Mobile Phone Appropriation: Exploring Differences in terms of Age, Gender and Occupation

Abstract

This study investigates the appropriation of wireless phone technologies by building on the technology appropriation theories. To understand the patterns of wireless phone use through the concept of appropriation, the study looks into the choice of mobile phone use through various attractors, the purposes of MP use and the extent of use of various MP applications and features by the targeted users. This study also explored the influences of age, gender and occupation type on MP appropriation. The result of the study allows us to describe important elements of MP appropriation and explore the influence individual characteristics such as gender, age and occupation on different patterns of MP use through our conceptualization of appropriation. It is found that all of the individual characteristics investigated were significantly related with the MP appropriation and use. We conclude that these individual characteristic variables such as gender, age and occupation type are important moderating variables in understanding MP appropriation and use among the respondents. The results of the study are expected to assist in understanding the use of MP across different ages and occupation and serve as a mechanism in guiding the development of mobile phone applications and design by service providers and manufacturers respectively; as well as in aiding policy formulation on MP use at the work place