Working with connective flow: how smartphone use is evolving in practice

Abstract

Smartphones, those handheld devices that connect us via telephone and the Internet to virtually everyone and everything in the world, are becoming an integral part of everyday life. While there are significant individual and collective benefits from being more connected, there are also concerns associated with ‘always on’ work practices. This paper reports on a two-phase case study of smartphone users in a global financial services firm comparing the use of smartphones and their impact on work over time. We found that mobile communication technology practices have evolved within a relatively short (5-year) period of time as users seek to manage connectivity across work and non-work spaces. Disconnecting from work is no longer possible, nor desirable, for many users, who exercise choice (agency), switching between work and non-work interactions to regulate the connective flow across multiple connective media.

Keywords:

• smartphone
• connectivity
• agency
• connective flow
• mobility

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kristine Dery

About the Authors

Kristine Dery is a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School. Her research investigates the interaction of technology and users in the workplace with particular focus on the impact of integrated enterprise systems. More recently her work has focussed on mobile connectivity and the role of social media.

Darl Kolb

Darl Kolb is Professor Connectivity at the Graduate School of Management, Auckland Business School, New Zealand. His research is focussed on measuring and managing the right kind and amount of connectivity for collaborative performance.

Judith MacCormick

Judith MacCormick is a visting fellow at the Australian School of Business, University of NSW, Sydney. MacCormick’s global research on leadership, organizational climate and work practices focuses on what is required for both generative and sustainable outcomes for multiple stakeholders.