Mobile Communications: Re-negotiation of the Social Sphere (Computer Supported Cooperative Work, 31)

This book surveys some of the broader issues associated with the adoption and use of mobile communication and explores developing areas of inquiry. Mobile communications are looked at in the context of other types of mediated interaction (e-mail, instant messaging, Wi-Fi, and landline telephone), demonstrating the uniqueness of this form of communication and how it is influencing the renegotiation of the social sphere. This useful survey covers such areas as mobile communication in public versus private space, cultural differences in mobile communication, psychological perspectives of mobile communication adoption and use and the linguistic aspects of mobile communication. This book also compares and contrasts mobile communication in East Asia and other parts of the world.

Mobile Communications: Renegotiation of the Social Sphere surveys some of the broader issues associated with the adoption and use of mobile communication, and explores developing areas of inquiry. Mobile communications are looked at in the context of other types of mediated interaction (e-mail, instant messaging, Wi-Fi, landline telephone etc.), thus demonstrating the uniqueness of this form of communication and how it is influencing the renegotiation of the social sphere.

A truly international set of contributors consider how mobile communication has impacted on society and reflect on how it is used (and sometimes resented) in various public and private spaces. They provide an in-depth analysis of specific areas which complement our understanding of the phenomena including:

• The psychological dimensions of mobile communication (addiction, proclivity to be disturbed by others use of the mobile phone),

• The linguistics of mobile communication, and

• The understanding of mobile communication’s commercialisation.

This book will be a valuable addition to any researcher’s or professional’s reading material in the area of interaction of technology and society, providing the reader with a broad insight and specific knowledge of how mobile communication is reformulating the social sphere.