The social construction of mobile telephony: An application of the social influence model to perceptions and uses of mobile phones within personal communication networks

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and how perceptions and uses of mobile phones are socially constructed in social networks. Perceptions consisted of (1) perceptions of the mobile phone as a means of personal display, (2) attitudes about mobile phone use in public settings, (3) attitudes about use while driving, (4) perceived richness of the medium, and (5) comfort with mobile telephony. Uses included (1) degree of use, (2) purposes for use, (3) degree of use while driving, (4) how the mobile phone is used to manage social boundaries, and (5) degree of text messaging use. Applying Fulk et al.'s (1990) Social Influence model for technology use, this study examined the role of small social networks, known as Personal Communication Networks (PCNs) (Rogers & Kincaid, 1981) in how individuals perceived and used mobile phones.; The study hypothesized that perceptions and uses of mobile phones would be more similar within PCNs than for the entire sample. The argument behind this hypothesis was that similarities of perceptions and uses within PCNs would result from collective sense-making among PCN members. Findings from a self-report survey revealed that some of the perceptions and most of the uses were significantly more similar within PCNs than for individuals in the sample. This hypothesis was generally supported.; Interview data were also collected to investigate how perceptions and uses were negotiated through social interaction. Findings revealed that interaction with social contacts played an important role in decisions to adopt mobile phones, perceptions of mobile phone products and services, perceptions of inappropriate mobile phone usage, and use of mobile phones as a collective social resource. Results of the study serve as evidence supporting the argument that perceptions and uses of communication technologies are, at least in part, constructed socially among close personal contacts. Researchers commonly examine the effects and characteristics of communication technologies without consideration of human agency and social context. The present study demonstrates that human agency and social context must be considered in these studies, since they help shape the way people think about and use communication technologies.