Mobile Phone Appropriation Research Articles

A Test of the Mobile Phone Appropriation Model: A Comparison between Chinese and US Samples

A Test of the Mobile Phone Appropriation Model: A Comparison between Chinese and US Samples

Entrepreneurs' mobile phone appropriation and technical efficiency of informal firms in Dakar (Senegal)

AbstractIn Africa, entrepreneurship remains predominantly informal, but the rapid spread of mobile phone and Internet use is often viewed as an opportunity to boost the productivity and output of informal firms. Yet little is known on how informal entrepreneurs use these technologies for their business. The purpose of this paper is to open the black box of ‘mobile usage’ and investigate its effects on the performance of informal micro and small enterprises. To do so, we develop an original conceptual framework of mobile usage and apply a three‐step empirical approach based on a unique dataset of informal firms in Dakar. The first step allows us to identify rich ‘mobile usage’ measures that examine the different economic functions supported by mobile phones (coordination, finance and management) and the multiple dimensions of use (range and intensity). The second step identifies four user profiles with specific forms of appropriation: disconnected entrepreneurs, networkers, Internet explorers and digital entrepreneurs. The third step uses a stochastic frontier approach to investigate whether these profiles increase the economic efficiency of informal firms. Our findings suggest that while the most advanced uses of mobile phones have an incremental impact on sales efficiency, the potential for improvement remains limited. Only networkers' coordination uses show a significant impact on value added and profit, while the ways in which Internet explorers and digital entrepreneurs use a mobile phone have only a limited impact.

A Test of the Mobile Phone Appropriation Model

This study tested the generalizability of the mobile phone appropriation model to the United States with the aim of enhancing theorization about mobile communication. Associations between the theoretical constructs in the model were examined with structural equation modeling and mediation analyses. Meta-communication was associated with all four dimensions of behavioral evaluations (i.e., functional, symbolic, normative, and restrictive). Some behavioral evaluations were associated with mobile phones’ usage patterns (i.e., functional and symbolic), with normative evaluations emerging as an important predictor of all usage aspects. These results shed light on the MPA theoretical framework, its parsimony, and potential revisions needed.

The multi-faceted usage patterns of nutrition apps: a survey on the appropriation of nutrition apps among German-speaking users of MyFitnessPal

BackgroundCurrent systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials suggest positive influences of mobile app-based health promotion programs on dietary and physical activity behaviors. However, the actual adoption of and rates of nutrition app use remain low among the overall population. Therefore, we took a step back and investigated actual use patterns. In doing so, we took an appropriation perspective in order to reveal different styles of everyday life integration of these apps.MethodsWe conducted an online survey with 761 German-speaking users of the MyFitnessPal app. Respondents were asked about their detailed use of nutrition apps according to an adapted version of the mobile phone appropriation model. Based on a cluster analysis, different user types were identified. These user types were compared and further described based on analyses of variance. In addition, we conducted a multinomial logistic regression to determine significant predictors of the varying usage patterns.ResultsFour different user types were identified: (1) Supported, (2) Indifferent, (3) Health-conscious, and (4) Socializer. These user types mainly differed regarding three aspects: (1) their willingness to adjust default settings to one’s own needs and abilities, (2) the role of social support and social norms, and (3) app use for socializing and competition.ConclusionsOur study sheds light on the multi-faceted appropriation patterns of nutrition apps in Germany, thus paving the way for future studies on mHealth appropriation patterns and the design of more refined mHealth-interventions.

Appropriation of Mobile Health for Diabetes Self-Management: Lessons From Two Qualitative Studies.

BackgroundTo achieve clarity on mobile health’s (mHealth’s) potential in the diabetes context, it is necessary to understand potential users’ needs and expectations, as well as the factors determining their mHealth use. Recently, a few studies have examined the user perspective in the mHealth context, but their explanatory value is constrained because of their limitation to adoption factors.ObjectiveThis paper uses the mobile phone appropriation model to examine how individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes integrate mobile technology into their everyday self-management. The study advances the field beyond mere usage metrics or the simple dichotomy of adoption versus rejection.MethodsData were gathered in 2 qualitative studies in Singapore and Germany, with 21 and 16 respondents, respectively. Conducting semistructured interviews, we asked respondents about their explicit use of diabetes-related apps, their general use of varied mobile technologies to manage their disease, and their daily practices of self-management.ResultsThe analysis revealed that although some individuals with diabetes used dedicated diabetes apps, most used tools across the entire mobile-media spectrum, including lifestyle and messaging apps, traditional health information websites and forums. The material indicated general barriers to usage, including financial, technical, and temporal restrictions.ConclusionsIn sum, we find that use patterns differ regarding users’ evaluations, expectancies, and appropriation styles, which might explain the inconclusive picture of effects studies in the diabetes mHealth context.

