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Mobile and Ubiquitous Information Mobile and Ubiquitous Information Systems – an overview of the Systems – an overview of the
literatureliterature
Eusebio Scornavacca Eusebio Scornavacca
School of Information Management, School of Information Management,
Victoria University of Wellington, NZVictoria University of Wellington, NZ
MWnet Mobility and Wireless Applications
Research Network at Victoria University of Wellington
M-lit Mobile Business Literature
Websitewww.m-lit.org
The Information Systems DomainThe Information Systems Domain
Technology
People Organizations
The application of information technology to support people working in organizations
Home
Work
Stationary
Time
Space
A
Time
Home
Work
Space
C
Ubiquitous
Home
Work
Networked
Time
Space
Internet Kiosk
Internet Kiosk
B
The b
asi
c
ph
en
om
enon
Characteristics and Value Characteristics and Value Propositions of Mobile & Propositions of Mobile &
Ubiquitous ISUbiquitous IS►Conceptual Conceptual
BewildermentBewilderment M-commerceM-commerce
Mobile CommerceMobile Commerce M-BusinessM-Business
Mobile BusinessMobile Business U-commerceU-commerce
Ubiquitous CommerceUbiquitous Commerce Ultimate CommerceUltimate Commerce
Research in IS MobilityResearch in IS Mobility
Five “streams” of work in Mobility:Five “streams” of work in Mobility:1)1)aiming to understand the philosophical aiming to understand the philosophical
nature of mobility; nature of mobility;
2)2)focused on the purpose/need of mobilityfocused on the purpose/need of mobility
3)3)aiming to categorize mobilityaiming to categorize mobility
4)4)researching the physical manifestations of researching the physical manifestations of mobility (in terms of users, devices and mobility (in terms of users, devices and services)services)
5)5)examining the effects of mobility on societyexamining the effects of mobility on society
Understanding the LiteratureUnderstanding the Literature
► Through a detailed examination of major Through a detailed examination of major publication outlets, this research attempts publication outlets, this research attempts to characterize the development of the to characterize the development of the mobile and ubiquitous IS research stream. It mobile and ubiquitous IS research stream. It aims to point out:aims to point out: Where it is today?Where it is today? Where efforts should be focused in the future in Where efforts should be focused in the future in
order to build a strong research tradition?order to build a strong research tradition?
Supporting research questionsSupporting research questions
► The following research questions were The following research questions were posed in order to assess the state of mobile posed in order to assess the state of mobile and ubiquitous IS research:and ubiquitous IS research: What is the main What is the main focusfocus of research? of research? What are the mainWhat are the main types types of research? of research? What are the mainWhat are the main technologies technologies studied? studied? What are the mainWhat are the main contexts contexts of research?of research? What What researchresearch methodsmethods were used? were used? Was primary Was primary data collectiondata collection carried out? carried out? What were the What were the keykey contributionscontributions of the studies? of the studies?
Methodology & ScopeMethodology & Scope► Learn from the established tradition in IS research of examining the Learn from the established tradition in IS research of examining the
research literature itself in order to better understand the “state of research literature itself in order to better understand the “state of play” of research in the field, and to discern patterns in the play” of research in the field, and to discern patterns in the development of the field.development of the field. Culnan and Swanson 1986; Alavi and Carlson 1992; Banker and Kauffman 2004.Culnan and Swanson 1986; Alavi and Carlson 1992; Banker and Kauffman 2004.
► Locate outlets (conferences and journals), which have published Locate outlets (conferences and journals), which have published relevant mobile and ubiquitous IS research. relevant mobile and ubiquitous IS research. The search began with an examination of previously published lists of The search began with an examination of previously published lists of
outlets containing: outlets containing: ► IS research (e.g., Mylonopoulos and Theoharakis 2001) IS research (e.g., Mylonopoulos and Theoharakis 2001) ► e-commerce research (e.g., Bharati and Tarasewich 2002, Wareham et al, 2005) e-commerce research (e.g., Bharati and Tarasewich 2002, Wareham et al, 2005) ► M-business (Scornavacca et al 2006; Ngai and Gunasekaran, 2007)M-business (Scornavacca et al 2006; Ngai and Gunasekaran, 2007)
► The initial selection was refined via discussions with senior The initial selection was refined via discussions with senior academics actively researching in this domain. academics actively researching in this domain.
► Since research in this area is relatively recent, the scope of this Since research in this area is relatively recent, the scope of this investigation was limited to January 2000 to December 2006investigation was limited to January 2000 to December 2006..
