Work-related use and positive livelihood outcomes among mobile phone users in Asia

Abstract

This study set out to investigate the effects of psychological mechanisms on using mobile phones for work-related communication, and subsequently to prove that people at the bottom of the pyramid in Asia who use their phones strategically reap positive livelihood-related outcomes. Grounded in the theory of reasoned action and technology acceptance model it looks at the relationship between perceived self-efficacy, usefulness, ease of use, social influence, monetary value and gender on usage for strategic communication, and resultant benefits. Based on the Teleuse4@BoP survey, the study focuses on mobile phone owners only (N=4926), and runs a series of binary logistical regressions and ordinary least-squares regressions to predict hypotheses. I found that the positive relationship between perceived usefulness and strategic usage of mobile phones for work-related communication is stronger among people who have irregular incomes. Social influence is negatively related to strategic usage of mobile phones for work-related communication. Perceived monetary value is negatively related to strategic usage of mobile phones for work-related communication. The negative relationship between gender and strategic usage of mobile phones for work-related communication is stronger among people who have jobs that require mobile phone use. And strategic usage of mobile phones for work-related communication is positively related to livelihood-related positive outcomes, holding other things constant. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.