users are the readily recognizable effects of increases in convenience, personal efficiency and security, as well as more subtle effects, particularly in the psychological and interpersonal realm. In the area of worklife, topics of control of organizational and manpower resources and competitive advantages that the technology seems to offer are discussed. Significant attention is also devoted to how these technologies are likely to affect business operations as wireless communication becomes cheaper and more powerful. Particular structures are identified which are likely to help organizations thrive in an environment characterized by increased competition and information flows. The analysis concludes with recommendations for organizational adaptations to take advantage of these burgeoning technologies.