Broadband and mobile opportunities: a socio-technical perspective

Authors: Sawyer S.¹; Allen J.P.²; Lee H.³

Source: Journal of Information Technology, Volume 18, Number 2, June 2003 , pp. 121-136(16)

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Abstract:

The growth of broadband connectivity expands what can and might be transmitted across the World Wide Web and Internet. Coupled with the increasing levels of mobile Internet connectivity, broadband may allow for a new round of changed patterns in the ways computers are used. Direct effects models of the deployment, use, value and futures of broadband connectivity are unlikely to cope with the social and technological complexity of broadband. A socio-technical theoretical perspective, with its emphasis on the complex relations among social and technical aspects of a phenomenon, can provide useful insight into the potential societal impact, institutional effects and changes to individual work and life behaviours that may arise from the increasing level of bandwidth available. This paper provides a brief overview of broadband and mobile technologies from a socio-technical perspective, organizes and surveys relevant literature and focuses on emerging issues with broadband connectivity where research will help shape policy, strategy and the use of broadband networks.Journal of Information Technology 2003 18, 121–136. doi:10.1080/0268396032000101171

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0268396032000101171

Affiliations: 1: 1School of Information Sciences and Technology The Pennsylvania State University 2J Thomas Building University Park, PA 16802 USA 2: 2School of Business and Management University of San Francisco 2130 Fulton Street San Francisco, CA 94117 USA 3: 3Department of Information Systems The University of Melbourne Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia

Publication date: 2003-06-01