TY - GEN

T1 - Mobile, Remote and blue-collar

T2 - Twenty-Sixth European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS2018)

AU - Tarafdar, M.

N1 - Conference code: 26

PY - 2018/11/29

Y1 - 2018/11/29

N2 - Remote and mobile workers (RMWs) are typically blue-collar workers such as repair/installation engineers, delivery drivers and construction workers, who constitute a significant share of the workforce. They work away from a home or office work-base, and are highly dependent on ICT for completing their work tasks. Low workplace well-being has been a key concern regarding RMWs. The objective of this research is to understand how RMWs can use ICT use to elevate workplace well-being. Drawing from the Demand-Control theory, we first theorize that distinctive work characteristics faced by RMWs can be viewed in the conceptual framing of information-processing 'demands'. We then conceptualize RMWs' practices of ICT use as possible means of 'control' to counter these demands. In this research-in-progress paper we report on an interpretive and interview-based study of twenty-eight RMWs employed in two firms in the UK, across fourteen remote work sites. Initial findings reveal that while RMWs faced high levels of information-processing demands due to their work conditions, they also were able to develop practices of ICT use that enabled them to meaningfully address these demands. Further, we see indications that existence of these practices was associated with higher workplace well-being. Expected theoretical contributions and ongoing analysis are discussed. © 26th European Conference on Information Systems: Beyond Digitization - Facets of Socio-Technical Change, ECIS 2018. All Rights Reserved.

AB - Remote and mobile workers (RMWs) are typically blue-collar workers such as repair/installation engineers, delivery drivers and construction workers, who constitute a significant share of the workforce. They work away from a home or office work-base, and are highly dependent on ICT for completing their work tasks. Low workplace well-being has been a key concern regarding RMWs. The objective of this research is to understand how RMWs can use ICT use to elevate workplace well-being. Drawing from the Demand-Control theory, we first theorize that distinctive work characteristics faced by RMWs can be viewed in the conceptual framing of information-processing 'demands'. We then conceptualize RMWs' practices of ICT use as possible means of 'control' to counter these demands. In this research-in-progress paper we report on an interpretive and interview-based study of twenty-eight RMWs employed in two firms in the UK, across fourteen remote work sites. Initial findings reveal that while RMWs faced high levels of information-processing demands due to their work conditions, they also were able to develop practices of ICT use that enabled them to meaningfully address these demands. Further, we see indications that existence of these practices was associated with higher workplace well-being. Expected theoretical contributions and ongoing analysis are discussed. © 26th European Conference on Information Systems: Beyond Digitization - Facets of Socio-Technical Change, ECIS 2018. All Rights Reserved.

KW - Equivocality

KW - ICT use practices

KW - Information processing demands

KW - IT enabled work

KW - Remote and mobile work

KW - Uncertainty

KW - Workplace well-being

KW - Information systems

KW - ICT use

KW - Mobile work

KW - Well being

KW - Information use

M3 - Conference contribution/Paper

BT - Proceedings of ECIS 2018

PB - AIS Electronic Library

Y2 - 23 June 2018 through 28 June 2018

ER -