11stst Step: Step:
Scope of the Scope of the mobile mobile and ubiquitous ISand ubiquitous IS
literatureliteratureM-business Conferences
International Conference on Mobile Business (mBusiness)
Mobility Roundtable
M-business Journals
IJMC - International Journal of Mobile Communications
MONET - Mobile Networks and Applications
IS and e-business Conferences
ICIS - International Conference on Information Systems
ECIS - European Conference on Information Systems
AmCIS - Americas Conference on Information Systems
PACIS - Pacific-Asia Conference on Information Systems
ACIS - Australian Conference of Information Systems
HICSS – Hawaii International Conference On System Sciences
Bled eConference
ICEB - International Conference on Electronic Business
ICEC – International Conference on Electronic Commerce
IS and e-business Journals
MISQ - MIS Quarterly
ISR – Information Systems Research
CACM - Communications of ACM
JAIS - Journal of the Association of Information Systems
JMIS - Journal of Management Information Systems
CAIS – Communications of AIS
JSIS – The Journal of Strategic Information Systems
EJIS - European Journal of Information Systems
Information & Management
JIT - Journal of Information Technology
DSS- Decision Support Systems
E-services Journal
Electronic Markets
ECRA -Electronic Commerce Research and Applications
IJEC - International Journal of Electronic Commerce
IJEB - International Journal of Electronic Business
22ndnd Step: Step: Selection Process: Selection Process:
► Examine the abstracts of every paper published during the selected period in the selected research outlets.
► The abstracts were scrutinized and any article considered pertinent to the topic were selected for analysis. The general guideline for article selection was as follows:
The central theme should be mobile, wireless or ubiquitous applications; and
Articles should be in the information systems / e-business domain
Papers with a primarily technical focus were not considered pertinent to this research and were therefore excluded. This included papers in the computer science domain such as those published at MONET and in the technical tracks at HICSS.
1088 articles selected by year and source of publication
Source Number of Articles/year
2000 01 02 03 04 05 06
Specialist Conferences (401)
ICMB (239) - - 62 50 NA 83 44
Mob. Roundtable (162) - - 22 22 27 55 36
IS Conferences (425)
ICIS (16) 0 1 3 3 3 3 3
HICSS (104) 1 8 15 16 22 23 19
ECIS (44) 0 2 7 6 9 13 7
PACIS (30) 0 0 4 7 10 3 6
ACIS (22) 1 2 5 1 5 8 NI
ICEB (34) 0 2* 7* NI 24 1* NI
Bled eConference (39) 1* 1 9 13 6* 9 NI
AmCIS (106) 1 10 13 14 29 24 15
ICEC (30) 0 2* 8* 8* 12 NI NI
1088 articles selected by year and source of publication
Source Number of Articles/year
2000 01 02 03 04 05 06
IS Journals (262)
IJMC (113) - - - 18 25 28 42
IJEC (9) 0 0 0 6* 3 0 0
CACM (45) 0 2 4 15 4 16 4
MISQ (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
IJEB (11) - - - 1 9 1 0
JAIS (1) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
JMIS (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
E-serv Jour. (4) - 0 0 4 0 0 0
E-Markets (13) 0 0 8 0 0 1 4
CAIS (20) 0 0 4 3 2 6 5
ECRA (10) - - 1 1 0 1 7
I&O (4) 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
ISR (2) 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
DSS (10) 1 0 2 1 0 2 4
I&M (4) 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
EJIS (8) 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
JIT (3) 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
JSIS (4) 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Selection RefinementSelection Refinement
► TheThe 1088 1088 candidate articles needed to be carefully candidate articles needed to be carefully categorized and selected for detailed analysis. categorized and selected for detailed analysis.
► One of the main issues that arose was the overall One of the main issues that arose was the overall quality of the research published.quality of the research published. 401 articles from two of the m-business conferences were 401 articles from two of the m-business conferences were
dropped from further consideration (most of the higher-dropped from further consideration (most of the higher-quality papers published at these conferences also quality papers published at these conferences also appeared in IJMC or in special issues of other journals).appeared in IJMC or in special issues of other journals).
Papers from the AIS sponsored conferences and forums, as Papers from the AIS sponsored conferences and forums, as well as articles from HICSS, were included in the analysis well as articles from HICSS, were included in the analysis on the assumption that sufficiently rigorous reviewing on the assumption that sufficiently rigorous reviewing would have occurred.would have occurred.
Sources for the detailed literature Sources for the detailed literature
analysisanalysis ► After careful examination, After careful examination,
506 articles, from 20 506 articles, from 20 sources, were selected for sources, were selected for detailed analysis:detailed analysis: 299 (59.1%) from conferences299 (59.1%) from conferences 207 (40.9%) from journals 207 (40.9%) from journals
► These articles were These articles were read in their entirety, read in their entirety, categorized and categorized and subsequently analyzedsubsequently analyzed
source
IJMC
AmCIS
HICSS
ECIS
PACIS
CAIS
ICIS
e-markets
DSS
ECRA
IJEB
IJEC
EJIS
I&M
JIT
JSIS
e-service
ISR
JAIS
JMIS
TOTAL OBS.
