Mobile phone appropriation of students and staff at an institution of higher learning

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption and appropriation of mobile phone (MP) technologies by building on the technology appropriation theories. The paper also looks into the choice of MP use through various attractors, the purposes of MP use and the extent of use of various MP applications and features by the targeted users. This paper also explores the influences of age, gender, and occupation type on MP appropriation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used a survey method in order to achieve the intended objectives. The staff (academic and non‐academic) and students of three academic faculties of a university in Malaysia were used as the study's population. A sample of 201 was selected and used for the purpose of this paper.FindingsThe result of the paper allows us to describe important elements of MP appropriation and explore the influence of individual characteristics such as gender, age and occupation on different patterns of MP use through our conceptualization of appropriation. It is found that all of the individual characteristics investigated were significantly related with the MP appropriation and use.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations in this paper are related to the ability of the result to be generalized to other user groups as well as other user groups at other institution of higher learning. More research needs to be conducted to ensure the robustness of the findings by comparing with other users.Practical implicationsThe results of the paper are expected to assist in understanding the use of MPs across different ages and occupation and serve as a mechanism in guiding the development of MP applications and design by service providers and manufacturers, respectively; as well as in aiding policy formulation on MP use at the work place.Originality/valueThe paper has taken a different approach from the commonly applied IT adoption and acceptance model in understanding MP use. The rationale for the use of appropriation theory from the study can contribute to similar areas with similar types of technology applications.