Mapping the Web of Relations: Understanding Mobile Phone Appropriation among Produce Traders in Ghana

Mapping the Web of Relations: Understanding Mobile Phone Appropriation among Produce Traders in Ghana

An English scale for measuring mobile phone appropriation: Translation and assessment

An English scale for measuring mobile phone appropriation: Translation and assessment

Is (the study of) mobile phones old wine in a new bottle? A polemic on communication-based acculturation research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the discourses on migrant acculturation and migrants’ mobile phone communication, in order to examine the inclusiveness of communication-acculturation research in the recent years. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on from 102 qualitative interviews (48 Malayali, 26 Bangla, 17 Tamil and 11 Telugu) for a larger research project that investigated the role of mobile phones in migrant acculturation in Singapore. Respondents were selected using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling methods. The respondents had been in Singapore for varying amount of time: from one month to 19 years. Findings – The analysis of the discourses on migrant acculturation and mobile phone communication revealed that labor migrants were excluded on the basis of their temporary status and apprehensions on work productivity. The mobile usage prohibitions that existed in work sites were hinged on similar discourses that stereotyped the labor migrants. The emancipatory metaphor that has been at the center of research on migrants’ mobile phone usage and acculturation needs to be replaced with a critical discourse perspective. Research limitations/implications – The data were originally collected for a research project that approached the phenomena of acculturation and mobile phone appropriation from a positivist perspective, whereas this paper analyzed the data to critically examine the discourses that supported the premise of the project itself. Due to this, the findings presented in this paper have limited scope for generalization. Originality/value – The paper critiques the research trends in migrant acculturation and mobile phone communication and suggests a possible alternative that goes beyond the “transcendental teleology” that underpins discourse and practice.

A review of mobile pervasive learning: Applications and issues

Mobile phones constitute a technology that has become part of our everyday usage. In the absence of an in-depth evaluation of mobile phone appropriation and its utilization, this paper investigates and reviews the usage of mobile phones in the context of pervasive learning. This paper reviews mobile phone usage and associated applications, as well as the negative impact. This paper also covers pervasive computing, and mobile pervasive learning technologies, applications and issues. Fifty-five papers were selected in the review process. The assimilation of pervasive learning with mobile phones marks an incredible venture forward. The incorporation of mobile technology and pervasive learning can enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of learning activities in the future. This new innovation has changed the conventional idea of learning in as much as we are now continually surrounded and submerged in learning encounters.

Investigating Modern-DayTalaria:Mobile Phones and the Mobility-Impaired in Singapore

Revisiting the medical and social models of disability, this study adopted the integrated biopsychosocial approach to examine experiences of 25 mobility-impaired respondents in Singapore with using mobile phones. We found that mobile phones provided respondents a greater degree of mobility, a sense of control, and opportunities to escape the stigma of disability, thus challenging the boundaries between the able-bodied and the disabled. Mobile phone appropriation allowed the management of personal identities and social networks, leading to a sense of empowerment. However, mobile phone usage might act as a double-edged sword for disabled people, creating mobile dependencies and a spatial narrowing of social connections. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

‘I wanna go in the phone’: literacy acquisition, informal learning processes, ‘voice’ and mobile phone appropriation in a South African township

The uptake of mobile phones has been especially remarkable in the developing world. For the first time in history, people at the bottom of the income pyramid can also take part in the telecommunication society. Mobile phones can play a unique role in reaching those who are outside the scope of formal or institutionalised schooling and open doors to out-of-school learning practices. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Wesbank, an impoverished community in Cape Town, we look at the (informal) learning practices ‘illiterate’ and ‘low literate’ women engage in, in an attempt to gain ‘voice’ in new communicative realities by learning how to be(come) cell phone literate and at the different levels of competence this informal learning generates. The mobile phone has become a learning tool, nourishing learning practices in emerging ‘communities of practice’ in which learning is a social activity in which anyone with any knowledge on mobile phones and mobile phone literacies becomes a potential teacher.