N° cit. Percent
107 21.1%
106 20.9%
104 20.6%
44 8.7%
30 5.9%
20 4.0%
15 3.0%
13 2.6%
10 2.0%
10 2.0%
10 2.0%
9 1.8%
8 1.6%
4 0.8%
4 0.8%
4 0.8%
4 0.8%
2 0.4%
1 0.2%
1 0.2%
506 100%
33rdrd Step: Analysis Step: Analysis
Growth: number of publications per year
2000
3
2001
21
2002
56
2003
89
2004
98
2005
111
2006
128
year
0
128
year x Publication type
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Conference Journal
Focus & TypeFocus & TypeCategor
yCharacterization N %
Consumer Consumer applications, consumer behaviour,
implications of mobile/wireless technology for
consumers
221 43.7
Business Business applications, organizational
impact, implications of mobile/wireless technology for
businesses
120 23.7
Technology
Mobile/wireless technology, networks,
development of applications
102 20.2
General General issues about m-business, broad
and unspecific focus
42 8.3
Industry Telecommunications industry and
wireless service providers
21 4.2
Total 506 100
Focus of the researchType* of research
Category N %
Adoption 221 37.5
Analysis 172 34.0
Development
92 18.2
Impact 52 10.3
Total 506 100
*Based on the purpose (goal, aim, objective)
stated in each article
Technology/Application*Technology/Application*tech/app
Mobile_Technology
Mobile_Devices
Internet
Phones
Location
Networks
PDA/Handheld
Not_Specified
RFID
DSS
SMS
WAP
3G
PTT
Barcode
TOTAL OBS.
N° cit. Percent
269 53.2%
40 7.9%
36 7.1%
30 5.9%
28 5.5%
23 4.5%
22 4.3%
17 3.4%
12 2.4%
9 1.8%
8 1.6%
6 1.2%
3 0.6%
2 0.4%
1 0.2%
506 100%
The vast majority of The vast majority of studies presented a studies presented a “broad” focus - “broad” focus - mobile technologies mobile technologies as a wholeas a whole
* Based on the purpose (goal, aim, objective) stated in each article
Context*Context*
Context N° cit.Perce
nt
Services 80 15.8%
Consumer_Markets 47 9.3%
Mobile_commerce 42 8.3%
Work_Force 40 7.9%
Health_Care 36 7.1%
Communications 29 5.7%
Marketing 24 4.7%
Security 24 4.7%
Finance 19 3.8%
Entertainment 14 2.8%
Enterprise 14 2.8%
Education 13 2.6%
Mobile_Technology 43 8.6%
Not_Specified 37 7.4%
*Based on the purpose (goal, aim, objective) stated in each article
Hospitality 8 1.6%
Emergency_Alerts 5 1.0%
SCM 5 1.0%
Collaboration 5 1.0%
Agriculture 3 0.6%
Developing_countries 3 0.6%
Social 3 0.6%
Culture 3 0.6%
Knowledge_Mgt 2 0.4%
Real_Estate 2 0.4%
Content 2 0.4%
Government 1 0.2%
Insurance 1 0.2%
Environment 1 0.2%
TOTAL OBS. 506 100%
Results: Results: Nature of research and data collectionNature of research and data collection
► ““empirical research” - all empirical research” - all research originating in or based research originating in or based on observation or experience, on observation or experience, independently of whether the independently of whether the researcher gathered data researcher gathered data through primary or secondary through primary or secondary data collection data collection
► ““conceptual research” - papers conceptual research” - papers based on intuition-based based on intuition-based reasoning and academic reasoning and academic literature reviews.literature reviews.
► Interesting findings: Interesting findings: The proportion of The proportion of primary dataprimary data
collection is now quite evenly collection is now quite evenly spread among the distinct spread among the distinct research focuses (Business, research focuses (Business, Consumer, Industry, Consumer, Industry, Technology and General).Technology and General).
In 2004 it was predominantly In 2004 it was predominantly found among business focused found among business focused papers. papers.
Data Collection Total
Nature ofResearch
Freq. (%) Freq. (%) Freq. (%)
Primary Secondary
Empirical 301(59.5) 78 (15.4) 379 (74.9
)
Conceptual
- 127(25.1) 127(25.1)
Total 301(59.5) 205 (40.5) 506(100)
► Interesting findings: Interesting findings: Overall there is an Overall there is an
increasing proportion of increasing proportion of articles based on primary articles based on primary data (e.g. 2003 - 40%; 2006 data (e.g. 2003 - 40%; 2006 - 80%)- 80%)
Results: Results: Research MethodsResearch Methods
Method N Percentage
Literature review 125 24.7%
Case study 109 21.5%
Survey 94 18.6%
Simulation 79 15.6%
Experiment 45 8.9%
Interviews 24 4.7%
Not Stated 9 1.8%
Field study 8 1.6%
Focus Group 8 1.6%
Delphi 5 1.0%
Total. 506 100%
► Interesting findings: Interesting findings: An independence test An independence test
between year of publication between year of publication and research method and research method revealed a significant revealed a significant relationship between these relationship between these two variables. two variables.
