Mobile technology adoption for mobile information systems: an activity theory perspective

The development of mobile technology has allowed the potential of information systems to extend information access and collaboration beyond the normal boundaries of the traditional centres of coordination such as the office. It is therefore puzzling that with the large capitol expenditure for research and development into mobile tools such as personal digital assistant (PDA) or the laptop, that their adoption and use does not necessarily reflect returns in the same order of magnitude. This paper reflects on the potential enhancements to work delivery that mobile devices offer as well as examining the reasons why their adoption has been far from spectacular. We attempt to highlight the reasons that affect adoptability of mobile technology devices through the use of activity theory. This theory is applied to a case study examining an attempt to adopt mobile technology.