Mobility: an extended perspective

Abstract

The emergence and convergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are fundamen- tally transforming the use of technology, and in par- ticular concerning the issues of mobility. The current debates on mobility, however, almost exclusively con- sist of functionalist analyses of how particular mobile technologies can alleviate geographical barriers for human activity. This paper reconsiders, from a theo- retical perspective, the concept of mobility. We argue that mobility should not exclusively be linked to hu- man corporeal travel. The concept also relates more broadly to the interaction people perform. In order to appreciate the relationship between mobility and hu- man interaction, three interrelated dimensions are discussed — spatial, temporal, and contextual as- pects of mobility. In order to characterize the social topology of ICT supported mobilized interaction, we suggest and discuss the adoption of a fluid metaphor. Based on these discussions, a case of a new mobile technology system introduced in a Japanese distribu- tion service firm is discussed.