Representing infusion of mobile phones

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to widen understanding of what is meant by the notion mobile phone technology infusion. An individual is a psychological micro unit and a community represents a psychological macro unit of an IT infusion phenomenon. The two descriptive reference terms for the macro level are institutionalization and incorporation. Both terms mean some kind of fusion, meaning that, when the technology fuses (is incorporated) well with the daily routines of a community (or an institution) the infusion is almost complete. On the micro level the notion routinization is important for a better understanding of a process where both cumulative and discrete appropriation exists; it is hypothesized that routinization is a discrete phenomenon. A key for understanding the infusion of mobile phone technology is the observation that individuals do not utilize the technology completely. Increasing product orientated innovation power seems to support this ongoing cultural phenomenon, especially when mobile phones are concerned. Regardless of biased appropriation, the individual working habits and targets are altered by the mobile phone communication technology. On the other hand new meanings for activities are created and old activities are based on new aims. Of course, when considering the notion of infusion it comes close to the notion of diffusion. These notions are here illustrated as the two dimensions of adoption; the notion diffusion represents the quantitative dimension, and infusion also stands for the qualitative dimension of the integrated mobile.