In 2006 only 13% on the In 2006 only 13% on the papers were based in papers were based in literature reviews in literature reviews in comparison to 41% in 2003comparison to 41% in 2003
Case studies usually were Case studies usually were focused on specific focused on specific applicationsapplications (not (not organizations)organizations)
All articles were classified according to the method or approach stated in each article
Results: ContributionsResults: Contributions
► Most authors clearly highlighted Most authors clearly highlighted the main contributions of their the main contributions of their articles; however, in a number articles; however, in a number of cases (103), due to the lack of cases (103), due to the lack of information given by the of information given by the authors, this classification authors, this classification required a reviewer judgment.required a reviewer judgment.
► A longitudinal analysis of the A longitudinal analysis of the articles revealed a significant articles revealed a significant reduction in papers with future reduction in papers with future research directions as their research directions as their main contribution. main contribution.
► Also in 2006, there was a Also in 2006, there was a significant reduction in the significant reduction in the number of articles offering number of articles offering framworks.framworks.
Contribution N Percentage
Insights 154 30.4%
Model 122 24.1%
Framework 119 23.5%
Application 47 9.3%
Future research 46 9.1%
Algorithm 16 3.2%
Construct 2 0.9%
Total 506 100%
ConclusionsConclusions► ““Much of the mobile and ubiquitous IS literature is descriptive, Much of the mobile and ubiquitous IS literature is descriptive,
dominated by intuition-based reasoning and conceptual analysis dominated by intuition-based reasoning and conceptual analysis rather than empirical investigations”. rather than empirical investigations”. In 2004, this perception was quite accurate. However, if the trends In 2004, this perception was quite accurate. However, if the trends
identified in 2005-2006 continue, empirical investigation are becoming identified in 2005-2006 continue, empirical investigation are becoming the bulk of the mobile and ubiquitous IS body of knowledge.the bulk of the mobile and ubiquitous IS body of knowledge.
The mobile and ubiquitous IS literature is following a pattern of The mobile and ubiquitous IS literature is following a pattern of development similar to the one found in the e-business literature.development similar to the one found in the e-business literature.
► The research field is maturing and starting to develop a research The research field is maturing and starting to develop a research tradition of its own.tradition of its own.
► Much of the literature published on major IS journals does not take in Much of the literature published on major IS journals does not take in consideration previous research published in consideration previous research published in mobile and ubiquitous mobile and ubiquitous ISIS specialist outlets. specialist outlets.
► Our analysis suggests that mobile business researchers should begin Our analysis suggests that mobile business researchers should begin to focus their efforts more more in undustanding mobility to focus their efforts more more in undustanding mobility per seper se instead of only exploring the impacts of it.instead of only exploring the impacts of it.
Recommendations for Future Recommendations for Future ResearchResearch
► In particular, the following areas are promising candidates for a future mobile and In particular, the following areas are promising candidates for a future mobile and ubiquitous IS research:ubiquitous IS research:
High Quality Empirical ResearchHigh Quality Empirical Research. . ► Although the extremely high level of secondary research studies identified in the body of Although the extremely high level of secondary research studies identified in the body of
research on research on mobile and ubiquitous IS mobile and ubiquitous IS in 2004 has decreased, more effort should be focused on in 2004 has decreased, more effort should be focused on high-quality research projects using first-hand, empirical data that lend themselves to the high-quality research projects using first-hand, empirical data that lend themselves to the development of theory. development of theory.
Theory Development and RedevelopmentTheory Development and Redevelopment ► Mobile business is unlikely to become fully recognized as a research area in its own right until is Mobile business is unlikely to become fully recognized as a research area in its own right until is
has a solid theoretical foundation. has a solid theoretical foundation. ► Research should analyze to what extent IS theories developed under ‘stationary’ conditions are Research should analyze to what extent IS theories developed under ‘stationary’ conditions are
valid under ‘ubiquitous’ conditions.valid under ‘ubiquitous’ conditions.
Mobility StudiesMobility Studies
► While the impacts and use of While the impacts and use of mobile and ubiquitous ISmobile and ubiquitous IS have been well explored, there is still have been well explored, there is still not a consensus on how to conceptualize and measure mobility in a functional and valid way. not a consensus on how to conceptualize and measure mobility in a functional and valid way.
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