As a result of the concept analysis, it is proposed that mobility is defined as a feature of an activity system, which appears in its different components, which are subject, tool and the object of the task. This three factor unity forms the operational basic unit of mobile work, which materialises in different operational environments or locations. In regards to the subject, mobility occurs as physical and virtual movement. Physical movement means the movement from one place to another by an individual or by a larger social group (or by a part of it). Virtual movement means movement in the network and working there.

The concept analysis was carried out by collecting and analysing written material and material from the Internet, related to mobile work and to some degree mobile technology. The present state and prospects of mobile work in Finland was found out by interviewing 29 experts. The data was gathered and analysed during the year 2004. The results of the secondary analysis are presented in this report’s first part and the results of the interviews are presented in the second part.

Regarding the tool, the question is about making it possible to work in different locations with wireless information and communication technology, such as laptops, mobile phones and the infrastructure and services that support their functioning. Additionally mobility is the physical or virtual movement of the work’s material or intangible object. In addition to the concept definition, this report presents some observations of the connection of mobility to different phenomenon in working life, based on an earlier empirical research.

The interview study’s experts mostly define mobile work as technology supported location independent work. A mobile organisation is the collaboration and communication of dispersed working, partly mobile workers. The present state of mobile work is seen as promising. Development has occurred, even if it has been slow. The factors that have affected the pace are: mobile work does not concern everybody, there has not been a clear model and organisational attitudes have slowed down mobile work from becoming general. Mobile solutions are not necessarily genuinely in use in many companies. Many have not wanted to invest in the technologies, fearing among other things the costs and insufficient functioning. Also many find the use of technologies to be troublesome. This inconvenience is due to shortages in the infrastructure, inconveniencies in the user interfaces, limited experience of use and weak managerial practices. Finland is seen as lagging behind countries such as the United States, Japan and many West European countries. A clear direction seems to be missing in the development. Mobile work, and the technologies used in it, is seen to influence many things in the future. The picture of where we are headed is not clearly presented. If anything, the journey to the future is seen as taking measures to remove the obstacles of daily mobility and as gradual progress.

Ministry of Labour
P.O. Box 34
00023 Government
Finland
Phone: + 358 10 60 4001
kirjaamo.tyoministerio@mol.fi
http://www.mol.fi

01/02/2005

Matti Vartiainen, Johan Lönnblad, Anssi Balk and Kari Jalonen

research

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Employment