Technology adoption and the mobile worker: The case of the field journalist

Abstract

Mobile technology offers the potential to connect the mobile worker with information resources which would normally be available in an office setting. Such devices could improve the competency of these workers when making on-the-spot decisions however there are many published cases of failure to adopt such innovations. In many instances the potential which the tool possesses to improve work has been recognised by workers and yet they persist with incumbent work methods. This paper examines one such case, namely print journalists reporting from the field. Major impediments to mobile technology adoption include the potential negative effect which the device has upon the established information system and, in particular, its influence on the level of collaboration of different mobile workers.