Title: Self-determination of work–play asynchronous mobile communication

Authors: Pruthikrai Mahatanankoon

Addresses: School of Information Technology, Illinois State University, Campus Box 5150, Normal, IL 61790-5150, USA

Abstract: Text messaging is an asynchronous communication tool for both utilitarian and entertainment activities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the self-determined motivation of text messaging behaviours through Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Data collected via a web-based survey were used to examine the effects of autonomy, competence and relatedness on self-determined Short Message Service (SMS). Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) revealed that only competency and relatedness increase self-determined SMS, while autonomy affected it negatively. The result implies that the ability to engage in personal communication and the desire to become socially connected are the essence of SMS internal motivation. This study also suggests that higher self-determined information technology usage reduces freedom to disengage from it and that obligated communication becomes another determining factor of usage. Practitioners and researchers can benefit from these findings by incorporating self-determined usage behaviours into work–play aspects of modern day ubiquitous computing usage.

Keywords: text messaging; SMS; texting; short message service; intrinsic motivation; extrinsic motivation; SDT; self-determination theory; SEM; structural equation modelling; work–play balance; asynchronous mobile communications.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMC.2010.032978

International Journal of Mobile Communications, 2010 Vol.8 No.3, pp.334 - 350

Published online: 05 May 2010 *

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