Manuel José Damásio, Patrícia Dias, Sara Henriques and Inês Teixeira-Botelho, CICANT and Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Portugal, ‘Mobile Devices as drivers of Social Capital: How can apps’ change communication dynamics within a community’ presented at 'Communities in the Digital Age' International Symposium, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK, 12 June 2013
Manuel José Damásio ([email protected]) Patrícia Dias, Sara Henriques, Inês Teixeira-Botelho Universidade Lusófona [ULHT] Center for Research in Applied Communication, Culture and New Technologies [CICANT] http://cicant.ulusofona.pt Mobile Devices as Strenghteners of Social Interaction: Apps and changes in mobile communication “COMMUNITIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE” INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY 12TH JUNE 2013, CANTERBURY, UK
Transcript
Manuel José Damásio ([email protected]) Patrícia Dias, Sara Henriques, Inês Teixeira-BotelhoUniversidade Lusófona [ULHT]Center for Research in Applied Communication, Culture and New Technologies [CICANT] http://cicant.ulusofona.pt
Mobile Devices as Strenghteners of Social Interaction: Apps and changes in mobile
communication
“COMMUNITIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE” INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUMCANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY12TH JUNE 2013, CANTERBURY, UK
and difusion in Southern Europe- Development and deployment of mobile apps
taillored for face-to-face based communities (i.e HE institutions)
- On going research project (2010/2015)
- To characterize mobile internet usage and the most popular activities undertaken via this technology;
- To identify the relevance of mobility in specific social settings;
- Comparing fixed and mobile access to the internet and the consequences thereof (particularly for social capital);
- Understanding how different players – stakeholders and users – face a changing technological environment.
Objectives
Are stakeholders’ and users’ perceptions about the use of mobile technologies far apart? [YES]
Is mobile internet access a key factor in determining changes in patterns of internet use? [YES]
Does the mediation of mobile technologies impact online communities and social capital? [YES]
Research Questions and Hypothesis
State of the Art
Mobile Internet Concept?
On the move?
3G, 4G ?
Wireless?
Mobile Internet Adoption – Key adoption driversWhat’s in it for me?
State of the Art
StakeholdersTAM/ UTAUT
UsersActivity Theory
“direct effects from access” – direct network effects
“direct effects from activities” – indirect network effects
Network Theory
1st Stage
Method
Stakeholders Users
Qualitative Methods Quantitative Methods
Interviews about m-internet adoption and use
Longitudinal Inquiries about m-internet use (2 surveys so far of
population representative samples)
Results: Qualitative study
Mobile Phones Manufacturing Companies: Sony Ericsson Nokia LG
Market Research Companies: Marktest Netsonda GFK
Mobile Marketing Companies: Timwe
Mobile Network Operators: Vodafone ZON
Stakeholders
Age ¼ of youngsters (<25) uses m-internet via smartphone; adults (25-34) are the
majority using m-internet, mostly to access social networks, email, weather forecast and m-banking; seniors (>64) use m-internet less
Gender Most m-internet users are men; the same amount of men and women
accesses social networks via m-internet Education
M-internet users have a good social and economic status, live in urban centers and have good education levels
Usage time M-internet is frequently used but for short periods, often for utilitarian
purposes; peak usage is at lunch time, at the end of the afternoon, and there is a “prime-time” between 22h and 24h; Friday is the day with more traffic
Users’ Profiles
Results: Qualitative study
Smartphones still have some limitations regarding Quality of screens, storage capacities, edition tasks and collaboration
tools. Non-optimized websites
Price plans High prices and limited traffic
Lack of information and, or knowledge The lack of information and low levels of media literacy regarding the
existent services and their ability to absorb technology are still obstacles to the spread of mobile internet
Limitations and Obstacles to Adoption
Results: Qualitative study
Social networks Social networks and email access are the main reasons to have mobile internet and the
main banners in attracting customers to this service; 70% of teenagers access social networks on mobile phones
Mobility of the connection Mobility gives access to new services and possibilities e.g. geolocation and new types of
consuming, sharing and communicating Fun and entertainment
e.g. games, movies and music contribute for a better use of “dead time”. Work
Using mobile internet for work related matters is associated to senior users and young adults
Filling “dead time” Internet users are increasingly spending more time surfing on the internet, turning ‘dead
time’ into useful time; on these periods of time, people are more likely to be available to try new services and analyze new products. “Dead time” is becoming “Mobile Economic Time”
- users’ present a perspective more concerned with the activities they perform online, arguing that the differences in the nature of the social interaction and activities are relevant key adoption drivers.
- Users seek to disrupt traditional access models that the industry is replicating for mobile internet access.
- According to stakeholders, m-internet is growing and its adoption is increasing due to the advantages users can achieved for accessing it. Stakeholders seem more concerned with technological determinants and forms of access as key drivers to promote m-internet adoption.
- To some extent, stakeholders fail to internalize the impact that social interactions and social capital generation have in the adoption process.