Evolving Mobile Media: Uses and Conceptualizations of the Mobile Internet

Technological convergence has led to the ability to access the internet from a variety of mobile devices. Drawing on the Mobile Phone Appropriation Model (Wirth, von Pape & Karnowski, 2008), we sought to understand how people conceptualize and use the mobile internet by conducting semistructured interviews with 21 mobile internet users, half American and half German in order to explore cross-cultural differences. Findings suggest little cross-cultural difference in use and understanding of the mobile Internet. Users do not perceive the act of “going online” as a significant step, even if it is on a mobile device. They do, however, distinguish between different ways of consuming information online (extractive and immersive), relating them to different situations and devices.

Mobile phone appropriation of students and staff at an institution of higher learning

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption and appropriation of mobile phone (MP) technologies by building on the technology appropriation theories. The paper also looks into the choice of MP use through various attractors, the purposes of MP use and the extent of use of various MP applications and features by the targeted users. This paper also explores the influences of age, gender, and occupation type on MP appropriation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used a survey method in order to achieve the intended objectives. The staff (academic and non‐academic) and students of three academic faculties of a university in Malaysia were used as the study's population. A sample of 201 was selected and used for the purpose of this paper.FindingsThe result of the paper allows us to describe important elements of MP appropriation and explore the influence of individual characteristics such as gender, age and occupation on different patterns of MP use through our conceptualization of appropriation. It is found that all of the individual characteristics investigated were significantly related with the MP appropriation and use.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations in this paper are related to the ability of the result to be generalized to other user groups as well as other user groups at other institution of higher learning. More research needs to be conducted to ensure the robustness of the findings by comparing with other users.Practical implicationsThe results of the paper are expected to assist in understanding the use of MPs across different ages and occupation and serve as a mechanism in guiding the development of MP applications and design by service providers and manufacturers, respectively; as well as in aiding policy formulation on MP use at the work place.Originality/valueThe paper has taken a different approach from the commonly applied IT adoption and acceptance model in understanding MP use. The rationale for the use of appropriation theory from the study can contribute to similar areas with similar types of technology applications.

An Integrative Model of Mobile Phone Appropriation

The evolution of mobile communication devices and services has taken up a dynamic that makes any prognosis in the field almost impossible. Whereas part of this dynamic may remain inscrutable, we believe that a much higher degree of explanation can be achieved by systematically paying closer attention to the process of appropriation. To seize upon this potential, we present an integrative model to analyze mobile phone appropriation (the “MPA model”). The model is based on existing theoretical approaches of the quantitative “adoption” paradigm (namely, Innovation Diffusion Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior) as well as the mostly qualitative research paradigm devoted to “appropriation” (Cultural studies and Frame Analysis), with the Uses-and-Gratifications approach playing a role on both sides. The model has been developed, operationalized and empirically applied in the context of mobile phone appropriation; however, with certain modifications it can be adapted to other information and communications technology (ICT) innovations. Resume An Integrative Model of Mobile Phone Appropriation The evolution of mobile communication devices and services has taken up a dynamic that makes any prognosis in the field almost impossible. Whereas part of this dynamic may remain inscrutable, we believe that a much higher degree of explanation can be achieved by systematically paying closer attention to the process of appropriation. To seize upon this potential, we present an integrative model to analyze mobile phone appropriation (the “MPA model”). The model is based on existing theoretical approaches of the quantitative “adoption” paradigm (namely, Innovation Diffusion Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior) as well as the mostly qualitative research paradigm devoted to “appropriation” (Cultural studies and Frame Analysis), with the Uses-and-Gratifications approach playing a role on both sides. The model has been developed, operationalized and empirically applied in the context of mobile phone appropriation; however, with certain modifications it can be adapted to other information and communications technology (ICT) innovations. ZhaiYao